Delhi Sightseeing and Drive to Agra

Red Fort - The Red Fort
The red stone walls of Lal Qila, the Red Fort, extend for two km and vary in height from 18m on the river side to 33 m on city Side. Shah Jahan started construction of the massive fort in 1638and it was completed in 1648. He never completely moved his capital from Agra to his new city of Shahjahanbad in Delhi because he was deposed and imprisoned in Agra Fort by his son Aurangzeb.
The Red Fort dates from the very peak of Mughal power. When the emperor rode out the elephants back into the streets of Old Delhi it was a display of pomp and power at its most magnificent. You can also visit Lahore Gate, Diwan-I-Aam, Diwan-I-Khas, Royal Baths, Shahi Burj, Moti Masjid, Gardens and The Rang Mahal Palace of Colour.

Friday Mosque (Jama Masjid) - The great mosque OLD Delhi is both the largest in India and final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan. Begun in 1644, the mosque was not completed until 1658. It has three gateways, four angle towers and two minarets standing 40 m high and constructed of alternating vertical strips of redstone and white marble. Broad flights of steps lead upto the imposing gateways. The eastern gateway was originally only open on Fridays and Muslim festival days. The general public can enter by either the north or south gate. Shoes should be removed, and those people considered insuitably dressed (bare legs for either men or women can hire robes at northern gate. The courtyard of the mosque can hold 25000 people.

Chandni Chowk - The main streets Old Delhi is the colourful shopping bazaar known as Chandni Chowk. It is a congested place, a very sharp contrast to the open, spacious New Delhi. In 1912, a bomb was thrown at the Viceroy, Lord Hardinge, as he passed down Chandni Chowk on his elephant. At the east end of Chandni Chowk, there is a Digambar Jain Temple with small marble courtyard surrounded by a colonnade.

Qutub Minar - The Buildings in this complex, 15 km south of Delhi date from the onset of Muslim rule in India and are fine examples of early Afgan architecture. It is nearly 73 m high and tapers from a 15 m diameter base to just2.5 m at the top. The tower has five distinct storeys each marked with a projecting balcony. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone, the fourth and fifth of marble and sandstone.
Qutb-ud-din Aibak,the first ruler of salve dynasty began the construction of Qutub Minar, the highest stone tower in India, in 1209. The Tower was completed after Qutub-ud-din’s death, by his successor, Itutmish, Feroz Shah Tughlaq rebuilt the top stroreys and added a cupola. An earthquake brought the cupola down in 1803, and an Englishman replaced it with another in 1829. However, that dome was deemed inappropriate and was removed some years later.

Humayun’s Tomb - Built in mid 16th century by Haji Begum, senior wife of Humayun, the second Mughal Emperor, This is an early example of Mughal architecture, The elements in its design, a Squat building, lighted by high arched entrances, topped by bulbous dome and surrounded by formal gardens- were to be refined over the years to the magnificence of Taj Mahal in Agra. This earlier tomb is thus of great interest for its relation to the later Taj. Humayun’s wife is also burred in the red and white sandstone, black and yellow marble tomb. Other tombs in the garden include that of Humayun’s barber and Tomb of Isa Khan, a good example of Lodi architecture. An excellent view can be obtained over the surrounding country from terraces of the tomb.

India Gate - This 42 m high stone arch of triumph stands at the eastern end of Rajpath. It bears the names of 85000 Indian Army Soldiers who died in the campaigns of World War I, The North-west Frontier operation of the same time and 1919 Afgan fiasco. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and its foundation was laid in 1921.

Lotus Temple - the Bahai Temple, also known as the Lotus Temple (closed Mondays)
Lying to the east of Siri is this building shaped like a lotus flower. Completed in 1986, it is set amongst pool and gardens, and adherents of an faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate silently according to their own religion. This temple in Kalkaji was designed with the help of computers.

