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Day – 01, Thursday
01st March 2012
Arrival at Delhi:
 
COMPASS REPRESENTATIVE will receive you on arrival at the airport and receive you. Transfer to your hotel. Relax.
 
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. Delhi is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land and a window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
 
Overnight will be at Delhi.
 
Day – 02, Friday
02nd March 2012
Delhi:
 
After breakfast at the hotel, a guided tour of Old Delhi.
 
The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; drive past the Red Fort continuing to the Jama Masjid by bicycle rickshaws, one of Asia’s largest mosques. The magnificent Red Fort, overlooking the river Jamuna was built during the years 1638 - 48 when the Moghul Empire was at its peak. The tour continues to Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques and which is viewed from the outside.
 
People stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet.
 
Enjoy the rickshaw ride at Old Delhi peddling through the narrow by lanes of Chandni Chowk.
 
After lunch proceed for a sightseeing tour of New Delhi, which reflects the legacy of the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively. The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks the division in the life-styles. The walled city is all tradition where one will be able to glean a past life-style in all its facets, colors and spells. New Delhi in contrast, is a city trying to live up to the best of 21st century standards.
 
Imperial Delhi will include the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President’s residence. If time permits then visit the Lotus temple located in south of Delhi. It is lotus shaped and has rightly been given the name. It is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. It is open to all faiths and is an ideal place for meditation and obtaining peace and tranquillity. Its founder, Bahaullah (1817-1892), is regarded by Bahai as the most recent in the line of Messengers of God that stretches back beyond recorded time and that includes Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Christ and Muhammad.
 
Overnight will be at Delhi.
 
Day – 03, Saturday
03rd March 2012
Delhi – Udaipur:
By air
Flight Carrier Kingfisher / Jet Airways
Flight Number IT 4301 / 9W 2627
Departure Time 1135 HRS / 1320 HRS
Arrival Time 1320 HRS / 1500 HRS
Stopover Nil / Nil
 
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel.
 
Transfer in time to airport for flight to Udaipur. Upon arrival at Udaipur, you will be met and transferred to hotel.

The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure lake, hemmed in by the lush hills of the ARAVALLIS. A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences and inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers.

Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic past, epitomizing valour and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the LAKE PICHOLA is an enticing sight.
Udaipur is the jewel of MEWAR – a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years.

Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace in the middle of the lake. Spend some time at the Jag Mandir Palace.
 
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
 
Day – 04, Sunday
04th March 2012
Udaipur:
 
Breakfast will be at hotel.

Proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur, stopping first at City Palace.
 
City Palace: Standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola, is a massive series of palaces built at different times from 1559 A.D. The balconies of the palace provide panoramic views of "Jag Niwas" (the world wide famous Lake palace hotel), Jag Mandir on one side and on the other the city of Udaipur. Its main entrance is through the triple-arched gate - the Tripolia, built in 1725. The way now leads to a series of courtyards, overlapping parations, terraces, corridors and gardens - a harmonic profusion hard to describe. There is a Suraj Gokhda, where the maharanas of Mewar presented themselves in the times of trouble to the people to restore confidence. The Mor-chowk (Peacock courtyard), gets its name from the vivid mosaics in glass decorating its walls. The chini chitrashala is noteworthy while a series of wall paintings of KRISHNA are on display in Bhim Vilas. There are numerous other palaces such as Dilkhush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal and Krishna villas - in memory of a princess of striking beauty who poisoned herself to avert a bloody battle for her hand by rival princess. Now the palace contains many antique articles, paintings, decorative furniture and utensils and attracts thousands of visitors every day.
 
Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard.

Saheliyon Ki Bari: Maharana Sangram singh builds this in the mid 18th century. The 'garden of the maidens' brings to mind the lifestyle of the ladies of the court. The delightful gardens appear discreet and in impeccable taste. There are four pools with dainty kiosks, and all around are flowerbeds, lawns, pools and fountains protected by a series of walls and shady trees. The Foundation of the Saheliyon Ki Bari functions solely by water pressure and no pumps are used. The garden has a lotus pool, a sitting room decorated with paintings and glass mosaics. The whole ambience is flavored by the nostalgia of those beautiful bells enjoying themselves in a lavish aura.
 
