| |
|
Duration
: 13days
Destinations : Mumbai, Udaipur, Jaipur, Ranthambore,
Agra and Delhi
|
|
|
Day-01 Arrive Mumbai |
|
Arrive Mumbai. Met on arrival and transfer to Hotel
The Oberoi.
Located in the heart of Mumbai’s business district, this elegant
luxury hotel overlooking the Arabian Sea offers impeccable
service, understated luxury and excellent facilities including
an exclusive spa and fitness center by Banyan Tree. It is
the preferred hotel choice of discerning tourists and business
travelers and the perfect gateway to India.
Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay is the commercial
capital of India. Known as the "city that never sleeps",
Mumbai is a potpourri of cultures, customs and lifestyles.
This is a city that thrives on commerce at every level during
the day and lets its hair down unabashedly at night. Mumbai
is also home to the largest film industry in the country.
The city is dotted with a multitude of Victorian and Indian
architectural landmarks that add some charm.
Overnight in Mumbai
Click
to book this tour!! |
|
|
Day-02
In Mumbai |
Breakfast
at the hotel.
Half day city tour of Mumbai visiting :
Hanging Gardens
The Hanging Gardens or Ferozshah Mehta Gardens were laid in
1881 on top of a reservoir on Malabar Hill. The garden provides
a spectacular view of the city.
Mani Bhavan (Gandhi Memorial)
Mahatma Gandhi's residence in Bombay between 1917-34 has been
converted into a museum, which displays pictures and books
related to his life.
Gateway of India
The Gateway of India was built in 1924 to commemorate the
visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India. Built in the
16th century Gujarati style, the monument stood testament
to British supremacy. Ironically, it was from here that the
last British troops left the country after independence.
Marine Drive
Also known as Netaji Subhas Chandra Marg, Marine Drive features
a bustling waterfront promenade. Marine Drive is built on
land reclaimed along the Arabian coast, and runs from Nariman
point to the foot of Malabar Hill. Sunsets here are particularly
beautiful.
Prince of Wales Museum
Like the Gateway of India, this structure commemorates the
visit of King George V. The building is built in Indo Sarcenic
style and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. The central
hall features a huge dome which is believed to have been inspired
by the Gol Gumbaz. The museum, which opened in 1923, has an
impressive collection of artifacts from places such as Elephanta
Island, Jogeshwari Caves, and the Indus valley. There is a
large collection of terra-cotta figurines, ivory carvings,
statues, and miniatures
Overnight in Mumbai |
|
| Day-03
Fly Mumbai - Udaipur |
| Transfer
to airport in time to connect flight 9W-3301 for Udaipur at
0555 hrs. Arrive Udaipur at 0740 hrs. Met on arrival in Udaipur
and transfer to Hotel Udai Vilas.
The latest in the line of luxury hotels from the Oberoi Group,
the Udai Vilas is a truly outstanding hotel overlooking the
picturesque Lake Pichola and the City Palace. Udaivilâs
has been conceived as a splendid palace, wonderfully recreating
the romance of the past, representing the continuity of the
grand traditions of Mewar and yet completely in keeping with
the 21st century. The resort is spread over an expanse of
30 acres, and its carefully planned and executed design has
evolved as a seamless assimilation of spaces resembling the
old palaces. Courtyards and walkways, gently rippling water
bodies fountains and reflecting pools, and exquisitely landscaped
gardens, sculptures and frescoes, arches and domes, niches
and alcoves - the building lends itself to discovery and continual
surprise. Embellished by beautiful works of art and craft
from in and around the region, Udaivilâs is a vast canvas
with an almost lambent quality, changing with the light and
seasons and possessed of a sense of timelessness. The resort
has speciality restaurants serving fine Indian and international
cuisine. One of its special features is a world-class spa
and wellness centre offering a wide range of rejuvenating
and relaxing treatments.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Udaipur, was founded in 1567 by Maharana
Udai Singh, a descendant of the legendary Sisodias of Mewar.
Dotted with marble palaces, hibiscus - laden gardens and fountain
pavilions, Udaipur appeals to the imagination of poets and
painters, travellers and writers like no other city in the
country. The city's inherent romance and beauty and its remarkable
past redolent with episodes of heroism and splendor, continue
to enthrall the visitor even today. Udaipur, the City of Dawn,
looms up like a vision in white. Surrounded by hills and mountains
and set on the edge of three lakes which lead on to a fertile
plain - it is a truly enchanting city. Narrow streets lined
with vividly coloured stalls, gardens, temples and palaces
mirrored in the placid blue waters of Lake Pichola, add to
the magic of Udaipur
Overnight in Udaipur |
|
| Day-04
In Udaipur |
|
Breakfast at the hotel.
