Art & Culture of India’s Golden Triangle (4 Nights/ 5 days in India)

New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur

Wonder at the British colonial architecture in the nation’s capital, New Delhi. Enjoy a Rickshaw ride in the narrow alleys of old Delhi. Be amazed by the serene beauty of the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Experience the blended Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic architecture in the palaces of Emperor Akbar’s deserted city, Fatehpur Sikri. Relish the glory of Kachhwaha architecture and culture in the City Palace of the pink city, Jaipur. The masonry instruments in the astronomical observatory of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh still function. Enjoy a ride on beautifully decorated elephants going up to the hilltop palaces of Maharaja Man Singh and Mirza Raja Jai Singh at Amber Fort. Choose your style of accommodation from the deluxe or first class hotels to suit your budget. Vegan and vegetarian cuisine can be arranged especially for you. Please click on India City Descriptions to read details of each of the cities included in this fascinating journey.

Day 01 // Delhi:
Arrive at India Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. Traditional welcome with fresh marigold flower garland and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon New Delhi sightseeing of Nqutu Miner, Homerun'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 Lateens. Dinner and overnight hotel.

Day 02 // Delhi – Agra
After breakfast drive to Raj Ghats (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 – Delhi – USA:
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 . Later proceed to Delhi, a drive 258 kilometers for 160 miles, in about 5 hours. After farewell dinner transfer to Indira Gandhi International Airport to board the flight back to USA

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Price of US$ 740 with following deluxe hotels: Ramada Plaza, New Delhi; Taj Gateway, Agra and Ramada Hotel, Jaipur (Valid up to April 2012)
Price of US$ 615 with following 1st. class hotels: Florence Inn, New Delhi; Hotel Taj Resorts, Agra and Jas Vilas Hotel, Jaipur (Valid up to April 2012

Price of US$ 776 with following deluxe hotels: Ramada Plaza, New Delhi; Taj Gateway, Agra and Ramada Hotel, Jaipur (Valid from October 2012 to March 2013)
Price of US$ 640 with following 1st. class hotels: Florence Inn, New Delhi; Hotel Taj Resorts, Agra and Jas Vilas Hotel, Jaipur (Valid October 2012 to March 2013)

THE ABOVE PRICES INCLUDE:

• 04 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$ 367 with deluxe hotels
  or US$ 275 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.