Spring 2009 Itinerary
Day 01—Saturday 14 March
ARRIVAL DELHI
Arrive Delhi by international flight. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the Taj Palace Hotel.
Delhi: The capital city of modem India has behind it centuries of history, which has enriched its culture. Nowhere has tradition blended with modernity on a scale as evident in Delhi: age-old monuments stand cheek by jowl with ultramodem high-rise buildings. Delhi has been the seat of power for centuries. Today old and new cities combine to present a harmonious whole, offering the traveler elegant shops, broad laburnum-lined avenues, sun-warmed elegant forts, and mosques that were once the stronghold of Mughal powers and colorful bazaars.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02—Sunday 15 March
DELHI
After breakfast at the hotel, a full day sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi, beginning with a visit to the Red Fort—a marvel in red sandstone, the Raj Ghat—memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the Jama Masjid—the largest mosque in India. Later, visit the 12th century Qutab Minar, gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of 234 ft, the mausoleum of Emperor Humayun—a forerunner of the Mughal style of architecture, the imposing Lakshmi Narayan Temple.
In New Delhi, visit the Imperial Hotel. First among the legendary "Four Maidens of the East," the Imperial was the only luxury hotel provided by Sir Edwin Lutyen in his grand design for New Delhi. Built in 1933, the hotel has a somewhat unconventional style and design; a mixture of Victorian and old colonial with a playful dose of Art Deco. Continue to Old Delhi to see the Art Deco building of the Golcha Cinema. Spend some time in Chandni Chowk to savour the ambience of a crowded oriental bazaar, a drive past India Gate (memorial to the Indian army soldiers who died in the World War I), the Rashtrapati Bhavan (formerly the viceroy's residence), and the Parliament House. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03—Monday 16 March
DELHI
In the morning, explore on foot the neighborhood of residences built in the 1940s for employees of the Indian National Railways. Additional locations are being arranged.
Day 04—Tuesday 17 March
DELHI—AGRA
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning drive to Agra, with afternoon visit to the stunningly beautiful Taj Mahal, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal, which is one of the seven wonders of the world, was built by Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife by the banks of 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. Around 20,000 workers from all over the country and central Asia were recruited to translate this dream into a reality.
AGRA: 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. Agra was the chosen city of the Mughal emperors during the early years.
Afternoon check-in to Jaypee Palace. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05—Wednesday 18 March
AGRA
Morning visit to the Agra Fort, a massive stone fortress started by Emperor Akbar in 1565 and completed by his grandson Emperor Shah Jehan. Aftemoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06—Thursday 19 March
AGRA—FATEPUR SIKRI—BHRATPUR—JAIPUR
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning drive to Fatehpur Sikri. Situated around 40 km from Agra, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. This was the capital of the Mughal emperor Akbar between 1570 to 1586. Fatehpur Sikri's 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 ft Buland Darwaza. The finest monuments within this area are the Diwan-l-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Jama Masjid, and Panch Mahal.
Continue on to Bharatpur (174km, 4 hrs), arriving at Laxmi Vilas Palace for lunch. Situated in a small but historic town, and known as the impregnable fort, Laxmi Vilas Palace was built in 1887 for Raja Raghunath Singh, the younger brother of the then ruler of Bharatpur, Maharaja Ram Singh. Bharatpur is an old historic town of the Jat Dynasty from 1690 AD onwards.
On arrival in Jaipur, check in at Country Inn Suites.
JAIPUR: Built by Sawai Jai Singh, the city of Jaipur 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. Jaipur has a timeless appeal in its colorful bazaars that offer delights in its Rajasthan handlooms and trinkets. Beautifully laid-out gardens and parks, attractive monuments, and marvelous heritage hotels, once the residence of Maharajas, are worth admiration that makes a trip to the pink city a memorable one.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 07—Friday 20 March
JAIPUR
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning excursion to Amber Fort, where you'll ride an elephant up to the fort's entrance. Amber is a classic romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. The rugged time-ravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful from the outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. Miniatures painted on the walls depict hunting and war scenes, apart from festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are embedded into the plaster. Inside the Jag Mandir is the famed Sheesh Mahal—a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period.
