Travelpack

Highlights: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Jhodpur - Udaipur - Delhi

Hotels:
Delhi - Royal Plaza Hotel 5* or similar
Agra - Crystal Sarovar Premiere 5* or similar
Jaipur - Radisson Jaipur City Center 5* or similar
Jodhpur - Indana Palace Jaipur 5* or similar
Udaipur - The Lalit 5* or similar
Delhi - Pride Plaza Hotel Aerocity 5* or or similar

Introduction:
The colorful festival of Holi is celebrated on Phalgun Purnima which comes in the end February or early March. Originally a festival to celebrate good harvests & fertility of the land. The story is of arrogant king who attempts to kill his son Prahlad worshipping lord Vishnu but fails each time. Finally, the king’s sister Holika who is said to be immune to burning sits with a boy in huge fire. However, the prince Prahlada come out untouched, while Holika burns to death. Holi commemorates this event from mythology, and huge bonfires are burnt on the eve of Holi as its symbolic representation.
This festival is also associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha

Day 1: Delhi
Upon arrival at Delhi airport welcome, meet and assist by our representative and transfer to Hotel

Rest of the day at leisure and Overnight stay at Hotel

Day 2: Delhi
After breakfast enjoy city tour of Old Delhi visiting Raj Ghat which is located on the banks of the river Yamuna, This is Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial, where he was cremated following his assassination in January 1948. The memorial lies in the midst of landscaped gardens and made of a simple square platform of black marble inscribed with his last words “Hey Ram”. Drive Pass Red Fort (closed on Monday) – the 17th century imposing fortress built in red sandstone is surrounded by a huge boundary wall 33m high. Inside are exquisite palaces and beautiful gardens. Board the 'cycle rickshaw' for a unique experience from the Red Fort, through "Chandni Chowk" or Silver Street, experiencing the sights and sounds of this very busy avenue-heading west from the Fort. Opposite the Red Fort lies Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) made of red sandstone and white marble, completed in 1656. It is India’s largest mosque where more than 20,000 people can kneel in prayer at one time.

New Delhi visiting Humayun’s Tomb, built by his wife Haji Begum in the 16th Century. An early example of Mughal architecture considered the predecessor of the Taj Mahal.

The Qutab Minar - the landmark of Delhi, a huge tower of victory started in 1199 and completed in 1368. The Minar is 72.5m high with a diameter at the base 14.4m and 2.7m at the top. Proceed to the Rashtrapati Bhawan (Drive Pass) once the Viceroy’s residence and now the official residence of the President of India. Designed by Lutyens, it combines western and eastern styles - the dome reflects the Buddhist stupa, the chhattris “Hindu” and the graceful colonnades very “British”. It has 340 rooms.
The India Gate (42m), C commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1st world war. 13516 names of British and Indian soldiers killed in the Afghan War of 1919 are engraved on the arch and foundations. Under the arch, glows the Amar Jawan Jyoti flame commemorating Indian armed forces’ losses in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.

Overnight stay at Hotel

Day 3: Delhi to Agra by surface
After breakfast check out from Hotel and drive from Delhi to Agra visit Brajbhoomi (Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Nandgaon & Govardhan) where festivities begin week before Holi. Here Holi is celebrate in different form as lathmar Holi, Phoolonwali Holi and Holi with colours

Later drive to Agra – medieval city on the banks of the Yamuna River. It was founded by Sultan Sikandar Lodi in the year 1506. Agra achieved fame as the capital of the Mughal emperors from 1526 to 1658 and remains a major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era buildings. Most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Upon arrival at Agra, check in at Hotel

Rest of the day at leisure and Overnight stay at Hotel

Day 4: Agra
After breakfast visit Taj Mahal the world famous monument Taj Mahal (Closed on Fridays) – Overlooking the River Yamuna, the Taj Mahal is a classic example of Mughal architecture, with the Taj itself built as a mausoleum at the northern end of an extensive formal walled garden designed in the charbagh style and structured on the Islamic theme of ‘paradise’. The whole site was built by Shah Jahan between ad 1632 and 1653 as the final resting place of his favourite wife Arjumand Bann Begum (also known as Mumtaz Mahal) who died in ad 1631 shortly after giving birth to their fourteenth child. Upon his death in ad 1666, Shah Jahan was buried alongside his wife in the Taj

