Golden Triangle & Holy Ganges

Welcome to Incredible India! On your arrival at Indira Gandhi International airport meet our representative and transfer to your hotel. Time to relax after your journey.

After leisurely breakfast we will explore New Delhi, an area designed and built by the British in the 1920’s. Drive past the government buildings and diplomatic enclave along the broad and majestic Rajpath . Then proceed to Humayun’s tomb UNESCO world heritage site. The tomb was built by his widow, in 1569, 14 years after his death, at a cost of 1.5 million rupees. It was later used for the burial of various members of the ruling family and contains some 150 graves. It has aptly been described as the necropolis of the Mughal dynasty.

After lunch, visit to 17th century Old Delhi. Visit the Jama Mosque, the royal mosque built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in 1656. We will travel by bicycle rickshaw through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk, the spine of Old Delhi that houses the spice market and jeweler’s lane and then drive past Red Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Later visit Raj Ghat, the memorial site of Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation in 1948. In black marble, surrounded by lawn and with an eternal flame burning, Raj Ghat remembers the man who is known as the Father of India. Later we will proceed for our lunch.

After lunch we will visit the UNESCO world heritage site, Qutab Minar. Located in the district of South Delhi, this magnificent monument in red and buff sandstone is the highest tower in India. Built in the early 13th century, the surrounding archaeological area contains funerary buildings, notably the magnificent Alai-Darwaza Gate, the masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art (built in 1311), and two mosques, including the Quwwatu’l-Islam, the oldest in northern India, built of materials reused from some 20 Brahman temples.

You will take a short flight to the holy city of Varanasi, one of India’s most sacred cities and the religious capital of Hinduism and one of the oldest living cities in the world. Arrive and transfer to our hotel.

In the early evening we will take a close look at the banks of the Ganges to witness the cremation site and devotional ceremony of Aarti performed by thousands of devout Hindus. The incredible chanting of prayers fills the air as does the rhythmic drumming and sounds of bells from temples across the Holy Ganges.

A memorable day ahead as we leave early in the morning to board our boat for a ride along the Ganges to see the bathing Ghats (river bank) & cremation site.  We will watch the sunrise on the riverfront from a boat which can be a moving spiritual experience as you witness the worship and sites along the river. Life on the Ghats is bound by an endless string of rituals and the ever-changing aspects of the river and the wide landscapes throughout the area have fascinated visitors from all over the world. You will become entranced by the sights and sounds of those worshipping in this amazingly beautiful, mysterious, and ancient place. We will also visit Mother Teresa’s missionary before returning to the hotel for breakfast.

In the afternoon, we enjoy a guided excursion to Sarnath, a centre of Buddhist learning and the buried Buddhist city where Buddha preached his first sermon. After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, the Buddha went to Sarnath and it was here that he preached his first discourse in the deer park and set in motion the ‘Wheel of the Dharma’. It is one of the most holy sites because it is believed that in this place the stream of the Buddha’s teaching first flowed. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from the 16th century BC to the 12th century AD. Visit the ruins, the stupa, the Buddhist temple & the museum. See the Ashok Pillar at the museum with its four guardian lions, now the national emblem to acknowledge India’s independence.

After breakfast transfer to airport to board your flight for Agra. Meet and assist at Agra airport and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy your lunch after check in.

Afternoon at leisure, later in the evening enjoy a live show, a fascinating play that depicts the saga of love and a memorable journey into history of Taj Mahal. The drama portrays the Mughal era in the 16th century. It is series of plays depicting the true and immortal love of Shahjahan for Mumtaz Mahal, his beautiful wife; the lavish lifestyle of Mughal era; and the hardship of the artisans who worked for 22 years to create the most precious specimen of craftsmanship.  Dinner on your own.

Early Morning – We will start our day at sunrise with a visit to one of the most incredible monuments ever built in the world. The Taj Mahal is a monument of love built between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife. The Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the
world’s heritage. Breakfast at your hotel.

After leisurely breakfast visit Agra Fort, a UNESCO World heritage site with imposing walls of red sandstone. The fort is almost two miles long and contains palaces, audience halls and mosques.

In the late afternoon enjoy the sunset viewing of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh, an open space garden situated in between the Yamuna River.

fter breakfast – We leave for Jaipur. On our way we will visit Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569. This was the old capital of the Moghuls, 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 that are still preserved in their original glory. Later we will continue for lunch in Bharatpur at the heritage resort.

After Lunch – We will continue to Jaipur, the origin of Jaipur’s nickname becomes immediately apparent as we enter the old city walls and greet the pink-colored buildings that rise at every turn.  On our arrival we will immediately

After leisurely breakfast drive to Jaipur, The city of Jaipur owes its names, foundation and its careful planning to the great warrior, astronomer Maharaja Jai

Singh II. In 1727, with Mughal power on the wane, Jai Singh decided to move down from his hillside fortress at nearby Amber to a new site on the plains. He laid out the city, with its surrounding walls and six rectangular blocks, according to the principles of town planning set down in Shilpa Shastra, an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture. Upon arrival check in at your hotel. Remaining of the day at leisure.

n the morning, we visit the magnificent Amber Fort, situated in the outskirts of Jaipur, and we go up the hill riding on the back of an elephant. Later, we proceed for a city tour of the Hawa Mahal, the “Palace of the Winds.” It was built to allow the royal ladies of the palace to discretely watch the grand processions along the main street. Time for shopping, Jaipur is famous for textiles, carpets, block printing fabric and Jewelry.

After breakfast, we visit the City Palace Museum, which has a priceless collection of antiques, costumes and armory of the Mughals and Rajputs including swords of different shapes and sizes with chiseled handles. Then, we continue to the Jantar Mantar Observatory which was built in the early 1700s by Maharaja Jai Sing II, the great warrior-astronomer to which this city owes its name. We will have an overnight stay in Jaipur.

Later visit the famous Hindu Temple in Pink city dedicated to Lord Shiva. The queen of Jaipur got this splendid temple constructed in the memory of her son Jagat Singh between1599 A.D. to 1608 A.D. this temple is an excellent example of a palatial edifice built on a height. The locally available stone, white marble and black stone have been used as material of construction. What adds to the beauty of this grand creation is the depiction of trumpeting elephants and horses scenes from Puranas and pictorial depiction of characters as well as some social scenes drawn in a series on high.

After your leisurely breakfast drive from Jaipur international airport to board your flight form home.