MELBOURNE TO DELHI

Welcome to our amazing India tour! After we are collected by our chauffeurs we are transferred to Tullamarine International Airport where we meet our fellow passengers, ready to board our flight direct to Delhi. The flight takes 12 hours and 25 minutes departing mid morning and has us arriving in Delhi late afternoon. We are welcomed by our local guide and board the coach for the transfer to our accommodation at the luxurious Hotel Taj Palace Diplomatic Enclave, Delhi. The hotel is spread over six acres of lush gardens in the heart of India’s capital city. It is an oasis of calm while still being right in the middle of the city’s action. This is the perfect place to unwind and rest from our flight, so no further arrangements have been made for today. This will be our base for the next three nights while in Delhi.

OVERNIGHT:  Hotel Taj Palace Diplomatic Enclave, DELHI

AN INTRODUCTION TO NEW DELHI

After breakfast, we enjoy a tour of New Delhi. Our sightseeing will start with a drive through the Lutyens’s Delhi with a photo stop at India Gate War Memorial. We then drive past the President’s House and Parliament House. Continuing our tour, we see  Qutab Minar (UNESCO World Heritage Site) - a 73 metre high minaret which tapers from a 15m diameter base to just 2.5m at the top. The walls consist of intricately carved quotations from Koran. The tower is one of the most perfect towers of the Persian world.  We enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and the afternoon is free to relax at our accommodation or to perhaps explore Delhi at leisure.

OVERNIGHT: Hotel Taj Palace Diplomatic Enclave, DELHI

OLD DELHI HIGHLIGHTS

Today we tour Old Delhi. We drive past the impressive Red Fort, a historic fort in the city which served as the main residence of the Mughal Emperors. We then visit Jama Masjid - the Great Mughal Mosque, which is the largest mosque in India. Located in Old Delhi, the mosque has the capacity to accommodate 25,000 devotees. Jama Masjid was completed in 1656 AD and again the great Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan is behind this architectural masterpiece. Close to some 5000 craftsmen were occupied in the construction of the mosque. We enjoy a Cycle Rickshaw ride through the crowded streets of Chandni Chowk which is a busy shopping area with markets full of spices, dried fruit, silver jewellery and vivid saris. The narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery and traditional Indian sweets. Lastly we visit Raj Ghat - the memorial of Mahatma Ghandhi. We enjoy lunch at a local restaurant today before having a free afternoon to enjoy the facilities of our hotel.

OVERNIGHT: Hotel Taj Diplomatic Enclave, DELHI

DELHI TO UDAIPUR

We have a relaxed start to our day before transferring to the domestic airport for our flight to Udaipur. Upon our arrival, we take a short boat cruise to our magnificent Palace accommodation on the Lake for the next two nights. This amazing palace on Lake Pichola was built in the year 1743. The Maharana (ruler) called this palace which he finished building in 1746, Jag Niwas. Jag Niwas is today the majestic and magnificent Taj Lake Palace of Udaipur. Restored to its pristine glory, this spectacular palace became world renowned when the James Bond film ‘Octopussy’ was filmed here. Its location on an island in the midst of a lake affords every room breathtaking views of the neighbouring City Palace, Aravalli Hills, Machla Magra Hills and Jag Mandir. The incomparable location provides the perfect backdrop for the exquisite cuisines at the elegant restaurants of Taj Lake Palace. These are open only to resident guests.

