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DAY 1. ARRIVAL DELHI : Assistance on arrival. Traditional welcome with garlanding and  "aarti" ceremony.
Transfer to the hotel.DAY 2. After breakfast gear up for the morning city tour to include Humayun's tomb, Bahai temple, Qutab Minar, India Gate and Mughal gardens at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Post lunch tour of the historic city of Old Delhi to include the magnificent Red fort, the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque and Rajghat - memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Evening depart for the Bistro restaurant for a welcome dinner at the Hauz Khas village, the original site chosen by Ala-ud- din - Khilji in 1303 for a "Madras" - a place of learning. Deepening horizons, gentle breeze, panoramic view of the Madras and royal reservoir, lilting folk music and "Dances of India" show along with finger licking bar - be- qued delights makes for a perfect evening. Overnight Delhi. |
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DAY 3. DELHI / AGRA : Morning drive to Agra. Check into your five star hotel. Relax with a Garden theme lunch which conjures up the spirit of a Mughal camp set up to celebrate a battle victory, on the lush green lawns of Taj Khema which is a table-land overlooking the picturesque Taj Mahal. Colourful "khemas" (decorated tents) are set up. Guests are welcomed by soldiers in the costumes of the Mughal dynasty amidst fanfare that befits a victorious warrior. Relax on mattresses laid out on the lawns while Mughlai delicacies are served. Local artisans display their skill while folk dancers and singers exude excitement. Post lunch tour of the magnificent Taj Mahal and Agra fort. Later in the evening enjoy a delightful evening set in a "bazaar chowk" (street market) with all its colorful attractions. Street-side dishes are cooked right in front of you. Discover "kadai" and "tawa khana"- hot, tasty, vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies with snacks and Indian breads. For dessert, visit the "mithaiwala" (the Indian sweet-maker), and the "thelawala' who tempts you with fresh fruits. There is a "paan" shop which also sells "bidis" (freshly rolled, Indian cigarettes). Paan, essentially a digestive taken after meals is also considered a mild stimulant and consists of chopped betel nuts wrapped in a leaf prepared with katha (a red  paste),chuna(slaked
white lime), mitha masala(a mix of sweet spices) and gulukand (dried
rose petals sweetened with honey). A "mehendiwalli" traces intricate
designs in red colour on the hands of each of the ladies. This is
traditionally done at all Indian weddings. A bangle-seller offers
a glittering array of glass bangles in vibrant hues. Overnight Agra.DAY 4. AGRA I JAIPUR: Arrive by lunch after a whirlwind tour of the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri. A stunning tableau of decorated camels and elephants is mounted on the lawns of the palace to welcome the group on arrival at your five star hotel. Ladies in Rajasthani costumes perform the traditional garlanding "aarti" and "tika" ceremonies while the music of the "shehnai" welcomes you.A floral logo of your company is prominently displayed in the lobby. Afterwards, relax with a gin-based welcome drink. Evening get caught in an extravaganza of customs, prayers and of course the revelry in the contrasting styles of Indian weddings displayed specially for you in a private banquet hall of your hotel. Follow the Parsi rituals right from the formal engagement,the" Vagnishchaya" ,where the parents of the bride and the bridegroom worship the couple to be , right to the wedding day when the couple donning their wedding garbs and embellishments drink "taro",the urine of the holy cow and eat pomegranate leaves to purify their internal organs. Later the Parsi bride wearing a white sari and her groom a "dagli"-white long coat, and a black "topi" on his head,separated by a white sheet in front of them, hold hands as the priest ties their bond seven times with a thread. As the curtain is dropped,the couple shower each other with rice and the one who throws the first fistful is supposed to be the more authoritative amongst them! Next follows a typical Bengali wedding in all its gusto with the Bengali bride sitting cross-legged on a low wooden stool borne by her maternal uncle,all in red with an exquisite shola (pith) crown on her head, two betel nuts on each side in her mouth , a betel leaf covering her lovely face and the groom too in all resplendence in a shimmering white "dhoti" and a stole draped over his shoulders.The bride is then carried around her husband seven times followed by the grand finale when the betel leaf and nut are consumed in tandem. Leaving behind an imposing red colour symbolizing prosperity for both. We go down south to Tamil Nadu next,where the groom holds the bride's toe with one hand and her hand with his other. He helps her thus,take seven steps,while her one foot rests on a stone slab. They exchange garlands six times after which the bridegroom ties the "mangalsutra" around the bride's neck. After the final recitations the bride and the groom throw unhusked rice on each other wishing for each other's prosperity whilst eligible youngsters stand behind the couple gathering this rice in their laps,standing up on blessings and hoping for an early marriage for themselves. Overnight Jaipur. |
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DAY 5. JAIPUR / SAMODE :Morning elephant ride to the Amber fort followed by a tour of the City Palace,Palace of Winds and the observatory. Evening drive to Samode Palace. On arrival at the village entrance, decorated camel carts await the group. All delegates will be transported to the palace by camels (approximately 40 mm. ride) whilst the baggage will be taken up by coach.  The
camel caravan will be escorted by two torch bearers to each cart.
Local musicians will lead the camel caravan through the cobbled
streets and villages. The group will be timed to arrive at the palace
gates at sunset. On arrival they will be received by the village
elders in full local attire showering the group with rose petals.
On entering the palace a huge floral company logo will be carved
out on the floor. Enjoy cocktails with Prince Yadavendra Singh at
the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors). After cocktails proceed to the
Durbar hall for a cultural evening extravaganza. The ambience created
goes back 600 years when the king and his lieutenants would Sit
on the cushioned floor and the dancers would perform. During dinner
local dancers and musicians will entertain the group. After dinner
coffee is served on the terrace whilst a wonderful fireworks display
takes place against the naked mountain landscape. The grand finale
for the evening is the company logo lit up in the sky with fireworks.
Overnight Samode Palace. |
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DAY
6. SAMODE / DELHI:  Drive
to Delhi and check into your hotel. Day at leisure for shopping
followed by an exclusive bar- be- cue dinner at the 150 yr. old
Delhi Gymkhana Club where a "tandoor", a clay oven which imbibes
the food cooked in it with a unique flavor and a sizzling array
of Indian tandoori delights which are cooked over glowing coals,are
served with a choice of "tandoori rotis" (Indian breads). The elegant
Army pipes and drums are in attendance throughout .Departure transfer
in time to connect to the flight to international destination.Options and Extensions 1) Half day balloon cum camel or horse cum jeep safari. Overnight at your palace hotel. 2) Overnight Farewell theme dinner at the Waterbanks lakeside resort. 3) Visit to the Bharatpur bird sanctuary near Agra. 4) Hot air balloon ride to view the Taj Mahal from a unique angle. 5) Horse safari at Samode into the interiors of the desert. Possible Variations Delhi - Mukundgarh - Jaipur - Samode - Agra - Delhi |
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