Delhi | Agra | Jaipur | Bikaner | Mandawa | Delhi 7 Nights/ 8 Days Tour

Upon your arrival in Delhi, upon baggage collection, move towards the terminal exit, where our representative will be waiting with a paging board. Transfer to your hotel. (Check-in timings are 1200 hrs, early check-in is subject to availability)
There is perhaps no other capital city in the world so steeped in history and legend as the Indian capital, Delhi. It was the magnet that drew the Mongols, Turks, Persians, Afghans, Mughals and more recently, the British, all of whom contributed to its glorious but turbulent history. The fascination with Delhi was such that even though it was abandoned many times, its rulers returned to it again and again, rebuilding it at least seven times. Today, the adjoined cities of Old and New Delhi are home to countless wonders.
Dinner & overnight in hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today proceed for full day sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi

Begin your day with a guided tour of the Old City of ‘Shahjahanabad’. Your introduction to the city will start with a visit to Raj Ghat – the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, drive past the Red Fort (remains closed on Monday) – the magical monument in red sandstone built at the pinnacle of the Mughal Empire. From here proceed to visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in Asia built by Shahjahan and walk through the bustling lanes of Chandni Chowk.

Continue on a guided tour of New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. You will visit Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India built to establish the might of Islam and onset of Muslim rule in India and Humayun’s tomb, the first great example of a new distinctive style, which developed to become the hallmark of the Mughal Dynasty. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate (War Memorial Arch), the Parliament buildings and the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the President’s residence).

Post breakfast, you will be driven to the Mughal city of Agra (a journey of 233 km/ 4 hrs drive approximately). Upon arrival in Agra, proceed for check-in at your hotel

The quintessence of the grand Mughal era, reigns to this day in the public mind as the embodiment of royal grace, imposing architecture and power. Agra is globally renowned as the city of the Taj Mahal. But this royal Mughal city has, in addition to the legendary Taj, many monuments that epitomize the high point of Mughal architecture. With its laidback lifestyle and its immense wealth of architecture, handicrafts and jewellery, Agra is amongst the most remarkable city of the world.

Afternoon proceed to enjoy the highlights of Agra – Taj Mahal & Agra Fort

Marvel at the timeless beauty of one of the world’s most celebrated landmarks, the legendary Taj Mahal, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a shrine to everlasting love for his queen, Mumtaz Mahal. One of the Seven Wonders of the World and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this exquisite mausoleum of white marble was built over 22 years by 20,000 workmen and is an architectural masterpiece with beautiful inlay work and marble screens. View the magical Taj Mahal from across the Yamuna River.

Continue visit to Agra Fort, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture and the seat and stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. It was built in the late 1560`s by Emperor Akbar, with later embellishments by Jehangir, his son, and Shah Jahan, his grandson. The gates and walls are constructed of red sandstone and the Fort is surrounded by a moat.

End the tour with visit to Agra’s local market and witness marble inlay work demonstration

Dinner & overnight in hotel.

Post breakfast, drive to Fatehpur Sikri (a journey of approx 40 kms/1 hour drive). The magnificent deserted red sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri with its forts, palaces and mosques is located 37km from Agra. The city, designed as a tribute to the Sufi saint, Sheikh Salim Chisti, who had predicted the birth of Akbar’s son and heir, was begun in 1571 and was abandoned just 15 years later due to a shortage of water.

Continue from Fatehpur Sikri to Abhaneri, a distance of 130 km and a journey of approximately 3 hours.

Over 1,000 years old, the mesmerising Chand Baori is the largest and deepest stepwell in India, located in the ancient town of Abhaneri, in the eastern part of Rajasthan. Stepwells were built in the arid zones of India to provide water all year round; the Chand Baori was built between the eighth and ninth centuries by King Chand Baori. With its perfect symmetry and precise geometrical pattern, the steps form a magical maze and the consequent play of light and shadow on the structure is captivating.

Continue to Jaipur, a distance of 100km and a journey time of approximately 2 hours.

On arrival in Jaipur, check into the hotel.

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, was the dream of the brilliant Rajput ruler, Jai Singh. Known as the ‘pink city’ due to the pink stucco walls, the city is remarkable for the modern-style width and regularity of its ancient streets. Within the city the main focus is the huge palace complex, still home to the Maharaja and Sawai Jai Singh’s Jantar Mantar observatory. Just outside Jaipur, on a hilltop, lies the magnificent fort palace of Amber. Jaipur is also a delight for those seeking traditional Indian crafts, including jewellery, silver and fabric.

