DAY 01     DELHI-AGRA

BY SURFACE - 205 KM / 4.5 HRS

After breakfast leave for Agra by surface. A drive of 4½ hrs take you to the Taj city.

AGRA: On the right bank of the River Yamuna, Agra reigns over a glorious past created by warriors as skilled in art and architecture as they were on the battlefield. The city’s historical origins before the Mughal conquest are dim and it was practically founded by the Mughal Emperor Babur. To the lover of art and to the traveller seeking the wonders of India, Agra is the goal of a pilgrimage, its shrines being the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.

Arrive in Agra and proceed straight for your hotel. After wash and change leave for the sightseeing of Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal : Taj Mahal stands on the bank of River Yamuna, which otherwise serves as a wide moat defending the Great Red Fort of Agra, the center of the Mughal emperors until they moved their capital to Delhi in 1637. It was built by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan in 1631 in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian princess. When Mumtaz Mahal was still alive, she extracted four promises from the emperor: first, that he build the Taj; second, that he should marry again; third, that he be kind to their children; and fourth, that he visit the tomb on her death anniversary. He kept the first and second promises. Construction began in 1631 and was completed in 22 years. Twenty thousand people were deployed to work on it. The material was brought in from all over India and central Asia and it took a fleet of 1000 elephants to transport it to the site. It was designed by the Iranian architect Ustad Isa and it is best appreciated when the architecture and its adornments are linked to the passion that inspired it. It is a "symbol of eternal love".

Agra Fort : After Taj Mahal proceed for sightseeing of Agra Fort. It represents first major building project of Akbar, though remains of only a few buildings built by him now survive. Built on the site of an earlier castle in AD 1565-75, the fort, apart from other important units,contains Jahangiri Mahal, Khass Mahal, Diwan-i-Khass, Diwan-i-Am, Machchhi Bhawan and Moti Masjid. Many extant buildings were erected by Shah Jahan (AD 1630-55). Irregularly triangular on plan, it is enclosed by a double battlemented massive wall of red sandstone which is about 2 km in perimetre and interrupted by graceful curves and lofty bastions. Of its four gates, the most impressive is the Delhi Gate on the west.

Rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 02     AGRA- JAIPUR

BY SURFACE - 240 KM / 6 HRS

After breakfast leave for Jaipur by surface enroute visiting “FATEHPUR SIKRI”.

Fatehpur Sikri -built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful building including the Jama Masjid. Tomb of Chishti, Panch Mahal and other palaces. After visiting Fatehpur Sikri, leave for Jaipur.

 On Arrival in Jaipur, check-in at the hotel Trident Hilton.

JAIPUR: Built by Sawai Jai Singh, the city of Jaipur is amongst the first of India’s planned cities. The ancient heart of the Pink City still beats in its fairy tale palaces; rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues. Jaipur has a timeless appeal in its colorful bazaars that delights for its Rajasthan handlooms and trinkets.  Beautifully laid out gardens and parks, attractive monuments and marvelous heritage hotels, once the residence of Maharajas, are worth admiration that makes a trip to the pink city a memorable one.

Hawa Mahal : Strange though it may seem, this most famous landmark of Jaipur is not actually a palace but a series of sandstone screens. This pink structure was constructed so that the ladies of the palace could watch the royal processions without being seen by any outsider. This sandstone edifice was named Palace of Winds after the many brass wind vanes that adorned it until 1960s.

Observatory : Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of five observatories in India including this one, was a great admirer of developments in science and technology, especially astronomy. Before constructing this observatory, he sent his emissaries to all corners to the world, who returned with many manuals of cutting-edge technology including a copy of La Hire/’s Tables. He built the structures following every details given in the manual, but at the end, he found to his astonishment that the observatory was 20 seconds more accurate than that given by La Hire. Situated near the gate of the City Palace, the observatory has 18 large instruments, many of them still in working condition.

Late afternoon enjoy a Rickshaw Ride to the colourful bazaar passing through the rose pink residential and business areas of Jaipur. Also watch prayer ceremony at famous Birla Hindu temple.

Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 03     JAIPUR -DELHI

BY SURFACE – 230 KM / 4 HRS

0800 hrs : After breakfast leave for excursion to the Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the state until 1728.  Visit the Jagmandir or the hall of victory glittering with mirrors, Jai Mahal and temple of Kali.  Ascend on elephant back, the hill on which the Fort is situated.

Return back to hotel and check out. Later proceed for the remaining part of your city tour.

City Palace & Museum : The City Palace is now converted into a museum, except a small portion that is still used by the royal family of Jaipur. Built in the fortified campus style, the palace covers almost one-seventh part of the city. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion that is devoted to the arms and ammunition used by the royal family in the past. Other important attractions are the Textile and Costume Museum, Art Gallery, Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, and Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Am.

1530 hrs : Leave for Delhi by Surface and proceed straight to International Airport to connect return flight back home/next destination. 

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