India | Exploring Delhi and Taj Mahal: Optional Pre-trip Extension

Depart States

Upon arrival to Delhi in the evening, you will be transferred to your hotel. No meals included. Check in starts at 2:00 pm.

After breakfast, enjoy full day tour of Old & New Delhi. Sight-seeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India, drive past Red Fort. Enjoy rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk area. After lunch at Chor Bizarre, continue with tour of New Delhi, which would include a visit to the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave and then on to Humayun's Tomb followed by shopping at prime and famous shopping places.

After breakfast private transfer from Delhi to Agra that will take about 4 hours. 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 {seat of the Emperor}. Today a traveler to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. After lunch, proceed for Agra City tour visiting The Red Fort, Mausoleum of Itmad-Ud-Daulah & Taj Mahal by sunset. Taj Mahal: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.

We will have an early start today with some coffee and visit Taj Mahal at sunrise. It is often said that Taj Mahal changes its colors by every minute depending upon angle of sunrays and it is best seen either by sunset or sunrise. Afterwards, we'll return to the hotel for a late breakfast. After breakfast, we'll depart for Delhi in a private car. Lunch and dinner is included on this day. The rest of the group will be arriving late this evening. Our hotel tonight is part of our main program.