A Maharaja Experience
Programme Overview
Duration: 7 days
An incentive programme taking in the highlights of northern India including the Taj Mahal, the Amber Fort and Old Delhi. Unique activities include an Indian village themed dinner, a Mughal themed evening and an elephant polo match.
Highlights: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.
Arrive Delhi
Arrive late evening at Indira Gandhi International Airport. You will be met by our representative and guide outside the customs gate and transferred to your hotel.
Upon arrival at the hotel, a traditional Indian welcome awaits. Girls dressed in Indian costumes will shower rose petals and a red-powdered dot woill be anointed on the forehead as a mark of respect. A welcome non-alcoholic cocktail will be served in a private section.
Overnight: The Imperial/Taj Mahal/Taj Palace
Delhi
Enjoy a full day guided tour of Delhi.
Begin your day with an exploration starting in Old Delhi which was the capital of Muslim India between teh 17th and 19th centuries. Visit Jama Masjid, the Royal Mosque which was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1656.
Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes followed by a short walk in the main street of Old Delhi - the colourful shopping bazaar known as Chandni Chowk.
Drive past the Red Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage site) built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Proceed for a brief visit to Raj Ghat, the Mahatma Gandhi memorial.
In the afternoon visit New Delhi - the imperial city created by the British as the capital of India. In 1911, Edwin Lutyens, the most renowned English architect of the day, was chosen to design New Delhi.
The Rashtrapati Bhawan is where the Viceroy once lived and now is the official residence of the President of India. View India Gate, a war memorial arch built in honour of 90,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. Visit Qutab Minar (a UNESCO World Heritage site), a soaring tower of victory which is 72.5 metres high and has five distinct stories.
Option for Welcome Dinner – Indian village theme evening on the lawns of hotel or at an outside location.
A mini village is re-created with colourful bunting, bamboo huts, comfortable seating on hand woven furniture, cots, benches and settees complete with bolsters, cushions and soft underlays. Village belles in traditional Indian attire shower rose petals on the entourage and welcome delegates in a very traditional style with “aarti - tikka - garland”. Villagers mingle with guests and display their traditional skills of pottery, puppet and doll making, “pichwai” painting, lac bangles, henna and appliqué work and metal work. There will also be a local magician, a blacksmith, a Ferris wheel, fire eaters, local entertainment and folk dancers. During the evening enjoy a splendid collection of cocktail drinks followed by dinner that will have a lavish spread of traditional cuisine.
Overnight: The Imperial/Taj Mahal/Taj Palace
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Delhi - Agra
Early morning, you will be escorted to the railway station for the train to Agra.
Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire – giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat which means seat of the Emperor. Today, a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices whilst experiencing the irresistible charm that this favourite city of the Mughals still retains.
Morning, proceed for visit to the mesmerizing Taj Mahal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The 17th century Taj Mahal is often called a poem in stone. If so, the mausoleum is a love poem - created by Shah Jahan for his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal. Please note: Taj Mahal remains closed on Fridays.
Late afternoon, visit Agra Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The fort was built by the third Mughal Emperor, Akbar. Subsequent additions were made to the fort by his son Jahangir and grandson Shahjahan.
Option for the evening - Special Mughal Theme Evening at one of the banquet areas of your hotel.
The Mughal dynasty knew how to enjoy elegant dining in the spectacular settings of their forts and palaces. We bring to you the very experience of their lifestyle through the grandeur of this traditional Mughal theme evening in an equally memorable setting. The meticulous planning and preparation is reflected in the specially designed table setting, draped in richly embroidered fabric. The soft sounds of the water fountains, the subtle yet elegant lighting, the sultry melodies of live Indian classical music and the attentive service make a traditional Mughal dinner a truly unforgettable experience. The recommended entertainment for the evening would be a performance of Kathak dance. Kathak traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient India known as “Kathakaris” or storytellers. Along with the dance performance, a sumptuous dinner will be served at the venue.
Overnight: The Oberoi Amarvilas/ITC Mughal
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur
This morning leave for Jaipur. En route, stop at Fatehpur Sikri, a deserted red sandstone city that was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century.
After the visit, enjoy an exclusive lunch on the lawns of a hotel in Bharatpur.
Arrive in Jaipur late afternoon and check-in at your hotel.
Jaipur, known as "The City of Victory" and “The Pink City”, was first intended to be "Sawai Jaipur", named after the boy prince who commissioned it, Maharaja Jai Singh II. Jaipur today epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and history, a beautiful fusion of yesteryears and modernity. The massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens remind us of the glorious past of Jaipur.
Option for the evening - Elephant Polo Match with dinner
In the land of Maharajas, forts and palaces, the game of elephant polo was one of the ultimate royal experiences. Players are dressed in traditional turbans and are greeted at the sprawling lawns by a royal military brass band. The players will give a demonstration of the game following which the guests can participate. Each ‘chukkar’ (round) lasts for about 7-10 minutes.
There will be the final event in the evening where you will have to prove your strength against the mammoth elephant, in the elephant-tug-o-war! Finally, the prize ceremonies followed by a splendid buffet dinner.
Overnight: The Rambagh Palace/The Oberoi Rajvilas/Jai Mahal Palace
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Jaipur
This morning enjoy an excursion to the magnificent Amber Fort. This beautiful fortified palace was the capital of the state of Jaipur until 1728.The architecture is a melding of the Mughal and Rajput styles. Tour the chambers and hallways of the palace which are famous for the excellence of their design and decoration including the spectacular “Hall of Mirrors”.
Possibility of lunch at the magnificent Jaigarh Fort, or in the lawns of a palace hotel.
Afternoon enjoy an orientation tour of Jaipur city. Visit the City Palace and museum. It has a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armoury of Mughals and Rajputs including swords, antiques and artifacts. Proceed to Jantar Mantar, a stone astrological and astronomical observatory which was built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the 18th century. Enjoy a cycle-rickshaw ride in the colourful bazaar of the old city.
Also visit Hawa Mahal, the "Palace of the Winds". This beautiful façade is probably the most photographed in Jaipur. The ornately carved windows were designed so that the ladies of the palace could look out onto the streets unobserved. There is also time to shop for Jaipur blue pottery and block-printed cotton linens.
Today’s farewell evening will be a dinner at the Maharaja’s private palace in Jaipur. Arrive at the private entrance of the palace where you will be received by the Maharaja’s men and transferred in horse driven carriages. Musicians lead the procession while ladies in Rajasthani dresses shower rose petals. You will be escorted to the main residential palace of the Maharaja where the members of the royal family will receive you. Enjoy cocktails with the royal family at Chandra Mahal and later proceed for dinner in a suitable venue at the Palace depending on the group size.
Overnight: The Rambagh Palace/The Oberoi Rajvilas/Jai Mahal Palace
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Jaipur - Delhi
This morning will be at leisure for shopping activities or to enjoy the spa, pool or fitness centre at your hotel.
After lunch drive to Delhi. Arrive in the evening and proceed to the hotel, located in close proximity to the international airport where you will have rooms for a few hours so that you can wash and change clothes.
After dinner, late in the evening, transfer to the International Airport for your home bound flight in the early hours of day 7.
Meal Plan: B,L,D