For someone from the West, India provides an authentic adventure -
stimulating, absorbing, daunting, sometimes moving and shocking. Here is one
of the world's great dramas; an ancient, vast and crowded land committed to
the most formidably challenging exercise in mass democracy. It is a
spectacle in which hope, pride, paradox and uncertainty mingle and struggle.
It is conducted on the whole, and to India's credit in the open. The lasting
memories of the land are hospitality, kindness, good humor and generosity.
Here is a society of over a 1000 million people, growing by a million a
month, divided and united by language, caste, religion and regional
loyalties. It has often been described as a functioning anarchy; and it is
in many ways an amiable one, of marvelous fluidity and tolerance. Indeed,
the true Indian motif is not the Taj Mahal, the elephant or the patient
peasant behind the ox drawn plough. It is the crowd, the ocean of faces in
the land of multitudes, endlessly stirring, pushing and moving. It is in
this human circulation that one sees India's colour, variety, busyness, and,
senses also its power, vitality and grandeur.....................
Delhi, Agra and Jaipur - they represent and unravel the mystique that is
India. New Delhi, the elegant capital with its wide roads, sprawling gardens
and stately buildings, stands on the site of seven historical cities built
by the visionary rulers through the centuries. Agra, the capital of the
glorious Mughal emperors, harbors the incomparable Taj Mahal, the exquisite
marble monuments that attract millions of visitors every year. Jaipur is the
enigmatic pink city of the Maharajas, the city of pomp and splendor, of
colour and festivity, of a rich and regal past that continues into the
present.
This is the golden triangle - a visit to which is essential to get a
glimpse of India's rich past. Though the cities are a very different in
character from each other, their histories have been interconnected,
bringing about a similarity in culture, tradition and lifestyle.
Under the grand Mughals, the three cities were linked through political
alliances and cultural interchange. Hindu and Muslim traditions influenced
architecture, arts and crafts and the result was a unique synthesis, which
was reflected, in the literary life and performing arts of the cities.
With the establishment of British India, these three centers
were absorbed within the fold of the empire and their colourful histories
took a new turn into the future. Located at a motorable distance from each
other, these cities are easily accessible and are a must see for every
tourist.
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Late evening - On arrival at Indira Gandhi international airport, meet and
greet by our representative. Later, assistance and transfer to hotel for
immediate occupancy.
Overnight in Delhi
Day 02 : In Delhi
After a relaxed breakfast, proceed for the full day guided city tour of New
Delhi & Old Delhi.
Delhi
- the capital of India, is a fascinating city with complexities and
contradictions, beauty and dynamism, where the past co-exists with the
present. Many dynasties ruled from here and the city is rich in the
architecture of its monuments. Delhi is not only the present metropolis of
India but also a Necropolis. Because of its location, being on the banks of
the river Yamuna, many cities have risen and fallen over the last five
millenniums.
Morning : Sightseeing tour of New Delhi. Visit the Qutab Minar, a Tower of
Victory that was built in the 12th century by Qutbuddin Aibak. Within its
spacious courtyard stands the Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th
century AD and bears a Sanskrit inscription in the Gupta style. The pillar
has puzzled scientists, as its iron has not rusted in all these centuries.
The tomb of Humayun - the magnificent structure in red sandstone and white
marble is one of the finest examples of the garden tomb, and a precursor to
the Taj Mahal. Its proportionate spaces, double dome and refined elegance
are characteristic of Mughal architecture. Also visit India Gate, the
memorial of the First World War and the road that leads from there to
Rashtrapathi Bhawan - the residence of the President of India which is
flanked by the houses of Parliament and the Government Secretariat
buildings.
Afternoon: Sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. Visit the historic
Red Fort - Shah Jehan's elegant citadel in red sandstone, which was built as
an octagon measuring 900m by 550m and surrounded by a 9-meter deep moat that
was at its inception fed by the waters of the Yamuna River. The fort is
entered from the Lahori Gate and leads to a roofed passage called Chatta
Chowk. The Naqqar Khana (drum house) at the end of this passage marks the
entrance to the royal enclosure. A spacious lawn leads to the Diwan-i-Am -
the pillared Hall of Public Audience, Diwan-i-Khas - the Hall of Private
Audience where the emperor met select visitors and the Pearl Mosque built by
Shah Jahan's son, Aurangazeb, the last of the "Great Mughals".
Very near the Fort is the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), India's largest
mosque, also built by Shah Jahan. Take an interesting rickshaw ride through
the famous bazaars of Chandni Chowk, which is adjacent to both the Fort and
the Mosque. Time permitting also visit Raj Ghat - the memorial to Mahatma
Gandhi.
Overnight in Delhi
Day 03 : Delhi / Agra
Morning : Drive to Agra (204 kms/04½ hrs) and on arrival check in at
hotel. Afternoon: Guided city tour of Agra.
