|
 DAY
01 : ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi in the evening. Upon arrival,
you shall met & assisted with your baggages at the airport by
our executive and transferred to your prebooked Hotel.
DAY
02 : DELHI
After breakfast, full day city tour of Delhi : India’s capital
& a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling
metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient &
the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons
why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi
also reflects the legacy the British left behind . The division
between New & Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals
of the British & the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the
visitor goes, he will invariably confront the citys’ past.
Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan,
the construction was started in 1844 and was not completed until
1658; drive past Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan. This
massive fort was built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat
- the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. Visit Humayuns Tomb
: built in mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture;
Qutab Minar, drive past India Gate, President House, Connaught Place.
The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple.
DAY
03 : DELHI - MANDAWA
After breakfast, transfer to Mandawa (Shekhawati) - The semi-desert
region lies in the triangular area between Delhi, Jaipur & Bikaner.
This region came into prominence in the 14th century when a number
of Muslim clans moved into the area and the towns of this region
developed into important trading posts on the caravan routes emanating
from the ports of Gujarat. This region is famous for painted havelis
(houses) most of which date back from the 18th century
Afternoon,  visit
the Havelis of Shekhawati. The towns of
Shekhawati are eminent for their amazing painted havelis. Such is
the appeal of the havelis that this region is dubbed as "open
art gallery of Rajasthan". The plethora
of painted Havelis in rich artistic tradition makes it commendable
and fascinating. Most of the buildings are dated from 18th century
to early 20th century. The Shekhawati landscape is dotted with so
many havelis that tracking them is something like a treasure hunt.
Various forms of fine art adorn the walls and the ceilings of these
structures, complimenting the otherwise flat and barren land. The
havelis are noted for their frescos depicting mythological themes
and that of huge animals. Some later day frescos shows the arrival
of the British and highlighting steam locomotives and train doubtlessly
for the benefit of those members of the household who did not travel
to distance places by train or see this newly introduced mode of
transport.
DAY
04 : MANDAWA - JAIPUR
(260 Kms., approx. 05 hrs. drive)
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur -
The Pink City : Jaipur needed a fresh coat of paint
to welcome its distinguished guest the Prince of Wales in 1905-6.
The contractor inability to supply any other color in the required
quantity compelled the choice of pink shade for its walls. A contractor’s
compulsion famed Jaipur to Pink city. Since then the PINK color
is associated with hospitality in Rajput culture.
The capital city of the state of Rajasthan
owes its name, its foundation and planning to the great warrior
astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II. The city of Jaipur has broad avenues
& sits on a dry lake bed in a wild and somewhat arid landscape,
surrounded by barren hills surmounted by fortresses and crenellated
walls. Upon
arrival, check-in at prebooked Hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure.
DAY
05 : JAIPUR
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort enroute witness
the façade of Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds which
was built in 1799.
Amber Fort - The ancient capital of the state until 1727 when Jai
Singh decided to move from his hillside fortress at Amber to new
site on the plains. The construction of this fort began in 1592
by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar’s army. The
fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated
on a hillside and overlooking a lake which reflects its terraces
and ramparts. Visit the Jagmandir or the hall of victory glittering
with mirrors, Jal Mahal & temple of Kali. Ascend on elephant
back, the hill, on which the fort is situated.
Afternoon,  city
tour of Jaipur. Visit the Jantar Mantar – the observatory
built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1728 ; the City Palace
which is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. It also
has a museum with an extensive collection of art, carpets, paintings,
enamel ware and weapons dating back to the 15th century.
DAY
06 : JAIPUR - FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA
(240 Kms., approx. 06 hrs. drive)
After breakfast, leave for Agra, enroute visit the abandoned Mughal
city of Fatehpur Sikri : 37 kms before Agra, built predominantly
in Red Sandstone by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of
the Mughals, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity
of water. Witness the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid,
Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are
still preserved in its original glory.
Continue drive to Agra. Arrive Agra in the evening and checkin
at prebooked Hotel for overnight stay.
DAY
07 : AGRA - DELHI
(210 Kms., approx. 05 hrs. drive)
At Sunrise, visit the highlight of the tour - The Taj Mahal
- Epitome of Love, One of the Seven Wonders of the World - was built
by Shah Jahan (King of the World) for his beloved Begum Mumtaz Mahal
(the exalted of the Palace). Work on the mausoleum began in
1633 and 20,000 workers laboured for 17 years to build it. The most
skilled architects, inlay craftsmen, calligraphers, stone-carvers
and masons came from all across Indian and lands as distant as Persia
and Turkey. The master mason was from Baghdab, an expert in building
the double dome from Persia, and an inlay specialist from Delhi.
The marble, India's finest was quarried at Makrana near Jodhpur,
Jasper from Punjab, the garnets from Bundelkhand, Jade & Crystal
from China, Turquoise from Tibet, Lapis from Afghanistan and Ceylon,
Chrysolite from Egypt, Amethyst from Persia, Agate from Yemen, Malachite
from Russia, Diamonds from Golconda and Mother of Pearl from the
Indian Ocean. Mumtaz Mahal’s final resting-place was ornamented
like a queen’s jewel-box. NOTE : TAJ MAHAL CLOSED
ON FRIDAYS
Visit Red fort, Built principally as a military establishment
by Akbar in 1565, the red sandstone Agra fort was partially converted
into a palace during Shah Jahan's time. Though the principal structure
was built by Akbar, many more additions were made by his grandsons.
This massive fort is 2.5 kms long and is considered as the predecessor
of the Delhi Red fort. The maze of courtyards, mosques, palaces,
gardens, halls of private & public  audience
of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire.
Itmad-ud-daulah, which was constructed by Nur Jahan
between 1622 and 1628 and is very similar to the tomb she constructed
for her husband, Jehangir, near Lahore in Pakistan.
Afternoon, leave for Delhi enroute visit Sikandra - Four
kilometers from Agra is the mausoleum of Mughal Emperor Akbar. This
structure is a perfect blend of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist,
Jain motifs. The tomb has three-storey-minarets on its four corners.
These minarets are built in red sandstone with stunning inlay work
of marble.
Continue drive to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and check-in at prebooked
Hotel.
DAY
08 : DEPART DELHI
Transfer to the airport to board your flight for onward destination.
The
above tour programme can be modified as per your requirements. For
any modification, please fill in the form below or mail
us
|
