3 Nights / 4 Days
DAY 1: ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi by any international flight; assistance and transfer to hotel. Afternoon tour of Delhi - your first stop is Red Fort built by the great Mughal emperor Shahjahan when he shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi. A short drive down lies Jama Masjid, a grand mosque built by Shahjahan. Further, a fascinating walk down Chandni Chowk or the Silver Street takes you back to a bygone era. Next comes a drive to Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Rajghat and then on to Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India dating back to 1191 AD. Close to it are the cloisters of one of the first mosques of India, the Quwwatul. In the centre of the courtyard is a 2000-year old iron pillar built in 4 AD, famous for never having rusted. From there to Humayun's tomb built by the widow of Mughal Emperor Humayun. A drive through Delhi's avenues of British vintage brings you to India Gate, a memorial to the "unknown soldier", Rashtrapati Bhawan (residence of the President of India), and the awesome Rajpath. Finally to Connaught Circus where the best bargains await you. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 2: DELHI - AGRA (BY ROAD)
Post-breakfast proceed to Agra (203 km); after checking in at the hotel take a city tour of Agra, visit the Taj Mahal built by Shahjahan as a memorial of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. A masterpiece, it took 22 years to build; the finest of artisans were hired for the white marble edifice originally inlaid with precious stones. The structure guards the cenotaphs of the emperor and his beloved. Next comes the Agra fort from where Shahjahan, imprisoned by his son, spent time looking at the Taj. Visit Sikandra, emperor Akbar's tomb. Overnight in Agra.
DAY 3: AGRA - JAIPUR (BY ROAD)
After breakfast, proceed to Jaipur (235 km) with a visit to Fatehpur Sikri en route. Sikri is an awesome ghost town Akbar built when he grew weary of Agra; he abandoned it a decade and a half later owing to water scarcity. It still stands, its massive fortification and impressive gateway and palaces unbeaten by time. Sitting in the middle of a pink sandstone courtyard is the marble tomb of saint Salim Chisti. Arrive Jaipur and check in at the hotel.
In the afternoon, tour the Pink City of Jaipur. A visit to the City Palace, a union of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture now a museum; it houses the various artefacts from Jaipur's princely past. Also visit the Jantar Mantar built by Jaisingh, a well-known astronomer; it's a brick and mortar observatory of amazing accuracy. Not far from here is the breathtaking Hawa Mahal (palace of winds). Not exactly a palace, this place was used by the royal ladies of Jaipur to watch, unobserved, the goings on the streets below. Overnight in Jaipur.
DAY 4: JAIPUR - DELHI - ONWARD DESTINATION (BY ROAD)
Take a morning excursion to Amber Fort and enjoy an elephant ride on the ramparts of the fort. The fort is famous for its pavilions and courtyards of the palace which ascend in successive levels up the hill to the Sheesh Mahal, or pavilion of mirror; studded with tiny mirrors which reflect a single flame in a thousand times over, this is a glorious experience. Later transfer to Delhi (265 km) and drop at the international airport for your onward flight.
TOUR ENDS
INCLUSIONS:
- Accommodation for 3 nights in 3 star hotels
- Daily breakfast
- All transfers & sightseeing by individual vehicle
- English speaking local guide
- All applicable taxes
*NOTE: Above rates are per person on double occupancy basis & subject to change.
