Golden Triangle Extension
March 21 - 27, 2017 • 7 Days • 14 Meals
Locally Hosted
March 21, Tuesday
Trivandrum / Delhi
This morning check out from the hotel and drive to
Trivandrum airport to board the flight to Delhi. Upon arrival
in Delhi, we are met and escorted to the hotel. The evening
is at leisure. The Suryaa Hotel (2 nights)
D
March 22, Wednesday
Delhi
Old Delhi came into prominence when Shah Jahan moved
his capital from Agra to Delhi. Visit the 300 year old
Chandni Chowk Market, a maze of lanes crowded with
shops selling an extraordinary variety of items and food.
The noise and crowds are a quintessential part of any
Indian market. From here, continue to the Jama Masjid or
Friday Mosque. This is India's largest mosque designed by
Shah Jahan, and was his last architectural legacy.
Originally it was called Masjid-I-Jahanuma, which means
"mosque commanding a view of the world". In complete
contrast to the noise and crowds of Old Delhi, is Raj Ghat,
a simple and stunning memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the
main architect of India's independence. Pass through the
Red Fort that dominates this area. Built in the mid 17th
century by Shah Jahan, it was plundered by the marauding
armies of Nadir Shah and later by British soldiers. In the
afternoon enjoy a sightseeing tour of New Delhi. First visit
Qutab Minar, a tapering monument begun in 1199 that was
built to symbolize the supremacy of Islam. This structure
was eventually the prototype of all minars or towers in
India. The next stop is Humayun's Tomb, built by his senior
wife and mother of Emperor Akbar. This is the earliest
example of Mughal architecture in India. It is believed that it
was this mausoleum that inspired Shah Jahan to build the
Taj Mahal. We also drive pass the India Gate, Presidential
Palace and Parliament House.
BD
March 23, Thursday
Delhi / Samode / Jaipur
Depart for Jaipur after breakfast, with a visit en route to
Samode Palace. This 475 year old palace is a splendid
example of regal Indo-Saracenic architecture that
combines the best of Indian and Mughal styles. The
intricately painted walls and ornate archways are truly a
sight to behold. Later drive to Jaipur and check into the
hotel upon arrival. In the evening we leave for dinner with a
local family at their home. We will experience the
hospitality Indians are known for and will be greeted in a
traditional way. Walking into a Jaipur house, you will
encounter many fascinating things such as pictures and
statues of different Hindu deities. You will also notice that
in India, it is common to see many generations living under
the same roof. Indulge in conversation and get to know the
lifestyle and daily routine of local families.
Hilton Jaipur (2 nights)
BLD
Inside the Fort visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory. A
major attraction at the fort is the Elephant Ride (subject to
availability) all the way up to the entrance. This journey on
caparisoned elephants is bound to enrich your memories
with the Royal lifestyle of the Maharajas and leave you with
a truly unforgettable experience. In the late afternoon tour
the city of Jaipur. First visiting the Maharaja's city Palace,
the former Royal residence; part of which was converted
into a museum. One of the major attractions in the museum
is the Armoury Museum, home to an impressive array of
weaponry including pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks,
swords, rifles and daggers. On the first floor is the Textile
and Costume Museum, which is the fine example of fabrics
and costumes from all over India. This evening we enjoy a
special dinner with Royalty at the Narain Niwas Palace. In
the royal kitchens of Rajasthan, food was a very serious
business and raised to the level of an art-form. Hundreds of
cooks worked in the stately palaces and kept their recipes
a very closely guarded secret. The recipes served were
originally collected by Thakur Amar Singh Ji during his life
time. Most will not be found anywhere else. Savour
specialties ranging from delicious traditional Rajasthani
cuisine consisting of delicacies like Dal Baati Churma. BD
March 25, Saturday
Jaipur / Abhaneri / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Agra with a visit to
Abhaneri en route. It is a small village in Rajasthan and
home to the Chand Baori stepwell, one of the deepest and
largest in India. Built in the 9th century, it has 3500 narrow
steps, 13 stories, and is 100 feet deep. This village is also
known for Harshat Mata Temple, also built during the 9th
century. After this visit we will enjoy lunch in Laxmi Vilas
Palace. We then head to Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted city
built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 in honour of the great Saint
Sheikh Salim Chishti who blessed Akbar and prophesized
the birth of three sons to the heirless Emperor. Scarcity of
water was the prime factor for the abandonment of this
beautiful former capital city. Visit the remarkably wellpreserved, graceful buildings within the 'Ghost City'
including the Jama Masjid, tomb of Salim Chishti, Panch
Mahal Palace and other palaces that speak of the grandeur
and splendour of the Mughal Empire at the height of its
power. The Gateway Hotel or Radisson (2 nights)
BLD
March 24, Friday
Jaipur
After breakfast depart for an excursion to Amber Fort. En
route, we will enjoy a brief photography stop at Hawa
Mahal, the Palace of Winds. The Amber Fort is a classic
and romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. The rugged, timeravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful from the
outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. Miniatures
painted on the walls depict hunting and war scenes, apart
from festivals, and precious stones and mirrors are
embedded into the plaster.
