After landing at Delhi International Airport, clear the customs and departure from departure lounge. You will meet one of our company representatives who will further escort you to your respective hotel in Delhi. Delhi is a city and the capital territory of the Republic of India. Delhi has served as a capital of various kingdoms and empires. It has been captured, ransacked and rebuilt several times, particularly during the medieval period, and modern Delhi is a cluster of a number of cities spread across the metropolitan region. New Delhi is the most expansive city of India and is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. After refreshment at hotel, you can explore independently at this bustling and beautiful city and enjoy the local foods.
On the second day of our Golden Triangle Tour, we will proceed for sightseeing of our first destination, Delhi. Our representative will guide you through the ticketing process as well as the history and significance associated with these sites. Below are the lists of the places we will be visiting today:
Ensuring our tour after appetizing breakfast, we check-out from the hotel and drive towards Agra, our second destination of Golden Triangle. It will take about five hours to reach Agra from Delhi. In no time you will found yourself surrounded by agricultural and industrial countryside, colorfully dressed people and some interesting monuments. Agra is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. 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 Mughal cuisine. It is a major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era buildings. After arrival at Agra, get refreshed at the hotel and proceed for sightseeing of the most notably famous tourist destination: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpūr Sikrī, which are all listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Taj Mahal: Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna River in the Indian city of Agra. This unique epitome of Love was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan (reigned 1628–1658), to house the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaj Mahal. The tomb is the centerpiece of a 17-hectare (42-acre) complex, which includes a mosque and a guest house, and is set in formal gardens bounded on three sides by a crenellated wall. The Taj Mahal complex is believed to have been completed in its entirety in 1653. The Taj Mahal was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for being “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage”. Described by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore as “the tear-drop on the cheek of time”, it is regarded by many as the best example of Mughal architecture and a symbol of India’s rich history. In 2007, it was declared a winner of the New7Wonders of the World (2000–2007) initiative. The Taj Mahal was commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1631, to be built in the memory of his wife Mumtaj Mahal, a Persian princess who died giving birth to their 14th child, Gauhara Begum. The imperial court documenting Shah Jahan’s grief after the death of Mumtaj Mahal illustrates the love story held as the inspiration for Taj Mahal. You can enjoy the lovely sunset from this World famous Mausoleum.
Agra Fort: Agra Fort is the former imperial residence of the Mughal Dynasty located in Agra, India. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and is about 2.5 km northwest of its more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled city. The present-day structure was built by the Mughals, though a fort had stood there since at least the 11th century. Agra Fort was originally a brick fort known as Badalgarh, held by Raja Badal Singh Hindu Sikarwar Rajput king. Four gates were provided on its four sides, one Khizri gate opening on to the river. Two of the fort’s gates are notable: the “Delhi Gate” and the “Lahore Gate.” The Lahore Gate is also popularly also known as the “Amar Singh Gate,” for Amar Singh Rathore. The site is very important in terms of architectural history.
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.
Please note that Taj Mahal will remain close on Fridays. After sightseeing of these famous places, return back to the hotel and stay overnight.
On the following day, we head towards our third and final destination of Golden triangle after breakfast at hotel. In previous day, if you weren’t able to visit Taj Mahal then you can visit Taj Mahal on this day for early sunrise view. You will witness the incomparable Taj Mahal in all its beauty at sunrise. Click wonderful photos at this place and cherish these golden moments for all the years to come. After visiting Taj Mahal, drive towards Jaipur. In route you can also visit Fatehpūr Sikrī.
Fatehpūr Sikrī is a city in the Agra District of Uttar Pradesh, India. Previously the city’s name was Vijaypur Sikari, of the Sikarwar Rajput clan; the later city was founded in 1569 by the Emperor Akbar, and served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585. It is one of the best preserved collections of Indian Mughal architecture in India. Fatehpūr Sikrī sits on rocky ridge, 3 kilometers (1.9 mi) in length and 1 km (0.62 mi) wide and palace city is surrounded by a 6 km (3.7 mi) wall on three sides with the fourth bordered by a lake. Their architect was Tuhir Das and Dhruv Chawla and was constructed using Indian principles. The buildings of Fatehpūr Sikrī show a synthesis of various regional schools of architectural craftsmanship such as Gujarat and Bengal. This was because indigenous craftsmen were used for the construction of the buildings. Influences from Hindu and Jain architecture are seen hand in hand with Islamic elements. The building material used in all the buildings at Fatehpūr Sikrī, palace-city complex, is the locally quarried red sandstone, known as ‘Sikri sandstone’. It is accessed through gates along the 5 miles (8.0 km) long fort wall, namely, Delhi Gate, the Lal Gate, the Agra Gate, Birbal’s Gate, Chandanpal Gate, The Gwalior Gate, the Tehra Gate, the Chor Gate and the Ajmere Gate. While you are here, you can visit the graceful buildings – The punch Mahal, Anup Talab,Diwan-e- Khas, Tomb of the holy saint Salim Chisti, Buland Darwaza and other important palaces where one experiences not only the Architectural brilliance but also its perfect fusion.
Continuing our drive, we reach to Jaipur after about six to seven hours of drive. Jaipur is the capital and the largest city of Rajasthan. It is also known as the Pink city of India. It is famous for Forts, Palaces and Rich Indian cultural Heritage. After arrival, get refreshed and stay overnight at hotel.
