Private 8 Days Taj Mahal with Forts & Palaces of Rajasthan Heritage Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Delhi

Stop At: Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, Delhi 110037, India
Arrive Delhi . On arrival check in at hotel . The capital of India was destroyed and rebuilt a number of times, and virtually carries in its bosom the history of 07 cities. The present New Delhi was designed by Edwin Lutyens, and its main architect was Herbert Baker. In 1911 the capital of the British Raj was shifted from Kolkata to Delhi. Today it is the seat of power of the country and a major Gateway to the country for the tourists.Old Delhi visit Raj Ghat which is located on the banks of the river Yamuna, This is Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial, where he was cremated following his assassination in January 1948. The memorial lies in the midst of landscaped gardens and made of a simple square platform of black marble inscribed with his last words “Hey Ram”. Red Fort (closed on Monday) the 17th century imposing fortress built in red sandstone is surrounded by a huge boundary wall 33m high. Inside are exquisite palaces and beautiful gardens. Opposite the Red Fort lies Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) made of red sandstone and white marble, completed in 1656. It is India’s largest mosque where more than 20,000 people can kneel in prayer at one time.New Delhi visit Humayun’s Tomb, built by his wife Haji Begum in the 16th Century. An early example of Mughal architecture considered the predecessor of the Taj Mahal. The Qutab Minar, the landmark of Delhi, a huge tower of victory started in 1199 and completed in 1368. The Minar is 72.5m high with a diameter at the base 14.4m and 2.7m at the top. Proceed to the Rashtrapati Bhawan (Drive Pass) once the Viceroy’s residence and now the official residence of the President of India. Designed by Lutyens, it combines western and eastern styles - the dome reflects the Buddhist stupa, the chhattris “Hindu” and the graceful colonnades very “British”. It has 340 rooms. The India Gate (42m), commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1st world war. 13516 names of British and Indian soldiers killed in the Afghan War of 1919 are engraved on the arch and foundations. Under the arch, glows the Amar Jawan Jyoti flame commemorating Indian armed forces’ losses in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Delhi.

Day 2: Delhi - Agra

Stop At: Taj Mahal, Agra 282001 India
Drive to Agra . On arrival check in at hotel . A medieval city on the banks of the Yamuna River. It was founded by Sultan Sikandar Lodi in the year 1506. Agra achieved fame as the capital of the Mughal emperors from 1526 to 1658 and remains a major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era buildings. Most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.Agra Fort was originally a brick fort and the Chauhan Rajputs held it. It was mentioned for the first time in 1080 AD when a Ghaznavide force captured it. Sikandar Lodi (1487-1517) was the first Sultan of Delhi who shifted to Agra and lived in the fort. He governed the country from here and Agra assumed the importance of the second capital. He died in the fort in 1517 and his son, Ibrahim Lodi, held it for nine years until he was defeated and killed at Panipat in 1526. He built several palaces, wells and a mosque in the fort during his period. World famous monument The Taj Mahal, Overlooking the River Yamuna, the Taj Mahal is a classic example of Mughul architecture, with the Taj itself built as a mausoleum at the northern end of an extensive formal walled garden designed in the charbagh style and structured on the Islamic theme of ‘paradise’. The whole site was built by Shah Jahan between ad 1632 and 1653 as the final resting place of his favourite wife Arjumand Bano Begum (also known as Mumtaz Mahal) who died in ad 1631 shortly after giving birth to their fourteenth child. Upon his death in ad 1666, Shah Jahan was buried alongside his wife in the Taj. (Closed on Fridays).Stay overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Agra.