In the afternoon you will have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds, followed by a sightseeing tour of the city, visiting Maharaja's City Palace, the former royal residence. A small portion is still used by the royal family of Jaipur. Built in the style of a fortified campus, the palace covers almost one-seventh the area of the city. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as Amoury Museum, housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles, and daggers. 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. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08—Saturday 21 March
JAIPUR—JODHPUR
Breakfast at the hotel. Mornign free, and then afternoon express train to Jodhpur. On arrival, check in at Taj Hari Mahal Hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 09—Sunday 22 March
JODHPUR
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning sightseeing tour of Jodhpur, visiting the 5-km long Mehrangarh Fort situated on a 125-mt hill. This is one of the most impressive and formidable structures in Rajasthan. Within the fort are some magnificent palaces with meticulously carved panels, latticed windows or "Jarokhas" with evocative names. The chambers of Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, the Sileh Khana, and the Daulat Khana are noteworthy for the splendour and glamour of a bygone era. Later, visit the Jaswant Thada—a cluster of royal cenotaphs in the white marble built in 1899 AD in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10—Monday 23 March
JODHPUR—SARDARSAMAND—JODHPUR
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day excursion to Sardarsamand (56 km, 1-1/2 hr one way). The Sardar Samand Palace, a hunting lodge built by Maharaja Umaid Singh in 1933, is replete with impressive Art Deco architecture. All the original features have been retained, and its expansive grounds and gardens offer delightful walks. From the impressive exterior one enters an elegantly decorated interior that speaks volumes of fine craftsmanship. Overlooking the large lake, the lake resort affords one of the most breathtakingly beautiful views of Lake Sardar Samand. Lunch at this exotic palace. Return to Jodhpur in the late afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11—Tuesday 24 March
JODHPUR—MUMBAI
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to airport to board flight to Mumbai. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the Taj President. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12—Wednesday 25 March
MUMBAI
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit to see Art Deco buildings around Marine Drive: Chateau Marine, Framroz Court, Krishna Mahal, Oceana, Rakhi Mahal, Reviera, Sea Green Hotel, Soona Mahal, St. James Court, Sunder Mahal, and Zaver Mahal. Visit to Umaid Bhawan Palace, the last of the great palaces of India and one of the largest residences in the world—set amidst 26 acres of lush gardens. Named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, grandfather of the present Maharaja of Jodhpur, this golden-yellow sandstone monument was conceived on the grandest possible scale, in the fashionable Art Deco style of that time. After 15 fears in construction, the 347-room palace was finally completed in 1943, and has served as the principal residence of the Jodhpur royal family since. Designed by renowned Edwardian architect Henry Lanchester, the palace is a blend of eastern and western architectural influences. Its majestic 105-foot high cupola is influenced by the Renaissance, while the towers draw inspiration from Rajput tradition. The lavish interiors with gilt furniture and elegant artwork follow the Art Deco style, complemented by the exotic murals of the self-exiled Polish artist Stefan Norblin. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13—Thursday 26 March
MUMBAI
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day visit to see Art Deco buildings in the Churchgate area, including Astoria Hotel, Bombay High Court, Belvedere Court, Chheda Sadan, Court View, Cricket Club of India, Empress Court, Eros Cinema, Firuz Ara, Green Fields, Indian Merchants Chamber, Industrial Assurance Building, Ivanhoe, Motabhoy Mansion, Palm Court, Rajjab Mahal, 
Resham Bhavan, The City Civil Court, University of Bombay Clock Tower and Windsor House. Also visit Art Deco buildings in the Colaba area, namely Ahmed Mansion, Dhanraj Mahal, Electric House, Regal Cinema, Rutton Manor, Shelleys Hotel, and Sealand. Also see the buildings in Cumballa Hill area including Breach Candy Hospital, Currimbhoy Manor, Dil Pazir, Gold Cornet, Kamal Mahal, Normandie, Sea Face Park, Shangri-La, Silver Foil, and Windcliffe. Ovemight at the hotel.
Day 14—Friday 27 March
DEPART MUMBAI FOR HOMEWARD JOURNEY
Evening transfer to the airport for onward international flight.
