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North India & Rajasthan Highlights
Duration: 09 Nights / 10 Days
Destinations: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Mumbai
Day 01: Arrival at Delhi
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport
in Delhi late in the night or midnight. Transfer to your hotel. Relax.
DELHI,
the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating
blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite
culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi
Start a full-day tour of Old and New Delhi after breakfast.
OLD DELHI - A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting
the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated;
Jama Masjid - the largest Mosque in India and the Red Fort - once
the most opulent fort and palace of the Mogul Empire.
Enjoy a Cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
NEW DELHI - An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would
include a visit to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along
the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament
House, the President's Residence and Lotus Temple and would end with
a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Spend night at Delhi.
Day 03: Delhi - Agra (By road 201 km in 5 hr)
Transfer to station by Compass Executive for train to Agra.
AGRA:
Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village
of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name
Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in
a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys
and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the
Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its
Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of
the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.
Proceed for sightseeing.
Visit the TAJ MAHAL - one of the Seven Wonders of the World
was built by Shah Jahan in 1631 AD and was completed in 1651AD. Taj
Mahal - The symbol of Love was built in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal
(Shah Jahan's second Wife).
AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565
AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is
the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.
After Agra Fort we will visit BABY TAJ - The interiors of which are
considered better than the Taj.
Shopping or relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 04: Agra - Jaipur (By road 221 km in 6 hr)
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Drive to Fatehpur Sikri.
The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his
capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience.
It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine
condition ... it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have
been like in the days of its grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza,
the largest gateway in the world.
Continue drive to Jaipur.
Jaipur
is the capital of the state of Rajasthan a romantic realm of resplendent palaces,
mighty fortresses and regal Maharajahs that lies in the western deserts and is
an utterly unique part of India. Proudly belonging to the KSHATRIYA warrior caste
and fiercely independent, the Rajput princes made fearsome foes. However, many
of them realized that to maintain their wealth and authority locally, it was expedient
to proclaim allegiance to the central power. Thus, many enjoyed a privileged position
under the Mughal emperors and also the British Raj that followed.
The bustling Rajasthan capital of Jaipur takes its name from its venerated
founder Jai Singh II, who was given the title Sawai Maharaja by the
Mughal. Literally translated this would mean 'one and a quarter',
suggesting that the Mughal thought this emperor to be more valuable
than just 'one'. Jaipur is known as the 'Pink City' on account of
the distinctive colour of its buildings. This did not, however, form
part of the original plan, but dates back to 1856, when the city was
given a wash of pink in honor of a State Visit from Prince Albert.
Reach Jaipur and check in at hotel.
This evening, visit the Birla Temple to learn more about the fascinating
religious life of Jaipur. The marble structure, built as recently
as 1985, houses ornate statues including one of Lakshmi (goddess of
Wealth and Beauty) and Narayan dressed in gaudy robes, representing
a Hindu vision of heavenly luxury. Carvings in the temple and on pillars
supporting the covered walkways include images of the Hindu pantheon,
as well as Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Francis of Assisi.
Your visit will coincide with the AARTI Ceremony, which involves oil
lamps being lit and waved, in order to awake and invoke the deity.
Enjoy the experience and spend night at Jaipur.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 05: Jaipur
Proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort after breakfast. Elephant
ride ascent to the fort.
AMBER
FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction
was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh
I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of
Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.
Continue sightseeing.
CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional
Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh
of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri
Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved
of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts
of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical
instruments is still in use.
HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of
Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-storey
structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork
and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built
in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the
palace women.
Relax in the evening or visit the markets. Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day
06: Jaipur - Jodhpur (By Road 280 km/06 hrs)
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed to Jodhpur. Reach Jodhpur and
check into hotel.
Set at the edge of the THAR Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes
with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital
of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief
of the RATHORE clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama
- the epic hero of the RAMAYANA. The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh
Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above the
plains. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8
gates and innumerable bastions.
In the evening visit the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum.
Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 07: Jodhpur
Breakfast will be at hotel.
In the morning visit Mehrangarh Fort (1459 AD) by Rao Jodha who considered
themselves the descendents of Lord Rama. In this palace you would
see different miniature paintings & cradle room. After this you
would visit Jaswant Thada Memorial.
In the afternoon visit the BISHNOI VILLAGES and have a rare glimpse
into the rich culture and true essence of India. Abundant wildlife
(game) and memorable moments of the great desert landscape fascinates
one while driving along the countryside.
Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day
08: Jodhpur - Udaipur (By Road 250km/05hrs)
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Proceed to Udaipur.
Visit Ranakpur en route. A visit to the famous Jain Temple, dating
back to the 15th century is part of the itinerary. 200 pillars, none
of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds with
intricate friezes and sculptures. Includes visits to two more Jain
temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
Reach Udaipur and check in at hotel.
The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure lake,
hemmed in by the lush hills of the Aravallis. A vision in white drenched
in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound
and experiences and inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters
and writers. Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples,
gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a
heroic past, epitomizing valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the
placid waters of the Lake Pichhola is an enticing sight.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 09: Udaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed
for sightseeing tour of Udaipur in the morning, stopping first at City Palace.
Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass
windows and inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard.
Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake
Pichola. From the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur
as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan
desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace
in the middle of the lake. Spend some time at the Jag Mandir Palace.
Visit the 300-year-old Jagdish Temple and the Royal Cenotaphs of the
Rajput kings.
Relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 10: Udaipur - Delhi or Mumbai (By morning or midday flight)
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi or Mumbai. Reach and proceed
for drive through sightseeing of the city.
Take evening international flight home in the evening as per time.
TOUR ENDS
North India & Rajasthan Highlights,
Rajasthan Holiday Packages Reservation Form
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