Royal India Tour
Tour Duration : 15 Days Tour
Destinations : Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ranakpur, Udaipur & Mumbai.
Day 1: Arrive Delhi 
Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together. After immigration and custom formalities, we are assisted and driven through the city to our hotel. New Delhi, the capital of India is a fusion of the ancient and the modern India. It unwinds a picture rich with culture, architecture and human diversity, deep in history, monuments, museums, galleries, gardens and exotic shows. Comprising of two contrasting yet harmonious parts, the Old Delhi and New Delhi, the city is a travel hub of Northern India. Narrating the city's Mughal past, Old Delhi, takes through the labyrinthine streets passing through formidable mosques, monuments and forts. The imperial city of New Delhi displays the finely curved architecture of British Raj. It generates a mesmerizing charm reflecting well-composed and spacious streets under the shade of beautifully lined avenues of trees and tall and imposing government buildings. Overnight: The Oberoi –5 Star Deluxe (Premier Room) (3 Nights) (B)
Day 2: Delhi
We start our morning tour with New Delhi and visit Birla House - The Former Residence of Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi spent his later years at Birla House before he was assassinated by Nathu Ram Godse on January 30, 1948. Later we visit the famous India Gate followed by the Houses of Parliament, Connaught Place, Humayun's Tomb and the Qutub Minar - a perfect minaret towering 72.5 meters / 80.5 yards into the sky and there are 379 stairs inside the tower. Rest of the day is free. (B) Please Note: The Birla House remains closed on Monday
Day 03 : Delhi
Today we visit Old Delhi, starting with the famous Red Fort. Built by Shah Jehan, this was once the most opulent fort of the Mughal Empire. Next we visit another Mughal majesty, the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, followed by the Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. We end our tour with a bazaar experience at Chandni Chowk, the street of silver and goldsmiths. (B)
Please Note: Red fort remains closed on Monday and Chandni Chowk remains closed on Sunday
Day 04: Delhi- Sikandra -Agra (Drive: 220 Km/ 5 Hrs)
This morning we pass interesting Indian scenery as we drive to Sikandra. This is where lie the remains of Akbar the Great - one of the greatest of the Mughal rulers. A very simple mausoleum for a person of his stature. We then proceed to Agra - the city that is home to the most well known of the wonders of the world - the Taj Mahal. On arrival in Agra, we check in our Hotel. Overnight: The Oberoi Amar Vilas– 5 Star Luxury (Premier Room) (2 Nights)(B)
Day 05 : Agra:
We start our day with a visit to one of the most well known wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. Built by Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj is built of white marble, beautifully carved and inlaid with semi-precious stones. Next we visit Agra Fort, where Shah Jehan, in the later years of his life, was imprisoned by his son to prevent him from spending the family fortunes on a black echo of the Taj Mahal. We also visit Itmad-Ud-Daulah, often called as Baby Taj. A highly ornate edifice, this mausoleum is considered as the imminent precursor of the Taj Mahal as far as elaborate carvings and inlay work are concerned. Though the structure does not have much to offer architecturally, it makes a clear departure from the earlier Mughal tombs built during the period and is more softer and with a lot of inlay carvings. We end our tour with a visit to some of the local factories famous for inlay work on marbles and witness the complex art inlaying precious and semiprecious stones on the world famous Marbles for the mines of Makrana. (B)
Please Note: Taj Mahal remains closed on Friday
Day 06: Agra- Fatehpur Sikri –Jaipur (Drive: 235 Km/ 5 Hrs)
A short drive gets us to Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful capital built in 1640 by the Mughal King, Akbar the Great. The city was later abandoned for lack of water. A superb example of Mughal architecture, it stands perfectly preserved in the desert. We also visit the artistically designed mausoleum of Salim Chisty who is reputed to have prayed for a son for Akbar leading to the birth of Salim Jehangir. From here we continue on a countryside drive to Jaipur. On arrival we check in our Hotel. Later in the evening we visit the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu the creator of Universe. The temple is the latest addition to the list of monuments in Jaipur and is an all marble temple with beautiful carvings. Overnight: The Oberoi Raj Vilas- 5 Star Luxury (Premier Room) (2 Nights) (B) 
Day 07: Jaipur
A royal experience awaits us as we take an elephant ride uphill to the intriguing Amber Palace, a distinguished example of 17th Century Rajput architecture. After the tour and enjoying a panoramic view, we return to Jaipur to visit the old astronomical observatory built by Jai Singh the founder of the city. We also visit the majestic Palace, which houses a rare collection of Indian art and the colorful bazaar. Jaipur is noted for its craftsmen, skilled in brass inlay, lacquer work and stone setting. Most of the buildings in the old city are made of pink sandstone and one of the most beautiful is Hawa Mahal, Palace of Winds, where the ladies of the royal harem used to watch the city from behind the intricately carved facade. Evening is free to enjoy both shopping and a cultural experience in the bazaars of Jaipur. (B)
Day 08: Jaipur- Jodhpur (Drive: 330 Km/ 6 ½ Hrs)
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Jodhpur. Jodhpur is the blue city, a crazed mass of indigo angles, spreads, along the edge of the Great Thar Desert. Jodhpur's fort, Mehrangarh, towers over the city, perched on a sheer rocky ridge from where the view over the sea of blue buildings in mesmerizing. Traditionally, blue signified the home of a Brahmin, but these days, non-Brahmins have taken on the practice too. The old city of Jodhpur is a tangle of winding, glittering streets, scented by incense, roses and sewers, with shops selling everything from trumpets to temple decorations, from snuff to saris. It's surrounded by 10 km long wall (built about a century after the city was founded) with eight gates. Jodhpur was founded bin 1459 by Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rajput clan known as the Rathore. On a vital trade route, the city was built on the profits of opium, sandalwood, dates and copper. On arrival we check in our Hotel. In the afternoon we take a Jeep Safari to Bishnoi Village to see the traditional lifestyle of rural Rajasthan’s living in small houses and garbed in their colorful dress. Rest of the day is free. Overnight: Taj Ummed Bhawan Palace –5 Star Luxury Palace Hotel (Palace Room) (2 Nights) (B)
