DAY 01 ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel Imperial or The Oberoi for the overnight night stay.
DAY 02 IN DELHI
Morning tour of "Old Delhi". Visit the Memorial of Mahatma Gandhi and the Jama Masjid, India's largest Mosque. Afterwards,
proceed to Chandni Chowk - the nerve centre of Old Delhi and its narrow lanes that has kept alive the traditional workmanship
which makes Delhi famous. You can explore a few of these narrow lanes if you so desire; "Dariba Kalan" (Dariba means pearl
without compare, and true to its name the street is full of gold and silver smiths), "Kinari Bazaar" (braid-shops street, which
has the most colourful and glittery shops in Old Delhi). The tour will conclude with a visit to massive walls and ramparts
of the magnificent Red Fort, the symbol of Mughal power and elegance.
In the afternoon, visit the places of interest in "New Delhi". Within minutes, you will be transported from the ancient past to
a modern period surrounded by history. See the 12th century Qutab Minar, and its Iron Pillar that has withstood the ravages
of time and not rusted in 1500 years, the graceful Mausoleum of the Mughal Emperor Humayun and the modern day Birla
Temple. Your tour will also lead you past the impressive India Gate, the war memorial to the dead of the two world
wars, the President's House that was once the Viceroy's Palace, the Parliament House and the Secretariat buildings.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 03
DELHI-AGRA
Today you will travel to Agra by surface, a 205 kilometres and 4 hours drive from Delhi. On arrival, check-in to Hotel
Amar Vilas , an Luxury Hotel of the Oberoi Group overlooking The Taj Mahal with all the rooms having a clear view of the
Taj Mahal - the eternal monument of love.
DAY 04 IN AGRA
Very early morning, visit the Taj Mahal - a breathtaking sight as you see the monument change colours as the sun
ascends the horizon; from flushed pink to yellow white to blazing orange. A fitting tribute to love and romance as the
monument was built as a tribute to the queen of Emperor Shah Jehan and today it is one of the wonders of the world.
The legendary monument to love is an architectural marvel perfectly proportioned and fashioned in white marble. It stands
testimony to the skill of craftsmen brought in from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and to the 20,000 workers who toiled for
17 years in its construction. It has aptly been compared to a drop of tear on the face of the universe, by the Indian Nobel
Laureate Tagore.
The days other visits include The Agra Fort where you see it's palaces and the Hall of Public and Private Audience. From
here, you get to see the Taj Mahal, in the distant - with the foreground of the River Yamuna. Legend has that during the
period of imprisonment of Emperor Shah Jehan here, he would see the Taj Mahal as a reflection in a mirror placed next to
his bed. Later visit "Itmad-ud-Daulah", also known as The Mini Taj.
Since the Mughal era, many crafts have flourished all over the state of Uttar Pradesh and Agra is the home to marble
inlay work, stonework and the rich Zardozi embroidery. You shall be actually taken to factories where you can see the
craftsmen at work and appreciate their art and skill. You can see how each floral design - measuring less than a square
centimetre, hold over 30 smaller pieces of semiprecious stones like Jade, Coral, etc. The best way of purchasing a marble
piece is to run your nail at the edge; if it gives off powdery flakes - it is soft soap stone. If it does not, it reflects a good
quality hard marble. Similarly, the more translucent the marble is - the better the quality. Overnight at the hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 05 AGRA-FATEHPUR SIKRI-RANTHAMBORE
Leave by surface for Ranthambore Tiger National Park, a 250 odd kilometres and six hours drive en route visiting "Fatehpur
Sikri" - perched atop a rocky ridge, 37 kms west of Agra. Fatehpur Sikri came into being four centuries ago when Emperor
Akbar, not yet 28 years old, created the first planned city in Indo-Islamic architecture. In 1568, Akbar was secure and
powerful but had no son and heir. He was blessed by Sufi saint Salim Chisti living close in Sikri Village, who prophesied
the birth of three sons to him. Soon after Prince Salim was born and later came to be known as Emperor Jehangir. In gratitude
for the blessing, Akbar decided to create imperial residence in Sikri, which would function as a joint capital with Agra.
