Golden Triangle Tour with Shekhavati - 7 days / 6 overnights

New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Nawalgarh in Shekhavati region

Relish the sights, sounds and colors of India's most historic region - the capital, New Delhi; the Mughal capital of Agra, renowned for the world famous Taj Mahal and Jaipur, the pink city that Sawai Jai Singh built as India's first large planned city. Shekhavati is a region northwest of Jaipur, that was feudal state under the Maharajas of Jaipur and Amber. The merchants that lived in this region traveled far and wide to trade in commodities on the Silk Route. They built beautiful, aristocratic mansions, the Havelis that were painted in their exterior and interior with a variety of motifs. Nawalgarh lies in the heart of Shekhavati and has a cluster of interesting Havelis. Roop Vilas Palace, your hotel in Nawalgarh, was the private residence of the local Raja, who converted it in to a very tastefully decorated hotel with period furniture and interior artifacts. Please click on India City Descriptions to read details of each of the cities included in this fascinating journey.

Day 01 // Delhi:

Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. Traditional welcome with marigold fresh flower garland and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon New Delhi sightseeing of Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, a brief stop at Baha’i Lotus Temple for photography and drive past President’s Mansion, Prime Minister’s office, Parliament House and India Gate in the part of New Delhi planned by the British architect, Edwin Lutyens. Dinner and overnight hotel.

Day 02 // Delhi – Agra

After breakfast drive to Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial on the banks of River Yamuna), drive past Red Fort, with stop for photography, to Emperor Shahjahan’s Jama Masjid. Rickshaw ride in Old Delhi. After lunch drive to Agra. On arrival transfer to hotel for overnight in Agra.
Day 03 // Agra

Early in the morning drive a short distance to the world famous Taj Mahal. Ample time for sightseeing the vast walled complex. After breakfast at hotel marvel at the fine craftsmanship at a marble factory where traditional artisans still work using similar hand operated implements that their forefathers had used more than 300 years ago when they worked to build the Taj Mahal. Later drive to the Red Fort of Agra to visit the red sandstone palaces Emperor Akbar and the white marble palaces that his grandson Emperor Shahjahan replaced in Red Fort of Agra. Emperor Aurangzeb, the son of Emperor Shahjahan kept him a prisoner in his own palaces for the last 8 years of his life. Overnight in hotel in Agra.

Day 04 // Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Jaipur

After Breakfast proceed to Jaipur with stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted capital of Emperor Akbar. Visit the palaces complex and the mosque with the white marble tomb of Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chistie after driving 40 kilometers or 25 miles further from Agra. Drive further west to Jaipur and after lunch visit the City Palace of Kachhwaha Maharajas, view the fascinating textiles gallery in Mubarak Mahal, the Sarvatobhadra (Hall of Private Audience) with the two famous Gangajallis (Silver Urns to carry Ganga River water), the colorful courtyard of Chandra Mahal with its Peacock Gate and the “Diwan-i-Am” Art Gallery that houses some of the most famous Mughal and Rajasthani miniature paintings. Stepping out of the City Palace visit the Astronomical Observatory that is largest one built by the founder of Jaipur, Sawai Jai Singh. All except one of its astronomical instruments are still functional. Dinner & Overnight in hotel in Jaipur.

Day 05 // Jaipur – Nawalgarh:

After breakfast check-out and proceed to Amber to ride on Elephant back to the hilltop palaces of Maharaja Jai Singh I and Maharaja Man Singh, and return by Jeep .Drive 140 kilometers or 87 miles to Nawalgarh, one of the most interesting towns for sightseeing of painted Havelis of Shekhavati. The town of Nawalgarh has witnessed the establishment of maximum number of Shekhawati Havelis. The most famous of them are Aath (eight) Haveli Complex, Anandi Lal Poddar Haveli (best preserved), Jodhraj Patodia Haveli, Bansidhar Bhagat Haveli, Chokhani Haveli, and Roop Niwas Palace. Overnight in Roop Vilas Palace Hotel.

Day 06 // Nawalgarh - Delhi:

After breakfast sightseeing of the painted Havelis of Nawalgarh. After lunch proceed to Delhi, a drive 267 kilometers for 166 miles, in about 5 hours for farewell dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 07 // Delhi - USA:

After breakfast relax in hotel, about 11 AM transfer to Indira Gandhi International Airport to board the flight back to USA.

Price of US$ 925 with following deluxe hotels: Ramada Plaza, New Delhi; Taj Gateway, Agra; Ramada Hotel, Jaipur and Roop Vilas Palace Hotel, Nawalgarh (Valid up to April 2012)

Price of US$ 735 with following 1st. class hotels: Florence Inn, New Delhi; Hotel Taj Resorts, Agra; Jas Vilas Hotel, Jaipur and Roop Vilas Palace Hotel, Nawalgarh Valid up to April 2012)

Price of US$ 980 with following deluxe hotels: Ramada Plaza, New Delhi; Taj Gateway, Agra; Ramada Hotel, Jaipur and Roop Vilas Palace Hotel, Nawalgarh (Valid from October 2012 to March 2013)

Price of US$ 785 with following 1st. class hotels: Florence Inn, New Delhi; Hotel Taj Resorts, Agra; Jas Vilas Hotel, Jaipur and Roop Vilas Palace Hotel, Nawalgarh Valid from October 2012 to March 2013)

THE ABOVE PRICES INCLUDE:

• 06 overnights - accommodations in the mentioned or similar hotels inclusive of taxes on double or twin room occupancy basis
• Daily buffet breakfast at your hotels.
• Chauffeur driven air-conditioned Tata Indigo car for up to 2 persons or Toyota Innova Van for 4 persons on full time basis.
• Daily bottled water in car
• English speaking local guides at each city as per program
• Assistance at each city by our company representative.
• 1 rickshaw ride at Jama Mosque in Delhi.
• 1 Elephant ride at Amber Fort in Jaipur.
• Farewell dinner in Delhi
• All taxes, parking fees, interstate taxes, state taxes, driver’s allowance etc.

NOT INCLUDED IN ABOVE PRICES:

• Cost of international airfare, we will be glad to get you the best airfares through our international flight consolidator
• Single room supplement of US$ 630 with deluxe hotels
  or US$ 393 with 1st. class hotels
• Cost of Travel Guard Group Insurance, please inquire the premium amount and coverage details (highly recommended)
• Cost of lunches and dinners
• All drinks in hotels & restaurants etc.
• Still and Video Camera Fees at monuments
• Tips to drivers, guides and porters as well as any item not included in the above (included) list
• All expenses of personal nature like telephone calls / laundry / room service charges in hotels etc.

PAYMENTS:

Please fill out the registration form and send an advance payment by personal check of $ 300 for 1st. class hotels accommodations or with an advance payment by personal check of $ 350 for deluxe class hotel accommodations. The balance is payable 60 days before departure date. On receipt of the registration form I will be glad to inform you the travel insurance premium amount. There is an extra charge of 3.75% for payment with Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit and debit cards because credit and debit card commissions and fees are not included in the price. Please call or email us for credit or debit card payments.

Travel Guard Group Insurance: is highly recommended, please inquire for premium amount.