Oberoi India Summer Special Itinerary

Namaste!

Welcome to India!

Our representative will meet you in the arrival area of the airport after you clear all immigration and custom formalities. Depart for your hotel where you will check in for your stay.

Delhi stands as the capital of modern India. Here you can see the mingling of the old and new India, the ancient and the modern. Delhi is made up of seven ancient cities, spanning the period from the 11th to 20th centuries. Delhi has seen the rise and fall of many emperors who have left behind a plethora of monuments that commemorate the grandeur and glory of bygone ages. Very few cities in the world can express such a profusion of architectural styles.

Master Ji Ki Haveli experience is one of the best ways to discover Old Delhi and ending in having a veg meal with the host is a treat in itself. It’s a half day experience and combines walking + taking cycle Riskshaw ride + interact with locals + tasting local snacks + visiting a local temple + spice and vegetable markets and much more. It’s a group activity where you meet people from different countries with one expert leading the tour (maximum 8 – 10 people). This walking tour is an absolute must for every visitor to Delhi because this not only shows you the hidden secrets of Old Delhi but will strike deep in your heart about true generosity and passion for life.‎

Drive through the city viewing the Diplomatic Enclave, government buildings, Central Secretariat, President’s House and Parliament.

Later visit Humayun’s tomb built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun. It is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style and a precursor of the Taj Mahal.

Afterwards, visit Qutub Minar; the five-storied tower with a 14.4 meter base that tapers up to two and a half meters at the top and is visible for a long distance around.

Post breakfast depart by surface for Agra (approx. 4 hours)

Late afternoon proceed for Kachpura Heritage Walk. A narrow bridle path through agriculture fields near Mehtab Bagh takes you into the ancient village of Kachpura and Humayun’s Mosque. The walk ends in Mehtab Bagh from where you will have the opportunity to watch the Taj Mahal during sunset from across the river.

Visit the Taj Mahal by sunrise.

The Mughal Emperor Shahjahan built the Taj Mahal in 1630 AD to enshrine the mortal remains of his beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal manifests the wealth and luxury of Mughal art as seen in architecture and garden designs, painting, and calligraphy. The 144 foot double dome of the Taj is capped with a finial and four minarets each 131 ft high.

Post breakfast visit massive Agra Fort that was originally started by Emperor Akbar in 1565, but his son, Jahangir, and grandson, Shah Jahan, later made valuable additions to it.

Post breakfast drive to Jaipur (approx. 6 hours) and en-route visit Fatehpur Sikri.

Fatehpur Sikri is the deserted red sandstone city built by Emperor Akbar as his capital. Ponder the mysterious desertion of this capital city that was dramatically abandoned a few years after it was built. It was a veritable fairy tale city and its ‘ruins’ are still in a pristine condition.

On a fascinating late afternoon walk mingle and talk with the locals while learning about some of the regions culinary delights: pakoras, aloo tiki, samosa and sweets from some of the city’s most popular street food vendors. Observe local artisans in their workshops: jewelers and silversmiths, gold and silver foil makers. You also have the option of seeing and trying the art of Henna painting.  This is a 2 ½ hour walk.

In the morning start your tour by visiting the magnificent Amber Fort. It was once the ancient capital of the Rajput Empire. From the road you can climb up to the fort in approximately 10 minutes but a jeep or elephant ride will spare you the trouble of walking up to the fortress.

Visit the City Palace which houses a museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings and an armory. Then, continue on to the Royal Observatory (Jantar Mantar) built in the 17th century by Jai Singh, a famous astronomer. The observatory has a 900-foot-high sundial. The Central museum founded in 1876 has a large collection of antiques. Later drive past the Hawa Mahal also known as the “Palace of Winds”. Hawa Mahal built in a unique design is the landmark of Jaipur and was used by the ladies of the court to watch the daily goings on in the street below. The pink sandstone carvings are extremely intricate and it is a great place to take pictures.

Evening is reserved for special cooking demonstration/dinner.

Today early morning experience the spiritual side of the locals by visiting colorful temples, and discover some of the architectural wonders of this fascinating area of Jaipur. The walk has been carefully designed to offer a rewarding and enriching experience. This walk uncovers some of the best – kept secrets of the walled city of Jaipur by meeting residents and gaining an insight into their lives.

Post breakfast depart by surface for Jodhpur (approx. 7 hours)

The ‘Blue City’, as it is known, was founded on the edges of Thar Desert in 1459 A.D. It was the capital of the Rathore Kingdom that was the largest in the Rajputana. Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur and is encircled by a high 10 km long wall.  Bright colors are an integral part of the lives of the people in Jodhpur. The locals wear a variety of artistically designed costumes, aflame with bright colors and mirror work. The women folk wear wide gathered skirts and a hip-length jacket with three quarter length sleeves and the men sport colorful turbans on their heads!

Visit the Mehrangarh Fort which is the most impressive fortress in Rajasthan. The 5 km long ramparts of the fort perched on a 125 meter – high rocky cliff in the middle of the city has four gates that can be approached by a winding road.

Visit Jaswant Thada memorial. This cluster of royal cenotaphs in white marble built in 1899 A.D. in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II also houses the portraits of various kings who ruled Jodhpur in the past.

