INDIA, CAIRNS & GOLD COAST - INDIA TOUR Package

After breakfast, proceed for a full-day tour of Old and New Delhi. This fascinating city has been in existence since the 6th century BC and has seen ups and downs from the rule of the Pandavas right up to the British Raj. Visit Jama Masjid, which is the largest mosque in India, commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan. The courtyard of the mosque can hold about 25,000 worshippers. Enjoy a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk, the busiest market in Old Delhi…noisy, chaotic and uniquely Indian. You will then drive past to the Red Fort, which was constructed during the rule of Emperor Shah Jahan and served as the residence for the Mughal royal family. It continues to be significant till date, as every Independence Day, the Prime Minister makes a speech from its ramparts as the Indian flag is hoisted. Later, drive past President House and several other government buildings in Edwin Lutyen’s Delhi before you head toward Rajghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. This simple memorial marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Thereafter, visit Humayun’s Tomb, commissioned by Humayun’s wife Hamida Banu Begum in 1562. It was the first garden tomb built in the Indian sub-continent where the Persian architect used red sandstone on a

The Golden Triangle with Cultural Rajasthan

15 Nights / 16 Days 2N Delhi – 1N Mandawa – 1N Bikaner – 2N Jaisalmer – 2N Jodhpur – 2 Udaipur -1N Ajmer – 2N Jaipur – 1N Agra – 1N Delhi

large scale. Later in the evening visit the Qutab Minar, which is the tallest brick minaret in the world; it was commissioned by Qutbuddin Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi. Overnight in Delhi.

This morning after breakfast proceed to Mandawa. Arrive Mandawa and check in to your hotel. Later, enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of Mandawa. The entire Shekhawati region is well known for its painted havelis (mansions with frescoes). Mandawa in particular is central to this beautiful form of art. Some of the notable haveli’s are the Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli, Murmuria Haveli, Goenka Double Haveli, Jhunjhunwala Haveli and Mohan Lal Saraf Haveli. Not surprisingly, the entire town is referred to as an Open Art Gallery. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Mandawa.

This morning after breakfast proceed to Bikaner. If ever beauty has bloomed in a desert, it has been at Bikaner it comprises imposing palaces and beautiful, richly sculptured temples of red and yellow sandstone. Arrive Bikaner and check in to your hotel. Later proceed for a half day tour. Visit Junagadh Fort… an unassailable fortress, it never been conquered. Inside the fort are some magnificent palaces like Anup Mahal, Ganga Niwas and Rang Mahal or palace of pleasure. The Har Mandir is the majestic temple for the royal family. Later, visit a camel breeding farm…here; professional camel breeders research how to breed the best camels. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Bikaner.

This morning after breakfast proceed to Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer, which lies in the heart of the Thar Desert…a city, seeped in color and rich tradition; it was once a major centre on the trading route between India and the west. Arrive Jaisalmer and check in to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Jaisalmer.

This morning after breakfast proceed for half day tour of Jaisalmer. Visit Jaisalmer Fort, which is the only living fort of India and houses the entire township within its ramparts. Visit Salim Singh ki Haveli, built around 300 years ago, and Patwon-ki-Haveli which is the largest and most elaborate mansion of its kind in Jaisalmer, followed by a visit to Nathmal Ji ki Haveli, a grand mansion that blends Rajput and Islamic architecture. Later, drive past the beautiful Gadisar Lake and Badal Vilas, the present residence of erstwhile royal family. Later, visit Sam Sand Dunes, around 42 kms from Jaisalmer, is the closest place from where you can lose yourself in ‘The Great Thar Desert'. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Jaisalmer.

This morning after breakfast proceed to Jodhpur. Arrive Jodhpur and check in to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Jodhpur.

This morning after breakfast proceed for a half-day sightseeing trip of Jodhpur, which is the second largest city in Rajasthan and also called the ‘Sun City’. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort. This spectacular fort made from red sandstone stands on a perpendicular cliff above the skyline of Jodhpur. Also visit Jaswant Thada, a marble cenotaph built to commemorate Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Later, drive past the Mandore garden, which showcases cenotaphs of Jodhpur's former rulers; instead of the usual umbrella-shaped cenotaphs these are built along the lines of a Hindu temple. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Jodhpur.

