COLORS OF INDIA

Upon arrival in New Delhi (Indira Gandhi) International airport you will be met by our representative outside the custom gate and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight in Delhi. Hotel Royal Plaza or similar.

Enjoy a full day guided tour of Delhi.

The city consists of two parts – Old and New Delhi. Old Delhi was the capital of Muslim India between the 17th and 19th century and has many mosques, monuments and forts.

Begin your day with an exploration starting in Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the Royal Mosque which was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1656. Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes followed by a short walk on the main street of Old Delhi – the colourful shopping bazaar known as Chandni Chowk. Drive past the Red Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Continue to Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

In the afternoon visit New Delhi – the imperial city created by the British as the capital of India. In 1911, Edwin Lutyens, the most renowned English architect of the day, was chosen to design New Delhi. Drive through the majestic boulevards – the Rashtrapati Bhawan is where the Viceroy once lived and is now the official residence of the President of India. View India Gate, a war memorial arch built in honour of 90,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. Visit Humayun’s Tomb (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the first great example of Mughal architecture in India. The day’s tour ends at Qutab Minar (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) – a soaring tower of victory which is 72.5 metres high and has five distinct stories.

Overnight in Delhi. Hotel Royal Plaza or similar (B).

This morning drive to Agra.

Arrive Agra in the afternoon and check-in at your hotel.

Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire – giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat which means seat of the Emperor. Today, a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices whilst experiencing the irresistible charm that this favourite city of the Mughals still retains.

Late afternoon visit the Agra Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage site). The fort was built by the third Mughal Emperor, Akbar. Subsequent additions were made to the fort by his son Jahangir and grandson Shahjahan.

Overnight in Agra. Hotel Prime Plaza or similar (B).

Early morning enjoy a sunrise visit to the mesmerizing Taj Mahal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

The 17th century Taj Mahal is often called a poem in stone. If so, the mausoleum is a love poem – created by Shah Jahan for his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal. Please note: Taj Mahal remains closed on Fridays.

Return to hotel for breakfast.

This morning drive to Jaipur. En route, stop at Fatehpur Sikri (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) – a deserted red sandstone city built by Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century.

Arrive Jaipur Agra late afternoon and check-in at your hotel.

Overnight in Jaipur. Four Points by Sherton or similar (B).

This morning enjoy an excursion to the magnificent Amber Fort. The fortified palace was the capital of the state of Jaipur until 1728. The architecture is a blend of Mughal and Rajput styles. Tour the chambers and hallways of the palace, which are famous for the excellence of their design and decoration including the spectacular “Hall of Mirrors”.

Later enjoy an orientation tour of Jaipur. Visit City Palace and its museum which has a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armoury of Mughals and Rajputs including swords, antiques and artifacts. Proceed to Jantar Mantar, a stone astrological and astronomical observatory which was built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the 18th century. Enjoy a cycle-rickshaw ride in the colourful bazaar of the old city. Also visit Hawa Mahal or the “Palace of the Winds.” This beautiful façade is probably the most-photographed in Jaipur. Its ornately carved windows were designed so that the ladies of the palace could look out onto the streets unobserved. There is also time to shop for Jaipur blue pottery and block-printed cotton linens.

Remainder of the day will be at leisure for independent activities.

Overnight in Jaipur. Four Points by Sherton or similar (B).

This morning drive to Jodhpur, once the capital of the former princely state of Marwar. It was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha and is now the second largest city of Rajasthan. The graceful palaces, forts and temples bring alive the historic grandeur, while the exquisite handicrafts, folk dances, music and the brightly attired people lend a romantic aura to the city.

Arrive in Jodhpur and check-in at your hotel.

Late afternoon, enjoy a short orientation tour of Jodhpur city. Visit magnificent Mehrangarh, one of Rajasthan’s finest forts. This 5,000 metre long fort is an impressive and formidable structure. There are seven gates that lead into the fort, inside a series of courtyards and palaces to be found. Make a brief stop at Jaswant Thada, located a short distance from the fort, which is a white marble memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.

Later, enjoy a walking tour through the ancient blue town where there will be opportunity to explore the narrow winding lanes, ending at the Old Clock Tower vegetable and spice market.

Overnight in Jodhpur. Ranabanka Palace or similar (B).

This morning drive to Udaipur.

En route visit Ranakpur. Ranakpur boasts some of the most exquisite Jain temples in the country, famous for their intricate friezes and sculptures, and is one of the holiest Jain sites in India.

Arrive Udaipur late afternoon and check-in at your hotel.

Overnight in Udaipur. Fateh Niwas or similar (B).

This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of Udaipur.

Udaipur combines real beauty with a great and glorious past. It stands in a valley, amidst green hills on the banks of the wide, steel blue Lake Pichola. Udaipur rivals any of the famous creations of the Mughals with the Rajput love of the whimsical and its superbly crafted elegance.

Visit City Palace, a conglomeration of buildings added by various Maharanas. Despite this the palace manages to retain a surprising uniformity of design. Also visit the Crystal Gallery located at the City Palace which has a rare collection of Osler’s crystal ordered from England by Maharana Sajjan Singh in 1877.

Return to hotel. Afternoon will be at leisure.

In the evening enjoy a boat cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat view the city of Udaipur rise majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace, an unforgettable sight on an island in Lake Pichola, built by Maharana Karan Singhji in 1622 as a pleasure palace for royal parties and functions.

Overnight in Udaipur. Fateh Niwas or similar (B).

This morning free for independent activities.

In the afternoon you will be escorted to Udaipur airport for flight to Delhi.

Arrive Delhi and transfer to International Airport for your flight to onward destination.

Overnight in Delhi. Hotel Royal Plaza or similar (B).

Transfer to airport for your homeward bound flight.