Architecture Evolution of India

Upon arrival at Delhi airport, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Relax and enjoy the hotel for the remainder of the day.

Explore architectural styles from ancient civilizations to Mughal and Neo-Classical and Edwardian eras.

 

Delhi is the capital of modern India. It has also been the capital of at least seven previous civilizations as well as the British Raj, and each have left behind a trail of monuments.

 

Let’s tour Humayun’s Tomb - one of the best preserved Mughal monuments and also the best example of Mughal architecture in India. Qutab Minar is the world’s tallest brick tower and Jama Masjid - India’s oldest and largest mosque. As we travel through both Old Delhi and New Delhi, don’t forget to add photographs of Rashtrapati Bhavan (President House), Parliament House and India Gate to your album.

 

Experience a busy & bustling local bazaar with a cycle rickshaw through Chandni Chowk.

 

Enjoy our group Namaste dinner tonight.

 

Breakfast        Welcome Dinner

Learn about Rajasthani architecture styles.

 

Today we drive to Jaipur.

 

Visit Hawa Mahal, a palace so named because it was essentially a high screen wall built so the women of the royal household could observe street festivals while remaining unseen from the outside.

 

Jaipur is affectionately known as the Pink City because Maharaja Ram Singh had all the Old City painted it a welcoming pink in 1876 to herald a visit by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII). It is also the bustling capital of the state of Rajasthan. Watch out for snake charmers here!

 

Breakfast

Learn about Rajasthani architecture styles.

 

We travel to the stunning 16th century Amber Fort - a sprawling Rajput construction, perched on a hillside overlooking the dusty plains below, regal palaces, sleepy villages, and stone carved temples. Reaching its summit by jeep/elephant where we enjoy a tour of the fort's well-preserved interior grounds.

 

Marvel at a 16th century step well near Kheri Gate. The step well serves as the community well, gathering place and swimming hole. If we are lucky, there will be bright red dragonflies playing on the glassy surface of the water.

 

On our way, enjoy the sight of Jal Mahal (Water Palace), a palace located in the middle of Man Sagar Lake.

 

Continue to Sheesh Mahal, "Palace of Mirrors" which takes its name from the reflective glass tiles that embellish its interior.

 

Later this afternoon we enjoy a tour of the City Palace.  City Palace is an imposing blend of traditional Rajput and Mughal architecture.  It is a vast palace complex occupying nearly one-seventh of the Pink City.  It was originally built by Maharaja Jai Singh II. The complex is divided into a series of courtyards, sprawling gardens and buildings.  It is home to several palatial structures like the Chandra Mahal, (home to present Maharajah of Jaipur), Mubarak Mahal (housing a textile museum), Diwan-e-Khas (or Hall of Private audience housing the two largest silver vessels in the world), the Diwan-e-Aam ( or Hall of Public Audience) and the gateway Ridhi Sidhi Pol (with four small doorways decorated with motifs depicting the four seasons).

 

We spend the evening at Chokhi Dhani (Rajasthan Cultural Village) to enjoy traditional performances by dancers & acrobats, explore snack stalls, paintings, costumes and tasty Rajasthani thali cuisine at this mock Rajasthani village.

 

Breakfast    Chokhi Dhani Dinner

En-route to Agra, visit the Abheneri step well. The step well was invented by the natives to harvest rain water. The Chand Baori step well was used as a cool place of retreat and a water reservoir during parched times of the year. Chand Baori remains one of India's deepest and largest step wells. It has three flight of stairs descending into the earth with a subterranean palace on one side.

 

Visit Fatehpur Sikri, the former imperial capital of the great Mughal emperor Akbar. Built between 1569 and 1585 it has been deserted for more than four centuries, by all accounts abandoned in 1600 due to a meagre supply of water.

 

Breakfast

Tour the legendary Taj Mahal. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in loving memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, who tragically died in childbirth in 1631. The Taj Mahal is described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love and remains one of India’s most enduring symbols. It is a blend of Indian, Persian, and Islamic styles.

 

In Agra, we visit the impressive Agra Fort which boasts some of India's finest Mughal buildings behind its fortified walls. Different parts of the fort have been infused with different architectural influences.

 

This is our chance to size up the Itimad-ud-Daulah Tomb that is a Mughal era mausoleum, often described as a "jewel box" or the "Baby Tāj".  This tomb has often been regarded as the inspiration for the Tāj Mahal.

 

Breakfast

This morning check-out and then drive to Delhi for your flight to Ahmedabad.

 

Relax and enjoy the hotel or explore Ahmedabad on your own for the remainder of the day.

 

Breakfast

Visit Husain-Doshi Goofa (aka Amdavadi ni Gufa) an underground art gallery. The gallery is called gufa (cave) because of its resemblance to a cave. The structure's contemporary architecture draws on ancient and natural themes. The domes are inspired by the shells of tortoises and by soap bubbles. The mosaic tiles on the roof are similar to those found on the roofs of the Jain temples at Girnar, and the mosaic snake is from Hindu mythology. The Buddhist caves of Ajanta and Ellora inspired Doshi to design the interior with circles and ellipses, while Husain's wall paintings are inspired by Paleolithic cave art. The interior is divided by tree trunks or columns similar to those found at Stonehenge.

 

To ease the water shortage during the 15th century, Adalaj step well was built to store and provide water for drinking, washing and bathing. It became integral to the dry region of Gujarat and is also a venue for colorful festivals and sacred rituals. The well is intricately carved and is five stories deep.

 

Breakfast

Take a morning flight to Mumbai.

 

Begin a ½ day tour to see Architectural Wonders of Mumbai including a walking heritage tour.  Starting at the Gateway of India, a monument that commemorates the landing of King George V and Queen Mary. Next, visit the Prince of Wales Museum**, which houses many interesting artifacts. Drive down the seaside on Marine Drive to see the Hanging Gardens.

 

Then head to Mani Bhavan, Gandhi’s home from 1917 to 1934. It is now a permanent museum and memorial to the Mahatma. Enjoy a photo stop at the dhobi ghats, India's largest open-air laundry where workers pick up, wash, dry and deliver thousands upon thousands of pieces of clothing every day. The Haji Ali Dargah is a mosque and dargah (tomb) located on an islet off the coast of Worli in the southern part of Mumbai. Take a stroll through the bustling Crawford Market, Mumbai's most famous marketplace and the first building in the country to be lit by electricity in 1882. We’ll drive past the Victoria Terminus (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and historic railway station.

 

Visit Mahalakshmi and Shri Siddhivinayak temples.

 

Transfer to the hotel. Enjoy your farewell dinner tonight.

 

Breakfast     Farewell Dinner

Formerly known as Bombay, Mumbai is a sprawling metropolis on the Indian Ocean. It is the financial capital of India.

 

Cruise across the harbor to explore the amazing Elephanta Island and its famous caves, with carvings and sculptures dating back to 550 A.D.

 

The tour comes to an end.  Please inform us of your international or India domestic flight schedule in order to schedule your airport transfer to Mumbai (BOM) airport.

 

Breakfast