Optional Sightseeing Tours:

Taj Mahal

11th March 2007, Sunday

Leave Delhi for Agra by surface at 0700 hrs approx (204 kms / 4½ hrs drive).

Agra is famous as the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendour of the mausoleum, the fort and the palaces in Agra are vivid reminders of the opulence of the legendary Mughal empire. Agra was their capital for nearly a hundred years from 1564. A pleasant town, with a comparatively easy pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soapstone by artisans who are hereditary craft persons. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes.
Arrive Agra and visit the Agra Fort, built by three Mughal Emperors starting from Akbar the Great in 1565 AD, which is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort are a number of exquisite buildings including the Moti Masjid, Jahangir’s Palace, Khaas Mahal, the Sheesh Mahal, Diwane-i-Am, Diwane-i-Khas and Musamman Burj, where Emperor Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal Emperor, died a prisoner.
Lunch will be organized at Trident Hilton hotel. After lunch, guided visit to the Taj Mahal - the inimitable poem in white marble. Built over a period of 22 years, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630, for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal, to enshrine her mortal remains, it is one of the seven modern wonders of the World.

Later spend some time shopping and later return to Delhi.

Arrive in Delhi by 2100 hrs approx

Cost :
USD 180 per person (2 persons traveling together)
USD 100 per person (10 to 15 persons traveling together)

The cost includes:

• Travel between Delhi/ Agra/ Delhi in an air conditioned car
• Service of an English speaking local guide for the sightseeing in Agra with all entrances to the monuments.
• Fixed menu lunch at Agra
• Includes still cameras fees to the monuments

The cost does not include:

• The tips & gratuities and any items of a personal nature.

Important Note: Taj is closed on Fridays

If interested in the Agra tour, please email Megan Puzey at mpuzey@uiuc.edu

Local Sightseeing

New Delhi (12th March)

Take a tour of New Delhi, also known as Lutyen’s Delhi - visiting the Qutab Minar, a tower of victory built in the 12th century and India Gate the war memorial. Drive past the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the residence of the President of India, the houses of Parliament and the Government Secretariat buildings. Also visit Humayun’s Tomb. The tomb of Humayun – the magnificent structure in red sandstone and white marble is one of the finest examples of the garden tomb, and a precursor to the Taj Mahal. Its proportionate spaces, double dome and refined elegance are characteristic of Mughal architecture. Do not also forget to have a look at National Rail Museum, the focus of Rail Heritage of India a source of fascination and interest in Railways. The Museum promises to take the visitors on an exciting journey into the Railway history and heritage and depict the contribution to the industrial and economic progress of the country.

Cost per person: 02 paying persons: USD 80 per person

The cost includes:

• Air conditioned deluxe car for visit to all sights as mentioned above
• Entrance and still camera fees to the monuments
• Services of a local English speaking guide
• Mineral water during the sightseeing
• All presently applicable taxes

Fab India and Dilli Haat (12th March, Afternoon)

Delhi being the capital has everything on offer as a shopping destination. Silks and brocades, wooden handicrafts, papier mache, printed cottons, tie & dye, bronzes, brass, silver, silk and woolen carpets, precious and semi-specious stones ….. the array is endless.

Looking for custom-made terracotta creations for your living room? Or a captivating piece for your garden? Attractive costume jewellery studded with semi-precious stones? Or would you rather pick from a mind-boggling variety of artifacts in wood, brass or stone? Each made with love and care. Each with a story to tell. For India is a land of tales. Each work of art weaves its own enchanting story. A story that will take you deep into the history and culture of its land and its people. We are talking about the visit of the Handicrafts Centre known as Dilli Haat, established with the objective of providing a forum for the development of handicrafts in India.
Fab India determined to showcase Indian handloom textiles while providing equitable employment to traditional artisans.

Fab India was founded with the strong belief that there was a need for a vehicle for marketing the vast and diverse craft traditions of India and thereby helps fulfill the need to provide and sustain rural employment. They blend indigenous craft techniques with contemporary designs to bring aesthetic and affordable products to today’s consumers.

Cost per person: 02 paying persons: USD 35 per person

The cost includes:

• Air conditioned deluxe car for visit to all sights as mentioned above
• Services of a local English speaking guide
• Mineral water during the sightseeing
• All presently applicable taxes

Morning city tour of Old Delhi (13th March – Morning)

Visit the older section of the capital, known as Old Delhi. Board cycle rickshaws meandering through the little lanes of the Old town, where time has virtually stood still for hundreds of years. This ride will be most fascinating as you get a first-hand view of the merchants, the little food and artifact stalls and the teeming population, busy in their daily activities. Very near the Fort is the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), India’s largest mosque, also built by Shah Jahan, the creator of the Taj Mahal.

The cycle Rickshaw ride will culminate at the Red Fort - Shah Jahan’s elegant citadel in red sand stone. The fort is entered from the Lahori Gate and leads into the halls of Private and Public Audience and then to the beautiful Pearl Mosque built by Shah Jahan’s son, Aurangazeb, the last of the “Great Mughals”. While at Old Delhi, visit Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.

Cost: Minimum 02 paying persons: USD 75 per person

The cost includes:

• Air conditioned deluxe car for visit to all sights as mentioned above
• Entrance and still camera fees to the monuments
• Services of a local English speaking guide
• Mineral water during the sightseeing
• Exclusive rickshaw ride
• All presently applicable taxes

The National Museum & The Crafts Museum (15th March 07)

The National Museum is one of the largest and most prestigious museums in India. This museum has a good collection of Indian bronzes, terracotta and wood sculptures dating back to the 2nd century BC to the Mohanjodaro period. It also has one of the finest collections of Indian miniatures (closed on Monday)

Also visit the Crafts Museum (closed on Tuesday), built in 1956 and located in the heart of New Delhi, where you will see some of the finest exhibits of tribal and traditional crafts. Meet master craftsmen and women from all over India who demonstrate their work here. Leisurely explore the museum on the second floor and see the extensive display of fabrics. The visit to the Craft Museum will be followed by a visit to the Handicrafts Centre known as `Dilli Haat’, established with the objective of providing a forum for the development of handicrafts in India.

Cost: Minimum 02 paying persons: USD 50 per person

The cost includes:

• Air conditioned deluxe car for visit to all sights as mentioned above
• Entrance and still camera fees to the museum
• Services of a local English speaking guide
• Mineral water during the sightseeing
• All presently applicable taxes

If interested in any of the day tours, please email Megan Puzey at mpuzey@uiuc.edu. The guest/spouse program includes these day trips and can be paid for by registering your guest online here.

The Agra tour is not included in the guest/spouse tour and must be purchased separately.