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Day
1: Arrive Delhi
Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way
with hands clapped together. After immigration and custom
formalities, we are met and transferred to Our Hotel. In the
evening we are hosted to a Welcome dinner at local restaurant.
Overnight: Delhi (2 nights) (D)
Day
2: Delhi
The capital of India is a true reflection of the
old and new of India. We start our morning tour with New Delhi
and visit the famous India Gate followed by the Houses of
Parliament, Co naught Place and the Qutub Minar - a perfect
minaret towering 102 meters / 112 yards into the sky. New
Delhi is a blend of Mughal India, Hindu India, British India
and certainly of modern independent India. After lunch at
Local restaurant we visit Old Delhi, starting with the famous
Red Fort. Built by Shah Jehan, this was once the most opulent
fort of the Mughal Empire. Next we visit another Mughal majesty,
the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, followed by the Raj
Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. (B)
Day
3: Delhi / Agra (Drive 220 kms / 140 miles)
This morning we pass interesting Indian scenery as we drive
to Sikandra. This is where lie the remains of Akbar the Great
- one of the greatest of the Mughal rulers. A very simple
mausoleum for a person of his stature. The mausoleum brings
in a lot of visitors. We then proceed to Agra - the city that
is home to the most well known of the wonders of the world
- the Taj Mahal.
On arrival we check into our hotel
Overnight: Agra (2 nights) (B)
Day
4: Agra
Early in the morning we visit to one of the most
well known wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. Built by Shah
Jehan as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal,
the Taj is built of white marble, beautifully carved and inlaid
with semi-precious stones. Return back to hotel for breakfast.
Next we visit Agra Fort, where Shah Jehan, was imprisoned
by his son to prevent him from spending the family fortunes
on a black echo of the Taj Mahal. We also visit Itmad-Ud-Daulah,
often called as Baby Taj. A highly ornate edifice, this mausoleum
is considered as the imminent precursor of the Taj Mahal as
far as elaborate carvings and inlay work are concerned. Though
the structure does not have much to offer architecturally,
it makes a clear departure from the earlier Mughal tombs built
during the period and is more softer and with a lot of inlay
carvings. We end our tour with a visit to some of the local
factories famous for inlay work on marbles and witness the
complex art inlaying precious and semiprecious stones on the
world famous Marbles for the mines of Makrana. (B)
Day
5: Fatehpur Sikri / Jaipur (Drive 235kms / 145 miles)
A short drive gets us to Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful capital
built in 1640 by the Mughal King, Akbar the Great. The city
was later abandoned for lack of water. A superb example of
Mughal architecture, it stands perfectly preserved in the
desert. We also visit the artistically designed mausoleum
of Salim Chisty who is reputed to have prayed for a son for
Akbar leading to the birth of Salim Jehangir, the builder
of the Taj. From here we continue on a countryside drive to
Jaipur, the rose pink capital of Rajasthan.
Overnight: - Jaipur (2 nights) (B)
Day
6: Jaipur
A royal experience awaits us as we take an elephant ride uphill
to the intriguing Amber Palace, a distinguished example of
17th Century Rajput architecture. After the tour and enjoying
a panoramic view, we return to Jaipur to visit the old astronomical
observatory built by Jai Singh the founder of the city. We
also visit the majestic Palace, which houses a rare collection
of Indian art, and the colourful bazaar. Jaipur is noted for
its craftsmen, skilled in brass inlay, lacquer work and stone
setting. Most of the buildings in the old city are made of
pink sandstone and one of the most beautiful is Hawa Mahal,
Palace of Winds, where the ladies of the royal harem used
to watch the city from behind the intricately carved facade.
Evening is free to enjoy both shopping and a cultural experience
in the bazaars of Jaipur. (B)
Day
7: Jaipur / Delhi / Home
Completing The Golden Triangle, Today we drive to Delhi in
time to connect our flight to Home. (B)
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