Taj Mahal - credit David Craig
Agra Fort
March 26, Sunday
Agra
At sunrise take a Tonga (Horse Carriage) to reach the
gates of the world famous Taj Mahal built by Shah Jahan in
1630 for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal
remains. This architectural marvel is a perfectly
proportioned masterpiece fashioned from white marble that
stands testimony to the skill of 20,000 craftsmen brought
together from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and who
took 17 years to complete this 'Love Poem in Marble’.
Return to the hotel for breakfast followed by a visit to Agra
Fort, built by Emperor Akbar between 1565 and 1573,
which reveals the Mughal talent for combining defensive
architecture with beauty and design. The fort is the history
of Mughal life in Agra and offers a magical view of the Taj
Mahal. We continue with a visit to Itimad-ud Daulah, one of
the most beautiful Mughal tombs, which stands across the
river Yamuna from the Taj Mahal, nearly one and a half
kilometers up-stream. Belonging to the age of Jahangir, it
contains cenotaphs of Mirza Ghiyas Beg and Asmat
Begum, parents of the powerful Mughal Empress Nur
Jahan, queen of Jahangir, an exceptional beauty and an
astute administrator. Mirza Ghiyas Beg had left Persian in
sheer penury in search of better prospects at the Mughal
court. He benefited much from the influence of his daughter
who he had once abandoned in the desert. Akbar offered
him a good rank and privileges. Jahangir made him his
prime minister with the title Itimad-ud Daulah (Pillar of the
State). Nur Jahan's brother Asaf Khan later became prime
minister to Shah Jahan. This Persian family formed at the
Mughal court giving the grand Mughals two most
celebrated queens-Nur Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal (Lady of
the Taj), daughter of Asaf Khan.
BD
March 27, Monday
Agra / Delhi / Canada
After a relaxing breakfast we leave for Delhi en route
visiting Sikandra. Akbar was a Mughal emperor who was
also a great connoisseur of the arts. He had contributed
towards many famous architectural construction, all
incorporating various styles into their designs. The emperor
began construction on his own tomb in Sikandra, near
Agra, in 1605. The building was completed by his son, who
finished the structure using designs and methods not
originally intended, such as leaving out a crowning dome.
The tomb of Akbar is a structure built from red sandstone
and white marble. On each of its four sides, the grand
portals are inlayed with complex mosaics. We continue our
drive to Mathura the holy land where we visit the famous
ISKCON Temple and get set into the spiritual journey. We
will also visit Dwarkadhish Temple, recognized for its
architectural magnificence, Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi,
birthplace of Lord Krishna and Rangbhoomi. We continue
our drive to Delhi airport to board our flights home.
B
Qutab Minar
Tour Cost in Canadian Dollars per person
Twin ........................................................................... $1,395
Single Supplement ........................................................ $465
Prices are per person based on taxes, surcharges, and
exchange rates effective May 2016 and are subject to
change. Tour price is based on sharing a twin-bedded
room (or triple where applicable). This extension is based
on a minimum of 4 passengers. Included flight Trivandrum
to Delhi is subject to change upon final confirmation.
Accommodation will be in first class hotels as listed or
similar. The hotel night in Kovalam on March 21 that is
included in the South India journey has been deducted
from the above prices.
Deposit will be $250 per person
Please discuss your insurance coverage with our Sales
Staff prior to booking this extension. To reserve your spot
on this extension in conjunction with our South India group
departure, contact us at:
CRAIG CANADIAN GROUP TRAVEL LTD
1092 Mount Pleasant Road Toronto ON M4P 2M6
Tel: 416-484-0926 or 1-800-387-8890 / Fax: 416-484-8143
[email protected] / www.craigtravel.com
EFF08JUN16