GOLDEN TRIANGLE
Day: 01 Arrival in Delhi
On arrival at Delhi International airport you will be assisted by our representative who will take you to pre-booked hotel for check in. Your first day tour depends on your arrival time.
Day 02: Delhi Guided Tour
Following breakfast at the hotel, we will proceed for local sightseeing of Delhi. The tour begins with the viewing of the various monuments located at different locations in Delhi which are credited as the finest examples of Mughal architecture whose marks can be seen everywhere in Delhi. The tour starts with Qutab Minar, that was began by the first Muslim emperor of India, Qutab-ud-din Aibak. Next historical monument is Humayun's Tomb created by the widow of emperor Humayun after his death. After this fun ride, we will drive to the New Delhi area where we will drive through India gate, Rashtrapati Bhawan. Next, we will see the Old Delhi, where we will drive through the 2km long red sandstone wall of Red Fort, which was built by Shah Jahan, when the capital of Mughals was shifted to Delhi from Agra. Next stop is Jama Masjid, the largest mosque of India where Muslims pray on every Friday in a very large number. After Jama Masjid, next, we move to Old Delhi, where a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk - the oldest and busiest market of Delhi is an important event of the itinerary. While riding on rickshaws you will get an opportunity to see a unique culture of old Delhi and daily routine of people is entirely different from New Delhi and rest of India. Later transfer to Hotel for overnight stay.
Day 03: To Agra( 205 kms / 3 Hours)
Today drive to Agra - Agra once the capital of Mughals, remains undiminished, from the massive fort to the magnificent Taj Mahal. The Mughals besides being great rulers were also great builders and they preserved their best architectural wonders for Agra & its neighborhood. On arrival check in at hotel. Later leave for sight seeing tour of Agra. Itimad-ud-daula's Tomb: on the bank of River Yamuna was built by the queen Noor Jahan, the queen of Jahangir, for her parents. It is an architectural marvel located in Agra. It is situated at the middle of the well known and scenic Persian Garden. The tomb was superbly designed and elegantly finished in marvelous architectural styles. This tomb is sometimes referred as baby Taj as it was the precursor of the architectural marvel the TajMahal. The tomb is fully laid by yellow marble with black and white marble inlay bringing the glorious days of the Mughal rule. This tomb is placed itself in picturesque surroundings of a beautiful garden. It is a main attraction in Agra. The Mehtab Bagh: A 25 acre garden plot constructed during 1631 to 1635 AD, is the moonlight garden located along the western side of bank of the river Yamuna. It is laid just across the Yamuna, aligned with the world famous Taj in a symmetrical style. This is the ideal location from where one can view the perfect beauty of Taj Mahal under the romantic glossy moon light. This garden is one of the most attractive gardens in Agra and it replenish the grandeur era of Mughal dynasty in the minds of the traveler. This picturesque area is now converted into the epic centre of the eco-friendly environment developing around Taj Mahal. The soft cool breeze from Yamuna and the fragrance of the colored flowers in the garden are sure to attract all visitors to this romantic place. Kinari Bazaar: The narrow streets behind Jama Masjid are a crazy maze of overcrowded lanes bursting with colourful markets. There are a number of different bazaars here, each specialising in different wares, but the area is generally known as Kinari Bazaar as many of the lanes fan out from Kinari Bazaar Rd. You’ll find clothing, shoes, fabrics, jewellery, spices, marble work, snack stalls and what seems like 20 million other people. Amazingly, there is somehow room for buffaloes and even the odd working elephant to squeeze their way through the crowds. Even if you’re not buying anything, just walking the streets is an experience in itself. Later return to Hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 04: Agra
Today early Morning visit the wonderful Taj Mahal : the most photographed monument in the world, the Taj stands in its splendor of white marble, an imposing citadel on the banks of river Yamuna. Built in 17th century by Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor, in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It took over 20,000 skilled workers from across the country, working day and night for 22 years for this architectural wonder to be created. Later return to Hotel for shower & breakfast. Later visit to Agra Fort : Also renowned as the Red Fort of Agra, Agra Fort is located near to the Taj Mahal gardens on the banks of River Yamuna. The real specimen of architectural marvel, this fortress was constructed in the 15th century. The construction of this mammoth structure started during 1565 during the Great King Akbar and continued the developments up to the period of King Shah Jahan, the grandson of Akbar. The fort, in a length of 2.5 km marvelous enclosure walls, is built in red sandstones and encloses many monuments which are real architectural wonders. Many exquisite palaces such as the Shah Jahani Mahal, Jahangiri Mahal and the Khas Mahal, and audience halls named Diwan-i-Am and the Diwan-i-Khas are enclosed in the fortress. Other monuments include the Fish Pavilion, the Nagina Masjid, Garden of Grapes and the Pearl Mosque. Agra fort, one of the world heritage sites, is really a worth place to visit to view the marvelous architectural beauty in red sandstones and is a place not to be missed by historians and architects. Fatehpur sikri : This historic site was founded by Akbar the great, who at 26 years did not have a heir. He went to a saint, Shaikh Salim Chishti who lived in a city called Sikri. His blessing gave Akbar 3 sons. As a gesture, Akbar built a whole new city in Sikri. It was built between 1569 and 1585 and was intended to be the joint capital with Agra, but was soon deserted because the water system could not support any residents. It remained untouched for over 400 years now and its palaces are a remainder of the extravagance of the Mughals. Overnight at Hotel in Agra.
