Day 5 - 7
Overnight stay in a hotel, Step-back in time and enjoy many spellbinding sights to discover the chivalrous Rajput era and its battle- scarred heritage. After Breakfast our expert Jaipur guide will meet you for briefing on your heritage program for the day. We will proceed towards the city outskirts (10 Km drive) and enter the ancient town of Amer that offers remarkable Rajput-Mughal architectures. The picturesque situation of Amer at the mouth of a rocky mountain, in which nestles a lake, has attracted travellers including renowned French botanist Victor Jacque Mont. We will explore UNESCO world heritage site and a must see of Jaipur! The Amber Fortress. Our Jeep Safari begins to climb the uphill located fort passing thru the vibrant local life residing inside the fort walls. Following ethical tourism we discourage elephant rides. Built in 16th century by Rajput commander Raja Man Singh I, the fortress offers magnificent hilltop views with an intricate mirror palace and fine blends of Hindu-Rajasthani architecture. Inside we will visit Jai Mandir, a chamber of glittering mirrors, and Shila Devi Temple. Stop by Diwan-e-Aam, an 18th-century monument known as the Hall of Public Audience, and its counterpart, Diwan-e-Khas, a Mughal- and Rajasthan-style monument known as the Hall of Private Audience. Afterwards we will drive you to the heart of Jaipur’s city-centre. Enroute we will take a photo-stop outside Water Palace - Jal Mahal located in the centre of Man Sagar Lake housing various migratory birds and surrounded by Aravalli Ranges. Our tour continues as we will arrive at Astronomical Observatory - Jantar Mantar, begun by Jai Singh II in 1728 that is a collection of bizarre giant architectural astronomical instruments built for measuring the heavens and features the world's largest stone sundial. The name is derived from the Sanskrit yanta mantr, meaning 'instrument of calculation'. Here our expert Guide will teach you how these bizarre instruments work to measure celestial objects. Next we will reach at the iconic City Palace & Museum of Jaipur. A complex of courtyards, gardens and buildings, the impressive City Palace is right in the centre of the Old City. Built in 1700 AD by King - Raja Jai Singh II, this Palace is a paradise of royal heritage history housing rare galleries from British Raj to the Rajput Era. Its architecture is a fusion of Indian, Mughal, Rajput to European styles, and you can see such grandeurs in every nook and corner. Inside the complex we will explore the Pitam Niwas Chowk, where four glorious gates represent the seasons, from Peacock Gate of autumn, to Lotus Gate of summer. Beyond this chowk (square) is a private palace, the Chandra Mahal, which is still the residence of descendants of the royal family. The Mubarak Mahal, built as a reception centre for visiting dignitaries showcases multi-arched and colonnaded construction by renowned architect Sir Swinton Jacob. Finally The Armoury Room, housing the country’s best collection of weapons and ceremonial items elegantly engraved. Our heritage tour concludes with a Tuk-Tuk Tour in the streets of downtown Jaipur. Chaos and amusement goes hand-in-hand here, so feel free to take a photo-stop anywhere in this maze-like market. Inside bazaar we will arrive at Jaipur’s most distinctive landmark, The Palace of Winds - Hawa Mahal. Built in a unique pink-coloured beehive design that is certainly hard to miss. We will witness its 958 intricately designed windows that were built for the Maharanis to witness processions and exploring the city life from a high-rise without being seen. Before sunset we will return back to Hotel enroute taking a photostop outside the Albert Hall Museum, full of artwork and curios unique to this region. Centrally located in the midst of lush Ram Niwas Gardens of Jaipur, Albert Hall Museum with its intricate interiors is a treat to eyes especially when lit up during the evening with its exterior, passages and corridors illuminated with glorious colourful lighting. (BB), After Breakfast/Checkout you will be met by our expert company chauffeur who will take you on a scenic journey to New Delhi (250 Km) (drive includes enroute stop for clean restrooms). Upon arrival you will be met by our travel manager for Check-in and briefed for your next day airport pick-up schedules. Later in the afternoon we will arrive at the Lutyens city called New Delhi, designed by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens and set-up in 1931 by viceroy of India Lord Irwin as a political hub. This colonial city with its European influences was a power symbol of the British Empire. We will explore fine works of Sir Edwin Lutyen, that later became the fabric and features of modern India. We cover New Delhi’s most imposing sites such as Gandhi Smriti, the remembrance home - museum of Mahatma Gandhi; here on 30th Jan 1948 the father of India was assassinated. Ceremonial boulevard Raj Path designed by Lutyens in 1921 taking similarities from the Champs Elysee of France. Here we explore princely State Houses and architectures of North - South Block incl India Gate, a 42m-high stone memorial arch pays tribute to 70,000 soldiers of British Indian Army who died in the first world war. Presidents estate Rashtrapati Bhawan, former home to the British viceroy and today the largest residence of any head of state in the world. The House of Parliament, designed by Sir Herbert Baker in 1912 to construct a new administrative capital of British India. We will also cover the sacred Gurudwara Bangla Sahib that is one of the most prominent Sikh houses of worship in Delhi. Here we will experience a traditional Sikh Kitchen and its Langar Ceremony, where sacred meals are served regardless of caste, creed or religion. We will witness or if preferred we participate in the cooking ceremony to feed over 10,000 people a day. Imagine massive cooking pots stirred by strong- armed men with spoons the length of oars. (BB)
Jaipur