Jaipur has many sightseeing spots to offer to its visitors some of which are listed below:
Amer Fort: Located high on a hill, it is the principal tourist attraction in the Jaipur area. The aesthetic ambiance of the palace is seen within its walls. Constructed of red sandstone and marble, the attractive, opulent palace is laid out on four levels, each with a courtyard. It consists of the Diwan-e-Aam, or “Hall of Public Audience”, the Diwan-e-Khas, or “Hall of Private Audience”, the Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace), or Jai Mandir, and the Sukh Niwas where a cool climate is artificially created by winds that blow over a water cascade within the palace. Hence, the Amer Fort is also popularly known as the Amer Palace. At the entrance to the palace near the fort’s Ganesh Gate, there is a temple dedicated to Sila Devi, a goddess of the Chaitanya cult, which was given to Raja Man Singh when he defeated the Raja of Jessore, Bengal in 1604. Amer Fort, along with five other Forts of Rajasthan, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the group Hill Forts of Rajasthan in 2013.We will arrange an elephant safari for you to see the countryside around Amber.
City Palace: City palace is an imposing blend of traditional Mughal and Rajasthani Art. It includes the Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal palaces and other buildings, is a palace complex in Jaipur, the capital of the Rajasthan state, India. It was the seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur, the head of the Kachwaha Rajput clan. The Chandra Mahal palace now houses a museum but the greatest part of it is still a royal residence. The museum is resplendent with its collection of robes of royal princes, carpets, and armory of old weapons, miniature paintings portraying court scenes, battle scenes and processions.The palace complex, located northeast of the center of the grid-patterned Jaipur city, incorporates an impressive and vast array of courtyards, gardens and buildings. The architects achieved a fusion of the Shilpa Shastra of Indian architecture with Rajput, Mughal and European styles of architecture.
Albert Hall museum: It is the oldest museum of the state and functions as the State museum of Rajasthan. The building is situated in Ram Niwas Garden outside the city wall opposite new gate and is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. The building was designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, assisted by Mir Tujumool Hoosein, and was opened as public museum in 1887. It is also called the Government Central Museum. The museum has a rich collection of artifacts like paintings, carpets, ivory, stone, metal sculptures, colorful crystal works etc. It is named after King Edward VII (Albert Edward), during whose visit to the city as the Prince of Wales, its foundation stone was laid on 6 February 1876.
Hawa Mahal: Hawa Mahal is a palace in Jaipur, India, so named because it was essentially a high screen wall built so the women of the royal household could observe street festivals while unseen from the outside. Constructed of red and pink sandstone, the palace sits on the edge of the City Palace, and extends to the zenana, or women’s chambers. The structure was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. He was so intimidated and inspired by unique structure of Khetri Mahal and he built the grand and historical Hawa Mahal. It was designed by Lal Chand Ustad in the form of the crown of Krishna, the Hindu god. Its unique five-stored exterior is akin to the honeycomb of a beehive with its 953 small windows called jharokhas decorated with intricate latticework. The palace is an extended part of a huge complex. The stone-carved screens, small casements and arched roofs are some of the features of this popular tourist spot. The monument also has delicately modeled hanging cornices. Like several other monuments of Jaipur, the palace is also constructed using sandstone.
In evening, you can also do shopping in this beautiful city, which is famous for gemstone jewelry, pots as well as great traditional outfits. Later return to your hotel for a relaxing overnight stay.
After breakfast in the morning, drive to Delhi. Upon arrival to Delhi, check in to hotel and get freshen up then you will be transferred to airport for the flight to Srinagar. Upon arrival to Srinagar, check in to hotel and overnight stay in the hotel.
This morning after breakfast proceed for city tour of Srinagar. The world famous Mughal Gardens visiting the Nishat Bagh (The garden of pleasure) & Shalimar Bagh (Abode of love), & The Chasme Shahi Garden, & Shankaracharya Temple. In the evening return to Houseboat. Overnight at Hotel or House boat.
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and proceed towards Gulmarg. Enroute you get to see the beautiful Tangmarg town and drive ahead on a scenic drive of 14 kilometers to Gulmarg. Gulmarg has some of the best ski slopes in the world, and one of the highest golf courses in the world with 18 holes. You can also enjoy view of Nanga Parbat if the weather permits. The view en route from Tangmarg to Gulmarg is fascinating. A short trek up to Khilanmarg, which can be covered in about 2 hrs., is optional. Arrive in Gulmarg early in the afternoon and check in at the hotel. Later, begin a short tour, boarding the Gondola cable car system (the 08 minutes ropeway). Descend back to Gulmarg after an hour and later indulge in some horse-riding. Stay overnight at hotel in Gulmarg.
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Pahalgam via Pampore, Avantipura and the village of Bijbehara which remains famous as the bread basket of Kashmir. We switch from the national highway 1A at Khanabal and drive through the second largest city of Anantnag. From here the road turns scenic as we drive parallel on the Lidder river flowing from the opposite direction. In Pahalgam, check-in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Pahalgam.
In Pahalgam, visit Betaab Valley and Chandanwari as well as take a horse riding trip to Baisaran meadows. Pahalgam is the most famous palace for Indian Film Industry After sightseeing around the mountain valley for most of the day; we will drive back to Srinagar and transfer to the hotel/ houseboat for overnight stay.
After breakfast in the morning, transferred to the Srinagar airport for the flight to Delhi. Upon arrival to Delhi you will be transferred to international airport for the flight to onward destination.
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