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Day 1: London - Delhi
Arrive Delhi . You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Overnight stay in Delhi for 02 nights.
It is believed that Delhi has been rebuilt seven times with the ruins of one city becoming the foundations for the next. The Mughals ruled here from 12th century. The British captured it in 1803 reducing the Mughal rulers to puppet kings, and in 1911 founded New Delhi. Designed by the British architects Edward Lutyens and Herbert Baker, New Delhi became the capital of independent India in 1947. The sun warmed stones of ancient forts, tombs, mosques and palaces lie scattered across its sprawling expanse, a reminder of an almost continuous settlement along the Yamuna River).
Day 2: Delhi
After breakfast a full day City tour of Old and New Delhi. Old Delhi (Shahjananbad) built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan is a bustling city of crowded bazaars and winding alleys teeming with life. Visit the imposing Red Fort, Jama Masjid Mosque (the largest mosque in India) with a stunning example of Mughal architecture. Visit the famous Chandni Chowk bazaar with bustling streets. Also visit Raj Ghat (memorial of Mahatma Gandhi) situated on the bank of the legendary Yamuna River.
New Delhi, designed by British architects Edward Lutyens & Herbert Baker in 1911, with wide tree line avenues, landscaped gardens & stately monuments. Visit Connaught Place, the hub of the city mainly devoted to shops, banks and restaurants. Then on to Rajpath, visiting the India Gate and drive past the impressive President′s house, the Parliament House and Diplomatic enclave. Visit Humayun′s Tomb, one of Delhi′s finest Mughal historic sites, built in somber, Persian–style elegance. Also visit Qutub Minar built in 1199 at a height of 72.5 meters. It is still the highest, and one of the finest stone towers in India.
Day 3: Delhi - Agra
Morning after breakfast drive by car to Agra, a journey of four hours. Overnight at the hotel.
Agra is a medieval city situated on the banks of the river Yamuna. The city finds mention in the epic of Mahabharata when it was called Agarbana (Paradise). Agra first gained prominence during the Mughal era in 16th and 17th centuries when it served as their capital, the city houses the finest monuments of the period, which bear testimony to the aura of grandeur. The Moghul passion for building endowed Agra with some of the loveliest buildings in the world. Agra with its crowded alleys and busy bazaars is much like any other north Indian city. The Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Ottoman, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and now a Wonder of the World. The Taj Mahal, with a white marble tomb and four minarets, is actually an integrated complex of structures; building began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, and employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen. Agra Fort, built by the great Emperor Akbar in 1565 A.D, is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort are a number of exquisite buildings. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city. The Emperor Shah was imprisoned by his son and later died here. Afternoon city tour visiting the elegant Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with semi circular plan, 70 feet high walls and double ramparts. Taj Mahal, a New Wonder of the World, built by the Mughal King in the loving memory of his queen. You will remain here until Sunset.
Day 4: Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Jaipur
After breakfast depart by road to Jaipur, a journey of about 06 hours. En–route visiting the deserted township of Fatehpur Sikri. Overnight stay in Jaipur for 02 nights.
The deserted fortress Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 AD, and was the old capital of the Mughal rulers. After 15 years of it′s existence it was abandoned due to acute scarcity of water. This graceful fortress with tall entrance houses buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and other palaces, which are still preserved in their original glory, much of the credit for the building′s excellent condition goes to Lord Curzon. Jaipur is the capital of, and the largest city in Rajasthan, built by Maharaja Swai Jai Singh in 1727 A.D. who had the vision to create a meticulously planned city as his capital. Popularly known, as the Pink City after the whole city was painted pink in 1876 during the visit to the Prince of Wales, later king Edward VII. Today the houses in the old city including the famous Hawa Mahal are still painted pink. Overnight stay at the Oberoi Raj Vilas
Day 5: Jaipur
Morning sight seeing tour of Amber Fort and later enjoy city sight seeing of Jaipur.
Visit Amber Fort a classic, Rajasthani Fort Palace with huge ramparts and watchtowers, Where an Elephant will take you uphill to the fort. Amber was the capital before Jaipur was built. Visit the marble Palace, temple of victory, hall of mirrors, which are excellent examples of ancient Rajput architecture.In the afternoon enjoy a tour of the city including a visit to the City Palace the former Royal residence, part of which is now converted into a museum, Hawa Mahal (The Palace of the Winds), a five storey building with semi octagonal and delicately honey combed sandstone windows. Also visit the Jantar Mantar, an 18th century astronomical Observatory, which is the largest stone and marble, crafted observatory in the world.
Day 6: Jaipur - Udaipur
After breakfast you will be met and transferred to Jaipur Airport for flight to Udaipur. Arrive Udaipur You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Overnight stay in Udaipur for 02 nights.
Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences. Founded in 1559 AD and named after Maharana Udai Singh, the lake oriented city has inspired poets, painters and writers. Udaipur later became the capital of the Sisodia dynasty whose earlier capital was Chittor and according to legend, the Maharana while on hunting, met a holy man meditating on a hill overlooking the Lake Pichola. The hermit blessed the Maharana and told him to build a palace at that very spot, as it would be well protected. The Maharana followed the holy man′s advice and thus city of Udaipur came into being.
Day 7: Udaipur
Morning after breakfast half–day sightseeing tour of Udaipur. Afternoon is free for independent activities – no car booked.
Visit the City Palace built in 1725 AD. A majestic architectural marvel towering over the lake Pichola, the palace is a conglomeration of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. The main entrance is through a triple arched gate where it is said that the Maharana was once weighed and the equivalent amount in gold distributed among the populace. The City Palace Museum has a stunning collection of objects collected by different Maharanas of Udaipur over the centuries. You will also visit Jagdish Temple, a fine Indo–Aryan temple built by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1651 AD, which enshrines a black stone image of Lord Vishnu as Jagannath, lord of the Universe.
Day 8: Udaipur – Mumbai
After breakfast you will be met and transferred to Udaipur Airport for flight to Mumbai. Arrival mumbai you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight stay in Mumbai for 02 nights.
Mumbai, until recently known as Bombay, derives its name from the local deity Mumba Devi, whose temple still exists. The name Bombay is also believed to have come from the Portuguese who preferred to think of the name as Bom Baim, the Good Bay. It is said that the Portuguese presented Mumbai to King Charles II of England as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza. The British East India Company then leased it from the Crown, and developed the small fishing villages and natural harbors into Bombay, the subcontinent′s busiest port and the region′s centre for trade, finance and industry.
Day 9: Mumbai
After breakfast proceed for half day sight seeing of Mumbai City.
You will be taken for a city tour of Mumbai, visiting The Gateway of India, built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India in 1911; The Prince of Wales Museum, opened in 1923 and built to commemorate King George′s visit; The Jehangir Art Gallery, which displays paintings of modern Indian artists. Drive past the Flora Fountain (Mumbai′s nerve centre); the ever bustling Crawford Market and along Marine Drive, also called the ‘Queen′s Necklace’. Your tour concludes at ‘Dhobi Ghats’, the open air laundries where you will see row upon row of concrete wash pens, each fitted with its own flogging stone. Almost two hundred ‘dhobis’ (washer men) and their families work together in what has always been a hereditary occupation.
Day 10: Mumbai Departure
After breakfast you will be met and transferred to Mumbai Airport for flight.
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