Easter In India (Golden Triangle)

Delhi – Agra – Jaipur – Delhi
(8 days / 7 nights)

India, an everlasting journey of discovery and a feast for the senses. It has been an invaders paradise and is therefore rich with the heritage of many dynasties and royalties that has ruled this land in its thousands of years of history and left behind an array of splendid historic attractions, great cities, majestic palaces, spectacular temples and more. Rajasthan, the desert Jewel, is a land of colourful people, vibrant festivals, opulent palaces and stunning forts, all of which form an intricate tapestry of mysticism and grandeur.

Experience this land of maharajas and moguls and soak in its rich heritage and culture that dates back to centuries in time. This tour of India dazzles with its grandeur, mystery and history – all the characteristics that you will find every day of this tour through the most emblematic area of the country. During eight unforgettable days, you will visit the most famous and precious monuments of the subcontinent. You will get to know the most sacred mosques, walk on the hill of an elephant, and eat in palaces and much more during visits to UNESCO world heritage sites.

Delhi: The capital of India enjoys splendid cultural and architectural heritage such as the Jama Masjid mosque, the Qutub Minar minaret etc.
Agra: Visit the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort, two marble monuments that are more works of art
Jaipur: Discover the romantic ‘Pink City’, visiting Amber Fort and City Palace among other places

Itinerary:

DAY 1: ARRIVAL – DELHI
You land at New Delhi’s international airport and after clearing Immigrations and Customs, our representative will assist you on arrival, and later leave for your pre-booked hotel and check-in.
New Delhi is the capital of India and a microcosm of the country. It is a modern metropolis, which still preserves its traditional values and manages its multiple personalities effortlessly, making it a perfect gateway city to any North India journey.
Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, proceed for guided sightseeing tour of Delhi. Your tour starts in Old Delhi, the former Imperial capital. Here, you trade your vehicle for cycle rickshaws and enjoy a ride through the crowded streets of the 300 years’ old Chandni Chowk market. It is said that the moonlight reflecting on the canal, earned it its name, ‘Chandni (Moonlit) Chowk (square). Today it is a busy market selling an extraordinary variety of items – silver, jewellery, aromatic spices, leather, fruit and vegetables. Apothecaries sell home grown medicinal items, and roadside dentists display their bizarre array of equipment and false teeth. It is a wonderful introduction into the world of organized chaos of India!
Disembark at Jama Masjid, believed to be the largest in India and Shah Jahan’s last architectural legacy. Originally it was called Masjid-I-Jahanum which means “The mosque commanding a view of the world”. Begun in 1644, the mosque was not completed until 1658. It has three great gateways, four angle towers and two minarets standing 40m high constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble.
After your visit, you board your waiting vehicle and drive to Raj Ghat. A simple square platform of black marble marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated following his assassination in 1948. It is surrounded by a beautiful park with labelled trees planted by notables like Queen Elizabeth II, USA President Eisenhower, Ho Chi Minh and various others.
Later, drive past through India Gate (war memorial dedicated to the lives of laid down by the Indian soldiers), the President’s residence – formerly the Viceroy’s Palace, parliament house and the secretariat buildings; an interesting blend of the Victorian and 20th century architecture.
Overnight at the hotel in Delhi.

DAY 2: DELHI – AGRA (210 KMS/4-5 HRS)
Breakfast at hotel. Check out and drive to the city of 7th wonder of the world.
Meet and assist, & check-in to your hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Agra.

