DAY 1 -Join tour in Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid and explore Old Delhi by rickshaw and metro.

Arrive in New Delhi, India's bustling capital which successfully combinesthe ancient with the modern.
Amidst the tall and modern skyscrapers, there are still the remnants of a bygone timewith numerous
monuments and temples.
For those arriving on time today our Leader plansto meet you in the hotel reception at 2pm for the
welcome meeting and to take us on our afternoon city tour we take cycle rickshawsto explore the
winding lanes of Chandni Chowk bazaar, a sprawling market where you can buy almost anything you
need from household waresto souvenirs. We view the Red Fort from the outside and Jami Masjid
Mosque, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and one of the biggest in India.
If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into New Delhi's
Indira Gandhi International airport (airport codeDEL), which is 12km, around 45 minutesfrom our hotel.
Please note that if you wish to join the city tour today, you must arrive at the hotel by 2pm. If you are
booking your own flights, we recommend giving yourself at least one hour to clear the airport. From the
airport to the hotel is around 45 minutes drive,so therefore the latest your flight can arrive is 12.15pm.
Should you missthewelcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information assoon
as you catch up.

DAY 2 - Morning sightseeing of New Delhi and afternoon transfer to Agra

This morning wewill visit the more modern part of the city, New Delhi. The Indian capital haslong been a
phoenix rising again and again out of its own ruins. New Delhi wasthe creation of the British Raj of the
1930s. On our tour, wewill view the Lok Sabha (Parliament), India Gate, and the Rajpath buildings. We
will also explore the Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb,set in peaceful gardens away from the often
chaotic Delhi traffic.
In the afternoon wewill drive to Agra, which will take about four hours.

DAY 3 - Visit the Taj Mahal for sunrise followed by Agra Fort and Baby Taj

This morning's early start isrewarded with the spectacular sight of the sun rising over the Taj Mahal
during our visit. Over 300 years have elapsed since the construction of what is arguably theworld's most
perfect and poetic building, yet its beauty and symmetry seem unscarred by age. Created by Shah Jahan
as a funerary monument to hisfavouritewife, Mumtaz, it took 22 yearsto build. TheGreat Moghul lies
beside his beloved under thewhite marble dome. After our visit, wewill return to the hotel for breakfast
and some down time.

Later in the morning wewill visit the imposing Agra Fort and the Itimad-ud-Daulah or 'Baby Taj'. Either
side of the river, the grandeur of these two impressive sites either side of the Yamuna river explain why
Agra wasthe first capital of the Mughal Empire. In-between both visits wewill have some time to stop for
lunch and potentially try some local delicaciessuch as petha (a dry dessert) or paan (a betel leaf which
you chew). To finish our sightseeing in Agra wewill head over to the Mehtab Bagh, a park offering a
different perspective of the gleaming Taj Mahal with the Yamuna river in the foreground. In the evening
you may wish to take part in an optional cookery class and meal during which wewill visit a local house
and prepare some of the dishesfor which Indian cuisine is well renowned.

DAY 4 - Explore Fatehpur Sikri and drive to Karauli for the arti ceremony

Early this morning, we continue our journey west and soon reach the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri.
Founded in 1569 and abandoned scarcely 16 yearslater, it is a perfectly intact example of Akbar's
imperial court. Among the many noteworthy buildingsisthe five-storied Panch Mahal, probably a
pleasure pavilion for the ladies of the harem. In the centre of the courtyard isthe Pachisi Board, where
the emperor played a game like chess, with dancing slave girls as pieces. Perhapsthe fineststructure of
all though isthe lotus-shaped carved central pillar of theDiwan-i-Khas(Hall of Private Audience).
Leaving Fatehpur Sikri we continue towards Karauli, a smaller town with more of a rural feel. Our drive
will take approximately three to four hours and wewill arrive at our accommodation in time for lunch.
Founded in 1348, Karauli is a holy town which has been strongly fortified by itsrulersthroughout
history and isfamousfor the pale red sandstonewall which surroundsit. Legend hasit that the ruling
family were descendants of Lord Krishna, one of the most loved gods of Hindu mythology. Our family-run
heritage hotel is an accommodation highlight here, encouraging usto feel likewe have stepped back in
time to the days of the Raj. After lunch we hope to be able to ride on camel-drawn cartsfrom our hotel to
the 600-year-old palacewhich formsthe imposing highlight of thistown. Used as a residence by the royal
family until 1950, the palace has now been abandoned by them. These daysit is mostly occupied by
monkeys and geese. It issaid that geese have been here since the days when they were used as a warning
system against any intruders. After visiting the palace, wewill explore other points of interest in the
town,such asthe Madan Mohanji Temple in time for the arti ceremony.

DAY 5 - Visit Chand Baori stepwell and drive to Jaipur to see the phenomenal observatory
and City Palace

This morning, after breakfast wewill drive towardsthe city Jaipur stopping en route at the Chand Baori
stepwell. Built over a thousand years ago, the stepwell isthe equivalent of a modern day water storage
unit built to providewater to the area all year round. The stepwell istoday not used for these purposes
but our stop herewill allow usto marvel at the structure and its perfectsymmetry with hundreds of
slanted stepsleading to thewater on each side.
Leaving the stepwell we drive to Jaipur, a drive of approximately 3 hours. Often known asthe 'Pink City',
Jaipur wasfirst painted terracotta pink by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh to celebrate the visit of Prince
Albert in 1853. On arrival wewill visit the extraordinary Jantar Mantar - a star-gazing observatory built
by Jai Singh, the great Maharaja-astronomer. Before checking in to our hotel wewill also visit the nearby
lavish and well-preserved city palace. Here, wewill find a fine collection of textiles, costumes and
armoury.

DAY 6 - Visit Jaipur's Palace of the Wind's and Amber Fort

Today wewill visit the Palace of the Winds, a five-storied facade built around 1760, which features on
many an India postcard. Afterwards, wewill drive to the Amber Fort. Thisimpressive hilltop fortress
possesses what must be theworld'sfinest Chamber of Mirrors and affords glorious views of the
surrounding plains. As we return back to our hotel for a free afternoon in Jaipur, wewill get the
opportunity to stop and view the Jal Mahal palace. Meaning 'water palace', asits name indicatesthe
sandstone palace sitsin the middle of the Man Sagar Lake and is a great photographic opportunity.
This afternoon has been left free to explore more of Jaipur in your own time. You may choose to visit one
of the famous bazaars which are bursting with delights, from marble statuesto antique textiles;
traditional print blocksto local musical instruments. In the evening you may be able to take in a famous
Bollywood movie at the Raj Mandir cinema, an art deco style cinema where the locals cheer on their
favourite movie stars.

DAY 7 - Drive back to Delhi via the Heritage transport

After breakfast we start our return journey to the capital from Jaipur, a journey of approximately six to
seven hours withoutstops. A couple of hours outside of Delhi wewill stop at India's Heritage transport
museum. This building offers a fascinating journey through the country's many transport methodsfrom
the pre mechanised era including wooden carriages and bullock cartsto a classic selection of over 75
vintage cars and motorbikes. The museum also hasseveral interactive screens with videos on the
different transport methods on display. Wewill also get the chance to view documentary movie 'living in
the age of airplanes'.

DAY 8 - Trip endsin Delhi

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Delhi.
There are no activities planned today,so you are free to depart from Delhi at any time. If your flight is
departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive
a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from New Delhi'sIndira Gandhi International
airport (airport codeDEL), which is around 45 minutesfrom the hotel.