Day 3: Agra to Jaipur

Stop At: Fatehpur Sikri India
Drive to Jaipur En route visit Fatehpur Sikri.Fatehpur Sikri, which is a beautiful and deserted medieval city, built by Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great in the 16th century to serve as the capital of his vast empire. It was mysteriously abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. Today, it is perfectly preserved as a ghost city built at the height of the empire’s splendor. See Darbar-e-Aam, Palaces, Panch Mahal Taansen Seat & great Sufi Sent doom etc. On arrival check in at hotel
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 4: Jaipur

Stop At: Hawa Mahal - Palace of Wind, Hawa Mahal Tripolia Bazaar Road Badi Choupad, Jaipur 302002 India
Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh - II, the ruler of Amber, Jaipur was the first planned city in India.This town is also referred as Pink city for the colour of buildings in its wonderful old city. The city was painted pink to honour the visit of Prince Albert of England in 1882.After Brekfast Excursion to the Amber City Fort situated 130m high with the Aravalli hills around and 11 km north of Jaipur. It was the ancient capital of the Kachhawaha Rajputs till 1037. Ride the colourfully painted elephants up the hill, admire the massive gateways, courts, stairways, pillared pavilions and palaces the recall the glory and wealth of Amber’s association with the Mughals.Visit the City Palace (still houses the erstwhile Royal family); Jantar Mantar – the Royal Observatory and Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds, with 1043 windows) - built for the royal ladies to watch the activities on the market street below without being observed themselves. Overnight stay at hotel
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 5: Jaipur to Jodhpur

Stop At: Mehrangarh Fort, Fort Rd., Jodhpur 342006 India
Drive to Jodhpur via Pushkar . On arrival check in at hotel . Sightseeing of Jodhpur . Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. Jodhpur is also known as the blue city as most of the houses of the old city are painted blue. The old city is surrounded by a huge 10 km long wall which has 101 bastions and seven gates.Jodhpur lies on the once strategic Delhi-Gujrat trading route and the marwaris benefited from the passing traffic of opium, copper, silk which was traded to China. Today We will visit the Mehrangarh Fort(majestic fort). Mehrangarh Fort was built on a steep hill and is among the best in India with exquisitely latticed windows in residential apartments within. We also visit the Jaswant Thada, a royal cenotaph built in white marble.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Jodhpur .

Day 6: Jodhpur to Udaipur

Stop At: Ranakpur Dam, Ranakpur main rd, Ranakpur India
Drive to Udaipur via Ranakpur . On arrival check in at hotel .
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Udaipur.

Day 7: Udaipur

Stop At: Sahelion Ki Bari, On the banks of Fateh Sagar Lake, Udaipur 313001 India
Today we visit Udaipur, also known as the city of sunrise.We start our sightseeing with the visit of Sahelion-Ki-Bari. This Garden of the Maids of Honour is well laid out with extensive lawns and shady walks. After the visit of Garden of Maids we visit a Museum of folk art. This museum has a rich collection of Folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, folk musical instruments and paintings on display. After a break we proceed to city palace, the biggest Palace in India, where 4 generations of Maharajas added their contribution, is so carefully planned and integrated with the original buildings that it is difficult to believe that it was not conceived as a whole.The museum of the palace includes the beautiful peacock mosaic and miniature wall paintings of Indian mythology. Today we have an opportunity to visit a traditional painting school and see the famous miniature paintings done.In the evening we have a Boatride on the lake Pichola.The famous Lake Palace of Udaipur was the summer residence of the former rulers. The James bond Film Octopussy was shot here and made this palace more known in the west.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Udaipur

Day 8: Udaipur Departure

Stop At: Maharana Pratap Memorial, At the top of Moti Magri, Udaipur 313001 India
After luxurious breakfast leave for exploring Udaipur. Udaipur is consider to be one of the most important pilgrimage centers for the Jains. Start your tour by visiting the City Palace, which is the largest palace in the state of Rajasthan. Later proceed to Jagdish temple as well as the museum. Also see the architecture beauty of Sahelion Ki Bari or which is also famously known as "garden of the maids of honor". In the evening visit the beautiful lake Pichola. Also witness the scenic Maharana Pratap Samarak as well as pear hill. As per flight departure timings, transfer to the Udaipur airport to catch flight for onward destination.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.