IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MUGHALS
This itinerary has been specially designed to celebrate the return of the Murraqqa – Imperial Mughal Albums Exhibition to the Chester Beatty Library
25 June – 3 October 2010
(7 Nights / 8 Days)
Delhi – Agra - Jaipur – Delhi
India is the land of cultural exuberance and composite tradition. Her culture, especially in north India, is a mixture of traditions imposed by various conquerors. The Mughals were one of the conquerors who ruled for three centuries from 1556 to 1857. The Mughal Empire was one of the largest centralised states in pre-modern history and was perhaps the richest single dynasty to have ever existed. Out of all the Mughal Emperors, the most notable ones were Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb.This trip has been designed so as to give an insight into the Mughals’ traditions and their exceptional contribution to the architectural wonders of India. It includes visits to Delhi and the former Mughal capitals of Agra and Jaipur.
DAY 1 –DELHI
Meet & greet on arrival followed by private car transfer to hotel.
DELHI: The capital city of modern India has behind it centuries of history. Nowhere has tradition blended with modernity on a scale as evident in Delhi - age-old monuments stand along side ultra modern buildings. Delhi has been the seat of power for centuries. Today the old and new city combine to present a harmonious whole offering the traveler, elegant shops, broad laburnum lined avenues, sun warmed elegant forts and mosques that were once stronghold of Mughal powers and colorful bazaars.
Check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure
In the evening take an orientation drive through Delhi and onto the Red Fort to see the “Son-et-lumiere’ –a one hour spectacular show narrating history since the commencement of Old Delhi by the great Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It is a beautiful presentation of tales of Mughal Emperors, the rise and fall of the Mughal Empire followed by the rise of the British Empire, the Indian freedom struggle ending with the day of Indian Independence –all of which were witnessed by the mighty Red Fort.
OVERNIGHT: HOTEL – DELHI
DAY 2 – DELHI
Breakfast at the hotel.
Begin with a guided tour of Shahjahanabad, today called Old Delhi. The city is named after its founder –the great Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (5th Mughal Emperor). Built in 1639 as 7th city of Delhi, Shahjahanabad remained Mughal capital until the end of the dynasty. Walk through the famous street ‘Chandi Chowk’ and venture into the by-lanes past the Havelis which in former times were mansions of important members of the royal court. Visit the specialty bazaars famous for spices, sweets, jewellery, textile etc
Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India and the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the name means "world-reflecting".
Take a ride in a rickshaw
Visit the mighty Red Fort - a marvel in red sandstone, built on the banks of river Yamuna by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It served as the capital of the Mughals until 1857. The British used it as a military camp until India was made independent in 1947. It is the symbol of India's sovereignty.
The Prime Minister of India raises the flag of India on the rampants of the Lahori Gate of the fort complex every year on Independence Day. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
Lunch at a local restaurant famous for its Mughali cuisine.
After lunch, continue onto New Delhi. Drive past the India Gate (the war memorial dedicated to the martyrs of World War I, The President's Palace - formerly the Viceroy's Palace, Parliament House and the Secretariat buildings - an interesting blend of the Victorian and 20th century architecture.
Continue on to visit Humayun’s Tomb –on banks of Yamuna river, it was the first garden-tomb on Indian sub-continent. The garden’s use of sandstone on such a large scale and the architecture set a precedent for subsequent Mughal mausoleums, reaching its zenith with the Taj Mahal. The mausoleum was commissioned in 1562 by the Mughal Emperor’s wife Hamida Banu Begum. It has been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Drive past the citadel of the city of Dina-panah also called Purana Quila or Old Fort. The city was founded by Mughal Emperor Humayun in 1553 and was the 6th city of Delhi.
Evening visit to the famous addresses in the elite Khan market.
Khan Market is much favoured by the Indian elite due to its ample choice of products including premium designer houses of national and international repute and of course mouth-watering eateries.
Return back to the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: HOTEL – DELHI
DAY 3 – DELHI
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning visit to Gandhi Smriti which was Mahatma Gandhi’s Delhi home where he lived from 9 September 1947 to 30 January 1948. The hallowed house holds many memories of the last 144 days of his life. It has now been turned into a multimedia museum offering a fascinating glimpse into the life of the Leader of the Nation and the father of India’s independence.
