Destinations Covered: Delhi -
Agra - Jaipur - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Goa
No. of days: 15 Days / 14 Nights
Tour Code: IBP-039
Day
1 -
Delhi
Arrive
Delhi Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands
clapped together. After immigration and custom formalities, we are
assisted and driven through the city to our hotel. Overnight: Hotel Taj
Mahal, Delhi (2 nights)
Day 2 -
Delhi
Delhi The capital of India is a true reflection of the old and new of
India. We start our morning tour with New Delhi and visit the famous
India Gate followed by the Houses of Parliament, Connaught Place and the
Qutub Minar - a perfect minaret towering 102 meters/112 yards into the
sky. New Delhi is a blend of Moghul India, Hindu India, British India
and certainly modern independent India. Our afternoon concentrates on
Old Delhi, starting with the famous Red Fort. Built by Shah Jehan, this
was once the most opulent fort of the Moghul Empire. Next we visit
another Moghul majesty, the Jama Masjid which is India's largest mosque,
followed by the Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. We end
our tour with a bazaar experience at Chandni Chawlk, the street of
silver and goldsmiths.
(B) (D)
Day 3 -
Delhi/Agra
(Shatabdi Express)
Train travel is an exciting way to see India and the experience begins
right at the railway platforms. Early morning we arrive at the Delhi
Railway Station and see the many cullies that make the station so
lively. We are escorted through this maze and board the deluxe Shatabdi
Express to Agra. We arrive in the city that houses the most well known
of the wonders of the world – the Taj Mahal. Built by Shah Jehan as
a mausoleum for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj is built of
white marble, beautifully carved and inlaid with semi-precious stones.
Next we visit Agra Fort, where Shah Jehan was imprisoned by his son in
the later years of his life to prevent him from spending the family
fortunes on a black echo of the Taj Mahal. Overnight: Hotel Taj View (1
night)
(B) (D)
Day 4 -
Agra/Jaipur (Via
Fatehpur Sikri)
A short drive gets us to Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful capital built in
1640 by the Moghul king, Akbar the Great. The city was later abandoned
for lack of water. A superb example of Moghul architecture, it stands
perfectly preserved in the desert. We also visit the artistically
designed mausoleum of Salim Chisty who is reputed to have prayed for a
son for Akbar leading to the birth of Salim Jehangir, the builder of the
Taj. From here we continue on a countryside drive to Jaipur, the rose
pink capital of Rajasthan. Overnight: Hotel Trident Oberoi, Jaipur (2
nights)
(B)
Day 5 -
Jaipur
Jaipur, A royal experience awaits us as we take an elephant ride uphill
to the intriguing Amber Palace, a distinguished example of 17th Century
Rajput architecture. After the tour and enjoying a panoramic view, we
return to Jaipur to visit the old astronomical observatory built by the
founder of the city, Jai Singh. We also visit the majestic Palace, which
houses a rare collection of Indian art, and the colourful bazaar. Jaipur
is noted for its craftsmen, skilled in brass inlay, lacquer work and
stone setting. Most of the buildings in the old city are made of pink
sandstone and one of the most beautiful is Hawa Mahal, Palace of Winds,
where the ladies of the royal harem used to watch the city from behind
the intricately carved facade. Evening is free to enjoy both shopping
and a cultural experience in the bazaars of Jaipur.
(B)
(D)
Day 6 -
Jaipur/Jodhpur (Train)
Jaipur has a lot to offer and we have our morning free to enjoy the
many attractions. Late afternoon we are transferred to the Railway
Station to catch the Jaipur-Jodhpur Intercity Train. Another interesting
train ride where we meet people of different walks of life all making an
attempt to converse with their IE (Indian English), we arrive at Jodhpur
Railway Station at about 11:00 pm and are met and transferred to our
hotel. Overnight: Hotel Taj Hari Mahal (2 nights)
(B) (D)
Day 7 -
Jodhpur
Today we tour Jodhpur. Dominating the city is a massive fortress,
safeguarding the Royal palaces with their collections of arms and
priceless jewels, the Mehrangarh Fort. We also visit the exquisite
Jaswant Thada and the Mandore Gardens. In the afternoon we take a Jeep
Safari to Bishnoi Village, to see the traditional lifestyle of rural
Rajasthanis living in small houses and wearing their colorful dresses.
(B) (D)
Day 8 -
Jodhpur/Udaipur
(Drive)
After the Jodhpur experience we get a different feel of Rajasthan as we
visit the Ranakpur Temples home to an exceptionally beautiful complex in
the Aravali range and a popular pilgrimage for the Jains. We arrive in
the early evening at the Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur. We enjoy an
evening boat ride in Lake Pichola arranged by the hotel. Overnight:
Hotel Lake Palace (2 nights)
(B) (D)
Day 9 -
Udaipur
If Jaipur is a study in pink, Udaipur is a vision in white. 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. Eight marble
porticos mark the spot where the Mewar sovereigns were weighed in gold,
the equivalent value of which was then distributed to the poor. Within
the City Palace are several architectural and artistic highlights such
as the Mor Chowk, known for its stunning peacock mosaics and the Bhim
Vilas Palace with its series of lovely wall paintings. The most
memorable parts of Udaipur are its lake palaces, shimmering like jewels
on Lake Pichola. Jag Mandir, the other island palace with a marble dome,
is a marvel in red sandstone. It was a refuge for the Moghul Emperor
Shah Jahan when he was in exile following a quarrel with his father,
Emperor Jahangir.
(B) (D)
Day 10 -
Udaipur/Bombay
(
Mumbai) (Flight)
An early morning flight gets us to the city for which India is equally
well known – Bombay, or Mumbai as it is once again called. After
checking into our hotel, we take a tour of Bombay including the Gateway
of India landmark archway, the world’s largest open-air laundry,
Jain Temple, Marine Drive, Hanging Gardens and the Prince of Wales
Museum. Evening is free to enjoy the many attractions that Bombay offers
in art, theatre, shopping or just loitering in one of the largest cities
in the world. Overnight: Taj Palace Hotel (1 night)
(B) (D)
Day 11 -
Bombay departure
After an inspiring tour of Rajasthan and bid farewell to India, with
our minds filled with lovely memories of amazing sights, sounds end
experiences.
(B) (D)
Day 12 Bombay/Goa
(Flight)
A
short flight takes us to the one time Portuguese colony of Goa, which
offers a unique blend of India with a strong Portuguese influence. We
are transferred to our beachside resort to enjoy the relaxing Goan
lifestyle and sea activities. The beach in Goa offers both quite and a
public area where one would find lots of families enjoying the silver
sands and the local hawker selling home cooked snacks. Overnight: Hotel
Taj Holiday Village, Goa (2 nights)
(B) (D)
Day 13 -
Goa
Today is free for leisure activities in this tropical beach resort. You
may also wish to visit the World Heritage Site of the churches and
convents of Goa, the former capital of the Portuguese Indies. Of
particular interest is the Church of Bom Jesus, which contains the tomb
of St Francis-Xavier, a great illustration of the evangelization of
Asia. These monuments were influential in spreading forms of Manueline,
Mannerist and Baroque art to all the countries of Asia where missions
were established.
Day 14
Day free to relax on beach
Day 15
Depart to your homke twon after having a rich cultural and heritage
experinece with relaxation on beach
(B) - Breakfast
(L) - Lunch
(D) - Dinner
