Day 1: ARRIVE DELHI

Arrive in Delhi. You will be met by our representative in arrival lounge and transferred to hotel.  Hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 2 : DELHI

Morning tour of New Delhi begins with a visit of the grateful mausoleum of the Moghul Emperor Humayun, known as Humayun Tomb. Continue to the 13^th century Qutub Minar, a dramatic 234 foot high fluted minaret. Proceed along the majestic promenade past the imposing India Gate War memorial, Secretariat Buildings, Parliament House and Raj Bhavan, official residence of the President. Discover Old Delhi this afternoon with a visit of Raj Ghat, the tranquil final resting place of Mahatma Gandhi. On the 17^th century Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, the gateway to Chandni Chowk , the busting and colorful market place of the Old city.

In the evening we witness sound and light show at Red fort. (Lighting is only used to highlight buildings) its narration is quite good — The story reenacts Delhi’s tumultuous 5,000 year history, with particular emphasis on the Mughal era during which the Fort was built by Emperor Shah Jahan. Return to hotel for night stay. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: DELHI / JAIPUR (BY ROAD 260 KMS/05-6 HRS DRIVE)

Post breakfast continue to Jaipur. Arrive Jaipur by lunch and check into hotel. Afternoon is at leisure.  The Mewars have done a commendable job with the sound and light show at the magnificent City Palace – it’s the first one in India to be privately produced rather than by the government. Titled “Yash ki Dharohar” (Legacy of Honor), Spanning 1,500 years, it traces journey through the fascinating history of the Mewar dynasty over a one hour show. The 12 episodes recreate the devotion of the dynasty’s founding father Bapa Rawal, the glory of Rani Padmini and Chittorgarh Fort and the sacrifice of Panna Dhai, before moving to present the establishment of Udaipur in the 16th century. After the show proceed for dinner with a short stop at Jalmahal. Return to hotel for night stay.

Day 4: JAIPUR

Post breakfast visit Amber, once the capital of the Rajput Kingdom. The grandeur of its palace and the ramparts of its fort recall the glory of an older age. Ascent to the citadel on the bank of the gaily caparisoned elephant. Later on visit to the remarkable Observatory designed and built by astronomer Price Maharajah Jai Singh, who founded the city in 1700s. Be sure to see the 90 foot –high sundial. Ornamental façade. Later, the tour continues to the opulent City Palace, former royal residence, now a grand museum with an extraordinary collection of miniature paintings, costumes and armory, and Jantar Mantar. Rest the afternoon is for shopping in colorful markets of Jaipur. Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: JAIPUR / FATEHPUR SIKRI / AGRA (BY ROAD 230 KMS / 05 HRS-30 MIN DRIVE)

Post breakfast drive for Agra enroute Fatehpur Sikri and Abhaneri. The first stop will be at Abhaneri which is a small village in northern Rajasthan. Begin at Chand Baori, one of the largest step wells in India, fortified on all sides. This unique idea was conceived by the early natives to work as a water reservoir, located adjacent to the temple dedicated to Harshat Mata, goddess of joy and happiness – an architectural jewel. Proceed further and take a lunch break in a midway. After that continue to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri – the deserted city, India’s “Pompeli” once a glittering imperial capital, later mysteriously abandoned.  Today you will see the remarkably well preserved building and red sandstone palaces. Arrive in Agra, home of the legendry shrine to “love” The Taj Mahal”. Check-into the Hotel. Evening at leisure.  Overnight stay at hotel.

(TAJMAHAL IS CLOSED ON FRIDAYS)

Day 6: AGRA – DELHI DEPARTURE

Today, the extraordinary experience of visiting one of the most fabled monuments in the world- The Taj Mahal, This 17^th century mausoleum in white marble was built by Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his queen Mumtaj Mahal. It is an architectural marvel, remarkable for its perfect symmetry of design and construction. Then visit the Agra Fort, a cluster of palaces and mosque built on the bank of the river Yamuna. Afternoon is free to explore the local bazaars on your own. By late noon, we proceed to Delhi. Arrive by evening and after dinner drop at international airport.