Mumbai & the The Golden Triangle
Pre Tour Sold in conjunction with main tour (South India)
Mumbai - Jaipur - Agra – Delhi - Hyderabad
Day 1: Arrive Mumbai By: International flight
Arrive Mumbai by noon.
Meeting on arrival and transfer to hotel (room will be reserved from noon)
Afternoon : Optional visit to Aga Khan I Mausoleum
Overnight stay in Mumbai
The history of Bombay or Mumbai as it is now known is the story of an incredible
transformation from its foundation to its present day.
The British built it expressly for trade and over the years it changed hands from the
fishing village of the Kolis, through the Portuguese conquest, to Catherine of Aragon
who took the seven islands of Mumbai as her dowry to Charles II of England.
Mumbai is the Gateway to India, commemorated by a monument of that name built
to mark the visit of King George and his consort, Mary. Today, Mumbai is India’s
premiere commercial and financial city and is ever on the move.
In the afternoon, proceed to find peace at Aga Khan I Hasan Ali Shah’s Dargah
( Optional ) )The shrine represents the imprints Hasan Ali Shah left in the Islamic
world, especially for Nizari Ismailies, commonly known as Aga Khani Khoja
Muslims.
The construction of the mausoleum began soon after Aga Khan I’s funeral in 1881,
and it was finally completed in 1884. The mausoleum is well kept and is looked after
by the Jamaat khana of the Aga Khani Khoja Muslims.
Day 2: Mumbai
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning excursion to Elephanta Caves
Afternoon: Free for shopping
Overnight in Mumbai
Morning you will spend some time at the Gateway of India, Mumbai’s principal landmark. Later proceed on a tour of the Elephanta Caves. An hour away from Mumbai by ferry, the Elephanta Caves are a network of sculpted caves located on
Elephanta Island or Gharapuri (meaning the city of caves) in Mumbai Harbor. The island, located on an arm of the Arabian Sea, consists of two groups of caves - the first is a large group of 5 Hindu caves, the second, a smaller group of 2 Buddhist
caves. The rock cut architecture of the caves has been dated to between the 5th and 8th centuries.
This afternoon is for to shop around Colaba area which is known as fashion hub of
Mumbai.In the evening, drive past Marine Drive, Mumbai’s most popular seaside promenade.
Day 3 : Mumbai - Jaipur By : Internal flight
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning: Half day city tour of Mumbai
Later transfer to airport
Arrive Jaipur
Afternoon relax at hotel
Overnight stay at hotel
Today morning drive past Marine Drive, Mumbai’s most popular seaside
promenade, and see the Kamla Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens on the slopes of
the Malabar hills, offering a nice view of the marine lines and the Chowpatty beach.
Visit the Jain temple, & the Dhobi Ghat. visit Mani Bhawan (Gandhi Memorial), the
house where the Father of the Nation stayed on his early visits to the city. The room,
in which Gandhi stayed, preserved as it was, and the scenes of Gandhi’s life in
photographs and models are of special interest.
Later transfer to airport to board flight to Jaipur
Jaipur is popularly known as the Pink City, thanks to the color of the buildings in the
city. The city built in 1727 A.D by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II followed a grid system,
which made it the only planned city of its time. A young Bengali architect
Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya designed the city in accordance with Shilp Shastra - an
ancient Hindu treatise on architecture.
Upon arrival at Jaipur, check into your hotel.
Overnight stay in Jaipur
Day 4: Jaipur
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning excursion to Amber Fort
Afternoon explore the main sites
Overnight stay in Jaipur
Morning proceed for excursion to Amber Fort - It was once the ancient capital of
the Rajput Empire. From the road you can climb up to the fort in approximately 10
minutes but a jeep or elephant ride will spare you the trouble of walking up to the
fortress. Once on the top, you will stroll with your guide through the sprawling
complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings
with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls.
Afternoon visit the City Palace which houses a museum containing rare
manuscripts, paintings and an armory. Then, continue on to the Royal Observatory
(Jantar Mantar) built in the 17th century by Jai Singh, a famous astronomer. The
observatory has a 900-foot-high sundial. The Central museum founded in 1876 has
a large collection of antiques. Later drive past the Hawa Mahal also known as the
“Palace of Winds”. Hawa Mahal built in a unique design is the landmark of Jaipur
and was used by the ladies of the court to watch the daily goings on in the street
below. The pink sandstone carvings are extremely intricate and it is a great place to
take pictures.
Evening is free to explore the city at your own or shop
Day 5: Jaipur - Agra
Breakfast at the hotel
Drive to Agra
En-route visit Fatehpur Sikri / Lunch at Bharatpur
Overnight stay in Agra
Post breakfast check out from hotel drive to Agra. (Approx. 06 hours) en-route visit
Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri, located 37 km southwest of Agra, is a magnificent fortified ghost city that was constructed by Akbar in the 16th century to honor the Chishti Saint,
Sheikh Salim, who foretold the birth of Akbar';s son, Jahangir. The city is a combination of Hindu and Persian architecture and is in a remarkable state of preservation. The city was abandoned soon after it was built when the local
wells went dry. It remains much in the same condition as it was over 300 years ago.
