Historical The India

After breakfast in the hotel, you will proceed for the combined sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi.

The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. You will than proceed to the Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques and which is viewed from the outside. It was made across the road from the Red Fort. The mosque has the capacity to hold as many as 25,000 devotees. People stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet.

From here you will board cycle rickshaws on a journey through impossibly small laneways and alleys in the area around Chandni Chowck (silver street), one of the oldest market areas in India and certainly one of the busiest.

The cycle rickshaw will take you to the biggest spice market called Khari Baoli– a street in Delhi which is Asia's largest wholesale spice market selling all kinds of spices, nuts, herbs and food products like rice and tea.

In the afternoon you will be driven to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind.

The tour of Imperial Delhi will start with a drive past to the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President’s residence (all these 03 places by driving past).

You will then proceed to visit Gurdwara Bangla Sahib - the most prominent Sikh house of worship. The eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan resided during his stay in Delhi. During that time, there was a smallpox and cholera epidemic, and Guru Har Krishan helped the suffering by giving aid and fresh water from the well at this house. The water is now revered as having healing properties and is taken by Sikhs throughout the world back to their homes. The grounds include the temple, a kitchen, a large pond etc. Visit the community kitchen – that welcomes thousands of people every day regardless of caste, creed, religion or race and offers them a free meal or Langar. The men and women volunteer and cook for thousands, two meals a day and seven times a week. At the Gurdwara, visitors are reminded to cover their hair and not to wear shoes. Head scarves and a shoe-minding service can be found inside the compound and are available free of charge.

Your last stop will be Qutub Minar, which is the tallest stone tower in India.  The Qutub Minar was started in 1199 AD by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak and completed by the sultan's successor and son-in-law, Iltutmish. The building is 72.5 m high and has 379 steps from the bottom to the top. The Minar is tapering with the diameter of the base is 14.3 m while at the top floor it is2.7 m.  The Qutub Minar is still the highest stone tower as well as one of the finest Islamic structures ever raised in India.

Return to your hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast in the hotel, you will be driven from Delhi to Agra (204 Kms/ 04.30 Hrs)

Agra in terms of ambiance is still associated with its Mughal period. The Mughals besides being great rulers were also great builders and they preserved their best architectural wonders for Agra & its neighborhood.  It has many wonderful monuments and the Taj Mahal, the greatest of them all, is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture at its best.  The massive but elegant Agra Fort, the delicate artistry of Itimad-ud-daulah’s tomb, the magnificent Taj and Akbar’s deserted capital, Fatehpur Sikri, are each unique and outstanding.

Upon arrival at Agra proceed to check in at your hotel

In the afternoon you will proceed for the sightseeing tour of Agra.

The tour will start with a visit to Taj Mahal (remains closed on Fridays)

The Taj Mahal is everything that has been said about it and more. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in mid-17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Though the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, it is the close-up marble inlay work, which is really astounding. You will have ample time to view and be mesmerized by this outstanding piece of architecture.

You will then proceed to visit Agra Fort - the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule and administration and the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River. Shah Jehan added the impressive quarters and the mosque while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. Visit its Hall of Public Audience and its Royal Pavilions.

Return to your hotel

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast in the hotel, you will be driven from Agra to Jaipur (240 Kms/ 05 ½ hours) enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri is the deserted red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) was the capital of the Mughal Empire for only some 10 years. It was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry, and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago.  It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed. Upon arrival visit the Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal and Jodhabai Palace etc

Continue your drive to Jaipur

Rajasthan’s kingdoms are an enduring legacy to India’s history. A land endowed with invincible forts, magnificent palaces ad waves of sand dunes and serene lakes. No other region in the country assembles the many paradoxes of India, as does the desert land of Rajasthan. By far it is the most colourful region in India. Jaipur's past is never too far from hand. The city of victory, Jaipur presides over the fascinating desert state and its people: surrounded by rugged hills, each crowned by a formidable fort; and beautiful palaces, mansions and gardens dotted throughout its precincts. The palaces and forts of yesteryear that were witness to royal processions and splendour are now living monuments, accepted quite naturally into the lifestyles of the people of the "pink city".

Upon arrival at Jaipur proceed to check in at your hotel

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven just outside Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort enroute stopping for photo stop at `Palace of Winds’, otherwise known as Hawa Mahal. It is really an elaborate facade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below. It is extremely intricate in its pink sandstone carving. The cool wind blows through its facade of windows and latticed screens through which the queens of the court once viewed the streets of the city.

Continue your drive to Amber.

An elephant /Jeep will spare you the trouble of reaching up to the fortress (Elephant ride is subject to availability).

Once on top you will stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many mirrors, lighting up the room.