Agra Sightseeing drive to Jaipur

Taj Mahal - The Taj has aptly been called a ‘Dream in Marble’. Perhaps there are buildings more grand in conception and more elaborate in execution than the Taj, nevertheless, it remains and exquisite piece of lyrical beauty unequalled by any other building in the world.
The Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan to enshrine the mortal remains of his beloved wife, Arjumand Banu Begum, better known as Mumtaz Mahal, the ‘Elect of the Palace’. It is said that over thirty one million rupees were spent on it and it took 20,000 men to build it in twenty two years. This incomparable masterpiece, in white marble. was begun in 1631, a year after the Queen’s death, rising from a terrace overlooking the yamuna.
The main gateway to the Taj is a three-storyed structure, inlaid with ornaments and inscriptions from the Quran in black slate. The letters are graduated in size to look uniform from below. Taj Garden is laid out in formal style. A water channel and bronze fountains divide the paved

Agra Fort - To the South of the Agra Fort Station lies the Fort of Agra, on the right bank of yamuna, two kilometers from the Taj. Many magnificent buildings are situated within the fort, which has a circuit of over amile. The wall itself is a work of fine architecture and embodies such feautres as battlements, embrasures and machicolations skilfully designed to give this massive enclosure and aesthetic character. The Fort, as it stands today, represents the combined efforts of three successive sovereigns. Designed and built by Akbar, it was added to by Jahangir and Shah Jahan. It is in the fort that the division between the two architectural phases of Mughal style is plainly demarcated. Akbar’s earlier structure were demolished some sixty-five years later to make way for the more sumptuous marble pavilions of his grandson Shah Jahan. You can visit in Fort JAHANGIR MAHAL, KHAS MAHAL, SHEESH MAHAL, DIWAN-I-KHAS, DIWAN-I-AAM

Panch Mahal - Fatehpur Sikri - Approached by an excellent metalled road, Fatehpur Sikri lies twenty-seven miles south-west of Agra. It was called the City of Victory by Akbar after his triumphs. This isolated, long deserted city, said to have been built on a despot’s whim, stands on a low sandstone ridge. Perfectly preserved, it is a unique specimen of a city created by Akbar in 1569, It was after th Taj, the most ambitious achievement of the Mughals. The city grew up in such a phenomenally short time that it seemed the work of a magician’s hand.
Fatehpur Sikri gives an insight into the mind of the great man who built it. On a specially selected site, an isolated rocky ridge rising above the surroundings areas grew in phenomenally short time an entirely new capital city the conception and creation of an Emperor. You can also visit inside BULANDDARWAZA, DARGAH OF SHEIKH SALIM CHISTI, DIWAN-I-AAM, DIWAN-I-KHAS, PANCH MAHAL. TURKISH SULTAN’S HOUSE and MARIYAM’S HOUSE

Jaipur city Tour and drive back to Delhi – Departure at the End.

Amber Palace - Amber. was the capital of the Kachhawaha’s for over six centuries before the birth of Jaipur. It is believed that the town was originally named ‘Ambikishwara’ the name of Lord Shiva. This name later got abridged to ‘Ambiner’ and further on to ‘Amber’. Some trace the origin of the name to ‘Amba Mata’, the goddess of earth and fertility whose temple is located in the fort.
The mighty fort stands atop a range of craggy hills about 11 kms. From Jaipur city, on the Jaipur Delhi highway. The serene Maota Lake at the base of the hill adds to the beauty of the fort.

