DAY
01 : ARRIVE DELHI Arrive Delhi by International flight.
New Delhi, the capital and the third largest city of India is a fusion
of the ancient and the modern. Standing along the West End of Gangetic
Plain, the capital city, Delhi, unwinds a picture rich with culture,
architecture and human diversity, deep in history, monuments, museums,
galleries, gardens and exotic shows. Comprising of two contrasting yet
harmonious parts, the Old Delhi and New Delhi, the city is a travel hub
of Northern India.
Narrating the city's Mughal past, Old
Delhi, takes you through the labyrinthine streets passing through
formidable mosques, monuments and forts. You will also discover lively
and colorful bazaars that boast to cater all sorts of good and items at
mind-blowing prices amidst a barely controlled chaotic ambience. The
imperial city of New Delhi displays the finely curved architecture of
British Raj.
It generates a mesmerizing charm reflecting
well-composed and spacious streets under the shade of beautifully lined
avenues of trees and tall and imposing government buildings.
You
will be met on your arrival by the representative of Exotique
Expeditions with fresh flower garlands. You will then be transferred to
your hotel.
OVERNIGHT AT THE OBEROI
DAY
02 : Delhi Sightseing Trip
Breakfast at the hotel.
This morning you will be given the city tour of Old and New Delhi.
Old Delhi. Visit the former centre of
Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and
bustling bazaars. Drive past the vast Red Fort,
built in 1648, the Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and
completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal, and the
Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. A unique experience
of taking 'rickshaw ride' from the Red Fort, through "Chandni
Chowk" or Silver Street, experiencing the sights and sounds of
this very busy avenue heading west from the Fort. Chandni Chowk -
literally means "moonlit crossroads" and an area which best
represents the "super-Oriental" - the glory and the guile;
the grandeur and the grime, with its crowded bazaars, twisting lanes,
maze of small streets strange aromas, the pungent odour of Oriental
spices, the cries of shopkeepers, coolies and "rickshaw-walas"
and the clatter and whirr of furious industry.
New Delhi - drive past the stately
government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens, including
the India Gate & the
Presidential Palace. Continue onto the
beautiful Humayuns tomb of the Mughal
era & predecessor of the world famous Taj Mahal. End the tour at
the towering minaret of Qutab Minar
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 03 : DELHI - AGRA (202 KMS/126 MILES)
Breakfast at the hotel.
This morning leave Delhi for
Agra by air conditioned car.
Agra has a rich historical
background, which is amply evident from the numerous historical
monuments in and around the city.
Though the heritage of Agra
city is linked with the Mughal dynasty, numerous other rulers also
contributed to the rich past of this city. Modern Agra was founded by
Sikandar Lodhi (Lodhi dynasty; Delhi Sultanate) in the 16th century.
Babar (founder of the Mughal dynasty) also stayed for sometime in Agra
and introduced the concept of square Persian-styled gardens here.
Agra came to its own when Shahjahan ascended to the throne of Mughal
Empire. He marked the zenith of Mughal architecture, when he built the
Taj in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
On arrival at
Agra, check in at THE OBEROI AMARVILAS
Afternoon is at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 04 : Agra Taj Mahal Trip India
Breakfast at the hotel.
This morning you will be given the city
tour of Agra.
Red Fort - lies on
the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar
built it as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest
architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone
and a moat. Taj Mahal Little needs to
be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul
raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan,
the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal.
This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed and
planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from it's stunning
design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted
particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and
some of the best inlay work ever seen.
Rest of the day free for
other activities.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 05 : AGRA SAWAI MADHOPUR(294 KMS/184
MILES)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning leave Agra
for Sawai Madhopur by road in an air conditioned car. Enroute visit
Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri -
Impressive sandstone fortress of Fatehpur Sikri. The fort was built in
the 16th century and only occupied for a few years before being
abandoned, leaving the buildings in virtually perfect conditions.
Continue drive to Agra. Upon arrival in Agra - check-in at the hotel.
Thereafter, visit the Red Fort, which was built by Akbar as his
citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style
Upon arrival at Sawai Madhopur , check in at THE OBEROI VANYAVILAS.
