Our experience of Bombay or Mumbai starts with - Gateway of India- Mumbai's most famous monument; this is the starting point for most tourists who want to explore the city. We also visit Hanging gardens, the bustling Crawford Market, Haji Ali - Across a rocky path that meanders into the sea from Mahalaxmi Temple, you can see a cluster of ethereal white domes floating on the water. This is Haji Ali Dargah, the tomb of a wealthy Muslim merchant, who renounced all his worldly belongings before embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Next, we visit Flora Fountain and the Dhobi Ghats - a vast outdoor laundry & the Prince of Wales Museum & Victoria Terminus* which is recently added to the world heritage site. Evening is free for shopping and personal activities.
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Khumbariya. We visit the beautiful Jain temples of Solanki dynasty build in 11th century then we drive to Ahmedabad on the way visiting Adalaj step well of 15th century.
Today we take city tour of Ahmedabad. We visit Jumma masque built in 1423 by the founder of Ahmedabad. This mosque is built in yellow sand stones and it stands on the 260 pillars which support 15 domes a staggered elevation. Next, we visit Saiyad mosque- enclosed by the pleasant garden in the centre of the city this small mosque is know for its delicate and exquisite trellises and stone window tracery. Wooden models of these are exhibited in New York and Kensington museum. Dadahari Ni vav this step well consists of a domed entrance which is a series of the steps and pillared stones platform lead down to the reservoir. The walls and pillars are richly carved in stone. We also visit Gandhi ashram - this quite and peaceful retreat was setup by Gandhi Ji in 1915 as a Satyagraha ashram on the bank the river of Sabarmati.
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Udaipur. No city in Rajasthan is quite as romantic as Udaipur. Misty ochre-shadowed hills and pale, intricate buildings encircle the mirror glass of Lake Pichola. If Jaipur is a study in pink, then Udaipur is a vision in white. The City of Dawn, surrounded by the ancient Aravali Mountains and set on the edge of three lakes, is a brilliant kaleidoscope of narrow lanes flanked by bright stalls, gardens, lakes, palaces and temples. On arrival in Udaipur we check in our hotel.
We start our experience of Udaipur by visiting the City Palace. The palace has several architectural and artistic highlights such as the Mor Chowk, known for its stunning peacock mosaics and the Bhim Vilas Palace with its series of lovely wall paintings. From the City Palace we can see the Lake Place, shimmering like a jewel in Lake Pichola. Later we visit the Jagdish Temple, Fateh Sagar Lake and Saheliyon Ki Bari, the Garden of Maids. We end our tour of Udaipur with a boat ride at Lake Pichola and visit Jag Mandir, a palace built on an island in 1551. The royal family used the palace as a summer resort and pleasure palace for holding parties.
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Pushkar. Pushkar is bewitching but touristy little town, like a beautiful mirage on the edge of the desert, with temples, bathing ghats, onion domes and chalk coloured buildings clustering around its holy lake, which is said to have appeared when Brahma dropped a lotus flower. It's an important pilgrimage centre and you'll see plenty of Sadhus (Spiritual men), as well as countless chilled-out travellers experimenting variously with spirituality, Bhang and the facial hair. Pushkar boasts temples, though few are as ancient as you might expect at such an important pilgrimage site, since many were deserted by Aurangzeb and subsequently rebuilt. We visit the most famous temple of Lord Brahma Temple, said to be one of the few temples in the world dedicated to this deity. It's marked by red spire, and over the entrance gateway is the Hans, or goose symbol, of Brahma, who is said to have personally chosen Pushkar as its site.
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Jaipur. On arrival in Jaipur, we are transferred to our Hotel. Rest of the day is free.
A royal experience awaits us as we take a Jeep ride uphill to the intriguing Amber Palace, a distinguished example of 17th Century Rajput architecture. After the tour and enjoying a panoramic view, we return to Jaipur to visit the old astronomical observatory built by the founder of the city, Jai Singh. We also visit the majestic Palace, which houses a rare collection of Indian art, and the colourful bazaar. Jaipur is noted for its craftsmen, skilled in brass inlay, lacquer work and stone setting. Most of the buildings in the old city are made of pink sandstone and one of the most beautiful is Hawa Mahal, Palace of Winds, where the ladies of the royal harem used to watch the city from behind the intricately carved facade. Evening is free to enjoy both shopping and a cultural experience in the bazaars of Jaipur.
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Agra. En-route we visit Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful capital built in 1640 by the Mughal King, Akbar the Great. The city was later abandoned for lack of water. A superb example of Mughal architecture, it stands perfectly preserved in the desert. We also visit the artistically designed mausoleum of Salim Chisty who is reputed to have prayed for a son for Akbar leading to the birth of Salim Jehangir. From here we continue a countryside drive to Agra. On arrival we check in our Hotel.
In the morning we visit to one of the most well-known wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. Built by Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj is built of white marble, beautifully carved and inlaid with semi-precious stones. Next, we visit Agra Fort, where Shah Jehan, in the later years of his life, was imprisoned by his son to prevent him from spending the family fortunes on a black echo of the Taj Mahal.
The capital of India is a true reflection of the old and new of India. We start our morning tour with New Delhi and visit Birla House – The Former Residence of Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi spend his later years at Birla House before he was assassinated by Nathu Ram Godse on January 30, 1948. Later we visit the famous India Gate followed by the Houses of Parliament, Connaught Place, Humayun's Tomb and the Qutb Minar - a perfect minaret towering 102 meters / 112 yards into the sky. New Delhi is a blend of Mughal India, Hindu India, British India and certainly of modern independent India.
Would definitely recommend this company for India
5/5
Our experience was outstanding. The logistics of meeting and greeting us with local guides at every location was flawless. The hotels recommended were as represented, well located , with character, and good food. Our driver for the entire 13 day journey punctual,thoughtful and very personable.
