The Grand Tour of North India

DAY 01: ARRIVE IN DELHI
Arrive Delhi by flight, meeting and assistance at airport and transfer to hotel for check-in. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 02: DELHI
Breakfast at hotel and later proceed for the visit to Old and New Delhi. In Old Delhi visit the Raj Ghat (memorial to Mahatma Gandhi). Drive past Red fort and once an imperial avenue of Mughal Royalty which today is the busiest commercial area of the city. Later visit Jama Masjid, - The largest mosque in India. Later take an intriguing rickshaw ride through the lanes of Chandni Chowk market to savour the ambience of a crowded oriental bazaar. In New Delhi visit the 12th century Qutab Minar, gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of 234ft, and the iron pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time and not rusted even after 1500 years. Visit the mausoleum of emperor Humayun - a forerunner of the Mughal style of architecture. Visit the mausoleum of emperor Humayun - a forerunner of the Mughal style of architecture. Drive past the India Gate (war memorial dedicated to the lives of laid down by the Indian soldiers), the president's residence - formerly the Viceroy's Palace, parliament House and the Secretariat buildings, - an interesting blend of the Victorian and 20th century architecture.

DAY 03: DRIVE FROM DELHI TO AGRA (205 KMS / 04 HRS)
Today morning after breakfast leave Delhi and drive to Agra, upon arrival check-in at hotel. Later visit the Agra Fort, which contains the halls private and public audiences and other palaces. Shah Jahan spent years of confinement at the hands of his son Aurangzeb, looking wistfully at the Taj Mahal from the Fort. Followed by sunset visit Taj Mahal world famous Taj Mahal built by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. This architectural marvel is a perfectly proportioned masterpiece fashioned from white marble that stands testimony to the skill of 20,000 craftsmen brought together from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and who took 17 year to complete this ' Love Poem in Marble'.(Closed on Fridays)

DAY 04: DRIVE FROM AGRA TO JAIPUR VIA FATEHPUR SIKRI (245 KM / 06 HRS)
Today morning leave Agra for Jaipur, visiting Fatehpur Sikri en-route. Located 40 kms from Agra, the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, in honour of the great Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti who blessed Akbar and prophesized the birth of three sons to the heirless Emperor. Akbar used Fatehpur Sikri as his capital and the city was fully occupied for 14 years but slowly became deserted and ruined after Akbar left the city. Scarcity of water was the prime factor for the abandonment of this beautiful city. Visit the remarkably well-preserved, graceful buildings within the 'Ghost City' including the Jama Masjid, tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal Palace and other palaces that speak of the grandeur and splendour of the Mughal empire at the height of its power. Post the sightseeing of Fatehpur Sikri, Enjoy lunch at local restaurant and continue drive to Jaipur and check in at hotel

DAY 05: JAIPUR
Morning excursion to Amber fort. Amber is a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. The rugged, time-ravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful from the outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. Miniatures painted on the walls depict hunting and war scenes, apart from festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are embedded into the plaster. A major attraction at Amber is the Elephant Ride all the way up to the Fort entrance. This journey on caparisoned elephants is bound to enrich your memories with the Royal lifestyle of the Maharajas and leave you with a truly unforgettable experience. Inside the Fort visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory. Inside the Jag Mandir is the famed Sheesh Mahal - a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period. En route to Amber Fort, you will have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant. Later visit to the Maharaja's City Palace, the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur. One of the major attractions in the Museum is the portion known as Armory Museum housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, Blunderbusses, flintlocks, Swords, rifles and daggers the royal families of Jaipur once used most of these weapons. Later visit the Jantar Mantar Which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world.

DAY 06: DRIVE FROM JAIPUR TO MANDAWA (180 KMS / 04 HRS)
Today morning after breakfast leave Jaipur and drive to Mandawa, an open art gallery in the North-West of Rajasthan. This afternoon, we will visit some of the Havelis of those rich merchants of Mandawa town
Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 07: DRIVE FROM MANDAWA TO BIKANER (195 KMS / 03 ½ HRS)
Today morning after breakfast leave Mandawa and drive to Bikaner, the beautiful city of Rajasthan with an influence of modern architecture continued during the British Raj. We will visit the famous camel breeding farm, the one of its kind in India. Also visit Junagarh fort and tuk tuk ride in Bikaner to see the local market and beautiful frescoes of an old Jain temple.
Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 08: DRIVE FROM BIKANER TO JAISALMER (193 KMS / 05 HRS)
Today morning after breakfast leave Bikaner and drive to Jaisalmer, One of Rajasthan’s most exotic towns deep in the heart of Thar Desert. Afternoon free to walk through the streets and absorb the atmosphere. View magnificent houses with their facades carved from yellow sandstone and painted murals.
Overnight stay at hotel

