An ideal tour for a first time visitor to India taking you through the country’s most astounding Historical monuments, temples, gilded palaces, and verdant gardens.

Start in the capital city of Delhi, where you’ll visit the old section of the city with its brilliant mosque and colorful bazaars, and also New Delhi, with its modern skyscrapers and House of Parliament.

Proceed to Agra, home to India’s most famous landmark, the Taj Mahal. A poem of white marble, the Taj is described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love.

Continue to Jaipur, called the "Pink City" because of the distinctive color of its old buildings, attracting visitors with its stunning Hawa Mahal, it’s imposing Amber Fort (tour also includes an Elephant ride up the Fort) and the magnificent City Palace.

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi International Airport. Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you will be met and transferred to your hotel THE CONNAUGHT for check-in. Since, our guests arrive on different flights at different times, an independent arrival transfer is included in the cost. No activity is scheduled today, since most International flights arrive into India late evening or close to midnight only.

Your home for the next two nights is the Connaught hotel, a modern 3 star hotel located in the city centre, just a short walk away from numerous shops and restaurants. The Hotel has Aircon ensuite double and twin rooms, equipped with tea/coffee makers, mini bars, satellite television and IDD phones. Facilities at the Connaught include 24 our Room service, a Restaurant and a Bar.

Overnight at hotel THE CONNAUGHT.

Day 02 : Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your Tour Escort and fellow passengers in the hotel lobby at 9.00 am for a short briefing of the tour programme followed by a Sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi.

Your tour of the 17 th-century old city includes the great mosque of Jama Masjid, which is both the largest congregational mosque in India and the final extravagance of Shah Jahan. Visit Chandni Chowk ("Moonlit Street"), Old Delhi’s main street and colorful shopping bazaar. Visit Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.

Break for lunch at an Indian Restaurant (not ncluded).
Your tour of New Delhi includes the Humayun's Tomb, the precursor of the Taj Mahal. Drive down the spectacular Rajpath ("the Kingsway,") stopping at the India Gate (the memorial built on behalf of the unknown soldiers), the President’s House, and the House of Parliament. Also visit Qutab Minar - , one of the most popular landmarks of Delhi built in 1199.

Overnight at hotel THE CONNAUGHT.

Day 03 : Delhi - Agra (220 kms / 4 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. The morning is at leisure, for you to explore Delhi on your own. At 2.00 pm this afternoon, meet in the hotel lobby and join your fellow passengers for the drive to Agra.
Upon arrival in Agra, check into the Hotel HOWARD PARK PLAZA.

The Howard Park Plaza is a modern 3 star hotel, located in the tourist belt of Agra, just a short distance away from the Taj Mahal. The Hotel has Aircon ensuite double and twin rooms, equipped with mini bars, satellite television and IDD phones. Facilities at the Howard Park Plaza include a 24 hour restaurant and a Bar. Leisure facilities include a small health club and a swimming pool.

Overnight at hotel HOWARD PARK PLAZA.

Day 04 : Agra
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a sightseeing tour of Agra, visiting the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort.

The Taj Mahal, a poem in white marble, is a fine example of the fusion of many architectural styles. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, it has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love. Although the Taj is impressive from any angle, it’s the close-up detail that is really astounding. Semiprecious stones are inlaid into the marble in beautiful patterns and with superb craftsmanship.

The 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. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone. Three great Mughals – Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan – each made significant structural contributions to this complex and successively occupied the fort. This is where Emperor Shah Jahan was kept under house arrest by his son Aurangazeb and spent the last year of his life viewing the Taj Mahal from the little octagonal tower in the fort.

This afternoon is at leisure to explore the city on your own.
Overnight at hotel HOWARD PARK PLAZA

Day 05 : Agra - Jaipur (250 kms / 5 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by drive to Jaipur, enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri. 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. The mosque at Fatehpur Sikri is considered a copy of the mosque at Mecca and is extremely elegant, containing elements of Hindu and Persian design. The main entrance to the complex Buland Darwaza or "Great Gateway" is reached by an impressive flight of stairs.

Upon arrival in Jaipur, check into your hotel SHAHPURA HOUSE.

The Shahpura House, is a 3 star Heritage hotel located very close to the city centre in Jaipur. Rooms at the Shahpura House are very much like the ones used by the erstwhile royalty of Rajasthan and are furnished with elegant colonial furniture. All rooms and suites are ensuite, airconditioned and are equipped with Satellite television and IDD phones. Facilities here include a restaurant and a small outdoor swimming pool.

Overnight at hotel SHAHPURA HOUSE.

Day 06 : Jaipur
Breakfast at the hotel followed by an excursion to the Amber Fort. Experience the majesty of a bygone era, riding like royalty atop elegantly draped and painted elephants into the high mountain fortress. Once the capital of royals, the fort is a superb example of the blend of Rajput and Mughal influences. What stands today with magnificent glory are the complex of palaces, halls, pavilions, gardens, and temples built over a period of 125 years. Centuries of disuse have not withered their pristine beauty.

