Golden Triangle 7-Day Tour

Vincit Travel will arrange some particularly great tours for India. You will not only get value for money but also a memorable experience with Vincit Travel.

This is a classical tour for North India where the best of the Indian History is visible within a short span of a week. We cover the national capital New , along with a few hints of Gurgaon. We cover & the and the wonderful secrets and beauty of in . Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included in the tours and the entire journey is by road.

DAY 01: On reaching India, it will take around 60-90 minutes from the landing time to complete your immigration formalities and collect your bags, before clearing customs and coming out of the airport. On coming out, your airport representative will meet you at Meeting Point as given in your voucher, from whereon you will be escorted to your vehicle. The drive to your hotel should take 60 to 120 minutes, depending on traffic.

If this is your first trip to India or Delhi, you will see the airport which has been rated as the world’s number 1 airport for 5 years in a row. The ease with which you exit through the airport is amazing despite the airport handling in excess of 40 million passengers in a year. The duty free is a good place to pick up tit bits if you want. The meeting point is very evident as you exit, within the confines of the airport itself. You do not have to exit the airport. Your representative will be holding a placard with your name or group name and will escort you to the parking lot for your vehicle.

Your hotel has been carefully selected considering your movement around and comfort. Relax at the hotel, as tomorrow is a long day with a lot of walking. Overnight stay in Delhi.

DAY 02: Have an early buffet breakfast at the hotel. The routing for the day will depend solely on the tour guide who will meet you at the hotel in the morning. He will take the best route possible to avoid heavy traffic conditions and thus the itinerary could be altered. Delhi has some beautiful and historic points which will be covered. We ideally start our day with a visit to the Qutab Minar, the tallest free standing minaret and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Minar (Pillar) is 73 meters tall and around 14 meters at the base, with 5 storeys. There are stairs leading to the top, which unfortunately have been closed down owing to the security and safety of people and the Minar. The Minar was started around 1192 by Qutb Ud Din Aibak, the founder of the Delhi kingdom and then finished by his son-in-law. It took almost 30 years to build. The complex around this Minar is beautifully landscaped and has many other historic structures including a Mosque. There is an Iron Pillar which is a mark in itself as it has not rusted away in over a century. Many kings and emperors built and rebuilt this minaret and the history is fascinating. The written history and inscriptions show that this was built by destroying 27 Hindu and Jain temples and the pillars from these temples were reused for this complex. The original patterns and inscriptions were plastered over, which are now falling away, revealing the original scribes below them.

We then see the President House or the Rashtrapati Bhawan. It is the official house of the President of the world’s largest democracy and leads on to the road known as Rajpath. This is probably the most visited and beautiful road in the country. The sides are lined with red sand and India Gate stands in the middle. With over 130 hectares in area, this is the largest Presidential Palace in the world with the construction using very little steel but over a billion bricks and

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85,000 sq. meter of stone. The complex houses 340 rooms and a large Presidential Gardens, also known as the Mughal Gardens, famous for their variety of roses nurtured there. Separate wings attached to the presidential palace now house the defence forces and the intelligence wings. This is a British Era construction and maintained beautifully since then; It is an amazing sight during the national days of Republic Day (26th January) and Independence Day (15th August).

We then see the Parliament house, which is the governing house for the largest democracy in the world. It is a beautiful circular structure made during the British rule of India. It was completed in the year 1927.

India Gate is visible in full pride from the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The white structure is in reality a war memorial built in the memory of the soldiers of the British Indian Army who died between 1914 and 1921. The names of 70,000 soldiers is inscribed on the entire structure. The highlight is the Amar Jawan Jyoti or the everlit eternal Soldier’s Flame, which is always burning. A war memorial has recently been constructed close to the India Gate. The structure is compared to the Arc De Triomphe of Paris and stands at over 42 meters.

The Red Fort is the pride of the country and is named so for the colour of the stone used in its construction. The river of Delhi, Yamuna, once used to run adjacent to the fort and over years has shifted its path. Red Fort is the host to the nation’s independence day celebrations with the flag hoisting and the Prime Minister’s speech. It was constructed in 1639 and has many wonders like the mechanical fountains operated using gravity, the mirror room with mirros at angels where just a lit match can light up the room. The Red Fort is considered to be the best of what Mughal Architecture had to offer and has been a source of inspiration to many other buildings and forts. The museum holds many historic and valuable items. The total area of the Red Fort is around 103 hectares and is surrounded by a 2.4 kilometre defensive wall with all the marks of a fort wall like turrets. The octagonal Fort design is highlighted by double domes and marble & floral designs.

The Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in Asia, and built by the emperor Shah Jahan of the Taj Mahal fame around the year 1650. It is estimated to have cost of ₹1 Million to build at that time. The mosque can house 25,000 worshippers, has 3 great gates and has 2 minarets which stand at 40 meters, finished with Red Sandstone strips and marble. There are 3 domes which add to the majestic design. It is estimated to have taken over 5,000 workers to complete this mosque. It stands opposite the Red Fort, also built by Shah Jahan.

