On your arrival in Delhi, you will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel. Delhi was the capital of Indraprastha and capital of the Pandavas during the Mahabharata. This magnificent city has been inhabited from the 6th century BC and has been a capital of many kingdoms. It has been destroyed and rebuilt many times and is called the "city of cities". Delhi's culture has been influenced by its different rulers and the city is full of beautiful monuments. The Mughal rulers influenced the food habits of the residents and Mughlai cuisine originated here. Due to the proximity of different states, all festivals are celebrated here. Old Delhi is a maze of small lanes lined and old buildings and New Delhi has large road with huge buildings. Delhi is the capital of India and is the hub for politics.
This afternoon you will be visiting Laxmi Narayan Temple, Hanuman Mandir, Gauri Shankar Mandir, India Gate and Chattarpur Mandir. Or, you could forego Chattarpur Temple and visit Akshardham Temple. Swaminarayan Akshardham is one of the world's largest temple complexes and built from Rajasthani pink sandstone and Italian marble. In this Hindu temple complex, there are statues of Swaminarayan, Sita Ram, Radha Krishna, Shiva Parvati, and Lakshmi Narayan. The main temple was built as per Vastu and Pancharatra Shastra and the main monument has carved details of flora, fauna, dancers, musicians, and deities. The temple has 234 pillars, nine domes, 20,000 idols of sages and 148 of full sized elephants. Yagnapurush Kund is a large step well with a musical fountain. A short boat ride takes you through 10,000 years of Indian history. Overnight is in Delhi.
This morning you will be transferred by road to Mathura - the city associated with the most revered of Hindu Gods - Lord Krishna. Mathura is the birth place of Lord Krishna and the surroundings "Braj Bhoomi" is where Lord Krishna grew up. Afternoon visit Brindavan or Vrindavan, where Lord Krishna spent his childhood days, played the flute sporting with the Gopis and where Radha pined for her lover. Visit the Govind Dev Temple built in 1590 and a testimony to the architectural splendor of medieval India. Proceed to Rangaji Temple in Vrindavan's longest temple constructed in 1851 with 50 feet tall "Dhwaja Stambha" believed to be gold plated. Continue to Madan Mohan Temple situated near Kali Ghat, Glass Temple and the Banke Bihari Temple - built in 1921. Overnight is in Mathura.
This morning you will be visiting to Gokul where Nand Gopal was sheltered in Yashoda Maiya's home in secrecy to escape the wrath of his tyrant Uncle Kansa. Also visit Gokul Nath Ji Temple. Proceed to Mahavan - believed to have cradled Lord Krishna. Visit "Assi Khambha" the temple dedicated to Mathura Nath Ji. Continue to Govardhan - where Lord Krishna held aloft "Giriraj", the sandstone hill on his finger for seven days and nights to protect the people of Braj from the wrath of rain and thunder sent by Indra. Return to Mathura. Overnight is in Mathura.
This morning you will visit Nand Gaon - the house of Lord Krishna's foster father Nand, in whose memory stands the 19th century temple. A little beyond is Pan Sarovar - one of the four most celebrated lakes in Braj. Continue to Barsana - the birth place of Radha - with temples in reverence of Ladliji (Radha). Also visit the water tank "Prem Sarovar", the first meeting place of Radha and Krishna. Overnight is in Mathura.
This morning you will drive to Agra the former capital of Hindustan is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna. Agra is a major tourist destination of India and a part of the Golden Triangle tourist circuit along with Delhi and Jaipur. Agra also known as Akbarabad went through its peak during the time of Mughals and was the capital of under the Mughal rulers Akbar, Jahangir and Shahjehan. In the afternoon visit of Agra, you will be taken to Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world. This beautiful building is elegantly built with white marble by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between the years 1631 to 1648 and it was built in the memory of his favorite beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal. Standing majestically on banks of Yamuna River, this breathtaking, immensely beautiful monument is a synonymous to romance and love.
Your next stop Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and known for its architectural structure and was built in the 16th century during the Mughal Empire. This place comprises of several fairy-tale palaces like Khas Mahal and Jahangir Palace. Over here you will also get a chance to see Diwan-e-Aam and Diwan-e-Khas, which are also known as private audience hall and public audience hall. Afternoon can be spent visiting more places of interest or shopping. Agra is famous for inlaid marble work and handicrafts made of marble, wood and metal. The transport is at your disposal with-in the city limits. TAJ MAHAL IS CLOSED ON FRIDAYS. Overnight is in Agra.
This morning, you will be transferred to Jaipur enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri, built in the 16th century by Emperor Akbar. Fatehpur Sikri holds exceptional testimony to Mughal civilization and is one of the well-known UNESCO World heritage sites of India and has various historical monuments. You will visit the Jama Masjid, followed by the Tomb of Salim Chishti, the five storied Panch Mahal and Buland Darwaza a graceful monument and stupendous piece of beautiful architectures. It is central portico with a total of three arched entrances and is locally known as Horseshoe gate. You will visit the other graceful buildings of this place such as Ibadat Khana, Mariam-uz-Zamani's palace, Naubat Khana and Birbal's house.
Later you will be driven to Jaipur. Jaipur, also known as the pink city is the capital of Rajasthan. Many captivating palaces are present here having breathtaking design and architecture. In the 18th century Prince of Wales had visited Jaipur and the entire city was painted in pink color and due to these pink buildings the city is known as the pink city. Origin of Jaipur lies 260 years back. It was built by Maharaja Jai Singh and Jaipur got its name from this king. The rest of the day is for visiting the monuments and palaces of Jaipur.
You will be taken to Maharaja City Palace, a royal palace with seven storeys as well as to Jantar Mantar, the observatory. This wonderful observatory attracts mathematician as well as astronomers from the whole world. City palace is perfect blend of all three excellent styles (Mughal, Rajput and European). Another palace, Hawa Mahal is popular all over world for it magnificent architecture. You will be taken through pink rose garden as well business centers of Jaipur. A tour of Jaipur is not complete without shopping. Jaipur is famous for clothes, carpets, precious and semi-precious stones and jewelry and various handicrafts made of wood, metals, etc. and also for silk paintings and miniatures. The transport is at your disposal with-in the city limits. Overnight is in Jaipur.
The morning journey starts from Amer fort also known as Amer Palace, the earlier capital of Jaipur. This magnificent fort was constructed in red sand-stone and marble by Raja Man Singh and is divided into four sections each with a courtyard. The main entrance gate is Surajpol having a fascinating architecture. Near the Ganesh Gate, there is a temple dedicated to the Goddess Sila Devi. The Diwan-e-Aam - hall of public audience, Diwan-e-Khas - hall of private audience, Sheesh Mahal - palace of mirrors and Sukh Niwas are quite beautiful. At the Sukh Niwas, a pleasant climate is created by winds that blow over a water cascade. You could ascend the fort by walking up the steps or on an elephant's back or in jeeps. Later you will be transferred to Delhi airport in time for your return flight. As most of the flights depart after mid-night, accommodation is not included in Delhi.
