DAY 01 :
ARRIVE DELHI
On arrival meet and assist at the airport and
transfer to prebooked hotel. Overnight at the
hotel.
 Delhi
: India’s capital & a major gateway to the
country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling
metropolis which successfully combines in its fold
the ancient & the modern. Its strategic
location was one of the prime reasons why
successive dynasties chose it as their seat of
power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the
British left behind . The division between New
& Old Delhi is the distinction between the
capitals of the British & the Moghuls
respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he
will invariably confront the citys’ past.
DAY 02 : DELHI - MANDAWA
After breakfast, half
day city tour of Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid,
the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan,
the construction was started in 1844 and was not
completed until 1658; Red Fort, which was
also built by Shah Jehan. This massive fort was
built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat
- the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.
Afternoon, leave for Mandawa. Arrive Mandawa and
check in at prebooked hotel.
DAY 03 : MANDAWA - SAMODE
After breakfast, visit
Mandawa (Shekawati region). This region came into
prominence in the 14th century when a number of
Muslim clans moved into the area and the towns of
this region developed into important trading posts
on the caravan routes emanating from the ports of
Gujarat. This region is famous for painted havelis
(houses) most of which date back from the 18th
century. The major towns of interest are Mandawa,
Fatehpur, Nawalgarh. Visit the havelis in Mandawa
and other villages of Shekhawati region.
Afternoon, leave for Samode. Arrive Samode and
checkin at Hotel Samode Palace.
DAY 04 : SAMODE - JAIPUR
After breakfast, at leisure. Explore the
palace and the area around the palace.
Afternoon, leave for Jaipur - The
city owes its names, foundation and its careful
planning to the great warrior - astronomer
Maharaja Jai Singh II. In 1727, with Mughal power
on the wane, Jai Singh decided to move down from
his hillside fortress at nearby Amber to a new
site on the plains. He laid out the city, with its
surrounding walls and six rectangular blocks,
according to the principles of town planning set
down in Shilpa Shastra, an ancient Hindu treatise
on architecture. Arrive Jaipur and check in at
prebooked hotel.
DAY 05 : JAIPUR
A fter
breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort.
Elephant ride from the foothills of the Aravallis
to the fort entrance. Amber Fort : At a distance
of 11 kms from Jaipur, Amber was the ancient
capital of Jaipur state. Construction of the fort
began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput
commander of Akbar's army and is a superb example
of Rajput architecture.
Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the City
Palace which has museum having an extensive
collection of art, carpets, enamel ware and
weapons; Jantar Mantar - the observatory
built my Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728 and the façade
of Hawa Mahal.
DAY 06 : JAIPUR-FATEHPUR SIKRI-AGRA
After breakfast, leave
for Agra. Enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city
of Fatehpur Sikri : built by Emperor Akbar
in 1569, was the old capital of the Moghuls, which
was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of
water. See the graceful buildings including the
Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal
& other Palaces which are still preserved in
its original glory. Continue drive to Agra. Arrive
Agra in the evening and checkin at prebooked
hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 07 : AGRA
 After
breakfast, city tour of Agra. Visit Red fort, which
was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions
were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah
Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private
audiences amongst many other beautiful structues; Itmad-ud-daulah,
which was contructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and
1628 and is very similar to the tomb she
constructed for her husband, Jehangir, near Lahore
in Pakistan; the highlight of the day - The Taj
Mahal, which was constructed by Shah
Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Contruction of the Taj began in 1631 and was not
completed until 1653. Afternoon, free for
individual activities.
DAY 08 : AGRA - DELHI
After breakfast, leave for Delhi. Arrive Delhi
and checkin at prebooked hotel. Afternoon, city
tour of New Delhi. Visit Humayuns Tomb :
built in mid 16th century this is an early example
of Mughal architecture; Qutab Minar, drive
past India Gate, President House, Connaught Place.
The city tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan
Temple (Birla Mandir). Transfer to the airport to
board your flight for onward destination.
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