NOV 19 Amazing Delhi
· Special Welcome on Arrival
· Full Day Tour of Old & New Delhi
· Cycle Rickshaw Ride in Old Delhi
· Thrill to see Son et Lumire Show at Red Fort
Upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport Meet & greet by presentable representative of Discovery with special welcome. Transfer to 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 have 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.
Old Delhi was an ancient walled city. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1650 switched the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Shah Jahan possessing an exquisite talent, especially in architecture, created the seventh city and in the process brought about Delhi's glorious renaissance. Start the day with a Cycle Rickshaw Puller Ride through Old Delhi. Here you will view Red Fort, the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire. The 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 from the Red Fort, is filled with twisting lanes, small streets and crowded bazaars. If you peer through a portico you may see a man getting shaved, silver being weighed, or any other conceivable form of intense commerce. Also visit Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; and Chandni Chowk, the bustling and colorful market of the old city. Chandni Chowk was the commercial centre of Delhi in the old time and you will see it come alive in the morning as the trading day starts.
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. The King's architects, Lutyens and Baker, set in motion the Design and construction of Delhi's eight city - New Delhi. Lutyens designed an "Imperial City" having palatial-sized buildings set amid broad tree-lined avenues punctuated by Mughal style gardens, complete with fountains and shallow pools. It took 20 years to complete this immense undertaking only to have the British pack up and relinquish the subcontinent in 1947. Visit two monuments from Delhi's past - Humayun's Tomb and Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple, Drive pass through Raisina Hill, past the imposing India Gate and Parliament House.
Evening return to the Red Fort to watch the "Son et Lumire" show which is interplay of colorful lights and sound tracing the history of monument till date. Overnight stay
NOV 20 Delhi - Agra (204 kms )
·Stand In Front of World Famous Taj Mahal
· Mughal City Tour
After
early breakfast Drive to Agra via visit to Sikandra. At the time of
the Mughals, in the 16th & 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of the
grand Mughal Empire. During this period the city became a leading centre of
art, science, commerce and culture. Akbar the Great made Agra great. The
city's origins are dim but Akbar's grandfather Babur is credited with Agra's
founding. The short golden age of Agra came to an end with the seventeenth
century reign of Shah Jahan, mastermind of the unforgettable Taj Mahal.
Arrive Agra and check in hotel. Afternoon visit the Taj Mahal - Monument
to Love which was built in 1630 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb
for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction of the Taj Mahal began
in 1631, and is believed to have taken 18 years to complete,
with over 20,000 craftsmen working around the clock. The design and
construction is said to be that of the legendary architect, Ustad Ahamad
Lahori. Legend has it that once construction was completed, Shah Jahan had
Lahori's hands cut off, and blinded, so he would never be able to duplicate
the structure. What makes the Taj Mahal unique is its perfect proportions,
distinct femininity, medium of construction and ornamentation. Its marble
exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is
dazzling white during the day. It is impossible to visualize the Taj Mahal
in any surrounding others than its paradoxical garden. Paradise, in Islam,
is visualized as a lush garden where running streams flow. When the Mughals
brought this concept to India they elevated it to heights of Incomparable
artistry. Afternoon visit the Agra Fort built by Akbar the Great and the city. Also visit the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah built by Empress Noor Jahan in the memory of Her Father. As you drive through the city witness the local life and bazaars (markets) and the hustle bustle of every day India. Agra is famous for Marble Items Overnight stay
Taj Mahal - Closed on Fridays.
NOV 21 Agra - Ranthambhore (290 kms)
·Walk through the Mughal "ghost town" of Fatehpur Sikri
· Country side drive to Ranthambore
After
breakfast country side drive to Ranthambore Enroute visit to Fatehpur
Sikri Perched atop a rocky ridge 37 km west of Agra, Fatehpur Sikri came
into being four centuries ago when the Emperor Akbar, not yet 28 years old,
created the first planned city in Indo-Islamic architecture. The city is the
concept of one man; it was actualized with great energy while the impulse
lasted, and completely abandoned a little more than a decade later. In 1568,
Akbar was secure and powerful but he had no son and heir. His search for
blessings for the birth of a successor brought him to the Sufi mystic Sheikh
Chisti, who lived in Sikri village. The saint prophesied the birth of three
sons and soon after was born Prince Salem, later to become Emperor Jehangir.