In the afternoon you will proceed for the sightseeing tour of Jaipur city. Among the highlights to be seen while touring Jaipur include the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art, and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armoury, costumes, carpets, and miniature paintings. Walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur, built in 1726 and is one of the five such astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions even to this day.

Return to your hotel

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast in the hotel, you will be driven from Jaipur to Jodhpur (335 Kms / 07 Hours) enroute visiting Pushkar

The village of Pushkar lies on the edge of the desert. At its heart is one of India’s most sacred lakes. There are 52 ghats around the lake, and numerous temples. The Brahma temple, especially, attracts pilgrims all year round. Apart from its religious significance, Pushkar is known for its Cattle and Camel fair held every year in the month of Kartik (October/November), which attracts visitors in their thousands.

Upon arrival at Pushkar visit the Brahma Temple – the only temple of Lord Brahma and Pushkar lake ghats to the rituals happening etc

Continue your drive to Jodhpur.

Jodhpur looks out over the desert to the West and the massive fort, topping a sheer rocky hill, which rises right in the middle of the town, totally dominates the city. The old city of Jodhpur is surrounded by a wall 10km long, which was built about a century after the city was founded. From the fort you can clearly see where the old city ends and the new begins. The old city is fascinating jungle of winding streets of great interest to wander around. Eight gates lead out from the walled city. It’s one of the more interesting cities in India and those baggy-tight horse-riding trousers, jodhpurs, took their name from this locale.

Upon arrival at the hotel proceed to check in at your room.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast in the hotel, you will proceed for the sightseeing tour of Jodhpur visiting Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada & Umaid Bhawan Palace.

You will first visit the Mehrangarh Fort (citadel of the Sun) that evokes the very spirit of the Rathores, the ruling local Rajput clan. Visit its various palaces with their delicate friezes and respective museums, displaying treasures of the royal family. Within the fort, several brilliantly crafted and decorated palaces are found. Of these, Moti Mahal Palace (Pearl Palace), Phool Mahal (Flower Palace), and Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) are notable. North of Mehrangarh Fort, and connected to it by road, Jaswant Thada is a pillared marble memorial to the popular ruler Jaswant Singh II (1878-95), who purged Jodhpur of dacoits, initiated irrigation systems and boosted the economy. This south-facing spot is also the best place from which to photograph the fort, looming above the sheer rocky Mehrangarh plateau.

You will also visit Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum - is the last of the great palaces of India and one of the largest residences in the world. Designed by famed Edwardian architect Henry Lanchester, the golden-yellow sandstone monument was conceived on a grand scale, in fashionable art deco style, and took 15 years to complete.

Return to your hotel

Remainder of the day is at leisure

Optional: Bishnoi Village visit @ USD 15 Per Person

In the afternoon you will proceed for the Bishnoi Village. Visit The Bishnois, the conservationist, and wealthy community of pure vegetarians who are orthodox and observe principles laid by their enlightened Guru JAMBHOJI.  The Rural community surviving for the past five centuries is still known internationally for protecting endangered species of animals and plants by humans and till date making it impossible for the poachers to kill any animal for pleasure.

In the villages to see local handicrafts like shoemakers, pottery, hand weaving and men in their traditional attire, women clad with ancestral jewelry, enroute watch and photograph wildlife Black Buck, Chinkaras, Peacocks, etc. freely moving in abundance protected by `Bishnois’ the protectors of wildlife and trees.

Return to your hotel

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast in the hotel, you will be driven from Jodhpur to Udaipur (259 KMS / 7 hours) visiting Ranakpur enroute.

Ranakpur Jain Temples, an exceptionally beautiful excursion through the rugged, wooded hills of Rajasthan to the Jain Temples of Ranakpur in the Aravalli Valley, to see one of the best complexes of Jain religion, which is particularly noted for the grandiose scale of its architecture and the highly decorated ceilings, walls and 1444 different pillars. The priests of the temples did all the temple designing and their generations are still continuing the work.

Continue your drive to Udaipur enroute visiting Eklingji and Nagda. Eklingji is a religious Complex Northern region of Mewar (22 Kms). It houses 108 temples chiseled out of sandstone and marble, this temple of Eklingji was built in 734 AD. The ancient capital of Mewar - Nagda now only has the ruins of some Vishnu, Shiva and Jain temples to prove that it wasn’t behind when speaking of architecture. The most important temples that have survived the test of time are the Sas-Bahu pair and are said to be as old as eleventh century.

Rajasthan is romantic with tales of valor and chivalry, and a history that brings to life forts and palaces and court intrigues. But Udaipur is different - an interlude for the diehard romantics. A splash of colour in colourful Rajasthan that's brighter, tinged with the tones of local legends and lures.  Here are lakes that come as a surprise in sandy Rajasthan, and forested hills where wildlife still abounds. And in the lakes or by their edges are palaces straight out of fairy tales, each more beautiful than the other. For in Udaipur the past lives and breathes with the present.