In the late afternoon, visit the Clock Tower Market. In the old city, the clock tower is a prominent landmark. But the main attraction is the Sadar Market. The market has kept alive the old ‘haat bazaar’ culture. Sadar market is a lively, bustling, colorful market that runs from Sojati Gate to the Clock Tower. In the distance you can see the vast bulk of the Meherangarh Fort that dominates the skyline for miles around.

In the morning drive to Udaipur (approx. 6 hours), en-route visit Ranakpur Temples.

The drive today takes you across the Aravalli Hills, the oldest mountain range in the world. The scenery along the way is superb and you will see many vignettes of Rajasthani rural life. Among the sights you see are colorful villages, farms where an ancient system of irrigation using bullocks and a Persian wheel are still in practice, outdoor schools and the sartorially vibrant people who add a splash of color to the countryside. There are endless opportunities for photography. Your destination is one of the architectural gems of the area, The White Marble Jain Temples at Ranakpur.

Ranakpur is one of the five important pilgrim centers for the Jain community. The whole including the extraordinary array of 1144 pillars each distinct in design, carved ceilings, and arches decorated with friezes depicting scenes from the lives of the Jain saints is fascinating.

Post lunch at Fatehbagh Palace continue your drive to Udaipur.

Dotted with marble palaces, hibiscus – laden gardens and fountain pavilions, Udaipur appeals to the imagination of poets and painters, travelers and writers like no other city in the country. The city’s inherent romance and beauty and its remarkable past redolent with episodes of heroism and splendor continue to enthrall the visitor even today. Udaipur, the City of Dawn, looms up like a vision in white.

Post breakfast visit Udaipur city starting at Jagdish Temple built in 1651. Notice the many heritage mansions that line the city boulevards, the art shops and boutiques that lead to the old bathing ghats that fringe the banks of Lake Pichola.

Visit the City Palace (part of which has been converted into a museum housing the largest collection of crystal in the world) and see the gorgeous peacock mosaics, striking blue and white ceramics and Dutch inlaid tile work, glass and porcelain figures and miniature paintings.

Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola covering the City Palace and Jag Mandir, a refuge of the rebel Mughal prince Shah Jahan, soon to be the creator of the incomparable Taj Mahal.

Late afternoon take the guided heritage walk where you will have the opportunity to visit the famous ghats and historic temples on the banks of Lake Pichola. Visit an ancient step well which was used for drinking water by the locals. Join a family at their private residence for a cup of tea and snacks in their 150 year old residence decorated with fascinating fresco paintings and mirror work. From the clock tower move towards the lane where the silversmiths and gold making workers are busy making and selling the ornaments. Observe the traditional way of making clay pottery and water pitchers etc. On this interesting walk you will see the bustling markets of Udaipur city where you will come across the vegetable, oil and bamboo markets.

Today morning assisted departure transfer to the airport to board flight for Mumbai. (6E 748 – 1010/1135 hours)

On arrival at Mumbai airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel.

Mumbai is a city of dreams, the glamor of the movie world, the razors edge of the skyscrapers to the mainland of the harbor, people here come from diverse ethnic backgrounds yet nurture the dream of success, their undying spirit adds color and flavor to this multicultural city. A throbbing, cosmopolitan metropolis, it still retains the glory of the past, the colonial legacy that coexists with the Maratha influence. Still considered as the heart of business India, Mumbai houses the country’s vibrant stock exchange. The Gateway of India is almost literally a symbol of entry into the country by sea or air.

Post breakfast proceed for a half day city tour. Visit the Prince of Wales Museum, drive past Marine Drive, Mumbai’s most popular seaside promenade, and see the Kamla Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens on the slopes of the Malabar hills, offering a nice view of the marine lines and the Chowpatty beach. Visit the Jain temple, Mani Bhawan where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay, and the Dhobi Ghat, the outside laundry. Drive past the Flora Fountain, the colorful Crawford Market and Victoria Terminus train station.

Mumbai at Dawn is a unique offering where you see the bustling city of Mumbai wake up. You get to peek into the underbelly of the city and gain insights into what makes this magnificent city tick. From seeing hundreds of newspaper vendors sort out newspapers of 7 different languages, experiencing one of its kind fish auction of 20 tons of fish, to seeing an ‘only green’ herb market sprawled across a popular bridge, from watching the milkmen drive past with canisters, the melee of color at the flower markets to experiencing the clamor and chaos of the arrival of over 100 tons of vegetables, fruits and meat, Mumbai by Dawn truly defines the mercurial character of Mumbai like none other. What’s interesting is that when you walk the same lanes a few hours later, you will not find any evidence of the morning’s hustle bustle. It comes at a price though, waking up at 5.15 for one!

Afternoon proceed for Dharavi Slum Tour in which you will see why Dharavi is the heart of small – scale industry in Mumbai. Many people know Dharavi as the ‘largest slum in Asia’, but there is much more to this historic area of Mumbai than poverty. Dharavi’s industries have an annual turnover of approximately US$ 665 million. Through this tour visitors experience a wide range of these activities: recycling, pottery making, embroidery, bakery, soap factory, leather tanning, poppadum making and much more. Most of these things are created in innovative ways and in very small spaces! When passing through the residential spaces, you will undoubtedly feel the sense of community and spirit that exists in the area. People from all over India live in Dharavi and this diversity is apparent in the temples, mosques and churches that stand side by side. A tour through Dharavi’s narrow alleys is quite an adventure and you will leave with an enlightened sense of the purpose and determination that exists in the area.

Today assisted departure transfer to the International airport to board flight for home.