Agra is famous as the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the
Taj Mahal. The architectural splendor of the mausoleums, the fort and the
palaces in Agra is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal
Empire. Agra was their capital for nearly a hundred years from 1564. A
pleasant town, with a comparatively easy pace, Agra is known for its superb
inlay work on marble and soapstone by artisans who are hereditary craft
persons. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and
leather shoes.
Visit the Taj Mahal - the inimitable poem in white marble. Built over a
period of 22 years, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630, for his Queen
Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains, it is one of the seven modern
wonders of the World.
Visit the Agra Fort, built by three Mughal Emperors starting
from Akbar the Great in 1565 AD, which is a masterpiece of design and
construction. Within the fort are a number of exquisite buildings including
the Moti Masjid, Jahangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal and the Sheesh Mahal,
Diwane-i-Am, Diwane-i-Khas and Musamman Burj, where Emperor Shah Jahan, the
fifth Mughal Emperor, died a prisoner. (The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays)
Overnight in Agra
Day 04 : Agra / Fatehpur Sikri / Bharatpur
Morning:
Drive to Bharatpur (62 kms/01½ hrs) enroute visit the deserted city of
Fatehpur Sikri. On and on arrival in Bharatpur check in at hotel. Afternoon:
Enjoy a village tour.
Fatehpur Sikri - This exquisite city built by Akbar the Great in 1569, in
red sandstone; with its forts, palaces and mosques was abandoned 14 years
after its creation due to political reasons. The Diwan-i-am - a vast
courtyard in which the emperor gave daily public audience; Diwan-i-khas - a
large quadrangle which contained all the major functions of the Palace,
Pachisi court, the Emperors private living quarter, Jodha Bhai's Palace,
Mariam's Palace, Birbal's Palace, Hawa Mahal and Panch Mahal are some of the
important buildings of this residential complex. The Friday Mosque and the
exquisite tomb of Sheik Salim Chisti are in the religious grounds set aside
in a separate enclosure adjacent to the secular buildings.
Overnight in Bharatpur
Day 05 : Bharatpur / Jaipur
Morning: Enjoy a 2-hour cycle rickshaw ride in the Keoladeo Ghana National
Park. Later drive to Jaipur (175 kms/04½ hrs) and on arrival check in
at hotel. Rest of the day free for independent activities.
Bharatpur is popular for its bird sanctuary - the Keoladeo Ghana National
Park - finest in Asia, inundated with over 400 species of water birds. The
sanctuary covers an area of 40 sq. km of swampy, lightly wooded terrain that
was once the private hunting and shooting preserve of the Maharaja of
Bharatpur. Today it is the protected breeding ground for many species of
birds and also the home of migratory birds, especially of the Siberian
Crane, that spends its winter here. Colonies of cormorants, spoonbills,
storks, egrets, herons, pelicans, ibis and grey herons can be spotted all
over the park, besides a fairly rich habitation of deers and snakes. [The
best time to visit the Park is from October though March]..
Overnight in Jaipur
Day 06 : In Jaipur
Morning:
Guided excursion to Amer Fort with elephant ride. Afternoon: Guided city
tour of Jaipur.
Jaipur - the capital of Rajasthan, is colour washed pink - the colour
associated with hospitality in Rajput culture. This Pink City of fairy tale
palaces, rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues are
picturesque. The first planned city of its time, a formidable wall encircles
Jaipur.
Morning: Excursion to Amber Fort. Drive past by Hawa Mahal, known popularly
as the Palace of Winds, is a facade built for the Ladies of the Royal
household in the 19th century. The Amber Fort, the capital of the erstwhile
State of Jaipur until 1728 is perched on a hill. It has halls of Public and
Private audience, a Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) various marble palaces
which are marvelous examples of ancient Rajput architecture. The Temple of
Amba (Mother Goddess), the patron deity of the Royal family is at the
entrance to the palace. Ride an elephant to ascend the hill on which the
Fort is situated.
Afternoon: City tour of Jaipur. Visit the City Palace - the former royal
residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles which houses
a museum with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armoury of the
Mughals and Rajputs, including swords of different shapes and sizes with
ornate handles.
It has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings,
carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian,
Latin and Sanskrit. Also visit the Jantar Mantar - an astrological and
astronomical Observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 18th century, which
is remarkable for its accuracy even at the present times.
Overnight in Jaipur
Day 07 : Jaipur / Delhi
Morning: Drive back to Delhi (260 kms/06 hrs) and on arrival transfer to
hotel. Evening: Attend a dinner at an Indian Specialty Restaurant.
Overnight in Delhi
Day 08 : Delhi Depart
Morning: Free for independent activities (check out at 1200 hrs). Evening:
Assistance and transfer to international airport…..
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