Upon arrival in Udaipur proceed to check in at your hotel

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast in the hotel, you will proceed to the sightseeing tour of Udaipur city

First on your sightseeing tour you will proceed for a tour of the City Palace, which overlooks the Lake Pichola. The City Palace was built in 1725 of granite and marble with filigreed balconies, ornate windows and craftsmanship in glass. The royal palace walls stretch over a mile on the eastern side of the lake. Within the palace is a maze of courtyards, apartments and decorated halls. The rooms are covered with frescoes, displays of royal processions, stone and glass mosaics and ornamental doors and painted windows. The marble throne in the coronation rooms was last used during the time Maharana Sangram Singh II (1710-30) and nearby is the Sun Window installed by Maharaja Bhim Singh (1778-1828).  This is the divine symbol of the house of Mewar, which traces its lineage to the Surya Vansha, descendants of the Sun. Each palace within is an outstanding creation of art. Visit the museums and the hall of public audiences, the private chambers of the royal ladies at the palace and Sahelion-ki-Badi.

In the late afternoon you will enjoy common boat ride* (subject to enough water level in the lake. In case no boats ride due to low water level we will provide a visit to Crystal Gallery) on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. The beautiful Lake Pichola was enlarged by Maharana Udai Singh after he founded the city. The city palace extends a considerable distance along the east bank of the lake.

From the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. One would get an interesting view of the Dhobi (laundry) ghats. You will also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - a lovely island palace in the middle of the lake.

Return to your hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

After early breakfast at hotel in time a Distinct Destination representative will meet you at the hotel lobby & transfer you to airport to board flight to Mumbai.

Departure: Udaipur                            at:                   By: Flight

Arrive: Mumbai                                   at:

Bombay, or Mumbai, is the capital of Maharashtra and the economic powerhouse of India. It’s the fastest moving, most affluent and the most industrialized city in India. Yet, once upon a time, Bombay was nothing more than a group of low-lying, swampy and malarial mud flats presented to the British by its Portuguese occupiers as a wedding gift in 1661.

Upon arrival at Mumbai airport, a Distinct Destination representative will receive you following that you will be taken to the sightseeing tour of Mumbai city.

The tour will start with a photo-stop at Dhobi Ghats a huge open-air laundry, which makes an interesting viewing. Continue your drive to Mani Bhawan (Gandhi Memorial), the house where the Father of the Nation stayed on his early visits to the city. The room, in which Gandhi stayed, preserved as it was, and the scenes of Gandhi’s life in photographs and models are of special interest.  You will than driven to Malabar Hill (drive past) via the Tower of Silence (drive past)- a round stone construction on which Parsis place their dead to be eaten by the vultures and Hanging Gardens which is built over Bombay’s reservoir. You will be then driven along Marine Drive, the sea - Front Boulevard. It is also known as the Queen’s Necklace as in the evening, the breeze from the Arabian Sea comes over Marine Drive and as the streetlights on this U-shaped road light up, the view from south Bombay’s skyscrapers or from the exclusive residential area, is that of a Queen’s Necklace.

You will have a photo-stop at Victoria Terminus which is now known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. This magnificent building was constructed for a period of 10 years. The construction work started in 1878 and was completed in the year 1888. Victoria Terminus is undoubtedly the Raj's piece de resistance, Complete with carved stone friezes, stained glass windows and flying buttresses.

You will drive-past Rajabai Tower that is situated within the premises of the Fort campus of the Mumbai University. It is basically a clock tower that rises to a height of 85 m (280 ft.) and houses the University Library. The top of the cupola is ornamented with sixteen statues depicting various Indian castes.

You next stop will be Gateway of India – a major landmark of Bombay, which, was before the advent of air travel, the only gateway to India. It was built to commemorate the visit of King George and Queen Mary to India.

During the tour you will also visit the Crawford Market. South Mumbai’s most famous wholesale market, Crawford Market came into being as a food and vegetable mart way back in 1869. Today it’s a repository of everything from spices, condiments, imported food items to souvenirs. Many big restaurants in Mumbai source their ingredients from here, primarily for the wholesale rates and international quality of products. Although, not the only wholesale market of Mumbai, this place still gives the best deals compared to location shops and other places in western and central suburbs. Fun of purchasing with cheaper deals and more options to select from is what this market is known for apart from its Heritage iconic looks.

After the sightseeing tour, you will be transferred to an airport.

Later in time a Distinct Destination representative will meet you and transfer you to international airport to board your flight for back home.

Today in time you will board your flight to onward destination