Post lunch at The Laxmi Vilas Palace in Bharatpur, continue your drive to Agra
Agra was once the capital city of the mighty Mughals and much of its majesty can be
attributed to the vision and power of Akbar the Great and his grandson, Shan Jahan.
A town incredible for its UNESCO crowned sights, only a few cities can match the
iconic standing that Agra boasts in the fancy of travelers the world over. You notice its majesty wraps around the luster of the Taj Mahal and the beauty of the historical
architecture left as a legacy by the Mughal Empire. Upon arrival at Agra, check-in at the hotel.
Day 6: Agra - Delhi
Early morning visit Taj Mahal at sunrise
Breakfast at the hotel
Visit Agra Fort
Drive to Delhi
Overnight in Delhi
Rise early for a dawn visit to the Taj Mahal. It is fitting to see this extraordinary
monument by the first light of day as its exemplary beauty is awe-inspiring and will
create an unforgettable memory. Mughal emperor, Shahjahan built this architectural
wonder to enshrine the mortal remains of his beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal.
Fashioned from white marble with semi-precious pietra dura stone inlay work, it
was described by Nobel Prize-winning poet Rabindranath Tagore as “a teardrop on
the face of eternity”.
Note: Timing subject to change based on the local sunrise timing
Return to the hotel for breakfast.
Post breakfast check-out and visit the massive Agra Fort, which was originally
started by Emperor Akbar in 1565, but his son, Jahangir, and grandson, Shah Jahan,
later made valuable additions to it. It houses the Dewan-e-Khas and Dewan-e-Aam
(Halls of Private and Public Audience). Its walls and palaces are a silent witness to
the rise and fall of the Imperial Mughal Empire and feature a variety of ingenious
Islamic inspired devices (some decorative, some more practical) within the fabric of
the buildings. It’s a citadel with marble palaces, ornate alcoves, and terrace
pavilions.
Post visit, drive to Delhi (approx. 4 hours),
Delhi stands as the capital of modern India. Here you can see the mingling of the old
and new India, the ancient and the modern. Delhi is made up of seven ancient cities,
spanning the period from the 11th to 20th centuries. Delhi has seen the rise and fall
of many emperors who have left behind a plethora of monuments that
commemorate the grandeur and glory of bygone ages. Very few cities in the world
can express such a profusion of architectural styles.
Day 7: Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel
Full day sightseeing tour
Overnight stay in Delhi
Sound and Light Show at the Red Fort followed by dinner
After a hearty breakfast, proceed for a day-long sightseeing tour exploring both the
highlights and some unusual aspects of this fascinating place.
Morning, start your guided exploration of Delhi, India’s capital city that sports a rich
history spanning over 2,000 years. Arrive Old Delhi and ride in a cycle rickshaw
(pedi-cabs) through the narrow lanes. The Old City walls wrap around Chandi
Chowk, the ancient market that continues to thrive. The energy in the streets is
palpable. The colors and aromas of the city are enticing. The scent of cardamom and
allspice is exotic and rejuvenating. Local men sit and sip their tea at chai stands. The
spices emanate from the beverage and linger in the air. A walk through the aromatic
spice market, Khari Baoli – Asia’s largest wholesale spice market, would add an
unforgettable memory of Old Delhi.
Next visit Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India built by the Mughal Emperor
Shah Jahan in the 17th century and surrounded by multiple entrances that all lead to
the apex of the main worshiping deck. You will continue to Raj Ghat, the memorial
of Gandhi, built at the site of his cremation on the banks of the Yamuna River. After a hearty breakfast, proceed for a day-long sightseeing tour exploring both the
highlights and some unusual aspects of this fascinating place.
Next we drive through the city viewing the Diplomatic Enclave, Government buildings, Central Secretariat, President’s House and Parliament.
Visit Humayun’s tomb built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor,
Humayun. It is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style, a precursor of the Taj Mahal.
Later we visit the Qutab Minar, the five-storied tower, with a 14.4 meter base that tapers up to two and a half meters at the top and is visible for a long distance around.
Day 8 : In Delhi – Depart Delhi for Hyderabad
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to airport to board flight to Hyderabad
On arrival, transfer to hotel to join the main tour
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning : Visit Birla temple
Later visit Dilli haat for some last minute shopping
Rooms will be reserved till 6pm for freshen up
Later complete the check-out formalities
Transfer to the International airport
Visit the ancient Birla temple of Bahai faith. A lotus-shaped outline has etched itself
on the consciousness of the city's inhabitants, capturing their imagination, fuelling
their curiosity, and revolutionizing the concept of worship. This is the Bahá Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, better known as the "Lotus Temple". With the dawning of every
new day, an ever-rising tide of visitors surges to its doorsteps to savour its beauty
and bask in its serenely spiritual atmosphere.
Depart Delhi
Leave Delhi by International flight for your next destination
