Day 6 Jaipur

This morning, you tour Jaipur. Surrounded by the rugged Aravalli Hills, this city takes its name from Maharaja Jai Singh II, who was an avid scientist, architect, and astronomer. The city was enclosed by 20-foot fortified walls and guarded by eight gates that are still intact today. The streets, the height of the buildings, and the number and division of the blocks were all based on geometric harmony, climatic considerations and the intended use of each zone of the city.

You visit the City Palace, still the residence of the Jaipur Maharaja, with its pavilions, courtyards, and chambers. Its museum displays a fabulous collection of paintings, carpets, jewelry, musical instruments, and weapons. You also visit the Royal Observatory (Jantar Mantar); built in 1726, it is equipped with scientific instruments called yantras.

You continue on to the Palace of the Winds (Hawa Majal); this multi-storied pink sandstone building draws its name from the westerly winds that send cool breezes through the windows. It was designed so the ever-discreet women of the royal court could enjoy the breeze and watch the activities of the bazaars on the street below from afar. Later, you explore these same colorful bazaars yourself. The sheer variety of the items sold off the street is fascinating, ranging from the mundane to the exotic.

This evening you dine at the hotel in an opulent restaurant, full of cusped arches with painted detailing. You make your à la carte selection from a menu offering Indian food fit for royalty as well as the most inventive Continental dishes. (B,L,D)

Today, your journey takes you to the magnificent deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, the dream capital of the greatly loved Emperor Akbar. During his brief stay here, in the second half of the 16^th century, a great complex of palaces and mosques was built. The cluster of royal buildings sits atop a ridge overlooking the village of Sikri; the city was protected on three sides by massive walls, the fourth side was protected by a lake. When English delegates visited the city in 1583, it is said they were amazed to see a city that was larger and more luxurious than London. After ruling here for 15 years, Akbar was forced to abandon his dream city (probably due to the scarcity of water). The capital was then moved to Lahore (now in Pakistan) and eventually back to Agra. Fatehpur Sikri became a ghost town.

Driving on, you come to Agra, a flourishing capital of the Mughal Empire in the 16^th and 17^th centuries. At the Taj Mahal, you see one of the Seven Wonders of the World; the Emperor Shah Jahan had the memorial built in memory of his favorite wife. Completed in 1652, twenty thousand craftsmen from Persia, Turkey, France, and Italy labored 17 years to create the monument on the banks of the Yamuna River. Pointed Mogul arches highlight the building’s square corners. The detailed stonework on each tiny, intricate flower petal on the Queen’s tomb is so fine it is impossible to see the little breaks between the stones. An individual one-inch flower contains 60 separate pieces. A single block of marble, carved into an intricate latticework as fine as lace, surrounds the tombs of Shah Jahan and his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

You stay at the Oberoi Amarvilas, a wonderful hotel  surrounded by meticulously groomed grounds, including hanging gardens and secluded courtyards with views of the Taj Mahal. This evening, you have the opportunity to watch the royal court dance of the Mughal kings (Kathak) and for dinner you select from an excellent variety of delicious local specialties. (B,L,D)

It is an early morning, but well worthwhile, to watch the rising sun’s pale rays give a soft pastel luster to the white marble of the Taj Mahal. This is undoubtedly the best time to see this beautiful monument.

You also visit the Agra Fort, a reflection of the creativity of Akbar, his son Jahangir, and his grandson, Shah Jahan. Roughly shaped like a triangle, the fort was encircled by a massive 1½ - mile-long, 69-foot-high wall. In the palace inside, Hindu architecture blends with Central Asian styling. You see a traditional marble inlay workshop and watch artisans practicing their centuries-old craft of exquisitely detailed inlaid furniture and handicrafts.

The lavish, painstakingly tended grounds of your hotel are the perfect place to relax this afternoon. In addition, there is tennis, croquet, archery, mini-golf, and yoga classes. Many like to sit with the resident fortune teller to listen to predictions about their future. Swim in the courtyard pool or sit back with a good book; when you want a change of pace, check out the extensive shopping area. (B,L,D)

Today, you board your flight to the oldest and most holy city in India – Varanasi. Referred to as Benares during the time of British rule, religion, art, and education flourished here long before the arrival of Europeans. In Indian mythology, the city is called Kashi, after the Kashia tribe, who first settled here 3,000 years ago. After independence from the British in 1947, the name Varanasi – which is from a combination of the names of the nearby Varuna and Asi rivers – came back into use. But the most important river for Varanasi is the Ganges, whose holy waters are said to wash away the sins of all who bathe in it. Most Hindus make a pilgrimage to the Ganges at least once in their lives. Of the many cities and towns along the 1,565 mile length of the river, Varanasi is the most favored destination.

The city is defined by its ghats, the block-long stairways down to the river, which are the focus of neighborhood life. As the first rays of the sun set on the gently flowing Ganges, thousands of the devout take the ceremonial dip; the ghats come alive with people from all walks of life.

A few miles away, you visit Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon; there are many Buddhist monks clothed in rich saffron and crimson robes visiting here as well. Archaeologists have uncovered many art treasures in the ruins of Sarnath’s ancient monastery that you see at the museum here.

Your hotel tonight is the Taj Ganges. Set on over 70 acres, dotted with lovely English hedges, rose gardens, and mango groves, this attractive brick and marble hotel is a welcoming sight. The newly renovated marble lobby has a very pretty domed ceiling and Indian art. Private accommodations have colorful Indian features offset by pure white walls and antique furniture. Your à la carte dinner is served in the restaurant decorated with old Varanasi drawings with views of the garden and pool. The consistently impressive menu offers a delicious variety of International dishes. (B,L,D)