03 Nights / 04 Days

Tour Code: TAJ 01

Agra, once the capital of the Mughal Empire during the 16th and early 18th centuries, is four hours by road from New Delhi. Tourists from all over the world visit Agra not to see the ruins of the red sandstone fortress built by the Mughal emperors but to make a pilgrimage to Taj Mahal, India's most famous architectural wonder, in a land where magnificent temples and edificies abound to remind visitors about the rich civilization of a country that is slowly but surely lifting itself into an industrialized society.

Arrive Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport late this evening. You will be met at the airport by our representative who give you a warm welcome with fresh flower garlands, he assist you in boarding your vehicle and transfer to your hotel by airconditioned Car.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2 [b] Delhi / agra [200 kms - 4 hrs]

In the morning we drive leisurely to the home town of Taj Mahal - Agra, takes us through the beautiful countryside. Enroute visit Sikandra, situated across the Yamuna, about 4 km away which houses the tomb of Emperor Akbar. An interesting feature here is that one cannot see all the four minarets of the structure from one point - one of them always being behind the other in the viewer's line of vision.

Continue drive to Agra.

On arrival at Agra we check in to our hotel. Rest of the day is free to relax with an option of visiting the Taj Mahal at sunset (Closed on Fridays) to watch the beautiful white marble turn slowly to soft, rosy pink.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 3 [b] agra

After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the hotel we leave to explore the monumental heritage of the Great Mughals, including the magnificent Taj Mahal (Closed on Fridays), one of the Seven Wonders of the World and surely the most extravagant expression of love ever created. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this memorial to Shah Jahan's beloved wife. It's a wealth of white marble and semi-precious stone - < undoubtedly the highlight of the tour >.

Later we tour the imposing Agra Fort, this powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques.

On the way back we have a amazing view of Tajmahal from Mehtab Bagh - the moonlit garden - believed to have been designed by Shah Jahan to view the Taj on moonlit nights, far away from the maddening crowd, The garden complex is situated on the left bank of Yamuna opposite to Taj Mahal. It is a huge square measuring approximately 300x300 m and in straight alignment with the Taj Mahal. The forestry plantations and agricultural fields provide a green forecourt to TajMahal and its reflection in Yamuna.

Post lunch we drive 1hrs to Fatehpur Sikri, which has been described as "the world's most perfectly preserved ghost town"; built by Akbar in the late 16th century, it was abandoned after only 14 years, and the elegant buildings of this superb walled city remain intact to this day.

Evening we have some free time to explore the local handicrafts and shopping centers of the city where one can look for marble inlay work, fine quality carpets, Zari and embroidery, leather goods etc.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 4
[b+d] agra / delhi [200 kms - 4 hrs]

Morning free at leisure for personal activities. Afternoon we drive back to Delhi in time, enjoy Indian Classical Dances show (1900/2010 hrs) and dinner at popular Delhi restaurant.

Later transfer to the international airport to Board your homeward flight or connect to your onward destination.