THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE
Duration: 8 Days
Destinations: Delhi - Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur - Samode - Delhi
Arrive late night at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at New Delhi. Upon arrival, the guests will be met by our representative outside the customs gate and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel
DAY 2 NEW DELHI
The capital of India has a fascinating history and a stimulating present. Delhi has been the seat of power of a number of dynasties - the Rajputs, the Afghans, the Turks and the Mughals, who continued their imperial line until the British.
Morning, sightseeing tour of Old Delhi, which has some dramatic remnants of the Mughal Empire. Visit the Red Fort, built in 1648, the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, both built by Emperor Shah Jahan. Also visit Rajghat, the site of Mahatma Gandhi's cremation.
Afternoon, drive through the majestic boulevards of New Delhi designed by the British architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1920. Lutyens' Delhi includes the grand government buildings and parliament house, the India gate and "Rashtrapati Bhawan" - the presidential palace. Also visit the 234-foot high Qutab Minar and Humayun's tomb, built in the 16th century by the second Mughal emperor, and is an early example of Mughal architecture.
Overnight in Delhi
DAY 3 NEW DELHI - AGRA
Morning drive to Agra covering a distance of 200 kms in approximately 4 ½ hours.
On arrival in Agra, check-in at your hotel.
Agra, is globally renowned as the city of the Taj Mahal. But this royal Mughal city has, in addition to the legendary Taj, many monuments that epitomize the high point of Mughal architecture. In the Mughal period, in the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of India. It was here that the founder of the dynasty, Babar, laid out the first formal Persian garden on the banks of the river Yamuna. Here, Akbar, his grandson raised the towering ramparts of the great Red Fort. Within its walls, Jehangir built rose-red palaces, courts and gardens, and Shahjahan embellished it with marble mosques, palaces and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble. The crowning glory of the city is obviously the Taj, a monument of love and imagination that represents India to the world.
This afternoon visit the Agra Fort, situated two kilometers west of the Taj Mahal on the banks of the river Yamuna. It was built by the third Mughal Emperor, Akbar, and added to by his son Jehangir and grandson Shahjahan. Agra Fort is an imposing structure with walls of red sandstone, almost 3 kilometers (two miles) long. The eastern part of the fort (the only part open to visitors) contains palaces, audience halls and mosques built by all the three emperors. The fort presents a good sampling of their favored architectural styles. Akbar drew on Islamic and Hindu traditions and the result is eclectic. By Shahjahan time, the style had become so homogenized that it is impossible to separate the Hindu and Muslim strands. The Diwan-i-am (public audience hall) once housed the fabled peacock throne, which incorporated virtually all the important gems of the imperial treasury. The beautiful Diwan-i-khas (private audience hall) and the magnificent Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) are other attractions within the fort.
Later, visit the Taj Mahal to watch the colours in the marble change as the sun sets. With its incredible lacy white grandeur and loveliness is perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world. Emperor Shahjahan constructed this most famous and incomparable Moghul monument in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is the most extravagant monument ever built for love. The Taj Mahal is amazingly graceful from almost any angle and it is the close up detail, which is really astounding.
Please note: The Taj Mahal remains closed on Friday.
Overnight in Agra
DAY 4 AGRA - FATEHPUR SIKRI - JAIPUR
This morning, after breakfast at the hotel, drive to Jaipur (245 kms), enroute visiting Akbar’s abandoned capital, Fatehpur Sikri. The mini-city of Fatehpur Sikri's is made of red sandstone and combines influences from both Hindu and Mughal architecture. Mughal Emperor Akbar made this a capital once but deserted it later due to paucity of drinking water. This structure also houses Salim-Chishti's Dargah. This is a white marble canopy set in the courtyard of the royal mosque to honour a Sufi saint who reportedly blessed Akbar’s wife with a son.
After the visit proceed to Bharatpur for lunch. Continue you drive to Jaipur and upon arrival check-in at hotel.
Overnight in Jaipur
DAY 5 JAIPUR
Full day sightseeing tour of Jaipur, “abode of rajahs”. Visit to Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur city. At the foot of the hill you will mount your caparisoned elephant for the slow but steady climb up to the main gate. Tour the chambers and hallways of the palace, famous for the excellence of its design and decoration. Within the complex is Ganesh Pol, an imposing gateway painted with the images of the elephant-headed god, Ganesh. The merging of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles is captured in the Sukh Niwas and Jas Mandir apartments, and the Charbagh garden with its perfectly proportioned landscaping. Pierced screen windows offer views from different vantage points, and shimmering mirrors encrust the walls of Sheesh Mahal.
After lunch tour of the pink city: visit the Jantar Mantar Observatory, which was built in the 1700s but still appears to be futuristic, and the City Palace still home to the Maharaja although several of the rooms and its museum are now open to the public. Many antiques and artifacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here, including a collection of weaponry. Enjoy a rickshaw ride in the colorful bazaar of the old city, near Hawa Mahal or the "Palace of the Winds." This beautiful façade is probably the most-photographed in Jaipur, with its ornately carved windows designed so the ladies of the palace could look out onto the streets unobserved.
Overnight in Jaipur
DAY 6 JAIPUR - SAMODE
This morning would be at leisure and guest you will have an easy start. Late morning, drive to Samode covering a distance of 45 kms in approximately 1 hour.
On arrival check-in at Samode Palace. Nestled picturesquely amid rugged hills, the quiet luxury of the Palace offers a retreat into an aesthetically beautiful environment. Stately corridors, frescoed walls, ethereal audience halls, harmoniously reflect the skill of master craftsmen. Samode Palace is one of India's most charming hotels and is the winner of the best ‘Heritage Hotel’ in the country, for 5 consecutive years.
Afternoon, enjoy a visit to the Samode village to witness the life of the people living in the Villages.
Overnight in Samode
DAY 7 SAMODE - DELHI
This morning drive back to Delhi covering a distance of 275 kms in approximately 5½ hours.
On arrival, check-in at hotel. Rest of the time would be free to relax at your hotel or alternatively visit the Connaught Place and the street of Janpath in the centre of the city.
Late night transfer to the international airport of New Delhi to board your flight in the early hours of day 8.
DAY 8 NEW DELHI - ABROAD
Flight back home