Historic Golden Triangle

Duration: 07 Days/ 06 Nights
Destination Covered: DelhI, Agra , Jaipur , Delhi
Tour Description: Highlights of Historic Golden Triangle

A GOLDEN TRIANGLE TOUR of North India - it is one of the busiest tourist circuits in India and all first timers go to these places which are AGRA & JAIPUR along with DELHI. No - we do not call this tour HISTORIC because of that but because we show you a couple of off - beat places while you are on this tour like the ABHANERI temples and step well and the Birla Temple while in Jaipur. We have tried to keep the rest of the tour straight but some of our suggestions are: Enjoy a movie while in Jaipur,eat at NEROS in Jaipur and visit the AKSHARDHAM Temple while in Delhi if you could. Take a walk in the old lanes of AGRA - could be intimidating but with a Compass Executive you will be safe.

Day 01 Delhi:
Arrive at Delhi Airport and Compass Executive will meet you at the arrival lounge.

Proceed to the hotel and on your way our executive will explain the documents, general details, etc.

DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. Delhi is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land and a window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.

Check in and relax for the night.

Overnight will be at Delhi.

Day 02 Delhi:
After breakfast proceed for a day sightseeing tour of the city.

Start with the sightseeing of Old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; drive past the Red Fort continuing to the Jama Masjid by bicycle rickshaws, one of Asia's largest mosques. The magnificent Red Fort, overlooking the river Jamuna was built during the years 1638 - 48 when the Moghul Empire was at its peak. The tour continues to 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.

Enjoy the rickshaw ride at Old Delhi.

After visiting Old Delhi, you will be driven to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively. The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks the division in the life-styles. The walled city is all tradition where one will be able to glean a past life-style in all its facets, colours and spells. New Delhi in contrast, is a city trying to live up to the best of 21st century standards.

Imperial Delhi will include the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President's residence. If time permits then visit the Lotus temple located in south of Delhi. It is lotus shaped and has rightly been given the name. It is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. It is open to all faiths and is an ideal place for meditation and obtaining peace and tranquility. Its founder, Bahaullah (1817-1892), is regarded by Bahai as the most recent in the line of Messengers of God that stretches back beyond recorded time and that includes Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Christ and Muhammad.

Enjoy the DANCES OF INDIA SHOW in the evening.

Overnight will be in Delhi.

Day 03 Delhi:
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Drive to the AKSHARDHAM TEMPLE for a day tour.

Akshardham Temple Delhi: Akshardham means the eternal, divine abode of the supreme God, the abode of eternal values and virtues of Akshar as defined in the Vedas and Upanishads where divine bhakti, purity and peace forever pervades. Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi epitomises 10,000 years of Indian culture in all its breathtaking grandeur, beauty, wisdom and bliss.

Enjoy a vegetarian lunch at the temple canteen (very hygienic) and return to the hotel.

In the afternoon enjoy shopping or visit a museum.

Overnight will be at Delhi.

Day 04 Delhi - Agra:
By road 201 km in 4 hr

Start for Agra early in the morning after breakfast.

En-route, visit the monument of SIKANDRA.

SIKANDRA - This beautifully maintained monument is where EMPEROR AKBAR was buried. It is a very low profile monument but it has one of the most awe - inspiring tombs. It is surreal how one of the greatest emperors has been put to rest. The manicured lawns has spotted and other varieties of deer roaming in them.

Reach Agra and check in at hotel.

AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.

Proceed for day sightseeing of Agra.

TAJ MAHAL - Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.

AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction. It lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat.

After Agra Fort we will visit BABY TAJ - The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj.

Overnight will be at Agra.

Day 05 Agra - Jaipur:
By road 221 km in 6 hr

Drive to Fatehpur Sikri after breakfast.

Fatehpur Sikri is 37 km west of Agra. JALAL - UD - DIN - MUHAMMAD AKBAR named Akbar, Humanyun's son, accessed the throne at the tender age of 14. While hunting around Sikri his curiosity was aroused by the songs of some minstrels about the celebrated Khwaja -Mu'inu'd-din Chisti, the founder of the Chisti order of SUFIS. Akbar, who was without a male heir heard about Saint Salim Chisti and visited him in the year 1568. The saint blessed him with 3 sons and in gratitude Akbar ordered the great mosque of Fatehpur Sikri built under his supervision. As a mark of respect to the saint, Akbar shifted his capital to Fatehpur Sikri and built various secular buildings like the Diwan -I-Am, Diwan-I-Khas, Jodhabai palace, Birbal's house, Marian's house and the Panchmahal.

