Day
1 -
Delhi
Arrive at Delhi
Arrive Delhi. On arrival, you will be greeted and assisted by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Imp: Rooms will be available from1400 Hrs.
DELHI - It is a city that bridges two different worlds. Old Delhi, once the capital of Islamic India, is a labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with crumbling havelis and formidable mosques. In contrast, the imperial city of New Delhi created by the British Raj is composed of spacious, tree-lined avenues and imposing government buildings. Delhi has been the seat of power for several rulers and many empires for about a millennium.
Overnight: Delhi
Day
2 -
Agra
Delhi - Agra (B)
After breakfast, enjoy sightseeing of Delhi including following:
Drive past the Govt. Buildings
New Delhi houses several government buildings and official residences reminiscent of the British colonial architecture. Today we will drive past few of them, like The Parliament House, designed by Baker is 173m in diameter, the Rashtrapati Bhawan once the Viceroy’s residence is now the official residence of the President of India. Designed by Lutyens, it combines western and eastern styles.
Photo stop at the India Gate
At the centre of New Delhi stands the 42 m high India Gate, an "Arc-de-Triumph" like archway in the middle of a crossroad. Almost similar to its French counterpart, it commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I. The memorial bears the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919. Under the arch, the Amar Jawan Jyoti commemorating Indian armed forces’ losses in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.
Humayun Tomb
Humayun's Tomb is probably one of the most innovative and experimental monuments of its time, incorporating within it Indo-Islamic architectural styles. This magnificent garden tomb is the first substantial example of Mughal architecture in India. It was built in 1565 A.D. nine years after the death of Humayun, by his senior widow Bega Begam. Inside the walled enclosure the most notable features are the garden squares (Charbagh) with pathways water channels, centrally located well proportional mausoleum topped by double dome.
After sightseeing drive to AGRA - The city of the inimitable “TAJ MAHAL”. The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal Empire. While its significance as a political center ended with the transfer of the capital to Delhi in 1634 by Shah Jahan, its architectural wealth has secured its place on the international map. On arrival check in at the hotel.
Overnight: Agra
Day
3 -
Suroth
Agra - Suroth (B, D)
After breakfast visit
Taj Mahal or Crown of Palaces is a white marble mausoleum, built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan as a memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. A world-renowned wonder, Taj Mahal looks the same from all the four sides and is widely recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage". The Taj Mahal is phenomenal not in the beauty alone but in the deep planning and design that went into its making. This enchanting mausoleum started in 1631 and it took 22 years to complete with the help of an estimated 20000 workers. (It remains closed on Fridays).
Agra Fort.
The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1666, A.D. although additions were made till the time of his grandson Shahjahan. The forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner paradise. There are a number of exquisite buildings like Moti Masjid - a white marble mosque akin to a perfect pearl; Diwan-I-Am, Diwan-I-Khaas, Musamman Burj - where Shahjahan died in 1666 A.D. Jahangir's Palace; Khaas Mahal and Shish Mahal. The massive Agra fort is 2.5 km long and is considered as the predecessor of the Delhi Red fort.
After sightseeing continue drive to Suroth. The overnight will be at Suroth Mahal that was built as a royal residence 800 years ago by Maharaja Baldev Singh, when he was the ruler of Suroth – a part of Jaipur Riyasat. In the evening enjoy cooking demonstration followed by dinner at the hotel. Enjoy the Cooking Class along with the Dinner. Cuisine of Rajasthan has been greatly influenced by the climate of the state as well as the war conditions, which were quite frequent. Because of inadequate water, lack of green vegetables and other problems associated with the climate, Rajasthani cuisine developed a style of its own, to suit the conditions. Long lasting food, not requiring any heating, evolved because of the frequent wars fought by the state. Today you will cook the food in traditional Indian style. The dishes cooked during the Cooking class will be served for the dinner. During the dinner also enjoy a traditional dance performance.
Overnight: Suroth
Day
4 -
Jaipur
Suroth - Jaipur (B)
Today early morning enjoy a session of yoga. The ancient art of yoga helps to keep the delicate balance between mind and body in perfect harmony. Our professional yoga teacher can guide you through the asanas and help you rejuvenate. After breakfast enjoy camel cart ride to visit the 700 years old village where one can see local handicraft shops like lacquer work, bangle making, wooden toys, bamboo items, traditional sweets colourful bazaars etc. Later visit the Railway station named after H.H Fateh Singh (King of Suroth) which is located in the village followed by visit to an Organic Farm to have a look at traditional ways of tending the livestock. After sightseeing continue drive to Jaipur.
