Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel
Overnight at the hotel
Day 2
In Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning visit of Old Delhi-the 300-year-old walled city built by Emperor Shah Jehan in 1648 as his capital and named after him. Drive past the Red Fort built of red sandstone. Opposite the fort are the black and white onion dome and minarets of the Jama Masjid, the most elegant mosque in India. Cycle rickshaw ride through the Kinaree Bazaar and Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948
Drive through the old city subject to traffic restrictions.
Afternoon visit of New Delhi-the new capital designed by Sir Edward Lutyens. Drive past the Presidential Palace, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the secretariat buildings- the centre of all government activity and down the main avenue, the impressive Rajpath to the World War I memorial arch, the India Gate, the High Court Building and the Old Fort. Visit of Humayuns’ Tomb and later Qutub Minar, 72 metres high and the ruins of Quwat-ul-Eslam (Light of Islam) Mosque See Delhi’s most curious antique, the uncorroded Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 3
Delhi – Agra by surface 220km/04hrs
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning proceed by surface to Agra. On arrival check in at the hotel
Afternoon visit Taj Mahal (Taj Mahal closed on Friday) which is among the wonders of world and was built by Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal by the banks of river Yamuna After her untimely death, Shahajahan had her mortal remains buried in this mausoleum. And after his own demise he was placed to rest next to his beloved queen in the same mausoleum The Taj has been called the most extravagant monument ever built for the sake of love. The great monument took almost 22 years to build and was completed in 1653. Around 20,000 workers from all over the country and central Asia were recruited to translate this dream into a reality.
Later visit Agra Fort- the foundation of the fort was laid by Emperor Akbar in 1565 and continued till the time of Shahjahan. The high red stone monument stretches for around 2.5 Kms, dominating a bend in the river Yamuna northwest of the Taj Mahal. The palace is a notable for its smooth blending of Hindu and central Asian architectural styles. The Diwan-i-Am (the hall of public audiences), the Diwan-i-Khas (the Hall of Private Audience), the Khas Palace (the private palace was used by emperor as a sleeping chamber), the Sheesh Mahal (palace of Mirrors), the Shah Jahani Mahal (Shahjahan’s Palace), Jahangiri Mahal (Jahangir’s Palace) and the Akbari Mahal (Akbar’s palace) are the fascinating palaces inside the fort. From the rear of Diwan-i-Khas a door leads to Mussaman Burj, a two storey pavilion, where Shahjahan was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb in his old age.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 4
Agra/ Ranthambhore (276 Kms/ 7-8 hours via Fatehpur Sikri)
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning proceed by surface for Ranthambhore enroute visit of Fatehpur sikri-a drive of around 3½ hours-37 kms west of Agra lies the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri-an epic poem in red sandstone, built by Emperor Akbar the Great in 1569 and deserted 14 years later because its water supply failed. Its glorious courtyards and palaces conjure up dreams of the mysterious past. The Panch Mahal, a strange building which resembles a Buddhist Temple, a cloistered courtyard which was the Hall of Public Audience, and the Pachchisi paved with black and white where the Emperor played chess using slave girls as figurines.
The visit takes around 1½-2 Hours as it is a huge area.
Later proceed by surface for Ranthambhore and on arrival check in at the hotel
Dinner and overnight at the hotel
Day 5
In Ranthambhore
Morning visit of Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore, covering 410 sq. km. runs from the easternmost spur of the Aravallis to the Vindhya range. It has both the old fort and the wildlife sanctuary also known as Sawai Madhopur. Open: October-May, 0630-1000, 1430-1700 Climate: Temp. range 49C (summer- end April/ May) to 2C (December/ January). The National Park is 10 km East of Sawai Madhopur town with the approach along a narrow valley.
On return breakfast at the hotel
Afternoon Jungle Safari
Lunch/ Dinner and overnight at the hotel
Day 6
Ranthambhore/ Jaipur (165 Kms/ 3-3½ Hours)
Morning visit of Ranthambore National Park
On return breakfast at the hotel
Lunch at the hotel
Afternoon proceed by surface for Jaipur and on arrival check in at the hotel
Overnight at the hotel
Day 7
In Jaipur
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning visit of Amber Fort-just 7 miles north of Jaipur is Amber with it’s a honey-coloured fortress-palace in the Aravalli Hills which can be mounted by elephant. It has been described as “the sleeping beauty of Rajasthan”. The sombre exterior belies the richness of the royal apartments which open on to striking views of the gorge. It also possesses a Chamber of Mirrors. The Hall of Victory presents a galaxy of decorative art - panels of alabaster with fine inlay work of the tenderest hues
Later city tour-Jaipur is the city which has the “tone of the autumn sunset” Visit Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) an elaborate building encrusted with delicate honeycomb screens and carved balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters, could view the world outside. Jai Singh’s Observatory built in the 17th century by the founder of Jaipur who, besides being a prince was also soldier, astronomer and builder. City Palace now a museum contains fine Rajput and Moghul paintings, rare manuscripts and an armory
Rest of the day at leisure Overnight at the hotel
Day 8
Jaipur/ Delhi (256Kms/ 5-5½ Hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning at leisure
Afternoon proceed by surface for Delhi and on arrival direct transfer to the airport. Later in time connect flight for onward journey. Flight check in starts three hours before the schedule departure time
