Excursion Mid-voyage land adventure: taj mahal, agra, new delhi & jaipur tour at Colombo

Taj Mahal, Agra, New Delhi & Jaipur

Duration: 5 Days/ 4 Nights

Departs from: Colombo

Re-join ship: Mumbai

Reserve by: At least 90 days prior to sailing

IMPORTANT NOTE: This Tour is designed for in transit Guests only. It is not suitable for Guests disembarking the cruise in Mumbai.

This Silver Shore Mid-Land Adventure requires advance booking through Silversea Reservations no later than 90 days prior to the sail date. Requests received after this date may be accommodated on a space-available basis. Tickets are available in limited quantities, and participation cannot be guaranteed for those guests not booking well in advance. A minimum number of participants is required to operate this programme. If this minimum number is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the programme at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel the specific departure. Cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, 90 - 0 days prior to the initial sailing date: 100% of the programme fare per person is due.

Payment in full is due at time of final payment. Bookings made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner, as specified by Silversea.

All Land Adventure fares are subject to change, and not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Land Adventures are non-transferable, and non-refundable, within 90 days of sailing. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older. All Land Adventures are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Land Adventures may be modified by the operators at their sole discretion.

VISA INFORMATION:

Guests must be in possession of Sri Lankan (Transit Visa) and Indian visa obtained prior to joining the cruise. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising.

LOCAL CURRENCY:

The local currency is the Indian Rupee; however, Euros and US Dollars are well-accepted by most vendors; local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and credit cards are accepted in most larger shops and hotels (there is no shopping stop planned during the program).

A visit to India's treasured sites evokes images of erstwhile royalty and legendary tales of love and valour. There are few places in the world that compare with the mesmerising Taj Mahal, the awe-inspiring Agra Fort, City Palace and observatory. These outstanding attractions are amongst the 'jewels in the crown', drawing thousands of visitors each year from all over the globe. From the magnificent and timeless beauty of the Taj Mahal to the massive Agra Fort and Pink City of Jaipur. Treasure trove of unforgettable sights that will enthrall even the most jaded traveller. Your programme ends in Mumbai.

DAY ONE - Colombo /Delhi

Depart the ship this morning and transfer to Colombo airport for a scheduled flight to Delhi of just approximately 3 hours 30 minute in length. Upon arrival you will be taken to The Oberoi New Delhi Hotel.

Dinner and overnight accommodation at The Oberoi New Delhi.

DAY TWO - Delhi

Begin your day with an exploration of Old Delhi. Special transportation has been arranged for this escapade - brightly coloured bicycle rickshaws, the best way to navigate the narrow, bustling alleyways. When entering Chandni Chowk, the first view is that of the mosque, India's largest, built in 1658 by Shah Jehan. Its style is traditional with the exception of the innovative addition of red and black stripes running up and down the white marble domes.

Chandni Chowk was the hub of the Mughal era's commercial centre and today is one of the country's best- known wholesale markets for textiles, electronic goods and watches. This fascinating area was designed by Jahanara Begum, Shah Jahan's favourite daughter, and was then inhabited by the well-to-do families of the time. The buildings still retain their original structures and seem to lean inquisitively over the narrow streets below. There are gaily decorated little shops on every narrow, winding lane, with vendors busy selling their wares. Each lane specialises in a different commodity - brightly coloured bangles, shining silverware, brass artefacts, gold jewellery, brilliantly dyed fabrics, hardware, and last but not least mouth-watering food cooked on the spot, filling the air with the aromatic scents of spices. This is an experience that no one would forget in a lifetime.

Return to the hotel for lunch.

Proceed further to explore New Delhi. With its orderly, spacious, tree-lined avenues, this part of Delhi exhibits a unique blend of monumental British and Indian styles. Built as an imperial capital by the British, all the main buildings, designed in the 1920's by the British architects Lutyens and Baker, remain today. The division between new and old cities is by no means straightforward, and New Delhi contains its share of ancient monuments. Continue with your tour and visit Humayun's Tomb. Emperor Humayun, the father of Emperor Akbar, lies buried in this magnificent monument built in red sandstone. Haji Begum, Humayun's first wife and mother of Emperor Akbar designed and supervised the entire construction. Her design was way ahead of the times and is the basis for the design of the famous Taj Mahal, built almost a hundred years later!

Dinner and overnight accommodation at The Oberoi New Delhi.

DAY Three - Delhi/Agra

After breakfast, commence your journey to Agra, a drive of approximately 3.5 hours with a rest stop en route.

Welcome to Agra - capital to the Mughals in the 16th and 17th centuries. Agra was also the repository of many of the Mughals most famous monuments. The city has long astonished visitors and many places of interest date back to the Afghans, who predated the Mughals.

Visit the magnificent and sprawling Agra Fort, built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565. The fort is made predominantly of red sand stone. Its vast halls echo a bygone era and transport you back through the passage of time.