The city unfortunately had to be later abandoned due to the lack of water. Its fortifications, massive gateway and palaces
remain in a wonderful state of preservation and include the Jamma Masjid, Panch Mahal & The Salim Chisti's Tomb set like
a jewel in a courtyard of pink sandstone and enclosed by delicately carved marble screens.
On arrival, check into Vanyavilas Resort . It is The Oberoi Groups new luxury resort and the first luxury jungle resort in
India. The resort consists of luxury air-conditioned tents located discreetly so as to ensure maximum privacy.
Nestling in the Aravali hills, in the midst of the arid plains and denuded tracts of Rajasthan in north India lies Ranthambore.
A haven for the adventure seeker and the wildlife watcher, it is a 410 kilometres of desert ecology speckled with dhok, ronj,
salai, ber and palm trees and boasts some of the best wildlife sightings Asia has to offer. This is where belts of dry deciduous
forest with ancient Banyan and Peepul trees suddenly give way to lush green Oasis. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 06 IN RANTHAMBORE
The day is spent visiting the National Park and laze in your tented accommodation. Your park visits takes your
around the three major lakes - Rajbaugh, Milak and Pada Lakes that serve as watering holes for the herbivorous
and carnivorous creatures that inhibit this national park famous for its Tigers and provides some of the best sightings
of the majestic animal. Other attractions are the leopard, sambar, blue bull, chital, chinkara, hyena, jackal, fox,
jungle cat, sloth bear, langur and wild boar. Over 300 species of birds are also to be seen - peafowl, parakeets,
partridges, storks, egrets, flycatchers, owls etc and other migratory varieties in the winter months that include, black
eagle, greylag goose, pintails etc. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 07 RANTHAMBORE-JAIPUR
Leave by surface for Jaipur, an odd 160 kilometres and 3 hours drive. On arrival, check in at Hotel Raj Vilas Spa and Resorts .
In the afternoon, a sightseeing tour of Jaipur city. Visit the Observatory equipped with mortar instruments of remarkable size,
which for sheer accuracy are difficult to beat even today. Also visit the Maharaja's City Palace, the former royal residence and
now a museum housing a vast amount of artefacts. Stop by at the beautiful Hawa Mahal (the Palace of Winds), a
beautifully decorated facade of 953 windows in flushed pink. Remember, Jaipur is the most colourful and vibrant city of India
and a haven for shopping! Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 08 IN JAIPUR
Early morning, visit the Amber Fort, which for six centuries was the ancient capital of the state of Rajasthan. Visit the
Jagmandir & the Sheesh Mahal (pavilion of mirrors), which reflects a single candle flame in a thousand flickering
lights. Also experience the unique thrill of travelling by Elephant Back to the top of the hill on which the fort is situated.
The rest of the day is free to enjoy the facilities at your resort.
Raj Vilas - an Oberoi Hotel, revives the gracious lifestyles of India's legendary Rajput princes. Located in over thirty acres
of beautiful gardens, pools and fountains in the peaceful Rajasthani countryside. Enjoy your stay in Deluxe rooms with
four poster beads and sunken marble baths or the Rajasthani style air-conditioned tents with lavish bathrooms, teak
floors and outdoor decks or the romantic villas with private swimming pools and dining pavilions.