Day 09: Jodhpur
Our experience of Jodhpur starts with a visit to Mehrangarh fort, built in 1459 A.D by Rao Jodha, rises steeply from a rocky scrap winds Up to the massive gateway with immense portals and enter through the Gate of victory – Jai Pole and Loha Pole Marked with palm prints of ‘Sati’ (Rajput Ladies immolated themselves on funeral fire of their Husband). Inside the fort there is a series of courtyards and palaces, a deep –terracotta latticed network. They house a museum, with a splendid collection of the trappings of Indian royalty, including some amazing elephant’s howdahs (essential for glittering processions), miniature paintings and the inevitable Rajput armory and ephemera from ivory inlaid ladies dumbbells to camel bone carpet weights. Later we visit Jaswant Thada This milky – white marble memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II is a peaceful array of whimsical domes, about 1 km from the fort. The royal crematorium and three other cenotaphs that stand nearby followed the Cenotaph, built in 1899. We will also visit the beautifully landscaped Mandor Gardens.(B)
Day 10: Jodhpur – Ranakpur – Udaipur: (Drive; 290 Km/ 6 Hrs) 
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Ranakpur. We visit the famous Ranakpur temples, constructed in the AD 1439. The Ranakpur Jain Temple was built during the reign of the liberal and gifted monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15thcentury. An enormous basement covers 48,000 sq. feet area. There are four subsidiary shrines, twenty-four pillared halls and eligibly domes supported by over four hundred columns. The total number of columns is 1,444 all of which are intricately carved no two being alike. The artistically carved nymphs playing the flute in various dance postures at a height of 45 feet are an engrossing sight. In the assembly hall, there are two big bells weighing 108 Kilograms whose sound echoes in the entire complex. From here we drive to Udaipur. No city in Rajasthan is quite as romantic as Udaipur. Misty ochre-shadowed hills and pale, intricate buildings encircle the mirror glass of Lake Pichola. If Jaipur is a study in pink then Udaipur is a vision in white. The City of Dawn, surrounded by the ancient Aravali Mountains and set on the edge of three lakes, is a brilliant kaleidoscope of narrow lanes flanked by bright stalls, gardens, lakes, palaces and temples. Eight marble porticos mark the spot where the Mewar sovereigns were weighed in gold, the equivalent value of which was then distributed to the poor. Within the City Palace are several architectural and artistic highlights such as the MOR Chowk, known for its stunning peacock mosaics and the Bhim Vilas Palace with its series of lovely wall paintings. The most memorable parts of Udaipur are its lake palaces, shimmering like jewels on Lake Pichola. Jag Mandir, the other island palace with a marble dome, is a marvel in red sandstone. It was a refuge for the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan when he was in exile following a quarrel with his father, Emperor Jehangir. On arrival in Udaipur, we check in our Hotel. Rest of the day is free. Overnight: The Oberoi Udai Vilas- 5 Star Luxury (Premier Room) (3 Nights)(B)
Day 11: Udaipur
We start our experience of Udaipur by visiting the City Palace. The palace has several architectural and artistic highlights such as the Mor Chowk, known for its stunning peacock mosaics and the Bhim Vilas Palace with its series of lovely wall paintings. From City Palace we can see the most memorable part of Udaipur lake palace, shimmering like jewels on Lake Pichola. Later we visit Jagdish Temple, Fateh Sagar lake and Saheliyon Ki Bari or the Garden of Maids. We end our tour of Udaipur with a boat ride at Lake Pichola and visit Jag Mandir, the other island palace with a marble dome, is a marvel in red sandstone. It was a refuge for the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan when he was in exile following a quarrel with his father, Emperor Jahangir. (B)
Day 12: Udaipur
Day is free to relax and enjoy Yoga session or optional Ayurvedic massage at the Oberoi Spa.(B)
Day 13: Udaipur – Mumbai: By Flight 
Today we are transferred to airport for our flight to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai, we are met by our local representative and transferred to our hotel. Mumbai is an easy city to enjoy. It lacks the history of Delhi or the raw chaos of Kolkata (Calcutta), but makes up for it with its progressive, vibrant atmosphere. This is India's finance center, the economic powerhouse of the nation, and heart of the Hindi film industry, and the industrial hub of everything from textiles to petrochemicals. Mumbai can be the glamour of Bollywood cinema, watching afternoon cricket on the maidans (open grassed areas), admiring the sublime colonial architecture. The islands that now form Mumbai were first home to the koli fisher folk as far back as the 2nd century BC; Koli sanities occupy parts of the city shoreline today. The islands were ruled by a succession of Hindu dynasties from the 6th century AD, invaded by Muslims in the 14th century and then ceded to Portugal by the sultan of Gujarat in 1534. The Portuguese did little to develop them before the major island of the group was included in Catherine of Barganza's dowry when she married England's Charles II in 1661. The British Government took possession of the islands in 1665, but lease them three years later to East India Company for the paltry annual rent of UK £ 10. Rest of the day is free. Overnight: The Oberoi- 5 Star Deluxe (Premier Room) (2 Nights) (B)
Day 14: Mumbai:
After breakfast, our experience of Mumbai starts with Gateway of India- Mumbai's most famous monument; this is the starting point for most tourists who want to explore the city.