Continue to the National Museum of Delhi with a brief by the curator focusing on Mughal patronage.
Visit the Indian Miniature Paintings section at the National Museum of Delhi. Mughal painting was rich in variety and included portraits, events and scenes from court life, wild life and hunting scenes, and illustrations of battles.
Lunch at VEDA
Veda is a concept restaurant with an ambience and cuisine marrying traditional with the contemporary.
Afternoon visit to the 12th century Qutab Minar. Gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of 234ft, the iron pillar has withstood the ravages of time and not rusted even after 1,500 years.
Visit Sunder Nagar Market - this enclave specialises in jewellery, fine pashminas, gold, silver, antique items and Indian & Nepali handicrafts.
Visit Dilli Haat for an authentic experience of art &
handicrafts and cuisines from different states of India.
OVERNIGHT: HOTEL – DELHI
DAY 4 – DELHI TO AGRA (220 km, 4 hr)
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning departure for Agra by private chauffeured car with stops en-route for refreshment and visit of Sikandra. Situated on the outskirts of Agra city, it houses the mortal remains of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, who during his lifetime had completed the tomb and laid out a beautiful garden.
On the right bank of the river Yamuna, Agra reigns over a glorious past created by warriors as skilled in art and architecture as they were on the battlefield. The city’s historical origins before the Mughal conquest are dim. To the lover of art and to the traveller seeking the wonders of India, Agra is the goal of a pilgrimage.
Agra is especially noted for its leather footwear, marble inlay work and gold thread embroidery known as "zari work". The city jewellers offer attractive jewellery in traditional Mughal designs.
On arrival, check-in at hotel.
Sunset visit to the celebrated Taj Mahal, the seventh wonder of world, built by great Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal by the banks of the river Yamuna. After her untimely death, Shah Jahan had her mortal remains buried in this mausoleum. And after his own demise he was placed to rest next to his beloved queen in the same mausoleum. The Taj has been called the most extravagant monument ever built for the sake of love. The great monument took almost 22 years to build and was completed in 1653.
OPTIONAL – Mohabbat-the-Taj: The show depicts an engrossing saga of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and his devotion to his wife Mumtaz Mahal that led to the building of the magnificent TAJ MAHAL – a memorial to their love and a Wonder of the World.
The hour and a half dance-drama combines the wonders of technology with the beauty of classical dancing. Artists in traditional Mughal attire with awe inspiring performance virtually takes the audience into the Mughal courts and the Emperor’s love story.
OVERNIGHT: HOTEL –AGRA
DAY 5 –AGRA TO JAIPUR (250 km, 5 hr)
After breakfast, visit the Agra Fort, the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. Foundation of the fort was laid by Emperor Akbar in 1565 and continued with successive generations.
Visit a leading marble inlay factory and Kohinoor jewellers.
Elaborate marble inlay designs are created by master craftsman or Ustad, under the scrutiny of his watchful eye, the designs are exclusively handcrafted by a team of workers. The skill is handed down as family lore from father to son, a practice still prevalent in Agra. The classical tradition of marble inlay is closely linked with architecture.
In the afternoon drive to Delhi by private chauffeured vehicle with stops en route for refreshment and visit to Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri -the city is an extraordinary place to wander around with its buildings in near perfect condition even after more than 400 yrs. Built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, it remained the capital of the Mughal emperor between 1570 and 1586 but was abandoned soon after due to scarcity of water. The sprawling structure is made of red sandstone and combines both Hindu and Muslim architecture. The main entrance to this walled city is through the 175 feet Buland Darwaza.
Drive on another 20 kms to the former principality of Bharatpur and stop for lunch at the Laxmi Vilas Palace.
After lunch continue drive to Jaipur with photo-stops enroute
JAIPUR: the Capital of Rajasthan, built by Sawai Jai Singh, is amongst the first of India’s planned cities. The ancient heart of the Pink City still beats in its fairy tale palaces; rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues. Beautifully laid out gardens and parks, attractive monuments and marvelous heritage hotels, once the residence of Maharajas, make the visit to this city a memorable one.
On arrival, check-in at hotel.
