Rajasthan with Shimla
Description
This is the supreme Golden Triangle tour, sprinkled with little Himalayan touch. The Golden Triangle tour is known so because it connects the three most beautiful and historically important places viz. Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. The other half of the tour to the Queen of Hills Shimla and Chail takes you to the colonial ages as well as endless greens of Himalayas. Shimla is the awakened city in the heart of the sleepy mountains.
Tour Program (10 Nights / 11 Days)
This is an eleven days tour in which we will be covering the famous destination and capital of Rajasthan - Jaipur and also we will be visiting the famous Taj Mahal at Agra. Major part of our journey will be covered by road. We will also enjoy the World Heritage Toy Train journey on the and explore the pseudo-English places Shimla and Chail.
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1
Arrival at International Airport
With your arrival at the International Airport, we shall drive you to one of the most luxurious five star hotel, full of all amenities, mini-bar, flat-screen TV, tea/coffee maker etc. After taking a short rest, we will be visiting the prominent places in Delhi, mainly monuments such as Qutub Minar, founded in 1199, Mughal forts, memorials, Rajpath, India Gate, The Parliament building and Humayun’s tomb. These structures are a fine example of ancient Mughal architecture as well as geometrical magic.
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2
Delhi Local sightseeing & proceed to Agra
Delhi & Agra After a healthy breakfast at the hotel we continue our city tour, first visiting the Raj Ghat, a fittingly simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi then proceed to Jama Masjid one of Asia’s largest mosques. We leave Delhi in the afternoon for our drive to Agra, arriving at the hotel in the late afternoon. A buffet dinner in-house is included tonight.
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3
Agra local sightseeing
The early rays of morning sun falling on the white marble of The Taj Mahal and the spectrum of light in the mist of River Yamuna make Agra a picture-perfect location. This emerging mist creates a mirage as if the Taj Mahal was floating. Due to the absolute symmetry and sequence of beautiful minarets, the monument has been added to UNESCO world heritage list as well as it is also among the seven wonders of the world. The Agra Fort, completed in 1573, is built with red sandstone, boasts its enormous size and history of being the Mughal capital. The fort is not an ordinary fort, its details are intricate and looks more like a palace. Conclude the evening at Taj Mahal.
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4
Proceed to Jaipur
We will proceed to Jaipur, also known as the pink city. In the afternoon, we shall cover the main highlights of this ancient city. The Palace of Winds or Hawa Mahal, Astronomical Observatory built in 1726, City palace or the current residence of Maharaja of Jaipur, also a place to view collections of costumes, carpets, paintings and impressive armour of ancient times.
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5
Jaipur local sightseeing
This morning we will visit Amber Fort in the Pink City, located in the hills at a short drive in the outskirts of the city. Additionally, we will visit Albert Hall and the local market. This night’s dinner is included and will be taken at the Hotel.
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6
Proceed to Delhi
We will proceed to Delhi where the stay is once more scheduled at a best in class hotel.
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7
Proceed to Shimla
We will take on a journey to Kalka from Delhi by Shatabdi Express Train, (a four hours journey in an air conditioned, chair class seating and broad window train). We will drive to Shimla from Kalka, and reach there probably by evening. The stay is planned at a famous hotel. There are many heritage buildings from the times of British Raj, known for its ballroom dances and fashionable clientele. Some restored grand heritage buildings have retained their colonial charm even after 130 years of establishment. Most of them are located at a peaceful square of The Mall Road, near the Viceroy Lodge in Shimla. The Viceroy Lodge is exceptionally beautiful with a grey facade, outlined with green terrace railings. The inside has a spacious lobby, a lounge with a view, lit by the natural light flooding into the building's signature atrium. All the rooms are airy, spacious, and beautifully furnished.
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8
Shimla local sightseeing
Today we shall explore the many reminders of British colonial life in Shimla. The most fascinating by far is the immense Viceregal Lodge presently converted into “The Institute of advanced Studies” and its beautiful gardens, built in Scottish baronial style to house the Viceroy and his staff. Moreover some of interior of the building is closed to the public, the areas that are open give a glance into the long lost past. It houses several photographs from the late Victorian era and pre-independence period of India. Apart from the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, the Mall Road, Scandal Point, Gaiety Theatre, Town Hall and Christ Church are some other important buildings.There are a huge number of shops where you can buy different local stuff. Shimla is particularly known for the quality of its locally handmade shawls and Himachali Topi (cap) that can be taken as souvenir.
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9
Proceed to Chail
This day starts with a Toy Train ride to Kandaghat from Shimla. From there on we will take a cab to Chail, a royal hill station situated at an altitude of 2226 and about 40 km from Shimla. The Maharaja of Patiala established his own summer capital in Chail and built his palace when he was expelled from Shimla by Lord Kitchener. Chail is set in the middle of Deodar and pine forest and looks over Shimla clearly and directly. The Maharaja’s beautiful palace is a stone mansion, open to public to admire the solid wood work. Here the walkways are silent, lawns are very well tended and there are badminton and tennis courts. Chail also has world’s highest cricket ground, which also hold polo matches.
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10
Proceed to Delhi
It's time to bid farewell to Chail and start the return journey to Delhi. We will go by car till Kalka and by train from Kalka to Delhi.
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11
Drop at International Airport
The return flight will depart from Delhi in the afternoon.
Inclusions and Exclusions
The stated price for the tour is for per person, travelling in a group of 2 (minimum), sharing a twin room. Single occupancy or solo travelling will be subject to availability and the cost may vary. Rajasthan with Shimla Tour by Travel Theorem includes bed and breakfast accommodation in three, four or five star hotels (depending on the availability), four major meals during the tour, tickets for the UNESCO listed world heritage Toy Train, entry tickets to visit monuments, other train tickets, cabs/taxis, two-way air ticket to Delhi, escort throughout the tour and all taxes.
Cost of Indian Visa is not included. Anything not expressly stated shall not be included in the price.