An optimum tour for First Timers in India. The tour is also famous by the name of Golden Triangle Tour.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Depart from Home (you can ask us to include international flights if you choose).
Day 2: Arrive at Delhi (most flights arrive either in the evening or at night). You are greeted at the airport by your Tour Director, and then ushered to a chauffeur driven vehicle. You are then driven to your hotel where you are assisted with your check in. The next day’s plans are briefly reviewed and the travel facilitator or Tour Director hands over travel documents such as your air tickets and hotel vouchers to you.
Day 3: Delhi. Start your exploration of India with a city tour of Old Delhi that includes visits to the Jama Masjid (1650 AD) which is the largest mosque in India, and the amazing Red Fort (1639-48) which was the seat of the Moghul Empire for more than 250 years. Enjoy a rickshaw ride along the alleys of the ancient bazaar at Chandni Chowk. Visit the bird hospital (located at of the Digambara Jain Temple opposite the entrance to the Red Fort) at the east end of Chandni Chowk. You also visit the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi (Raj Ghat). There is a break for lunch.
Afternoon – enjoy a city tour of New Delhi that begins with a drive past Safdarjang’s Tomb (1753 AD) while driving to the Qutab Minar (1193 A.D.) which is a striking medieval tower of victory of Persian architectural style and 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. Later, visit the Tomb Moghul Emperor Humayun and then drive through Lutyens New Delhi which includes the Embassy area (Diplomatic enclave), Government buildings, India Gate, a golden domed Sikh Temple (Bangla Sahib Gurudwara), Birla Temple and Connaught Place, which is New Delhi’s main shopping area.
Day 4: Delhi – Agra. Board the early morning (6 am) Express train - two hour journey - to Agra. Half day tour of Agra – The tour includes a visit to Itmad -Ud –Daulah’s tomb, built by the Mughal Emperor Jehangir’s queen as a memorial to her father. It has beautiful ornamentation with "Pietra Dura" inlay and lattice marble screens. The mausoleum rests in a walled garden with a view of the river Yamuna. Constructed in the year 1628, most historians believe that its design provided the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. You then visit the original red sandstone fort in North India, the Agra Fort. It was built in 1565 by Emperor Akbar, the greatest Mughal ruler of India. Its maze of courtyards, marble mosque, and private chambers all serve as reminders of the grandeur of the Mughal Empire. There is a break for lunch.
Afternoon - Visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the incomparable Taj Mahal. The world’s greatest monument dedicated to love, the Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1653 AD as a memorial to his beloved queen, Mumtaz Mahal. This pure white marble mausoleum took 22 years and 22,000 craftsmen to build. Tour the amazing monument and its surroundings till it is time to admire the sun’s rays setting on the Taj Mahal’s façade. Agra is famous for its marble art and manufacturing of the same.
Day 5: Agra – Jaipur. You have the option (no charge) of a sunrise visit to Mehtab Bagh, which is a 500 year old Mughal garden located across from the Taj Mahal on the other side of the Yamuna River. If you do that, you will return to your hotel to freshen up after the visit. Check out of your hotel and proceed for the drive to Jaipur. Stop at Fatehpur Sikri for a tour. This deserted, red sandstone city, built by Emperor Akbar, between 1570 and 1585, is a haunting reminder of its brief and glorious past. Visit the towering Bulund Darwaza (The Gate of Victory), which is set in the south wall. In the northern part of the courtyard is the superb white marble tomb of Shaik Salim Chishti, built in 1570. Arrive at Jaipur and check into your hotel.
Afternoon - Proceed for a half day city tour of the walled city of Jaipur, including the magnificent City Palace. Visit the unique Jantar Mantar magnificent stone observatory built by Raja Jai Singh in 1728. View the ‘Hawa Mahal’ (Palace of the Wind), the intriguing facade built in 1799 to allow royal ladies to view the city and bazaar from the windows. Continue the tour to visit the City Palace, the former royal residence (a part of it is still occupied by the Royal family and is not accessible to the public), built in a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles. This immense complex also houses a number of museums that offer a large and impressive collection of miniature paintings, costumes, and armory. Jaipur is famous for its carpets, jewelry, and handicrafts.
Day 6: Jaipur. Start your day with an excursion to Amber Fort & Palace, located 12 kilometers from the center of the City. Arrive at the complex well before 9 a.m. so as to be able to partake in the elephant back ascent. The Fort was originally built by Raja Mansingh and is one of the finest examples of Rajput architecture. Enjoy the ascent to the palace on the back of a brightly caparisoned elephant. Visit the chambers and hallways of the Palace which are famous for their design and decorations.
From here you will proceed on a drive to Samode for sightseeing and a camel back (or camel cart) safari through local villages. Please bear in mind that there are no sand dunes in this area. Enjoy a Rajasthani lunch (included) at the Samode Palace. A guided tour of Samode Palace and the other monuments in the area is included. Drive back to Jaipur in the late afternoon. Evening – Watch the show at your hotel and then drive to have dinner with an Indian family at their home. Or drive to a cultural show and dinner.
Day 7: Jaipur – Delhi - International Flight. Board the morning flight to Delhi. Arrive at Delhi and you are greeted at the airport by your personal driver. If you are doing this visit as part of a small group, you are provided with personal vehicles for each single traveler / couple / family traveling together. Do any last minute shopping and sightseeing that you feel you may have left for the end. Your vehicle and driver stay with you till your (usually late evening) assisted check in at the airport. Our services end at Delhi airport.
Day 8: Arrive Home.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Daily Breakfast at all the hotels
- Dinner and cultural show at Jaipur
- All transfers and sightseeing by your personal chauffeur driven car
- Services of an English speaking guides at all destinations
- Cycle-rickshaw ride at Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi
- Folk music and dance greeting at Agra
- Horse drawn carriage ride to the Taj Mahal in Agra
- Applicable monument entrance fees as per the itinerary.
- Personal Elephant ride (per couple) with your own (jeep option available) up the ramparts of Amer Palace in Jaipur.
- Personal Camel back (per person) or camel cart safari (per couple) at Samode (jeep option available)
- Delhi–Agra Train fare by Luxury Chair Car
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