In gratitude for the blessing Akbar decided to create imperial residences in
Sikri, which would function as a joint capital with Agra. As a mark of his
faith and his recent victories, he named his new city Fatehpur Sikri. Akbar
was a keen builder and the plan of Fatehpur Sikri reveals an architectural
mastermind at work. The "Ghost city" of Fatehpur Sikri built in red sandstone, and is a beautiful blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural elements. The sandstone is richly ornamented with carving and fretwork. Places of Interest inside the Fatehpur Sikri: Diwan-I-Am, Diwan-I-Khas, Pachisi Court, Private Living Quarter, Mariam's Palace, Jodhabai's Palace, Hawa Mahal, Birbal's Palace, Panch Mahal, Jama Masjid, Salim Chisti's Tomb, Buland Darwaza.
Arrive Ranthambore in the evening check in hotel. Overnight stay
NOV 22 Ranthambore - Pushkar (265 kms)
· Game Viewing in Jungle
Early
Morning 3 hrs. Canter drive deep into the Jungle to see the Tiger and
Leopard, the main predators found in this reserve. Hyena & Jackal are
the Scavengers. Sloth Bear and Wild Bear are the main carnivores. The main
herbivores found in this Park are spotted Deer, Sambhar Deer, Nilgai
(Bluebell) anteloge, Chinkara (Indian gazelle) and the common langur.
Later drive to Pushkar - The famous pushkar fair is an annual spectacle, which takes place in November 22-25 at the time of the full moon. When tracers and Pilgrims folk to the desert around the pushkar lake. The mood is festive thought with event like camel raching. Upon arrival Check in pushkar Village.
Your stay in PUSHKAR is for 2 nights which is unforgettable experience of your life.
NOV 23 Pushkar Camel Fair
· Enjoy full day at pushkar village
· Meeting with villagers
It is Rajasthan's most famous fair, it brings together camel traders, pilgrims, visitors, and those who're here simply to participate in one of the seasons most colorful social events. Besides tented camps, there are hundreds of shops selling everything from handicrafts to spices, food stuff and jewellery. For visitors, a number of activities are also arranged. But most simply wish to stay within the fair grounds to watch the fascinating Rajasthani village metamorphose before the eyes. During the fair you can see the village life and also talk with villagers.
NOV 24 Pushkar Fair - Jaipur (120 KMS)
· Maharaja's Pink City Tour
· Rajasthani Cultural Evening
Morning enjoy yourself at Pushkar fair.
Later drive to Jaipur.Known as the "Pink City", Jaipur is the capital of the colorful state of Rajasthan. It has the distinction of being a well planned and laid out city.
Later visit to Maharaja's City Palace - where you can see an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal Art. The museum is resplendent with its collection of robes of royal princes, carpets, an armory of old weapons, miniature paintings portraying court scenes, battle scenes and processions, Jantar Mantar (an accurate observatory built in 1726 AD). Birla White Marble temple and Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) - a five storied wonder with a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes and spires
Rajasthani Evening. Eyewitness the Rajasthani Cultural evening with a thousand lanterns amidst a village carnival with Kalbeliya Rajasthani Folk Dances, Snake Charmer, Puppet Shows, Camel Ride, Bullock Cart Ride & many other activities. Overnight stay
NOV 25 Jaipur - Delhi (259 kms)-Onward Destination
· Travel by brightly caparisoned Elephant to Jaipurs' Amber Fort
· Fly to Onward Destination
After breakfast visit the 17th century fotress of Amber Fort - marvelous example of Rajput architecture with its terraces and ramparts reflected in the Maota Lake below. Go up the fort ascended on Caparisoned Elephant true to the style of the Maharajas of the past. The interiors of the fort has various royal
halls decorated with intricate ivory, mirror and glass work complemented by exquisite wall paintings. As you move between the rooms of this magnificent structure feel the history and visualize the pomp and grandeur of a kingdom never conquered, whose hilltop location is to view various palaces with rooms of stunning beauty including the world's finest chamber of mirrors and also visit temple of Kali.
Afternoon drive back to Delhi. Upon arrival fly to your next destination. .
Laundry, Insurance, Tips, Telephone Calls and Expenses like personal nature, Camera fees in Monuments.