Half day city tour of Udaipur visiting:
City Palace: The imposing City Palace, towering
over the lake, is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan.
The main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum with
a large and varied collection of glass, porcelain figures
and miniature paintings.
Jagdish Temple: It is located only 150 mts
from the city palace is the famous Jagdish Temple. This fine
Indo-Aryan Temple was built by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1651
and enshrines a black stone image of Lord Vishnu as Jagannath,
Lord of the universe. A brass image of the Garuda is in a
shrine in front of the temple.
Saheliyon ki bari: The Saheliyon ki bari
or the garden of the Maids of Honour, is in the north of the
city. It is a small ornamental garden with fountains, stone
elephants and a delightful lotus pool.
Overnight in Udaipur.
Click
to book this tour!! |
|
| Day-05
Fly Udaipur - Jaipur |
| Breakfast
at the hotel.
Transfer to airport in time to connect flight 9W-3301 for
Jaipur at 0810 hrs. Arrive Jaipur at 0915 hrs. Met on arrival
in Jaipur and transfer to Hotel Raj Vilas.
Hotel Raj Vilas,set amidst 32 acres of lush gardens, orchards,
decorative pools and fountains, Raj Vilas provides a heaven
for the senses. Exemplary service comes together with harmoniously
appointed interiors to give you a taste of the gracious lifestyle
of legendary Rajput princes. In the elegant deluxe rooms with
four-poster beds and sunken marble baths, you will find yourself
engulfed in luxury. The central courtyard houses a World class
spa with steam rooms, saunas, Jacuzzis, plunge pools and a
gymnasium. The Hotel of course offers Indian and International
cuisine and a well stocked bar. A member of the Leading Hotels
of the World and Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Rajvilâs
is the perfect base from which to explore Jaipur's fascinating
and exotic history. The Raj Vilas has been the home for many
visiting dignatories and Heads of State, including President
Clinton recently and has won numerous awards from industry
publications like the Tatler and Conde Nast Traveller
Rest of the day at leisure.
Jaipur, the Pink City, was built as the former
capital of a princely state of the same name. The city was
founded in 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, the ruler of
Amber. In 1900 the population was only 160,000 people but
today the population is close to 3 million and as a result
the heart of the town, around the City Palace and the bazaars
is rather dirty and crumbling. There are however several sites
worth visiting and a full day should be set aside for touring
and shopping. An evening stroll in the bazaars provides not
only the opportunity to buy some lovely textiles, jewels and
everyday items but also the opportunity to study and photograph
the delightful old buildings of Jaipur. These are built of
pink stucco in imitation of sandstone and are highly decorative
Overnight in Jaipur
|
|
|
Day-06
In Jaipur |
|
Breakfast at the hotel
Full day city tour of Jaipur visiting:
The Amber Fort at Amber (11 Kms out of Jaipur on the
road to Delhi) is an example of Rajput architecture
and was commenced in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, a commander in
Emperor Akbar’s army and a member of his inner circle of nine
courtiers. The Fort as we see it today was completed in 1792
and over looks Maotha Lake. The climb to the fort is on gaily-bedecked
Elephants
Hawa Mahal, or the "Palace of Winds"
was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and forms
part of the City Palace, extending from the Zenana or women's
chambers. Its original intention was to allow royal ladies
to observe everyday life in the street below without being
seen. It has five stories and the side facing the street has
953 small windows. The breeze (hawa) which circulates through
these windows gives the palace its name, and keeps it cool.
The City Palace & Museum - In the heart
of the Jaipur, the City Palace is an imposing blend of traditional
Rajasthan and Mughal architecture. The vast palace complex
occupies one seventh of the walled city of Jaipur and was
originally built by Maharaja Jai Singh II. The complex is
divided into a series of courtyards, sprawling gardens and
buildings including several palatial structures. There are
lots of interesting objects and aspects to the Palace such
as the two largest silver vessels in the world (according
to the Guinness Book); the gateway Ridhi Sidhi Pol, with four
small doorways decorated with motifs depicting the four seasons
and graceful seven storey ‘Chandra Mahal', or the Moon Palace,
home to the present Maharaja of Jaipur.
