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Where We Sleep . . .
DELHI
Luxury Accommodations:
The Oberoi, New Delhi
The Oberoi, New Delhi reflects the city's spirit in a harmonious blend of tradition and contemporary sophistication.
Deluxe Accommodations:
The Lalit
The Lalit New Delhi, a 460 room super luxury hotel, stands tall in the heart of the city's premier business and commercial district.
AGRA
Luxury Accommodations:
The Oberoi Amarvilas
Enjoy the luxury of your own private view of the greatest monument to love.
Deluxe Accommodations:
The Trident, Agra
The Trident, Agra, set amidst beautiful gardens, fountains, landscaped central courtyards, is built of red stone reminiscent of the Mughal era.
JAIPUR
Luxury Accommodations:
The Oberoi Rajvilas
The Oberoi Rajvilas is a unique way to experience Jaipur, one of India's most vibrant and exotic destinations.
Deluxe Accommodations:
Trident Hotel, Jaipur
Breathtaking views of the serene Mansagar Lake and the striking Aravalli range welcome guests at the 137 room Trident Hotel, Jaipur.
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The Trip
Day 1 - ARRIVAL
India's capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region's ancient legacy. The first impressions for any visitor traveling in from the airport are of a specious, garden city, tree-lined with a number of beautiful parks.
Day 2 - DELHI
Proceed for a combined sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; drive past the Red Fort overlooking the river Jamuna was built during the years 1638 - 48 when the Mughal Empire was at its peak, continuing to the Jama Masjid, one of Asia's largest mosques.
Later, you will be driven to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy what the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively. The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks the division in the life-styles. The walled city is all tradition where one will be able to glean a past life-style in all its facets, colours and spells. New Delhi in contrast, is a city trying to live up to the best of 21st century standards.
The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Humayus's Tomb, Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. Qutub-ud-din Aibak started it in 1199. Pulling down 27 Hindu and Jain temples and using their columns erected the attached Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque also built by him. Later, the tour will include a drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President's residence.
Day 3 - DELHI - AGRA
Agra in terms of ambiance is still associated with its Mughal period. The Mughals besides being great rulers were also great builders and they preserved their best architectural wonders for Agra & its neighborhood. It has many wonderful monuments and the Taj Mahal, the greatest of them all, is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture at its best. The massive but elegant Agra Fort, the delicate artistry of Itimad-ud-daulah's tomb are each unique and outstanding.
In the afternoon proceed for a visit Agra Fort - the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule and administration and the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River. Shah Jehan added the impressive quarters and the mosque while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. Visit its Hall of Public Audience and its Royal Pavilions. Also visit Baby Taj.
Day 4 - AGRA
 In the morning, you will visit the world renowned Taj Mahal. Referred to as one of the wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal in Agra is the epitome of tourism in India and is celebrated for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty. A symphony in white marble, a tribute to eternal love, it was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. There are tombs of Mumtaz and Shahjahan within the mausoleum. Done in white marble, it took 22 years and over 20,000 workers and craftsmen to complete this rhapsody in stone (1630-52 AD).
Day 5 - AGRA - JAIPUR
You will be driven to Jaipur, enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city built by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital in the late 16th century. It was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago. It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed. Now it is an extraordinary place to wander around with its buildings in near perfect condition.
 Continue your drive to Jaipur after visiting Fatehpur Sikri. Upon arrival proceed for check in at the hotel.
The vibrant capital of Rajasthan renowned for its forts and palaces is popularly known as the 'Pink City' because of the pink-colored buildings in its old city. An ideal base for touring the royal state, the city has the distinction of being the third jewel of India's "Golden Triangle".
Day 6 - JAIPUR
In the morning, you will be driven just outside Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort. En-route to Amber you will stop and see the 'Palace of Winds', otherwise known as Hawa Mahal. It is extremely intricate in its pink sandstone carving. The cool wind blows through its windows and latticed screens through which the queens of the court once viewed the streets of the city.
Drive to Amber Fort after stopping at Hawa Mahal. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar's most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Moat Lake. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravalli hills and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area.
 In the afternoon enjoy the tour to City Palace, which has a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes, and armory of Mughals and Rajputs including swords of different shapes and sizes with chiseled handles. Many antiques and artifacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here, including a collection of weaponry. It also has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit. Walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur. You will also have the opportunity to wander about the local markets and visit Jewellery shops.
Day 7 - JAIPUR - DELHI
Drive back to Delhi.
Day 8 - DEPARTURE
Early morning you will be met by our Cox & Kings representative and transferred to the International airport for your flight back home. |