Itinerary

Day 1

Day 01 :Arrival Agra : Transfer from the railway station / airport to your downtown hotel. Check in with traditional arti ,tika & garland ceremony.Post breakfast gear up for your tour of The Taj Mahal.
Emperor Shah Jahan built this white marble mausoleum for his queen Arjumand Bano Begum or Mumtaz Mahal. Precious stones like jade, crystal, turquoise, lapis lazuli, sapphire, jade, coral and diamonds were brought from far-flung places in Tibet, China, Sri Lanka, Persia and Afghanistan. It is believed that a fleet of 1000 elephants was used to transport the material.
Later visit The Agra Fort.Akbar,the greatest empire-builder of the Mughals,commissioned the Agra Fort in 1565.Shah Jehan's son Aurangzeb, who was in constant conflict with local chieftains and neighbouring principalities, added the outer ramparts.The Diwan-I-Am or the Hall of audience is a pillared hall whose centrepiece is the throne alcove. This marble structure was inlaid with precious stones in floral motifs, and was built to house the Peacock Throne. The exquisitely crafted throne was taken to Delhi by Shah Jahan and was looted by Nadir Shah and carried away to Persia. The Diwan-I-Khas, where the emperor held audience with visiting dignitaries, was built in 1635. It had two thrones on the terrace, one in white marble and one in black slate. Emperor Shah Jahan is believed to have used the marble throne for repose, and the slate throne to watch elephant fights in the courtyard.
Post lunch visit the Itmad-Ud-Daulah.Popularly known as ‘baby Taj', this is the tomb of Mirza Ghiyath Begh, who was wazir or Chief Minister in Emperor Jahangir's court.
Later visit Akbar's mausoleum at Sikandra, 10 kms from Agra. The construction of the mausoleum was begun by Akbar himself, and completed in 1613 by his son Jahangir. In a way, it is a synthesis of the bold masculine red sandstone structures built by Akbar and the delicately crafted white marble buildings of Jahangir and Shah Jahan.
Evening visit the Taj Mahal during sunset to see it in a different hue.
Later time at leisure to explore the colourful bazaars of Agra for marble & leather work & souvenir shopping. Dinner & overnight at Agra.

Day 2

Day 02 : Agra - Fatehpur Sikri-Jaipur: Early Morning visit The Taj Mahal, to see it in its pristine form just as the rising sunrays hit the glorious monument & brings out different colours from various angles.
Post breakfast tour of Fatehpur Sikri,37 kms from Agra . Legend has it that Akbar, who had no son, went to the Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chishti to seek his blessings. Soon enough, prince Jahangir was born to his Hindu wife Jodha Bai. As an expression of gratitude, Akbar shifted his capital to the new city which was build between 1569 and 1585. The city sits on a rocky ridge, with the village Sikri at its foot. The location of Fatehpur Sikri was also appropriate for discussions and deliberations that the Emperor had with religious leaders, statesmen, writers and philosophers.
Continue towards Jaipur.
Check in to your palace hotel.
Eening enjoy cultural dances by folk performers at the palace courtyards.Dinner & overnight at Jaipur.

Day 3

Day 03 : Jaipur : Post breakfast an escorted half day sightseeing tour of the pink city commencing with The City Palace.Located in the heart of the walled city, The City Palace Complex gives you an idea about the farsightedness of the founder of Jaipur Sawai Jai Singh.The palace is a blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture and the royal family still lives in a part of the palace.

Later visit the Palace of winds or the Hawa Mahal.Poet king Sawai Pratap Singh built this palace of winds. This is the most easily recalled landmarks of Jaipur and is also its icon. Located in the city Palace it is best viewed from the outside for the palace is really a facade. This five-storey building overlooking the busy bazaar street is a stunning example of Rajput architecture and artistry with its pink delicately honeycombed 953 sandstone windows known as 'jharokhas'. It was originally built for the ladies of the royal household to watch everyday life and processions in the city from their veiled comfort.

Also visit Jantar Mantar, one of the five observatories in India . Built by Sawai Jai Singh, this is one of the largest and the best preserved. A passionate hobby of the king in the field of Astronomy, numerology, insighted him to execute this observatory and with the help of skilled labourers, they managed to create a collection of complex astronomical instruments chiselled out of stone and most of which continues to provide accurate information to this day.

Evening jeep ride to the Nahargarh Fort, located on the sheer rugged ridge of Aravali Hills forming an impressive northern backdrop of Jaipur. It looks most classy when floodlit at night. The fort overlooks the city and presents a glittering view of the city lights.

Evening at leisure to explore the colourful bazaars & for souvenir shopping.Enjoy a colourful village style fiesta at Chokhi Dhani in the evening. Dinner & overnight at Jaipur.

Day 4

Day 04: Jaipur: Morning tour of The Amber Fort, set in picturesque and rugged hills , a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Constructed by Raja Man Singh I in 1592 and completed by Sawai Jai Singh I the fort is made in red sand stone and white marble. The rugged forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise with a beautiful fusion of art and architecture. Amber is the classic and romantic fort- palace with a magnificent aura. The interior wall of the palace depicts expressive painting scenes with carvings, precious stones and mirror settings. In the foreground is the Maota Lake providing a breathtaking look. Built mainly for the warring enemies as a safe place, the heavily structured walls could defend the residents within the ramparts of the fort.
Post lunch an organized shopping tour through the treasure trove of the local bazaars.Shop for the local 'Kundan', style jewellery which finds a market throughout the world,the exotic blue pottery, the batik painting, block printed textiles of Sanganer and Bagru, tie & dye fabrics, Mojari- (the local shoe), sandal wood carving items & beautiful stone carvings etc.
Evening is at leisure & dinner is at the famed Jaimahal palace hotel with live cultural performances.Overnight Jaipur.

Day 5

Day05 : Departure Jaipur : Post breakfast departure for onward destination.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Accommodation with breakfast & all taxes in a premium hotel, all excursions by a private car, all entrances to monuments, language speaking guide & all excursions as described in the itinerary

Exclusions -

Any other items other than those specified above