Day 01: Arrival /
Delhi
Late night arrival. Meeting and assistance upon
arrival as our representatives welcome you and escort you to your
car.
Whilst the room keys and check-in is organized, our
representative would introduce the tour to you and hand over the
documents to you.
Welcome to India, or as we say 'atithi
devo bhava' (the guest is an incarnation of God). Thank you for
giving us the opportunity to serve you!
Overnight at Hotel
Day 02: Delhi
Following
a leisurely breakfast, we proceed on a guided tour of New Delhi,
Visiting such sights as Bahai Temple, Humayun's Tomb (1586), the
Qutab Minar 72 meters high and one of the most perfect towers in the
Persian world. The Iron Pillar which has survived the vagaries of
weather for over 1500 years. Continue with a drive through Embassy
area, the Government buildings (1921-1930) and Connaught Place, the
heart and main shopping district of the capital.
Afternoon
we cross the city and into the walled gates of the Old city with
visits to the Jamma Mosque (1650) and drive through the fabled area
of Chandni Chowk (aptly translates to Moonlight Square) where the
throngs of shoppers and vendors meet in the oldest area of Delhi.
Visit the Red Fort (1639-1648 built by Shah Jehan the builder of the
Taj Mahal in Agra) to view the inlaid and carved Royal Chambers, on
to Raj Ghat and nearby ghats where the founder of the nation,
Mahatma Gandhi and thereafter Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were
cremated.
The highlight of this tour would be a ride on
cycle rickshaws. Now these are 3-wheel cycles with a sofa seat at
the back. The Rickshawalla (Rickshaw driver) sits on a small cushion
in the front and two passengers on the sofa seat behind. This is a
remarkable way to explore and picture the hustle and bustle as well
as the colour of the narrow winding streets bursting with people and
pavement shops selling wares of all description - including a
laughing set of dentures. The ride would be accompanied by peals of
laughter both from the passengers as well as the onlookers.
Overnight
at Hotel
Day 03: Delhi - Udaipur
Early morning transfer to the airport to
connect your flight to Udaipur.
Welcome to Udaipur, the
famed "City of sunrise". A city where the sun truly never set,
where tradition and a strict code of heroism were happily united
with a love of fine living. A city that has come to be an oasis of
romance in the warrior state of Rajasthan.
Meeting and
assistance upon arrival check into your hotel
After rest
and relaxtion, we proceed on a tour of this "Lake City".
Udaipur is a cool oasis in the dry heart of Rajasthan. It is
probably the most romantic city in a state where every city has some
romantic or exotic tale to tell. The huge city palace towering over
the Lake Pichola is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. The
Jagadish temple next to the city palace enshrines a black stone
image of Lord Vishnu and his vehicle- a mighty bird called garuda -
in a brass image. The temple is a very fine example of Indo-Aryan
Art.
Evening we enjoy a boat cruise on the serene and
beautiful Lake Pichola. The island palace on the Lake called
Jagmandir Palace is quite fascinating. The Palace provided
inspirations and ideas to the builder of the Taj Mahal. The banks of
the lake provide interesting glimpses of the daily bathing and the
laundry that takes place here. Looking across the lake, with the
city and its great palace rising up behind the island palace, is a
scene of rare beauty.
Overnight at Hotel
Day
04: Udaipur - Jaipur
Morning, transfer to the airport to connect your flight to Jaipur.
Meeting
and assistance upon arrival and check into your hotel
After
wash & Change, we explore the unending shopping options of
Jaipur. An essential starting point for Rajasthan craft work is
block making and block printing and we will be exploring the process
from start to finish in some of the popular stores here. The
opportunity also exists here to tailor make outfits to your design
and size.
We also explore one of the chief attractions of
Jaipur - its jewelry, which offers a variety that ranges from chunky
tribal jewelry to enameled gold to modern diamond jewelry. Kundan
(art of stone setting) and enamel jewelry has been a specialty of
Rajasthan, particularly that of Jaipur. The stones are embossed into
decorative shapes & patterns and embellished with delicate
enamel ornamentation in the champeve (raised field) technique.