DAY 3: AGRA
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for a full day sightseeing tour of Agra city.
Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra in to a be fitting second capital of the Mughal Empire –giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat (seat of the Emperor). Today, a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices of red sandstone and white marble, narrow gullies and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains.
You start the tour at the Taj Mahal. This stunning mausoleum immortalized the name of Shah Jahan’s last wife Mumtaz Mahal, “light of the palace”. Built by Indian artisan sand artisans from neighboring Islamic countries, it is aptly described by the poet laureate Tagore as “A tear on the face of eternity”. Decorated with a mosaic of semi-precious stone sand Persian calligraphy recreating verses from the Koran, the mausoleum is an important place of pilgrimages since the empress died in childbirth making her a martyr. Prayers are said and passages from Koran are constantly recited in the mosque and cenotaph chamber (Taj Mahal is closed on Friday).
After the Taj Mahal, you drive to the mighty Agra fort. When the Mughal Emperor Akbar established his supremacy in Northern India, he began his first architectural venture, rebuilding the fort as a beautiful fort palace.
The work was completed by his son and grandson, highlighting the Mughals’ ability to blend defensive and decorative architecture. Richly decorated with marble and mosaic, it was in a part of this fort that Shah Jahan spent the last years of his life, imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. His private quarters, where he was confined, have a magical view of the Taj Mahal across the river Yamuna.
Your last stop is visit of Mehtab Bagh. The Mehtab Bagh garden was the last of eleven Mughal-built gardens along the Yamuna opposite the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort; the first being Ram Bagh. It is mentioned that this garden was built by Emperor Babur in year 1530. It is also noted that Emperor Shah Jahan had identified a site from the crescent-shaped, grass-covered floodplain across the Yamuna River as an ideal location for viewing the Taj Mahal. It was then created as “a moonlit pleasure garden” called Mehtab Bagh.
Afternoon at leisure. Buffet dinner and overnight at the hotel in Agra.

DAY 4: AGRA – JAIPUR (240 KMS/5-6 HRS)
Breakfast at the hotel. This day, continue your journey to the Pink City of Jaipur.
An hour and a half outside Agra is your first stop, Fatehpur Sikri. A typical visit to Sikri takes about an hour and is worth the time. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fatehpur Sikri was temporarily the capital of the Mughal Empire under Akbar the Great. Built by Emperor Akbar to honor the Saint Salim Chisti who foretold the birth of Akbars’ son and heir, this structure is constructed entirely in vibrant red sandstone, architecturally it draws its inspiration from Hindu, Persian and Islamic styles.
Sikri was the first planned city of the Mughals. The sloping levels of the city, connected into terraces, were utilized for various complexes such as Jami masjid, Buland-Darwazah and tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti; Khwabgah, Diwan-i-Khass, and Diwan-i-Am. The efficient system of drainage and water-supply adopted here suggest an extremely intelligent town-planning by the Mughal emperor but eventually, a lack of adequate water supply for a whole city lead to its abandonment 14 years later.
After visiting Fatehpur Sikri, take straight drive to Jaipur. On arrival at your hotel, check-in and rest of the evening at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel in Jaipur.

DAY 5: JAIPUR
Breakfast at hotel.
This day engage yourself for a full day of sightseeing of the Pink City.
Morning Amber Fort with Elephant ride (subject to availability) failing by jeeps. Amber is a classic, romantic Rajasthani fort Palace. The rugged, time-ravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful from the outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. Miniatures painted on the walls depict hunting and war scenes, apart from festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are embedded into the plaster. Inside the Fort visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory. Inside the Jag Mandir is the famed Sheesh Mahal – a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period. Enroute to Amber Fort, you will have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal – the Palace of Winds.
Afternoon city tour begins with a visit to the Maharaja’s City Palace, the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur. Built in the style of a fortified campus, the palace covers almost one-seventh in area of the city. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as Armory Museum housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers. The royal families of Jaipur once used most of these weapons. Later visit the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. Situated near the gate of the city palace, the observatory has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition. Later continue to visit Lakshmi Narayan temple which is also known as Birla Mandir.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Jaipur.

DAY 6: JAIPUR – DELHI (265 KMS/6-7 HRS)
Breakfast at the hotel. Leave in time for Delhi. On arrival, proceed for sightseeing tour of Delhi.
Visit Qutab Minar complex which has many historic monuments. The first mosque in India – The Quwwat-Ul- Islam – built from the dressed and carved stones of demolished temples lies in this complex. It establishes the political victory of Islam in Northern India. The Qutab Minar itself began in 1199 by Qutab ud din Aibak and was completed by his successors. This fluted elegant tower is decorated with elegant balconies and carvings.
Overnight at the hotel in Delhi.

