10 Days Golden Triangle Tour with Pushkar Jodhpur & Udaipur

Day 1: ARRIVE AT DELHI

DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: FULLDAY SIGHTSEEING OF DELHI

In the morning, have breakfast before starting your full-day tour of Old and New Delhi.

Start your adventure with Old Delhi, a formal capital of the Mughal Dynasty that boasts a plethora of breathtaking monuments.

We begin with a drive past to the massive Red Fort built, by Shah Jahan in 1648, before exploring the colorful Chandni Chowk market by cycle-rickshaw. You also visit the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi (Raj Ghat).

Shortly after, we will arrive in Jama Masjid. This is the largest mosque in India at the height of 40m where you are able to view Delhi from the minarets of this last architectural project of Shah Jahan.

Drive past Safdarjang’s tomb to visit the highest stone tower in India, the Qutab Minar, metallurgical marvel that has never rusted since its iron pillar shape was erected in 1199.

Later on, we will take you past the earliest example of Mughal architecture, the Tomb of Humayun.

Drive through New Delhi on the way to your hotel. New Delhi is a much more recent city and is also known as Lutyens’ Delhi

The city’s namesake, Edwin Lutyens, was a British architect who was largely responsible for designing the India Gate (a memorial to the martyrs of World War I), Rashtrapati Bhavan

(the Presidential House), the Secretariat, the Parliament House, and many other government buildings.

Stay overnight at the hotel.

Note: The Red Fort remains closed on Monday.

DAY 03: DELHI - AGRA

After breakfast – Check out from your hotel and set off for lovely drive to Agra. The journey will take around three hours.

Arrive at Agra and check in to your hotel before starting your sightseeing tour.

Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, had transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire.

In Agra, you will be caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, as well as the city’s irresistible charm. Unsurprisingly, modern Agra has held onto its Mughal heritage so that the modern city is blended with old and beautiful monuments.

Mid-morning, your discovery of historic Agra will begin with a visit to the red sandstone Agra Fort, built by the Mughal dynasty's greatest Emperor, Akbar, in 1565. A number of the fort’s beautiful palaces, mosques and gardens were built by his successors in later years. A few of the priceless examples of artisanship from the Mughal era include the exquisite Moti Masjid or Pearl Mosque, the Diwan-i-Khas, the Diwan-i-Am, the Jahangir Mahal and the Shish Mahal.

Afternoon – visit the Itmad-Ud-Daulah’s tomb, a beautiful mausoleum built by the Mughal Emperor Jehangir’s queen in 1628 as a memorial to her father. Many historians revere the mausoleum as the inspiration of the Taj Mahal, yet it still has an original beauty. It houses significant ‘Pietra Dura’ inlays, marble screens within a walled garden, and a view of the Yamuna River.

Later On, visit the magnificent Taj Mahal, a pristine white marble mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife – Mumtaz Mahal. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, it took 20,000 workers from neighboring Islamic countries, 22 years of ceaseless toil to create this exquisite white marble monument upon which peopled have waxed eloquent throughout the world. Experience a splendid sunset viewing of the Taj Mahal and the return to your hotel.

Stay overnight at the hotel.

Note: The Taj Mahal remains closed on Friday.

DAY 04: AGRA – FATEHPUR SIKRI - JAIPUR

Early morning, visit Mehtab Bagh (Mughal Garden) to view the Taj Mahal while the sun rise upon its massive bronze domes. This 500-year-old garden is located across from the Taj Mahal on the other side of the Yamuna River.

After breakfast – check out of the hotel and drive to Jaipur, which is about a five hours journey.

On the way, take a mini-excursion to Fatehpur Sikri. Akbar completed this red sandstone city in 1585 that still holds the mysterious tomb of Salim Chishti (the Muslim mystic who gave his blessings to Akbar for a son).

The Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai’s Palace, Birbal Bhavan and the uniquely checkered Pachisi Court are also original monuments from the Mughal Empire.

After the tour, resume your drive to Jaipur. When you arrive, check in to your hotel.

Jaipur: The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. Jaipur is popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.

