Day 1 : Arrive in Delhi (Flight TBA)
On arrival at Delhi International airport, you will be welcomed by our executive and assisted for transfer to your hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel in Delhi.
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full day city tour of Old and New Delhi.
Start the day to explore the capital of Muslim India between the 12th and 20th centuries, the Old Delhi. We shall stop at the Red Fort for a photo shoot and then take a Rickshaw Ride through the narrow streets of the Old Delhi up to the nearby Jama Masjid Mosque, the largest in India, has a courtyard that can hold 25,000 worshippers. Then pay a poignant visit to Rajghat, the site of Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation and a memorial to this humble man who so changed the world.
In the afternoon we explore India’s bustling capital city the New Delhi visiting the Vijay Chowk, “Victory Square”, stopover at the Presidential Palace with its intriguing combination of classical and Indian design elements and the India Gate memorializing Indian soldiers who died in World War I. Finally visit the Qutab Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world.
Overnight stay at hotel in Delhi.
Day 3 : Delhi – Agra (By Road 210 kms / 4-5 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, check out to start the drive to Agra. On reaching Agra, check-in to your hotel and relax.
In the afternoon we shall be visiting the Tomb of Imtad-ud-Daulah, which was the title given to Mirxa Ghiyath Beg, father of Nur Jahan. She completed the construction of the building of the Tomb for her fathe in 1628 AD, nearly seven years after his death. It is also being referred to “Baby Taj Mahal” as it has resemblance with Taj.
Next before Sunset, we shall visit Mehtab Bagh, which is a charbagh garden complex and one of the last Mughal gardens in Agra. It is located just north to the Taj Mahal and overlooks the Agra Fort and Yamuna river on the opposite side. Perfectly aligned with the gardens of Taj Mahal, Mehtab Bagh provides a picture-perfect view of the Taj from the fountain at the front of the entrance gate. It is a popular SUNSET spot among the photography fanatics and nature enthusiasts.
Overnight stay at hotel in Agra.
Early morning SUNRISE visit to the world renowned Taj Mahal referred to as one of the wonders of the world. It is the epitome of tourism in India and is celebrated for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty. A symphony in white marble, a tribute to eternal love, it was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The main structure is set amidst landscape gardens. While on three sides it is surrounded by high walls, the rear is bound by the river Yamuna.
Return back to the hotel for breakfast.
Post breakfast visit to the Agra Fort, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture and the seat and stronghold of the Mughal Empire under many successive generations. Originally planned as an impregnable military structure by Akbar, the Agra Fort, over a period of time, acquired all the elegance, lavishness of an imperial palace.
Afternoon will be free to relax and at leisure to enjoy the recreational facilities at your hotel.
Optional activities suggested:
Food Walk of Agra OR Kinari Bazaar Walk OR Indian Family Home Visit
Overnight stay at hotel in Agra.
Remark: Taj Mahal is closed for visitors on Friday’s.
Day 5 : Agra - Jaipur (By Road 240 kms / 4-5 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and proceed with your drive to Jaipur.
Our first stop will be at the old deserted town of Fatehpur Sikri. The city was founded in the year 1569 by the Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great, and served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585, when it was abandoned due to lack of water.
Continue further and next we stop at Abhaneri which is known for its 'Baori' or Step Wells which was invented by the natives to harvest rain water. The Baori was used as a cool place of retreat and as a water source/reservoir during parched times of the year. Chand Baori remains one of India's deepest and largest step wells. The Baori consists of three flight of stairs descending into the earth with a subterranean palace on one side. The flight of stairs and the palace are all arranged in a square pattern with the well lying at the very bottom. The palace at the bottom of the Baori was a place for the royals to stay during hot summer days. There is a large courtyard all around the Baori from where great views of the Baori can be had.
On reaching Jaipur, check in to your hotel.
Optional activity suggested for evening:
Traditional Rajasthani Folk Dance show with Dinner
Overnight stay at hotel in Jaipur.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Start your city tour with a photo stop at Palace of Winds popularly known as Hawa Mahal, a five storeyed wonder with a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes and spires. Then continue to the splendid Amber Fort, an architectural masterpiece of great historical significance. Begun in the 16th century and built of red sandstone and marble, the seemingly rough exterior gives no hint of the warm and opulent ambiance of the interior, as you’ll discover this morning. Here you also get an opportunity to climb up to the fort on Decorated Elephant back.
In the afternoon we visit the splendid City Palace & Museum which opens a door into the opulent world of the Rajput princes and the treasures with which they surrounded themselves. The City Palace complex is home to several palatial buildings constructed by influential rulers that reflect the blending of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles. Next visit The Observatory popularly known as Jantar Mantar built by Maharaja Jai Singh II, the world’s biggest stone observatory, between 1727 and 1733 AD. You’ll be amazed by the “tools” he used to study the heavens – and that still provide accurate information today – during a tour.
Optional activities suggested:
Jaipur Bazaar Walk Tour OR Cuisine of Jaipur OR Old Town of Amber Walk Tour (morning time)
Overnight stay at hotel in Jaipur.
Day 7 : Jaipur – Varanasi (By Flight)
Breakfast at the hotel. In time transfer to airport to connect flight for Varanasi. At Varanasi airport our representative will meet and assist you for transfer to hotel.
Varanasi the ‘Holy City of India’ on the banks of the sacred River Ganges. Since the 6th century BC, devout Hindu pilgrims have flocked to Varanasi from all over India to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges in the belief that doing so washes away sins and cleanses one of all evil.
Evening we take you to the Ganges to view the spectacle of evening prayers on the great “ghats,” stairways leading down to the river, and the ritual of “putting the river to sleep”. You’ll always remember the twinkle of numerous diyas (tiny lamps), as they are set afloat on the river.
Overnight stay at hotel in Varanasi.
You’ll know that sunrise is a special time on the Ganges as, during an early Morning Cruise on Ganges, you view locals & tourist gathering on the ghats to bathe in its sacred waters, as the day begins performing their daily morning rituals.
Later we proceed for the city tour visiting Benaras Hindu University – which is one of the largest and oldest university in north India and the New Vishwa Nath Temple in the university complex. Then we visit the Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple and the Bharat Mata Temple.
In the afternoon we visit and discover Sarnath, one of the holiest sites in Buddhism, where Buddha is said to have preached his first sermon.
Overnight stay at hotel in Varanasi
Day 9 : Varanasi – Delhi (By Flight)
Breakfast at the hotel and check out at 1200 hrs.
In time transfer to the airport for your flight back to Delhi. On reaching Delhi, transfer and check in to your hotel. The balance of the day will leisure and free for shopping.
Overnight stay at hotel in Delhi.
Breakfast at the hotel and check out at 1200 hrs.
You shall be given the departure transfer to the airport 03 hours prior to your departure fight time or as advised to report by your airlines.
