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DAY
01 : ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive
Delhi in the evening.
Upon arrival, you shall met & assisted with your baggages at the airport
by our executive and transferred to your prebooked hotel.
DAY
02 : DELHI
After breakfast, full day city tour of Delhi : India’s capital &
a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis
which successfully combines in its fold the ancient & the modern.
Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties
chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the
British left behind . The division between New & Old Delhi is the
distinction between the capitals of the British & the Moghuls respectively.
So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront the citys’
past.
Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the
construction was started in 1844 and was not completed until 1658; drive
past Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan. This massive fort was
built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat - the cremation site
of Mahatma Gandhi. Visit Humayuns Tomb : built in mid 16th century
this is an early example of Mughal architecture; Qutab Minar, drive past
India Gate, President House, Connaught Place. The tour ends with a visit
to Laxmi Narayan Temple.
DAY
03 : DELHI - JAIPUR
(260 Kms., approx. 05 hrs. drive)
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur -
The Pink City :
Jaipur needed a fresh coat of paint to welcome its distinguished guest
the Prince of Wales in 1905-6. The contractor inability to supply any
other color in the required quantity compelled the choice of pink shade
for its walls. A contractor’s compulsion famed Jaipur to Pink city.
Since then the PINK color is associated with hospitality in Rajput culture.
The capital city of the state of Rajasthan
owes its name, its foundation and planning to the great warrior astronomer
Maharaja Jai Singh II. The city of Jaipur has broad avenues & sits
on a dry lake bed in a wild and somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by
barren hills surmounted by fortresses and crenellated walls.
Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked Hotel. Rest
of the day at leisure.
DAY
04 : JAIPUR
After
breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort enroute witness the façade
of Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds which was built in 1799.
Amber Fort - The ancient capital of the state until 1727 when Jai Singh
decided to move from his hillside fortress at Amber to new site on the
plains. The construction of this fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh,
the Rajput commander of Akbar’s army. The fort is a superb example
of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking
a lake which reflects its terraces and ramparts. Visit the Jagmandir or
the hall of victory glittering with mirrors, Jal Mahal & temple of
Kali. Ascend on elephant back, the hill, on which the fort is situated.
Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the Jantar Mantar –
the observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1728 ; the City Palace
which is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. It also has a
museum with an extensive collection of art, carpets, paintings, enamel
ware and weapons dating back to the 15th century.
DAY
05 : JAIPUR - FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA
(240 Kms., approx. 06 hrs. drive)
After breakfast, leave for Agra, enroute visit the abandoned Mughal
city of Fatehpur Sikri : 37 kms before Agra, built predominantly
in Red Sandstone by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the
Mughals, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water.
Witness the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim
Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its
original glory.
Continue drive to Agra. Arrive Agra in the evening and checkin at
prebooked hotel for overnight stay.
DAY
06 : AGRA - DELHI
(210 Kms., approx. 05 hrs. drive)
At Sunrise, visit the highlight of the tour - The Taj Mahal
- Epitome of Love, One of the Seven Wonders of the World - was built by
Shah Jahan (King of the World) for his beloved Begum Mumtaz Mahal (the
exalted of the Palace). Work on the mausoleum began in 1633 and
20,000 workers laboured for 17 years to build it. The most skilled architects,
inlay craftsmen, calligraphers, stone-carvers and masons came from all
across Indian and lands as distant as Persia and Turkey. The master mason
was from Baghdab, an expert in building the double dome
from Persia, and an inlay specialist from Delhi. The marble, India's
finest was quarried at Makrana near Jodhpur, Jasper from Punjab, the garnets
from Bundelkhand, Jade & Crystal from China, Turquoise from Tibet,
Lapis from Afghanistan and Ceylon, Chrysolite from Egypt, Amethyst from
Persia, Agate from Yemen, Malachite from Russia, Diamonds from Golconda
and Mother of Pearl from the Indian Ocean. Mumtaz Mahal’s final
resting-place was ornamented like a queen’s jewel-box.
NOTE : TAJ MAHAL CLOSED ON FRIDAYS
Visit Red fort, Built principally as a military establishment by
Akbar in 1565, the red sandstone Agra fort was partially converted into
a palace during Shah Jahan's time. Though the principal structure was
built by Akbar, many more additions were made by his grandsons. This massive
fort is 2.5 kms long and is considered as the predecessor of the Delhi
Red fort. The maze of courtyards, mosques, palaces, gardens, halls
of private & public audience of the fort echo the story of the Mughal
Empire.
Itmad-ud-daulah, which was constructed by Nur Jahan between 1622
and 1628 and is very similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband,
Jehangir, near Lahore in Pakistan.
Afternoon, leave for Delhi enroute visit Sikandra - Four kilometers
from Agra is the mausoleum of Mughal Emperor Akbar. This structure is
a perfect blend of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Jain motifs. The
tomb has three-storey-minarets on its four corners. These minarets are
built in red sandstone with stunning inlay work of marble.
Continue drive to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and check-in at prebooked hotel.
DAY 07 : DELHI - KOCHI (FLIGHT)
Early morning, transfer to the airport to board flight for Kochi. Arrive
Kochi and transfer to prebooked hotel.
Afternoon, half day sightseeing of Cochin including Asia's best prerved
Synagouge, the Dutch Palace and the oldest European Church in India -
the St. Francis Church where Vasco De Gama was originally buried. A leisurely
walk through the Fort Cochin area which gives you a close look at the
operation of the huge catileavered Chinese fishing nets introduced by
Chinese traders which is still used in Kerala backwaters as a traditional
way of fishing.
In the evening witness Kathakali Dance Show.
DAY
08 : KOCHI - AGATTI (FLIGHT) - LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board flight for Agatti. Arrive
Agatti and transfer to Bangaram Island -
has been developed as a tourist center and is the only island open to
foreign tourists, besides certain other specified islands where day visits
are permitted. Just an hour and a half away from Agatti, the island of
Bangaram charms you with its coconut canopies, colorful boats and fish
is all sizes and hues. Right from the glass bottom boat and the speed
boat to wind surfing and kayaking you may indulge in any of the amazing
activities offered at Bangaram. Deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, rafting,
catamaran sailing and snorkeling are other water activities you may enjoy
at Bangaram. Don’t forget to treat your taste buds with the Lakshadweep
tuna, squid and other sumptuous seafood options. Spot the Asian dolphins,
Leopard Moray Eels, frogfish, manyan, octopus and the turtle as they swim
by you
Tinnakara, Parali-I and Parali-II make excellent excursion options from
Bangaram. The teardrop-shaped island has superb beaches and beautiful
lagoons. The wealth of coral formation (incl black coral) attracts a variety
of tropical fish-angel, clown, butterfly, surgeon, sweetlip, snappers
and groupers. There are also manta and sting rays, harmless sharks and
green and hawkbill turtles. Windsurfing, scuba diving, parasailing, water
skiing and snorkeling. Deep sea fishing is possible on local boats with
crew. All the islands share the same lagoon, an enormous bowl of turquoise
blue. For those who think they know India,
either by travel or reading, the islands of Lakshadweep and Bangaram in
particular, beckon.
Rest
of the day at leisure.
DAY 09 - 13 : LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS
Days at leisure.
DAY
14 : AGATTI - KOCHI -
DELHI (FLIGHT)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board flight for Kochi.
Arrive Kochi and take connecting flight to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer
to prebooked hotel.
DAY
15 : DEPART DELHI
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board flight back home.
The above
tour programme can be modified as per your requirements. For
any modifications, please mail
us
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