Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Delhi
Upon your arrival in Delhi, you will be met by your tour director at the airport and escorted to the hotel, where a pre check in would be awaiting your arrival. Upon arrival at the hotel there will be a traditional Indian welcome with garlands and Aarti, tika (the auspicious way of welcoming the guests). Then you would be escorted to your pristine art deco suites which reflects the imperial character.
New Delhi begins with the drive past Safdarjang’s Tomb (1753 AD) on the way to Qutab Minar (1193 AD) this striking medieval tower of victory of Persian World is 73 m high. Within the Qutab complex, amidst the ruins of Quwat-ul-Islam mosque, stands the Iron pillar which has stood the vagaries of weather and has not rusted over 1500 years. Then drive through New Delhi includes the Embassy area (Diplomatic enclave), Government buildings, India Gate, Sikh Temple (Bangla Sahib Gurudwara), Birla Temple and Connaught Place, New Delhi’s main shopping area. Visit Humayun’s Tomb - considered to be the fore runner of Taj Mahal. Includes: (B).
Day 2: Delhi
After a leisurely breakfast your day would begin with a visit to the old Delhi, which epitomizes the true character of India. The visit offers a chance to witness the pace of the largest whole sale market of India combined with the grand monuments of the Mughal era. Then you visit the Mughal and the pre Mughal sites in new Delhi which include the grand Qutab complex from the 12th century and the fore runner to the Taj, the Humayun’s tomb. We then return to the hotel for a special dinner hosted at the Spice Route at the Imperial. The dinner gives your tour director a chance to hold a welcome lecture and to also throw light on the tour programme carefully designed for you. Overnight at the hotel. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 3: Agra
After the breakfast you would be assisted during your checkout and then you continue to drive to Agra. The drive is approximately 5 hrs, but very comfortable and offers a chance to witness the country at it’s best. Arrive Agra by lunch and check in at the Oberoi Amar villas. The remainder of the day is free for individual activities - enjoying the spa and massage at the hotel. The tour offers you the complete spa package with compliments. Overnight at the hotel. Includes: (B), (D).
Agra - Taj Mahal one of the Seven Wonders of the world built by Emperor Shah Jehan in the memory oh his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful mausoleum took 22 years to complete with a work force of 20,000. Craftsmen and master builders came from all over Asia to join in the great work – from Baghdad, Shiraz, Delhi, Samarkand and Turkey. The marble, India’s finest; was quarried at Makrana near Jodhpur. Precious and semi precious stones were imported from distant lands: Jasper from Punjab, Jade and Crystal from China, Turquoise from Tibet, Lapis from Afghanistan and Ceylon, Chrysolite from Egypt, Amethyst from Persia, Agate from Yemen, Malachite from Russia, Diamonds from Golconda and Mother of Pearl from the Indian Ocean.
Day 4: Agra
The day begins a bit early as we would suggest you to visit the legendary Taj at the sunrise. Words fail to describe the beauty of the building, its just at it’s best during the early hours of the day as it’s also less crowded. Return to the hotel for breakfast and then relax till the afternoon. After lunch you will be driven to yet another special site belonging to the Mughal era, the Agra fort from the 16th century. The evening offers you a chance to visit the Taj again, to witness the monument in a different mood. Overnight at the hotel. Includes: (B).
Day 5: Samode
This is a very special day for you. The one that would live in your memories for long. The day begins rather leisurely as we checkout late morning and then continue to drive towards Samode, by passing Jaipur. Enroute visit the most captivating site from the Mughal times, the deserted city of the great Mughals and Fatehpur Sikri.
Then the long but very informative drive continues and unfolds the various layers of true Indian living. During the drive you tour director subtly opens the topic of Hinduism and the faith in the modern living. During the drive, convenient stops have been chosen for you at short intervals. Includes: (B), (D).
You arrive at Samode, thrilled and tired, where a caravan of camel wagons awaits your arrival. The royal caravan takes you through the village streets of Samode where you are treated as the erstwhile maharajas. To add to flavor you will be accorded a grand royal welcome upon your arrival at Samode, followed by round of champagne and tandoori snacks from the India clay oven served at the Darbar hall. You would then be escorted to your suites for a wash and change and then return to the venue for the Cocktail dinner with the traditional dance programme, all organized specially for you.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Samode-Jaipur
After a leisurely breakfast, you take a very short drive to Jaipur (1 hr). Today you stay in yet another property which laid the foundation of luxury resorts in India, the Raj Vilas. A pre check in will be organized followed by a little description of the further programme. You have a choice to either relax and enjoy the luxuries of the Vilas or to take a short orientation tour into the pink city.
