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The Treasures of India
14 days from £1799
Delhi
The Taj Mahal
Palace of the Winds
· Visit Delhi's historic old town · Enjoy an unforgettable gala dinner at Samode · Visit the incomparable Taj Mahal · Witness an evening aarti ceremony in Varanasi · Discover vibrant Jaipur
Gaze in awe at the sublime Taj Mahal, experience the luxury of splendid 5-star hotels, see the sunrise over the sacred waters of the Ganges, take the Shatabdi Express to the sandstone temples of Khajuraho and shop for shimmering silks and fragrant spices in age-old bazaars.
ITINERARY DAYS 1 & 2 UK/Delhi We fly overnight to Delhi and transfer to our hotel; the 5-star The Grand. Relax awhile in the midst of its large park, ponds and beautiful flowering bushes before our afternoon tour of New Delhi. Here, the broad avenues and noble buildings a legacy of the British Raj contrast with the exquisite tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun and tapering Qutab Minar tower, erected to mark the Turkish conquest of Delhi. DAY 3 Old Delhi Step back in time today as we explore the Delhi of the Mughals, dominated by the solid sandstone ramparts of the 17th-century Red Fort; a visit inside reveals its white marble pavilions where Emperor Akbar held court in gilded splendour. We'll see Chandni Chowk, once an imperial avenue and now a teeming bazaar; Jama Masjid the largest mosque in India; and Raj Ghat, the site of Ghandi's cremation. DAY 4 Jaipur Leaving the bustle of Delhi behind, we travel by coach into the desert state of Rajasthan, renowned for the wealth and extravagance of its Maharajah's palaces and lavish lifestyles. Our destination is Jaipur, founded in 1727 and remarkable for the beauty of its sandstone buildings, tinged with pink and ochre. We will stay at the 5-star Sheraton Rajputana for the next three nights. DAY 5 Amber Fort & Samode Palace Just five miles from Jaipur, the Amber Fort commands a hilltop setting above the parched desert. We visit the eerie Temple of Kali, the jewel-like Palace of Mirrors and the enchanting Hall of Pleasure. The royal treatment continues this evening with a special Indian feast, music, dancing and a firework finale at the splendid Samode Palace. DAY 6 Jaipur Emperor Jai Singh consulted the stars before building Jaipur, and the elaborate if enigmatic Jantar Mantar observatory stands testimony to his belief in astrology. Exploring the city this morning, we'll also see the City Palace with its seven storeys and seven courtyards, and the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, where ladies of the court could watch, unseen, the public processions in the streets below. DAY 7 Fatehpur Sikri & Agra On today's drive east to Agra we visit Fatehpur Sikri, built in 1568 and deserted just 13 years later. It's notable for its pink and red stone architecture, its gates and courtyards, pillared pavilions and Panch Mahal, a five-tiered palace, open on three sides to catch the cooling breezes. We will stay at the Mughal Sheraton for the next two nights. DAY 8 Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Nothing prepares you for the overwhelming beauty of the Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jehan in memory of his favourite wife. Set in classical gardens with rippling reflecting pools, its white marble walls inlaid with semi-precious stones are truly breathtaking. We'll catch another glimpse from the mighty Agra Fort, where Shah Jehan was imprisoned by his son, spending his last days gazing longingly at the mausoleum.
DELHI AGRA JAIPUR
R.G an ge
N E PA L
s
VARANASI
KHAJURAHO
INDIA
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