Evening is free for individual activities. (B,D)

Dinner & overnight in hotel.

Post breakfast, proceed for full-day sightseeing of Amber Fort and Jaipur city

The ancient Rajput capital is located on a hill 11 km north of Jaipur. Amber was the capital of the Kachhwaha Raj-puts from 1037 until the Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh founded Jaipur in 1727, but the majestic fort-palace was not begun until about 1600. The building was added to by successive Rajput rulers; however, the architecture dis-plays many Mughal influences in addition to the traditional Rajput designs. Whilst visiting the palace you will be able to explore the intricate chambers and hallways, the maze of passages and courtyards and witness the won-derful views of the Jal Mahal water palace below.

En route to Amber, there will be a brief photo stop at the ‘Hawa Mahal’, known as the Palace of Winds. Built in 1799, it is a remarkable facade structure, constructed of red sandstone overlooking one of the main streets, spe-cifically meant for the ladies of the Royal family, who would sit behind the trellis screens and comfortably ob-serve the activities on the streets without being seen.

Proceed to city of Jaipur, known as the ‘Pink City’ of Rajasthan, since so many of its buildings are painted in a lovely pink hue. The City Palace, with its museum, is still the home of the Maharaja of Jaipur. On show are an ex-tensive collection of art, carpets, textiles and weapons, all beautifully preserved.

Across from the City Palace is the observatory or Jantar Mantar, a curious collection of sculptures each of which has a specific purpose such as measuring the position of the stars, altitudes and calculating eclipses. It is the best-preserved example of the original five observatories built by Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur.

The award-winning Anokhi museum, set up in the early 2000s, works closely with local craftsmen from in and around Jaipur to preserve the craft of hand block printing. Your tour of the museum includes an introduction to hand block printing and a short demonstration as how to hand-print your own scarf. The museum, set in a heritage building, with galleries scattered around different floors, currently requires guests to climb steep stairways. The museum is supported by the creators of the Anokhi clothing brand, which sells hand-block print garments through dedicated retail outlets across India.

The Anokhi museum is closed on Mondays and during local holidays. Every summer the museum is closed between mid-May and mid-July for maintenance. The museum’s design, regrettably, is not suitable for wheelchair users.

To celebrate Rajasthani food and the cultural influences that make the cuisine so unique, you will also pay a visit to Laxmi Mishtan Bhandar (LMB as it is popularly known). Located in the old bazaar of Jaipur, LMB is a famous restaurant and sweet shop. Taste a traditional sweet as your guide tells you about the history of this unique shop.

Post breakfast, drive to Bikaner (a journey of approx. 350 kms/7 hours drive). Upon arrival check in at your hotel.

The desert town of Bikaner was founded in 1488 by Rao Bika, a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Jodha. Like many others in Rajasthan, the old city is surrounded by a high crenellated wall and, like Jaisalmer, it was once an important staging post on the great caravan trade routes. Bikaner is home to the superb Junagarh Fort, constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Rai Singh, a general in the army of the Mughal emperor Akbar, as well as a unique government camel breeding farm.

On this tour you will visit Junagarh Fort, one of the most interesting forts in Rajasthan, with its sumptuously decorated interiors. Built in 1588 by Raja Rai Singh it is unusual in that it was one of the few major forts of Rajasthan that was not built on a hilltop. Instead, it was built on the desert plains; its rugged sandstone bastions and graceful pavilions and balconies are silhouetted against the sky.

Walk through the old Bazaars of Bikaner and savoury tasting. Explore on foot the old city area of Bikaner with its array of colourful bangles, vibrant spices, tea stalls and local vegetables before you head to a snack shop with your guide. The snack capital of India offers regional savouries which are crispy, at times spicy, but nevertheless worth trying and taking back home.

Dinner & overnight in hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Drive to the fabulous Shekhawati region (a journey of approx. 185 kms/4.5 hours drive) which is also known as the open air Art Gallery of Rajasthan. Upon arrival check in at the hotel.

This afternoon there will be a walking tour through village to see the painted Havelis. Depending upon availability of guides this excursion may take place at Mandawa, or another village in the Shekhawati region.

Dinner & overnight in hotel.

Post breakfast, drive to Delhi (a journey of approx. 280 kms/7 hours). Upon arrival proceed to international airport for onward journey