Agra Fort – Agra Fort was originally a brick fort and the Chauhan Rajputs held it. It was mentioned for the first time in 1080 AD when a Ghaznavide force captured it. Sikandar Lodi (1487-1517) was the first Sultan of Delhi who shifted to Agra and lived in the fort. He governed the country from here and Agra assumed the importance of the second capital. He died in the fort in 1517 and his son, Ibrahim Lodi, held it for nine years until he was defeated and killed at Panipat in 1526. He built several palaces, wells and a mosque in the fort during his period.

Itmad –Ud-Daulah Tomb also called “Baby Taj” has a special place in the chronicles of both historyas well as architecture. This is precisely because Itmad ud Daula is the very first tomb in India that is entirely made out of Marble. This is actually a mausoleum that overlooks the River Yamuna and is a tomb of Mir Ghiyas Beg, a minister in the court of Shah Jahan.
Evening enjoy sunset view of Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh - The Garden complex, situated on the opposite bank of the Taj Mahal, is known as Mehtab Bagh

Overnight stay at Hotel

Day 5: Agra
Enjoy Grand Holi Celebrations to experience an Indian Holi – Complete with "Music, Thandaai, Gulaal , Pichkari, Sweets and Water Balloons" this three hour engagement shall prove to be a highlight of their Indian trip. Further, our experienced Agra Walks tour escorts shall explain to guests the relevance of Holi in India and the stories which lead up to such a celebration.

Attractions:
Live Musicians with Dhol
Thandaai – The traditional Holi beverage
Gujiya, Namkeen, Hot Pakoras, and other coloured Indian sweets.
Herbal, Eco-friendly Abeer & Gulaal with Pichkaris
Exclusive Holi Kit to each guest
Interaction with locals and Balloon Filling activity with Tug of War, Kite Flying, Stapoo and other fun games
White Kurtas, Holi Caps, Shower caps, Plastic pouches for mobile phones, whistles and disposable slippers shall be provided to all guests
Holi ke Rang, Phoolon ke sang – Water color made with Tesu flowers for colorful & fragrant color water – non-chemical.
'Bura Na Maano Holi Hai' – Holi wrist bands
Group photo – soft copies
Rest of the day at leisure and Overnight stay at Hotel

Day 6: Agra to Jaipur by surface
After breakfast check out from Hotel and drive from Agra to Jaipur - Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh - II, the ruler of Amber, Jaipur was the first planned city in India. This town is also referred as Pink city for the colour of buildings in its wonderful old city. The city was painted pink to honour the visit of Prince Albert of England in 1882.

En-route visit Fatehpur Sikri - which is a beautiful and deserted medieval city, built by Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great in the 16th century to serve as the capital of his vast empire. It was mysteriously abandoned 13 years later. Today, it is perfectly preserved as a ghost city built at the height of the empire’s splendor

Upon arrival at Jaipur, check in at Hotel
Overnight stay at Hotel

Day 7: Jaipur
This morning excursion to the Amber City Fort situated 130m high with the Aravalli hills around and 11 km north of Jaipur. It was the ancient capital of the Kachhawaha Rajputs till 1037. watch the colourfully painted elephants up the hill, admire the massive gateways, courts, stairways, pillared pavilions and palaces the recall the glory and wealth of Amber’s association with the Mughals.

Afternoon enjoy city tour visiting the The Maharajah’s City Palace – A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Deve Temple and the City Palace Museum.
Jantar Mantar – This is the largest and best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country.

Hawa Mahal – The ornamental facade of this “Palace of Winds” is a landmark in Jaipur. Its five - storey structure of pink sandstone encrusted with fine tellies work and balconies has 953 inches and windows. It was built in 1799 by Pratap Singh and was a royal grandstand for palace women.
Johari Bazaar – The main bazaar is in the old city for jewellery and saris.

