DAY 1: Departure from USA
- Depart the USA for India. Your flight includes meals, drinks and in-flight entertainment.
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DAY 2: Arrival to Delhi
- Upon arrival, our representative will meet and greet you at the airport. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy VIP check-in, with a refreshing welcome drink.
- Delhi, the capital of India, serves as a kaleidoscope, depicting the beautiful country of India. It also houses a treasure of monuments expressing the saga of a bygone era. These icons are testimony to the grandeur of past. The charm of Delhi has attracted Emperors, Conquerors, and the poor equally. It is correctly said that Delhi is a land of Dilwalas or people with heart. From a string of historical monuments to modern commercial centers, Delhi has evolved into an exceptional and dynamic city, offering a wealth of shopping and sightseeing activities. Overnight at your hotel.
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DAY 3: Delhi, City Tour
- After breakfast, enjoy a tour of Old Delhi. Visit The Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, and Raj Ghat. The magnificent Red Fort (Lal Qila) was built in the 17th century, and constructed by the Mugal Emperor Shahjahan. It served as the Capital city of the Mugal Empire until 1857.
- Also visit Jama Masjid, considered to be the largest Mosque in India. Walk down the narrow lanes of a typical Indian Bazaar, Chandni Chowk where traditional wholesale traders still thrive selling their goods to major retailers.
- Later visit Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Afternoon, enjoy a tour of New Delhi. Visit the Qutub Minar, India Gate, Parliament House, Laxmi Narayan Temple [Birla Mandir], Connaught Place, and Government buildings. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 4: Delhi, City Tour
- After breakfast visit Lotus temple (Baha house of worship). The Bahai Temple of Delhi is spectacular in its design. 27 wonderful huge white petals of an unfolding lotus made of marble spring from nine pools and walkways. This symbolizes the nine unifying spiritual paths of the faith. Experience the solitude of Bahai Temple with Hotels of Delhi. As a matter of fact no travel to Delhi is complete without visiting the temple.
- Also visit Akshardham temple. Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi epitomizes 10,000 years of Indian culture in all its breathtaking grandeur, beauty, wisdom and bliss. It brilliantly showcases the essence of India ancient architecture, traditions and timeless spiritual messages. The Akshardham experience is an enlightening journey through India glorious art, values and contributions for the progress, happiness and harmony of mankind. The grand, ancient-styled Swaminarayan Akshardham complex was built in only five years through the blessings of HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) and the colossal devotional efforts of 11,000 artisans and BAPS volunteers. The complex was inaugurated on 6 November, 2005. Akshardham means the eternal, divine abode of the supreme God, the abode of eternal values and virtues of Akshar as defined in the Vedas and Upanishads where divine bhakti, purity and peace forever pervades. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 5: Delhi, Agra by Surface (204 KMS/4.5 HRS)
- After breakfast, drive to Agra. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch and visit Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, the finest examples of Mugal architecture. The Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday) stands serene and awesome on a raised marble platform by the banks of the Yamuna, testifying to the timelessness of art and love. Shahjahan built the monument in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It has been called the most extravagant monument ever built for the sake of love. The construction of the Taj commenced in 1631, and was completed in 1653. Workers were gathered from all over the country and from Central Asia, and about 20,000 people were recruited to translate this wild dream into a reality. Its pure white marble shimmers silver in the soft moonlight, exudes a shell - pink glow at dawn, and at the close of the day, takes on the tawny, fiery hue of the majestic sun.
- Agra Fort, built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors. The construction of this massive structure began in 1565, under Akbar, and continued till the time of his grandson, Shahjahan. Armed with massive double walls, punctuated by four gateways, the fort houses palaces, courts, mosques, baths, gardens and gracious pavilions within its premises. Among the fascinating structures that are to be found within the fort is the red sandstone, Jehangiri Mahal built by Akbar for his Hindu queen Jodhabai, was one of the earliest constructions illustrating the forts change from a military structure into a Royal palace. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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DAY 6: Agra, Fatehpur Sikri –Jaipur by Surface (250 KMS / 5 HRS)
- After breakfast, drive to Jaipur. Enroute, visit Fatehpur Sikri. Phantoms of ancient pomp and splendor fill the deserted city, which was once a grandeur Capital city of the great Emperor Akbar, and now a silent witness to a vanished dream. Shortly after it was completed, this magnificent fortress was abandoned by Akbar, due to lack of adequate water supply. The marble tomb of the Saint Salim Chisti and the Bulland Durwaza are some of the highlights of the fortress.
- Upon arrival in Jaipur, enjoy VIP check-in at the hotel, with a refreshing welcome drink. Jaipur, also referred to by its romantic nickname, "The Pink City" because of the pink color of its royal buildings. It boasts the grand Amber Fort, the first royal residence of the Maharajas of Kachchwaha. Jaipur is also famous for the regions handicrafts and jewels. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 7: Jaipur, City Tour
- After breakfast, visit Amber Fort. Ride up to the fort on a decorated elephant, similar to the ones used by the Maharajas in bygone eras. Situated atop a hill overlooking the city, Amber Fort was the old capital before the city of Jaipur was built. Ride on a decorated elephant to ascend the hill to the Palace. The construction of the Amber Fort began in the year 1592 and was started by Man Singh, but it was later completed by his descendant Jai Singh. The Palace is laid out at different levels on the hillside and surrounded by a fortress. The exterior of the fort is very imposing and rugged looking whereas the inside is a comforting and warm interior which is influenced by both Hindu and Muslim style of ornamentation. On the walls, are paintings depicting various hunting scenes, intricate carvings, mosaics, and minute mirror work that make the halls look majestic and imperial.
- Afternoon, visit Jantar Mantar- Jai Singh observatory, and Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds, TheCity Palace, Mubarak Hall, Chandra Mahal and Pothikhana, which house collection of paintings and manuscripts as well as the museum of Arms and Armory. Later, explore the colorful markets of Jaipur. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 8: Jaipur, City Tour
- After breakfast visit Nahargarh fort. Nahargarh Fort stands on the edge of the Aravalli Hills, overlooking the pink city of Jaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The view of the city from the fort is breath-taking. During the Sepoy revolt of 1857, Nahargarh served as a refuge for Europeans fleeing from the havoc created by mutineers in neighbouring states. The word Nahargarh means the abode of tigers. Legends say that it was named after Prince Nahar whose spirit haunted the place and obstructed construction of the fort. Built mainly in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II.
- Also visit Sanager village, situated very close to Jaipur. Sanganer is famous for hand printed textiles and crafts. This village is quite popular as largest center of handmade paper industry. This place manufacturers best quality of the handmade papers as well as hand printed textile by employing units of screen printers as well as block. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 9: Jaipur, Delhi by Surface (258 KMS /5.5 HRS)
- After breakfast, drive to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, enjoy farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Rest and freshen up at hotel Mapple Emerald.
- Later, transfer to International Airport in time to board your flight back to the U.S.
- Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 10: Departure
- Early morning flight will take off from Delhi airport.
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