About 180 kms. to north-east of Jaipur, along the rolling hills of
Vindhyas and Aravali ranges lies the town of Sawai Madhopur. The town
founded in 1765 AD was named after its founder Sawai Madho Singh-I of
Jaipur.Today Sawai Madhopur is known for Ranthambhor, a Wildlife
reserve and a place of historical importance.
The Muslim conquest
brought about major changes in the political map of northern India. In
Rajasthan, the Chauhan kingdoms of sapadalaksa and Nodal dis-appeared,
Govinda the grandson of Prithviraj Chauhan established himself at
Ranthambhore and ruled as feudatory of the Sultan of Delhi. Following
disturbances after the death of Iltutmish, Vagbhatta besieged the fort
of Ranthambhor. He then ruled from here for 12 Years waging
continuous battles against the Sultanate. Rao Hamir was yet another
figure who carved a niche for himself. In the annals, it is only now
and then do we come across men of such heroism.
Rana Kumbha
captured the Ranthambhor Fort the middle of the 15th century. After
the death of Aurangzeb, the fort was taken over by the rulers of
Jaipur.
Upon arrival at Ranthambore, check in at THE OBEROI
VANYAVILAS.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 06 : IN SAWAI MADHOPUR
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning trip to Ranthambore Wildlife
Sanctuary
Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary - Rajasthan's most
renowned wildlife sanctuary, it is 400 sq kms of dry deciduous forest,
perfect natural habitat for tigers, and is set in the Aravalli and
Vindhya hills, dotted with pavillions and dominated by a hilltop fort.
Ranthambore was one of the hunting preserves of the former rulers of
Jaipur and because of this the Maharajas ensured the environment was
preserved and the forest and their inhabitants well protected. It has
a good population of tiger and their prey species, and has been
declared a "Project Tiger" reserve. Wildlife includes blue
bull, black buck, spotted deer or cheetal, wild boar, a large variety
of bird species and, if very lucky, the rarely seen leopard.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 07 : Sawai Madhopur - Jaipur Heritage
Tours(157 kms/98 miles)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning leave Sawai Madhopur for Jaipur by road in an air conditioned
car.
Jaipur, the pink city was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Jai
Singh II, a Kachhwaha Rajput, who ruled from 1699-1744. Initially his
capital was Amber, which lies at a distance of 11kms from Jaipur. He
felt the need of shifting his capital city with the increase in
population and growing scarcity of water. Jaipur is the first planned
city of India and the King took great interest while designing this
city of victory. He consulted several books on architecture and
architects before making the lay out of Jaipur
In 1853, when
Prince of Wales visited Jaipur, the whole city was painted in Pink
color to welcome him. Still, the neat and broadly laid-out avenues,
painted in pink provide a magical charm to the city. Jaipur is rich in
its cultural and architectural beauty, which can be traced in the
various historical and aesthetic places that reside in the city. This
city of victory really wins the hearts of the people with its splendid
charisma.
Arrive Jaipur and check in at THE OBEROI RAJVILAS
DAY 08 : IN JAIPUR
Breakfast at
the hotel.
This morning you will be given excursion to
Amber Fort followed by city tour of
Jaipur.
Tour of the impressive 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, making your entrance in the time honoured fashion. The Fort,
completed in the early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and
now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the
lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families.
Tour of the Pink City -
Your tour will include the imposing City Palace, still home to the
Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the public.
Many antiques and artefacts belonging to the ruling family are housed
here, including a collection of weaponry. You will also visit the Hawa
Mahal, "Palace of the Winds", and the open-air Jantar Mantar
Observatory to see the vast astronomical instruments. Enjoy a stroll
through the colourful bazaar before returning to your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 09 : JAIPUR - UDAIPUR(BY AIR)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today you will be transferred to the
airport in time to board the flight for Udaipur.
Udaipur, once known as Mewar, is the land that produced a galaxy of
patriots and heroes in quick succession, people who etched the name of
Rajasthan in every corner of the world. The Mewar dynasty traces its
roots to the Sun God. Its history has been a continuous struggle for
freedom of religion, thought and land against other Rajput groups as
well as the overbearing Mughals and Muslims of bygone eras. Its act of
patriotism, heroism, magnanimous behaviour and love for independence
can never find any match in the annals of any country.