This morning after breakfast proceed to Udaipur. Enroute, visit the Ranakpur Temples, acclaimed worldwide for their intricate and superb architectural style. These temples form one of the five major pilgrimages of the Jain’s. Arrive Udaipur and check in to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Udaipur.

After breakfast, proceed for full-day tour of Udaipur. Visit the City Palace, standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola. The complex is a massive series of palaces built at different times from 1559. The balconies of the palace provide panoramic views of the Lake Palace Hotel and Jag Mandir on one side, and the city of Udaipur on the other. The paintings, mosaics, intricately carved 'chhatris' and the architecturally brilliant

facade all contribute to making your visit to the City Palace a truly memorable experience. Thereafter, visit a picturesque garden, Sahelion ki Bari. You will visit also visit Jagdish Temple, which is raised on a tall terrace and was completed in 1651. It attaches a double-storey Mandapa (hall) to a double-storey saandhara (with a covered ambulatory) sanctum. In the evening, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola (depending upon the water level of lake), which is an artificial fresh water lake, created in the year 1362 AD. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Udaipur.

This morning after breakfast proceed to Ajmer. Arrive Ajmer and check in to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Ajmer.

This morning, enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of Ajmer. The city of Ajmer houses the Dargah or tomb of the popular 13th-century Sufi Saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti. The Dargah is one of the holiest places of worship in India not only for Muslims but also for people of other faiths who hold the saint the high esteem. Its main attraction is the mausoleum containing the tomb of the saint, which is the sanctum of the Dargah. Among its other prominent attractions are the two mighty Buland Darwazas. The Dargah includes many other attractive buildings, tombs, courtyards and Daalaans, some of which are exquisite specimens of the Moghul architecture. After visiting the Dargah, proceed for Jaipur, also known as the ‘Pink City’. The city of Jaipur is capital to the state of Rajasthan, famous for its colorful culture, forts, palaces, and lakes. Jaipur owes its name to the founder of the city, warrior king Sawai Jai Singh II. Rest of the day at leisure. Arrive and check-in at your hotel. Overnight in Jaipur.

This morning after breakfast proceed for an excursion to Visit the Amber Fort. The best way to explore the fort is to ride up to it on Elephant back. Prominent structures inside the fort are the Diwan-i-Aam, adorned with latticed galleries, the Ganesh Pol, with a beautiful painted image of Lord Ganesh, and the stunning Sheesh Mahal, a hall decorated with thousands of tiny mirrors. Later, stop to photograph the beautiful Hawa Mahal, also known as the “Palace of the Winds.” This beautiful façade with its ornately carved latticework windows was designed so the ladies of the palace could look out onto the streets unobserved. Later you will visit the City Palace… again, a synthesis of Rajasthani and Mughal styles. The museums here showcase rare and ancient manuscripts, arms dating back to the 15th century, and costumes of erstwhile royalty. Later, visit the Jantar Mantar Observatory, comprising geometric devices for measuring time, and tracking stars in their orbits. Overnight in Jaipur.

After breakfast, drive to Agra and enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri, which was built by Emperor Akbar and is home to many historical buildings. Akbar wanted to make Fatehpur Sikri his headquarters; however, he had to abandon it due to shortage of water. The Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti enshrines the burial place of the Sufi saint who lived a religious life here. Today, Fatehpur Sikri is a UNESCO World heritage site. Further drive to Agra and check into your Hotel. Overnight in Agra.

This morning after breakfast proceed for half day tour of Agra. Visit the Red Fort, which was commissioned in 1565 by The Mughal Emperor, Akbar. The beautiful yet forbidding structure is a handsome example of Mughal architecture. Later, visit the Taj Mahal … a mausoleum built as a symbol of Emperor Shah Jehan’s devotion to his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. Considered an architectural marvel, its construction took thousands of workers over 21 years to complete. Overnight in Delhi.

This morning after breakfast proceed to the airport to board the flight for your onward destination.