India – a veritable wonderland of color, contrast and incomprehensible mystery! It is into this alluring kaleidoscope that takes travelers accustomed to their luxuries and comforts and gently delivers this world in palatable layers of luscious, exotic experience. From the overwhelming crowds on the streets, through the many sounds and scents of the market, you’re drawn towards the awe-inspiring silence within the age-old palace. One cannot travel through India and remain a spectator without being swept away by the experience time and again.
Let your eyes wander as India offers reflection. Experiencing India is like watching a movie. You can lean back and relax while allowing the experience to unfold, or you can climb to the edge of your seat and marvel at every last detail of this fascinating wonderland!
Day 1: New Delhi
You’ve just arrived in a land of 1.2 billion people, home to every major religion in the world and a dizzying variety of histories and languages, and one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Welcome to beautiful India!
Arrive at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International airport, Terminal T-3. Special VIP assistance accorded on arrival. The guests will be met by a Hi Tours representative at the gate and escorted to Immigrations where you will be assisted. There after collecting your bags, you will be met with your English Speaking Guide. Special reception at the airport with welcome garlanding, later you will be escorted to your hotel.
On arrival at hotel, girls dressed in traditional Saree will perform the “Thali Ceremony” Aarti, tikka and flowers. While welcome drinks are being served and room keys are handed over. Check in to your accommodations: Le-Meridien
Note: We will ensure all VVIP amenities including Fruit Basket, Cookies are kept with flowers. A welcome gift with your compliments will pre-place in the guest’s room.
Day 2: New Delhi
Spend the morning exploring the old city. Commence your day with a visit to the 17th century Jama Masjid and ride a rickshaw through the narrow lanes of the Chandni Chowk and walk through the spice markets.
Our recommendation: lunch at Café Lota at the Crafts Museum – the menu featuring an eclectic selection of pan Indian cuisine. Later you have time to tour the museum, which houses a treasure trove of Indian art and architecture. Ranging from metal ware woodwork, masks, painting, terracotta and textiles, the museum showcases the best of India’s craft heritage. Housed in the tree-shaded courtyards, are artisans from various parts of India, recreating some of the items you saw in the museum.
Next visit Qutab Minar* – the tallest tower in world for centuries, erected by first Islamic rulers of India and still the most imposing, artistically carved and engraved sandstone pillar anywhere.
Enjoy a drive through Lutyen’s Delhi with photo stops at India Gate and the muted red sandstone Parliament Buildings by traditional Black & Yellow cabs.
Day culminates with an interesting religious and philosophy experience as you visit the Bangla Saheb Gurudwara and see the community kitchen where thousands of worshippers are fed round the clock.
We constantly research for new ideas to showcase the destinations that are featured on our guest itineraries. Whether it is visiting monuments or museums or savoring India’s diverse cuisine, we partner with experts and design experiences that promote learning. Historians, musicians, artists, culinary experts, architects and connoisseurs have in the past enlivened India for our guests.
Optional: Visit to Humayun’s Tomb* built in 1562 and designed by a Persian architect. The tomb was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993 OR
Dinner recommendations:
Venture out to some of Delhi’s new and up and coming restaurants
1. Spice Route restaurant at The Imperial hotel serving South East Asian Cuisine
2. Dinner tonight will be at Le Cirque, one of hotel Leela Palace outstanding restaurants, or
3. Award winning Bukhara Restaurant (serving North Eastern Frontier Province Cuisine – similar to Indian) at ITC Maurya or
*UNESCO World heritage site
Day 3: Agra
This morning transfer to the railway station to connect train for Agra.
Upon arrival meet with our representative and transfer to the hotel.
This afternoon you will visit the Agra Fort* which dates back to the 11th Century and captured by several rulers before it was rebuilt by the Great Mughal King Akbar in the 16th Century.
Evening Visit Taj Mahal* at sun rise on decorated horse driven carriages, Taj Mahal is one of mankind’s greatest architectural feats. Built out of white marble by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, it was erected by 20,000 laborers over a 12-year period. The entire monument is a masterpiece of symmetry (Closed on Friday).
*UNESCO World heritage site
Day 4: Jaipur
Leisurely this morning depart for Jaipur, en-route visit Fatehpur Sikri. The magnificent fortified ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 as his capital and abandoned 15 years later, allegedly due to a severe scarcity of water. You will visit the graceful buildings within such as the Jami Masjid, the tomb of Salim Chisti, the Panch Mahal, Diwan I Khas and other palaces. It is a place where Islamic architecture fuses with Hindu and Jain decorative art.
Upon arrival check in to the hotel.
*UNESCO World heritage site
Day 5: Jaipur
Morning drive to Amber and its glorious hilltop fortress. You will ascend the fort on Jeep. It is known for its unique artistic style, blending both Hindu and Muslim (Mughal) elements, and its ornate and breathtaking architectural mastery. Tour the chambers and hallways of the palace, famous for the excellence of its design and decoration. Within the complex is Ganesh Pol, an imposing gateway painted with the images of the elephant-headed god, Ganesh. Pierced screen windows offer views from different vantage points, and shimmering mirrors encrust the walls of Sheesh Mahal.
Optional – Visit to Elephant village near Jaipur, this a true experience! A village of about 100 elephants and their trainer, you can help the resident mahouts (elephant trainers) in their daily activity, feeding , bathing and cleaning elephants, get your hands to paint your favorite elephant ! Learn about elephants and about their life, challenges, needs and training !
Later proceed to Pink city of Jaipur. Stop for a photo at the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of the Winds.” This beautiful façade is probably the most-photographed in Jaipur, with its ornately carved windows designed so the ladies of the palace could look out onto the streets unobserved. Visit the City Palace Museum, which has a priceless collection of antiques, costumes and armory of the Mughals and Rajputs including swords of different shapes and sizes with chiseled handles. It also has an art gallery which displays a collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit.
Thereafter visit Jantar Mantar Observatory, a stone astrological and astronomical Observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the 18th century
Evening enjoy a short Tuk Tuk ride across the market
Optional – Go for an experience – Cook as an Indian!
Visit to a local Rajput family, be their guests and get into their kitchens and get their secrets of magical Indian species, participate and help them to prepare some of the North Indian recipes followed by a traditional Rajput Dinner.