Evening – You can either choose to enjoy your hotel this evening, or select from one of these two escorted excursions. You can visit the home of a Rajasthani Nobleman and enjoy a traditional dinner with members of the family, or you can enjoy a dinner and Rajasthani cultural show that includes regional dance, music and acrobatic performances

Stay overnight at the hotel.

DAY 05: JAIPUR

Make an 8 a.m. excursion to the Amber Fort & Palace so that you may ascend to its colossal red entrance on the back of a highly decorated elephant.

Raja Man Singh constructed the Amber Fort that is now regarded as a quintessential example of Rajput architecture as is the elaborate design of the Palace’s interior.

You will see the fort’s splendor with your own eyes when you walk down the hallways and chambers to see the luxurious and adorned ambiance of the palace.

In the afternoon, take a half-day tour of the Palace Complex. See the Jantar Mantar Observatory, a sanctuary of the astronomer king, Maharaja Jai Singh II. Nearby, the intriguing Palace of the Wind, the Hawa Mahal, was built in 1799 to allow ladies from the royal family to view the city and bazaar below in privacy.

Continue to the breathtaking Palace, a royal residence built in a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles.

The city’s Palace Complex holds several museums that contain impressive collections of miniature paintings, costumes, and armor. Between the art gallery and the armory, you will find the majestic Diwan-i-Khas—the hall of selective audience.

The Diwan-i-Khas is a marble-paved pavilion that puts on display massive silver vessels. The vessels, the world’s largest sterling silver object, used to be filled with royal drinking water from the River Ganga.

Stay overnight at the hotel.

DAY 06: JAIPUR - PUSHKAR

Morning - Check out from your hotel and drive to Pushkar. The journey will take around three hours.

Arrive at Pushkar and check in to your hotel.

PUSHKAR - Amongst the grandeur of Rajasthan, discover a unique gem - Pushkar. Lord Brahma - The creator of the world in a search for his abode on earth, performed the supremely spiritual VEDIC YAGNA at Pushkar. It is thus the site of the only Brahma Temple in the world. Blessed with cultural blends, it is the venue for the famous Pushkar Fair, with people coming from all over Asia to buy and sell cattle of breeds from across the world. A city of Pilgrimage from time immemorial with over 500 temples and Ghats Pushkar begets a legacy of timeless architectural heritage. Pushkar radiates an ambience of peace and spirituality that casts a lure to visit again and again. The Pushkar fair is amongst the largest cattle fairs in the world and amongst the oldest cities in India, with references in mythology and the Mahabharat. There are 52 bathing Ghats, which are linked to the lunar calendar, enclose the lake. Each Ghat has its own miraculous qualities and powers of healing and this city of temples has over 500 temples built over different eras with varied architectural styles. The rose garden of Rajasthan - the essence of the famous Pushkar rose is exported the world over.

Mid-morning - Spend the time visiting BRAHMA TEMPLE.

Afternoon- visit some of the many temples & Ghats, where pilgrims bathe in the sacred waters of the Lake.

Later on - we take on another form of travel, more suited to the desert, Camels! We take a camel safari atop the “ship of the desert” going through sandy ravines, local villages where we can absorb the harsh yet colorful landscape of the Thar Desert. Our safari concludes in a tent camp. After sunset, we can enjoy a clear view of the star-lit night sky Dinner & overnight at tent-camp in Pushkar.

Stay overnight at the Tent.

DAY 07: PUSHKAR – JODHPUR

After Breakfast - Check out of your hotel in the morning and proceed on a five hours drive to Jodhpur: Set at the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the Ramayana. The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above the plains. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions.

Afternoon, start your city tour - The tour begins with a visit to The Mehrangarh Fort. This formidable hilltop fort is the one of the most impressive in Rajasthan. Many gates lead into the Fort and the main gate is the "Lahapol", with a huge iron gate. At the side of this gate there are 15 hand prints, the "Sati Marks" of Maharaja Man Singh’s widows, who threw themselves upon his funeral pyre in 1843 when the Fort was besieged. Inside the fort, visit the palaces Moti Mahal or "Pearl Palace", the Sukh Mahal or "Pleasure Palace" and the Phool Mahal or "Flower Palace". The tour also includes a visit to the "Jaswant Thada", a marble cenotaph built in 1899 as a memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.