Enjoy sightseeing and continue drive to Jaipur.

Stop at the ABHANERI VILLAGE for lunch.

Abhaneri Village is situated on the Jaipur / Agra Highway in Dausa District. It is an ancient village in Rajasthan famous for its post Gupta or early medieval monuments. The sculpture and architecture of Abhaneri suggests that it must have been a great center of art and architecture. The sculptures of Abhaneri are the best example of Gurjar Pratihari art. This flourishing town has ruined by the Mughal Empror Mahmud Ghaznavi in one of his invasions. The village has contributed numerous pieces of sculpture to various museums worldwide. The name of the village Abhaneri is so called because the local Goddess Harshat Mata is shown portrayed in a joyous mood and spreads brightness or "abha" all around. The village's original name was Abha Nagri. The village is said to have been founded by the legendary King Raja Chand and thus the village could be over three thousand years old. It is, however, felt that the mythological Raja Chand could be King Bhoja, who ruled Gurjar Kingdom in the ninth century AD.

Chand Baori is about 100 feet deep open well with flights of steps on three sides is another 10th century monument. The stairs of the chand Baori are in the shape of an inverted English letter "V" in sets of 4-5 steps. This Baori is not an ordinary structure, but is a marvel of Architecture. The chand Baori has beautiful carved panels inserted into the sides. Nobody has been able to count the steps. One can see the two royal toilets with carved windows and Jharokhas, which were used by the then Kings & Queens. The water for the royal toilets was used to be pulled from the Baori with the help of bulls. The carved stone pillars, which have now been damaged, were once strong enough for supporting pulleys to draw water. One can also witness all 24 Avtars of Lord Vishnu which were carved on the stone inside one of the cenotaph. There are three tunnels which have opening of about 20 Km away from Chand Baori, were being used by the rulers as escape routes in care of attack by the enemies. An encyclopedia of stone architecture showing a fine degree of craftsmanship lies strewn all around the village. In fact, Chand Baori is a unique example of its own kind of stone architecture where one can see the ladies figures with various kinds of musical instruments and the dancing posses.

Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan a romantic realm of resplendent palaces, mighty fortresses and regal Maharajahs that lies in the western deserts and is an utterly unique part of India. Proudly belonging to the KSHATRIYA warrior caste and fiercely independent, the Rajput princes made fearsome foes. However, many of them realized that to maintain their wealth and authority locally, it was expedient to proclaim allegiance to the central power. Thus, many enjoyed a privileged position under the Mughal emperors and also the British Raj that followed.

The bustling Rajasthan capital of Jaipur takes its name from its venerated founder Jai Singh II, who was given the title Sawai Maharaja by the Mughal. Literally translated this would mean 'one and a quarter', suggesting that the Mughal thought this emperor to be more valuable than just 'one'. Jaipur is known as the 'Pink City' on account of the distinctive colour of its buildings. This did not, however, form part of the original plan, but dates back to 1856, when the city was given a wash of pink in honor of a State Visit from Prince Albert.

This evening, visit the Birla Temple to learn more about the fascinating religious life of Jaipur. The marble structure, built as recently as 1985, houses ornate statues including one of Lakshmi (goddess of Wealth and Beauty) and Narayan dressed in gaudy robes, representing a Hindu vision of heavenly luxury. Carvings in the temple and on pillars supporting the covered walkways include images of the Hindu pantheon, as well as Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Francis of Assisi. Your visit will coincide with the AARTI Ceremony, which involves oil lamps being lit and waved, in order to awake and invoke the deity. Enjoy the experience and spend night at Jaipur.

Overnight will be in Jaipur.

Day 06 Jaipur:
Proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort after breakfast. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.

AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression. At the foot of the hill you will mount your caparisoned elephant for the slow but steady climb up to the main gate, making your entrance in the time honoured fashion. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families.

Continue sightseeing.

CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.

JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.

HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.

In the evening enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the bustling bazaars. Jaipur is renowned for textile block printing, blue pottery, carpet weaving, semi-precious stones and local crafts which still thrive from the day of Maharaja Jai Singh's patronage when he designed special areas in the city for the 'bandhanas', the 'cheepas' and the 'meenakari' workers.

Overnight will be at Jaipur.

Day 07 Jaipur - Delhi:
By road 260 km in 5 hr

After leisurely breakfast proceed for shopping.

Leave for Delhi after lunch.

Reach Delhi and you will be transferred to airport for flight to next destination with sweet memories of India.

TOUR ENDS

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