THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE OF INDIA

Superior option:

• 02 nights in a Superior Room at Lemon Tree Premiere Sector 60 Hotel in Delhi
• 01 nights in a Deluxe City View Room at Crystal Sarovar Premiere Hotel in Agra
• 02 nights in a Deluxe Room at Sarovar Premiere Hotel in Jaipur
• Daily breakfast
• Transfers and sightseeing tours as specified in itinerary
• Hotel taxes and service charge

Deluxe Option:

• 02 nights in a Superior Charm Room at Vivanta Surajkund, NCR in Delhi
• 01 nights in a Superior Room City View at Tajview Hotel in Agra
• 02 nights in a Hilton Guest Room at Hilton Hotel in Jaipur
• Daily breakfast
• Transfers and sightseeing tours as specified in itinerary
• Hotel taxes and service charge

DAY 01

ARRIVE DELHI

Upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport , meet our local representative at the airport for your transfer to your hotel.

Delhi stands as the capital of Modern India. Here you can see the mingling of the Old and New India, the ancient and the modern. Delhi is made up of seven ancient cities, spanning the period from the 11th to 20th centuries. Delhi has seen the rise and fall of many emperors, which has left behind a plethora of monuments that commemorate the grandeur and glory of bygone ages. Very few cities in the world can express such a profusion of architectural styles.

DAY 02

DELHI (B)

In the morning, your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby, as you begin exploration of Delhi, India’s capital city that sports a rich history spanning over 2,000 years. Head out to Old Delhi, the capital of Mughal dynasty between the 16th and 19th centuries. In Old Delhi, visit Jama Masjid – the largest mosque in India built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in year 1650 AD and completed in the year 1656 AD. Then set off on an exciting rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, also known as The Moonlit Square.  As you drive through the narrow lanes, witness the architectural marvels, the multicolored facades, beautifully decorated shops, ethnically dressed men and women and get bombarded by the cries of hawkers and fragrances emanating from the potpourri of eateries that line these historical alleys.

Next drive through New Delhi, passing by Presidential Palace- the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys; the India Gate – a memorial raised in Honor of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war, Parliament house and other government buildings built in the first quarter of the 20th century by two famous English architects, Sir Herbert Baker and Sir Edwin Lutyens. It was during this time period that the capital of the British Empire was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi.

In New Delhi, you will visit two monuments from Delhi’s past – Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar

Visit the World Heritage site of Humayun’s tomb. It is the first garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent (“the predecessor of the Taj Mahal”). Built by the wife of Humayun, Haji Begum in the mid-16th century, this monument is a wonderful example of early Mughal architecture. At Humayun’s Tomb, the Mughals brought with them a love for gardens, fountains and water. The tomb is set in a geometrically arranged garden crisscrossed by numerous water channels and probably representing symbolically a paradise setting.

End the day exploring the World Heritage Site of Qutab Complex. The soaring minaret was erected in 13th-century by the Afghan dynasties that ruled India from 1210 to 1526. The surrounding complex displays a visual history of India’s earliest political history—decorative Hindu panels, Islamic domes and early Afghan architecture converge to stunning effect. A walk through the complex provides an excellent overview of the varied architectural styles and cultural elements prevalent throughout India.

DAY 03

DELHI/AGRA (B)

This morning we will travel to Agra (Approx. 4 hours)

Agra – Once a small village on the banks of the Yamuna, it was transformed by two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and his grandson Shah Jehan into the second capital of the Mughal Empire – Dar-ul-Khilafat, or ‘seat of the Emperor’ in the 16th & 17th century.  A world of contrasting edifices of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys, bustling streets and small buggies, Agra retains the irresistible charm that made this the favorite city of the Mughals.

In the afternoon, visit Agra Fort, a high red stone monument overlooking the Taj Mahal.  It is one of the finest and best kept Mughal fort in India. Many Mughals emperors lived and governed the country from here. At the end of his life, Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son, Aurangzeb, in the fort. The fort was also the site of a battle during the Indian rebellion of 1857.

DAY 04

AGRA/JAIPUR (B)

Early morning, visit Taj Mahal (closed on Friday). It is fitting to see this extraordinary monument by the first light of day as its exemplary beauty is awe-inspiring and will create an unforgettable memory.

Said to be one of the most elegant and a harmonious building in the world, Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in 1630 AD to enshrine the mortal remains of his beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal manifests the wealth and luxury of Mughal art as seen in architecture and garden design, painting, and calligraphy. Return to hotel for breakfast. Later, you will be driven to Jaipur, stopping en-route visit Fatehpur Sikri (23 miles southwest of Agra) – the deserted red sandstone city that was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital. Ponder the mysterious desertion of this capital city that was dramatically abandoned a few years after it was built. It was a veritable fairy tale city and its ‘ruins’ are still in a pristine condition. Continue your drive to Jaipur.

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan province is known for its arts and crafts, jewellery, hand-painted fabrics and stone sculptures; it old town is one of North India’s finest examples of a planned city embodying the best of Rajput and Mughal architecture.

DAY 05

JAIPUR (B)

After breakfast, set out for Amber Fort in the ancient city of Amber. Amber Fort is an ancient palace complex located atop a hill. You can take ride on the painted ceremonial elephants up the hill to enter the main gate and take a downhill jeep ride through the local village. The palace depicts a beautiful confluence of Hindu and Mughal architecture and stands out for its aesthetic appeal. The Fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Moat Lake. Jaipur’s Maharaja Man Singh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started constructing Amber Fort in the 17th century. It was the capital of the ruling Rajput clan called Kachhawa of Amber, before the capital was shifted to Jaipur.

In the afternoon, take a guided tour of the City Palace built within the fortified area of the original city. The Palace is now principally a museum housing a collection of great treasures, including miniature paintings, carpets, royal garments and other interesting objects from Jaipur’s intriguing past.  The former royal family retains a part of the palace for their personal use. Allow yourself time for a quick stop at the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, with its famous five-tiered wedding-cake facade. The structure, was constructed for the court harem so they could peer through the lacy grillwork covering the windows at the processions and street life below—without being seen.

Later visit the adjoining Jantar Mantar, an observatory built by Sawai Jai Singh ll in the 18th century. The Maharajah, a scientist as well as an astronomer, had the principles of Euclid translated into Sanskrit. One of the most remarkable sites in Jaipur, the Jantar Mantar has fourteen major geometric devices for measuring time, predicting eclipses and tracking stars and planets.

End the tour with a fascinating walk in the old city mainly in the Badi Chaupad and Johari Bazaar area to see the local craftsman at work. You will be able to see craftsman working on some fine forms of local art like Zardozi embroidery, Gota work, Kinari, silver ornament work, and precious and semi-precious stonework, all taking place in these old bazaars of Jaipur.  Please be aware that these are very old market places in Jaipur used almost entirely by local people, hence you should be prepared for the hustle and bustle and lack of cleanliness in the streets. Experience the Heena Tattoo Painting at local market of Jaipur.

DAY 06

JAIPUR/DELHI (B)

This morning is at leisure. In the afternoon, you will be driven to Delhi for your flight to your next destination.

Meals: B= Breakfast