Taj Hotels Summer Special

Namaste!

Welcome to India!

Our representative will meet you in the arrival area of the airport after you clear all immigration and customs 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, which has 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.

After breakfast, you will be transported 400 years back and will ride on a rickshaw through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowkknown as The Moonlit Square of India. Witness the architectural marvels, the multicolored facades, beautifully decorated shops, ethnically dressed men and women and get bombarded by the cries of hawkers and fragrances emanating from the potpourri of eateries that line these historical alleys.

Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1592-1666) built the walled city of Delhi on the banks of holy River Yamuna. It had a magnificent palace known as Red Fort, impressive mansions, enchanting bazaars, elegant shrines, royal gardens and fountains at every corner to romance one’s senses. Emperor’s beloved daughter, Jahanara, designed a major street called Chandni Chowk in front of the Red Fort, with a canal running down the center and pools at major intersections reflecting the moonlight.

During the British regime, the street underwent major changes and since then this area has witnessed some of the most important events in Indian history. Today these splendid ruins and tales of valor are a testimony of the evolution of the times. Chandni Chowk truly reflects the national unity, secularism and diversity of India.

The total duration of the tour will be 3 hours – 3 hours 30 minutes. It is an extensive tour that covers 20 main sites that includes palaces, mansions, elegant shrines and colorful bazaars. This is a detailed tour with several stops and includes complimentary brunch. The tour ends at an Old Haveli (mansion) built in1860, which has a photo gallery depicting the lifestyle of Mughals and a small lounge to relax and relish some famous snacks.

Afternoon drive past the Presidential Palace, the one- time Imperial residence of the British viceroys; India Gate, a memorial raised in honor of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war and a drive along the Rajpath past the Parliament Houseand Secretarial buildings.

Visit the famous Humayun’s tomb built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style, a precursor of the Taj Mahal.

In the morning depart by surface for Agra (approx. 4 hours 30 minutes) and on arrival check into the hotel.

Early afternoon enjoy Hi Tea with a local family and proceed for a walk in Kacchpura Village. A narrow bridle path through agriculture fields near Mehtab Bagh takes you into the ancient village of Kachpura and Humayun’s Mosque. The walk through Kachpura starts with explaining the paintings (sanji art) on the walls done by community girls under youth program. The central courtyard of the village is a major attraction of Kuchhpura. The courtyard was redesigned under the project which offers a view of activities taking place in and around the information center – Street Theatre/Henna Tatto making etc. One can also visit the village school situated near courtyard. Walk ends in Mehtab Bagh from where you will have the opportunity to watch the Taj Mahal during sunset.

Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise.

There is only one place in the world in which to see the Taj Mahal and that is Agra. The monument’s splendor is simply undeniable and creates an air of romance throughout the city.

Mughal Emperor Shahjahan built the Taj Mahal in 1630 A.D. to enshrine the mortal remains of his beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal manifests the wealth and luxury of Mughal art as seen in architecture and garden design, painting, and calligraphy. The 144 foot double dome of the Taj is capped with a finial and the four minarets each 131 ft high and crowned by an open octagonal pavilion highlight the perfect symmetry of the tomb.

Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Later visit the 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. It houses the Dewan-e-Khas and Dewan-e-Aam (Halls of Private and Public Audience).

After your tour of Agra Fort, explore the Old part of Agra by taking a Rickshaw or Tonga ride to discover the hidden alleys. As you enter the lanes of Old Agra you will get to peep inside shops, temples and lives of people to relive the life and times of a city that has an enduring history that predates and goes beyond the glorious era of the Taj Mahal, where it was a prosperous mercantile town during late-Mughal and days of the British Raj.

Today you will be assisted for your scheduled departure by road for Jaipur and en-route visit Fatehpur Sikri.

Fatehpur Sikri, located 37 km southwest of Agra is a magnificent fortified ghost city that was constructed by Akbar in the 16th century to honor the Chishti Saint, Sheikh Salim, who foretold the birth of Akbar’s son, Jahangir. The city is a combination of Hindu and Persian architecture, and is in a remarkable state of preservation. The city was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry, and it remains much in the same condition as it was over 300 years ago.

On arrival at Jaipur, you will check into the hotel.

