CLASSIC INDIA WITH SAVVY JOURNEYS ESCORT
Multiple Dates
COST Call for pricing
Reserve with a DEPOSIT of $250.00 per person
Add-Ons available to Goa, Sri Lanka &/or Maldives)
Cost includes:
07 night’s accommodation on Bed and Breakfast basis
Transfer, Tours and excursion by an Air-conditioned coach.
Service of English speaking local guide as per the itinerary.
Elephant ride at Amber Fort Jaipur (Subject to availability).
Accommodation for Jenny from Savvy Journeys (domestic airfare will be additional).
Accompanying Escort from Sacred Dot Tours.
Diwali Celebration in Delhi.
Cooking demonstration followed by dinner in Jaipur.
Elephant ride in Jaipur.
Boat ride at Lake Pichola Udaipur (subject to water level).
Entrance charges to monuments as specified in the itinerary.
THE BEST OF RAJHASTHAN
DELHI, AGRA, JAIPUR, UDAIPUR (ADD-ONS TO GOA, SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES.)
Arrive Delhi
Day 1
Arrive in India. A representative of Savvy Journeys, holding a sign in your name, will meet you in the arrivals area upon exiting baggage claim and escort you to your hotel.
Delhi is one of India’s most vibrant cities today. It is not only a city that has played capital to various dynasties, but is also one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Today, apart from being at the political forefront, it also leads the country in terms of art, culture, culinary experiences, shopping, entertainment and overall standard of living. The city, like other ancient cities, is a beautiful homogeneous mix of the old and the contemporary. One of the most beautiful cities in the world, Delhi is a microcosm of all that is India.
Rest of the day is at leisure. Later in the evening you will be picked up from the hotel and taken to the house of a local family to enjoy Diwali Celebrations.
Return to the hotel after the celebrations. (B, D)
In Delhi
Day 2
Breakfast is at the hotel, followed by a full day of sightseeing. Start your tour with a visit to Jama Masjid, India’s largest and Delhi’s most spectacular mosque. Drive past the magnificent Red Fort (Closed on Monday) – a marvel in red sandstone, built on the banks of River Yamuna by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. This fort was built on the lines of the Agra Fort and has similar architectural marvels. From here, board pedicabs to converse the busy and crowded streets of ‘Chandini Chowk’. Literally translates Chandini Chowk mean Golden Street and used to be the main royal market for the Mughal Empire; today, this is Delhi’s largest wholesale market and represents some of the most expensive real estate. The craziness of the market can be easily ignored as you become an onlooker of life in this huge bazaar. You traverse through two main streets Khari Baoli, the largest spice market and the jeweler row of Kinari Bazaar where in small cramped little shops significant trade of gold and silver is carried out. The pedi cabs drop you back at your vehicle and you are driven to Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial – Rajghat. Located in a huge open park this monument is as peaceful and tranquil as the man himself. After this visit, you are driven through Lutyen’s Delhi where you drive past India Gate – the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, Rashtrapati Bhawan – the Presidential Palace, the Parliament House and other beautiful buildings built by the noted British architect. This entire area of Delhi is lush, with parks, wide roads and rambling beautiful houses. This afternoon, visit the Qutub Minar, the tallest minaret in India. Built in the 12th Century, this minaret is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is made of the traditional red sandstone and marble as also seen in later Mughal architecture. The complex also has an ancient iron pillar, which is considered to be 1600 years old. While the Qutub Minar is inscribed with Koranic verses for its entire length of 237 feet, the iron pillar in the same complex is inscribed with Brahmin poetry extolling the kings of the Gupta period.
Lastly visit the mausoleum of Emperor Humayun. The monument was commissioned by Humayun’s wife, selected a Persian architect to build the tomb. He combined the best of Hindu and Persian architectural styles to create this fabulous monument, which went on to become the forerunner of the Mughal style of architecture in the country.
Return to the hotel for an evening at leisure. (B)
Delhi – Agra
Day 3
By Surface (126 miles / 04 – 05 Hrs)
This morning, after breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Agra.
Agra was the erstwhile capital of the Mughal Empire. Located in central India, on the banks of the Yamuna River, this city has always been very important in the country’s history. Today, it is known around the world as the home of the Taj Mahal. Unlike most other Indian cities, Agra has not grown into a large metropolis, but maintains its small town status. It is replete with monuments and places of interest.
In the afternoon visit the Agra Fort. This fort, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the best example of Mughal architecture in India. Spread over a mile and a half, along the banks of the Yamuna River, the fort houses various palaces, gardens and places of worship. Originally a Hindu red brick fort, this monument played home to various empires. It is under the reign of the greatest Mughal Emperor Akbar, that the fort was rebuilt with red sandstone and his grandson Shah Jahan is responsible for the look that can be seen today. The high red stone monument stretches for around one and a half miles. The palace is a notable for its smooth blending of Hindu and central Asian architectural styles. See the Diwan-i-Aam (hall of public audiences), Diwan-i-Khas (hall of private audiences), the Khas Palace, the Sheesh Mahal (palace of mirrors), the Shah Jahani Mahal (Shahjahan’s Palace), Jahangiri Mahal (Jahangir’s Palace) and the Akbari Mahal (Akbar’s palace) inside the fort.
