NORTH INDIA TOUR
Destinations : Delhi - Agra - Samode - Jaipur - Delhi - Europe
Duration : 8 Nights / 9 Days
Day - 1 DELHI
Early morning arrive Delhi. Meeting, assistance at airport and transfer to hotel. Accommodation with immediate occupancy. Relax till noon. Noon assemble in the lobby. Indian Welcome will be accorded to the group members with ``Tikka'' and ``Aarti'' ceremony. Shahnai music accompanied by Tabla is played in the back ground. Lunch at hotel. PM. Sightseeing of Old Delhi : Red Fort - the red sandstone walls of the fort extends for 2 kms and vary in height from 18 meters on the river side to 33 meters on the city side. The Hall of Public Audiences, The Hall of Private Audiences, the Royal Baths, Moti Masjid built by Aurangzeb for himself are important portions of the immense fort. Jama Masjid - the great mosque is both the largest mosque in India and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jehan. Raj Ghat - the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination. Evening Mela will be arranged in the lawns of hotel. The Mela is the festivities in a village with many huts and a few small shop counters selling small things. Juggler show, snake charmers and other activities are arranged giving a complete impression of a village. Special Bar be Cue dinner. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day - 2 DELHI
Breakfast at hotel. AM sightseeing of New Delhi : Laxmi Narain Temple - garishly coloured modern temple was erected by the industrialist Birla. India Gate - the 42 meter high stone ` Arch of Triumph ', erected in memory of the Indian soldiers who died in the first World War. Humayun's Tomb - built by the wife of Humayun, the second Mughal king. This is an early example of Mughal architecture. The design and pattern were to be refined over the years to the magnificence of the Taj Mahal in Agra. Qutab Minar - the buildings in the complex date from the onset of Muslim rule in India and are fine examples of the early Afghan architecture. Special lunch will be arranged at the swimming pool. PM at leisure. In the evening one hour cocktail will be arranged. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day - 3 DELHI / AGRA
Breakfast at hotel. AM proceed to Agra. Buffet lunch will be enroute at a motel in the gardens. Before arriving Agra visit Sikandra, the mausoleum of emperor Akbar. The tomb is situated in the middle of the garden and four identical red sandstone gates lead to the tomb complex. Late afternoon arrival at hotel and welcome with the garlands. At sunset time visit of the Taj Mahal. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day - 4 AGRA
Breakfast at hotel. AM transfer to Taj Mahal by Rickshaws or by Tongas (the horse driven carriage). Taj Mahal - if there is a building which evokes a country like Eiffel Tower does for France, Sydney Opera House does for Australia then it has to be Taj Mahal for India. It has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, as the emperor was heart broken when Mumtaz died. From Taj proceed by bus to Agra Fort - the construction of the fort commenced with the emperor Akbar and additions were made right through the time of his grandson Shah Jehan. While in Akbar's time the fort was principally a military structure, by the time of Shah Jehan the emphasis had shifted and the fort became partially a palace. Special Mughlai lunch will be at the swimming pool. PM. visit of Itimad ud Daula - the tomb was built by Nur Jehan and it is very similar to the tomb of Jehangir near Lahore. It is called the mini Taj Mahal and the inlaid work is very fine. In the evening a Magic Show will be arranged at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day - 5 AGRA / SAMODE
After breakfast proceed to Jaipur enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri - it was the capital of Mughal empire during the reign of Akbar. Then as suddenly and as dramatically this new city was built, it was abandoned. It is believed to have been abandoned due to lack of water. Today it is perfectly preserved Mughal city at the height of empire's splendour. After the visit proceed to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary for lunch and a short visit of the famous Bird Sanctuary. Depending on the season there are appox. 150 species of birds. This sanctuary is famous for the migratory birds, the Siberian Cranes. These cranes travel such a long distance and reach here by end of November and remain here till end of March. Early evening arrive Samode. On arrival at hotel Royal Welcome will be arranged. This is an example, when in the old Raj days the kings used to accord the welcome to their guests. Decorated elephant, camels and horses are standing and the ladies in the traditional Rajasthani attire welcome the guests with the garlands. A welcome drink is served. The small palace is illuminated. Barbe cue dinner will be arranged. Folk dances are arranged and you the opportunity to take part in one of the dances. Afterwards fireworks depicting the logo of your organisation. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day - 6 SAMODE / JAIPUR
Breakfast at palace and proceed to Jaipur and transfer to hotel. Lunch at hotel. PM. excursion to Amber Fort enroute visiting Palace of Winds - although it is just a facade yet it is Jaipur's central landmark. The five storey building looks out over the main street of the old city. Amber Fort - the fortress-palace was constructed in the end of 16th century by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput Commander of Akbar's army. It was extended and completed by Jai Singh before it was shifted to Jaipur in the plains below. The fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside overlooking a lake which reflects its terraces and ramparts. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day - 7 JAIPUR
Breakfast at hotel. AM. City sightseeing : City Palace - the palace is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The former Maharaja still lives in a part of this palace. A part of the palace is converted into a museum. It has an extensive collection of arts, carpets, enamelware and weapons. The paintings include the miniatures from Rajasthani, Mughal and Persian schools. Observatory - or Jantar Mantar, built by Raja Jai Singh. Of the five observatories he built, this observatory is the largest and the best preserved. At first glance it appears to be just a curious collection of sculptures but in fact each construction has a specific purpose such as measuring the positions of stars, altitude or to calculate eclipses. PM. at leisure. Cocktail for one hour and typical Rajasthani dinner - with low sitting in the Royal traditional way on mattress and Masanad. Food will be served in the traditional way. Overnight at hotel.
Day - 8 JAIPUR / DELHI
Breakfast at hotel and proceed to Delhi. Exclusive Buffet lunch will be arranged enroute in the lawns of a motel. Late afternoon arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure or for the last minute shopping. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day - 9 DELHI / EUROPE
Early morning transfer to airport for flight to Europe.