Road to Taj Mahal

Travel Date: Nov 5 – 16, 2010 (12 Days)

Per Person Price: $3,088 + tax + fuel surcharge                 Single Supplement: $950

Nov 5 (Fri)                              Honolulu – Taipei
We start our vacation by boarding an international flight bound for Taipei (via Narita). Meals and snacks will be served on the plane.

Nov 6 (Sat)                             Arrive in Taipei
Arrive at Taipei Airport. We will stay overnight in Taipei (hotel provided by China Airlines, subject to approval).

Nov 7 (Sun)                            Taipei – Delhi                                                                                                                                      (D)
Today we will fly from Taipei to Delhi. Upon arrival at New Delhi’s International Airport, follow customs, immigration formalities, and baggage collection. We will be greeted by an Air & Sea Travel representative, and then transferred to the hotel. Upon arrival, ladies in traditional local costumes greet us with garlands of flowers and perform the “aarti” ceremony.

Hotel Accommodation: Crowne Plaza or similar 5*

Nov 8 (Mon)                           Delhi                                                         (B, L, D)
After breakfast, proceed for city tour of Old Delhi. Old Delhi had been the capital of Mughal India between the 12th and 19th centuries. See the 17th century Jama Masjid and walk through the narrow, winding lanes of colorful and bustling Chandni Chowk. You have the option of taking a rickshaw ride through these bazaars. Also visit the Mughal Empire’s most opulent fort, the Red Fort.

Nov 9 (Tue)                            Delhi                                                                                                                                            (B, L, D)
After breakfast, proceed for city tour of New Delhi. Visit Presidential Palace, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys; the India Gate, a memorial raised in Honor of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war and a drive along the Rajpath past the Parliament House and secretarial buildings. Visit Qutub Minar, the 12th century tower of victory built by a slave king and prototype of all minars (towers) in India. Also visit the 16th century Humayun’s tomb, a precursor to the Taj Mahal.

Nov 10 (Wed)                         Delhi – Agra                                                                                                                               (B, L, D)
After breakfast; we will drive from Delhi to Agra (Approx 4.5 hours). Agra in terms of ambiance is still associated with its Mughal period. The Mughal besides being great rulers were also great builders and they preserved their best architectural wonders for Agra & its neighborhood. It has many wonderful monuments and the Taj Mahal, the greatest of them all, is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture at its best. The massive but elegant Agra Fort, the delicate artistry of Itimad-ud-daulah’s tomb, the magnificent Taj and Akbar’s deserted capital, Fatehpur Sikri, are each unique and outstanding. Their architectural genius can also be seen in the forts, palaces and aesthetically laid out gardens - each one a silent witness to a grand style of a golden era.

Hotel Accommodation: ITC Mughal or similar 5*

Nov 11 (Thu)                          Agra                                                                                                                                            (B, L, D)
In the morning, we will take tour of the Taj Mahal. Midway Tonga’s “horse carriages” would be waiting for you and will drop you at the gates of the Taj Mahal. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in mid 17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Then we will visit Agra Fort - the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule and administration and the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River. Shah Jahan added the impressive quarters and the mosque while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. Visit its Hall of Public Audience and its Royal Pavilions. Rest of the day will be at leisure / Independent activities.

Nov 12 (Fri)                            Agra – Jaipur                                                                                                                              (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we will drive to Jaipur (6 Hours.) enroute we will visit Fatehpur Sikri, a spacious red sandstone city built in the 16th century by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, one of India’s greatest rulers. The Emperor ruled Agra from this city and a fort with dargah (Muslim religious center) still stands here. Remarkably broad-minded for his time, this Muslim king married many a Rajput princess in order to win over his Hindu subjects. The architecture of Fatehpur Sikri is a combination of Hindu and Muslim styles, expressing Akbar’s vision of synthesizing the cultures. Upon arrival in Jaipur, check in at our hotel.

Hotel Accommodation: Sheraton Rajputana or similar 5*

Nov 13 (Sat)                           Jaipur                                                                                                                                          (B, L, D)
This morning we will visit Amber Fort, the former seat of the Rajput rulers of Jaipur. Like the 18th-century Palace of Winds, the screened windows of Amber allowed for the ladies of the court in times gone by to view the processional, civic activities, and formal matters of state. Ascend the slope up to the fortress in royal style-seated on elephants-and then wander through the temple and beautiful palaces inside the walls of the fort. Afternoon sightseeing of Jaipur includes the City Palace known for its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Not far away is the Central Museum with its large collection of woodwork, jewelry, costumes, brassware, and pottery. Another monument near the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, is the largest of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds was constructed for the royal ladies to watch the royal processions without being seen.

Nov 14 (Sun)                          Jaipur – Delhi                                                                                                                                  (B, L)
After breakfast we will drive back to Delhi. The rest of the day is at leisure for independent activities and last minute shopping in Delhi.

Hotel Accommodation: Crowne Plaza or similar 5*

Nov 15 (Mon)                        Delhi – Taipei                                                                                                                                       (B)
Transfer to the airport for the flight back home. We will stay overnight in Taipei (hotel provided by China Airlines, subject to approval).

Nov 16 (Tue)                          Taipei – Honolulu
We will take flight back to Honolulu, taking home lasting memories of a magnificent trip.