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 Palace
Heights (Deluxe Room)
Day 02: Delhi
Following
breakfast, we proceed on a guided tour of New Delhi, Visiting such sights
as, 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.
Later 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 Palace
Heights (Deluxe Room)
Day 03: Delhi / Ajmer (Ajmer
Shatabadi – 0605 / 1245 Hrs) Ajmer / Roopangarh
Morning,
transfer to the train station to board your train to Ajmer.
Meetimg & assistance upon arrival in Ajmer & we will drive to
Roopangarh
Upon arrival, check into Roopangarh Fort
Built in AD 1648 and called after himself, the town and Fort of Roopangarh
was constructed by Maharaja Roop Singh of Kishangarh State between the mid -
17th to 18th centuries. This is called the 'Golden Period' of Kishangarh Art
and Culture, and saw to the flourishing of the world famous school of
Miniature Paintings.
Originally a nine turreted Fort, Roopangarh Fort has been built over and
added on by several generations and the different styles can still be seen
in the structure. Now beautifully restored and renovated into a hotel, it is
the first 'War-Fort' to have been done so. The nineteen large rooms are
individually and tastefully decorated, keeping in mind the history and
heritage surrounding it.
Surprisingly large guest rooms, four poster beds, colonial Indian
furniture, open log fires in winter all assure you of a warm welcome.
Combined atmosphere of splendid views from the massive terrace and magical
evenings under the clear sky with piercing desert music is intoxicating. Add
to this modern day facilities and your holiday is truly memorable.
Overnight at Roopangarh Fort
(Deluxe Room)
Day 04: Roopangarh / Jaipur (125 Kms) (03 Hrs Drive)
Morning
is at leisure for your independent activities.
Afternoon, we will drive to Jaipur.
Upon arrival in Jaipur, check in to Naila Bagh Palace The Palace stands
tall within a 21000 sq feet area; you will be welcomed within its folds by a
serene and tranquil environment. The palace is surrounded by various
courtyards and gardens on all sides where you may find beautiful peacock's
walking about aimlessly or dancing. Walk through the beautiful Mahal (main
hall) and get transported back to a time of beauty, history and opulence.
Ornate frescos and majestic portraits of Maharajas and Princesses from the
bygone era adorn the walls; colonial furniture surrounds you in majestic
charm.
After rest & relaxation, we explore the unending shopping options of
Jaipur along with our Guide. An essential starting point for Rajasthan
craftwork 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.
Overnight at Naila Bagh Palace
(Royal Room)
Day 05: Jaipur
This morning 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 will ride up to this hilltop palace on a caparisoned, painted elephant,
passing through the ancient main gate where Maharajas of Jaipur have entered
for four hundred years. Our guide will elaborate on the history of this
architectural masterpiece with its mirror-studded alcoves, dazzling mosaics
and water-cooled swings that delight today’s visitors as they did their
former royal residents.
We
shall 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 in the afternoon, we proceed on a tour Of the 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 Naila Bagh Palace
(Royal Room)
Day 06: Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri /
Agra (245 Kms) (05 Hrs Drive)
After 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 riding to Agra.
Upon arrival, check into Orient Taj
Rest of the day is at leisure for your independent activities. Car &
Driver will be at disposal for your local visits.
Overnight at Orient Taj
(Superior Room)
Day 07: Agra / Delhi (205 Kms) (04 Hrs Drive) (Taj Mahal is closed on
Fridays) 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 one of the greatest sights of one’s lifetime - Taj Mahal. A
dawn visit to the fabled Taj Mahal to witness the magical effects caused by
the reflections of the changing colours of the rising Sun on this brilliant
white marble building. Later we return back to our hotel for breakfast.
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.
Later, we will drive to Delhi along one of the India’s finest freeways
Home Visit & A Farewell Dinner with an Indian Family : Upon
arrival in Delhi, we would visit an Indian family for an Indian home
experience india .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 the International airport to board your onward
flight.
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