Later in the evening you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Taj Mahal. This monument is an amazing feat of human industry, a perfect example of beauty, symmetry and aesthetics. It is only once you enter the main gates and gaze upon the Taj, does the enormity of the task of building this mammoth structure impress. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjehan, this is a tribute of love for his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal. As the rays of the sun hit the marble they make it glitter, and change color, reflecting stark white against a very blue sun. (Closed on Fridays)
Agra - Jaipur
Day 4
By surface (232 Kms / 06 Hrs approximately)
Early this morning you will be taken for a sunrise visit to The Taj Mahal.
Thereafter breakfast at you will be drive to Jaipur. En-route you will visit the deserted city of Fatepur Sikri.
Built by Maharaja Jai Singh II (after whom it was named), in 1727, it is the largest and fastest growing city in the state of Rajasthan. Jaipur today emulates Delhi with its contemporary lifestyle and mélange of art and cultural options. India’s first planned city, Jaipur was built on the classical architectural principals of Vaastu Shastra. The city was divided into blocks and for the first time there was a segregation of residential and commercial areas. The City Palace built at its heart covered almost a seventh of the area of the entire city. It is popularly known as Pink City, due the hue of the buildings across the old town.
You are assisted with checking in on arrival with the rest of the day at leisure. (B)
In Jaipur
Day 5
An early breakfast is planned at the hotel, followed by sightseeing of Jaipur. The tour starts at Amber Fort with a stop at the Hawa Mahal for photographs. The Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds is a beautiful façade built for the ladies of the royal family. It is where they sat and watched the procession and festivals on the main avenue without being seen. You will proceed to Amber Fort, located in Amber a town lying on the outskirts of Jaipur. This is where the Kushwaha Kings were based before moving to Jaipur to cater to the burgeoning population and scarcity of water. The Amber Fort is a classic example of Hindu and Rajput architectural styles. Its large ramparts lead up to a fort that is spread over four levels, each with large courtyards. The fort houses various palaces including the summer, winter and monsoon palace as well as temples. Each of these palaces was built to combat the extreme weather and even today one can see how effective they were. Built on a high hill, the fort can be seen for miles and has been recently renovated. The ascent up to the fort is on elephant back, in the style of the Maharajas. After visiting Amber, return to Jaipur to see the City Palace. The City Palace is the residence of the erstwhile royal family but some parts including the museums are open to visitors. The palace contains various smaller palaces, which house the armory museum and the artists’ exhibition. The liveried palace staff can be seen going about their business. On display in the museum are clothes, pictures, and objects from everyday life, horse buggies and elephant Howdahs. The intricate styling of the city palace doors, the enormous silver urns, the beautiful frescos and the lovely palaces make this an enticing place to visit.
Lastly visit an observatory built by the astronomer king Jai Singh II - the Jantar Mantar. The collection included many architectural astronomical instruments that were used to measure time, predicting eclipses, and tracking stars, do astrological calculations & predictions and more. The fourteen large instruments are still in working condition.
Jaipur is one of the best places to shop, from bargains to high-end jewelry, carpets and objects d’art. Thus the evening could be spent shopping and strolling through the vibrant streets of this city.
Return to the hotel after the tour.
Early evening you will be taken to a local home to experience a cooking demonstration which will be followed by dinner.
Return to the hotel after dinner. (B, D)
Jaipur – Udaipur (by flight)
Day 6
This morning after an early breakfast you will be transferred to the airport to connect your flight to Udaipur.
On your arrival in Udaipur you will be transferred to the hotel. (Check in time 1400 hours)
Not only one of the most romantic places in India, Udaipur is today considered one of the most romantic places in the world. Studded with lakes, amidst rolling hills is located this gem of a destination. Founded in 1559 by MahranaUdai Singh II, Udaipur was the final capital of the state of Mewar. Here the king was designated caretaker and not ruler in the name of the Lord Shiva. Thus the title given to the kings here was Maharana and the current Maharana is the 76th descendent of the family. Due to its strong location, Udaipur was never conquered either by the British or the Mughal Empire, thus leaving it bereft of their influence.
This evening a boat ride on Lake Pichola is planned so that you can enjoy watching the sun settle over the horizon from your unique vantage point. After the boat cruise you will be taken to Bagore ki Haveli for a cultural danbce (B)
Udaipur – Mumbai (by fight)
Day 7
Arrive: Mumbai
After an early breakfast visit the City Palace Complex – built along the banks of the Lake Pichola, this is a series of Palaces that have been built since 1559. The maintenance and building of the palace continues to this date. Inside the palace you visit the museum with its collections from the royal wardrobe, paintings, carriages, armory and more. After this, visit the silver gallery – one of the newest additions to the palace to see the fantastic collection of silver of the House of Mewar. Walk out of the Palace Complex and through the quaint streets outside to visit the imposing Jagdish Temple. Unlike the temples at Ranakpur, the Jagdish Temple has intricate carvings right around it. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu (The Preserver in the Hindu trinity of Gods), the temple was built in 1651 by the then Maharana – Jagat Singh. Later you will be transferred to the airport to connect your flight to Mumbai.
On arrival in Mumbai you will connect onto your onward international flight back home. (B)
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