OVERNIGHT: HOTEL –JAIPUR
DAY 6 –JAIPUR
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning: visit of Amber Fort -a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. Precious stones and mirrors are embedded into the plaster. Inside the fort visit the Jag Mandir –the famed room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period. Construction of the Fort-Palace began in 1592 by Maharaja Man Singh, who was one of the generals of Akbar's army.
En-route to Amber Fort, you will have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds. The stone carvers of Rajasthan are noted for their latticework (jali) carvings. Most ancient palatial buildings of Rajasthan, sport jali work on their doors and windows. The jali screens, sculpted from both sandstone and marble, were frequently used in the windows of the women's quarters (zenanas) enabling the women in purdah to view the events of the courts without being seen.
Lunch at the restaurant 1135 AD at Amber Fort
Afternoon: city tour of Jaipur beginning with a visit to Maharaja's City Palace, a modern 18th century Palace. It is a perfect example of the declining popularity of the Rajput architecture and the growing popularity of Mughal architecture. Built by the ruler of Amber state in the style of a fortified campus, is still the residence of the Royal family of Jaipur
The palace has Diwan-i-Khas (or Hall of Private Audiences) which is characterized by the influence of Mughal architecture AND The Diwan-i-Am (or Hall of Public Audience) which is now a picture gallery with a collection of Persian and Indian miniatures.
Later visit the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted Observatory in the world. Situated near the gate of the City Palace, the observatory has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition.
Evening: visit the various specialty bazaars known for Gems & jewelery, textiles, spices, enameling and for wood sculptures.
Free in the evening to visit the legendary Rambagh Palace and option to dine in one of its fine dining restaurants.
Rambagh Palace has been home to generations of royals. Built in 1835 on a modest scale for the queen’s favorite handmaiden Kesar Badaran, it was later refurbished as a royal guesthouse and hunting lodge. In 1925, Rambagh was converted into a palace, and became the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur.
OVERNIGHT: HOTEL – JAIPUR
DAY 7 –JAIPUR TO DELHI (260 km, 5 hr)
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning: at leisure to visit the colorful bazaars of the old Pink City or relax at the hotel
In the afternoon, depart for Delhi by private chauffeured vehicle with photo stops en route.
On arrival, check-in at hotel.
Farwell dinner (included) either at the hotel or in a local restaurant.
OVERNIGHT: HOTEL – DELHI
DAY8 –DEPART DELHI
Transfer to international airport for onward flight back home.
END OF PROGRAM
PRICES:
Prices Valid from June till 15th Sep 2010:
From Euro 1800.00 per person twin sharing
From Euro 320 single room supplement
Prices Valid from 1st Nov till 20th Dec 2010:
From Euro 2320.00 per person twin sharing
From Euro 675 .00 single room supplement
Prices Valid from 16th April 2011 tiil-20th Sep 2011
From Euro1900.00 per person twin sharing
From Euro 360 single room supplement
INCLUSIONS -
- Meeting & assistance at airports
- Seven nights hotel accommodation as mentioned above
- Daily buffet breakfast
- Lunches -
In Delhi -on day 2 & day 3
In Jaipur – on day 6
- All ground transportation as per the itinerary, by an air-conditioned vehicle
- Sightseeing tours with English speaking local guide for 1 -3 pax
- Accompanying English speaking escort cum guide for 6 pax onwards
- Entrance fees to the monuments –
In Delhi – Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort, National Museum, Qutb Minar
In Agra –Sikandra, Itmad-ul-daula, Agra Fort, Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri
In Jaipur –City Palace & Museum, Observatory & Amber Fort
- Tour of Old Delhi with an expert on Mughal culture
- Special briefing on Mughal art by the curator / scholar at National Museum in Delhi
- Rikshaw ride in Delhi
- Elephant ride at Amber Fort in Jaipur
- Currently applicable taxes
- International airfare
EXCLUSIONS -
- Visa charges
- Mughal theme evening in Jaipur
- Any extras or personal expenses like table drinks, telephone calls, table/hotel tips, tips to the driver/guide, laundry or any other expenses of personal nature
- Still or video camera fee at the monuments
- Any services other than the ones mentioned above
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