Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive New Delhi
Arrive late tonight in Delhi, a monumental city with a vibrant mix of old and new -- teeming bazaars, stately British boulevards, powerful Mughal palaces and forts, and intricate, ethereal towers, temples and tombs. Your  host accompanies you to your hotel, superbly located in the heart of town. Oberoi Maidens

Day 2: Delhi
Explore the many faces of Delhi, old and new.  See ancient Qutab Minar and Humayun’s Tomb, British-era Embassy District, Presidential Palace, and Connaught Place.  Admire India’s largest mosque, Jama Masjid, and visit Raj Ghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Get caught up in the hectic street life of Old Delhi on a charming rickshaw taxi ride.  Tour magnificent Red Fort.  Celebrate your adventures at a gala dinner party in the home of  India Manager, Tapas Banerjee, and his wife, Krishna. Oberoi Maidens (B,D)

Day 3: Delhi / Jaipur
Drive to one of India’s most colorful cities, Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan.  This pink-hued city is a vast open-air museum of bazaars, gardens and fanciful architecture. Tonight, walk with your guide through the city.  Camels, elephants, free-roaming cows are part of the traffic. Trident Hilton Jaipur (B)

Day 4: Jaipur
Amber Palace rises in rose-colored splendor over the desert.  On elephant back, travel the route of rajahs up ramparts to the palace and the grand walled city of Mughal courtyards, gardens, and royal apartments.  Back in the city, visit City Palace and its prized glass works and figurines.  The Palace of the Winds features a delicate, pink honeycombed wall designed as a privacy screen for royal harems.  See 17th century Royal Observatory. Trident Hilton Jaipur (B)

Day 5: Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra
Your time in Rajasthan concludes. Travel to Agra stopping at Fatehpur Sikri. This 16th-century city was abandoned after just 18 years, but its  stone palaces remain largely intact.  Cap off the day in Agra with sunset at the Taj Mahal.  You will long remember this scene as the Taj changes color and mood, its marble walls reflecting the pinks and mauves of the receding sun. Trident Hilton Agra (B)

Day 6: Agra / Delhi
Following a leisurely breakfast, ride to the massive Agra Fort. The elegant buildings inside reflect an interesting synthesis of Hindu and Central Asian architectural styles. Built by Emperor Akbar, the maze of the courtyards, mosques & private chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire. The Moti Masjid & other magnificent buildings reflect the skill of the ancient Indian architects. This afternoon, drive back to Delhi where the balance of the day is at leisure. Oberoi Maidens (B)

Day 7: Delhi / Depart
Transfer to airport for your onward flight.(B)

12/08