Bagore Ki Haveli: This is a very congenial old building built right on the waterfront of Lake Pichola at Gangori Ghat. Amir Chand Badwa, the Prime Minister of Mewar built it in the eighteenth century. The palace has over hundred rooms and some very interesting display of costumes and modern art. The glass and mirror in the interiors of the Haveli delicate work and well preserved too. It also preserves a fine example of Mewar Painting on the walls of Queen's Chamber. The two peacocks made from small pieces of colored glasses are fine examples of glasswork. After the death Badwa the building became the property of Mewar State. It came to be occupied by Maharana Shakti Singh of Bagore who built the palace of the three arches also in 1878 and it acquired its name of Bagore-ki-Haveli, the house of Bagore. After independence the structure lay in neglect until 1986 when it housed the West Zone Cultural centre.
 
Jagdish Temple: The temple is situated in the middle of the city. The temple of Jagannath Rai, now called Jagdish-ji, is a major monument and should be seen carefully. Raised on a tall terrace and completed in 1651, it is a tribute alike to the tenacity of its builders and the resilience of the art tradition it represents. It attaches a double storeyed Mandapa (hall) to a double - storied, saandhara (that having a covered ambulatory) sanctum. The mandapa has another storey tucked within its pyramidal samavarna (bell - roof) while the hollow clustered spire over the sanctum contains two more, non - functional stories. Lanes taking off from many of the sheharpanah (city wall) converge on the Jagdish Temple and walking leisurely through them brings you face with the many layers of the cultural palimpsest that Udaipur is. It was built by Maharana Jagat Singh Ist in 1651 A.D.
 
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
 
Day – 05, Monday
05th March 2012
Udaipur – Ranakpur – Jodhpur
By road 260kms in 05hrs
 
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
 
Later proceed to Jodhpur.
 
En-route, visit the RANAKPUR TEMPLES, dating back to the 15th century. 200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds with intricate friezes and sculptures. Includes visits to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
 
Reach Jodhpur and check – in at the hotel. Relax.
 
Set at the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the Ramayana. The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above the plains. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions.
 
Evening proceed to visit UMAID BHAWAN PALACE.
 
Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
 
Day – 06, Tuesday
06th March 2012
Jodhpur – Jaipur
By Road 330kms in 5.5hrs
 
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
 
Proceed for the sightseeing tour of Jodhpur - gateway to the desert beyond, home of the Rathors of Marwar; visit the Mehrangarh Fort, rising up a hilly scarp, built on the advice of a hermit, overlooking the city in the image of a long sentinel. Inside the Fort are a number of palaces added by successive rulers. In this palace you would see different miniature paintings & cradle room. After this you would visit Jaswant Thada Memorial.
 
Post sightseeing drive to Jaipur. Reach Jaipur and check – in at hotel.
 
Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan a romantic realm of resplendent palaces, mighty fortresses and regal Maharajahs that lies in the western deserts and is an utterly unique part of India. Proudly belonging to the KSHATRIYA warrior caste and fiercely independent, the Rajput princes made fearsome foes. However, many of them realized that to maintain their wealth and authority locally, it was expedient to proclaim allegiance to the central power. Thus, many enjoyed a privileged position under the Mughal emperors and also the British Raj that followed.
 
The bustling Rajasthan capital of Jaipur takes its name from its venerated founder Jai Singh II, who was given the title Sawai Maharaja by the Mughal. Literally translated this would mean ’one and a quarter’, suggesting that the Mughal thought this emperor to be more valuable than just ‘one’. Jaipur is known as the ’Pink City’ on account of the distinctive color of its buildings. This did not, however, form part of the original plan, but dates back to 1856, when the city was given a wash of pink in honour of a State Visit from Prince Albert.
 