Overnight stay at Hotel

Day 8: Jaipur to Jodhpur by surface
After breakfast check out from Hotel and drive from Jaipur to Jodhpur - founded in 1459, Jodhpur is referred as Sun City for its bright & sunny weather. It is also termed as Blue city for it blue whitewashed houses around Mehrangarh Fort.
Upon arrival at Jodhpur, check in at Hotel

Rest of teh day at leisure and Overnight stay at Hotel

Day 9: Jodhpur
After breakfast proceed for city tour Jodhpur Mehrangarh Fort - located atop a 125 m high hill. The magnificent Mehrangarh Fort is the most majestic and one of the largest forts in India. The construction of the fort started in 1459. The walls of the fort are up to 36 m high and 21 m wide; they enclose some exquisite structures. The fort museum houses an exquisite collection of palanquins, howdahs, royal cradles, miniatures, musical instruments, costumes and furniture. The rampart of fort not only has excellently preserved cannons but also gives a breathtaking view of the city. Kipling once remarked, the fort seems to have been built by giants and not by ordinary people.

Also visit Jaswant Thada – an architectural landmark. It is a white marble memorial built in 1899 in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The monument, in its entirety, is built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. These stones are extremely thin and polished so that they emit a warm glow when the sun's rays dance across their surface. Within this cenotaph, there are also two more tombs.

Umaid Bhawan Palace – one of the fascinating palaces of Jodhpur, Maharaja Umaid Singh constructed in20th Century. A part of the palace has now been converted into a hotel and a museum.

Stepwells are wells or ponds in which the water is reached by descending a set of steps. They may be covered and proteted and are oftern of architectural significance. The Stepwell ensures the availability of water during periods of drought. The stepwells had social, cultural and religion significance.

Overnight stay at Hotel

Day 10: Jodhpur to Udaipur by surface
After breakfast check out from Hotel and drive from Jodhpur to Udaipur lies in a valley, amidst green hills on the banks of Lake Pichola. Along the shores of the lake is the palace of the Maharana. Within the palace, view peacocks in mosaic on the walls, floors inlaid with tiles of rare beauty and roof gardens.

En route visit the tranquil pilgrimage town of Ranakpur, renowned for some marvellously carved Jain temples

Upon arrival at Udaipur airport transfer to Hotel
Overnight stay at Hotel

Day 11: Udaipur
After breakfast you will enjoy city tour visiting City Palace - The city palace was built in 1725 with various palaces inside it such as Dilkush Mahal, the palace of Krishan Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal all ornately decorated. The museum in City Palace contains incomparable historic and artistic heritage which dates back to 14 century, Jagdish Temple – Dedicated to Vishnu, the preserver, this temple was built by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1651, Saheliyon Ki Bari – The Garden of the Maids of Honour, a most serene place in Udaipur, designed by Maharana Fateh Singh. It consists of beautiful lawns, gardens and fountains, a retreat for the ladies of the household, Rana Pratap Smarak, & Sajan Niwas Gardens - Overlooking the Fateh Sagar is the Moti Magri (Pearl Hill) on which is a statue of Maharana Pratap on his famous horse Chetak. Local guide claim that he jumped an abyss of extraordinary width in the heat of the battle even after losing one leg! The path to the top winds through some attractive gardens.

Afternoon enjoy Boat ride on Lake Pichola. Lake Pichola - The beautiful Lake Pichola derives its name from a nearby village Picholi. Udai Singh built a dam and from then the lake has become a meeting place for more than two hundred species of migratory and resident birds.
Overnight stay at hotel

Day 12: Udaipur to Delhi by flight
Transfer from hotel to Delhi airport in time to board flight for Delhi

Upon arrival at Delhi ariport transfer to Hotel
Rest of the day at leisure and Overnight stay at Hotel

Day 13: Depart Delhi
Breakfast at Hotel
Transfer from Hotel to Delhi airport in time to board flight for onward journey

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Meal Plans