Day
01 Arrive Delhi
- Arrive Delhi by International flight.
-
A history which encompasses all the various kings and emperors who
fixed their royal citadels here-- Indraprastha, Lal Kot, Quila Rai
Pithora, Siri, Jahanpanah, Tughlakabad, Ferozabad, Dinpanah, Delhi
Sher Shahi or then Shahjahanabad. but, combined and integrated into
one, these 'new cities' have always been called Delhi and howsoever
many names it may have acquired, Delhi has always been intrinsically
identified with power and imperial sway.
- You will be met on
your arrival by the representative of Exotique Expeditions with
fresh flower garlands. You will then be transferred to your hotel.
- Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02 In Delhi
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- This morning you will be given
the city tour of Old and New Delhi.
Old Delhi - Visit
the former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient
monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Drive past the vast
Red Fort, built in 1648, the Jama Masjid, the greatest
mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built
the Taj Mahal, and the
Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to
Mahatma Gandhi. A unique experience of taking '
rickshaw ride'
from the
Red Fort, through "Chandni Chowk" or
Silver Street, experiencing the sights and sounds of this very busy
avenue heading west from the Fort. Chandni Chowk - literally means "moonlit
crossroads" and an area which best represents the "super-Oriental"
- the glory and the guile; the grandeur and the grime, with its
crowded bazaars, twisting lanes, maze of small streets strange
aromas, the pungent odour of Oriental spices, the cries of
shopkeepers, coolies and "rickshaw-walas" and the clatter
and whirr of furious industry.
New Delhi - drive past
the stately
government buildings of the British Era designed
by Lutyens, including the
India Gate &
the
Presidential Palace. Continue onto the beautiful
Humayuns
tomb of the Mughal era & predecessor of the world famous Taj
Mahal. End the tour at the towering minaret of
Qutab Minar.
- Overnight at the hotel
Day 03 Delhi - Agra
(202 Kms / 126 Miles) - Breakfast at the hotel.
-
Morning drive to Agra.
Agra has a rich historical background,
which is amply evident from the numerous historical monuments in and
around the city.
- Though the heritage of Agra city is linked
with the Mughal dynasty, numerous other rulers also contributed to
the rich past of this city. Modern Agra was founded by Sikandar
Lodhi (Lodhi dynasty; Delhi Sultanate) in the 16th century. Babar
(founder of the Mughal dynasty) also stayed for sometime in Agra and
introduced the concept of square Persian-styled gardens here.
-
Agra came to its own when Shahjahan ascended to the throne of Mughal
Empire. He marked the zenith of Mughal architecture, when he built
the Taj in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
- Arrive
Agra and check - in at the hotel.
- Afternoon you will be given
the city tour of Agra.
Red Fort - lies on the bend of
the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar built it as
his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural
style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat.
Taj Mahal - Little needs to be said about this
architectural wonder, which is always the soul raison-de-etre for
every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a
white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This
monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed and planned
by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from it's stunning design
balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for
its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best
inlay work ever seen.
- Overnight at the hotel.
Day
04 Agra - Jaipur (234 Kms / 146 Miles) - Breakfast at the
hotel.
- Leave Agra for Jaipur by air-conditioned vehicle.
- Jaipur the `Pink City' as it is popularly known, is the
bustling capital of Rajasthan. `Pink city' because most of the
buildings are pink in colour in the old city. The city retains its
old self, at the same time it is moving fast as a modern city. You
can see extreme contrast on the streets of Jaipur. On one side you
have cars, buses and motorbikes, on the other side you can see camel
carts.
- On one side there are traditionally dressed men and
women in their turbans and colorful long skirts and blouses. On the
other hand you can see modernly dressed Indians and foreign tourists
having a bite in their favorite American restaurants
- En-route
visit Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri - Impressive
sandstone fortress of Fatehpur Sikri. The fort was built in the 16th
century and only occupied for a few years before being abandoned,
leaving the buildings in virtually perfect conditions. Continue
drive to Agra. Upon arrival in Agra - check-in at the hotel.
Thereafter, visit the Red Fort, which was built by Akbar as his
citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style
-
Arrive Jaipur and check at the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.
- Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05 Jaipur
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- This morning you will be given
excursion to Amber Fort.
- Tour of the impressive
Amber Fort,
situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur City. At the foot of the
hill you will mount your caparisoned elephant for the slow but
steady climb up to the main gate, making your entrance in the time
honoured fashion. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century,
took over 100 years to build and now, although deserted, offers a
fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling
families.
- This afternoon you will be given the city tour of
Jaipur - Your tour will include the imposing City Palace, still home
to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the
public. Many antiques and artefacts belonging to the ruling family
are housed here, including a collection of weaponry. You will also
visit the Hawa Mahal, "Palace of the Winds", and the
open-air Jantar Mantar Observatory to see the vast astronomical
instruments. Enjoy a stroll through the colourful bazaar before
returning to your hotel.
- Overnight at the hotel.
Day
06 Jaipur - Udaipur (by air)
- You will be transferred to
the airport to connect your flight for Udaipur.
- Udaipur, once
known as Mewar, is the land that produced a galaxy of patriots and
heroes in quick succession, people who etched the name of Rajasthan
in every corner of the world. The Mewar dynasty traces its roots to
the Sun God. Its history has been a continuous struggle for freedom
of religion, thought and land against other Rajput groups as well as
the overbearing Mughals and Muslims of bygone eras. Its act of
patriotism, heroism, magnanimous behavior and love for independence
can never find any match in the annals of any country.
- Upon
arrival you will be met and transferred to the hotel.
Afternoon
enjoy a cruise by private boat on the placid waters of Lake Pichola.
From the lake you have a wonderful view of the City Palace
stretching along the east bank, while the south bank has pleasant
gardens running down to the waterside.
- Overnight at the hotel.
Day
07 In Udaipur - Morning enjoy the city tour of Udaipur -
The tour will cover the magnificent City Palace, the Jagdish temple,
the pleasure gardens and a drive around the other nearby lakes.
- Afternoon is at leisure.
- Overnight at the hotel.
Day
08 Udaipur - Delhi (by air) - Morning you will be
transferred to the airport to connect your flight for Delhi.
Upon
arrival you will be met at Delhi's domestic airport and transferred
to the International airport to connect your onward flight back
home.