JAIPUR - The fascinating capital of the marvellous state of Rajasthan.
Jaipur is popularly known as the Pink City, thanks to the colour of its buildings. It was built in 1727 A.D by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, followed a grid system, which made it the only planned city of its time. A young Bengali architect Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya designed the city in accordance with Shilp Shastra - an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture. There are innumerable sagas and stories of culture, traditions, practices and valour. This diverse land of rich cultural heritage is a royal treat for tourists all over the world. On arrival in Jaipur, transfer to hotel.
Overnight: Jaipur
Day
5 -
Jaipur
Jaipur (B)
After breakfast enjoy visit of Jaipur including following:
Amber Fort
The Amber Fort set in picturesque and rugged hills is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Constructed by Raja Man Singh I in 1592 and completed by Mirja Raja Jai Singh, the fort was made in red sand stone and white marble. Amber is the classic and romantic fort-palace with a magnificent aura. The interior wall of the palace depicts expressive painting scenes with carvings, precious stones and mirror settings. Built mainly for the warring enemies as a safe place, the heavily structured walls could defend the residents within the ramparts of the fort.
Elephant / Jeep ride at Amber Fort (One way)
Elephant ride up to the Amber Fort like the royalty of Rajasthan once did. Mount the animal from a raised platform and sit comfortably in a specially designed, secure seat as the majestic animal winds its way up the ramparts of the fort. The Elephants look beautiful as the mahouts (the person who drives the elephants) decorate them, especially the trunk, with floral and geometric patterns using coloured chalk and powders.
Hawa Mahal Palace (stop for photograph from outside only)
The poet king Sawai Pratap Singh built this palace of winds. This is easily the most well-known landmarks of Jaipur and is also its icon. This five-storey building overlooking the busy bazaar street is a fascinating example of Rajput architecture and artistry with its delicately honeycombed 953 pink sandstone windows known as 'jharokhas'. It was originally built for the ladies of the royal household to watch everyday life and processions in the city from their veiled comfort.
City Palace
Located in the heart of the walled city, the City Palace Complex gives you an idea about the farsightedness of the founder of Jaipur Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. He left behind a legacy of some of the most imposing and magnificent architecture in the city. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh built many buildings but some of the structures were also built by later rulers. The palace is a blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture and the ex-royal family still lives in a part of the palace.
Jantar Mantar
The Jantar Mantar is a collection of architectural astronomical instruments, built by Maharaja (King) Jai Singh II between 1727 and 1734. It is modelled after the one that he had built for him at Delhi. He had constructed a total of five such facilities at different locations, including the ones at Delhi and Jaipur. The Jaipur observatory is the largest and best preserved of these. It has been inscribed on the World Heritage List as "an expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts of the court of a scholarly prince at the end of the Mughal period".
Later enjoy rickshaw ride through the narrow by lanes of colourful old city.
Overnight: Jaipur
Day
6 -
Mandawa
Jaipur - Mandawa (B)
After breakfast drive to Mandawa.
MANDAWA – It is a small town located in the Shekhawati Region of Rajasthan. This region derives its name from MahaRao Shekha, its former ruler. Shekhawati is also known as the "Open art gallery of Rajasthan", the region is famous for its amazing havelis and forts richly painted and decorated. The havelis of Shekhawati were built by the erstwhile rulers and wealthy merchants of the past. They served as a measure of prosperity and success of the merchants. The grander the haveli, the more prosperous the merchant was believed to be. The Havelis are full of beautiful fresco paintings. Most of the buildings are dated from 18th century to early 20th century.On arrival in Mandawa transfer to the hotel.
After some rest enjoy visit the Chokhani and Ladia havelis and the street with Saraf havelis are some of the splendid examples of this region's havelis. The Binsidhar Newatia Haveli has some curious paintings on its outer eastern wall-a boy using a telephone, and a European woman in a car driven by a chauffeur.
Overnight: Mandawa
Day
7 -
Delhi
Mandawa - Delhi - Departure (B)
After breakfast drive back to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi transfer to the international airport to connect flight back home / onward destination. Imp: Rooms will be available till 1200 Hrs in Mandawa.
Delhi I Tomb of Safdarjung
