Delhi – Agra – Jaipur – Delhi – Incentive Tours

DELHI

Delhi, capital city of the Federal Republic of India. It is one of India’s fastest growing cities. It has sprawled over the West Bank of the river Yamuna, straddling the river. The city has two distinct parts, Old Delhi & New Delhi. Delhi is the second most widely used entry point into the country, being on the route of most major airlines. It is well linked by rail, air and road to all parts of the country. The remains of seven distinctive capital cities – among them Shahjahanabad and Qutub Minar – can be seen. Here, museums, art galleries and cultural centres attract the finest exhibitions.
Delhi blends an historic past and a vibrant present. Delhi has some of the finest museums in the country. Legend has it that the Pandavas, the august heroes of the epic Mahabharata, originally founded Delhi, then called Indraprastha, around 1200 B.C. Present day Delhi is built around the ruins of seven ancient cities.

AGRA

Agra, the city of grand Taj Mahal, was established in 1475 by Badal Singh and is located in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Agra is also mentioned in the Mahabharata as Agraban. This city in those days was considered to be the sister city of Mathura which was more prominent than Agraban. Agra owns some of the most beautiful monuments speaking volumes about the architecture of the bygone era. Agra has exquisite mosques, tombs, forts and palaces. The narrow lanes of Agra filled with aroma of Mughlai cuisine, the craftsman who are busy in crating master pieces with their skill all remind of the Mughal royalty which this city had once experienced. Today whatever remains, has become a major tourist attraction which has taken Agra again to the heights of glory but this time as a major tourist destination of India.

JAIPUR

JAIPUR -The City of Victory – was originally Sawai Jaipur, named after its founder Sawai Jai Singh II (1700-1743). It epitomises the dreams of the visionary Kachhwaha ruler, who wanted to build a new and planned capital city; and the creative ideas of his talented designer-builder Vidyadhar.
In course of time the sunset-pink tinge of its walls, buildings, temples and emporia gave it the name Pink City, the name in which it became famous throughout the world.
Jaipur was built by Vidyadhar in a grid system with wide straight avenues, roads, streets and lanes and uniform rows of shops on either side of the main bazars, all arranged in nine rectangular city sectors (chokris). The city itself is an attractive creation worthy of universal admiration.

Itinerary

Day 1 -ARRIVE DELHI

Group will be met by our representative outside the customs enclosure and escorted till your check-in at the hotel.

Delhi, the Empress of Indian cities has a fascinating history and a stimulating present. She has often been sacked and left naked and desolate. But she could not be despoiled of the incomparable situation that marks her for the metropolis of a Great Empire. The capital of India, Delhi has been the seat of power of a number of dynasties – the Rajputs, the Afghans, the Turks and the Mughals who continued their imperial line until the British. Scattered over are surviving ruins, remnants of mighty edifices, tombs of warriors and saints, which in an impressive sense of magnificence are memorials not of a single city but of supplanted nations.

Traditional Welcome at hotel.

Overnight in Delhi.

Day 2 –Old Delhi

After breakfast, proceed for the sightseeing of Old Delhi

Old Delhi is famous for the great Red Fort, the 300-year-old walled city built by Emperor Shah Jehan in 1648 as his capital and named after him. The magnificent Red Fort built of red sandstone dates from the very peak of the Mughal power, Opposite the fort are the black and white onion dome and minarets of the Jama Masjid, the most elegant mosque in India. Drive past Kotla Firoz Shah, ruins of an old fort of the 14th century with the 13-meter-high Ashoka Pillar of 3rd BC. Visit Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Drive through the old city subject to traffic restrictions.

Rickshaw Ride through the street of old Delhi.

Later proceed for the Lunch at the famous Bukhara Restaurant ( Optional )

Same can be arranged at same hotel where the group is staying.

Lunch at the famous ITC Maurya Restaurant – Bukhara

The romance of the rugged North West Frontier comes alive at this authentic, award winning restaurant Bukhara, making it a landmark dining destination in New Delhi. The restaurant’s stone-clad walls and rough-hewn furniture evoke the rustic origins of the cuisine- A key feature on the itinerary of practically every visitor to New Delhi. Bukhara recreates the charm of the traditional clay oven or tandoor with its delicious menu of succulent tandoor-cooked kababs, vegetables and breads.

We can organise the lunch at either Dharampura Haveli or Café Lota ( Craft Museum in Delhi) dedicated to villages in India showcasing Artisan and Crafts.

After Lunch visit New Delhi

New Delhi, the new capital designed by Sir Edward Lutyens. Drive past the Presidential Palace, the Rashtrapati Bhawan and the secretariat buildings – the centre of all government activity and down the main avenue, the impressive Rajpath to the World War I memorial arch, the India Gate, the High Court Building and the Old Fort. Visit the famous Humayun’s Tomb built in 1565 AD by his grieving widow Haji Begum & visit the Qutub Minar, 72 metres high and the ruins of Quwat-ul-Eslam (Light of Islam) Mosque. See Delhi’s most curious antique, the uncorroded Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD.