This evening, visit the Birla Temple to learn more about the fascinating religious life of Jaipur. The marble structure, built as recently as 1985, houses ornate statues including one of Lakshmi (goddess of Wealth and Beauty) and Narayan dressed in gaudy robes, representing a Hindu vision of heavenly luxury. Carvings in the temple and on pillars supporting the covered walkways include images of the Hindu pantheon, as well as Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Francis of Assisi. Your visit will coincide with the AARTI Ceremony, which involves oil lamps being lit and waved, in order to awake and invoke the deity.
 
Enjoy the experience and spend night at Jaipur.
 
Day – 07, Wednesday
07th March 2012
Jaipur:
 
Enjoy the breakfast at hotel.
 
Later proceed for the city sightseeing.
 
CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum
 
JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
 
HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.
 
Post sightseeing proceed to watch the ELEPHANT FESTIVAL at CHAAUGAN ground.
 
In the evening experience HOLIKA DAHAN: THE HOLI BONFIRE
 
The main emphasis of the festival is on the burning of the holy fire or Holika. The origin of the traditional lighting of Holi is attributed to the burning of demon like Holika who represent evil. Traditionally a bonfire on the day of Holi marks the symbolic anhilation of a demoness Holika the sister of demon, Hiranyakashipu, in Hindu mythology, while trying to kill, a devotee, Bhakta Prahlad.
 
This is akin to other festivals where effigies are burned, like Ravana Dahan on Vijayadashami (Dusshera) day, also in many other religions across the world, signifying end of dark or demonic forces.
 
Overnight will be in Jaipur.
 
Day – 08, Thursday
08th March 2012
Jaipur:
 
Breakfast will be at hotel.
 
Enjoy the festival of colors – Holi known as Dulhendi.
Principal ingredients of celebration are Abeer and Gulal, in all possible colours. Next comes squirting of coloured water using pichkaris. Coloured water is prepared using Tesu flowers, which are first gathered from the trees, dried in the sun, and then ground up, and later mixed with water to produce orange-yellow coloured water. Another traditional Holi item now rarely seen is a where a red powder enclosed in globes of Lakh, which break instantly and covering the party with the powder. 
 
People of Jaipur play this festival with great zest and joy. Holi is celebrated on Phalgun Purnima or Poranmashi (full moon) in the month of March or April. In fact, the Holi played in the pink city is popularly known as Latham Holi. It is believed that the adorable Gopies had warned Lord Krishna and his friends not to step into the land of Barsana, their village, on Holi. But Lord Krishna did not listen to their ‘advice’ and entered the village with his friends, for this they were showered with bamboos by the Gopies. That is why Lathmar Holi is celebrated, wherein the womenfolk use bamboo sticks to hit the men. Poor men! It’s all a part of the colourful festival celebrations.
 
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
 
Day – 09, Friday
09th March 2012
Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra:
By Road 235kms in 05hrs
 
Breakfast will be at hotel.
 
Proceed for a morning excursion will be taken to the Amber Fort. Enjoy the fort ascent on elephant back in a royal manner.
 
AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.
 
Later proceed to Agra en route visit Fatehpur Sikri.
 
Fatehpur Sikri is 37 km west of Agra. Jajal-ud-din-Muhammad Akbar, Humanyun's son, accessed the throne at the tender age of 14. While hunting around Sikri his curiosity was aroused by the songs of some minstrels about the celebrated Khwaja -Mu'inu'd-din Chisti, the founder of the Chisti order of SUFIS. Akbar, who was without a male heir heard about Saint Salim Chisti and visited him in the year 1568. The saint blessed him with 3 sons and in gratitude Akbar ordered the great mosque of Fatehpur Sikri built under his supervision. As a mark of respect to the saint, Akbar shifted his capital to Fatehpur Sikri and built various secular buildings like the Diwan -I-Am, Diwan-I-Khas, Jodhabai palace, Birbal's house, Marian's house and the Panchmahal.
 
