Northern India Cultural Discovery

Arrive Delhi and check into hotel. This afternoon we include a city tour of the sights of New Delhi. The Indian capital has long been a phoenix rising again and again out of its own ruins. New Delhi was the creation of the British Raj of the 30’s and includes the Lok Sabha (Parliament), India Gate, the Rajpath, Qutb Minar and, Humayun’s Tomb. Please note: due to the traffic in Delhi and the day getting dark earlier at certain times of the tour we may have to continue this sight seeing on day 2 of the tour.

Overnight Standard Hotel

Compared to New Delhi the Old City is much closer to the image conjured up by Rudyard Kipling. This morning we include a guided visit to Old Delhi by metro and on foot with its hub at Chandni Chowk Bazaar, a jamboree of deafening barter. A short cycle rickshaw ride then takes us to the Jami Masjid mosque. There will be an opportunity for some free time in Old Delhi before our long afternoon drive to Agra (approximately 5 hours).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We visit the Taj Mahal, the world’s most perfect and poetic building, at sunrise. Over 300 years have elapsed since its construction, yet it stands today unscarred by age, its beauty and symmetry seemingly beyond man, time and space. Created by Shah Jahan as a funerary monument to his favourite wife, Mumtaz, it took 22 years to build (1630-52). The Great Moghul lies beside his beloved under the white marble dome. Inlaid with precious gems, the building cost a fortune and later Shah Jahan moved his capital to Delhi before being overthrown by his son, Aurangzeb. We’ll also visit the Agra Fort, built by Akbar the Great, which contains the incomparable Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque). Rest of the day is free in Agra and you may choose to visit the “Babt Taj” on the east bank of the river or re-visit the Taj (optional).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We continue our journey west and soon come upon the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. Founded in 1569 and abandoned scarcely 16 years later, it is a perfectly intact example of Akbar’s imperial court. Among the many noteworthy buildings is the 5-storied Panch Mahal, probably a pleasure pavilion for the ladies of the harem. In the centre of the courtyard is the Pachisi Board where the emperor played a game like chess with dancing slave girls as pieces. Perhaps the finest structure of all is the lotus shaped carved central pillar of the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), its extraordinary capital supporting a vaulted roof. Later in the afternoon we reach the Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur. Formerly a royal duck-shooting reserve and now an ornithologist’s paradise, the park is best visited either at dusk or dawn. Covering 12 square miles, some 7000 acres are under water: the lakes and marshlands offer a safe habitat for large numbers of breeding waterbirds and migrants. More than 300 species have been sighted, among them herons, storks, geese and the huge and rare Siberian crane.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Bharatpur we continue to Karauli via Mahuwa and Hindaun. Karauli is a holy town famous for the pale red sandstone wall which surrounds it. Earlier called Kalyanpuri, after the local deity Kalyanji, Karauli was founded in 1348 AD and was strongly fortified by its rulers. Legend has it that the ruling family were descendants of Lord Krishna, one of the most loved gods of Hindu mythology. After arriving and checking into our hotel, we hope to be able to ride on carts drawn by camels from our hotel to the 600 year old fort which forms the imposing highlight of this town. Used as a residence by the royal family until 1950, the fort has now been abandoned by them. There are a good number of monkeys and geese in the fort. It is said that geese have been here since the days when they were used as a warning system against any intruders. We will visit the fort and, if time allows, we may also be able to explore other points of interest in the town such as the Madan Mohanji Temple. Karauli plays host to a large cattle fair in February and 2 famous religious festivals – one at the beginning of April and the other at the beginning of October.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we will make an early start and head to Jaipur via Gangapur and Dausa. Sometimes called the Pink City, Jaipur was first painted terracotta pink by Maharajah Sawai Ram Singh to celebrate the visit of Prince Albert in 1853. On arrival, we’ll take a sightseeing tour including a visit to the lavish and well preserved City Palace with its fine collection of textiles, costumes and armoury. Jai Singh, the great Maharajah-astronomer, built his extraordinary (and very accurate) star-gazing Observatory (Jantra) here and we will also have time to visit it this afternoon. The Old City has several fine gates set into the pink walls, and there are many chances for photos and shopping.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we will visit the Palace of the Winds, a 5-storied facade (built about 1760) which has been the subject of countless Indian posters. Afterwards, we will drive to the Amber Fort. This impressive hilltop fortress possesses what must be the world’s finest Chamber of Mirrors and affords glorious views of the surrounding plains.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

The tour ends this morning after breakfast.

Included meals: Breakfast