Udaipur
remained untouched from Mughal religious and aesthetics influences and
remained so till the coming of the Europeans. Maharana Fateh Singh of
Udaipur was the only royalty who did not attend the Delhi Durbar for
King George V in 1911. This fierce sense of independence earned them
the highest gun salute in Rajasthan, 19 against the 17 each of Jaipur,
Jodhpur, Bundi, Bikaner, Kota and Karauli. Udaipur retained its
romantic quality and Rosita Forbes, who passed this land of bravery
during the decline of the British Raj, described it as "like no
other place on earth.
Upon arrival at the airport, you wil be
transferred to THE OBEROI UDAIVILAS
Rest of the day is at
leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 10: IN UDAIPUR
Breakfast at
the hotel.
This morning you will be given the city tour followed
by boat ride.
City tour of Udaipur - The tour will cover the
magnificent City Palace, the Jagdish temple, the pleasure gardens and
a drive around the other nearby lakes.
Later Enjoy a cruise by
private boat on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the lake you
have a wonderful view of the City Palace stretching along the east
bank, while the south bank has pleasant gardens running down to the
waterside
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 11: UDAIPUR - MUMBAI(BY AIR)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today you will be transferred to the
airport in time to board the flight for Mumbai.
Bombay was
originally a cluster of seven Koli islands inhabited by fishermen.
These islands were a part of Gujarat. When the Muslim ruler Sultan
Muhamed Begada captured the islands, Bombay was till then inhabited by
the Hindus. Vasco da Gama a Portuguese was the first man to discover
the sea route to Bombay
After repeated attacks, the Sultan of
Gujarat handed over the islands to the Portuguese in 1534
The
Portuguese could not find any use for them and in1661 the island of
Bombay was given to Charles 11 of England as part of the dowry when he
got married to Catherine of Braganza., sister of the Portuguese king
A few years later Charles 11 took possession of the remaining islands.
In 1668,the East India Company a trading company based in Surat
(Gujarat), took over on lease the island of Bombay due to its
strategic location and port advantage, Bombay soon became an important
trading port. Development and reclamation started and the then
Governor Gerald Aungier (1672-1677) encouraged business men from all
over to come and settle. Historians have given him the title of "Father
of Bombay" because it was in this period Bombay boomed. to become
a prime commercial centre
Arrive Mumbai you will be met by the
representative of Exotique Expeditions and transferred to hotel THE
OBEROI.
Overnight at the hotel
DAY 12 : IN MUMBAI
Breakfast at
the hotel.
Morning excursion to the Elephanta Island - one hour
boat ride across Mumbai Harbour brings you to the lush green Elephanta
Island. Here, visit some of the huge and intricately carved
Elephanta Caves that date back to the
8th century. For rows of massive columns cut into solid rock from
three magnificent avenues, lead to the outstanding three-headed
sculpture representing Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver and
Shiva the Destroyer. Dedicated to Shiva, the beauty and power of these
phenomenal sculptures depicting the various manifestations of Shiva is
overpowering.
Afternoon city tour of Bombay - the great port city
with its Victorian Gothic buildings from the British Raj Era mingling
with the modern. The tour includes 'Gateway of
India' overlooking the Harbour, the 'Towers of Silence', 'Marine
Drive', the 'Colaba Causeway' - the commercial heart of Bombay
and the Dhobi Ghat, the unique and colourful outdoor 'laundry'. Drive
upto the Malabar Hill to the lovely 'Hanging
Gardens' and the Kamla Nehru Park
from where you will get a wonderful view of Mumbai and the Arabian
Sea, spread out before you. Also visit Mani Bhawan, a small museum
dedicated to the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi, and the bustling
Crawford Market..
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 13 : LEAVE MUMBAI
You will
be met by the representative of Exotique Expeditions at the hotel and
transferred to the airport, in time to connect your onward flight.
RATE
Net per
person rate subject to 02 persons traveling together.
Validity of rates 1st October 2011 till 15th April 2012
| |
EVT-08-04 |
| Two pax traveling together |
USD 4713 Per Person |
| Supplement from 11-25 Nov 2011 and 01-28 Feb 2012 |
USD 472 per person |
Not valid 19th December 2011 till 05th January 2012
The above rates include the following:
