Your
morning activity begins with the historical part of the city
also known as Old Delhi starting with `Shah Jehanabad' which has
some dramatic remnants of the Mughal Empire in the imposing Red
Fort and Jama Masjid India's largest mosque, built by Emperor
Shah Jehan, creator of the Taj Mahal. You ride rickshaws through
its principal street,
Chandni Chowk, originally renowned throughout the Asia with its
tree-lined canal flowing down its center. These days it's a
bustling jumble of shops, temples, mosques and craftsmen's
workshops of goldsmiths, silversmiths, silk traders and
embroiderers.
Explore the hustling and bustling of Old Delhi and streets of
Chandni Chowk sitting in a cycle rickshaw.
Culminate the Old Delhi tour with a photo stop at Raj Ghat the
site of Mahatma Gandhi's cremation. Built on the banks of the
Yamuna River, is a simple memorial that marks the spot where
Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. A pretty park has been
created around the memorial.
Continue on to Explore New Delhi drive through the boulevards
of New Delhi and pass India Gate which is a memorial built to
the 85000 soldiers who died in World War I and the Afghan
battles of 1919.
At
the other end of Rajpath stands the official residence of
India's president, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, a complex of
buildings that mix Mughal and Western architectural styles.
Prior to independence, this was the home of India's last
viceroy, Lord Mountbatten. Close by is Sansad Bhavan, the large
though less imposing parliament building.
Lunch will be arranged at 'The Lodi' located next to Lodi
Garden.
After lunch proceed to visit Qutab Minar, a tower of victory
begun by the Slave Dynasty's founder, Qutb-ud-din-Aybak, in A.D.
1193 and completed by Feroz Shah Tughlaq in 1368. At its base is
India's first mosque, the Might of Islam Mosque, built on the
foundation of a Hindu temple. It was completed in A.D. 1300.
Like the nearly contemporary slave, or Marmeluke, rulers of
Egypt, slave kings of Delhi were anything but servile. The term
simply indicates that they had once been held captives. In a
court awash with intrigue and opportunity, India's Turkish
conquistadors regarded a slave's loyalty as more dependable than
that of their own kin. Purchased, rapidly promoted, eventually
freed, and forever trusted, the erstwhile slave of a royal
patron was ideally placed to act as either power broker or
pretender. His elevated status was equally proclaimed with
monuments. The Qutb Mosque boasts a tower of victory that
doubles as India's, and perhaps Islam's, most massive minaret.
As the afternoon sun recedes, visit the Tomb of the second
Mughal Emperor Humayun, which was commissioned by his senior
wife Haji Begum, in the 16th century. This is an early example
of Mughal architecture. The design elements of this tomb - a
squat building lighted by high arched entrances topped by a
protuberant dome and surrounded by formal gardens, were to be
refined over the years to the magnificence of the Taj Mahal.
Overnight at The Imperial - a 5* Downtown Hotel
APPRECIATION LETTERS
Late
night arrival. Meeting and assistance upon arrival as our
representatives welcome you and escort you to your car. 
After
a leisurely breakfast we will drive to Jaipur
After
a leisurely breakfast we ride to the massive Agra Fort. The
elegant buildings inside reflect an interesting synthesis of
Hindu and Central Asian architectural styles. Built by Emperor
Akbar, the maze of the courtyards, mosques & private
chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire. The
Moti Masjid & other magnificent buildings reflect the skill
of the ancient Indian architects.