OVERNIGHT:  Taj Lake Palace Hotel, UDAIPUR

EXPLORING UDAIPUR

This morning after breakfast we’ll enjoy a sightseeing tour of Udaipur, also known as the City of Lakes. Included in this tour is a visit to City Palace Museum, the jewel in the crown of the Udaipur City Palace Complex. It is here that you can immerse yourself in the history of the Maharanas of Mewar and really get a feel for their culture and how royalty lived. Standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola, City Palace is a massive series of palaces built at different times from 1559. The balconies of the Palace provide panoramic views of "Jag Niwas" (the Lake Palace Hotel), Jag Mandir on one side and on the other side of the city of Udaipur. Its main entrance is through the triple-arched gate - the Tripolia, built in 1725. The way now leads to a series of courtyards, overlapping parations, terraces, corridors and gardens. There is a Suraj Gokhda, where the Maharanas of Mewar presented themselves in the times of trouble to the people to restore confidence. The Mor-chowk (Peacock courtyard), gets its name from the mosaics in glass decorating its walls. The Chinese Painting Exhibition is noteworthy while a series of wall paintings of Krishna are on display in Bhim Vilas. There are numerous other Palaces such as Dilkhush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal and Krishna Vilas – built in the memory of a princess of striking beauty who poisoned herself to avert a bloody battle for her hand by rival princes. Now the Palace contains many antique articles, paintings, decorative furniture and utensils and attracts thousands of visitors every day. Sahelion ki Bari was laid for a group of 48 young women attendants who accompanied a princess to Udaipur as part of her dowry. The garden set below the embankment of the Fateh Sagar Lake has lotus pools, marble pavilions and elephant-shaped fountains. These fountains are fed by the water of the lake gushing through ducts specially carved for the purpose. Later this afternoon we are taken on a boat cruise on the Lake Pichola to visit Jagmandir Palace. The palace, built of granite and marble, covers four acres and is almost in the middle of the lake. We visit the Borra Mahal, Khas Mahal and the courts, gardens and fountains. What a grand way to finish our wonderful day in Udaipur.

OVERNIGHT:  Hotel Taj Lake Palace, UDAIPUR

UDAIPUR—RANAKPUR—JODHPUR

Today is our first day driving in the state of Rajasthan. Along the way we will visit the famous Jain Temple of Ranakpur. The temple is one of the largest and most important temples of Jain culture and is famous for its intricate carvings and unique architecture. Construction began in 1389 and took many years to finish. We also enjoy lunch in a local hotel in Ranakpur. This afternoon, we continue to the Blue City, Jodhpur. This popular tourist destination is the second largest city in Rajasthan and is situated in the stark landscape of the Thar Desert. We enjoy two nights at the historic and luxurious Hotel Vivanta Hari Mahal.

OVERNIGHT:  Hotel Vivanta Hari Mahal Palace, JODHPUR

EXPLORING JODHPUR

This morning we visit the massive Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest forts in India. Built in around 1459, the fort is situated 410 feet (125 metres) above the city and is enclosed by imposing thick walls. Inside its boundaries there are several palaces known for their intricate carvings and expansive courtyards. We also visit the Royal Cremation memorials - Jaswant Thada, built by Maharaja Sardar Singh of Jodhpur State in 1899 in memory of his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, and serves as the cremation ground for the royal family of Marwar. We enjoy a walk through the bustling Jodhpur market before returning to our hotel.

OVERNIGHT:  Hotel Vivanta Hari Mahal Palace, JODHPUR

JODHPUR TO JAIPUR

Sit back, relax and enjoy the passing scenery—today is a travel day as we drive to the capital of the princely state Rajasthan—Jaipur, the Pink City. This afternoon we arrive at the Hotel Taj Jai Mahal Palace, a 272 year old Grand Palace. Painstakingly restored and recently refurbished, it is now a luxury five-star Taj Heritage Hotel equipped with all modern-day comforts. Located in the heart of Jaipur surrounded by 18 acres of landscaped gardens, we have three nights here to live like royalty at this heritage hotel.

OVERNIGHT:  Hotel Taj Jai Mahal Palace, JAIPUR

DISCOVERING JAIPUR

After breakfast, we enjoy an Elephant Ride (optional) to the top of Amber Fort and later explore the Fort itself. The return journey is by jeep. Our lunch will be at one of the Palace hotels in Jaipur. Later in the afternoon we’ll visit the crowded old city of Jaipur where we can enjoy a Cycle Rickshaw Ride and walk through the spice market and other local markets of the Pink City.