Jantar Mantar, also known as, Yantra Mandir
is an equinoctial dial intended to measure the time of day,
correct to half a second, and declination of the Sun and the
other heavenly bodies. Maharaja Jai Singh II constructed two
of these massive solar dials after witnessing a heated debate
in the court of the Mughal Emperor. The Maharaja decided that
the nation needed to be educated on the subject of astronomy
and constructed an astronomical observatory in Delhi and then
Jaipur.
Overnight in Jaipur
|
|
|
Day-07
Drive Jaipur
– Ranthambore (180 kms/03 hrs) |
|
Breakfast at the hotel
Drive to Ranthambore. On arrival in Ranthambore check in at
Hotel Vanya Vilas.
Vanya Vilas in Ranthambore. Vanya vilas is India's first luxury
jungle camp and it is situated adjacent to the famous tiger
sanctuary of Ranthambore. Accommodation is in 25 luxury air-conditioned
tents, which are located to ensure maximum privacy. In true
Oberoi Vilas style, each tent has a large well-appointed marble
bathroom with freestanding, bathtub, separate shower stall
and double vanity. The resort area totals almost 20 acres
and yet only 5% is to be built upon, leaving space for the
many trees and extensive natural flora, ensuring the natural
beauty of the area is maintained.
Ranthambore, Near the town of Sawai Madhopur,
midway between Bharatpur and Kota lies the Ranthambore National
Park, one of the finest examples of the Project Tigers' conservations
efforts in India. The National Park covers an area of aprox.
1300 sq kms and is abundant with animal as well as bird life,
has a sytem of lakes and rivers hemmed in by steep high crags.
The terrain alternates between open bushland and fairly dense
forest and is peppered with ruined pavillions, chattris and
hides - the area was formerly the hunting preserve of the
Maharajas. There are good chances of tiger sightings here,
but even if you don't see a tiger, its worth a visit for the
scenery alone; in India its not often you get a chance to
see such a large area of virgin bush
Overnight in Ranthambore |
|
|
Day-08
In Ranthambore |
|
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning and Afternoon game rides into Ranthambore National
Park.
Overnight in Ranthambore |
|
|
Day-09
Drive Ranthambore – Agra (310 kms/06½ hrs) |
|
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to Agra. En-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri -- The deserted
capital of Emperor Akbar approximately 35 kms outside Agra.
Built in the 16th century, this city was abandoned 12 years
later due to a scarcity of water. The entire city of Red sand
stone (sand stone palaces and temples) is virtually intact
and a site worth seeing is the 54 m high main entrance --
The Buland Darwaza, The gate of victory constructed to commemorate
Akbar’s victory in Gujarat
On arrival in Agra check in at Hotel Amar Vilas.
Only 600 metres from the Taj Mahal stands the Oberoi Group's
new luxury resort, the Amarvilas. The classical architecture
of the hotel is complemented by the elaborate gardens, terraced
lawns, fountains, reflection pools and pavilions. The hotel
has been designed to give guests uninterrupted views of the
Taj Mahal from all rooms and suites. The lobby, restaurants,
bar and tea lounge also offer spectacular views of the world
famous monument. The décor and service spell the ultimate
in comfort and the luxurious spa offers non-clinical therapies.
Agra, is home to India's most famous landmark,
the Taj Mahal. Other than the Taj and the Agra Fort, built
by the Emperor Akbar in the 16th century, Agra is a fairly
unremarkable town, typical of the northern plains of India.
Overnight in Agra
|
|
|
Day-10
In Agra |
| Breakfast
at the hotel.
Half day sightseeing tour of Agra visiting:
Taj Mahal was constructed between 1631 and
1654. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned its construction
as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Legend
has it that her last wish to the Emperor was for a symbol
or a monument to their love. He kept his promise and built
her tomb, the Taj Mahal, in Agra. It took more than 20 years,
and most of the treasury, to finish it. Today, it stands as
the ultimate monument to love and homage to her beauty and
life.
Agra Fort is located about 2.5kms northwest
of the Taj Mahal and is a crescent shaped walled city, surrounded
by a moat and facing out over the Yamuna River. The perimeter
wall measures about 2.4kms and is built of red sandstone –
the Fort is also known as Lal Qila, the Red Fort. Construction
commenced in 1565 under the Emperor Akbar but it was his grandson,
Shah Jahan, who added more palatial accommodations. At the
end of his life, Shah Jahan was imprisoned in the fort by
his son Aurangzeb, a punishment which might not seem so harsh,
considering the palace luxury. It is rumored that Shah Jahan
died in Muasamman Burj, a tower with a marble balcony that
offers an excellent view of the Taj Mahal.
