ITINERARY FOR Taj Mahal Marathon GROUP 3 CANCELLED
9 days
Price for tour group 3:
Price: USD 1900,- per person sharing
Single room surcharge USD 625,-
Day 1 (March 3rd) Arrival in Delhi
Arrival in Delhi. You are met at the airport in Delhi and transferred to your hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure on your own.
Day 2 (March 4th) Delhi - Jaipur
After an early breakfast we proceed for a sightseeing tour of Sir Edward Lutyens'
New Delhi, the garden city built in 1911 by the British. We also visit the Birla
Mandir Laxminarayan temple, the President's House, the India Gate, Jama Masjid Mosque
and finally we take a cycle rickshaw ride through the by-lanes of Chandni Chowk.
After sightseeing tour of Delhi we drive to the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur, popularly
known as the 'pink city' because of the pink-colored buildings in its old city.
Maharaja Jai Singh II who ruled from 1699-1744 founded the city in 1727. We will
have lunch at a midway restaurant, before we arrive after a drive of 5 hours. When
we have checked in at our hotel, we will talk a walk in the hectical and colourful
bazar, filled with exotic products.
Day 3 (March 5th) - Jaipur
After breakfast we start our guided excursion tour to Amber Fort, 11 km North East
of Jaipur. Instead of climbing the many steps leading up to the fort, we will take
an elephant ride to the main entrance of the fort. We continue with the sightseeing
of Jaipur city after our lunch at a local restaurant, visiting the Hawa Mahal, or
Palace of the Winds. Constructed in 1799, it is one of Jaipur's major landmarks,
although it is actually little more than a facade. It was originally built to enable
ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and processions of the
city. We stop here for a brief photo-session. From here, proceed to the Jantar Mantar
(Observatory) & City Palace complex in the heart of the old city. Of the nine
blocks in the city plan, two were apportioned for the palace. It is almost a city
within a city. The City Palace is a superb marriage of the Rajput and Mughal Arhitecture.
Dinner will be served at the hotel.
Day 4 (March 6th) Jaipur - Agra
After breakfast we drive East to Agra, where we will prepare ourselves
for the main event of the trip The Taj Mahal Marathon. Lunch will be served at
midway restaurant.
En-route we visit magnificent fortified ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri, which was
the capital of the Mughal Empire between 1571 and 1585, during the reign of Emperor
Akbar. Fatehpur Sikri, the 'Perfect City', was constructed in honor of the Sufi
mystic Sheikh Salem Chishti, who Akbar credited with bringing him an heir.
After Fatehpur Sikri we continue towards Agra City where we will check in at our
hotel late in the afternoon.
Day 5 (March 7th) - Agra
After breakfast, we proceed for guided sight seeing of Agra City covering
Agra Fort. Rest of the afternoon will be at leisure for the runners to relax before
tomorrows race.
Day 6 (March 8th) Agra, Race Day
Today we wake up early for the day at 4:30 AM. Breakfast at 5 AM and departure from
the Hotel at 5:30 AM. We go to the Taj Mahal and have a group photo taken in front
of this impressive building. We leave from Taj Mahal at 6:30 to walk 5 mininutes
to reach the Taj Khema hilltop from where The Taj Mahal Marathon 2008 will start
at 7 AM.
The marathon runners and spectators will be driven to the Taj Mahal parking lounge
from there we change to the Battery vehicles to the Gate of Taj Mahal.
After the marathon we walk to the parking lounge where from all the runners and
participants will be driven to their respective hotels. At 7 PM we all be drive
from the respective hotels for the Gala Dinner. After Gala Dinner we all drive back
to the respective hotels for well deserved good night sleep.
Day 7 (March 9th) - Agra Varanasi by train
After a breakfast, we proceed for guided sight seeing tour of the famous Taj Mahal.
Lunch will be served at the local restaurant.
In the late afternoon we will be transferred to train station to board an overnight
train to Varanasi.
Overnight in Train 2nd A/C Sleeper Class
Day 8 (March 10th) - Varanasi
We arrive in Varanasi at 06:00 am, where we are met by a local guide who will assist
us with the transfer to our Hotel. We will have breakfast at the hotel and take
the rest of the morning at own leisure to relax after the train ride. Lunch will
be served at the hotel whereafter we go on an excursion to Sarnath, including a
visit to the Archaeological Museum. Dinner will be served in hotel Hotel.
Overnight in Hotel.
Day 9 (March 11th) - Varanasi Delhi by plane
Before the sun rises, we will follow the pilgrims to the river Ganges. If we have
a clear night sky, we can see how the river forms a crescent the sign of the god
Shiva. As the heaven turns red and the light rising above Ganges signals the beginning
of another day, we start our boat-cruise on river. Here we will witness the pilgrims
stepping in to the water, in their colourful Saris, to find salvation and purification.
This is India at its best. After the cruise we will visit a few of the ghats &
temples by the river.
In the afternoon we will be transferred to the airport to fly to Delhi. On arrival
we will be transferred to a hotel where we can wash and change before having a late
night dinner. After dinner we will be transferred to Delhi International airport
for our flight home.
NOTE: If your flight is not scheduled to leave until the next day
and you would prefer to have a good nights rest, please let us know and we can book
a room for you for a small additional surcharge.
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