Hall is booked to welcome the guest for cocktail and meeting. During the cocktail, drinks and snacks will be served. Post meeting, dinner is served in a buffet style. Possibiliy of inviting Ambassador of Italy or some Senior Members from Italian Embassy.

We can organise a Speaker to speak about environment during the lunch or dinner in Delhi

Same can be organised in Jaipur.

Overnight in Delhi.

Day 3 – DELHI – AGRA (BY TRAIN);

Morning breakfast in the hotel at 0615 hrs, after breakfast, transfer to railway station at 0700 hrs to connect train Gatiman Express for Agra leaving at 0810 hrs and arriving Agra at 0950 hrs.

On availability check in at booked hotel.

We will organise Tonga Ride to Agra Fort which is a horse carriage.

Agra Fort is situated on the banks of the river Yamuna, another monumental mission accomplished by the great Mughal visionary Emperor Akbar. His son Jehangir and grandson Shah Jehan added to this imposing structure during their rule. The palaces, mosques and audience halls contained within its massive wall of red sandstone are perfect examples of blending Islamic and Hindu traditions.

Return to hotel for lunch

Post lunch

Taj Mahal where you stay till sun set.

Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday): the epitome of love, was built by Shah Jahan in the memory of his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This elegant monument of love is one of the most visited and most photographed places in the world. Taj Mahal is an amalgamation of Indo-Persian architecture, depicting the love of Mughal emperors for buildings.

The long-established art form of marble inlay was brought to India in the 17th century by the Mughals and we are proud to assist in preserving this age-old tradition. Staff enjoy working in a creatively inspiring atmosphere and express their originality and expand their artistic talents

Return to the hotel.

During the sightseeing in Agra, we can organise a visit to a School to understand how the student are being taught from basic level

Special Dinner at Jodha Mahal Lawns of Hotel Amar Vilas( Buffet dinner). .

Day 4 – AGRA-JAIPUR

Option: to visit Taj on sunrise approximate departure 0615 hrs in the morning

After breakfast visit Tomb of Imad Ud Daulah and marble factory

In time take a chartered flight to Jaipur.

On arrival check-in at the hotel.

Lunch on arrival at the hotel.

Return to hotel to be ready for optional Theme “Camel polo “followed by dinner

The game was very popular during reign of the Maharaja’s. Umaid Lake Palace, being the first to offer the exclusive experience of camel polo on the golden triangle. In this exceptional adaptation to the age-old game, the ship of the desert’, replaces the graceful horse. No previous equestrian (or Camel riding) experience is required. Guests will learn the basics of polo before they put their new skills to the test in a competitive match.

Camels and the polo players are well dressed in their traditional rajput attire which gives the unique feeling of adventure. The participants will then form teams to play against one another in a knockout competition. The final chukker will be followed swiftly by an opportunity for the triumphant to celebrate their win with an awards ceremony followed by buffet dinner

A ceremonial welcome by Ladies in Rajasthani attire performing this traditional welcome with “aarti” and “tikka” on the forehead as a mark of respect and the ceremony continues with the music of the dhol, bankia and shehnai, follows the spectacular Rose Petal Shower as the guests walk on the red carpet leading to the seating area. Guests are greeted by a Royal Military Brass Band, service of nonalcoholic welcome drink & wet towels.

The fourteen piece Military Piper band plays traditional Military Welcome tunes introducing the two teams comprising of 3 players each. The game begins with a Ball Roll in by one of the guests.
As spectators enjoy the game, picking up tempo with the crowd cheer the players and watch the camels gracefully galloping across the lush green ground against the backdrop of Majestic Palace, the camels and the players, exuding grace and confidence. The game consists of three chukkars or rounds of 7 minutes each.
The Royal Military Brass Band, regale the audience with music during the changeover. At the end, the guests can interact and get photographs clicked with the players & the animals.

Special welcome dinner at Rambagh Palace

Grand Rajasthani Soiree- Rambagh Palace-Jaipur

One of the most popular themes at our Palace. This theme includes the finery of the Maharaja Welcome, with decorated elephants , horse lancers and camels. Girls in traditional Rajasthani attire will do traditional welcome (aarti, tikka and garlanding) with traditional dholbankia beating to announce your arrival. Melodious tune of Shenai Troup will welcome the guests.Stunning display of floral logo followed by a bar-be-que dinner with a well-illuminated Palace backdrop and live folk dance performance.The theme will include Grand Royal Procession welcome to the dinner venue with two Elephants, four Camels, four Horses with lancers
Local Rajasthani Dance troupe (Kachhi ghodiDholBankiya)
Aarti tikaGarlanding of the guests on arrival to dinner venue
Live Indian Folk dance performances for the guests for 45 minutes
Live Sitar Tabladuring the entire dinner
Lavish spread of buffet / sit-down meal based on the number of guests