The pink city Jaipur is a city of its own charm. It has in its lap the most enchanting things to offer. Most renowned for its jewels, textiles and handicrafts, the city is undoubtedly the shoppers paradise. Overnight at the hotel. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 7: Jaipur
Today you would begin the day the maharaja way, as you would sit on an elephant back to ascend the majestic Amber fort. The fort is an example of Rajputs gallantry and wisdom. Descending the fort in the jeeps would give you the chance to see the interiors of Amber, the old building which were once inhabited, the temples which once spread the glair with their chanting and the ringing bells. The tour continues and brings you to the royal city palace complex and the astrological observatory, built by the founder of Jaipur. Special lunch organized at the Ram Bagh palace, the former residence of the royal family of Jaipur.
The late afternoon you return to the hotel to relax a bit and then evening holds the most spectacular event for you…the Elephant polo, truly unrivaled the most elegant beast involved in the most regal sport. You get an opportunity to try your polo skills along with your coach and have a sense of pride, what the maharajas in the days of the Raj would have had. The dinner venue for such an evening could not be better than the Baradari ( twelve pillars ). The dinner will be a traditional Rajasthan cuisine served in a silver platter. After the gala night transfer to the hotel. Includes (B), (L), (D).
The splendid Fort, Palace of Amber was wrested by the Kachhwaha Rajputs in the mid-12th century who dominated the surrounding area for the next six centuries. Amber was also the prime site of the alliance between the Mughals and the Rajputs. The astronomer-King Sawai Jai Singh II, famous for his Jantar Mantar ascended the throne in 1699. He soon decided to build a new city in the plains: Jaipur was designed according to the principals of the Shilpa-Shastra and the capital shifted here in 1727, the city attracted merchants and crafts-people that over time shaped its irresistible bazaar. The Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Jantar Mantar characterizes the old city, while the forts of Nahargarh and Jaigarh, add to the spectacle of the city.
Day 8: Jaipur-Devigarh
After breakfast you drive to the airport for a short flight to Udaipur, the flying time is 30 minutes and the seats are business class standard. Upon arrival you drive 45 minutes to the one and only Devigarh, where you get the treatment of your life time. Your stay at Devigarh has been more thought of than any other place. Here you get a perfect chance to let loose and awaken your soul and instincts through the special yoga and meditation therapies. There will be special meals prepared taking care of the therapy and you would get a few discourses on the Yoga, Ayurveda, meditation etc. by the authorities on the subject. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 9: Devigarh
You continue to relax, rejuvenate and enhance during this day. There is an option to join the tour director to give you a heritage walk through the village nearby. Continue with the yoga sessions, spa and the ayurvedic massages. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Udaipur
Today we take you to the penultimate of the tour, to the city of romance, commonly called as the city of lakes and gardens. The stay will be at the Oberoi Udai Vilas which stands apart from the rest of the world for its unique architecture and ambience. The Udai Vilas is a unique fusion of Rajput and modern architecture. You have ample free time till the evening to relax and enjoy the property and in the evening there is a special dinner venue organized at the Shiv Niwas, the residence of the Maharaja (king) of Udaipur. Overnight at the hotel Includes: (B), (D).
Udaipur is perhaps a unique pre-modern capital in Rajasthan which has no fort. Coming to life after the final sacking of Chittor, Udaipur saw an explosion of building activity - temples, palaces and Havelis. Lake Picchola with its two islands - Jagniwas (now the Lake Palace Hotel) and Jagmandir defines Udaipur. The City Palace towers over the lake. The artificial Jaisamand Lake was created in 17th century by damming the Gomti River. There are beautiful chantries (Cenotaphs) around the embankment.
Day 11: Udaipur
Today you set off to visit the beautiful monuments of Udaipur, including the city palace, sahelion Ki Bari garden. Return to the hotel for lunch and a little rest. Late evening you take the most romantic event on the placid waters of lake Picchola. The Gangaur boat will be specially decorated and laden exclusively for you to have an evening of romance, the Maharana way. Drinks and snacks served on boat. Your evening doesn’t come to an end as we host you a farewell dinner at the Lake Palace on the most carefully chosen venue, the lily pond. A farewell lecture held by the tour director over a round of champagne. Overnight at the hotel. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 12: Delhi
After a leisurely breakfast, you drive to Udaipur airport to catch a flight to Delhi. It’s about an hour long flight with a light lunch served on board. Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be transferred to the Radisson hotel where we hold the day rooms for you. It is closest to the airport. After dinner you would be given a transfer to the airport to catch your return flight.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Notes:
- Single Supplement Available for 35% Extra.
- Kindly put in a Rate request for The Tour cost of Four Star hotels.
- There is a possible extension to this tour combining Varanasi and Khajuraho. The extension is for 3 nights and priced at $ 3000 with flights, meals and all related activities.
- Please ask us if you want to do the extension with us.
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