CULTURAL RAJASTHAN TOUR India 10 Days/9 Nights Let your imagination soar About &Beyond &Beyond is a pioneering, experiential travel company that offers forward-thinking, global travellers an exclusive experience of the world as it should be; a world that is in balance with itself. We go beyond mere luxury to enrich your guests’ experience through our core ethos of Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife, and Care of the People. &Beyond has 30 exquisite safari lodges and camps across Africa and South America, and we also design personalised, high-end tours in 15 African countries, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador and Peru. Welcome to India India is the world’s largest democracy and covers an area of 3,287,263 sq km, stretching from the high Himalayas in the North, to the southern tropical rain forests and flanked by the Arabian Sea in West and The Indian Ocean in the East. In the shape of a triangle, India's topography is greatly varied in that there are deserts and rain forests, much of its land is comprised of fertile river plains and high plateaus. A vast subcontinent of over 1.2 billion people , and contains more different languages ,religions ,races and cultures than any other country in the world. India offers the traveler a multitude of unique experiences ensuring an unforgettable visit. From the vibrant and bustling markets and extravagant festivals to the serenity of a mountain retreat, India is a destination that will touch your soul. Highlights of the Itinerary: Delhi – Breath-taking architecture and urban life in Delhi Agra –Taj Mahal at sunrise Jaipur – The Pink City Udaipur – Venice of East Jodhpur – The Blue City Specially created for Culture enthusiasts, Photographers www.andBeyond.com Cultural Rajasthan Tour – 2019-20 At a glance 9 nights / 10 days 1 – New Delhi (Day 1,2,) 2 – Agra (Day 3) 3 – Jaipur (Day 4 ,5) 4 – Udaipur (Day 6, 7) 5 – Jodhpur (Day 8, 9) AN &BEYOND CUSTOM-DESIGNED ITINERARY DATE SERVICE ACCOMMODATION Day 1 Meet and Greet at Delhi Airport Transfer from airport to hotel 2 nights at Oberoi Hotel Delhi Premier room –BB Basis Day 2 Sightseeing in Delhi Day 3 Drive to Agra (3.5 hours) & transfer to Oberoi Amar Vilas Afternoon Visit Agra Fort & Taj Mahal. 1 night at Oberoi Amar Vilas Agra Premier Room- B&B Day 4 Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal. Later Drive to Jaipur (Approx 05 hours drive) Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri. Upon arrival you will check into hotel. 02 Nights at Taj Rambagh Palace Jaipur Palace room – B&B Day 5 Sightseeing of Jaipur www.andBeyond.com Cultural Rajasthan Tour – 2019-20 Day 6 Morning fly to Udaipur On arrival check into hotel 02 Nights at Taj Lake Palace Udaipur Palace room – B&B Day 7 Sightseeing of Udaipur Day 8 Drive to Jodhpur (6 hours drive) Upon arrival you will check into hotel 02 Nights at Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace Jodhpur Palace room – B&B Day 9 Full day sightseeing of Jodhpur. Day 10 Afternoon fly to Delhi Connect to a flight for onward journey GLOSSARY BB = Bed and breakfast FI = Fully inclusive ENTRY/VISA REQUIREMENTS As for all international travel, the visitor to India is required to be in possession of a valid passport and visa. Travellers from all countries need a visa. Enquire about this from the Indian diplomatic Representatives abroad OR apply online at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html Boarding or immigration can be denied if there is a mismatch of passport details mentioned on the visa letter issued by the Government of India and the passport presented at these checks. The passport has to be valid for a minimum of 6 months AFTER the departure date from India and at least 2 (two) clear pages available in the passport for immigration stamping. SATELLITE PHONES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN INDIA “The Government of India has banned the use of Satellite Phones across the country - it is a criminal offence to be in possession of such a phone and use of the same as well in India.” www.andBeyond.com Cultural Rajasthan Tour – 2019-20 Expect the extraordinary Day 1- New Delhi On arrival in Delhi, you will be met at the aero bridge and will be assisted through customs / immigration baggage collection. And you will be transferred to your hotel “The Oberoi, New Delhi”. New Delhi, the capital of India is a modern buzzing metropolitan city with remnants of the past strewn amongst the modern buildings. Much of New Delhi was planned by Sir Edwin Lutyen’s, who laid out a grandiose central administrative area as a testament to British imperial pretensions. Delhi was established between 900 B.C and 1930. Delhi's famous "seven cities" range from the 12th century Quila Rai