Originally the palaces of Amber were built by Raja Bihar Mal or Bharmal in 1558 and his successor Raja Man Singh. Several other structures were added to the fort by their descendents, but all of these lie in ruins today. While those dating from the 16th century, when Jai Singh I built this fort Palaces are quite well preserved. You can visit Diwan-I-Am and Diwan-I-khas

City Palace of Jaipur - The Palace complex is located in the heart of Jaipur, occupying about one-seventh of old city area. It was built between 1729 and 1732 by Sawai Jai Singh and subsequently various structures were added to it by his successors. It is popularly referred as the City Palace to differentiate it from the ancient Amber Palace or the neo-modern Rambagh Palace. Unlike other Rajput Palaces, the fortifications are separate from the structure, while most of the other building are part of one integrated structure. The palace complex can be reached from Sireh Deori Bazar through Chandi Ki Taksal which leads towards Jaleb Chowk. From here, one may proceed either through ‘Ganesh Pol’ or ‘Virendra Pol’, also known as Gainda ki Deorhi (rhinoceros gate). The Ganesh Pol leads towards Diwan-e-Aam and Diwan-e-Khas, while entering through Virendra Pol you are faceddiectly towards the majestic Mubarak Mahal. The Tripolia Gate facing the Chaura Rasta is reserved exclusively for the royal family and their guest

Jal Mahal - Jal Mahal or the ‘Water Palace’ was built by Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 in the midst of picturesque Man Sagar Lake, as Summer resort and pleasure spot. It lies on the to Amber, about kms. From Jaipur. A paved causeway leads up to the beautiful palace, which is note worthy of its fascinating architecture and serene surroundings.

The Man Sagar was formed by constructing a dam between the two hills by Sawai Man Singh II for meeting the growing demand of water in Jaipur city. During winters various species of migratory birds flock to this lake marble. The cenotaph ha twenty ornately carved pillars depicting scenes and figures from Hindu mythology A lamp has been lit here since the death of the Maharaja.

Hawa Mahal - Palace of Wind - Hawa Mahal or the ‘Palace of Winds’ was built in 1799 by the poet king Swai Pratap Singh for the royal ladies to enjoy the procession and day to day activities from the cool confinement of this majestic façade. Today, it has become the hallmark of the ‘Pink City’ and is the most recognizable photographed monument of Jaipur. This five storeyed stunning semi-octagonal monument resembles the crown of Lord Krishna, as Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh was great devotee of the Lord Krishna.

Jantar Mantar - Jaipur - This open air observatory is located outside the gateway of the city Palace Complex and is popularly known as Jantar Mantar, (Where Jantra means instrument or device and Mantra stands for magic Formula). It was built by the astronomer king Sawai Jai Singh II in 1728. Astronomy was a life-time obsession for theMaharaja, in the era when only few princes had the luxury of adequate instruments for knowing time. Sawai Jai Singh,the last classical artonomer of India, was ably supported and guided by Pandit Jagannat Smarat, who immense knowledge and mastery over various languages like Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian enabled Jai Interpret various books, manuscripts and information related to astronomy and astrology from places, as far as Europe, Portugal, Greece and Britain. Astrological tables were prepared with help of Pandit Keval Ramji.

• Government-approved tour guide.
• Included monument entrance fees.
• Air-conditioned car with an English-speaking driver.
• All tolls, parking, and state taxes covered.
• Complimentary mineral water bottles.

• Tips / Gratuities to guide and driver.

Delhi: Delhi, the capital of India, is a bustling metropolis that combines ancient history with modern vibrancy. The city is divided into two parts: Old Delhi, known for its historic sites like the Red Fort and Jama Masjid, and New Delhi.

Agra: Agra is renowned globally for being home to the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The city also boasts other significant Mughal-era monuments such as Agra Fort and the Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj). Agra’s historical significance is deeply tied to the Mughal Empire, and its architectural marvels draw visitors from around the world.

Jaipur: Jaipur, known as the “Pink City,” is the capital of Rajasthan and famed for its royal heritage and vibrant culture. The city is home to impressive palaces and forts such as the Amber Fort, City Palace, and Hawa Mahal. As part of the “Golden Triangle” of Indian tourism, Jaipur offers a glimpse into the opulence of Rajasthan’s history.

• If there is Friday on 2nd day of tour, then we will switch the itinerary into this Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi. If you book hotel on your own, then please drop us message to get the revised itinerary.
• Travel can choose to book without hotel option, if they want hotel on their own.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.