The Taj Mahal & the Pink City of Jaipur Overland Adventure (Colombo to Mumbai) (Single)
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Port
Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Activity Level
Strenuous
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Excursion Type
All,68
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$6499.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
5 days / 4 nights
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Meals Included
Meals included
Transfer to the airport in Colombo and board a flight to Delhi. Upon arrival in India's capital, you'll transfer to your hotel and check in.
The third-largest city in the country, Delhi contains two distinct parts. Old Delhi was the capital of Muslim India between the 17th and 19th centuries and boasts many mosques, monuments and forts. The British created New Delhi, the Imperial city, in 1911 to serve as the capital of India. Edwin Lutyens -- a renowned English architect of the day -- designed New Delhi. Luytens' architectural concepts were totally different from the Hindu or Mughal architecture. The city center has wide avenues in a strict layout, plenty of parks and low colonial buildings with spacious gardens. Dinner will be served at your hotel.
Day 2 (B/L/D)
After breakfast, take an early morning transfer to the airport for a flight to Jaipur.
The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the 18th century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber Throne in 1699. Despite growing into a bustling metropolis, Jaipur still retains its character and history -- a beautiful fusion of yesterday and tomorrow. Jaipur will thrill you with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.
Arrive in Jaipur and proceed to the Amber Fort (pronounced 'Ammer'), with a photo stop at Hawa Mahal along the way. The ornamental facade of the Hawa Mahal Palace of Winds is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-story structure of sandstone, plastered pink and encrusted with fine trellis work and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.
Amber Fort, perched high atop a hill on the edge of town, is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort/palace. Its construction was begun by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior hides an inner paradise where a beautiful blend of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.
After lunch you'll take a city tour of Jaipur, stopping to visit the amazing Jantar Mantar Observatory. This is the largest and the best-preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II. Still in use today, it houses a range of outsized astronomical instruments.
At the nearby City Palace, you'll find a delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture. It sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city and houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.
Dinner will be served at your hotel.
Day 3 (B/L/D)
After breakfast, you'll relax for five hours of driving time to reach Agra in time for afternoon check-in.
Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into the second capital of the Mughal Empire during the 16th and 17th centuries -- giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat (Seat of the Emperor). Today, Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices of red sandstone and white marble, narrow allies, quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. Not surprisingly, modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage quite conspicuously. If you were to walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city, the wafting aromas of sensational Mughali cuisine would tempt you.
After lunch you will visit the Agra Fort, built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in AD 1565. The fort is made predominantly of red sandstone. The vast halls echo the voices of a bygone era and transport the visitor back through the passage of time.
Thereafter continue to Taj Mahal -- quite simply an architectural wonder and the heart and soul of every visit to Agra. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to complete and was designed and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also particularly noted for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever done.
Visit a local handicraft shop before dinner is served at the hotel.
Day 4 (B/L/D)
Early morning, proceed to view Taj Mahal at sunrise then return to hotel for breakfast. You'll relax for four and a half hours of driving time to reach Delhi. After lunch,
you’ll take an orientation drive along the majestic boulevards of New Delhi for views of Parliament house, the India Gate and the Rashtrapati Bhawan Presidential Palace. The India Gate is a 138-foot-tall stone arch of triumph. It bears names of 85,000 Indian army soldiers who died in the campaigns of World War I, the North-West Frontier Operations and the 1919 Afghan Fiasco. Below the arch is the memorial to the Unknown Soldier and is surrounded by green lawns and trees. Dinner will be served at your hotel.Day 5 (B)
After breakfast, transfer to Delhi airport for your flight to Mumbai. Enjoy a light snack during your flight. Arriving in Mumbai, transfer to the pier with a panoramic drive past of Mumbai’s city highlights.
Notes:
Expenses of a personal nature (gratuities, telephone charges, laundry, spa services, drinks, meals other than specified, and camera fees) are not included. Luggage on all flights is limited per person to a check-in bag weighing not more than 55 lbs and one carry-on item weighing not more than 15 lbs. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair. Not advisable for guests with mobility limitations except with a companion to assist. Due to this tour’s popularity, exclusivity, and strict booking conditions, tour bookings must be confirmed 60 days prior to the actual call to Colombo with no cancellations allowed thereafter. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring a hat and sunglasses. Bring a jacket for cooler early mornings and nights.
Cancellation:
Due to the popularity of this tour and strict booking conditions, this tour has a 60-day cancellation. Any cancellations made within 60 days of arrival into Colombo will be charged the full amount of this tour. This will include if a guest cancels their voyage within 60 days of arrival into Colombo, guests will be charged the full amount of the tour.
Important:
It is solely each guest's responsibility to obtain (before traveling) any visas, vaccinations or tourist cards that are required for participating in Overland Adventures or Overnights, unless noted otherwise in the description. Please be aware that you may need a visa for any and/or all countries that you will depart from and travel through as part of your Overland Adventure or Overnight, and for the country in which you will re-join the ship. Your travel agent can assist you with your visa needs. If you require further assistance, Holland America Line's preferred visa service is CIBTvisas. US and Canadian citizens can reach them by phone or email:
US citizens: 866 788 1100 or email customerservice@cibtvisa.com
Canadian citizens: 866 935 8472 or email customerservice@cibtvisas.ca
CIBTvisas phone numbers and email addresses for Dutch, German, Australian, United Kingdom, Belgian, Singapore, Spanish, Swiss and French citizens can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website, in the Cruise Preparation area. Applications and additional information can be downloaded from the CIBTvisas website at https://CIBTvisas.com/hollandamerica. You must advise CIBTvisas of your Overland Adventures or Overnights, as the visa requirements for these vacation enhancements may vary from those required for your cruise.