Pithora, built by Prithviraj Chauhan, to the imperial Shajahanabad, constructed by the Mughals in the 17th century. Of the many attractions in Delhi, the major sites are the Rashtrapati Bhawan designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens as the British Viceroys Palace, Shahajahanabad (Old Delhi) where the Red Fort is, or Jama Masjid in the famed Chandni Chowk in the heart of Old Delhi. Oberoi New Delhi: The Oberoi New Delhi is a newly refurbished, luxurious hotel situated right in the centre of town, overlooking the verdant golf course. The facilities are fantastic and the hotel is perfectly located for sightseeing. The view from the bedrooms over the golf course's incredible lush greenery and Humayun’s Tomb, is a real treat in the hectic city. The restaurant Omya at the Oberoi has been recently taken over by Michelin Star chef Alfred Prasad. Inspired by India's culinary history, this new speciality restaurant is the best place in town for trying a modern Indian meal. www.andBeyond.com Cultural Rajasthan Tour – 2019-20 Spend Two nights at The Oberoi New Delhi. Accommodation is in a Premier Room. Your stay is on Bed & Breakfast basis. Day 2 - New Delhi After breakfast, you will proceed to visit New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. The tour of Imperial Delhi will include drive past India Gate, President House, Rajpath and a visit to Humayun’s tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor Humayun’s, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style. Qutab Minar a tower in Delhi, India, is at 72.5 meters the world's tallest brick minaret India Gate: This 42m high stone arch of triumph stands at the eastern end of the Rajpath. It bears the names of 85,000 Indian Army soldiers who died in the campaigns of WW I the North West frontier operations of the same time and the 1919 Afghan fiasco. Rajpath: - The Kings Way is another focus of Lutyens New Delhi. It is immensely broad and is flanked on either side of ornamental ponds. The Republic Day parade is held here every 26th January, and millions of people gather to enjoy the spectacle. Rashtrapati Bhawan (President House): The official residence of the President of India stands at the opposite end of the Rajpath from India Gate. Completed in 1929, the palace like building is an interesting blend of Mughal and western architectural styles, the most obvious Indian feature being the huge copper dome. To the west of the building is a Mughal garden, which occupies 130 ha. This garden is only open to the public in February. Prior to independence this was the viceroy’s residence. Visit to: Agrasen ki Baoli: -Agrasen ki baoli has unique structure which is quite different from the traditional round shape. It has three levels where www.andBeyond.com Cultural Rajasthan Tour – 2019-20 each level has an arched area, which was used as a resting place. The center of the well has water and the water is also linked to a well dug in a covered platform. The gallery and chambers surrounded walls of Agrasen ki baoli are carved profusely. Humayun’s Tomb: Humayun's tomb is a complex of buildings built as the Mughal Emperor Humayun's tomb, commissioned by Humayun's wife Hamida Banu Begum in 1562. It was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent and is located in Nizamuddin East. It was also the first structure to use red sandstone at such a scale. The complex was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. This afternoon Lunch will be at the Omya restaurant of your Hotel, where the Michelin Star Chef has prepared a special tasting menu for you. You will be given a brief talk on Indian cuisine as well. Later proceed on a half day city tour of Old Delhi. Jama Masjid: The Jama Masjid is the principal mosque of Old Delhi in India. Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal, and completed in the year 1656 AD, it is the largest and best-known mosque in India. It lies at the origin of a very busy central street of Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk. Chandni Chowk: Chandni Chowk (or the Silver Street) was once the grandest of markets in India. Enjoy the colourful cycle rickshaw ride on the main street of Old Delhi. Later proceed on a walking tour, The narrow gullies of Old Delhi narrate many stories through the overwhelming variety of street food that they offer. The old city shares an intimate relationship with food that began during the Mughal era. Here, traditions rule and history is served sumptuously garnished with culinary secrets that have been passed down through generations. Spice Market: Khari Baoli is a street in Old Delhi known for its wholesale grocery and Asia's largest wholesale spice market selling all kinds of spices, nuts, herbs and food products like rice and tea.