Flight from the USA to India.

 

Assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel. Delhi, Capital City of independent India rewards the determined sightseer with more than a thousand monuments and two old capital buildings complexes-including the present seat of Government, designed by the British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. Cosmopolitan hotels, shopping, and fine restaurants abound. Delhi also offers a glimpse into the real India: the labyrinthine street bazaars of Old Delhi, and the temples and monuments of Indian’s chequered colonial past. In the deepest sense, from Old Delhi’s Red fort and Jama Masjid mosque to New Delhi’s chic art galleries and nightclubs, Delhi is profoundly Indian city.Turbaned shepherded still leads goats and sheep through ravines in Delhi’s remaining open fields and near the airport. In Delhi’s golf courses Mughal monuments share fairways with peacocks. Rajasthani women in bright coloured saris and men in dhoti (skirt like wrap) work with outdated tools in construction sites while executive work out in computerised equipment in health clubs. By day, you will see temples packed with devout, and by night, hotel discos are packed with affluent.  Delhi is a city on a move and gate way to India. Today rest of the day you will relax at the hotel.  Overnight stay at Hotel.

 

Full day sightseeing to discover the many faces of Delhi.Many cultural events take place here; the latest plays, classical Indian music and dance performances and sports. Delhi also has number of wonderful museums including the 4 National Museum, the Museum of Modern art, the Museum of Natural History and the Arts and Crafts Museum where artisans can be seen at work.

 

The Old Delhi or Shah Jahanabad, was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the first half of the 17th Century. This old city is a dense network of narrow alleys and tightly packed markets and houses. We visit from outside the largest of the Delhi’s monuments Red Fort, or Lal Qila, whose thick red sandstone walls, bulging with the turrets and bastions, rise above a wide dry moat in the Northeast corner of the original city of Sahanajanabad. Later we visit by Cycle-rickshaw Jama Masjid this is India’s largest mosque, designed by the eminent architect Shah Jahan, and built by a workforce of 5000 between 1644 and 1656. We also visit the Kinari Bazaar A colourful street set on Chandini Chowk, and connected to the main road by Dariba Kalan, “the street of incomparable pearl”, which is the centre for the jewellers. The shops in Kinari Bazaar overflow with bright wedding finery.The New Delhi - The modern area of Central New Delhi, with its wide tree-lined avenues and solid colonial buildings, has been the seat of the central government since 1931. At this hub the royal mall, Rajpath, runs from the palatial Rashtrapati Bhawan, in the east, to the India Gate war memorial, in the west.  Rashtrapati Bhavan is the former Viceregal Lodge, now the official residence of Indian’s President. It is the best example of Lutyen’s expansive, imperialist vision, built- of red sandstone in the India-Saracenic (eastern baroque) style.   It is a masterpiece of symmetry, discipline, silhouette and harmony. It was one irreverently described as ‘ a British matron in fancy dress). Covering 330 acres of Raisina Hill, it is a huge place. Northeast of the Viceroy’s house is the Council House, now Sansad Bhavan. Baker designed this and Lutyens suggested that it be circular (173 m diameter). We visit the foundations of Lal Kot, established in the eight century by the Tomara Rajputs, and developed in the 12th century by the Chauhans, the first monuments of Muslim India, now known as the Qutab Minar Complex, stands in the well tended grounds.Overnight stay at Hotel

 

 

After breakfast drive 5 hrs to Agra. On arrival Check into your Hotel.Later proceed for city sightseeing of Agra visiting Agra Fort and Taj Mahal at Sunset. Agra located on the banks of river Yamuna and once the capital of the region during the rule of great Emperor Akbar, has a great place in history.  The city achieved fame during the period of Mughal rule and today it is a major tourist destination. The historic city has three world heritage sites – Agra Fort, the beautiful Taj Mahal and the Fort at Fatehpur Sikri. Overnight stay at Hotel

After breakfast drive 5 hrs to Jaipur en route visiting the deserted town of Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri, now a world heritage site or Abhaneri Step wells, a fine example of rain water harvesting. Fatehpur Sikri– The great emperor Akbar wanted to shift his capital to Fatehpur Sikri and therefore built a majestic fort here and shifted his capital here. However due to the shortage of water, he ultimately moved his capital to Agra Fort. The abandoned site has a number of historical buildings. Abhaneriis a small village located approximately midway between Agra and Jaipur. The village is famous for its temple and amazing Step wells or 'Baoris' as they are known in the local dialect. The Village was earlier known as Abha nagri (Abha means brightness) but due to the mispronunciation, it has changed to Abhaneri. On arrival at Jaipur check into your hotel. Jaipur, or the City of Victory, was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Jaipur is a marvellous synthesis of architectural influences - Hindu, Jain, Mughal. It is a well planned city of yore, built from rose-coloured terra cotta.  - that has given it the name ‘Pink City’. The bazaars teem with people, camels, horses and a multitude of varied vehicles, while around them loom the magnificent palaces and buildings. Although most tourists visit Jaipur to view its grand monuments, nonetheless there are as many who come to shop. The list of things available is endless, but the more popular items on the agenda of a visitor to the city are jewellery, textiles and saris, goods made of marble, wood, stone, lac, clay, metal and leather. The city has, for long, been a traditional centre of the finest of jewellery bedecked with both precious and semi-precious stones, enamelling of gold in green, red and white, the favourite colours of the Mughals, which was introduced by Raja Man Singh. The city is known the world over for diamond and emerald cutting. Overnight stay at Hotel

 

After breakfast excursion to Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the region. Ascend the fort on an elephant. Later city sightseeing of Jaipur visiting City Palace and its museum, Jantar mantar – the observatory and Hawa Mahal – the palace of winds. Evening free time to explore the colourful streets and markets of Jaipur famous for textiles, handicrafts and jewellery. Overnight stay at hotel.

 

 

Departure Spend the morning at leisure. Later drive 4 to 5 hrs to Delhi international for your international flight to onward destination.

 

THIS PROGRAM MAY BE ALTERED TO FIT THE NEEDS OF YOUR GROUP

 

For more information about this program and prices email us at info@aviatours.net or call us during our office hours (weekdays 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM EST) at 1(800) 950-0747.