Classical India Tour  

Upon arrival at India’s capital city New Delhi, where you are and escorted to your hotel, where a room has been blocked for immediate occupancy.

The remainder of this day is at your leisure. Overnight at to your hotel.

After breakfast at hotel, our representative meets you at the hotel and will brief you on your entire itinerary / tour; followed by a full day sightseeing tour of New & Old Delhi. You visit the Qutab Minar Complex, dominated by the 234-foot Victory Tower, followed by the spectacular Rajpath, passing the triumphant House of Parliament, Diplomatic Enclave, President’s House and the India gate & the famous Birla Mandir.

The afternoon focus is touring Old Delhi.

Visit the great Red Fort which was the opulent residence of Shah Jehan, builder of the Taj Mahal and the magnificent Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) which dominates the skyline.  The Raj Ghat-- cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, later walk through Chandi Chowk, the old marketplace of Shahajahanabad, now a picturesque bazaar.

Later you visit the main shopping areas in Delhi.

Overnight at to your hotel.

After breakfast you will leave Delhi by road for Agra which is 232 kms and will take apprx 5 hrs, en-route visiting Sikandra.

Eight kilometres north of Agra at Sikandra is the tomb of Akbar, started within his lifetime and completed by his son Jahangir in 1613. The tomb in elevation is pyramidical and consist of three storeys. On top is an open courtyard surrounded by a marble screen enclosing the tomb itself. The buiding is unique in its departure from Islamic architectural tradition, for it has no domed roof.

On your arrival in Agra, check into your hotel.

Check into hotel and after freshening up, embark on a half day city tour of Agra.

Explore the 16th century Agra Fort, seat of the Mughal dynasty in the 16th century. It lies on the bend of the River Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the year 1565-73 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls red sandstone and a moat. 

Followed by a visit to the magnificent Taj Mahal, this incredible lacy white grandeur built by Emperor Shahjehan in memory of his loving wife Mumtaz Mahal, the “lady of the Taj”. It has been described, as the most extravagant monument ever built for love for the emperor was heartbroken when his wife Mumtaz died. The Taj Mahal has recently been immortalized by the inclusion as one of the “Seven Wonders of the World”.

Overnight at to your hotel.
 

After breakfast proceed on a guided tour to visit the abandoned and nearly intact Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, a masterpiece of Muslim architecture. 

It comprises the remains of the new capital that Akbar built in the 16th century. Predominantly red sandstone buildings sprawl over a huge area.  The architectural style is very much in tune with the emperor’s dreams and includes both Hindu and Muslim styles. The sculptured columns bear mute testimony to this gallant experiment to unite the two races.  It houses the beautiful Pearl Mosque and many noteworthy structures.

Return to your hotel for an afternoon of leisure or perhaps you may like to visit the artisans colony, whose fore fathers helped in building the Taj Mahal with the intricate inlay work. This profession has been passed down from one geeneration to another.

Ovrnight is at the hotel.

After breakfast leave for the “Pink City” of Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, which is 202 kms and takes apprx 4 hrs.

The city was painted in the tones of an autumnal sunset, literally blushed pink when Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria, stepped on its soil in 1863.  Interspersing the play of red and pink with white borders and motifs, painstakingly outlining the architectural highlights of Jaipur's buildings, the city has retained its glow since 1727 when Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II had it built.  Surrounded by rugged hills, each crowned by a formidable fort; with beautiful palaces, mansions and gardens dotted throughout its precincts, Jaipur simply exemplifies the lifestyles of an amazing people.

This afternoon you tour this incredible city where the past is never far from hand. 

The Hawa Mahal or “Palace of Winds” provides an excellent view over the city as befitting its former role: enabling the ladies of the royal household to watch, unseen, the daily life and processions in the streets below. Explore City Palace, characterized by balconies, tiny windows, cupolas, courtyards and arched entrances.  It now houses an excellent collection of Rajasthani costumes, miniatures and an armory of weapons.  The Maharajah’s observatory, originally built in the city's early years, first appears as a collection of abstract sculptures, but is in fact a collection of the huge masonry instruments for studying the movement of constellations and stars in the sky.

Overnight at to your hotel.

Early this morning you are on an excursion to Amber Fort. 

Amber was once the capital of the Mina tribes believed to be the original inhabitants of this area. History recalls the glory and wealth of Amber’s association with the Mughals. Raja Man Singh was the Commander-in-Chief of Akbar’s army and Mirza Raja Jai Singh was a powerfulally of Jahangir. You will have a unique experience of riding a caprisoned painted elephant heralded by musicians from the foothill to the ramparts of the ancient fort.  Once inside you explore the Palace of Mirrors, inlaid with millions of tiny glistening mirrors, the hall of Public Audience and the beautiful manicured gardens

Return to your hotel for breakfast and an  afternoon of leisure or you may perhaps wish to undertake a journey on how vegetable dyes are used in hand block printing of fabric, the tie & dye method or the carpet weaving technique used during the erstwhile days for beautifying the Palaces of the Maharajas.

