India – Monumental and Mystical

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 leisurely breakfast, you will be driven from Jaipur to Delhi enroute visiting Neemrana Fort – Palace, a 15^th century old medieval Fort-Palace

Built since 1464, abandoned in 1947, acquired in 1986, this splendid ruin restored into an exquisite resort near Delhi, opened in 1991. Today it is a premiere Heritage Hotel in India. Neemrana Fort Palace takes a lot of pride in being a premier heritage hotel of Rajasthan as also a unique hotel of India. Special care has been taken to ensure that these time-honored structures are restored and preserved with authenticity to take you back to the medieval times.

In the late afternoon continue your drive from Neemrana to Delhi.

Overnight at the hotel.

In time transfer to airport to board flight to Amritsar. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. An evening visit to Golden Temple to see Palaki Sahib Ceremony of bringing down the Guru Granth Sahib in the palki - a gold and silver palanquin.

Overnight at the hotel.

Morning after breakfast proceed for half day sightseeing takes you to the Golden Temple - the sacred Sikh sanctuary spread out in a vast complex around a huge water tank during which stands a marble sanctum where the holy book of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth is reverently placed. The roof of the sanctum is gold-leafed. The community kitchen provides free meals to up to 10,000 pilgrims or visitors in a day. And walk by the busy bazaars of the city, visit the historic Jallianwalah Bagh where General Dyers bullets killed hundreds of innocent Indians. Later visit the Durgiana Hindu temple which looks like a replica of the golden temple.

Late afternoon excursion to Wagah Border - One of the many nearby places to visit from Amritsar is the Wagah Border. Located on the Indo-Pakistan border, Wagah is 28 kilometres from the Amritsar main town. A good number of visitors come to this place to see the change of guard’s ceremony and the flag hoisting and lowering activities which are done with great skill and precision by the border security forces of both the countries.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast in the hotel in time you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight to Delhi:

Departure: Amritsar                           at:                                           By: Flight

Arrive: Delhi                                       at:

Upon arrival at Delhi a Distinct Destination representative will receive you following that you will proceed to visit Akshardham Temple (remains closed on Mondays).

Akshardham Temple - the pink sandstone and white marble complex which is built on the bank of the Yamuna River. The temple is 141 feet high wherein the main temple dome rises majestically over the two-storied sandstone colonnade of 1,160 pillars that encircles it from three sides. There are 73 richly patterned and 63 partially carved pillars. Spread across a 23-acres, this complex is flooded with shrines, sculptures, parks, lakes and rides. Note: Any metal items, cell phone, battery, leather items, camera, tobacco items etc. are not allowed inside the temple complex

If time permits, you will explore the local bazaar for the last-minute shopping etc

Later in time you will be transferred to an airport.

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

Special note: No accommodation has been envisaged in Delhi on this day.

Today in time you will board your flight to onward destination.