Jaipur is popularly known as the Pink City, thanks to the color of the buildings in the city. The city, built in 1727 A.D by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, followed a grid system, which made it the only planned city of its time. A young Bengali architect Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya designed the city in accordance with Shilp Shastra, an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture.

Evening Walk – Bazaar, Cuisine and Local Crafts

From its creation in 1727 the royal families and nobles of Jaipur patronized the craftsmen and artisans of the city. These traditions continue to this day and as a result modern day Jaipur is considered by many as the craft capital of India.

Traditional methods are still used to produce many valuable and highly prized items. Using skills passed down through generations, artisans and master craftsmen can be seen in the areas of Ghat Darwaza and Vishveshwar ji.

On this fascinating evening walk mingle and talk with the locals whilst sampling some of the regions culinary delights: try 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. The iconic Hawa Mahal also called the Palace of the winds is the meeting – point at which this two and a half hour walk begins.

In the morning, you will visit Amber Fort with your guide.

High above the city, the towers and domes of the Amber Fort are reminiscent of scenes from some fairy tale. The palace itself is within the enormous fort complex and is replete with halls, gardens, pavilions, and temples. The Hall of Mirrors is not to be missed where one lit matchstick can illuminate the entire room.

You will ascent the fort on elegantly draped elephants or by jeep..

Your afternoon tour starts with a visit to the City Palace Museum where you can see an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal Art. The museum is resplendent with its collection of robes of royal princes, carpets, an armory of old weapons, miniature paintings portraying court scenes, battle scenes and processions, Also visit the awe inspiring Jantar Mantar (an accurate observatory built in 1726 AD). Also included is a photo visit at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a five – storied wonder with a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes and spires.

Evening is reserved for special cooking demo/dinner with Thakur Durga Singh, the current custodian of Dera Mandawa who is a keen observer of history, culture, religion, current affairs, and is a bank of knowledge so vast that he has a point of view on anything under the sun. He is what one could call a modern traditionalist, actively seeking the use of modern technology and methods to support the principles of traditional living. The inquisitive can have endless conversations with him on a number of his projects like rain – water harvesting, biogas plant, solar heating and, even, healthy cooking. He would be more than delighted to share his experiences with you.

In the morning depart by surface for Jodhpur (approx. 7 hours)

On arrival at Jodhpur, check into the hotel.

Johdpur is known as the “Blue City.” Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rathore clan of the Rajputs, founded Johdpur on the edges of the Thar Desert in 1459 A.D. It was the capital of the Rathore Kingdom, which 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! Jodhpur has a very strong tradition of folk art, where the figures are mainly robust warriors and dainty women.

On arrival at Jodhpur, check into the hotel.

Evening is at leisure.

In the morning your guide will meet you for a guided tour of Jodhpur City. Visit the massive Mehrangarh Fort that 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 like can be approached by a winding road. The fort offers a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. Inside the fort, one can see magnificent palaces adorned with intricately carved panels and latticed windows. The palaces have evocative names that match their character like Moti-Mahal, Phool-Mahal, Sheesh-Mahal, Sileh-Khana and Daulat-Khana. These Palaces house a fabulous collection of trappings of Indian royalty: palanquins, elephant howdahs, miniature paintings of various schools, music instruments, costumes and furniture.

Later 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 evening experience the colorful 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 (which is late 19th century).

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 Temples at Ranakpur.

Surrounded by tangled forests with monkeys abounding in the courtyard, Ranakpur is one of the five important pilgrim centers for the Jain community. Noted for its grandiose scale and elaborate ornamentation. 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.

Enjoy your lunch at charming Fatehbagh Palace at Ranakpur that is probably India’s first attempt at “relocating a fallen palace.” In 2002, around 65,000 pieces of the crumbling palace were transported to a scenic spot in Ranakpur, amidst the orchards and on the banks of a rain fed river, to create Fatehbagh!

On arrival at Udaipur, you will check into the hotel.

Start the day with a visit to the City Palace Museum. Overlooking Lake Pichola, the City Palace is a marvel of marble and granite. The largest palace in Rajasthan, its exquisite workmanship makes it a must on every visitor’s itinerary. The three mahals, Baari, Dilkush and Moti, the Suraj Gokhada of the Sun Balcony, the Mor Chowk known for its beautiful peacock mosaics, the shrine of Dhuni Mata and the Museum of Rana Pratap are the highlights of this complex.