OVERNIGHT: Hotel Taj Jai Mahal Palace, JAIPUR

MORE OF JAIPUR

Our first stop will be at Hawa Mahal - Palace of Winds. This five storey building, which looks out over the main street of the old city, is one of Jaipur's major landmarks. This is a stunning example of the Rajput artistry with its pink, semi-octagonal and delicately honey-combed and stone windows. Originally Hawa Mahal was built to enable the ladies of the royal families to watch the daily life and processions of the city. We continue the tour and visit Jantar Mantar - The Observatory, built by Raja Jai Singh in 1728. It is an excellent example of the marvellous precision wherein each construction has a specific purpose to measure the position of stars, altitudes and azimuths or calculating eclipses. The most striking instruments is the Sun Dial which is 90 feet high. Our next stop is the City Palace Museum, a delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture. A part of the palace is still the house of the former Maharaja of Jaipur. We visit the various galleries displaying the armoury, clothes and paintings of the Rajput clan. We return to the hotel and the afternoon is free to either use the facilities at this lovely Palace hotel or you can always choose to return to the bustling city of Jaipur—after all, Jaipur is known as a shoppers paradise!

OVERNIGHT: Hotel Taj Jai Mahal Palace, JAIPUR 

JAIPUR TO AGRA

Our journey today takes us from Jaipur to Agra. We stop along to way to see Fatehpur Sikri. The Mughal Emperor Akbar built Fatehpūr Sikrī about 35 km from Agra, and moved his capital there. Later abandoned, the site displays a number of buildings of significant historical importance. A World Heritage Site, it is visited by most tourists. The name of the place came about after the Mughal Emperor Babar defeated Rana Sanga in a battle at a place called Sikrī .Akbar wanted to shift his headquarter to Fatehpur Sikri so he built a majestic fort. However, due to lack of water, the city had to be abandoned and the headquarters returned to Agra. We stop for lunch at a local hotel then continue our drive to Agra.

OVERNIGHT:  Hotel Taj View, AGRA

AGRA AND THE TAJ MAHAL

This morning we have arranged a sightseeing tour of Agra. Of course, our first stop is the Taj Mahal – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, this sublime Mughal mausoleum is India’s most appreciated icon. The Taj was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial for his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child in 1631. Construction of the Taj began in the same year and was not completed until 1653. Not long after it was finished, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb and imprisoned in Agra Fort where, for the rest of his days, he could only gaze out at his creation through a window. Following his death in 1666, Shah Jahan was buried here alongside Mumtaz. We also visit Agra Fort (sometimes called the Red Fort). It was commissioned by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565 and is another of Agra's World Heritage Sites. A stone tablet at the gate of the Fort states that it had been built before 1000 but was later renovated by Akbar. The red sandstone fort was converted into a palace during Shah Jahan’s time, and reworked extensively with marble & Pietra dura inlay. Notable buildings in the fort include the Pearl Mosque, the Diwan-e'Ām and Dīwān-e-Khās (halls of public and private audience), Jahangir Palace, Khās Mahal and Sheesh Mahal (mirrored palace). We also visit a local market and a marble factory where you can actually see the inlay work on marble as it was done for the construction of Taj. This evening we can enjoy a one hour Dance Drama based on the love story of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jehan which led to the building of Taj Mahal (this dance drama is optional and at own expense).

OVERNIGHT:  Hotel Taj View, AGRA

AGRA  - DELHI  FLIGHT

We have a leisurely start today. Some of us may like to explore the Taj Mahal once again, either at sunrise or after breakfast. After an early lunch, we’re on the road again as we travel back to Delhi. Here, we make our way to the Delhi International Airport for our direct flight back home to Melbourne.

ARRIVE MELBOURNE

Completing our memorable tour of India’s Golden Triangle, we arrive into Melbourne International Airport. Once we have completed our Immigration and Customs process, our chauffeurs will be waiting to transport us home with many interesting stories to tell of our fabulous adventure.