Proceed to your hotel for lunch followed by some time to settle in.

This evening a view of the Taj Mahal - Shah Jehan's enduring monument to love has been arranged for you from across the river Yamuna. You will remain here until sunset! This beautiful mausoleum in pure white marble is a thing of astonishing beauty and an architectural marvel. Its unique beauty and immaculately intricate execution all contribute to the breathtaking first impression. Emperor Shah Jehan, fifth of the great Mughals was devoted to his wife Mumtaz Mahal (jewel of the palace). She died at the age of 39 giving birth to her fourteenth child. He resolved to build his wife a memorial surpassing anything the world had ever seen in beauty and, it must be admitted, wild extravagance. Twenty thousand labourers and skilled craftsmen from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy were put into action to construct this unrivalled masterpiece. The rays of the setting sun make this monument a wonder to behold.

Dinner and overnight accommodation at The Oberoi Amarvilas.

DAY Four - Agra/Jaipur

Early this morning visit the Taj Mahal - this time watch the effect of the rising sun on this awe-inspiring monument. The most unusual story about the Taj is that there might have been two of them. The emperor intended to build a second tomb in black marble, a negative image of the white Taj for Mumtaz. Tragically, before he could begin he was deposed by his son and imprisoned in Agra Fort where he remained until his death, spending the rest of his life looking out along the river to the final resting-place of his wife.

Following breakfast, drive to Jaipur. On arrival, lunch awaits you at the hotel!

Welcome to Jaipur, the Pink City that glows with a singular beauty derived from the shimmering pink sandstone used everywhere in its construction. The effect of this glorious extravagance, most especially at sunset, has enchanted visitors for centuries. Nestled in the Aravali Hills, the city was built in 1727 to the highest standards of city planning. Its founder was Jai Singh II, an extraordinary man who was not only a Prince, but also a military champion of his people and a dedicated astronomer who built advanced observatories in Jaipur, Delhi and elsewhere in India.

Proceed this afternoon to explore Jaipur. Your first stop will be the mesmerizing City Palace. In an unending series of delights, from its grand aged entrance to the play of ornamental fountains, the City Palace is a dazzling showplace of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Amongst the pleasures of the Palace is a museum with ample evidence of opulence.

You also visit the neighbouring Jantar Mantar, or the Observatory. Built from 1728 to 1734 by Maharaja Jai Singh, Jantar Mantar was built on a grand scale and was way beyond its time.

Dinner and overnight accommodation at Rambagh Palace.

DAY FIVE - Jaipur/Mumbai

Early morning proceed to the airport for your flight to Mumbai. Breakfast will be bought on board.

On arrival, your awaiting coaches will transfer you to the pier with an en route panoramic tour past Mumbai's highlights. Re-join your ship.

Please note: This Mid-Voyage Land Adventure requires an extensive amount of walking, at times over uneven, cobblestone, rocky, sandy, grassy, and natural surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach, board/de-board the airplane and embark/disembark the boat, and many steps at the sites visited. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with back and/or neck problems, guests with heart and/or respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests prone to airsickness, guests with a fear of heights, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Drives between citiies are approximately from 2 to 3 hours each way with comfort stops. Guests are advised to bring lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, sun protection, insect repellent, raingear, a weatherproof jacket, medication, a camera, and local currency for purchases from the ship. Proper attire is required to enter the temples; shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted. Hats and shoes must be removed when entering religious sites; bring an extra pair of heavy socks for comfort, as the pavement may be hot. Photography an videography might be prohibited at some sites. Hotels, restaurants, coaches, guides, and equipment are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other excursions. Guests should be respectful towards local sentiments and customs. Avoid bringing valuables (such as jewellery or large amounts of cash) on this tour. Guests must carry their passports and ship's ID at all times. Guests must be at least 21 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. The tour sequence and itinerary may vary. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment. This Tour is designed for in transit Guests only. It is not suitable for Guests disembarking the cruise in Mumbai.

Programme Includes:

Two-night stay at The Oberoi New Delhi - Delh

One-night stay at The Oberoi Amarvilas - Agra

One-night stay at The Rambagh Palace - Jaipur

Three breakfasts, one in-flight breakfast, three lunches, one in-flight lunch, four dinners (drinks included)

All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary

Scheduled flights, Economy-Class: Colombo/Delhi/Jaipur/Mumbai. Business Class may be requested at a supplemental charge, subject to availability

Airlines baggage limitation is 15 kgs (only one piece of luggage is permissble) for checked in luggage and 7 kgs for hand luggage. Liquids and sharp items are not permitted in hand luggage. It is advisbale to carry liquid medicines alongwith their medical prescription. At time of booking guests should advise their names exactly as on their passports, as booking of air seats on an international sector is involved.

Not Included:

Indian visa, any meals and drinks not specified above, charges incurred by the airlines for excess or overweight luggage, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance, and other personal items.