Close to the City Palace is the Jagdish Temple (built in 1651 AD) which houses some imposing sculpted figures and heavily ornamented interiors. At a short distance is the Sahelion-ki-Bari or the Garden of Maidens that has four pools and delicately carved kiosks and elephants in marble. Built in the early 18th century, the spectacular garden displays the unique life style of the Royal ladies who once lived in the palaces.

Late afternoon, you will take a boat ride on the placid waters of 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.

Today morning assisted departure transfer to the airport to board your flight for Mumbai. (9W 3094 – 0715/0830 hours)

On arrival at Mumbai airport, board the onward flight for Cochin. (9W 403 – 1335/1540 hours)

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

Enjoy an evening performance of Kathakali, Kerala’s unique dance-drama. Originally performed only by men, this art form, with its intricate hand gestures, facial expressions and choreographed movements, evolved from an ancient martial art form.

After breakfast, take a tour of the city visiting the Dutch Palace, which has some of India’s most beautiful murals, the Jewish Synagogue in the heart of Jew Town and the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets. See St. Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was originally buried and the Santa Cruz Church with its pastel colored interior and carved wooden panels. Also, visit theHill Palace Museum, which displays Royal memorabilia, paintings, carvings and arms.

Afternoon explore the local markets

Evening is reserved for cooking demo, followed by dinner with a local family.

Nimmy, a professional cookery instructor for more than twenty years, and her stockbroker husband, Paul, offers food and hospitality to foreign guests. Nimmy and Paul belong to traditional Syrian Christian community in Kerala. In keeping with the tradition of their families they enjoy having guests and serving good food. Nimmy conducts cookery classes. She teaches guests the nuances of traditional Kerala recipes. She is also a food consultant to writers, chefs and magazines. Articles by her and about her have appeared in magazines and newspapers.

Today assisted transfer to the airport in time to board flight for Mumbai. (9W 406 – 0900/1050 hours)

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

Late afternoon you have the option of taking the Bollywood Tour. (Optional)

India is still the largest film producer of the world, producing an average of 1000 films a year. Since 1931, when the talkies were introduced, India has produced more than 67,000 films in more than 30 languages. Today Bollywood, the Hindi cinema counterpart of Hollywood, is no longer catering to a limited audience. It has gathered a large worldwide audience, especially among the NRI’s through its international quality along with the blending of east and west. Bollywood has come a long way since 1896 when soundless movies made its advent into India with the Lumiere Brothers.

On arrival at Film studio one is met by the expert who will then provide an introduction about the studio and will inform about the origin and evolution of the Indian Film Industry (Bollywood) ranging from the silent era to talkies to current date. One is then escorted to various shoots and will be allowed to watch shootings of either Feature Films, T.V. Serials or Ad-Films.

You will be given an exciting insight into the mechanics and conduct of a shooting. (Total duration of the visit will be around 2 hours – 2 hours 30 minutes)

IMPORTANT: Do note that during this tour there is no guarantee that the clients will meet the celebrities, lead actors.

Mumbai by dawn is a unique offering, where you see the bustling city of Mumbai wake up. You get 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!

Return to your hotel for breakfast.

In the morning, take an excursion to the Elephanta Island, which is an hour away from Mumbai by motor launch. The cave temples here were excavated between the 5th and 8th centuries A.D. and are famous for their magnificently sculpted panels.

The best known is the one that depicts the Maheshmurti, a three – headed image of Lord Shiva, which signifies the creator, preserver and destroyer of this universe as per Hindu mythology. The Portuguese named this island after a large stone elephant that was found near the landing. The elephant now stands at the Victoria and Albert Museum on the mainland.

Afternoon visit the Prince of Wales Museum, drive past Marine Drive, Mumbai’s most popular seaside promenade, and see theKamla Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens on the slopes of the Malabar hills, offering a nice view of the marine lines and theChowpatty beach. Visit the Jain temple, Mani Bhawan where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay, and the Dhobi Ghat. Also, drive past the Flora Fountain, the colorful Crawford Market and Victoria Terminus train station.

• Transfer to the International airport

Today assisted departure transfer to the airport in time to board flight for onward destination.