Essential India &
Goa
Duration – 11 Days
Destinations: - This
golden triangle tour in India includes Delhi, Agra,
Jaipur, Goa,
Mumbai
Day 01: - Arrive Delhi,
India
Arrive at Delhi International Airport.
Starting off with our
golden triangle tour in India
first visit Delhi - A bustling metropolis and a city of 14
million inhabitants, is also India’s capital. A near
perfect blend of the ancient and the modern, Delhi, consisting
two parts Old & New Delhi, is a city with something for
everyone. From Forts and monuments that are almost 500 years
old, to modern shopping malls, nightclubs and golf courses,
Delhi truly is India’s crown jewel.
Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you are met by our
representative who will present you with a welcome pack including
all necessary documentation and arrange for your transfer
to your hotel for check-in. No activity is scheduled today,
since most of the International flights arrive into India
close to midnight only. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Delhi
This morning you are collected from your hotel for full day
tour of Old and New Delhi.
The tour of the 17th-century old city includes the great mosque of Jama Masjid, The main street of Old Delhi is the colorful shopping bazaar known as Chandni Chowk (“Moonlit Street”). Red Fort, most spectacular pieces of mughal architecture, built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648. Drive past Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.
The tour of New Delhi includes Qutab Minar, one of the most popular landmarks in Delhi built in 1199. The Humayun's Tomb, the precursor of the Taj Mahal. Drive down the spectacular Rajpath (“the Kingsway,”) passing the India Gate (the memorial built to commemorate the unknown soldiers,) the President’s House, and the House of Parliament. Enjoy a brief respite from the otherwise bustling city at Birla Mandir, a modern and colourful Hindu temple.
Evening at leisure to perhaps venture out and discover the
city or its many restaurants on your own. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Delhi - Agra
This morning you drive to Agra (220kms/4 hrs.).
Agra - “The Land of Taj” was once the capital
of the Mughal Empire and even today it seems to linger in
the past. Not surprising, for the Mughal emperors with their
passion for building, endowed the city with some of the finest
structures in the world. Agra is an old city and it is said
that its name was derived from Agrabana, a forest that’s
finds mention in the epic Mahabharata. In more recent times
Agra came into prominence when Sikandar Lodi made it his capital
city in 1501. Later it passed into the possession of the Mughals.
It was during the time of the third emperor “Akbar”
that Agra came into its own and later on his grandson “Shah
Jehan” ornamented the city with that masterpiece of
Mughal architecture - The Taj Mahal.
Upon arrival in Agra, check in to your hotel. Afternoon,
you are collected from your hotel for half day tour of Agra
visiting The Taj Mahal - a poem, a feeling of love, in white
marble, is a fine example of the fusion of many architectural
styles. It has been described as the most extravagant monument
ever built for love. Your tour also includes a visit to the
Red Sandstone Agra Fort, seat of the Mughal dynasty in the
16th century, lies on the bend of the River Yamuna, almost
in the heart of town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the
years of 1565-1573.
Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Agra – Jaipur
This morning you drive to Jaipur (250 kms/05 hrs.), visiting
Fatehpur Sikri en-route – often called the ghost city
, built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century to serve as
the capital of his vast empire, Fatehpur Sikri was mysteriously
abandoned 13 years later. Later continue your drive to the
Pink City of Rajasthan – Jaipur.
Jaipur - Jaipur is an exuberance of colour, dance, and song
with the traditional arts and crafts. It's one of India's
most well planned cities, with wide, straight avenues, roads,
streets and lanes in a grid system. The great warrior/astronomer
Maharaja Jai Singh II carefully planned Jaipur's foundation.
Laid out in the 18th century, its design followed specifications
from an epochal Hindu treatise on architecture.
This "Pink City," so called because its buildings
are painted in the tones of an autumnal sunset, intersperses
the play of red and pink with white borders and motifs. The
royal family's residence at Amber is only 11 km away. The
palaces and forts of yesteryear, once witness to royal processions,
now shine amid the splendor of modern monuments, juxtaposition
accepted quite naturally into the lifestyles of an amazing
people.
Upon arrival in Jaipur, check in to your hotel and rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Jaipur
This morning, you are collected from your hotel for a city
tour of Jaipur.
Visit the Hawa Mahal or "Palace of Winds,” one
of the major landmarks of Jaipur, although it is actually
little more than a façade. The five-story building
was originally built to enable the ladies of the royal household
to watch the everyday life and processions of the city.
The City Palace, located in the heart of the old city, is
a large complex of courtyards, buildings, and gardens, and
also houses an interesting museum.
Adjacent to the City Palace is Jantar Mantar, the ancient
astronomical observatory built by Raja Jai Singh, whose passion
for astronomy was even more notable than his prowess as a
warrior.
Your tour also includes a visit to the Amber fort, situated
on the outskirts of the city. Here, you are transported back
in time today, riding like royalty atop elegantly draped and
painted elephants into the high mountain fortress. Amber Fort
was the ancient capital of the State until 1728 and inside
the fort, you visit the Jagmandir or the Hall of victory glittering
with mirrors, Jai Mahal and the Temple of Kali.
Evening at leisure. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 06: Jaipur - Goa
This morning you will be met by our representative and escorted
from your hotel to the Jaipur airport intime to connect with
the flight for Mumbai
followed by a connecting flight to Goa.
Goa – Goa, the crown jewel in the treasure trove that
is India, is a masterpiece of nature .Stretches of pristine
white sand wetted by rushes of azure blue water, the sky mirrored
in the sea below, mesmerizing palm trees, white churches resting
against lush green paddy fields and the strumming of guitars
from distant taverns make Goa the perfect hideaway for those
seeking respite from the concrete jungles of civilization.
Other than its golden sand beaches, Goa also has several places
of Historic and cultural importance. The Churches of Old Goa,
and the Old Portuguese quarters in the city are definitely
worth a visit.
Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for
check-in etc. Rest of the day at leisure to explore the beaches
and enjoy the beer, wine and hospitality of Goa on your own.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 07: - Goa
Day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08: - Goa
Day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 09: - Goa –
Mumbai
Morning at leisure. This afternoon, you will be met by our
representative and escorted from your hotel to the Goa airport
intime to connect with the flight for Mumbai.
Mumbai: Mumbai or Bombay as it was known earlier, is the
commercial capital of India, a city of entrepreneurs, concrete
towers, clubs and discos, cricket, Bollywood and more. In
1661, Charles II of England received the islands of Bombay
as dowry when he married Princess Catherine of Braganza. The
British Government leased the islands to the East India Company,
who developed it into a thriving trading port.
Today, Mumbai is the country's financial and cultural capital.
It is also home to India’s thriving film industry. It
is seen, to the teeming masses that flock there to live and
work, as a place where opportunities abound. Its inhabitants,
an amalgam of great wealth and abject poverty, are swept into
the endless maelstrom of activity that characterises this
city of dreams.
Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for
check-in etc. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Mumbai.
Day 10: - Mumbai
This morning you are collected from your hotel for half-day
tour of Mumbai. This tour includes a visit to the Gateway
of India -- a grand ceremonial arch built to commemorate the
visit of King George IV, Mani Bhavan – where the father
of our Nation resided for 15 years, the Marine drive, the
Prince of Wales museum -- considered as one of the best museums
in the country, the Hanging gardens & Victoria rail station.
Rest of the day at leisure to perhaps venture out and discover
the city or its many restaurants on your own. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 11: - Depart Mumbai
Met by our representative and escorted from your hotel to
the Mumbai airport in time for your flight home.
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