Itimad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb - The guide books
describe this tomb as a ‘jewel box’ in marble & it is
certainly one of the most beautiful burial places we have
ever seen. Dating to 1622, it is a combination of white marble,
coloured mosaic, stone inlay and lattice work and was built
by Nur Jahan (the Emperor Jehangir’s favourite wife) for her
father Itimad-ud-Dualah who was the Lord Treasurer of the
Mughal Empire before his death. This tomb is on the Eastern
side of the Yamuna River and crossing over the narrow bridge
is quite an adventure. If your stay in Agra is short &
the traffic is bad, your guide may not have time to include
this tomb in your touring. Be sure to discuss it with him
if you are very keen
Overnight in Agra
|
|
|
Day-11
Drive Agra – Delhi (220 kms/04 hrs) |
|
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi check in at Hotel
The Oberoi.
The Oberoi, New Delhi reflects the city’s spirit in a harmonious
blend of tradition and contemporary sophistication. Located
close to the city center near business, commercial and shopping
districts, the luxury hotel overlooks Delhi’s prestigious
Golf Club on one side and the heritage site of Humayun’s Tomb
on the other. Exquisite interiors, impeccable service and
fine cuisine combine to make this the Capital’s most graceful
and elegant hotel. The award winning hotel is ideal for business
travel or holidays to explore the cultural wonders of Delhi.
Delhi is the capital of India and its third
largest city. Delhi consists of two parts - New Delhi, the
city created in 1911 as the imperial capital of India by the
British and the Old Delhi, the Muslim capital of India between
the 17th and 19th centuries. In fact there have been at least
eight cities on the site of modern Delhi - the earliest known
settlement, Indraprastha, featured in the epic Mahabharata
over 3000 years ago. Though not always the capital, Delhi
has always been an important city in the northern region of
the subcontinent.
Overnight in Delhi |
|
|
Day-12
In Delhi |
|
Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day city tour of Old and New Delhi visiting :
Red Fort - derived from a Hindi word Lal
(meaning Red) and Quila (meaning Fort), is laid out along
the river Yamuna as an irregular octagon, surrounded by a
wall of about 2.4 kms in circumference and built of red sandstone.
Shah Jahan started construction of this massive fort in 1638
and it was completed in 1648.
Jama Masjid: In Old Delhi, an architectural
extravaganza of Shah Jahan, is the country's largest mosque
where thousands of Muslims offers prayers even today. It was
built in 1658.
Chandni Chowk (Silver Street): is the colourful
main street and shopping bazaar of Old Delhi and is today
one of the country's best known wholesale markets for textiles,
electronic goods and watches. The entire area was designed
by Jahanara Begum, Shah Jahan's favourite daughter and was
originally the home of well-to-do families.
Raj Ghat -- the cremation site of Mahatma
Gandhi
India Gate: This 42m high, free standing
arch was built in 1931. and was originally called All India
War Memorial in the memory of the 90,000 soldiers of the Indian
Army who died in World War I.
Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's House): is
the official residence of President of the country. Designed
by Lutyens, it was the official residence of the Viceroy when
the British ruled India.
Humayun's Tomb: Built by Haji Begum (widow
of the Emperor Humayun) in 1565 - 66, nine years after his
death.
Qutub Minar: This magnificent structure was
built by the Muslim King Qutab - ud - din Aibak in 1199 A.D.
The Minar is 72.5 mtrs high and its base is a mosque.
Bahai Temple - shaped like a lotus flower
and a proof of India's secularism
Overnight in Delhi |
|
|
Day-13
Depart Delhi |
|
Breakfast at the hotel.
Day at leisure until transfer to airport in time to connect
flight for onward destination. |
|
|
Tour Cost |
|
Cost valid for complete travel between 01 October' 07 and
15 April' 08 - Usd 4779 per person
Cost valid for complete travel between 01 May'08 and 30 June'08 - Usd 2882 per person
Domestic Air Fare : Usd 371 per person for the sectors
Mumbai/Udaipur/Jaipur in economy class |
| |
| *
Small supplements may apply for travel between 16th and 30th
November'2007 and during the month of February '2008. Chritmas
/ NYE supplements will apply for travel between 20th December
'2007 and 10th January'2008. |
| |
|
