Option 01 
Day
1 Arrive Delhi by RJ 192 at 0505 hours. Hotel Maurya Sheraton
booked on own
It is believed that Delhi has been rebuilt seven times
with the ruins of one city becoming the foundations for the next. The
Mughals ruled here from 12th century. The British captured it in 1803
reducing the Mughal rulers to puppet kings, and in 1911 founded New Delhi,
which became the capital of independent India in 1947. The sun warmed stones
of ancient forts, tombs, mosques and palaces lie scattered across its
sprawling expanse, a reminder of an almost continuous settlement along the
Yamuna River.
Day2 Depart by road from
Delhi to Agra, a journey of about four hours. Afternoon visit to the Taj
Mahal & Agra Fort. Overnight at hotel Mughal Sheraton
It was
during the Mughal era that Agra first gained prominence, during the 16th and
17th centuries when it served as their capital. The Moghul passion for
building endowed Agra with some of the loveliest buildings in the world.
Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal between 1630-1653 as a
memorial in white marble to his queen Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal is one of the
Seven Wonders of the World and the greatest love stories ever written with
white marble and precious stones. Perhaps the most perfect architectural
monument in the world.
The massive Agra Fort was started by Akbar
in 1565, and was added to over the years. Initially it was a military
structure, with 2.5 Km long, 20 metre high double walls protecting its
inhabitants. By Shah Jahan's reign it had partilly become a palace. This
rusty red sandstone fort stands like a crescent on the bank of Yamuna River.
It is one of the finest forts in India and is a silent witness to the rise
and fall of the imperial Mughal Empire. Visit its numerous palaces,
pavilions and buildings that echo the story of Mughal Empire.
Day3
Depart by road from Agra to Jaipur, a journey of about six hours. Enroute
stop at Fatehpursikri. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur city. Overnight
at hotel Rajputana Sheraton
In 1596 Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri, 37
kms away from Agra, in honour of Saint Salim Chisti who had prophesied the
birth of his son Jehangir. He moved his capital there but abandoned it 14
years later, due to the water supply going bad. Lying on a rocky ridge two
miles long and one mile wide it is an epic poem in red sandstone with
impressive public halls, private residences, fortifications, massive
gateway, pavilions and palaces.
Jaipur is the state capital of
Rajasthan and owes its name, planning and foundation to the Maharaja Jai
Singh II. In 1727, Jai Singh decided to move from his hillside fortress at
Amber to the plains, and thus Jaipur was conceived. It is also know as the "Pink
City", derived from the pink painted sandstone from which the buildings
in the old walled city are constructed.
A city tour takes you
through the bazaars to the City Palace complex which includes the Hawa
Mahal, Palace of the Winds, built in 1799. The five-story building looks out
over the main street and were originally for the ladies of the royal
household to watch life and processions of the city. Jai Singh built the
Jantar Mantar Observatory, still equipped with the ancient instruments
including a very accurate 90-foot sundial, in 1728.
Day4
Depart by road from Jaipur to Delhi, a journey of about five hours visiting
Amber Fort enroute, with an elephant ride upto the Fort. On own hotel
arrangements on arrival.
Seven miles outside the city in the
rugged hills that surround Jaipur is the magnificent Amber Fort. A painted
elephant will take you up to the fort through its huge gateways and pillared
pavilions. This Rajput Fortress/Palace was constructed from 1592 by Raja Man
Singh II, and is a superb example of Rajput architecture.
