Delhi – Agra – Jaipur – Delhi
(8 days / 7 nights)
Validity: 10 till 17 Apr 2020
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.
Overnight at the hotel in Delhi.
DAY 2: DELHI
Breakfast at hotel.
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.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, drive past Lutyens New Delhi. Known as ‘Rajpath’ or ’Kings Way’- the wide tree lined avenues served as the capital city for the former British Empire. Among the buildings, you drive past are the Secretariat buildings, Parliament House, Presidential Palace (Rashtrapati Bhawan), and India Gate, a memorial to 82,000 soldiers of the undivided Indian Army who died in the period 1914–21.
Continue to the 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.
Return to your hotel by evening. Overnight at the hotel in Delhi.
DAY 3: 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. Rest of the day at leisure for your own activities in Agra City.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Agra.
DAY 4: 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.
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.
Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Agra.
DAY 5: AGRA – JAIPUR (240 KMS/5-6 HRS)
Post a late breakfast you 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. Transfer directly to your hotel and check-in. After your long day, the remainder of the evening is at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel in Jaipur.
DAY 6: JAIPUR
Breakfast at hotel.
This day engage yourself for a full day of sightseeing of the Pink City.
When prince, soldier and astronomer Sawai Jai Singh II built the pink harmonious city of Jaipur in 1727, he did it in accordance with a treatise on town planning and architecture, the Shilpa Shastra that is timely even today. In 1876, the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria visited India on a tour. Since pink denotes the color of hospitality, Maharaja Ram Singh of Jaipur painted the whole city pink in colour to welcome the guests. It was then that Lord Albert exclaimed Jaipur to be a ‘Pink City’, and hence the name. Today many establishments and buildings still sport this colour and the name has stuck.
You start with a visit to Amber Fort with Elephant Ride (Subject to availability) & failing by jeep.
Hill forts were always important to the Rajput rulers. Belonging to the Hindu “Kshatriya” or warrior class, they believed in the line from the sacred holy book, the Purana that “a fort is the strength of a king”. They built a number of such forts all over the state of Rajasthan; some made for purely defensive purposes, but most built as fort palaces. Amber is one of the finest examples of a fort palace, built similar in style to the surrounding richly decorated Mughal courts. Inside the Fort, you must visit the Jagmandir or the ‘Hall of Victory’. Inside the Jagmandir is the famous Sheesh Mahal – ‘Mirror Palace’ – a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period.
In the afternoon, visit the sprawling City Palace, a superb marriage of the Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture. The seven-storied Chandra Mahal (Moon Palace) is a sprawling complex with multiple courtyards, public buildings, astronomical observatory and zenana mahals (harems). Within the palace complex are several museums; including an interesting textile gallery exhibiting a fine selection of textiles and costumes from the royal collection.
From the City Palace, you enter the extra ordinary “Jantar Mantar”, the astronomical observatory built by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1827. Roughly translated the name means “The Formula of Instruments”. This is one of five observatories he built in northern India. The instruments resembling massive futuristic structures are actually highly sophisticated instruments, which are accurate even today.
Then drive though the busy streets for a photography stop at Hawa Mahal, the ornate pink façade an icon of the city. This five storied high “screen” composed of projected windows, balconies protected by fine latticed screens was destined to enable the ladies of the harem to observe the lively street scenes of the city from a posit in of privacy.
You return to your hotel by evening.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Jaipur.
DAY 7: JAIPUR – DELHI (265 KMS/6-7 HRS)
Breakfast at the hotel. Leave in time for Delhi. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel in Delhi.
DAY 8: 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/Doha/Delhi/Doha/Beirut with Qatar Airways including
• 7 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 ($ 240)
• 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.
Phone:
+961 1 482 300
+961 1 482 600
+961 1 482 900
+961 70 499399
24/7 hotline: +961 70 499299
Address:
Horsh Tabet, Dimitri Hayek street, Central 2381
P.O.Box: 16-6974 Beirut – Lebanon
Email: info@bonzaitraveldesign.com
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri: 8:30 till 17:30
Saturday: 8:30 till 13:00
Sunday: closed