Golden Triangle with Jodhpur & Udaipur
Duration: 8 nights and 9 days
Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur & Udaipur
Day 1 Delhi
Arrive in New Delhi, you will be met and assisted by our representative and transfer
to your hotel. India's capital & a major gateway to the country, Delhi is contemporary
and a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient and
the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties
chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British
left behind. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 2 Delhi
This morning after breakfast proceed for a half-day tour of Old and New Delhi. This
fascinating city has been in existence since the 6th century BC and has seen ups
and downs from the rule of the Pandavas right up to the British Raj. Visit Jama
Masjid, which is the largest mosque in India, commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan.
The courtyard of the mosque can hold about 25,000 worshippers. Enjoy a rickshaw
ride in Chandni Chowk, the busiest market in Old Delhi noisy, chaotic and uniquely
Indian. Drive past Red Fort, President House, India Gate and several other government
buildings in Edwin Lutyens modern Delhi before you head to Rajghat, the memorial
to Mahatma Gandhi that marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948.
Later visit Humayuns Tomb, commissioned by Humayuns wife Hamida Banu Begum in
1562. It was the first garden tomb built in the Indian sub-continent where the Persian
architect used red sandstone on a large scale. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight
in Delhi.
Day 3 Agra
This morning after breakfast proceed to Agra (210 Kms/4 Hrs drive Approximately).
Arrive and check in at the Hotel. Later explore the city of Agra. Visit the Red
Fort, which was commissioned in 1565 by Akbar, and subsequently embellished by other
Mughal Emperors. The beautiful yet forbidding structure is a handsome example of
Mughal architecture. Later, visit the Taj Mahal a mausoleum built as a symbol Emperor
Shah Jehans devotion to his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. Considered an architectural
marvel, its construction took thousands of workers over 21 years to complete. This
edifice is replete with decorative inlays, carvings and calligraphy. Thereafter,
visit Itmad- Ud - Daula, known as the "Baby Taj"; this mausoleum rests in a walled
garden close to the Yamuna River. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay in
Agra.
Day 4 Jaipur
This morning after breakfast proceed to Jaipur (232 kms / 5 hrs approx), enroute
visit Fatehpur Sikri, which was built by the Emperor Akbar and is home to many historical
buildings. Akbar wanted to make Fatehpur Sikri his headquarters; however, he had
to abandon it due to shortage of water. It is the best example of the amalgamation
of Hindu and Muslim architecture. The Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti enshrines the
burial place of the Sufi saint who lived a religious life here. Today, Fatehpur
Sikri is a UNESCO World heritage site. Later drive to Jaipur. Arrive Jaipur and
check in to your hotel. Rest of the day is free time to walk around in local bazaar
on your own. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 5 Jaipur
This morning after breakfast proceed for full-day sightseeing trip of Jaipur, also
known as the Pink City it is famous for its colorful culture, forts, palaces,
and lakes. The old city of Jaipur is painted pink, which gives it a magical glow.
Visit the Amber Fort a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. The best
way to explore the fort is to ride up to it on elephant back. Later, stop to photograph
the beautiful Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of the Winds. This beautiful
façade with its ornately carved latticework windows is made of pink sandstone. Post
lunch, visit the City Palace again, a synthesis of Rajasthani and Mughal styles.
Later, visit the Jantar Mantar Observatory, comprising geometric devices for measuring
time. You will also visit the Albert Hall, which was modeled on the Victoria and
Albert Museum in London and is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic style of architecture.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 6 Jodhpur
This morning after breakfast proceed to Jodhpur (340 kms / 6.5 hrs approx). Arrive
Jodhpur and check in to your hotel. Proceed for half-day sightseeing trip of Jodhpur,
which is the second largest city in Rajasthan and also called the Sun City. Visit
the Mehrangarh Fort. This spectacular fort made from red sandstone stands on a perpendicular
cliff above the skyline of Jodhpur. The foundations of this fort were laid in 1459;
today it houses a museum with a fine collection of arms, costumes, paintings and
even a collection of palanquins. Also visit Jaswant Thada, a marble cenotaph built
to commemorate Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The monument, in its entirety, is built
out of intricately carved sheets of marble. These stones are extremely thin and
polished so that they emit a warm glow when the sun's rays dance across their surface.
Later, drive past the Mandore garden, which showcases cenotaphs of Jodhpur's former
rulers; instead of the usual umbrella-shaped cenotaphs these are built along the
lines of a Hindu temple. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Jodhpur.
Day 7 Udaipur
This morning after breakfast proceed to Udaipur (269 kms / 6 hrs approx). Enroute,
visit the Ranakpur Temples, acclaimed worldwide for their intricate and superb architectural
style. These temples form one of the five major pilgrimages of the Jains. Arrive
Udaipur and check in to your hotel and relax. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight
in Udaipur.
Day 8 Udaipur
This morning after breakfast proceed for full-day tour of Udaipur. Visit the City
Palace, standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola. The complex is a massive series
of palaces built at different times from 1559. The balconies of the palace provide
panoramic views of the Lake Palace Hotel and Jag Mandir on one side, and the city
of Udaipur on the other. The paintings, mosaics, intricately carved 'chhatris' and
the architecturally brilliant facade all contribute to making your visit to the
City Palace a truly memorable experience. Thereafter, visit a picturesque garden,
Sahelion ki Bari. You will visit also visit Jagat Temple, which is dedicated to
Goddess Ambika- a form of Goddess Durga. Built in 961 A.D, this temple is renowned
for its intricate carvings in the exteriors. In the evening, enjoy a boat ride on
Lake Pichola, which is an artificial fresh water lake, created in the year 1362
AD (Depending upon the water level of lake). Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight
in Udaipur.
Day 9 Onwards
This morning after breakfast proceed to the airport to board the flight for your
onward destination.