Depart hotel for 3 1/2 hour drive to Agra.
Lunch en route.
Tour of Itmud-id-Daiula and Agra Fort.
Talk on Agra with cocktails.
Oberoi Amarvilas.
Agra Fort was built in the year 1573 under the reign of Akbar – one of the greatest Mughal Emperors. It took more than 4000 workers and eight years of hardship to complete the fort. Knowing the significance of its location, Akbar built the fort to make it the main residence of the Mughals. The fort remained as the main residence of the emperors belonging to the Mughal dynasty until the year 1638. The fort houses numerous impressive structures like the Jahangir Mahal, Khas Mahal, Diwan-i-Khass, Diwan-i-Am, Machchhi Bhawan and Moti Masjid.
Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal.
Drive to Jaipur.
En route.
An immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, the Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.
In Jaipur, visit the Old City.
Visit Naahargarh Fort for visit of sculpture Park curated by Peter Nagy.
Sunset view from ramparts of the fort.
Taj Rambagh Palace.
The king of Jaipur, Sawai Jai Singh II, commissioned Nahargarh in 1734 to help strengthen the security of his newly established capital (which he'd relocated from Amber Fort in 1727) after an ongoing battle against the Marathas. However, it's said that construction was hampered by the ghost of a dead prince, Nahar Singh Bhomia, who haunted the area. The fort was named after him in order to appease him. A temple dedicated to him was built inside the fort as well.
Optional early morning walk in vegetable and flower market. Followed by a private collection visit.
Visit the Observatory accompanied by a senior astrologer.
Visit the City Palace by special arrangement.
At Samode Haveli.
Visit the Jawahar Kala building designed by Charles Correa.
The Jaipur observatory is by far the most elaborate and complete of Jai Singh’s projects, comprising sixteen masonry instruments and six made of metal. The observatory occupies a plot of land just outside the City Palace, within the walls of the original city. The observatory includes a number of instruments that are not duplicated at the other sites. These include the Kappala Yantra, Rasivalaya Yantras, and Unnatamsha Yantra.
Visit to Amber Fort followed by visit to traditional block printing specialist Narn Niwas Palace.
At Taj Rambagh Palace.
Taj Rambagh Palace.
Amber was once the capital of princely Jaipur state, and the fort the residence of its Rajput rulers. Maharaja Man Singh I, who led Mughal Emperor Akbar's army, commenced its construction in 1592 on the remains of an 11th-century fort. Successive rulers added to Amber Fort before moving the capital to Jaipur in 1727. The fort was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013, as part of a group of six hill forts in Rajasthan.
Individual departures throughout the day.
*Please note that this programme will be subject to change.