Day 05: To Jaipur (Enroute Chand Baori) ( 235 Kms / 4 Hours)
After breakfast we road to Jaipur. Enroute stop at Abhaneri Step Well (OR Chand Baori). Chand Baori one was built during the 8th and 9th centuries and has 3,500 narrow steps arranged in perfect symmetry, which descend 20m to the bottom of the well. Centuries ago, the stepwells were built in the arid zones of Rajasthan to provide water all year through. Jaipur - A flamboyant showcase of Rajasthani architecture, Jaipur has long been established on tourist itineraries as the third corner of India’s “Golden Triangle”, along with Agra and Delhi. At the heart of Jaipur lies the Pink City, the old walled quarter, whose bazaars rank among the most vibrant in Asia, renowned for their textiles, jewellery and Rajasthani handicrafts. For all its colour, however, Jaipur’s heavy traffic, dense crowds and pushy traders make it a taxing place to explore, and many visitors stay just long enough to catch a train to more laidback destinations further west or south. If you can put up with the urban stress, however, the city’s modern outlook and commercial hustle and bustle offer a stimulating contrast to many other places in the state. Jaipur’s attractions fall into three distinct areas. At the heart of the urban sprawl, the historic Pink City is where you’ll find the fine City Palace and the Hawa Mahal. The leafier and less hectic area south of the Pink City is home to the Ram Niwas Gardens and Central Museum, while the city’s outskirts are dotted with a string of intriguing relics of royal rule, most notably Nahargarh Fort, the cenotaphs at Royal Gaitor, and the temples (and monkeys) of Galta. On arrival check in at hotel. Later visit Laxmi Narayan Temple: In the southern horizon is a privately owned hilltop fort of Moti Doongari shaped like a scotish castle. At the foot of the hill, Laxmi Narayan Temple, beautifully built in sparking white marble, is located. Galta Ji: Beyond the gardens amidst the low hills guarding the city lies the old pilgrim centre of Galtaji. Temples, pavilions and holy kunds ( natural springs and reservoirs ) do the serene green landscape. The small temple of the Sun God, built by Diwan Kriparam on the top of the highest peak, is visible from all parts of the city. Return to Hotel for overnight stay.
Day 06: Jaipur (City Tour)
After breakfast we have a guided tour of Pink City. A visit to following monuments: Amer Fort: For seven long centuries before Jaipur was built, Amer served as the capital for Kachhwaha rulers of the old state of Dhundhar. Amer Fort is the complex of palaces, halls, pavilions, gardens and temples, which were built by Raja Man Singh, Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh over a period of about two centuries. The palace complex rising from the placid waters of the Mootha lake is approached through a steep path, now often traversed by tourists on elephant-back, to Singh palace and Jaleb Chowk. Two flights of stairs rise from one end to the chowk, one leading to the elegant temple of Shila Mata and other to the palace complex. The image of the Mother Goddess worshipped with reverence by thousands of devotees every day was brought from Jessore in East Bengal ( now in Bangladesh ) by raja Man Singh and installed here. The front courtyard of the palace complex is dominated by the spectacular pillared hall of the Diwan-e-Aam and the double storeyed painted gateway Ganesh Pole. Beyond the corridors and galleries on the either side of a small elegant Charbagh style garden are Sukh Niwas to its right and Jas Mandir to its left. The Jas Mandir in the upper floor combines the finest elements of mughal architecture and interior decoration in a Rajput setting with intricately carved jali screens, delicate mirror and stucco works and painted and carved dado panels. The older and simpler structures at the far end were built by Raja Man Singh in the later year of the 16th century. Jal Mahal: A tiny palace romantically located in the middle of a small lake, this was supposed to be a hunting lodge for the royal family. It can only be viewed from the banks of the lake. City Palace: The City Palace is a historic landmark. The carved arches are supported by grey-white marble columns studded with floral motifs in gold and coloured stones. Two elephants carved in marble guard the entrance, where retainers whose families have served generations of rulers are at hand to serve as guides. The palace interior houses a Museum containing select collection of various types of Rajasthani dresses, a fascinating armoury of Mughal and Rajput weapons; swords of all shapes and sizes, with chased handles, some of them inlaid, enamelled, encrusted with jewels and encased in bold and magnificent scabbards. Jantar Mantar: Jantar mantar is one of Jai Singh's five remarkable observatories. Constructed with stone and marble its complex instruments whose settings and shapes are precisely and scientifically designed represent the high points of Medieval Indian astronomy. The Ram Yantras used for gauging altitudes are unique in their isolation. This is the largest of the five observatories founded by Sawai Jai Singh-II in various parts of the country. It has been listed in UNESCO world heritage sites. Hawa Mahal: Built by the poet king Sawai Pratap Singh, the Hawa Mahal is the most strikingly designed monument in Jaipur. What is seen from the Sireh Deorhi Bazaar is the multiniched five storey high backside of the complex ( see it in photo gallery ). It was conceived to provide adequate vantage position behind delicate stone carved jali screens to the palace women for watching the royal processions passing through the bazaar below. Overnight at Hotel in Jaipur.
Day 07: Jaipur – Delhi
After breakfast at Hotel, leave for Delhi. On arrival transfer to International Airport for your flight back home or onward destination