We end the day with a walk through Chandni Chowk and a local rickshaw ride and then head back to the hotel, while stopping for dinner enroute. Overnight in Delhi.

DAY 03: We have an early buffet breakfast at the hotel. Today we drive to Agra to see Taj Mahal, a wonder of the world. The drive is around 3-4 hours and we will see the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort in Agra and the Sikandra Fort.

While the Taj Mahal is called a Mahal or Palace, it is in reality a mausoleum built in ivory white marble. Located on the south bank of the Yamuna river, the Taj Mahal was constructed in 1632 by the then emperor Shah Jahan, to have a home for the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The total area of the complex is 17 hectares and there is a mosque, a guest house and beautifully landscaped gardens, with the Taj sitting in the center. It is estimated to have taken 20,000 workers over 10 years to complete the project. In today’s world, the project would have cost around ~$1Bn. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a masterpiece which draws people from all over the world. The perfectly symmetric structure of the Taj is in itself a wonder. It gets close to 10 Mn visitors in a year.

We also visit the Red Fort in Agra, which has the distinction of being the official residence of the kings and royal family before the headquarters was shifted to Delhi. This is a massive fort with all the designs of a large and well-guarded palace and is spread over 380,000 square meters. The walls are 70 feet high with a double rampart. There are 4 gates on the four sides of the fort. It is indeed a construction marvel as it housed most of the early rulers of the country.

The tomb of the great emperor, Akbar, is housed at the Sikandra Fort. It is a beautiful fort with intricate inscriptions and carvings, made out of red Sand Stone. While Mughal in design, the fort represents the various experiments that

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the design incorporated and thus is a blend of many styles, unlike the other historic monuments that we see. Large landscaped gardens form the surrounds of the tomb and have a high wall enclosing them.

DAY 04: After an early breakfast at your hotel, we head to Jaipur, while stopping enroute at the . Fatehpur Sikri is an abandoned township which houses the world’s first recorded water harvesting system. It was built by the emperor Akbar. Ironically, the town was abandoned due to lack of water. There are several wonders here to see. The city is laid out on a hill and the door is the first astonishing thing you will see. While the inscriptions are in Urdu, you realize all the fonts below the above the eye level seem to be in the same size from where you stand and see the font in front of you. All in all, the city is small, only about 3 Kms in length and 1 Km wide, with a 6 kilometer wall running around the periphery on 3 sides. The highlight of this red sandstone structure is the marble encased tomb of Salim Chisti. There are many important rooms and blocks to be seen here.

We then head on to Jaipur. This ride could take 4 to 6 hours, depending on traffic. We reach Jaipur, check in to our hotel and rest for the evening. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 05: Its’ an exciting day today and we start with an elephant ride to ascend the hill of the Amer Fort. You climb on to a specially built pedestal and the elephants take you up the mountain. While entering the fort you realize the doors were built for elephants to get in and out. Amer Fort is spread across 4 square kilometers and just a short distance from Jaipur. It is located on a hilltop. This fort and its many buildings inside are on four levels and constructed with a mix of sandstone and marble. The fort is overall divided into 6 sections and your accompanying guide will take to the interesting ones. This is a great photo opportunity.

We then head to City Palace. This was the administrative seat of the Maharaja (King) of Jaipur till 1949. It is now home to the Jaipur’s royal family, and houses the City Palace Museum. The palace lies in the heart of the Jaipur city and houses many buildings, gardens, temples and pavilions. The Chandra Mahal is a 7-story building in the City Palace and is one of the oldest buildings there. Many rulers have lived in this Mahal (Palace). The museum has its own charm and is worth a visit. There are many galleries inside the museum, including the textile gallery, the arms and ammunition gallery, paintings gallery and the transport gallery.

Our next stop is Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds. Constructed in red sandstone, the palace sits on the edge of the old Jaipur and is now in the midst of the local markets, which make for an interesting shopping experience. It is a unique building with small windows at the back (is considered to be the front by many people), which were originally meant for the palace women to view everyday life or processions without exposing themselves. It is a 5-story, 50 feet high palace, and houses an archeological museum in the premises.

The highlight of the evening for history enthusiasts is the Jantar Mantar. A giant clock built out of stone to tell the time of the day basis the shadow cast due to the sun. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and close y to the City Palace. The observatory consists of 19 different instruments for the measurement of time, prediction of eclipses and tracking of major stars relative to the earth’s movement around the sun. It was completed in 1738.

Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 06: Today we head back to Delhi after breakfast. The journey is around 4 to 6 hours and before reaching Delhi, we take a stop at Gurgaon for a panoramic city tour. Gurgaon is considered to be the Singapore of India and has some swanky malls and office complexes. Lying southwest of , Gurgaon has become the financial and technical hub for India. It is a part of the designated Delhi National Capital region, though it lies in the state of Haryana. It has the 3rd highest per capita income in the country and houses over 250 Fortune 500 companies. We will stop at one of the malls for your shopping requirements. On reaching Delhi, we will check in and post that, you have the evening free for your last minute shopping or for trying out the local cuisines.

