INDIA GOLDEN TRIANGLE WITH KASHMIR

 

ITINERARY:

Day 01 – Arrive Delhi
Meeting and greetings on arrival at airport and transfer to the hotel for check in.

Afternoon met your licensed local Guide and driver at hotel lobby nad proceed for a combined tour of Old and New Delhi. 

Old Delhi
visiting Red Fort - The red sand stone walls of Lal Quila, the Red Fort extend for 2 km and vary in height from 18m on the river side to 33m on the city side. Shah Jahan started construction of the massive fort in 1638 and it was completed in 1648. The Red Fort dates from the peak of Mughal power. The Mughal reign from Delhi was a short one. Aurangzeb was the first and the last emperor to rule from here. Jama Masjid- the Great Mosque of Old Delhi was both the largest and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan. Begun in 1644, the mosque was not completed until 1658. It has three gateways, four angle towers and two minarets standing 40m (133ft) high constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble. The courtyard of the mosque can hold 25,000 people. Take a rickshaw ride to Chandni Chowk - the main street of Old Delhi - the colourful shopping bazaar just opposite the Red Fort and visit Raj Ghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi after his assassination in 1948.

New Delhi
visiting Qutab Minar – 234 feet high tower. The Qutab Minar itself is a soaring tower of victory that was started in 1193, immediately after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi. It is nearly 73m(243ft) high and tapers from a 15m(50ft) diameter base to just 2.5m(9ft) at the top. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone, the fourth and the fifth of marble & sandstone. Also visit the Tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun. Built in the mid-16th century by Haji Begum, the Persian-born senior wife of Humayun, the second Mughal emperor, this is a wonderful early example of Mughal architecture. The elements in its design – a squat building, high arched entrances that let in light, topped by a bulbous dome and surrounded by formal gardens – were to be refined over the years to the magnificence of the Taj Mahal in Agra. Drive past India Gate (War Memorial), President’s House, which was once the Viceroy’s Palace, Parliament House and Secretariat buildings.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02 – Delhi to Srinagar – Fly – 1040 / 1315 hrs
Morning after breakfast at the hotel transfer to Airport to board flight for Srinagar.

On arrival at Srinagar, you will be met by our representative and transfer you to Houseboat. Afternoon free for personal activities. In the evening Shikara ride on Dal Lake to enjoy the sunset. Overnight at Houseboat.

Day 03 - Srinagar–Local sightseeing
Leave for Mughal Gardens visiting Nishat Bagh (Abode of pleasure) built by Asif Khan brother in law of Jehangir in 1632 AD. And Shalimar Bagh (Abode of love) built by Jehangir for his wife Empress Noor Jehan. All the gardens are situated on the bank of Dal Lake with the Zabarwan Mountains in the background. The distance from Srinagar to the said gardens is about 12 and 15 kms respectively. Enroute visit carpet-weaving factory and old Srinagar city. Dinner overnight in Hotel. 

Day 04 - Srinagar -Pahalgam
After breakfast, leave from Srinagar and drive to Pahalgam 2440 Mtrs (Vale of Kashmir) on the way visit Saffron fields and Avantipur ruins which is eleven hundred years old temple. Finally by the lunch time you will reach Pahalgam which is the most famous place for Indian Film Industry. After lunch enjoy the nature charm of the valley. Overnight at Hotel.


Day 05 - Pahalgam
Day enjoy the natural beauty of Pahalgam Valley and walk around. Over night at Hotel.


Day 06 - Pahalgam – Gulmarg
After break fast drive to Gulmarg (Meadow of Flowers) 2730 Mts. above sea level. The distance of 60 kms will be covered in about 2 hrs. Gulmarg has one of the best Ski slopes in the world and highest golf course of the world with 18 holes. One can also have the view of Nanga Parbhat if weather permits. The view enroute from Tangmarg to Gulmarg is fascinating. One can also have a short trek upto Khilangmarg, which can be covered in about 3 hrs. Also enjoy sledge riding on snow. Chair Lifts for mountain ride are also available. Dinner and overnight stay in Hotel.

Day 07 - Gulmarg-Srinagar – Delhi – fly 1340 / 1520 hrs
Leave for Agra: Morning after relaxed breakfast at the hotel transfer to Srinagar airport to board flight for Delhi. Meeting on arrival at Delhi Airport and drive to Agra. Check into the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 08 – Agra to Jaipur – drive 5 hours
Morning after breakfast at the hotel visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, whose death in childbirth in 1631 left the Emperor so heartbroken that his hair is said to have turned gray overnight. Construction of the Taj, begun in the same year, was not completed until 1653. In total 20,000 people from India and Central Asia worked on the building. The Taj Mahal is like a silent rhapsody that you will carry in your heart. Also visit Agra Fort, constructed by Emperor Akbar in 1695 on the banks of the Yamuna River. Initially the fort was a military structure, but during Shah Jahan’s reign it had partially become a palace.

Afternoon proceed to Jaipur by car enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri 40 kms (25 miles) from Agra - a cultural and imperial capital conceived and built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and later abandoned due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings within the city including Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti and Panch Mahal. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09 – At Jaipur
Morning after breakfast at the hotel visit Amber Fort - the ancient capital of the state until 1728. The fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake, which reflects its terraces and ramparts. Visit the Jagmandir the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors, Jal Mahal and the Temple of Kali. You ride up to the ramp of this 11th Century Bastion atop a gaily decorated elephant

Afternoon guided City sightseeing tour : includes Maharaja’s City Palace - which occupies a large area divided into a series of courtyards, gardens and buildings. The outer wall was built by Jai Singh, but other additions are much more recent, some dating from the start of this century. Today, the palace is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The palace now houses a museum containing rare manuscripts, fine specimens of Rajput and Mughal paintings and weapons. Also visit Jantar Mantar- an observatory, next to the entrance of the City Palace, begun by Jai Singh in 1728. Jai Singh’s passion for astronomy was even more notable than his prowess as warrior and before commencing construction, he sent scholars abroad to study foreign observatories. Jantar Mantar appears to be just a curious collection of sculptures but in fact each construction has a specific purpose, such as measuring the positions of stars, altitudes and azimuths and calculating eclipses.

Day 10 – Jaipur to Delhi – 5 hours / depart Delhi
Drive to Delhi airport in order to board homebound flight.