City | Hotel |
---|---|
New Delhi | The Oberoi |
Agra | The Oberoi Amarvilas |
Jaipur | The Oberoi Rajvilas |
Mumbai | The Oberoi |
Golden Triangle with Mumbai : A 08-night journey to India’s most popular tourist circuit will bring you one step closer to exploring India.
New Delhi
Mumbai
Upon arrival at airport you will meet with our representative with your name card in arrival hall after customs. Warm welcome with fresh flower garlands and transfer to hotel.
Post check in at hotel, you will meet & discuss with your tour manager about the tour and activities. He/she will be your point of contact 24X7 for anything you might need.
Delhi: Mystery, magic, mayhem. Welcome to Delhi, City of Djinns, and 25 million people. Like an eastern Rome, India’s capital is littered with the relics of lost empires. A succession of armies stormed across the Indo-Gangetic plain and imprinted their identity onto the vanquished city, before vanishing into rubble and ruin like the conquerors who preceded them. Modern Delhi is a chaotic tapestry of medieval fortifications, Mughal mausoleums, dusty bazaars, colonial-era town planning, and mega malls.
Overnight at hotel The Oberoi, New Delhi
After breakfast at your hotel, proceed for New Delhi sightseeing as below:
Humayun’s Tomb
The design of the Taj Mahal is inspired from the Humayun’s Tomb. The Humayun’s Tomb is in the UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. The Humayun’s tomb is the first Indian building to use the Persian concept of a double dome. Humayun’s Tomb was the first garden tomb made in India.
Lotus Temple
(Closed on Monday) The Lotus Temple, located in New Delhi, India, is a Bahá’í House of Worship completed in 1986. Notable for its flowerlike shape, it serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent and has become a prominent attraction in the city.
Qutub Minar
Qutb Minar, also spelled Qutub or Qutab, is the 2nd tallest minar in India after Minar-E-Fateh at chhaparchiri at Anandpur Sahib which stands 100 meters tall.
Thereafter visit a Kashmir Co-op society to witness their art & craft & taste the Kashmiri Kahwa. Later in the evening proceed for below sightseeing:
Laxmi Narayan Temple
West of Connaught Place, the busy-looking, Orissan-style Lakshmi Narayan Temple was erected by the wealthy industrialist BD Birla. Mahatama Gandhi inaugurated the complex in 1938 as a temple for all castes; a sign on the gate says, ‘Everyone is Welcome.’
Parliament Street & India Gate
Drive pass Parliament of India, President’s house & India gate.
Return to hotel, overnight at hotel The Oberoi, New Delhi.
After breakfast at your hotel proceed for Old Delhi sightseeing as below;
Raj Ghat
Cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi in lush gardens.
Jama Masjid It is the largest mosque in India and the final architectural extravagance of Shanjahan.
Old Delhi Market
(Chandni Chowk – Market closed on Sunday)
(Rickshaw Ride) Itis one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi, now in central north Delhi, India. Built in 17th century by the great Mughal emperor of India Shah Jahan and designed by his daughter Jahan Ara.
You would drive through the narrow lanes on a rickshaw through:
Dariba Kalan: Old Delhi’s ancient silver market, hich could also have an important role to play in the nomenclature of the Chandni Chowk as silver is referred to as Chandi in Hindi, a word which could have been slightly deformed to form Chandni Chowk
Khari Baoli:Asia’s largest spice market.
Meena Bazaar: This lane features most of the shops with clothing & accessories. A lot of dresses are traditional Indian sarees and men attire.
Heritage Haveli: gives you the opportunity to get a feel of the Mughal era through the architectural beauty
Red Fort
(Drive Pass) Converted into a barracks by the British, this massive fort is a sandstone carcass of its former self, but it still conjures a picture of the splendour of Mughal Delhi.
Later drive-pass Red fort and hi-tea at a colonial-era hotel The Imperial as below in central Delhi.
Experience hi tea at The Imperial
Experience hi tea at the Imperial Hotel (the contents of the hi tea are French pastries, scones, finger Veg and non Veg sandwiches, Regular tea and coffee) (0300PM to 0600PM)
Post hi tea drive around Lutyen’s Delhi and visit Bangla Sahib Gurudwara as follows,
Parliament Street & India Gate
Drive pass Parliament of India, President’s house & India gate.
Sikh Temple Bangla Sahib
Topped by golden domes, this handsome white-marble gurdwara was constructed at the site where the eighth Sikh guru, Harkrishan Dev, stayed before his death in 1664.
Return to hotel, overnight at The Oberoi, New Delhi.
After breakfast drive to Agra, upon arrival check- in at hotel.
Agra: The magical allure of the Taj Mahal draws tourists to Agra like moths to a wondrous flame. And despite the hype, it’s every bit as good as you’ve heard. But the Taj is not a stand-alone attraction. The legacy of the Mughal empire has left a magnificent fort and a liberal sprinkling of fascinating tombs and mausoleums; and there’s also fun to be had in the bustling chowks (marketplaces).
