Rajasthan and the Taj – magical monuments in the land of the kings

The Taj Mahal – one of the most iconic buildings of the world and Rajasthan “The Land of the Kings” combine to make a holiday that is quintessential India. India can be incredibly spiritual, intensely dramatic, and fascinatingly cultural, and each moment can unveil a piquant feast of fresh experiences. Explore the endless wonders of the magnificent forts, palaces and temples of India, experience the effervescence of Indian culture, marvel at the traditional handicrafts and art, be welcomed by people who believe that guests are a form of God “Athithi Devo Bhava”. Our tours will open for you a world of color, art, spirituality, royalty and culture that can only be experienced in Enchanted India.

Royal India: The Golden Triangle – Delhi, Jaipur and Agra

The Mughals – Emperors of India, and the Rajputs – the Maharajahs of India, shaped India into the country it is today. Experience their incredible culture, see the cities they created, marvel at the intricacy of their work and the skill of the craftsmen, and gaze in awe at the most beautiful building in the world. Come and hear a story being told – a story of cities being built and destroyed, of great kings and their dynasties, of eternal love and burning passion – discover the extravagance of India where sometimes all that glitters can be so much more than gold.

Best Time: October – April

Outline Itinerary

Day 0: Delhi
Day 01: Delhi- Agra
Day 02: Agra
Day 03: Agra – Jaipur
Day 04-06: Jaipur
Day 07: Jaipur – Delhi
Day 08: Delhi
Day 09: Departure

An outline

Delhi – or ‘dilli’ – the heart of India. The Capital city that paints modernity with the brush of history. It is easy to get swept away by the whirlwind of culture and tradition that you encounter. The Charm of the city lies in all it has embraced from the different rules through the eras and the buzz of one of the most progressive cities in the world.

Delhi is essentially divided into two parts – ‘Old Delhi’ with its Mughal influences and the more modern ‘New Delhi’ that has to a great extent been created by the colonial rulers. The modern city of Delhi is centered around the colonnaded facades of the city’s financial district, known as Connaught Place. The bustling energy of the city with its eclectic history, the vibrant sarees of the women, the buzzing of the bazaars, the endless images of monuments from the forts and mosques to the temples and the Qutab Minar, the stately splendor of the Presidential estates and the tree lined avenues and gardens of one of the greenest cities in India will entrall and captivate.

From Delhi you travel to Agra – the land of the Taj Mahal. Located on the banks of the River Yamuna, the monument stands in mute testament for the eternal love of one of the greatest Mughal Kings for his wife. From the Taj to the Agra fort, you will travel to the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri. Abandoned a few years after its creation, this city dates back to the 16^th century.

From Agra you will journey on to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan and the “pink city”. Witness the stunning pink sandstone walls of the City Palace in Jaipur, the glittering frescoes of the Amer Fort, the iconic Hawa Mahal and the Jantar Mantar and gaze in amazement at the wealth of colour in the costumes of the people of the city. A photographers delight, the city offers an unending stream of visual delights.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 0: Delhi
You arrive in Delhi and check into your Hotel.

Day 01: Delhi- Agra
After an early breakfast you are driven to Agra. You check into your hotel at Agra and after lunch visit the Agra Fort and the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah. The Agra fort is one of the finest Mughal Forts in India. Construction of the massive red sandstone fort was begun by Emperor Akbar in 1565. The Fort was built primarily as a military structure but Shah Jahan transformed it into a palace using white marble. It was in this palace that he was keep prisoner for eight years after his son Aurangzeb seized power. Steeped in history, the story of Agra fort is full of intrigue, great battles, and culture.

Day 02: Agra
Morning visit to the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful buildings ever created. The Taj was created in pristine white marble set with precious stones and offset by buildings of red sandstone. The Mausoleum was built by the Emperor Shah Jehan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal who he married in 1612. Mumtaz Mahal died in childbirth in 1629 and the court went into mourning for two years. The Emperor decided to build a monument in her memory and the Taj Mahal was created. The building is over 20 storeys high and took 22 years to complete with a work force of 20,000 craftsmen. The uniqueness of the Taj lies in its remarkable innovations. It is a perfectly symmetrical building and lies at the end of a beautifully laid out quadripartite garden that lends depth and perspective to the viewing of the monument. The long water body in the centre of the garden perfectly reflects the building. Afternoon at leisure where you can explore the city and its handicrafts.

Day 03: Agra – Jaipur
Drive to Jaipur via the enigmatic and deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. The following day you visit the City of Fatehpur Sikri. This is a world heritage site and was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1569. The city was built to serve as the capital of the Mughal Empire but was abandoned soon after its inception due to the paucity of water. The buildings built primarily in red sandstone with independent pavilions arranged in formal geometry. The imperial palace was over two miles long is largely intact and surrounded by a wall five miles long.

Day 04-06: Jaipur
Jaipur is a city that is the gateway to the vibrant state of Rajasthan. At the outskirts of the city is grand honey coloured Amer Fort that stands guard over the city atop a mountain. The Fort and the palace inside date back to the 16^th Century, as lavish as can be. Every step through the Fort brings another layer of History. The adventure continues in the city with its chaotic traffic, sandstone edifices, and unending bustle. The City palace and the Palace of the Wind, the Jantar Mantar, the museums and the temples transport one into another era – a dream world of royalty and fierce warriors, of proud queens and incredible love stories. The sublime hospitality of the state is famous as are its handicrafts including some of the finest jewellery makers in the country.

Day 07: Jaipur – Delhi
From Jaipur you will drive back to Delhi and check into your hotel. The afternoon will be spent exploring some of the monuments of New Delhi including the Qutab Minar, Humayan’s Tomb and the Bahai Temple.

Day 08: Delhi
You will spend the day exploring Lutyens Delhi and Old Delhi. From the colonial architecture of the Raj, to the largest mosque in old Delhi, the old fort, the Red Fort and India Gate, Delhi will captivate and enthrall you. You will return to your hotel for the night.

Day 09: Departure