North India Tour Package

Day 01

Early morning arrive Delhi to a special Reception at the airport with a "Welcome with company logo" banner. Garlanding with fresh flowers at the airport. Transfer to hotel (baggage transfer by separate baggage vans) On arrival, as you step into the hotel, ladies in authentic local costumes greet you with flowers and perform the "aarti" ceremony. They also anoint your forehead with the red "tikka" - which is a traditional welcome sign. Welcome Drinks will be served while guests are distributed room keys in specially designed key pouches. Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: Orientation tour of New Delhi visiting the Qutab Minar, a tower of victory built in the 12th century, the tomb of Humayun, a Mughal Emperor of the 16th century, India Gate - the war memorial. Drive past the Rashtrapathi Bhawan, the residence of the President of India, the houses of Parliament and the Government Secretariat buildings. Return to hotel for lunch at the Chinese specialty restaurant.

Afternoon: Tour of Old Delhi visiting the historic Red Fort, the Jama Masjid - India's largest mosque, the colourful bazaar of Chandni Chowk. Take a cycle rickshaw ride through the back streets of Old Delhi to get a first hand experience of the hustle and bustle of the traditional Old city. Also visit Raj Ghat - the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.

Evening: Welcome dinner based on Durbar Theme. Guests will arrive to be adorned with `pagris' (turbans) and `chunnis' (shawls) by traditionally dressed ladies and welcomed as they enter with a shower of rose petals and `attar' (perfume). Kathak dancers (classical North Indian) will entertain and a sumptuous Maharaja meal will be served by attendants dressed in the traditional manner of a Royal Durbar (court).
Overnight in Delhi THE PARK.

Day 02

Early morning tea/coffee at the hotel Leave for Agra by Shatabdi Exp. [ 0600/0800 hrs]
This superfast train is an experience as one gets the opportunity to see the busy railway stations and early morning activities of a city coming to life in the morning. We would have chartered an entire carriage for our group.. Breakfast will be on board train.

Welcome to Agra - famous as the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces in Agra is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal Empire. Agra was their capital for nearly a hundred years from 1564. A pleasant town, with a comparatively easy pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soapstone by artisans who are hereditary craft persons. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes. Special welcome with garlanding on arrival at the railway station with "Welcome" Banner and musicians in attendance.

In the morning you will visit the Agra Fort. Built by three Mughal Emperors starting from Akbar the Great in 1565 AD this is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort are a number of exquisite buildings including the Moti Masjid, Jahangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal and the Sheesh Mahal, Diwane-i-Am, Diwane-i-Khas and Musamman Burj, where Emperor Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal Emperor, died as a prisoner. Lunch will be at the Poolside gardens under gaily-decorated garden umbrellas to the accompaniment of Indian classical music.

In the afternoon, proceed to the world famous Taj Mahal by daily decorated cycle rickshaws or "tongas" (horse carriages). This is an interesting experience as you meander through the little streets of Agra. Taj Mahal - the inimitable poem in white marble is the finest architectural achievement of the Mughals. Built over a period of 22 years, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630, for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains, it is one of the seven modern wonders of the World. Stay on here to witness the changing colours of this magnificent monument at sunset.

Evening : Mughal theme dinner. This theme dinner takes you back to the fabled world of the Moghuls. "Chobdars" (gatekeepers) usher guests to the "dawat-khana" (venue of the function). Hostesses clad in silken, flowing `ghagra' (skirts) and `chunnis' (veils) welcome the guests with flowers and "attar" (perfume) in the traditional style. Musicians will entertain and a sumptuous spread of Moghali delicacies will be served in a manner befitting royalty.
Overnight in Agra OBEROI TRIDENT

Day 03

Breakfast at the hotel in a private room.
Leave Agra for Jaipur (235 kms) by deluxe coach, enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the `Deserted City' built by the Mughal Emperor - Akbar the Great in 1569 and later abandoned due to political reasons and scarcity of water. See the halls of Public and Private Audience, the royal apartments and the Panch Mahal. In the religious section see the Jumma Masjid and the exquisite tomb of Salim Chisti.

Lunch at the Midway Garden Restaurant. The meal will be a buffet in the garden under canopies, accompanied by traditional folk music.

Proceed to Jaipur to arrive to a "Grand Royal Procession Welcome". This theme creates the ambience of a welcome accorded to a victorious Rajput warrior. The entire driveway to the hotel is lined with caparisoned elephants and camels. Elephants, with trunks raised in salute, accompany guests who are taken in royal carriages or on elephant-back to the hotel. A band of musicians and horsemen precede the procession amidst showers of rose petals. Valets drape each lady with a "dupatta" (shawl) and the gents are dressed up with "safas" (Rajasthani turbans). Guests are greeted with garlands and the "tikka" ceremony is performed. Afterwards relax to the music of the "shenai" while you sip a welcome drink and enjoy Rajasthani folk dancers. Guests will be provided their room keys in specially designed pouches.
Dinner will be in the lawns on the Palace with an elaborate candle-lit buffet
Overnight in Jaipur OBEROI TRIDENT.

Day 04

Breakfast in the Palace lawns.

Morning : Excursion to Amber, the capital of the erstwhile State of Jaipur until 1728. Perched on a hill, it has halls of Public and Private audience, a Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) various marble palaces which are marvellous examples of ancient Rajput architecture. Also visit the temple of Amba (mother Goddess). Ride an elephant to ascend the hill on which the Fort is situated.

Lunch by the poolside under gaily decorated canopies. Enjoy a garden meal while taking in the sun and swimming in this naturally heated pool.

Afternoon: Visit the City Palace - the former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles. The Palace houses a museum with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armoury of Mughals and Rajputs including swords of different shapes and sizes with chiselled handles. It also has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit. Visit Jantar Mantar - a stone astrological and astronomical Observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the 18th century.

Evening : Drive to Choki Dhani, a Rajasthani village set-up for a traditional Rajasthani evening. A very special Rajasthani evening will be organised with puppeteers and folk dancers to entertain. Thousands of lanterns will illuminate the venue and create an ethereal ambience.
Overnight in Jaipur OBEROI TRIDENT.

Day 05

Breakfast at the Palace
Leave Jaipur for Delhi by luxury coach.

Lunch at the Midway Restaurant. The meal will be a buffet in the garden under canopies, accompanied by traditional folk music.
Proceed for Delhi and on arrival, check in at the hotel Dinner at the Hotel.
Overnight in Delhi THE PARK

Day 06

Breakfast at the hotel
Rest of the day would be free for independent activities.
Lunch at a Specialty Restaurant
Evening: Transfer to the international airport to connect your onward flight home. Baggage would have been pre-checked to avoid waiting at the airport