Later proceed for Agra sightseeing as below:
Red Fort
(Agra Fort) Agra Fort is a monument, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is about 2.5 km northwest of its more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled city.
Itimad-ud-Daulah Nicknamed the Baby Taj, the exquisite tomb of Mizra Ghiyas Beg should not be missed. This Persian nobleman was Mumtaz Mahal’s grandfather and Emperor Jehangir’s wazir (chief minister). His daughter Nur Jahan, who married Jehangir, built the tomb between 1622 and 1628 in a style similar to the tomb she built for Jehangir near Lahore in Pakistan.
Marble Factory Later visit Marble factory cum Shop to learn “Pietradura” an old technique of making marble products.
OPTIONAL: Kalakrtiti Theatre Show
A stage show on Taj mahal “ Mohabbat the Taj” perform by the professional artist in an A/c auditorium..
Overnight at hotel The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra
Early Morning proceed to visit Taj Mahal by Sunrise as below:
Taj Mahal
(Closed on Friday) The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.. Described as the most extravagant monument ever build for love, It was constructed by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his queen Mumtaz Mahal, made out of white marble took 22 years to complete. Ustad Ahamad Lahori, a Parsian Architect, is said to be the main designer and planer of this magnificent memorial.
Return to hotel for breakfast, later checkout from hotel and proceed to Jaipur en-route visit Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri The Emperor Akbar (1556-1605) decided to construct it in 1571, on the same site where the birth of his son, the future Jahangir, was predicted by the wise Sheikh Salim Chisti (1480-1572). Fatehpur Sikri is the best example of the culmination of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Fatehpur- Sikri Mosque is said to be a copy of the mosque in Mecca and has designs, derived from the Persian & Hindu architecture
Later Lunch at hotel/restaurant in Bharatpur. Continue drive to Jaipur, upon arrival check-in at hotel.
Jaipur: Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital, is an enthralling historical city and the gateway to India’s most flamboyant state.The city’s colourful, chaotic streets ebb and flow with a heady brew of old and new. Careering buses dodge dawdling camels, leisurely cycle-rickshaws, swarms of motorbikes, and everywhere buzzing autorickshaws. In the midst of this mayhem, the splendours of Jaipur’s majestic past are islands of relative calm evoking a different pace and another world.
Overnight at The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur.
After breakfast proceed for Jaipur sightseeing as below,
Hawa Mahal The literal meaning of Hawa Mahal is Palace of Winds. Hawa Mahal was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799. Hawa Mahal is a pyramid-shaped facade with five stories. It has 953 small windows decorated with tiny lattice work. The small windows and screened balconies serve the women to watch processions and different activities taking place on the streets. ( Stop for photography )
Amber Fort Amber Fort, whose construction began in the 17th century. Before the construction of the city palace in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power. Riding the elephants to the top of the fortress (climbing elephant is possible subject to availability, if not climb it with jeeps). Castle looks impressive, built entirely of white marble and red sandy rocks, with architecture influenced by Hindu and Muslim manner of ornamentation and decoration. Walk in the complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls.
Down the hill by Jeep en-route stop at Panna Meena Ka Kund- an eight storey step well. Built in the 16th century, the sight storey well has criss-cross steps arranged on three sides with small niches created into the walls. Not only did the step well served as a source of water, it was also the place of community gathering where people would come to chat. Relax or swim in the cool waters.
Jal Mahal Near the cenotaphs of the maharanis of Jaipur, and beautifully situated in the watery expanse of Man Sagar, is the beautiful Jal Mahal. It was built in 1799 by Madho Singh as a summer resort for the royal family, which they used to base duck-hunting parties.(Drive Pass)
Jewellery & Carpet Workshops Visit the local carpet & Jewelry workshop in order to experience in the local arts & skill. Witness the process of creating a local marvel.
Jantar Mantar Largest stone observatory in the World and this feature makes it, a special destination for a traveller.
City Palace The beautiful palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh during his reign. City Palace stands apart, with its outstanding art and architecture. City Palace complex covers a huge area, which is divided into a series of gardens, courtyards and buildings, the premises the City Palace Museum.
Return to The Oberoi Rajvilas, overnight.
After breakfast, transfer to airport to take flight for Mumbai
Upon arrival check in at hotel
Mumbai is a spectacular paradox of chaos and hope, glamor and squalor, modernity and tradition, old and new. Famously known as the City of Dreams, Mumbai – formerly known as Bombay – has a long colonial history, starting from Gandhi’s visits to the city to the intense protests against the Simon Commission in 1928, the city has stood witness to many important events in the country’s freedom struggle.
