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| Agra is a city on the banks of the Yamuna River in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It finds mention in the epic Mahābhārata where it was called Agrevaṇa, or 'the border of the forest'. Legend ascribes the founding of the city to Rājā Badal Singh (around 1475), whose fort, Badalgarh, stood on or near the site of the present Fort. However, the 11th century Persian poet Mas'ūd Sa'd Salmān writes of a desperate assault on the fortress of Agra, then held by the Shāhī King Jayapala, by Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni. Sultan Sikandar Lodhī was the first to move his capital from Delhi to Agra in the year 1506; he died in 1517 and his son Ibrāhīm Lodhī remained in power there for nine more years, finally being defeated at the Battle of Panipat in 1526.It achieved fame as the capital of the Mughal emperors from 1526 to 1658 and remains a major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era buildings, most notably the Tāj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpūr Sikrī, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. |
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AGRA & DELHI TOUR 2 nights / 3 days
Welcome to an opulent trip that takes in no less than five World Heritage Sites -- the Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, the incomparable Taj Mahal, Humayun´s Tomb & Qutub Minar. See the cultural, historical and architectural magnificence of the cities of the Mughals.
04 Dec 2009 (Friday) HYDERABAD-DELHI-AGRA o Fly to Delhi. o Drive to Agra. o Visit Agra Fort o Visit local bazaar / shopping (optional). o Overnight at Agra. : Early morning transfer to airport to connect for New Delhi. : Arrival at New Delhi. Proceed to Agra by coach. 1100 hrs : en-route break at Hodal / Kosi. Light snacks served (buffet, included). 1330 hrs : arrival at Agra. Check-in to the hotel. Time to relax & unwind. 1530 hrs : Proceed to the magnificent Agra Fort. Agra Fort is a treasure trove of the  Mughal architectural tradition that represents the assimilation of different cultures. Emperor Akbar began the construction of this massive red sandstone fort on the banks of River Yamuna in 1565, and it was ready by 1571 though additions were made until the rule of Shahjahan, Akbar's grandson. The Fort contains splendid palaces both in red sandstone and white marble; an outstanding example is the Jehangiri Palace, a blend of Islamic (Persian), Central Asian and different local Hindu styles, which speaks of an adventurous and eclectic approach to architecture. Irregularly triangular in plan, it is enclosed by a double battlemented massive wall of red sandstone replete with graceful curves and lofty bastions.A visit to a local bazaar / shopping (optional). 1930 hrs : Return to Hotel. : Overnight stay at Agra. 05 Dec 2009 (Saturday) AGRA-DELHI o Visit the Taj Mahal. o Visit Fatehpur Sikri. o Drive back to Delhi. o Overnight at Delhi 0900 hrs : check-out of the hotel after breakfast (included) Post breakfast visit the Taj  Mahal - The Taj Mahal is synonymous with beauty, love and grandeur. This white marble mausoleum, built on the banks of river Yamuna, epitomizes Shah Jahan´s love for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Designed by a local architect, Ustad Ahmad Lahori, the entire complex, with gardens, gateway structures, and mosque, was completed in 1643. More than three centuries later, the monument retains its romantic aura. Set like a jewel within gardens whose four-fold design echoes the Islamic idea of paradise, its millions of visitors marvel at the play of light on its marble dome which seems to turn from rose to pearl with the passage of the sun. There is much to see - the exquisite calligraphy, the lyrical floral motifs of the pietra dura decorations which form a mosaic of colour; and the fountains and canals of the gardens which reflect the monument in a series of ethereal images1030 hrs : proceed to Fetehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar´s City of Victory, lies on a  hill top almost 40 kms from Agra. It has two different complexes- the royal enclosure of the palaces with the harem and official buildings; and the dargah of the Sufi saint, Salim Chisti with a mosque and gateway. To wander around the red sandstone courtyards of this World Heritage Site is to travel back in time to an Imperial splendour. The buildings at Fatehpur Sikri belong to a composite style of architecture with the predominating Islamic style cleverly blended with local Rajasthani and Gujarati styles, a melting pot of cultures. In its heyday, the city was a large and magnificent township; this is clearly visible even today, centuries after it was abandoned.1300 hrs : Lunch at a restaurant 1345 hrs : proceed to Delhi. 1600 hrs : en-route break at Hodal / Kosi. Snacks (buffet, included). 1900 hrs : arrive at Delhi. Check-into the hotel. :Overnight stay at Delhi. 06 Dec 2009 (Sunday) LEAVE DELHI o Time free to relax and pack-up for return journey. o Visit Qutub Minar. o Visit Humayun´s Tomb. o Drive Past President´s House, Parliament House & India Gate. o Transfer to IGI International airport for departure. 1030 hrs : check-out of the hotel. 1045 hrs : Half-day sightseeing of New Delhi. The tour to New Delhi starts with a visit to  the Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. Built in the early 13th century a few kilometres south of Delhi, the red sandstone tower of Qutub Minar is 72.5 m high, tapering from 2.75 m in diameter at its peak to 14.32 m at its base, and alternating angular and rounded flutings. The surrounding archaeological area contains funerary buildings, notably the magnificent Alai-Darwaza Gate, the masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art (built in 1311), and two mosques, including the Quwwatu'l-Islam, the oldest in northern India, built of materials reused from some 20 Brahman temples.Then visit Humayun's Tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style This tomb, built in 1570, is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the President's residence). Later visit the famous Bahai Temple of Delhi, also known as Lotus temple it is made up of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. It welcomes people from all walks of life and sects and is an ideal place for meditation and obtaining peace and tranquility. The temple is built in the shape of a lotus as this flower is the symbol of purity and peace. It represents the Bahai faith, - an independent world religion; divine in origin, all embracing in scope, broad in its outlook, scientific in its method, humanitarian in its principles, and dynamic in the influence : Transfer to International airport. : Board flight for onward destination. Tour Ends Tour Cost:
(Above rate are per room/per night and inclusive of breakfast on fixed menu basis)
(Airfare / timings currently applicable and subject to change without notice)
The tour cost includes: o Arrival/Departure transfers, sightseeing, excursion as per programme by an air-conditioned MINI coach with services of an English speaking guide for city tour. o Hotel accommodation twin sharing at the hotels envisaged above or similar per respective combinations in standard room, with breakfast. o Monument entrance fee wherever applicable. The tour cost does not include: o Meals (except those specified above). o Personal expenses like laundry, extras at the hotel, phone etc. o Any other services does not specified above. o Govt. Service tax - currently @ 2.58%. The tax prevailing at the time of billing will be charged.
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