Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive New Delhi
Welcome to your 'Super Saver Golden Triangle' tour. On arrival at the airport in Delhi, you will be met and transferred to the hotel.
The rest of the day is at leisure. In the evening, you can visit the nearby popular market area of Karol Bagh or take the Metro and go to Connaught Palace/Chandni Chowk on your own.
Overnight in New Delhi (B)
Day 2 : Delhi
After breakfast, commence your sightseeing tour of Delhi by first visiting the Qutub Minar. Qutub Minar is made of red sandstone and marble and it is the second tallest Minar in India. After this, you will visit Lotus Temple and India Gate which is a 42m high stone arch of triumph. It bears the name of the 85,000 Indian Army Soldiers who died in the campaigns of WW1, the North-West Frontiers operations and the 1919 Afghan Fiasco. Below the arch is the memorial to the unknown soldier. Also drive along Rajpath and past the Parliament House and other Government Buildings.
Then, you will proceed to Andhra Bhavan for lunch. Post lunch, visit Rajghat where a simple square platform of black marble marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated after his assassination in 1948. Drive past the Red Fort - overlooking the River Jamuna and 1638 -and 1648 when the Mughal Empire was at its peak - and the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in Asia.
Return to the hotel after sightseeing.
The rest of the evening is at leisure. You can shop in Chandni Chowk and take the Metro rail back to the hotel on your own.
Overnight in New Delhi (B)
Day 3 : Onto Agra (204 kms / approx. 6 hours)
Today, after breakfast, proceed to Agra.. As you move towards Agra, stop to visit Sikandra - Emperor Akbar's tomb. The construction of the tomb was started by Emperor Akbar himself. A huge arched gateway that is decorated with calligraphic inscriptions on the white marble, leads to the tomb. On entering the gate, tourists can see a formal garden, which is built in the Charbagh style. In the heart of this garden stands the tomb of Akbar, which is made of red sandstone. This tomb has three-storied red sandstone minarets on the four corners of the building, which display inlay work. Proceed to the hotel in Agra.
Later in the afternoon, proceed to visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble for the Taj Mahal was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in mid 17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. The Agra Fort was the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule and administration and the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River. Shah Jahan added the impressive quarters and the mosque while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. Visit its Hall of Public Audience and its Royal Pavilions.
Overnight in Agra (B)
Day 4 : Agra * Onto Jaipur (230 kms / approx. 6 hours drive)
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur. En route, visit Fatehpur Sikri, the red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. Post sightseeing; continue your drive to Jaipur and check-in to the hotel. .
The rest of the evening is at leisure.
Overnight in Jaipur (B)
Day 5 : In Jaipur
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven just outside Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amer to see the fabulous Amer Fort. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar's most successful General, started the construction of Amer Fort in the 17th century. Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Moat Lake. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravalli hills and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area.
A jeep will take you to the fort and once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many mirrors, lighting up the room.
En route to Amer you will stop and see the 'Palace of Winds', otherwise known as Hawa Mahal. It is really an elaborate facade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below.
In the afternoon, you will visit the City Palace. Among the highlights to be seen while touring Jaipur include the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armoury, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. Walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur, built in 1726. It is one of the five such astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions even to this day. You will also have the opportunity to wander about the local markets.
Overnight in Jaipur (B, EL, D)
Day 6 : Depart Jaipur * Onto Delhi airport (250 kms / Approx. 4 hours)