Taj Mahal with North India
Duration: 10 Nights / 11 Days
Places Covered: : Delhi - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Jaipur
- Agra - Varanasi - Delhi
Day 01 - Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi by international flight. Meeting and assistance on arrival and
transfer to the hotel. Check-in time is 12 Noon. Overnight at the hotel
Day 02 - Delhi - Sightseeing
Full day sightseeing tour of New Delhi and Old Delhi New Delhi visit includes
Qutab Minar, one of the earliest remains of Imperial Delhi (13th century AD
) Humayun's Tomb-the fine monument believed to be forerunner of Taj Mehal, India
Gata, the 42 metre high arch was raised as a memorial to soldiers, drives past
Parliament House, President's House, Secretariat Building, Laxminarayan Temple
and The Connaught Place. Delhi is just not a city but it is a book-- a book
which narrates the history of India. The city was built and destroyed seven
times and has been witness to the various events which has brought India through
the history books. Seven times this city went through the pain of being built
and rebuilt. Today as the capital of India Delhi is the seat of administration
and the monuments which tell the saga of a bygone era stand there. These icons
are testimony to the grandeur of past and also an attraction for the tourists.
With an area of 1483 sq. Kms, Delhi is all set to acquire full statehood. The
charm of Delhi has attracted Emperors, Conquerors and poor in equally. It is
correctly said that Delhi is a land of 'Dilwalas' or for people with heart.
This phrase acquires a true colour when one goes around the lanes of Delhi.
Day 03: Delhi - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer
Early morning transfer for flight to Jodhpur. Reach and proceed to Jaisalmer
by surface.Reach and check in at hotel. Overnight will be at Jaisalmer. Rising
from the Thar Desert like a golden mirage is the city of Jaisalmer. The Jaiselmer
fort etched in yellow sandstone stands with all its awesome splendour. The life
within the citadel conjures up images of medieval majesty visible in its narrow
lanes strewn with magnificent palaces, havelies, temples and typical desert
life of men women cattle and camels. The 80 meter high fort, perch on the hill,
houses the entire township within its ramparts. It has enchanting narrow lanes
dotted with exquisite havelis, beautifully sculptured Jain temples of the 12th-15th
century and palaces. The fort is approached through four gateways -Akhaiya Pol,
Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol and Hava Pol. Some of the most exotic mansions or havelis,
all intricately latticed, are strewn all over Jaisalmer each with a different
facade. The Havelis of Nathmalji, Patwon and Salim Singh all in Yellow Marble
of Jaisalmer are exquisite works of art. A camel safari through the interesting
and remote desert villages of Roopsi, Doojasar, Kanoi, Kuldara and the Cenotaphs
of Barabagh can be interesting. The villages are very special, as different
communities inhabit them.
Day 04: Jaisalmer
After a relaxed breakfast proceed for full day sight-seeing tour of The Golden
City - Jaisalmer. It is in the heart of the Great Indian Desert. Its temple,
fort and palaces are all built of yellow stone.Stay overnight at Jaisalmer.
Day 05: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
Proceed in the morning after a leisurely breakfast and reach Jodhpur.Relax in
the hotel and visit the museum of UMAID BHAWAN PALACE. Overnight will be at
Jodhpur. At the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes
with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. The massive 15th century
AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 mts. above
the plains. A high wall encompasses the city -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable
bastions. The lifestyle in Jodhpur is unusually fascinating with people wearing
lovely multi hued costumes, artistically designed. Shopping in Jodhpur bazaars
is a heady experience with a colourful display of the rich collection of exquisite
handicrafts. The tie-and-dye fabric, embroidered "jutis" or slippers
in suede, camel skin, velvet and leather, beautiful silks, durries, marble souvenirs
from Makrana, an extensive range of useful and decorative items etc., are of
interest. he Mehrangarh fort is one of the most impressive and formidable structures.
Invincible from the outside, the fort has four gates approached by a winding
road. Within the fort are some magnificent palaces with marvellously carved
panels with latticed windows These palaces house a fabulous collection of trappings
of Indian royalty including a superb collection of palanquins, elephant howdahs,
miniature paintings of various schools, musical instruments, costumes and furniture.
Day 06: Jodhpur - Udaipur
Transfer to airport in the morning for flight to Udaipur.Reach and check in
at hotel. Relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Udaipur : The city of Lakes, Located in the Aravalli ranges of Rajasthan,
the city of Udaipur is situated at a distance of about 405 km from the state
capital Jaipur. The City of Dawn, surrounded by the ancient Aravali Mountains
and set on the edge of three lakes, is a brilliant kaleidoscope of narrow lanes
flanked by bright stalls, gardens, lakes, palaces and temples. The city is famous
for its palaces, lake, museums, temples, and gardens and much more
Day 07: Udaipur - Jaipur
Proceed for sight-seeing tour of Udaipur after breakfast, stopping first at
City Palace. Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors,
colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard.
Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the local
folk Museum. Overnight will be at Jaipur. Jaipur, the vibrant capital of Rajasthan,
is popularly known as the ' Pink City ' because of the pink-coloured buildings
in its old city. It sits on a dry lake bed in a somewhat arid landscape, surrounded
by barren hills surmounted by forts and crenellated walls. This buzzing metropolis
is certainly a place of wild contrasts and a feast for the eyes. All through,
Jaipur has retained its strong Rajputana flavour tempered by several influences
- the mughal being the most prominent. The region's strong cultural heritage
is distinctly evident even today. The city is a visitor's delight. From the
intricate, delicate looking Hawa Mahal to the graphic forms of the Jantar Mantar
- an open air observatory of outsized astronomical instruments, the Badi Chaupar
lined with shopsand business establishments on both sides to the majestic fort-palace
at Amber; from the colorful fountains of life to the sublime Birla Temple; from
the architectural delight of the City Palace to the serene Jal Mahal.
Day 08: Jaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts
of Jaipur. Elephant ride ascent to the fort. Visit a rug factory and see the
ladies at the intricate work or a gem factory and see the gem cutting and
polishing process. Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 09: Jaipur - Agra
Proceed for Agra after breakfast. Visit Itmadullah's Tomb built by Empress NOOR
JEHAN in memory of her father. Spend the night at 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.
Day 10: Agra - Varanasi
Proceed for sight-seeing of TAJ MAHAL after breakfast. Overnight will be at
Varanasi. 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. [The Taj is closed on Fridays] 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.
Day 11: Varanasi - Delhi
Drive very early morning to The Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the
sacred river Ganges. See the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions
of one of the world's oldest and most important religions. Transfer to airport
for flight to Delhi. Proceed for the FAREWELL DINNER before reaching the airport
for flight home with sweet memories of India.