The Spa at your Hotel offers a complete world of health rejuvenation and relaxation. The natural approach
encompasses the traditional Ayurvedic principles and the ancient Western art of Aromatherapy. Try out an Indian
Head massage (pressure point stimulation massage) with herbal oil to the scalp and the face to give nourishment
to the hair and roots and promote lustrous hair growth or a Full Body Ayurvedic Massage (therapists work simultaneously
on the body with herbal oil to give a massage to tone, detoxify and stimulate the internal body systems) or simply enjoy
a Herbal facial or Aroma therapy where essential oils derived from plants and flowers soothe the mind and body.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 09 IN JAIPUR
Spend the day relaxing and pampering yourself with the various holistic, Ayurvedic and western spa facility at the resort.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 10 JAIPUR-UDAIPUR
Fly to Udaipur today. Udaipur or The City of the Rising Sun is often called the "Venice of the East" and is
Rajasthan's most picturesque city. It was the capital of the state of Mewar, the only one of the seven states to
uphold its Hindu allegiance in the face of Muslim invasions and political compromises. Its present ruler is the seventy-sixth
in the unbroken line of Mewar suzerains, which makes Mewar household the oldest of all ruling powers in Rajasthan and
perhaps the oldest dynasty in the world. The ancient capital of Mewar was Nagda from where it was shifted to
Chittorgarh and eventually in 1559 foundations of Udaipur was laid by Udai Singh II. Maharana Pratap further consolidated
the state.
On arrival, check into Udaivilas Resort set in 30 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, decorative pavilions and fountains,
giving it a genuine royal ambience. Many of the guest rooms have an uninterrupted view of the Pichola Lake and City Palace
and offer the same standards of luxury, service and comfort as the Rajvilas and Amarvilas.
In the afternoon, proceed for a tour of the City Palace. Completely white and majestic, The City Palace stands on a hill
surrounded by crenulated walls. Its main entrance is through the triple arched gate, The Tripola, built in 1725. There
is Suraj Gokhada, the Balcony of the Sun where the Suryavanshi Maharana (the descendent of the sun) of Mewar
presented themselves in time of trouble to the people to restore their confidence. The More Chowk or the Peacock Courtyard
gets its name from the vivid mosaics in glass, which decorates its walls. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 11 IN UDAIPUR
Today you enjoy a full day excursion to Ranakpur, a famous Jain temple dating back to the 15th century. Its 29 halls are
supported by one thousand and forty four pillars, none of which are alike, are filled with intricate friezes and sculpture.
You also visit two more Jain temples and the temple of the Sun God, famed for its erotic sculptures. After lunch at Maharani
Bagh in Ranakpur, amid these magnificent surroundings, you return to your hotel.
Late evening you take a motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat you are able to view the
city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan Desert. Also visit the Jaq Mandir
Palace- the other lovely island palace in the middle of the lake. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 12 UDAIPUR-MUMBAI
Fly to Bombay today and on arrival, transfer to Hotel Oberoi situated at the heart of Bombay city and located on Marine
Drive.
Afternoon tour of Bombay - which is the capital of the state of Maharashta and the economic powerhouse of India; the
third largest state both in terms of size and population. Mumbai, as it is now known, is the finance capital of the
nation - the industrial hub of everything from textiles to petrochemicals, and responsible for half the country's foreign trade.
To the visitor's, Mumbai is also the glamour world of Bollywood cinema - the center of India's huge Hindi film industry,
producing around 200 full-length feature films a year most overripe, technicolor escapist extravaganzas. Visit The Gateway
of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Marine Drive, The Victoria Terminus, Bombay University & High Court etc. Also hunt for
curios in the Crawford Market. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 13 MUMBAI
Morning Excursion to Elephanta Caves - in an exclusive Catamaran. These 07th century Cave temples are dedicated to
Lord Shiva. In the Hindu pantheon, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva form the Trinity, Brahma, the creator, is seldom worshipped
and most Hindus divide their allegiance between Shiva and Vishnu. Although Vishnu is termed the preserver and Shiva the
destroyer, their attributes and qualities overlap. The followers of Shiva find in him creative, protective and destructive aspects,
which merge into a continuing cycle of birth and death. Amongst the many exquisite panels carved out of solid rock - the
Maheshwari panel in which Shiva is shown as creator, protector and destroyer is a sight that should be enjoyed at least
once in a lifetime.
The rest of the day is free to explore the nightlife of Bombay its various discotheques and bars. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 14 DEPART MUMBAI
This day, you are transferred to the international airport for your flight back home.
END OF THE TOUR
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