Break for lunch at an Indian restaurant (Not included).
Later, continue your city tour of Jaipur visiting the Hawa Mahal or "Palace of Winds," one of the major landmarks of Jaipur, although it is actually little more than a façade. The fivestory building overlooks the main street of the old city and is a stunning example of Rajput artistry with its pink, semioctagonal, honeycombed, sandstone windows. It 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.

Overnight at hotel SHAHPURA HOUSE

Day 07 : Jaipur - Delhi Airport (260 kms / 5 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning is free to explore the Pink city on your own. At noon check out of the hotel and meet in the hotel lobby for a leisurely drive back to Delhi’s International Airport. The tour finishes with a drop to the Airport at about 1800 hrs for your flight home.

INCLUSIONS :
- 06 nights accommodation at hotels specified in the itinerary on twin share basis.
- Buffet breakfasts daily
- Transfers and land transportation as per the itinerary by private air-conditioned vehicle
- Sightseeing as indicated with local Englishspeaking guides
- Entrance fees at all monuments (Just for your information this amounts to US$ 60 per person for three cities put together)
- Horse carriage ride from the nearest parking to Taj Mahal in Agra
- Elephant ride at Amber Fort in Jaipur
- Services of a full time escort for the entire trip.
- Taxes and service fees.

EXCLUSIONS :
- International airfare and taxes
- Meals other than those indicated
- Additional sightseeing excursions not outlined in itinerary
- Items of a personal nature
- Travel Insurance
- Gratuities

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Arrive at Delhi and check-in to Hotel The Connaught.

Your home for this night is the Connaught hotel, a modern 3 star hotel located in the city centre, just a short walk away from numerous shops and restaurants. The Hotel has Aircon ensuite double and twin rooms, equipped with tea/coffee makers, mini bars, satellite television and IDD phones. Facilities at the Connaught include 24 our Room service, a Restaurant and a Bar.

Overnight at Hotel The Connaught.

Day 02 : Delhi - Khajuraho
Breakfast at hotel. You will then be picked up by our representative for your transfer to the Delhi airport in time to board flight (9W 724 1040/1300 hrs) to Khajuraho.

A UNESCO world heritage site in central India, Khajuraho is a famous tourist and archaeological site known for its sculptured temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and Jain patriarchs. Khajuraho extended over 21 sq. km and contained about 85 temples built by multiple rulers from about 950 to 1050. In the late 11th century, the Chandela kings, in a period of chaos and decline, moved to hill forts elsewhere. Khajuraho continued its religious importance until the 14th century ,but was afterwards largely forgotten; its remoteness probably saved it from the desecration that Muslim conquerors generally inflicted on Hindu monuments. In 1838 a British army captain, TS Burt, employed by the Asiatic Society in Calcutta, came upon information that led him to the rediscovery of the complex of temples in the jungle in Khajuraho.

Upon arrival in Khajuraho, you will be met and transferred to your Hotel Ramada Inn for check-in.

Your home for this night is Ramada Inn hotel, a modern 3 star deluxe hotel located close to the temples. The Hotel has Aircon ensuite double and twin rooms, equipped with satellite television and IDD phones, Individual climate control etc. Facilities at the Ramada Inn include 24 our room service, a Restaurant and a Bar.Leisure facilities include a swimming pool and a small Health Club.

This afternoon, a temple tour of Khajuraho, visiting the Eastern & Western group of temples . Of the 85 original temples-most constructed of hard river sandstone-about 20 are still reasonably well preserved. Both internally and externally the temples are richly carved with excellent sculptures that are frequently sensual and, at times, sexually explicit . The Western group of Temples consists of the massive Lakhshmana Temple dedicated to lord Vishnu, the lakshmi and Varaha temples dedicated to Vishnu`s consort lakshm, the Khandariya mahadev temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and the Chausath Yogini temple dedicated to goddess Kali. Next you visit the Archaelogical museum, with its collection of stone sculptures of the Chandela dynasty. Your last stop is the Eastern group of Temples , where you visit the Jain temples of Parsvnath,Adinath and Shanti nath.
Overnight at Hotel Ramada Inn.

Day 03 : Khajuraho - Varanasi
Breakfast at hotel. This morning is at leisure . Early afternoon you will be picked up by our representative for your transfer to the Khajuraho airport in time for your flight (9W 724 1330/1410 hrs) to Varanasi.

Often called the holiest city in India, Varanasi is one of the most important pilgrimage sites and also a major tourist attraction. It has been the religious capital of Hinduism since time immemorial. Situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges, Varanasi has been a center of learning and civilization for more than 2,000 years. Written records of the Skanda Purana and the Mahabharata mention its existence as far back as 3,000 years . It is probably the oldest living city in India, and one of the world's most ancient.

Upon arrival in Varanasi, you will be met and escorted to your Hotel Hindustan International for check-in.

