THE ITINERARY:

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Day 1 Delhi

Pick up at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Begin your city tour (time permitting) or relax with an optional Ayurvedic massage/spa. Welcome refreshments with your guide and driver in the evening. Overnight Delhi.

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Day 2 Delhi

Breakfast and then start your city tour including Jama Masjid, Qtub Minar, Red Fort and Humayan's Tomb.

Tea break and lunch at your leisure.

Afternoon free time browsing the bazaars. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Delhi.

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Optional evening program of Lodi Gardens walk and Food Crawl through Chandi Chowk or Purana Qila Sound and Light Show and Indian dinner.

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DAY 3 Agra

Leave Delhi after breakfast and travel to Agra - approx. 3.5 hours. 

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On the outskirts of Agra, is Sikandra and the Tomb of Akbar the Great.

Also called Akbar's Mausoleum, this masterpiece of architecture was constructed in the 1600's. It's noteworthy for the beautiful sandstone buildings inlaid with marble and slate and the surrounding grounds. One of the greatest Mughal rulers, Akbar's tomb is a fitting monument to his life and accomplishments. Covering over 119 acres, it hosts a wildlife park, expansive gardens and several tall minarets.

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Break for lunch and tea before we travel to the lesser known, but still impressive, tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, called the “Baby Taj”. The buildings are smaller but wonderfully decorated with inlaid, painted and raised plaster designs. Check-in to your hotel. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Agra.

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Optional evening program of the Mohabbat The Taj show - a song, dance and musical depiction of the romantic love story of Emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Held in the Kalakriti Cultural and Convention Center and followed by Indian dinner.

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DAY 4 Agra

In the early morning we'll watch the sunrise across the Jumana River illuminate the beautiful Taj Mahal. We'll take in the view from the Moon Garden or Mehtab Bagh at the riverfront. Then back to your hotel for breakfast before we see more of Agra.

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The next famous monument we’ll see today is the Agra Fort. This was built as the summer palace of Shan Jahan and from the high terrace you can view the Taj Mahal in the distance. Built of intricately embellished red sandstone it provides a distinct contrast to the marble palaces within.

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We return to Taj Mahal by midday - the stunning monument to Mumtaz Mahal, Shah Jahan’s beloved wife. Designed and built over 22 years by Persian architect Ustad Isa, it stands forever as a testament to the heart-broken Shah’s undying love. 

 

Late afternoon at your leisure. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Agra.

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Optional evening program: Local dinner, cooking lesson and Mehndi application at our Agra apartment.

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DAY 5 Agra to Jaipur

Today we leave early for Jaipur - approx. 4.5 hours from Agra. 

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On our way, we will stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the city Akbar built in 1570 and abandoned 10 years later. This Unesco site has been well preserved with the palaces, gates and sandstone exteriors lying undisturbed over the centuries. 

 

Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur is next. The former duck hunting preserve of the Maharajas is an important overwintering area for thousands of migrating water birds as well as home to over 300 endemic species.

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Quiet trails surround man-made lakes and wetlands interrupted by grassy savannah and dry tropical forests. This Unesco World Heritage site spreads over 29 square kms and we will enjoy a naturalist guided hike and rickshaw ride for approx. 1.5 hrs.

 

Later we'll pass by the small town of Abhaneri, famous for Chand Baori.

This is the deepest stepwell in the world at 100 feet deep.

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Check-in to your Jaipur hotel and dinner at your leisure. Overnight Jaipur.

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DAY 6 Jaipur

The grand Amer or Amber Fort, built by Raja Man Singh in the 1600’s, awaits our morning arrival. Walk the scenic route to the Sun Gate overlooking Maota lake.

Optional Balloon Safari  (I hour) at sunrise followed by Amber Fort.

 

The huge enclosure holds the stunning Palace of Mirrors (Sheesh Mahal),

Hall of Public Audience (Diwan-e-Aam), the Hall of Private Audience (Diwan-e-Khas) and the innovative Sukh Niwas. This enclosure created early air conditioning using the wind that blew over water soaked reeds within the palace!

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Nearby is the Tiger, or Nahargarh Fort, standing on the edge of the Aravalli 

Hills overlooking sprawlingJaipur 

below. Although smaller, the palace has wonderful views and impressive frescoes throughout.

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Tea stop and light lunch enroute to "The Pink City" where we will stop at the iconic Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds).

 

On our way we can view the Jal Mahal - the lovely Water Palace set it Man Sagar Lake. Now abandoned, it floats like a mirage surrounded by the lake and mountains. 

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Our afternoon finishes with a walk through the beautiful palace and gardens of Sisodia Rani ka Bagh a romantic 18th-century palace with formal gardens, fountains, temples & pavilions.

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Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Jaipur.

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Optional evening program:  See a hand-block printing technique demonstration and have a custom tailored Kurta made from your favourite cotton print.

Rooftop Indian dinner following with a scenic view over Jaipur.

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DAY  7 Jaipur

Today we explore the City Palace built by Raja Man Singh during 1729-1732. The complex includes the Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal palaces as well as a colourful bazaar.

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There is a wonderful museum and opulent palace rooms decorated with antique carpets and furniture. Parts are still inhabited by the royal family members today!

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Free time to explore the bazaars and shops before we travel to the Galtaji Monkey Temple in mid-afternoon.

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Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Jaipur.

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Optional evening program:  

Bollywood movie at the classic Raj Mandir cinema - an Art Deco dream built by a leading jewellery dynasty in Jaipur. Dinner following.