During Theme dinner in any of the day, in Jaipur, we can organise a speaker to speak about the environment

Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 5: IN JAIPUR (B)

After breakfast proceed for the visit to the city of Jaipur

We begin with the visit to the Amber fort, the former seat of the Rajput rulers of Jaipur. Just 7 miles north of Jaipur is Amber with its a honey-coloured fortress-palace in the Aravali Hills which can be mounted by elephant. It has been described as “the sleeping beauty of Rajasthan”. The sombre exterior belies the richness of the royal apartments, which open on to striking views of the gorge. It also possesses a Chamber of Mirrors. The Hall of Victory presents a galaxy of decorative art – panels of alabaster with fine inlay work of the tenderness hues. Ascending the fortress seated on elephants, wander around the beautiful palaces and visit the Shiladevi temple (which continues to be the private temple of the Royal family) with its exquisite marble carvings and silver door.

A photo stop at the Mesmerizing ‘Hawa Mahal’ (Palace of Winds) an elaborate building encrusted with delicate honeycomb screens and carved balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters, could view the world outside.

Later visit Jewels Factory

Lunch

Visit City Palace & Observatory

City Palace – Sawai Jai Singh’s seven-storey high Chandra Mahal -Moon Palace -has come to be known as City Palace to differentiate it from the ancient Amer Palace and the neo-modern Rambagh Palace, the hub of activity of the last ruler. The former ruling family still lives in the Chandra Mahal, while the outer courtyards with Mubarak Mahal, Sarvatobhadra and Diwan Khana and the ground floor halls of Pritam Niwas and the inner courtyard have been converted into a public museum – the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. It houses an extensive collection of rare manuscripts, Mughal and Rajasthani miniatures, Mughal carpets, costumes and textiles, arms and weapons, objets d’ art and royal paraphernalia. The pair of giant silver Gangajalis displayed in the open Sarvatobhadra building were fabricated in the court workshops for Sawai Madho Singh II to carry holy water of Ganges to England. These find mention in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest silver objects in the world.

Rest of the day at leisure

Return to the hotel.

Royal Dinner at the City Palace, Jaipur

Arrival of the guests
The guests will arrive from the Tripolia Gate – This entrance is otherwise used exclusively only by the Royal Family Members. The cars/coaches will come upto the gate of the Mubarak Mahal –the Royal Reception area of the City Palace. Where the guests will be received.
The sound of Nagaras and Trumpet will announce the arrival of the guests.
A welcome procession of 2 Elephants, 4 Horses with Lancers, 4 Camels and 2 Buggy will be arranged near Mubarak Mahal.

Some of the guests may sit on the Horse-mounted carriage and then taken into the main Palace escorted by the whole procession.

Welcome Ceremony
The procession and the guests will enter the main Palace through the Rajendra Pol. Girls in traditional attire will shower the rose petals from the Jharokhas.

 The animals will align themselves on both the sides infront of the KHASA GATE { private entrance to the residence of the Royal Family of Jaipur).

Girls attired in Traditional Rajasthani costumes will welcome the guests with Teeka and garland inside the KHASA GATE

Guests will enjoy a welcome drink of Indian Champagne .

Cultural Programme and Cocktails

The guests will enjoy a performance of folk dances OR Kathak with Cocktails at SHOBHA NIWAS TERRACE .

Guests proceed to SUKH NIWAS TERRACE (outside the Dining Room with Lalique Table) OR Chandra Mahal Verandah for Dinner.
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Live performance of Sitar and Tabla during the Dinner.

Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 6: IN JAIPUR

Morning after breakfast, visit Villages in and around Samode followed by lunch at Sanode Bagh which is surrounded by trees and full of nature. Post lunch, clients can enjoy pool also which is not a very big pool, does give option to the guests. After relaxation, we can organise friendly foot ball match within the group members followed by tea coffee, 10 cottages will be available to the goests for wash and change and to get ready for the evening for Samode Gala Evening.

Optional: Late in the evening proceed to Samode for Gala evening

Samode, 40 Kilometers north of Jaipur – Step back into time at Samode. His father, the illustrious Prithviraj Singhji of Amber, awarded this feudal stronghold of the Kacchawaha Rajputs to Gopal Singh. Here, more than four centuries ago, Prithviraj Singh ji built the Samode Palace, a luxurious retreat set amidst rugged hills. Another scion of his family, Rawal Sheo Singh ji added the Samode Bagh, a garden paradise modeled on the geometric style of the Mughal garden. Here members of the Samode family come to enjoy rare moments of privacy and relax in the airy pavilions surrounded by rippling water fountains.

You are taken in camel cart procession accompanied by local band and marshals (Lighted torches) to the Palace where Royal welcome awaits you with horses and camels on each side. The Palace is beautifully illuminated and you enjoy the Champagne cocktail with delicious food on the terrace while the folk dancers entertain you. The evening ends with a spectacular firework display. All the guest is also presented with a Samode Souvenir.