Golden Triangle & Aurangabad 8 Days / 7 Nights India s Golden Triangle comprises of the three most visited cities Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. This triangle is called Golden because of the extraordinary rich culture and splendid historical monuments that each city offers. Day 1 Hong Kong Delhi Depart Hong Kong (approx. flying time 05hrs) arrive Delhi, you will meet our local representative, hotel transfer, overnight Delhi Day 2 Delhi Agra (205kms / 04hrs) After breakfast at the hotel, check-out, you will be driven to Agra, check-in. Later proceed for sightseeing tour of Agra Fort & Taj Mahal. Agra Fort also known as Red Fort, one of the finest Mughal Forts in India, constructed on the bank of river Yamuna, primarily built as a military defensive structure but Shah Jahan, grandson of Emperor Akbar transformed it into a palace. Later the power seized by Aurangzeb and kept Shah Jahan in prison for eight years in the same fort. Agra Fort The Taj Mahal is a masterpiece of Mughal Architecture, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Shah Jahan gave Agra its most famous monument. The structure is made of white marble, universally known as the most extravagant expression of love, dedicated to Mumtaz Mahal, wife of Shah Jahan (Closed on Friday). Hotel transfer, overnight Agra Taj Mahal Page 1
Day 3 Agra Jaipur (250kms / 06hrs) Enjoy breakfast in the comfort of your hotel, check-out; you will be escorted to Jaipur en route visiting Fatehpur Sikri. Jaipur City was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh after whom the city was named as Jaipur, known as the Pink City because of the colour of the stone exclusively used for the construction of the city buildings. Here you will see the forts, havelies, beautiful temples, and the rich cultural heritage of the Rajputs. Fatehpur Sikri, a deserted red stone city built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the honour of Saint Salim Chisti who foretold the Emperor for the birth of his three Sons. Afterwards continue your drive to Jaipur, hotel transfer, check-in and relax. Overnight Jaipur Fatehpur Sikri Day 4 Jaipur Mumbai Hotel breakfast, sightseeing tour of city includes Amber Fort with an elephant ride, the Local Bazaar, Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar. See Amber Fort, the old capital of Jaipur rulers, a fasinatiing blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Consisting of the Diwan-E-Aam, Hall of Public Audience, Diwan-E-Khas, Hall of Private Audience Sheesh Mahal Mirror Palace and Sukh Niwas. The main entry of the fort is through the Suraj Pole which leads to the Jalebi Chowk. Ride on the Elephant from the foothill upto the fortress. Amber Fort Continue to Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of Wind, built in the late 18 th century, the most recognized monument of Jaipur. This five story structure comprises of one hundred and fifty two windows, which were built so that the women of the royal household could observe the street festivities while remaining hidden inside. Page 2 Hawa Mahal
Jantar Mantar, also known as the Observatory was built in the early 18 th century, featuring masonry, stone and brass instruments that were built using astronomy and instrument design principles of ancient Hindu Sanskrit to study the movement of constellations and stars in the sky. Evening airport transfer, depart Jaipur, arrive Mumbai, hotel transfer, overnight Mumbai. Jantar Mantar Day 5 Mumbai Aurangabad After breakfast at the hotel, tour commences with Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Vastu Sanghralaya, Hutatma Chowk and St. Thomas Cathedral. Peruse the Gateway of India, built in the early 20 th century as a welcome symbol to King George V and Queen Mary to India. Built in the Indo saracenic style; a blend of Islamic and Gujarati Architecture. The gateway was later the ceremonial entrance for Viceroys to India Gateway of India Visit Chhatrapati Shivaji Vastu Sanghralaya also known as The Prince of Wales Museum, founded by proiment citizens of Mumbai in the early 20 th century to welcome Prince of Wales. Surrounded by palm trees and flowers beds, exhibitng over 60,000 art pieces from Indian history as well as the other parts of the world. Proceed to Hutatma Chowk, Martyr s Square, visit Flora Fountain located at the southern end of the historic Dadabhai Naoroji Road. The Square was St Thomas Cathedral constructed to honour those who died in the violence surrounding the establishment of Maharastra in the 60 s. Stading tall in the middle of the square if Flora fountain built in 1864 and represents the roman Goddess Flora, the Goddess of Abundance. Page 3
Head to St. Thomas Cathedral, the oldest surviving British building in Mumbai, from the early 18 th century, located in the fort area of Mumbai. The walls are decorated with the names of the British soldiers who stayed in India during war. Late evening airport transfer, depart Mumbai, arrive Aurangabad, hotel transfer, overnight Aurangabad. Day 6 Aurangabad Hotel breakfast, you will be escorted to the Ellora Caves consisting of thirty four monasteries comprised of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples extending over more than two kms dug into the slope of a hill. The caves were built in the 5 th 7 th century; demonstrating the religious harmony prevalent during this period of Indian history. Ellora Caves Continue to Daulatabad Fort, built in the late 12 th century by the Hindu king and surrounded by giant walls more than five km long. Once known as Devagiri or Hill of Gods as it is believed that Lord Shiva stayed on the hills surrounding this region. Devagiri contains several notable monuments chief of which are Chand Minar and Chini Mahal. Bibi Ka Maqbara Later sightseeing of Bibi Ka Maqbara, built by Azam Shah, son of Aurangzeb, also known as Dakkhani Taj (Taj of the Deccan) because of the strong resemblance of Taj Mahal. Hotel transfer, overnight Aurangabad. Day 7 Aurangabad Mumbai Breakfast at hotel, visit the Ajanta Caves, consisting of thirty caves, All decorated with intricate sculptures and murals depicting the incarnation of Buddha. Discovered in the early 19 th century, built in the 2 nd century by a band of wandering buddist monks. Airport transfer, depart Auragabad, arrive Mumbai, hotel trasnfer, overnight Mumbai. Page 4 Ajanta Caves
Day 8 Mumbai - Hong Kong After breakfast at the hotel, start the tour with Elephanta Caves, carved from the 7 th century on the originally named island Gharapuri, the Portuguese renamed it Elephanta after they found a large stone elephant near. Located on the Arabian Sea consisting of two groups of caves, comprising five Hindu caves and two Buddhist caves. The authenticity of the caves has been well maintained since its inscription despite certain repairs being carried out to ensure the structural stability of the monument. Elephanta Caves Evening free for you to relax on your own, airport transfer, depart Mumbai, arrive Hong Kong. Page 5