Immerse yourself in the history and culture of India on this tour of India’s Fabled Golden Triangle. Enjoy Rickshaw ride in the bustling streets of Old Delhi, see Asia’s largest mosque in Delhi.
Visit the beautiful Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and many legacies of the mighty Mughal Empire including Fatehpur Sikri. In the ‘pink city’ of Jaipur, Rajasthan capital’s visit hilltop forts and glorious palaces as you explore India’s royal past. Your tour starts as well as finishes at Delhi and comprises of 09 Nights / 10 Days experience of Delhi, Agra, Jaipur & Varanasi.Tour Highlights
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Day 1 : Arrival Delhi
Today you’ll arrive Delhi and will be met by our representative who will assist you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
On arrival check in at your hotel.
Rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight at Delhi.
Day 02 : Delhi
Today morning proceed for city tour of Old Delhi.
Acvities in Old Delhi
Old Delhi was an ancient walled city. Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1650 switched the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Shah Jehan, who possessed an exquisite talent, particularly in architecture, created the seventh city and in the process brought about Delhi’s glorious renaissance.
Here, you will see Red Fort (Drive pass), the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire.
Red Fort
The Red Fort is Shah Jehan’s symbol of power and elegance, built behind red sandstone walls. Its main gate (Lahore Gate) faces Chandni Chowk, the perpetually congested avenue heading west. It is filled with twisting lanes, small streets and crowded bazaars. We will also visit Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi and Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Also enjoy short Rickshaw Ride in Old Delhi.
Post Lunch (on direct payment basis) proceed to visit New Delhi.
New Delhi
New Delhi was designed and built by the British in the 1920’s. It’s a city of wide boulevards impressive government buildings, green parks and gardens. In 1911 King George V announced the transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi. Lutyens designed an imperial city which had palatial-sized buildings set amid broad tree-lined avenues punctuated by Mughal style gardens, complete with fountains and shallow pools. You will visit two monuments from Delhi’s past – Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar. Your drive takes you along the ceremonial avenue, imposing India Gate, President’s Palace and Parliament House.
At the end of the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel.
Overnight at Delhi.
Day 3 : Delhi – Agra
Today morning you’ll be driven to Agra.
On arrival check in at your hotel.
Rest of the day is at leisure or you have an option to go out and shop around with assistance from your guide cum escort.
Overnight at Agra.
Day 4 : Agra
Today morning enjoy Sunrise visit of Taj Mahal.
The Taj Mahal – Wonder of the World
Agra is the city of the Taj Mahal – one of the seven wonders of the world and UNESCO World Heritage Site, perhaps the most photographed monument in the world. However, no matter how many pictures you have seen or no matter how high your expectations are, the Taj never lets you down – the unparalleled glory and beauty of the building surpasses beyond all human imaginations. Spectacular monument built for love. Besides perfect symmetry in every aspect of its construction, the inlay work of semi precious stones into marble in pietra dura style is absolutely remarkable. Shahjahan, who was a passionate builder, now decided to erect a memorial marble that the world would never forget.
Later come back to your hotel for breakfast.
Post breakfast enjoy visit to Agra Fort, Baby Taj & Local markets.
The Agra Fort
The construction of the Agra Fort was begun by Emperor Akbar in 1565. Its massive walls stretch for 2½ km and are surrounded by a moat over 10 metres wide. The fort is really a city within a city, which embraces the Moti Masjid, the Diwan-i-Am or the Hall of Public Audiences, the Diwan-i-Khas or the Hall of Private Audiences, the Octagonal Tower, Jehangir’s Palace and many more monuments.
Itmad ud Daula:
This tomb was built in 1622 for Ghiyas Beg, father of Empress Noor-Jahan, the wife of Emperor Jahangir. It is beautifully conceived in white marble, mosaic and lattice and set a precedent as the first Mughal building to be faced with white marble inlaid with contrasting stones. Sometimes also called ‘Baby Taj’, it is small, intimate and has a gentle serenity.
Evening is at leisure or you have an option to visit Taj Mahal on sunset.
Overnight at Agra.
Day 5 : Agra - Jaipur
Today morning you’ll be driven to Jaipur with enroute visit of Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri
A fascinating ghost city built in the 16th century; 37 km from Agra Akbar the great, who at 26 years did not have an heir, founded this historic site. He went to a saint, Shaikh Salim Chishti who lived in a city called Sikri. His blessing gave Akbar 3 sons. As a gesture, Akbar built a whole new city in Sikri. Akbar named his new capital Fatehpur Sikri or the City of Victory .Fatehpur Sikri is one of the finest examples of Mughal architectural splendour at its height.It was built between 1569 and 1585 and was intended to be the joint capital with Agra, but was soon deserted because the water system could not support any residents. It remained untouched for over 400 years now and its palaces are a remainder of the extravagance of the Mughals Fatehpur Sikri is the best example of the culmination of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Fatehpur Sikri Mosque is said to be a copy of the mosque in Mecca and has designs, derived from the Persian & Hindu architecture.
After this within 20 years, the capital of Mughals was shifted to Lahore.
On arrival check in at your hotel.
Later in the evening enjoy cooking demo followed by Dinner with Rajasthani Family.
Overnight at Jaipur.
Day 6 : Jaipur
This morning proceed for Full day city tour of Jaipur.
Your tour starts from Amber Fort located 12 kilometers from Jaipur. The magnificent Amber Fort is a fine blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture, also enjoy short Elephant ride at Amer Fort. Later drive back and enjoy visit to City Palace, situated in the heart of Jaipur’s old city. The palace is a blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture, it houses a Seven storied Chandra Mahal in the centre. Also drive past Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), Jaipur’s most distinctive landmark. Built in 1799, this is an amazing example of Rajput architecture. Also enjoy visit to Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observation site built in the early 18th century. It includes a set of some 20 main fixed instruments. It is an expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts of the court of a scholarly prince at the end of the Mughal period.
Later in the evening enjoy visit to local markets.
Overnight at Jaipur.
Day 7 : Jaipur- Varanasi
Today morning you’ll be transfer to Jaipur airport to board flight for Varanasi.
On arrival in Varanasi transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Varanasi
Day 8 : Varanasi
Take an early morning boat ride on the river Ganges to see the bathing ghats and cremation sites.
You can see pilgrims bathing and performing rituals on the Ghats, one of the most extraordinary experiences of a visit to India. Sunrise on the riverfront, as seen from a boat, can be a spiritually uplifting sight. Later see the Viswanath temple (also called Golden Temple due to its gold plated towers) dedicated to Shiva. Non-Hindus not allowed inside.
After the boat Ride, back to hotel and have breakfast.
Post breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Varanasi visiting the Bharat Mata temple with its big marble relief map of India, the Durga temple and the modern marble Tulsi Manas temple whose walls are engraved with scenes and verses from the Ramcharitmanas, the Hindi version of the Ramayana. Also see the New Viswanath temple, one of the tallest in India (non Hindus are not allowed inside the temple). Go around the Benares Hindu University and its museum, and see the mosque of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
Afternoon: Proceed to visit Sarnath, 10 km north-east of Varanasi, is one of Buddhism’s major centres in India. This is where Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya (c.528 BC) It was a center of religious activity, art and learning from the 4th century BC till its abandonment in the 9th century AD and destruction by invading armies in 1197.During the Buddha Purnima festival in May, Sarnath celebrates the birth anniversary of the Buddha with a fair and procession.
Overnight in Varanasi
Day 9 : Varanasi - Delhi
Today on time transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi.
On arrival in Delhi transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Delhi.
Day 10 : International Departure
Today on time you’ll be transfer to International airport for your flight back home.