Your home for this night is Hindustan International hotel, a modern 3 star hotel located in the heart of city. It is in close proximity to all the places of tourist interest, religious spots and shopping malls. The Hotel has Aircon ensuite double and twin rooms, equipped with music, satellite television, IDD Phone, mini bar. Facilities at the Hindustan International include 24 our Room service, 02 Restaurants, a Swimming pool and a Bar.

This afternoon, you have a guided tour of Varanasi including visits to The Bharat Mata Temple, which has a big relief map of India in marble, the Benares Hindu University with its art gallery, and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb built on the side of an ancient Hindu temple, bathing ghats, The Kashivishwanath temple, The Durgakund.

Overnight at Hotel Hindustan International

Day 04 : Varanasi - Delhi
Early morning enjoy a boat ride on the holy river The Ganges.

A highlight of any trip to Varanasi - this incredible scene as multitudes of devotees comes to the river to pay homage to the Sun God. The riverfront, as seen from a boat at sunrise, is a spiritually uplifting sight. Hinduism, deep and mystical, is everywhere: in a decorated doorway; in a glimpse of a glittering temple; in the sound of a sacred bell; in the chant of the priests; and in the fragrance of flower oblations.

Return to the hotel for a leisurely breakfast. . Early afternoon you will be picked up by our representative for your transfer to the Varanasi airport in time for your flight (9W 724 1440/1600 hrs) to Delhi.

Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the Connaught Hotel, where you will join the Golden Triangle Escorted Group tour.

INCLUSIONS :
- 03 nights accommodation at hotels specified in the itinerary on twin share basis.
- Buffet breakfasts daily
- Transfers and land transportation as per the itinerary by private air-conditioned vehicle
- Sightseeing as indicated with local Englishspeaking guides
- Entrance fees at all monuments
- Early morning boat ride on river Ganges in Varanasi.
- Taxes and service fees

EXCLUSIONS :
- International airfare and taxes
- Meals other than those indicated
- Additional sightseeing excursions not outlined in itinerary
- Items of a personal nature
- Travel Insurance
- Gratuities

Day 01 : Jaipur - Udaipur
Early this morning ,you will be picked up by our representative for your transfer to the Jaipur airport in time to board flight 9W 709 (0700/0745 hrs) to Udaipur.

The enchanting lake city of Udaipur was once the capital of Mewar. Romantic, wistful, and serene, Udaipur was built around shimmering blue lakes that reflect the green hills of the Aravali Ranges. Maharana Udai Singh founded Udaipur in 1599, and this extraordinarily beautiful city has come to be celebrated for its association with Queen Padmini and Meera Bai, royal princesses who are linked with the fortunes of the Sisodia family. Developed scientifically, the old city was surrounded by fortified bastions with entry through 11 gates. Ruins of these ancient fortifications are still in evidence, and the more recently built palaces can still be visited. Udaipur was also the location where the Hollywood, James Bond blockbuster “Octopussy”was filmed.

Upon arrival in Udaipur, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your Hotel Udai Kothi for check-in.

Your home for the next two nights is the Udai Kothi hotel, a modern 3 star located very close to the heart of old city. All rooms and suites are ensuites, airconditioned and are equipped with Satellite television and IDD phones. Facilities here include 02 restaurants and a rooftop swimming pool, Health Club & Bar.

This afternoon you have a guided tour of Udaipur, that includes visits to the City Palace, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, with its scalloped arches, fretted balconies, and cupolas. The main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum.

Saheliyon-Ki-Bari or “Garden of the Maids of Honor” is a small ornamental garden with fountains, kiosks, marble elephants, and delightful lotus pools. Jagdish Temple is an Indo-Aryan temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It has a black stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, Lord of the Universe.

The day ends with a sunset boat ride on the shimmering waters of the Lake Pichola, within which seemingly floats The Lake Palace Hotel. Considered one of the most beautiful palaces in the world, arising out of the Turquoise Waters of the Lake Pichola like an elegant fantasy in white marble.

Overnight at Hotel Udai Kothi.

Day 02 : Udaipur
Breakfast at hotel. This day is at leisure to relax or explore the city on your own. Overnight at Hotel Udai Kothi.

Day 03 : Udaipur - Delhi Depart
Breakfast at hotel. Another leisurely morning to explore the city on your own . Early afternoon, you will be picked up by our represestative for your transfer to the Udaipur airport in time to board your flight ( 9W 708 1530/1640 hrs). for Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be met by our representative and transferred to Delhi International airport to board flight home.

INCLUSIONS :
- 02 nights accommodation at hotel specified in the itinerary on twin share basis.
- Buffet breakfasts daily
- Transfers and land transportation as per the itinerary by private air-conditioned vehicle
- Sightseeing as indicated with local Englishspeaking guides
- Entrance fees at all monuments
- Evening boat cruise on Lake Pichola.
- Taxes and service fees

EXCLUSIONS :
- International airfare and taxes
- Meals other than those indicated
- Additional sightseeing excursions not outlined in itinerary
- Items of a personal nature
- Travel Insurance
- Gratuities