Upon arrival proceed for sightseeing as below:
Mani bhavan it is a simple old-style, two storied building on Laburnum Road, Mumbai. Whenever Gandhiji was in Mumbai between 1917 to 1934, he stayed here. It is now converted into a museum and research centre. Mani Bhavan has a story to tell as it housed Gandhiji occasionally during the times when he grew in stature and strength, from a queer type of an agitator to a world figure by successfully introducing Satyagraha (individual as well as mass) as a new and effective weapon to fight all evil and injustice.
Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum This gorgeous museum, built in Renaissance revival style in 1872 as the Victoria & Albert Museum, contains 3500-plus objects centering on Mumbai’s history – photography and maps, textiles, books and manuscripts, Bidriware, laquerware, weaponry and exquisite pottery.
The Prince of Wales Museum The foundation stone of this magnificent building was laid by King George C in 1905 on the occasion of his first visit to India. The building was designed by George Wittet and is an Indo Saracenic Style. The main museum was completed in 1914 and was temporarily used as a hospital during the World War I.
Later transfer to The Oberoi, overnight.
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing as below,
Elephanta Caves
(Closed on Monday) One of the oldest rock cut structures in the country, the Elephanta Caves are the perfect expressions of archaic Indian art associated to the cult of Lord Shiva. Primarily believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva, the Elephanta Caves are an epitome of Hindu Cave culture and are a unique testimony to a bygone civilization.
The origins of the Elephanta Caves have been debated time and again, though the sculptures and the art speak volumes about the time from when they could have been popular-6th or the 8th century. The island on which the caves are built was originally known as Gharapuri, and the Portuguese retitled it as Elephanta Island when they discovered a large stone structure of an Elephant on the island. The temple was primarily built for the worship of Lord Shiva and ‘Shivaism’.
Return back to Mumbai and proceed for below sightseeing,
Dhobi ghat
(Drive Pass) A unique feature of Mumbai, the dhobi is a traditional laundryman, who will collect your dirty linen, wash it, and return it neatly pressed to your doorstep. All for a pittance. The “laundries” are called “Ghats”: row upon row of concrete wash pens, each fitted with its own flogging stone. The clothes are soaked in sudsy water, thrashed on the flogging stones, then tossed into huge vats of boiling starch and hung out to dry. Next they are ironed and piled into neat bundles.
Chatrapati shivaji terminus
(Drive Pass) Formerly Victoria Terminus, and better known by its abbreviation CST or Bombay VT) is an historic railway station in Mumbai which serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways. It is one of the busiest railway stations in India, and serves Central Railway trains terminating in Mumbai as well as the Mumbai suburban railway.
Taj Mahal Hotel
(Drive Pass) The Old Taj Hotel was designed by W. Chambers in the Indo – Saracenic style. The hotel was constructed in the year 1903 to 1904, and was paid for by Jamshetji Tata, one of the wealthiest Parsees in the city. The New wing to the hotel was added in 1972.
Rajabai tower
(Drive Pass) Next to the High Court, the Venetian -Gothic University has a Gothic clock tower 260 feet high that is curiously adorned with oriental figures. In the old days it used to play Rule Britannia, God Save the King and a Handel Symphony among sixteen tunes that changed four times a day; now the repertoire is limited to the wafting chimes of the Big Ben on the quarter hour.
Bombay high court
(Drive Pass) It is one of the oldest and chartered High Courts in the Country. It has Appellate Jurisdiction over the State of Maharashtra, Goa, and Daman & Diu. In addition to Bombay Bench it has benches at Aurangabad, Nagpur, Panaji (Goa).
Hanging garden
(Drive Pass) Also known as the Ferozeshah Mehta Gardens, they are built over 3 reservoirs, which store billions of gallons of water for cleaning before they are pumped to the thirsty city of Mumbai.
Marine drive
(Drive Pass) Eulogized by Bollywood, Marine Drive caresses the seashore from Nariman Point to the foot of the Malabar Hill. Passing Chowpatty Beach, Marine Drive is also famous as the Queen’s Necklace. One of the busiest roads in Mumbai, it is also one of the breeziest due to its proximity to the sea.
Chowpatty beach Chowpatty Beach comes alive as the devout Hindu population of Mumbai comes thronging to its sands to immerse their larger than life idols of Ganesha and incur his blessings. On every other ordinary evening Chowpatty is where the common man comes to eat and be entertained. A gastronomic paradise of bhelpuri, a savory snack made from puffed rice with loads of onions, coriander, a medley of spices topped with sweet and sour tamarind sauce, chuski ice balls dipped in syrup, pao bhaji buttered buns served with a spicy potato side dish or pungent chutney sandwiches. Chowpatty is an experience that should not be missed.
Later free time at Colaba – a diverse and dynamic area of the city to explore bustling markets.
Transfer to The Oberoi, overnight.
After breakfast transfer to airport for flight back to home.