Overnight is at the hotel.

After breakfast you will drive to Jodhpur, located 340 kms and will take apprx 7 hours.

Jodhpur is one of the most distinctive princely settlements in Rajasthan.  This five hundred year old settlement was the headquarters of the Rathore Rajputs who were famous for their tales of daring.  Located in the Thar desert, Jodhpur is known for its impressive fortified bastions and the many battles associated with the tumultuous history of the region. 

On arrival in Jodhpur, check in at your hotel.

This afternoon visit the invincible Mehrangarh Fort.

An impregnable fortress towering above a 10km wall with soaring archways leading into the center. Musician often serenade visitors, enhancing the atmosphere of this historical site. Rudyard Kipling describe as a mythical world of angels, fairies and giants. Inside the walls are several palaces including the Jaswant Thada, so constructed from thin marble that sunlight filters into its rooms. The museum displays an unsual collection of miniature paintings, glided palanquins and solid silver “howdah” presented by a Mughal emperor to the Maharaja. From the ramparts, we can see the city beyond; below is a sheer drop.   

Overnight is at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Udaipur this morning, located 260 kms and will take 6-7 hrs, stopping en route at Ranakpur.

You will get a look at the Rajasthani countryside as you drive, travelling through scenic mountains. Set in a remote and peaceful valley, this is the site of the largest and most beautifully preserved Jain Temples in India. The main temple, dating back from 1439 is called the “Four-faced temple”. It has 29 halls supported by 1,444 carved pillars, none of which is similarly carved.  The play of light and shade on the minutely carved figures leaves a tantalising effect. 

Continue to Udaipur, the “Venice of the East”. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel.

Udaipur was founded in 1599 by Maharana Udai Singh, and this extraordinarily beautiful city has come to be celebrated for its association with Queen Padmini, and Meera Bai, royal princesses who are linked with the fortunes of the Sisodia family.  Developed scientifically, the old city was surrounded by fortified bastions with entry through eleven gates. Ruins of these ancient fortifications are still in evidence, and the more recent palaces can still be visited.     

Take a boat ride on lake Pichhola and enjoy the ambience of the world famous The Lake Palace.

Once a royal island retreat and now a luxurious hotel seeming to float upon the waters of Lake Pichola, which has now been converted into a luxury hotel. Sunset is an especially romantic hour, when, across the lake, City Palace glows with the golden tones of the ebbing day.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, sight seeing tour of the city.

The white and majestic royal palace standing on a hill, surrounded by crenellated walls and overlooks an immense esplanade edged by arcades; the main entrance leads to a series of courtyards, overlapping pavilions, terraces corridors and hanging gardens-a harmonious profusion hard to describe.  Visit Sahelion-Ki-Bari, the “Gardens of the Maids” bring to mind the unique lifestyle of the ladies of court.  Your final stop is Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandala, a museum of folk art, displaying a rich collection of folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, folk musical Dinstruments and paintings.  Watch a presentation of the world-renowned puppeteers of Udaipur, custodians of an ancient tradition.       

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast the morning is at leisure. Afternoon you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Mumbai.

Upon arrival you are escorted to your hotel.

Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the capital of Maharashtra, and the commercial hub of India. It is the country’s most cosmopolitan city, an ancient port and trading center. This palm-fringed shore of the Arabian Sea was the British Empire’s entrance to its proudest “Crown Jewel.” A city of paradoxes, Mumbai is renowned as the country’s financial nerve center, and also an important center of theater, art, music, and classical dance. Although steeped in tradition is the premier city in India.

Overnight is at the hotel.

After breakfast take a cruise across the harbor to the island of Elephanta.

The island rises near its centre into two conical hills. Rock temples were hewn out of the hill sometimes toward the end of the Buddhist period in India, probably in the eighth century.

Afternoon tour of Mumbai includes the City of Bombay, a blend of East and West.

Visit the British built arch "Gateway of India", Bombay's landmark, built in commemoration of the visit of King George the Vth and Queen Mary for the Delhi Durbar in 1911. See the Hanging Gardens, located on the crest of Malabar Hill, a welcome oasis of green and almost entirely concrete and cement. Visit the Prince of Wales Museum built between 1904 and 1914 which was used during World War I as a hospital. The museum houses a priceless collection of art considered one of the best in all India, including a rich display of miniature paintings, ancient sculptures, jade, china and much more. Also visit the affluent community of Malabar Hills, Dhobi Ghat, Marine Drive, the Gandhi Memorial Museum and Jain Temple.

After a farewell dinner at a local restaurant you will transferred to the International airport for your onward flight.