Duration : 06 Nights
/ 07 Days
Destinations Covered : Delhi - Agra -
Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur - Samode - Mandawa
Day
01: Arrival Delhi Arrive Delhi. Morning enjoy a full day
sightseeing tour of New and Old Delhi. Overnight at the hotel.
Delhi
Old Delhi pulses with the energy and colour, the hustle and bustle of
thronged bazaars and is laced by a maze of narrow lanes which twist and turn
between tall, leaning houses full of the sights, sounds and aromas of the
Indian sub-continent. In Old Delhi you will see the famous Red Fort
surrounded by shops, and bazaars (built by the Emperor Shah Jehan - the
builder of Taj Mahal), the Jama Masjid mosque with its tapering minarets and
wonderful marble domes, Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi's business nerve center),
the hustle-bustle of everyday Indian life all around you and chattering
voices. As a complete contrast, New Delhi stands in formal splendour, like a
lone sentry guarding an outpost of a long-gone empire. It is a city of wide
boulevards, which offers ever changing perspectives of Lutyen's landscaped
city. It is a city rich with formal parks and you will see the magnificent
Parliament Building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the official residence of
the President of India in the 330 acres of land and designed by Sir Edwin
Lutyens), once the awe-inspiring residence of the British Viceroys and now
the Presidential Palace, the Raj Ghat (cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi),
India Gate (a majestic 42 mts high arch, built as a memorial to the Indian
Soldiers killed in World War I), Qutab Minar (the 72.5 mts high tower dating
back to 13th century and one of the greatest bequests of Islamic Culture),
Humanyun's Tomb (built in the 16th century and architecturally the fore
runner of the Taj Mahal, has Mughal Architecture at its graceful best) and
the Birla Mandir (a large Hindu Temple built in 1938).
Day
02: Delhi - Agra Morning depart by surface to Agra (approx 200 kms
- 4 hrs driving time). Afternoon enjoy sightseeing tour of the city
including a visit to the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort and the Tomb of
Itamud-ud-daula. Overnight at the hotel.
Agra
The Taj Mahal truly is one of the wonders of the world. The Taj Mahal
is a monument of love built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his
Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. For twenty-two years
20,000 men laboured day and night to build this masterpiece, which has held
the world awe struck ever since. Shah Jehan was imprisoned by his son in the
magnificent fort at Agra. Here you will see the art and crafting of the
white marble that has made the area so famous, the Pearl Mosque, the halls
of Public and Private Audience, and finally the tomb of Itmad-ud-daula built
by the Empress Noorjehan in the memory of her father.
Fatehpur
Sikri Visit the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, which was
built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after fifteen years due to
scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, the
Tomb of Salim Chishti, the Panch Mahal & the other palaces.
Day
03 : Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur Morning depart by surface to
Agra (approx 221 kms - 5 1/2 hrs driving time) visiting the deserted Mughal
city of Fatehpur Sikri enroute. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight at
the hotel.
Day 04 : Jaipur Morning enjoy
an excursion to the Amber Fort which is ascended on an elephant back.
Afternoon enjoy a sightseeing tour of Jaipur city. Overnight at the hotel.
Amber Fort Amber, built by Man Singh,
embodies the Rajput belief that the fort symbolises the strength of the
King. Its commanding view, sheer walls and rock face, and the curved route
that leads to the palaces within, all point to concern with security and
defence. The fort is mirrored in Maota Lake, which stands adjacent to the
Dilaram Garden. The private apartments begun by Man Singh in the 17th
century combine Hindu and Mughal styles and the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of
Mirrors), its walls covered with tiny mirrors, becomes a dazzling fantasy
with the light of a single match. Visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of
Victory, glittering with mirrors, Jai Mahal and the Kali Temple. Jaipur -
city sightseeing Jaipur is blessed with a wealth of wonders. Here you will
see the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) with its incredible facade of balconies
and pierced screens, the Jantar Mantar (the Observatory), and the Maharaja's
City Palace. Jaipur is a city of pink, and you will be enchanted by the
light playing upon the buildings, creating shadows and highlighting every
nuance of the architecture.
Day
05 : Jaipur - Samode Morning depart by surface to Samode (approx 42
kms - 1 1/2 hrs driving time). Afternoon enjoy a visit the Samode village
with its local artisans producing printed cloth and glass bangles. Evening
special dinner with lively Rajasthani Folk music and Dance. Overnight at the
hotel.
Samode The folk music of
Rajsathan is a many-splendour kaleidoscope. From the simple Ghoralio and the
elementary Bhapang to the intricate Sarangi and the formidable Bam, from the
ingenious important deities of the tribes to the immaculate Bardic
compositions, from the limited chant to the elaborate Maand, from mundane
songs of everyday life to the world-transcending devotional and mystic
compositions of saint poets.
Day 06 Samode -
Mandawa Morning depart by surface to Mandawa (approx 180 kms - 4
hrs driving time). Afternoon enjoy a sightseeing tour of Mandawa city.
Overnight at the hotel.
Mandawa The city
of Mandawa was founded in the mid-18th century; it has interesting murals in
the large rugged fort - now a hotel boasting of excellent views. The Castle
Mandawa is located just outside the walled city of Mandawa. The hotel
therefore allows the guests to take walking tours into the colourful city or
just relax in the peaceful atmosphere. Mandawa boasts of the finest painted
Havelis in the region and is a perfect place for wandering at random. The
Goenka Havelis in the city are well worth the visit - Ladhuram Tarkesvar,
Dedraj Turmal & the Ladia Havelis (of which there are a number). The
Shiva temple here has a rock crystal lingam. The Harlalkabaoli (a working
step well) should be visited early in the morning to watch the oxen at work
on the ramp to raise water. Another well located nearby is the Majisa ka
Kuan.
Day 07 : Departure Mandawa - Delhi
Morning depart by surface to Delhi (approx 264 kms- 6 hrs 30 mts driving
time). Upon arrival in Delhi, met and transferred to Indira Gandhi
International Airport in time to connect your flight to Onward Destination.
Cities
in Rajasthan