Reach Agra and check – in at the hotel. Relax.
 
AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shahjehan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.
 
Overnight will be at Agra.
 
Day – 10, Saturday
10th March 2012
Agra:
 
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
 
Enjoy the city sightseeing.
 
TAJ MAHAL: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.
 
AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction. It lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat.
 
After Agra Fort we will visit BABY TAJ – The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj.
 
Evening: enjoy the Theatre show on Taj – The timeless beauty. Experience the breathtaking live show presented by performing artisans depicting the era in time…
 
Overnight will be at Agra.
 
Day – 11, Sunday
11th March 2012
Agra – Sikandra - Delhi:
By Road 202kms in 05hrs
 
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
 
Later proceed to Delhi en route visit Sikandra.
 
SIKANDRA – This beautifully maintained monument is where EMPEROR AKBAR was buried. It is a very low profile monument but it has one of the most awe – inspiring tombs. It is surreal how one of the greatest emperors has been put to rest. The manicured lawns has spotted and other varieties of deer roaming in them.
 
Drive to Delhi in the afternoon and upon arrival transfer to the International airport for your onward flight taking back HAPPY memories.

TOUR ENDS!!!

COMPASS TOUR INCLUDES:

• ACCOMMODATION AT MENTIONED HOTELS,
• BUFFET BREAKFASTS AT THE HOTELS,
• SIGHTSEEING TOURS AS MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY,
• AC VEHICLE (COACH/CAR) FOR ALL TRANSFERS & SIGHTSEEING AS PER THE ITINERARY,
• LOCAL ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDES FOR ALL MENTIONED TOURS,
• ASSISTANCE AT THE AIRPORTS ON ARRIVAL / DEPARTURE,
• ASSISTANCE AT STATIONS ON DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL,
• ALL MONUMENT ENTRANCES,
• INTERNAL AIRFARE IN ECONOMY / COACH CLASS FOR THE SECTOR DELHI – UDAIPUR,
• ALL APPLICABLE TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGES,
• ALL ROAD TAXES, GOVERNMENT TAXES AND DRIVER ALLOWANCES.

 
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED :

• WELCOME DINNER AT DELHI,
• RICKSHAW RIDE AT OLD DELHI,
• BOAT RIDE AT LAKE PICHOLA IN UDAIPUR,
• ELEPHANT RIDE AT AMER FORT IN JAIPUR,
• WALKING TOUR OF THE OLD JAIPUR CITY,
• TONGA RIDE TO TAJ MAHAL IN AGRA &
• KALAKRITI SHOW IN AGRA.

 
HOTELS:

CITY	STANDARD HOTELS	DELUXE HOTELS	NIGHTS
Delhi	Claridges	Shangri - la	02
Udaipur	Trident	Sheraton Palace Resort & Spa	02
Jodhpur	Ajit Bhawan Palace	Taj Hari Mahal	01
Jaipur	Trident	Taj Jai Mahal Palace	03
Agra	Trident	The Gateway – Taj facing	02

 
TOUR PRICE:

OCCUPANCY DETAILS	TOUR PRICE WITH STANDARD HOTELS	TOUR PRICE WITH DELUXE HOTELS
PER PERSON ON DOUBLE / TWIN OCCUPANCY	1955 $ / 1155 £ / 1311 €	2255 $ / 1355 £ / 1511 €
PER PERSON ON SINGLE OCCUPANCY	2755 $ / 1622 £ / 1855 €	3155 $ / 1922 £ / 2155 €

NOTE:

THIS TOUR IS A FIXED DEPARTURE and hence the dates / hotels cannot be changed. Please note that only monument entrances are not included along with personal expenses and camera, etc. fees, tips, (if any) at places where applicable. All hotels / trains mentioned are guaranteed at the time of quotation. Indian Visa along with international return airfare is not part of the tour package.