Stay overnight at the hotel.

DAY 08: JODHPUR – RANAKPUR - UDAIPUR

After Breakfast - Check out of your hotel in the morning and proceed on a drive to Udaipur: City of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure lake, hemmed in by the lush hills of the Aravallis. A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences and inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers.

Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic past, epitomizing valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the Lake Pichhola is an enticing sight.

On the way Stop at Ranakpur for a tour, Tour the famous 15th Century Jain Temples, located 90 km's north of Udaipur. The temples 29 halls are supported by 1444 intricately carved pillars, and no two are of the same design. There is an abundance of exquisite sculptures and friezes.

After the tour, resume your drive to Udaipur. Arrive at Udaipur and check in to the hotel.

Stay overnight at the hotel.

DAY 09: UDAIPUR

After breakfast - Proceed for a city tour, including a tour of the City Palace. At this Palace complex, explore the gorgeous rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, windows with colored glass, inlaid marble balconies and the peacock courtyard. You walk through the Crystal Gallery which has an amazing collection of exquisite Crystal (including complete bedroom furniture set in crystal, discovered recently in a store room in the palace). Visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-bari gardens and the local Museum after the Palace tour.

Later on – Boat ride on Lake Pichola and visit Jag Mandir.

Enjoy Cultural show at Bagore Ki Haveli, An old building built right on the waterfront of Lake Pichola at Gangori Ghat. The palace has over a hundred rooms, with displays of costumes and modern art. The building has a large and exquisite collection of Mewar painting and glassworks. In the evening, the haveli lightens and stages enjoyable performance of traditional dance and music of Rajasthan. These performances are most sought among the foreigners, and you can find a large gathering in the evening. Here, you can also see the movement of puppeteer during the puppet show, which is a very unique experience. It gives you an exact idea that how puppets move with the movement of the palm and fingers of the puppeteer. The haveli looks marvelous with glowing lights in the night.

Stay overnight at the hotel.

Udaipur is famous for its artists and paintings, including exquisite miniatures.

DAY 08: UDAIPUR – DELHI - ONWARD DESTINATION

After breakfast - Check out from your hotel and drive to Udaipur airport and board your flight to Delhi connects flight to onward destination.

You can use the remaining few hours you have to do some last minute sightseeing or shopping. We can make suggestions based on your interests.

Your vehicle and driver stay with you until your assisted check in at the airport.

Our services end at Udaipur airport.

INCLUSIONS:
• 07 nights stay at the hotels on entire trip.
• Hotel accommodation on double occupancy basis.
• All transfers and sightseeing by your personal A/C SUV.
• Breakfast at the hotels.
• Breakfast & Dinner at Pushkar during Tent Stay.
• All other meals as specified.
• Dinner at a Rajasthani Nobleman’s Family Home OR a Rajasthani Cultural Show and Dinner.
• Rickshaw Ride through Delhi’s Chandni Chowk.
• Horse drawn carriage ride to the Taj Mahal in Agra.
• Personal Elephant ride (per couple - jeep option available) up the ramparts of Amber Palace in Jaipur.
• Boat ride on Lake Pichola in Udaipur.
• English Speaking tour guide as per the itinerary.
• A local cultural show at Baghore – Ki – Haveli in Udaipur.
• Services of an English speaking driver as per the itinerary.
• Bottled mineral water for sightseeing/excursions and long drives.
• Representative for assistance on all arrival and departure transfers.
• 24 X 7 assistance throughout the journey.
• Fuel Charges.
• Driver Allowance.
• Toll Tax & Parking.
• All currently applicable taxes.
  
  NOT INCLUDED:
• Any personal expenses such as tips, laundry and drinks.
• Any extra meals (other than those specifically laid down).
• Personal Travel Insurance, visa etc.
• Entrance fees to monuments.
• Camera fees (both still and video).
• International flight tickets.
• Miscellaneous.