Taj Mahotsav

 

Saturday. Welcome to India and the start of your holiday! Arrive Delhi, included transfer to hotel.Overnight - New Delhi

This morning, our welcome meeting takes place. We’ll then enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Delhi. Tonight, we enjoy a Namaste Dinner at an Indian restaurant. Overnight - New Delhi (B, D)

Delhi - Jaipur. Today, we drive to Jaipur. Affectionately known as the Pink City as Maharaja Ram Singh had all of the Old City painted a welcoming pink in 1876 to herald a visit by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), it is also the bustling capital of the state of Rajasthan. We enjoy a tour of the City Palace and Jantar Mantar - an old yet cleverly designed space observatory.Overnight - Jaipur (B)

Early today, we travel beyond Jaipur to the stunning 16th century Amber Fort - a sprawling Rajput concoction which hugs the hill on which it was built and overlooks the hot plains below. We enjoy a stately elephant ride (Subject to Government regulations & availability) to the fort proper and tour the fort’s well-preserved interior and grounds. Back in Jaipur, enjoy the remains of the day your way. Overnight - Jaipur (B)

Jaipur - Bharatpur via Peharsar. After driving to the small rural village of Perharsar, we walk the backstreets discovering local life, traditions and (if open) visit the village school where we operate our ‘Change for Children’ programme. Here, we’ll also visit a charming haveli (mansion house) with small courtyard, lawned gardens and rustic ‘shabby chic’ appeal carefully being restored to glory of better farming years. After hotel check in at Bharatpur and time to freshen up we visit Keoladeo Ghana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we’ll enjoy a leisurely bicycle rickshaw ride through the park.Overnight - Bharatpur (B, D)

Bharatpur - Agra. En route to Agra, we visit Fatehpur Sikri, former imperial capital of the great Mughal emperor Akbar. Built between 1569 and 1585, it has been deserted for more than four centuries, by all accounts abandoned in 1600 due to a meagre supply of water. In Agra, we enjoy a tonga (motorised buggy) ride to the legendary Taj Mahal. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in loving memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, who tragically died in childbirth in 1631, the Taj Mahal in Agra is described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love and remains one of India’s most enduring symbols. After touring the impressive white marble complex we continue to the rose-red fort of Agra bathed in the golden glow at sunset. Overnight - Agra (B)

Today we join the celebrations of the Taj Mahotsav - one of the most eagerly awaited festivals celebrated on the banks of the River Yamuna at Shilpgram near the Eastern gate of the 'Taj Mahal'.



The word Taj Mahotsav literally translates to Big Festival of the Taj and in many ways the Taj Mahotsav is the archetypal Indian festival. The vibrant, 10 day, annual carnival and celebration opens with a procession of bejewelled elephants and camels, drummers, artists, musicians and craftsmen from all over the country. 



Today we have the opportunity to witness the highly competitive Kite Flying Competition synonomous with the lands of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. The string of the kite is known as the manja is coated with powdered glass. Great skill and precision is required by the flyer to entangle the manja of their kites with each other. The flyer then uses a pull and release method in an attempt to cut the string of the opponents kite. Once the string of a kite has been cut it is known as a drifter as it often drifted freely in the wind. It is here where the sport of Kite Running begins. The larger and more expensive the kite looks be, more people can be seen running after the drifter in an effort to capture their free prize. Other events of th day include fashion parade's of traditional Indian dress, Kathak dance and Braj folk dance performances, singing and snake charming. 



Later it is possible to attend the 'Mohabbat the Taj', a series of plays and the epic, eternal love story of Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal - a tragedy that ended with the construction of the grand Taj Mahal. The program detailed above is based upon the preliminary scheduling offered by the Taj Mahotsav organising Committee in the 2012. Final program arrangements and exact details of our touring arrangements on this day will be released in December 2011. Overnight - Agra (B)

Agra - Delhi. After breakfast we drive back to Delhi. The remainder of the day is free for your to explore Delhi further. Overnight - New Delhi (B)

Sunday. Our tour concludes after breakfast. Goodbye India! We transfer you to the airport for your onwards international flight. (B)