Day 01 Agra to Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur (about 240kms/05hrs), enroute visit
Fatehpur Sikri, built by Akbar in 1568 as his capital. The town’s
palaces, courts and other monuments are a perfect example of the
fusion of Hindu and Mughal architectural styles.
Arrive and check into the hotel and relax. O/n Hotel.
Day 02 Jaipur
Built in 1727, Jaipur was the dream of Brilliant ruler, Jai Singh.
It has retained its reputation as one of the foremost cities in
India planned and executed in a manner that draws accolades from
modern town planners. Jaipur is known as the ‘Pink City’,
because many buildings are still washed pink, the traditional colour
of welcome, which was originally introduced to honour the visit
of the Prince Albert in 1856.
After an early breakfast visit to Amber Fort, ascent to the ancient
Rajput capital of Amber; this fort palace was begun by Raja Man
Singh and used by the Rajputs as their stronghold until Sawai Jai
Singh II moved to the newly created Jaipur. You will visit the palace
and its many intricate chambers and hallways, which has breathtaking
views of the Jal Mahal (Water Palace) below.
Afternoon half-day city tour including the City Palace, the Jantar
Mantar Observatory and the façade of the Palace of Winds.
The City Palace, still inhabited by Jai Singh’s descendants,
is a superb fusion of Rajputs and Mughal architecture. A city within
a city it includes the Govind Deo Temple, the Jantar Mantar astronomical
observatory and the Maharaja’s museum with his personal collection
of weaponry, miniature paintings, royal attire and jewellery. On
the periphery of the Palace stands the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of
Winds, an elaborate pink sandstone façade behind which the
ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on the streets
below.
Day 03 Jaipur to Delhi
After breakfast drive to Delhi (about 260kms/05hrs), check into
the hotel and later in the afternoon drive to Old Delhi for a half-day
visit to the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid Mosque and Raj Ghat.
Shah Jahan founded the city of Shahjahnabad, now referred to as
Old Delhi, in 1648. The famous Red Fort in the heart of Old Delhi
was once the most opulent fort of the Mughal Empire and it boasts
the Diwan-I-Khas, Hall of Private Audience. Opposite the fort is
the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in the world, built
by Shah Jahan to dominate the city. The Raj Ghat is the location
of Gandhi’s cremation. O/n Hotel.
Day 04 Delhi
Early morning transfer to int’l airport to board flight to
your onward destination.
Birds & Palaces
Day 01 Agra to Bharatpur
After breakfast drive to Bharatpur (about 60kms/02hrs), enroute
visit Fatehpur Sikri, built by Akbar in 1568 as his capital. The
town’s palaces, courts and other monuments are a perfect example
of the fusion of Hindu and Mughal architectural styles.
Arrive and check into the hotel and later in the afternoon explore
the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, one of the finest in Asia, with over
350 species of birds. Originally, this manmade marsh was used for
duck shooting by the Maharaja of Bharatpur. Kalaheo Ghana is a wonder
of the natural world no less worth seeing than the marble tomb of
Shah Jahan’s queen. Over 350 species of birds find a refuge
in the 11 sq miles (29 sq km) of shallow lakes and woodland, which
makes up the park. A third of them are migrants many of whom winter
in Bharatpur before returning to their breeding grounds as far away
as Siberia and Central Asia. Some 120 species nest in the park and
heronry at Keoladeo Ghana is said to be open throughout the year
although most visitors choose to come between the months of October
and March when wintering wildfowl assemble in their thousands on
the lakes.
The unchallenged highlight of the Park is that it is the only known
wintering region for the highly endangered central population of
Siberian Cranes.
Afternoon bird watching by cycle rickshaw or on foot along with
a resident naturalist. O/n Hotel.
Day 02 Bharatpur
Morning and afternoon bird watching by cycle rickshaw or on foot
along with a resident naturalist. O/n Hotel.
Day 03 Bharatpur to Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur (about 185kms/04hrs), check into
the hotel and later in the afternoon free to stroll around the colourful
Rajasthani bazaar. O/n Hotel.
Day 04 Jaipur
Built in 1727, Jaipur was the dream of Brilliant ruler, Jai Singh.
It has retained its reputation as one of the foremost cities in
India planned and executed in a manner that draws accolades from
modern town planners. Jaipur is known as the ‘Pink City’,
because many buildings are still washed pink, the traditional colour
of welcome, which was originally introduced to honour the visit
of the Prince Albert in 1856.
After an early breakfast visit to Amber Fort, ascent to the ancient
Rajput capital of Amber; this fort palace was begun by Raja Man
Singh and used by the Rajputs as their stronghold until Sawai Jai
Singh II moved to the newly created Jaipur. You will visit the palace
and its many intricate chambers and hallways, which has breathtaking
views of the Jal Mahal (Water Palace) below.
Afternoon half-day city tour including the City Palace, the Jantar
Mantar Observatory and the façade of the Palace of Winds.
The City Palace, still inhabited by Jai Singh’s descendants,
is a superb fusion of Rajputs and Mughal architecture. A city within
a city it includes the Govind Deo Temple, the Jantar Mantar astronomical
observatory and the Maharaja’s museum with his personal collection
of weaponry, miniature paintings, royal attire and jewellery. On
the periphery of the Palace stands the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of
Winds, an elaborate pink sandstone façade behind which the
ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on the streets
below.
Day 05 Jaipur to Delhi
Morning free to relax, afternoon drive to Delhi int’l airport
(about 250kms/05hrs) to board flight to your onward destination.
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