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DAY
01 : ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi in the evening. Upon arrival, you shall met &
assisted with your baggages at the airport by our executive and
transferred to prebooked hotel.
Delhi : India’s capital & a major gateway to the country,
contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines
in its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location
was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as
their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British
left behind . The division between New & Old Delhi is the distinction
between the capitals of the British & the Moghuls respectively.
So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront the citys’
past.
DAY
02 : DELHI
After breakfast, full day city tour of old & modern capital
of India. Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India.
Built by Shah Jahan, the construction was started in 1844 and was
not completed until 1658 ; Red Fort, which was also built
by Shah Jehan. This massive fort was built from 1638 to 1648 ; Chandni
Chowk and Rajghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.
Witness the India Gate, the Presidents House & the Parliament.
Visit Humayun's Tomb : built in mid 16th century this
is an early example of Mughal architecture ; Qutab Minar.
The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir).
DAY
03 : DELHI - JAIPUR
260 kms/4-5
hours
After breakfast, drive
to Jaipur : The capital
city of the state of Rajasthan also know as “Pink City”
owes its name, its foundation and planning to the great warrior
astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II.
The city of Jaipur has broad avenues. The city sits on a
dry lake bed in a wild and somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by
barren hills surmounted by fortresses and crenellated walls.
Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked Hotel. Rest
of the day at leisure.
DAY 04 : JAIPUR
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort enroute witness
the
façade of Hawa Mahal
or the Palace of Winds which was built in
1799.
Amber Fort - The ancient capital of the state until 1727 when Jai
Singh decided to move from his hillside fortress at Amber to new
site on the plains. The construction of this fort began in 1592
by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar’s army. The fort
is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated
on a hillside and overlooking a lake which reflects its terraces
and ramparts. Visit the Jagmandir or the hall of victory
glittering with mirrors, Jal Mahal & temple of Kali. Ascend
on elephant back, the hill, on which the fort is situated.
Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the
Jantar Mantar – the observatory built
by Jai Singh in 1728;
the City Palace which is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture.
It also has a museum with an extensive collection of art, carpets,
paintings, enamel ware and weapons dating back to the 15th century.
DAY
05 : JAIPUR - FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA
Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri
: 203 kms / 04-05 hours
Fatehpur Sikri - Agra : 27 kms / 45 minutes
Morning, leave for Agra.
Enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri
:
built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital
of the Mughals,
which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See
the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim
Chisti,
Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its
original glory.
Continue drive to Agra. Arrive Agra in the evening
and checkin at prebooked
hotel for overnight stay.
DAY
06 : AGRA
- DELHI
210 kms / 4-5 hours
After breakfast, city tour
of Agra. Visit
Red fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and
additions were made up until the time of
his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private
audiences amongst many other beautiful structures ; Itmad-ud-daulah,
which was constructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and is
very similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband, Jehangir,
near Lahore in Pakistan; the highlight of the day - The Taj Mahal,
which was constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz
Mahal. Construction of the Taj began in 1631 and was
not completed until 1653.
Afternoon, leave for Delhi enroute visit Sikandra
- Mughal Emperor Akbar's Mausoleum. Continue drive to Delhi.
Arrive Delhi and check-in at prebooked hotel.
DAY
07 : DELHI - KALKA - SHIMLA
(TRAIN)
 After
breakfast, transfer to the railway station to board Himalayan Queen
Express, scheduled to depart at 0505 hrs. Arrive Kalka at 1120 hrs.
A narrow-railway
links Kalka with Shimla.
Depart at 1210 hrs. This
important rail-link was built in 1924 and its "toy trains"
still ply between the two stations, passing through 105 tunnels
and beautiful rail-road stations. Half-way through the journey,
after Solan, the lights of Shimla flow in the distance, looking
like glimmering jewels studding the dark green of the mountains.
The train takes six hours, and at every stop on the journey are
smiling faces giving a warm welcome.
Arrive Shimla at 1720 hrs., transfer to prebooked Hotel.
DAY
08 : SHIMLA
The
British called Shimla the "Queen
of Hill Stations" Situated
in the north-West Himalayas, Shimla the summer capital of India
before independence is now the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Shimla
derives its name from "Shyamala" - the goddess Kali, whose
temple existed in the dense forest that covered Jakhu Hill in the
early 19th century. The English named it Simla. Shimla is well connected
by air, road and rail with all parts of Himachal Pradesh, and the
neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashimir and the
Union territory of Chandigarh. Covering the area of 18 sq. km. at
a height of 7,238 ft. Shimla is surrounded by pine, deodar, oak
and rhododendron forests. Its well developed facilities, easy accessibility
and numerous attractions make it one of Indian's most popular and
biggest hill-stations.
Day free to visit Shimla - The Mall
- The
Mall is the main shopping centre of Shimla. It also has many Restaurants,
Clubs, Banks, Bars, Post Offices,
Christ Church: Situated on the Ridge is Christ Church,
which is the second oldest church in Northern India. It has a very
majestic appearance and inside there are stained glass windows which
represent faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility.
Shimla State Museum : The Museum, which was opened in 1974,
has tried to project hill-out and the cultural wealth of the state.
There is a collection of miniature Pahari paintings, sculptures,
bronzes wood-carvings and also costumes, textiles and jewellery
of the region
DAY
09 : SHIMLA
Day excursion to
Kufri :
16 kms. from Shimla at a height of 8,600 ft. Kufri is the winter
sports capital. During winter, visitors have the facility for skiing.
The skiing season is at its best during January and February. Equipment
for sking is available from HPTDC winter sports club at Kufri. Apart
from skiing, Kufri is a lovely picnic spot with a beautiful view
of the hills around and the snowy peaks.
Further drive to Chail - is a little mountainous heaven 45
kms. from Shimla. It was the summer capital of the Maharaja of Patiala
before Independence. The forests near Chail have many species of
birds and deer. Chail is known for its cricket pitch, which is the
highest cricket ground in the world.
Return to Shimla in the evening.
DAY
10 : SHIMLA
Day at leisure.
Free for individual activities.
DAY
11 : SHIMLA - DELHI
After breakfast,
drive to Delhi. Arrive Delhi & check-in at your prebooked
Hotel
DAY 12 :
DEPART DELHI
Transfer to the airport to board
your flight for onward destination.
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