Explore the Golden Triangle: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur with Haridwar and Rishikesh
Day 01: Arrival at Delhi
You will arrive at New Delhi’s airport. Following formalities and baggage collection, a yatra pundit representative will meet you as you at the EXIT/ARRIVALS TERMINAL building, after which you would be transferred to your hotel.
India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds – the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiralling skyscrapers, the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region’s ancient legacy. The first impressions for any visitor traveling in from the airport are of a specious, garden city, tree-lined with several beautiful parks. After the first day touring you will have overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 02: Delhi
After breakfast at the hotel, you will first visit Old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Later drive to Red Fort for photo stop from outside, visit Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques and which is viewed from the outside. People stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet, In the afternoon, you will proceed for the tour to New Delhi which includes a drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rastrapathi Bhawan and visit to The Qutub Minar, which is the tallest stone tower in India.
The Qutub Minar was started in 1199 AD by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak and completed by the sultan’s successor and a son-in-law, Iltutmish. The Qutub Minar is still the highest stone tower as well as one of the finest Islamic structures ever raised in India. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 03: Delhi – Agra
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to Agra (205 Km / 4 Hrs). Upon arrival, check in at the hotel.
In the afternoon proceed to see Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). Midway ”Battery Operated Bus” would be waiting for you and will drop you at the gates of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is everything that has been said about it and more. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in mid 17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Though the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, it is the close-up marble inlay work, which is really astounding. You will have ample time to view and be mesmerized by this outstanding piece of architecture.
Later visit to Agra Fort, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture, Agra Fort – the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule and administration and the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River. Shah Jahan added the impressive quarters and the mosque while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. Visit its Hall of Public Audience and its Royal Pavilions.
In the evening, you can visit Mother Teresa’s Charity home in Agra has 48 children who are orphaned or come from poor families who can no longer provide for them; as well as 150 infirmed adults who can no longer care for themselves. The mission is solely reliant on private donations to support their cause. The Collette Foundation has committed to support Mother Teresa’s Charity Home for the next 2 years. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 04: Agra – Jaipur
Morning after breakfast you will be driven to Jaipur (232 km / 5 Hours) en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century, it was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago. It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed. Now it is an extraordinary place to wander around with its buildings in near perfect condition. Evening Bollywood Movie show at Rajmandir. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 05: In Jaipur
An integrated system which covers all dimensions of life viz: moral, physical, mental, emotional, social & spiritual. We will organize the Yoga session in the hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed to visit ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort, Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Moat Lake. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravalli hills and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area.
Elephant Ride at Amber Fort will spare you the trouble of reaching up to the fortress. Once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls, many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many mirrors, lighting up the room.
Later, you will visit the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armoury, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings.
Jaipur’s Jantar Mantar is the most famous of five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh in India. Jai Singh was a great admirer of progresses and research made in the fields of science and technology, but he was passionate about astronomy. There is a very interesting story behind the construction of this observatory, considered as the largest stone observatory in the world. Sawai Jai Singh sent his emissaries to all parts of the world before commencing the construction of this observatory. The emissaries returned with many manuals on astronomy containing cutting-edge technological information. One of these manuals was a copy of La Hire’s “Tables”. The king ordered the observatory to be built according to the details contained in this manual. When the construction ended, for the astonishment of the king and others, the observatory was 20 seconds more accurate than the one mentioned in table. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 06: Jaipur – Delhi
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven back to Delhi (205 km / 4 Hrs).
Evening at Leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 07: Delhi – Rishikesh
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to Rishikesh (250 km / 05 Hrs).
In Sanskrit Rishikesh is a name of Vishnu that means ‘lord of the senses’. The place gets its name after Lord Vishnu who appeared to ‘Raibhya Rishi’, because of his tapasya (austerities), as Lord Rishikesh.
In Skanda Purana, Rishikesh area is known as ‘Kubjamrak’ as Lord Vishnu appeared, under a mango tree. The name Rishikesh is loosely applied to an association of five distinct sections encompassing not only the town but also hamlets and settlements on both sides of the river Ganges. Visit to Indian Bazaar with mehndi artists, palmists, tarot readers Guided Culture walk alongside the Ganges till Triveni Ghat to witness the grand evening aarti attended by locals of Rishikesh. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 08: Rishikesh – Haridwar – Rishikesh
Sunrise Hatha Yoga session
After breakfast at the hotel, you will visit to Haridwar (19 Km / 30 mins). Haridwar is a sacred territory where pilgrims come from across the world. It is among the most revered pilgrimage centres of India which occupies a prized position in hearts of Hindus. The meaning of Haridwar is ‘Gateway to God’. It is set amidst calm and attractive surroundings at the foothills of the mesmerizing Himalayas. It is believed in the Hindu traditions that one must visit Haridwar at least once in a lifetime. It is a magnificent place where the holy river Ganga enters the Indo-Gangetic plain of North India. The scenic beauty of Haridwar is equally mesmerizing. The views of the holy river Ganga and majestic mountains are the sights to behold. Full day city tour of Haridwar and Rishikesh.
Cultural evenings with Tabla players, Violinist, Sitar player & Guitarists.
DAY 09
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to Delhi. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to airport to board the flight.