DAY 09: JAISALMER
Today morning after breakfast half day sightseeing of Jaisalmer, built in burnished sandstone is an intricately molded wonderland. A full-day sightseeing tour takes you through this city of gilded magic. See the Citadel, the fort built by Rawal Jaisal where a fourth of the population lives. Also visit Jain temples of the 12th to 15th centuries Patwon ki Haveli, a five-story mansion with carved pillars and murals; Salim Singh and Nathmalji ki Haveli. Evening excursion to Sam Sand Dunes. See the spectacular view of sun melting down in the desert. Also enjoy a brief Camel Ride at the Dunes, an unforgettable experience.
Overnight stay at hotel

DAY 10: DRIVE FROM JAISALMER TO JODHPUR (286 KMS / 05 ½ HRS)
Today morning after breakfast leave Jaisalmer and drive to Jodhpur, upon arrival check-in at hotel, Evening walking tour near to clock tower at Jodhpur city
Overnight stay at hotel

DAY 11: JODHPUR
Today morning after breakfast visit the city of Jodhpur, with its gentle atmosphere belies a stormy yet glorious past. Its walls, seven gates and numerous bastions and towers were built in the 16th century by Rao Maldeo. 393 feet above the flat surrounding plains soars a bold bluff on which was built the massive Meherangarh (Majestic) Fort. In the old city’s maze of old lanes lie several palaces, havelis and some temples. The famous puppet makers of Jodhpur are found here. Visit the Sardar Bazar with its Clock Tower of 1912. Visit the fort and palaces, some of which contain a fine collection of Rajput miniature paintings, a museum, Maan Vilas which houses Rathore armoury and on the ramparts stand cannons, the spoils of Gaj Singh. On the road down from the Fort see Jaswant Thada, the blinding white marble cenotaph (chhatri) of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.
Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 12: DRIVE FROM JODHPUR TO UDAIPUR VIA RANAKPUR
Today morning after breakfast leave Jodhpur and drive to Udaipur via Ranakpur, Ranakpur - The exceptionally beautiful Ranakpur complex is one of the largest and most important Jain temples in India. It lies in a remote valley of the Aravalli range and is an important destination for Jains and tourists alike Later continue drive to Udaipur and check in at hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 13: UDAIPUR
Today morning after breakfast proceed for the city tour visiting City Palace, built in 1725, which houses the Dilkhush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal - studded with glittering Belgian mirrors, Moti Mahal and the Palace of Lord Krishna all of which are ornately decorated. Later visit the Jagdish Temple built in 1651 is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity of Gods. Also visit the Sahelion Ki Bari -Garden of the Maidens. It was built by Maharajas for their ladies. The fountains here operate on water pressure with no pump being used. End your tour with a drive around beautiful Fatehsagar Lake. Evening enjoy shared boat ride at Lake Pichola by shared boat (water level is subject to weather condition)
Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 14: FLIGHT FROM UDAIPUR TO CHANDIGARH
Today in time transfer to Udaipur airport to board the flight for Chandigarh

Udaipur – Jaipur
Jaipur- Chandigarh

Meeting and assistance at airport and transfer to hotel for check-in. Afternoon sightseeing of Chandigarh visit the local places
Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 15: TOY TRAIN FROM KALKA TO SHIMLA
Today early morning take toy train from Kalka to Shimla

Kalka/ Shimla Toy Train 0700/1300 Hrs

Upon arrival meeting and assistance and transfer to hotel, Rest of the evening on leisure
Overnight stay

DAY 16: SHIMLA
Today sightseeing of Shimla visit the local places including Mall Road
Overnight stay

DAY 17: SHIMLA
Today day free to explore Shimla at your own
Overnight stay

DAY 18: DRIVE FROM SHIMLA TO CHANDIGARH AND BOARD TRAIN TO DELHI
Today drive to Chandigarh railway station to board train to Delhi

Chandigarh/ Delhi Shtabdi express 1500/1800 Hrs

Upon arrival meeting and assistance and transfer to hotel
Overnight stay

DAY 19: LEAVE DELHI
Today in time transfer to Delhi airport to board the flight for onward destination.