Romantic Rajasthan, Land of Princes
Taj Mahal and Jaipur Extension
Overview
Legendary Rajasthan is full of spectacular color and wondrous reminders of its glorious past. On guided excursions, explore Jaipur, a walled city of pink stone and a treasure-trove of exuberant 18th and 19th century palaces; visit the haunting red sandstone ruins of the remote Mughal capital at Fatehpur Sikri; and watch a golden sunset and sunrise illuminate the legendary Taj Mahal, an exquisite white marble palace set on the banks of the Yamuna River in Agra.
Arrive: Delhi, India
Depart: Delhi, India
Highlights
- Enjoy sunrise and sunset viewings of the legendary Taj Mahal
- Explore the haunting desert ruins of Fatehpur Sikri
Itinerary
Arrive in Delhi where you are met for transfer to the Claridges Hotel Delhi...Meals on your own
After breakfast, depart Delhi for Agra, the capital of the Mughal Empire from the 16th to early 18th centuries (drive time: approximately 4 hours). On arrival, enjoy a full-day tour of Agra including Agra Fort, the first major building project of the Emperor Akbar, built in 1565 on the site of an earlier castle. At sunset, head to the legendary Taj Mahal, particularly lovely at this time of day. The Taj Mahal is an exquisite white marble palace, set on the banks of the Yamuna River. It was constructed over a 21-year period from 1632 to 1653 by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth. It was described by the English poet Sir Edwin Arnold as “Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor's love wrought in living stones.” Overnight at the ITC Mughal Agra...BL
Note: The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays, so please note that the days may be reorganized to accommodate this.
Note: The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays, so please note that the days may be reorganized to accommodate this.
Awake early this morning for a sunrise viewing of the Taj Mahal, then drive to the haunting desert ruins of Fatehpur Sikri, once the capital of Mughal Emperor Akbar. The emperor and his court stayed here only from 1570 to 1586, and this fabulous city of red sandstone has lain abandoned ever since. The palaces and courtyards remain in pristine condition, offering us an extraordinarily accurate glimpse of a Mughal city. Continue to Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan. Afternoon tour of the City Palace and Museum. Overnight at the Trident Hotel Jaipur. Driving time today is approximately 6 hours...B
Jaipur was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in the early 18th century, and this elegant city is unsurpassed as a testament to the craftsmanship of the old masters. Fresco painting and mirror work were two favorite ways of decorating interior spaces in Jaipur's forts and gracious residences. Our full-day city tour includes Amber Fort, the Palace of the Winds, or Hawa Mahal, and the fruit and vegetable market. In the evening, drive to Delhi and connect with late evening homeward-bound flights (or overnight in Delhi, an 'on your own' expense)...BL
A visa is required for U.S. citizens visiting India. Your visa must be obtained prior to arrival.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.