Day 1

Fly from London to Delhi.

Day 2

Arrival Delhi

On arrival at the airport, meet our representative who will take you to the hotel and provide an introduction about your tour. In the afternoon proceed for Old Delhi (the walled city) sightseeing. Enjoy a Rickshaw ride with its old heritage and culture. Visit Jama Masjid - one of India’s largest mosques where twenty five thousand people can pray at one time. Drive through red fort and have a mesmerising view of the Red walls. Also visit Mahatama Gandhi’s memorial. Overnight at Hotel.

Meal: No Meal

Day 3

Delhi

After breakfast, you will be taken to visit “New Delhi” which came into existence much later and is also known as Lutyens Delhi. Lutyens was British architect who designed India Gate, Presidential House, Secretariat, Parliament House and many other buildings in the area. Visit Lotus Temple (the crown jewel) and then drive on to see the tallest tower in Delhi, known as Qutub Minar, which declared the arrival and rise of Islam in India. Visit Humayun’s Tomb – the great monument of Delhi was built by his wife Haji Begum in the 16th Century. An early example of Mughal architecture considered the predecessor of the Taj Mahal. Overnight at Hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 4

Delhi–Jaipur

After breakfast, leave for Jaipur. Upon arrival check in at hotel. Later enjoy the guided sightseeing tour of the pink city built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer 260 years ago. Here the past comes alive in magnificent forts and blushed pink palaces, where once lived the Maharajas. Jaipur was and still remains the only city in the world symbolising the nine divisions of the universe, through rectangular sectors sub-dividing it. It is a royal city and its surroundings are rather like an endless museum. The delightfully laid out gardens, parks, attractive monuments and marvellous heritage hotels, which were once the residence of Maharaja’s are worthy of admiration. Visit the Maharaja’s City Palace, the home of the erstwhile royal family, the Observatory, Hawa Mahal also known as Wind Palace built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and drive past the old part of Jaipur city. This fascinating city with its romantic charm gives you a feel of royalty and tradition and has plenty of forts and monuments that remind you of the ancient glamour, glory and charm of Rajput rulers. Remaining of the day is free to explore local bazaars, which are known for its embroidered leather shoes, blue pottery, tie and dye scarves and other exotic wares or relax at your hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 5

Jaipur

After breakfast, take an excursion to Amber Fort; add a magical touch to the visit by riding on the back of an elephant from the foot of the hill up to the gates of the fortress in the manner of former kings and queens. Within the complex, Ganesh Pol, an imposing gateway painted with images of the elephant-headed god, Ganesh takes pride of the place. Also a part of the complex is the Diwan-I-Aam (Hall of the Public audience) with its spectacular display of pillars. Afternoon is at leisure to explore the city. Overnight at Hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 6

Jaipur–Bhangarh–Abhaneri–Bharatpur

After breakfast proceed to Bharatpur. Enroute visit beautiful and world’s most haunted place Bhangarh’s castle ruins. The town was established in 1573 (VS 1631) during the rule of Kachwaha Rajput ruler of Jaipur Bhagwant Das as the residence of his second son Madho Singh. The next ruler of Bhangarh was his son Chhatra Singh. Bhangarh is also a pre-historic site. The most remarkable of its buildings are the Hindu Mandir of Gopinath, Shiv (Someshwar), Hanuman, Ganesh, Vishal Devta, Lavina Devi and Keshav Rai. Here Govt. of India has placed official board to warn tourist not to stay after 5 pm. Later proceed to Abhaneri. Abhaneri was originally named Abha Nagri, which means "city of brightness" but due to mispronunciation, the name was changed. Abhaneri is prominent for ’Baoris’, step wells which were invented by the natives to harvest rain water. These tanks were used as cool places of retreat and as water reservoirs during parched times of the year. Chand Baori is the most popular and beautiful of the wells in the region and it is one of India’s deepest and largest. It was a ritual to wash the hands and feet at the well before visiting the adjoining “Harsha Mata Temple” dedicated to the goddess Harshat Mata. Harshat Mata is considered to be the goddess of joy and happiness. According to myth, the goddess is always cheerful and she imparts her joy and happiness to the whole village. After visit proceed to Bharatpur. Bharatpur - a hunting place of Mahraja of Bharatpur, later converted into a beautiful bird sanctuary where you can see more than 100 of species of birds and other more animals in their natural inhabitant. Upon arrival check in at hotel. Explore the bird sanctuary by Rikshaw along with local guide for 2 hrs. Overnight at Hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 7

Bharatpur–Agra

Have a leisurely breakfast and proceed to Agra enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri. One enters Sikri from the Agra Gate, one of the nine gateways on the way to the palace complex. Diwan-i-Aam or the hall of public audience appears first. It is a huge rectangular walled-in courtyard where petitions were heard, proclamations made, ambassadors received and entertainment programme held. Ponder the mysterious desertion of this capital city that was dramatically abandoned a few years after it was built. It was a veritable fairy tale city and its ’’ruins’’ are still in a pristine condition. Though over 400 years old, Fatehpur Sikri is still perfectly preserved. Upon arrival check in at hotel. In the evening visit the Taj Mahal during Sunset. The Taj Mahal was built by an emperor in memory of his beloved queen. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631 and is believed to have taken 18 years to complete with over 20,000 craftsmen who worked around the clock. The design and construction is said to be that of the legendary architect Ustad Ahamad Lahori. Legend has it that once construction was completed, Shah Jahan had Lahori’’s hands cut off and blinded, so he would never be able to duplicate the structure. What makes Taj Mahal unique is its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, medium of construction and ornamentation. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints during sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. Overnight at Hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 8

Agra–Delhi–Departure

After a leisurely breakfast, check out and before proceeding to Delhi, visit Agra Fort; on the west bank of the Yamuna River, Akbar’s (the third of the Great Mughal) magnificent Fort dominates the center of the city. Akbar erected the walls, gates and the first building inside, Shah Jahan built the impressive imperial quarters and mosque, while Aurangzeb (the sixth and last of the Great Moghuls) added the outer ramparts. The Predominantly red sand stone structures combining Hindu and Islamic styles of architecture glow beautifully during Sunset. After your visit we will provide your transfer to Delhi airport enabling you to board the flight for your onward journey.

Meal: Breakfast

*GALA DINNER SUPPLEMENT FOR 24^TH AND 31^ST DEC IS EXTRA AND ADVISABLE AT THE TIME OF BOOKING.

*Rates are Per person with minimum 2 pax travelling together.