Day 01:
Aboard - Delhi Arrive late night at New Delhi International
airport. On arrival, the guest will be met by our representative and
transferred to hotel. Upon arrival at hotel the guests will be provided with
the traditional Indian welcomeConsisting
of Aarti-Tikka and garlands with non-alcoholic welcome drink. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 02: Delhi
Morning sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. Visit the former centre of Moghul
Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling
bazaars. Visit 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. Afternoon sightseeing tour of
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 hotel
Day 03: Delhi - Samode - Jaipur After breakfast drive to
Jaipur enroute stopping at Samode (280 kms) - for lunch. SAMODE
PALACE - The comfortable palace is today full of
architectural delights with stately corridors, frescoed walls ethereal
audience halls, harmoniously reflecting the skill of master craftsmen.
Upon arrival in Jaipur - check-in at the hotel. Enjoy a cycle
rickshaw ride through the bustling bazaars. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 04: Jaipur
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. After lunch tour of City. Tour
of the Pink City - 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 hotel. Day 05: Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra After breakfast drive
to Agra (221 kms) enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur
Sikri - drive to the 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. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Agra - Gwalior - Agra
Early morning visit the Taj Mahal at dawn,
a white marble memorial built by Shah Jahan for 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. Transfer to the Railway Station for Shatabdi Express train
to Gwalior (0820/0940 hrs) for a full day sightseeing tour. Upon
arrival at Gwalior Railway Station, the guests will directly proceed for
sightseeing. Tour includes the enormous 19th century Jai
Vilas Palace. This Palace is famous for its ornate
chandeliers & crystal. A few of the rooms have in converted into a
museum filled with the Scindia dynasties memorabilia. Thereafter visit
proceed to the Usha Kiran Palace hotel for a lunch. This Palace was
originally the Maharaja's guest house. After lunch proceed to the huge
Gwalior Fort - where a sun
temple is believed to have been constructed within the area of the fort.
Also visit Man Mandir which
is a six towered palace & which forms the eastern wall of the fort. The
fort has monuments dating back to 8th century A.D. onwards and is one of the
largest forts in India. Also visit the Gujri
Mahal, a turreted palace of stone now houses the
archaeological museum. Gwalior also offers the Tomb of Muhammad Ghaus, a
saint worshipped by the Mughals & the Tomb of the famous musician
Tansen. Evening transfer to the Railway Station for Taj Express train
to Agra.(0820/0940 hrs). Upon arrival in Agra, the guests will be
transferred to hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 07:
Agra - Delhi After leisurely breakfast drive to Delhi (203 kms/ 5
hrs)
Day 08: Delhi - Abroad Later transfer from
hotel to the airport for flight back home. Tour ends.