DAY 7: DELHI – DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the hotel. In time, transfer to Delhi International Airport for your flight back home.

End of our services.
All hotels check-in 1400 Hrs. /check-out time 12 Noon
Note: Distance/approximate drive time based on Indian Road conditions
Drive time may reduce/exceeds depends on the traffic conditions city to city on that particular day

Our package includes:
• Round trip ticket Beirut/Dubai/Delhi/Dubai/Beirut with Emirates Airlines
• 6 nights’ accommodation at the selected hotels in India
• Daily breakfast at the hotels on fixed menu basis
• 1 lunch in Delhi, 1 dinner in Agra and 1 dinner in Jaipur included
• Transfers from airport to hotel & vice versa
• English-speaking city local guides during the sightseeing tours
• Elephant failing jeep ride at Amber Fort for uphills only
• Entrance fees to monuments for single visit as per program
• Free Wi-Fi services during intercity bus travelling.
• Meet & assist of our representative in India on arrival & departure

Our package excludes:
• Airport taxes ($ 300)
• Visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Video camera & still camera permits
• Lunches & dinners throughout the tour
• Drinks during meals
• Tips & porterage services
• Optional tours

OPTIONAL TOURS
o AKSHARDHAM TEMPLE ($ 30)
Visit Akshardham Temple and witness the essence of Hinduism at Akshardham Temple one of the biggest and most intricate religious places of worship ever constructed. A visit to this monument is a journey through the gateway to the essence of ancient India and the best of Hindu culture and Vedic civilization. The monument is a fusion of pink stone and pure white marble, where pink stone symbolizes bhakti in eternal bloom and white marble that of absolute purity and eternal peace. (Closed on Mondays)
o EVENING VISIT OF KINGDOM OF DREAMS ($ 80)
The ultimate entertainment and leisure destination, sprawling across acres of land, the carnival that is India is distilled into one iconic destination. This fabulous Kingdom brings to life a blend of India’s art, culture, heritage, craft, cuisine and performing art… all with the technological wizardry of today.
It is designed and conceptualized to offer international and domestic tourists a breath taking, magical
Indian experience. It showcases modern & traditional India in an entertaining format to all visitors.
NAUTANKI MAHAL: showcasing an extravagant cinematic and theatrical musical. Culture Gully: an elaborate culture, arts, crafts and food boulevard. Showshaa Theatre: a fabulous, colorful drama marquee spotlighting Indian mythology productions, a mock wedding show and the great Indian talent circus. Iifa Buzz: a glamorous Bollywood themed cafe. This is a destination in itself, which is capturing the imagination of the world. Get ready for this century’s most novel tourist destination.
SHOW OF ZANGOORA: the Gypsy Prince at Kingdom of Dreams. India’s answer to Broadway, Zangoora the Gypsy Prince – The biggest Bollywood musical ever. Introducing a brand new genre of entertainment where storytelling & Bollywood style Song & Dance meet stagecraft and technical wizardry like never seen before. In a world-class theatre Nautanki Mahal, enter a world of entertainment that brings the best of Indian and International talent to create a Bollywood spectacle live on stage that is truly cinematic. (Closed on Mondays)
o EVENING MOHABBAT THE TAJ SHOW ($ 35)
Mohabbat the Taj – A show which has taken seven years of chiseling and carving by 28 craftsmen and designers. Made in pure white Makrana marble like the original 17th century monument, a Taj Mahal replica. This programme has exciting and innovative presentation of a song and drama spectacle involving 60 artists, they have tried to merry the traditional media with the latest gadgetry, audio-visual technology, including laser. The Taj will be presented in 10 different moods, representing varying seasons and hours of the day.’ The show will a love story set in the 17th century ambience and woven around the Taj. Timings: 06:15 PM. – Subject to operation.