Itinerary
Day 1: Ranthambore / Bharatpur / Agra—Agra Fort
A private van will pick guests up at their hotel this morning for the journey to Bharatpur. Once you're settled, the representative will depart. On arrival, you'll be met by a driver who takes you to your hotel in Agra. After checking in, meet your guide for a tour of the city, which attained fame as the capital of the Mughal empire during the 16th and 17th centuries. It flourished under a series of emperors who attracted artisans from Persia and central Asia, and the city is still famous for its handicrafts such as inlay work on marble, woven carpets, jewelry,zari and embroidery. Yet it is Agra's architectural monuments that draw the greatest renown. After checking into the hotel, you'll tour magnificent Agra Fort this afternoon. The fort was the locus of Mughal
power until the imperial capital was moved to Delhi in 1637, and today a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photograph its maze of courtyards, mosques
and luxurious private chambers that capture the wealth and prestige of
the empire during its heyday.
Day 2: Agra—Taj Mahal & Tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah
Supreme among Agra's architectural wonders is the Taj Mahal, Emperor Shah Jahan's tribute to his
immortal love for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth.
Considered one of the seven wonders of the modern world, the Taj Mahal
is India's most exquisite example of Islamic architecture, revered by
many as the most elegant building in the world. Rise early this morning to experience the Taj Mahal by the ethereal light of dawn, followed by a guided sightseeing tour. To experience the sunrise at the Taj Mahal is magical, when, weather permitting, the smooth white marble gleams rosy-pink in the gentle morning rays and photography conditions are usually superb. Standing regally on the banks of the River Yamuna, the Taj Mahal reflects the height of Mughal art in its exquisite architectural details, interior painting and calligraphy, and elaborate gardens, embodying the wealth and luxury synonymous with the imperial age. Construction took 22 years, requiring the labor of 20,000 men and a thousand elephants. An icon to romance, the Taj Mahal has captivated the imaginations of travelers and writers since it was completed in 1653. The English poet Sir Edwin Arnold called it "the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones."
After breakfast, visit the Tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah, a Mughal mausoleum nicknamed the "Baby Taj." This is the exquisite tomb of Persian nobleman Mizra Ghiyas Beg that was built by his daughter, Nur Jahan, between 1622 and 1628. The delicate carved marble screens reflect a style similar to the tomb she built for her husband, Jehangir, near Lahore, Pakistan. This tomb in Agra, which pre-dates the Taj Mahal, was the first along the river, and is notable as the first use of pietra dura technique in its ornamentation, whereby semiprecious stones are used to make floral designs. Following your tour of the "Baby Taj," return once again to the Taj Mahal to view the monument bathed in the golden afternoon light.
Day 3: Delhi / Depart
This morning is at leisure, followed by a half-day drive to Delhi. On arrival, check in to our comfortable hotel close to the airport, where private overnight rooms have been reserved. Later tonight you are escorted to Delhi’s international airport for flights home.
Please Note: The Taj Mahal is closed to visitors on Fridays. Should your extension fall on a Friday, you will still have a morning and afternoon visit to the monument, but they may be scheduled on different days. We do our very best to work around this restriction, but we cannot completely avoid it over the course of our entire India safari season. Please also note that the Indian government has begun comprehensive conservation work, including cleaning and repairs, on the Taj Mahal. This work requires that there will be scaffolding covering various components of the monument as the work progresses, as well as mud on portions of the dome, and it is expected to take a minimum of two to three years to complete. However, all four sides of the Taj Mahal are identical, so it is likely that visitors will still get excellent views and photos of the iconic facade.
A private van will pick guests up at their hotel this morning for the journey to Bharatpur. Once you're settled, the representative will depart. On arrival, you'll be met by a driver who takes you to your hotel in Agra. After checking in, meet your guide for a tour of the city, which attained fame as the capital of the Mughal empire during the 16th and 17th centuries. It flourished under a series of emperors who attracted artisans from Persia and central Asia, and the city is still famous for its handicrafts such as inlay work on marble, woven carpets, jewelry,
Day 2: Agra—Taj Mahal & Tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah
Supreme among Agra's architectural wonders is the Taj Mahal, Emperor Shah Jahan's tribute to his
immortal love for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth.
Considered one of the seven wonders of the modern world, the Taj Mahal
is India's most exquisite example of Islamic architecture, revered by
many as the most elegant building in the world. Rise early this morning to experience the Taj Mahal by the ethereal light of dawn, followed by a guided sightseeing tour. To experience the sunrise at the Taj Mahal is After breakfast, visit the Tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah, a Mughal mausoleum nicknamed the "Baby Taj." This is the exquisite tomb of Persian nobleman Mizra Ghiyas Beg that was built by his daughter, Nur Jahan, between 1622 and 1628. The delicate carved marble screens reflect a style similar to the tomb she built for her husband, Jehangir, near Lahore, Pakistan. This tomb in Agra, which pre-dates the Taj Mahal, was the first along the river, and is notable as the first use of pietra dura technique in its ornamentation, whereby semiprecious stones are used to make floral designs. Following your tour of the "Baby Taj," return once again to the Taj Mahal to view the monument bathed in the golden afternoon light.
Day 3: Delhi / Depart
This morning is at leisure, followed by a half-day drive to Delhi. On arrival, check in to our comfortable hotel close to the airport, where private overnight rooms have been reserved. Later tonight you are escorted to Delhi’s international airport for flights home.
Please Note: The Taj Mahal is closed to visitors on Fridays. Should your extension fall on a Friday, you will still have a morning and afternoon visit to the monument, but they may be scheduled on different days. We do our very best to work around this restriction, but we cannot completely avoid it over the course of our entire India safari season. Please also note that the Indian government has begun comprehensive conservation work, including cleaning and repairs, on the Taj Mahal. This work requires that there will be scaffolding covering various components of the monument as the work progresses, as well as mud on portions of the dome, and it is expected to take a minimum of two to three years to complete. However, all four sides of the Taj Mahal are identical, so it is likely that visitors will still get excellent views and photos of the iconic facade.