From Gateway of India, we take an excursion to the world famous Elephanta Caves. Little is known about their origins, but they are thought to have been created between AD 450 and 750, when the island was known as Gharapuri (Place of Caves). The Portuguese renamed it Elephanta because of a large stone elephant near the shore. After the sightseeing of Elephanta caves we return back to the main land by motor launch and continue or tour of Mumbai by visiting the Prince of Wales Museum & Victoria Terminus which is recently added to the world heritage site. This is a city's most exuberant Gothic building look more like a lavishly decorated palace or cathedral than a train station. Our Next Stop is at Mani Bhawan, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed here during the freedom Struggle of British India. The house is now converted into a Museum. From here we leave for Jain Temple and Hanging gardens and drive past Haji Ali - the tomb of a wealthy Muslim merchant, who renounced all his worldly belongings before embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca. The tomb itself is over eight hundred years old and linked to the mainland by a path that is annually submerged in the high monsoon tide. We end our tour at the Dhobi Ghats - a vast outdoor laundry. (B)
Please Note: Elephanta Caves and Prince of Wales Museum remain closed on Monday.
Day 15: Mumbai- Home:
Today we are transferred to Delhi airport for our flight to onward destination.(B)
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honor that rate. For Clients making payment in Euro and GBP please visit http://www.xe.com to check the conversion rate. The conversion rate on the payment due date will be applicable. For Complete payment procedures please visit http://www.travelling-in-india.com/payinfo.html
PRICES OF THE ABOVE TOUR -
(All Prices on Per Person Basis in US $)
Validity |
Per person cost on twin sharing basis | Single Room Supplement | ||
| 2 Pax | 3 Pax | 4 Pax | ||
| 16 April 2011 to 30 September 2011 | USD 3181 | USD 2932 | USD 2810 | USD 2060 |
| 01 October 2011 to 31 March 2012 except between 20 Dec. 2011 to 05 Jan. 2012 | USD 4798 | USD 4551 | USD 4427 | USD 3667 |
| Supplement of accompanying tour escort cum guide throughout the tour---- If required | USD 445 | USD 297 | USD 225 | N/A |
| City | Hotel Name | Category of room | No.of nights |
| Delhi | The Oberoi - 5 Star Deluxe | Premier Room | 3 Nights |
| Agra | The Oberoi Amar Vilas - 5 Star Luxury | Premier Room | 2 Nights |
| Jaipur | The Oberoi Raj Vilas - 5 Star Luxury | Premier Room | Nights |
| Jodhpur | Taj Ummed Bhawan Palace - 5 Star Luxury Palace Hotel | Palace Room | 2 Nights |
| Udaipur | The Oberoi Udai Vilas - 5 Star Luxury | Premier Room | 3 Nights |
| Mumbai | The Oberoi - 5 Star Deluxe | Premier Room | 2 Nights |
| Inclusions | Exclusions |
|---|---|
| Accommodation on twin share basis in the mentioned hotels for 14 Nights with daily buffet Breakfast | International Airfare, visa fees, airport tax or any kind of insurance cover |
| Transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary by air-conditioned TOYOTA INNOVA | Items of personal nature like drinks, laundry, telephone calls, tips, etc. |
| Road tax, Toll Charges, parking fees and driver’s overnight wages | Any other meals than those mentioned in the itinerary |
| Entrances to the monuments of visit | Liability for change in itinerary due to reasons beyond our control like change in schedule / cancellation of flights / trains / political disturbances, natural phenomenon etc. |
| Elephant ride at Amber fort- Jaipur (Subject to availability) | Accompanying tour escort cum guide throughout the tour - Supplement quoted above |
| Services of an English speaking Local guide at each city as per the itinerary | Any other item not specifically mentioned above as 'INCLUDED' |
| Private Boat ride at Lake Pichola – Udaipur (Subject to water level) | |
| Domestic airfare in economy class (Udaipur - Mumbai) | |
| All presently applicable taxes including service tax on package @ 2.58% |
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