Jaipur is well known for its gold and silver enameling. Colorful
bangles made of lac and set with semiprecious stones make an
inexpensive buy. The craftsmen take great pains to embed the
hundreds of stones into the lac. The skilled gem-cutters of Jaipur
carve enchanting little animals and birds from rock, crystal, jade,
smoky topaz and amethyst. Intaglio beads & buttons and crystal
scent bottles are also available.
This evening, we visit
Chokhi Dhani where a typical Rajasthani Village is re-created
displaying traditional art, handicrafts and entertainment of
Rajasthan - Puppeteers, magic show, bullock & camel cart rides,
folk dances, acrobats, potters etc. The child would be able to work
on the potter's wheel here and make little clay pots and pitchers.
Overnight at Hotel
Day 05: Jaipur
After
a leisurely breakfast, we visit Amber Fort, the former capital of
the royal Jaipurs. Few fail to be moved by the dramatic Rajput
grandeur of this hilltop fortress-palace 11 km north of Jaipur. Set
on the dry wrinkled Aravali Hills, and surrounded by fortified
battlements, the palace straddles two sepia-hued tundra hills
overlooking Maota Lake, and its sprawling crenellated walls lattice
the surrounding hills.
We shall also visit the Hawa Mahal
or Palace of the Winds, a five-storied structure of pink sandstone
with semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows overlooking
the main street of the old city. It was built in 1799 so that veiled
royal women could peer down unseen by the world through its 593
stone screens.
Later, we precede a tour Of City Palace &
Observatory. The City Palace in the heart of the old city is a blend
of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The centre of the palace is a
seven-storied building called Chandra Palace, with fine vies over
the gardens and the city. The palace lies in the heart of the city
and occupies the whole central grid. The fortified wall has seven
gates and was built for protection from invading armies and animals
that lived in jungles, which surrounded the wall that time. Next, we
visit the Solar Observatory - an astronomical treasure house, with
solar device that give accurate predictions till date.
Overnight
at Hotel
Day 06: Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri -
Agra (245 kms)
Following a leisurely breakfast we drive to
Agra stopping at deserted Capital City of Fatehpur Sikri. This
abandoned capital of the Mughals is a perfectly preserved city at
the height of the empire's splendour. The city divided into
religious and secular parts has interesting well-sculpted buildings.
From here we continue our drive to Agra.
Upon arrival
check in to hotel
Rest of the day is at leisure for your
independent activities
Overnight at Hotel
Day
07: Agra / Delhi (205 Kms) Delhi /
Departure
Agra
is the city of the Taj Mahal, perhaps the most photographed monument
in the world. However, there is a degree of enigma about the Taj.
Once you hear about a building so much and once you see so many
pictures of a building your expectations are real high; and this is
the enigma about the Taj Mahal. No matter how many pictures you have
seen or no matter how high your expectations are the Taj never lets
you down - the unparalleled glory and beauty of the building
surpasses beyond all human imaginations. At sunrise, we visit the
Taj Mahal to witness this spectacular monument built for love.
Besides perfect symmetry in every aspect of its construction, the
inlay work of semi precious stones into marble in pietra dura style
is absolutely remarkable.
After breakfast, we ride to the
massive Agra Fort. The elegant buildings inside reflect an
interesting synthesis of Hindu and Central Asian architectural
styles. Built by Emperor Akbar, the maze of the courtyards, mosques
& private chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal
Empire. The Moti Masjid & other magnificent buildings reflect
the skill of the ancient Indian architects.
Following the
tour of massive Agra Fort, we ride out to Delhi. The journey is
along one of India's finest 4-lane dual carriageway. Also, our
travel in our luxury car would ensure the smoothest and the most
comfortable journeys. We would have opportunities to stop at
well-appointed restaurants for refreshments and washroom facilities.
Home Visit & A Farewell Dinner with an Indian Family:
This evening, we would visit an Indian family for an Indian home
experience. The evening is designed to give you a 'feel' and insight
into Indian family life as well as experience typical Indian
hospitality and home made Indian food.
After dinner
transfer to International airport to board your flight back home.