Day 07: Breakfast at the hotel. Depending on your flight time, we will pick you up around 4-5 hours before your flight. Hope you have had a nice trip.

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Tour Inclusions Please note Meet & Assist at Delhi International Airport Visa is not included

Return Airport Transfers All rates are per person in U S Dollars

03 Nights Delhi, 01 Night Agra and 02 Nights Jaipur Water & Soft drink during meals, no other drinks incl. 06 Breakfast, lunch and dinner Prices not valid for special periods like New Years

City Tour of Delhi, Gurgaon, Jaipur & Agra No refund for short stays or curtailed bookings

Entrances in Delhi - Red Fort, Qutab Minar Every booking done is subject to availability

Entrances in Agra - Red Fort, Taj Mahal, Sikandra, FPS Quote price is based on minimum 02 adults together

Entrances in Jaipur - Amer, City Palace, Jantar Mantar Offer valid only for Non-Indian Passport Holders

English speaking Driver / Guide Extra services available on extra price

Price per person (for minimum 2 people traveling together) & stay at a 4 or 5 Star hotel: Prices are valid from 01Sep19 – 31Mar20

1 - 3 Pax: USD 1,400 4 – 6 Pax: USD 1,300 7 – 12 Pax: USD 1,250 13 – 22 Pax: USD 1,100

Tour cost does not include:  Any airfare or any transport from home to airport or back.  Anything not clearly mentioned in the inclusions or expenses of personal nature like room service orders, etc.  Prices are valid till 31st March 2020.

Before travel, please ensure the following: - Try and block your seats 24-48 hours before your date of departure on the airline website. You will need your copy of the ticket to block your seats. Some airline seats are chargeable, thus, if you wish to block, please directly make a payment online and block them. - Please ensure you carry your passport, visa, insurance and tickets with you to the airport. We recommend a copy of the passport (first page and last age) and all other documents separately with you. An extra copy of the passport should be carried if you are going to take a local sim card in India.

Please note: The tour itinerary given above is subject to change and the exact details will be provided with the final confirmation. The changes can happen due to traffic conditions, tour operating hours/days, etc.

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About India

Vincit Travel will arrange some particularly great tours for Tours. You will not only get value for money but also a memorable experience with Vincit Travel.

India is considered to be an exotic stay. The old world charm combines very well with the modern age financial conglomerates to form an interesting combination. What is seen is the thousands of years of history from the ancient Epics to the Mughal Era to the British Rule and now the new age modern India. India is a very large country. A flight from the northern most airport like Srinagar to Chennai in south would be over 4 hours. East to west would be the same. It is the largest peninsula in the world with mountains, beaches, plains, deserts, forests and everything that you can imagine. An Indian holiday can last for a year and still you would not see the complete country. India is a supposed to be not a single country but many countries put together. Nowhere in the world will you see a complete change of language, cuisine, culture, food and clothing by traveling in any direction for 200 kms. The deserts accompany places like Cheerapunji which experience the highest rainfall in the world.

The Himalayas, The Taj Mahal, The India Gate, The Gateway of India, The Sun Temple, Khajuraho, Goa Beaches, Jantar Mantar and Mahabalipuram are just some of the names which are world famous. The Delhi Airport has been rated the best airport in the world for 5 years in a row. The malls are second to none in the world. The country is well connected with international flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin and Lucknow. Where else in the world, with the exception of USA, will you find so many international airports. It is difficult to describe how India is today in a small paragraph. You put together the best history and the best of modern world cities and then mix them together and you will have India, backed up by a very strong cultural being and world famous cuisines. Indian restaurants are popular across the world for a reason, and every country has one. While there are street side eatery joints, there are our own world class food brands nestled alongside the Subways, McDonalds and Starbucks.

Important Information on India

Weather: The weather in India depends on where you are. In the Northern Hills, it will be cool throughout the year. The North Plains experience extreme heat and extreme cold. The west and east are coastal areas with tropical temperatures. All in all, winters (October to March), become the ideal weather to travel to India.

Currency: India’s currency is Indian Rupee or INR with the symbol of ₹. It is pegged against all major currencies like Euro, USD, GBP, etc. Currency exchange can be done at banks and street side counters by showing your passport.

Alcohol: Consumption & sale of alcohol is regulated but legal. Drinking is allowed only in licensed venues like bars, pubs & hotels. Public area drinking is not allowed.

Time Zone: India is GMT + 5 hours & 30 minutes. The entire country follows a single time zone.

Other Information: There is no official state religion. English as a language is very well accepted across the country. There are specialized language oriented guides for almost any language option. It has the largest railway network in the world, with the highest safety record anywhere. Roads are generally well maintained, specially the highways. Electric voltage is 220 V. Emergency Police number is 100.

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