Official Post Tour

Wonders Of India Tour
Delhi/Agra/Delhi

Cost: USD745.00 double/twin share basis + internal flights

Any visit to India is not complete without visiting, Delhi, India’s capital and a visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the magnificent Taj Mahal.

The official post conference tour is open to all 14 Asian Battery Conference delegates and partners. The tour will include amazing sites and experiences and will be a true 5 star experience staying at hotels including the iconic Taj Palace in Delhi.

This is a fully coordinated and escorted tour via the Asian Battery Conference Organising committee, Conference Works and our local tour operator.

Saturday 17 September
HYDERABAD & DELHI

We will fly into Delhi from Hyderabad in the afternoon.

Delhi, the capital city of India is a bustling metropolis that successfully combines the ancient and the modern in its folds. Standing on the west bank of the Yamuna River at the narrowest point between the Aravalli hills and the Himalayas, this city has commanded the strategically vital route from the northwest frontier to the agriculturally rich Ganges plains for more than 2,000 years.

It is not surprising that what constitutes Delhi today is really a conglomerate of seven cities. The division between the walled city and New Delhi also marks the division in lifestyles. The walled city retains its traditions and one can get a glimpse of a past life with its many facets, colors, and spells. New Delhi, in contrast, is a city trying to live up to the best of 21st-century standards. Amid the modern skyscrapers, the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region's ancient legacy.

Accommodation: Overnight at the iconic and ultra luxurious Taj Palace Hotel.

Sunday 18 September
DELHI

After breakfast at the Taj Palace Hotel we will proceed for an amazing experience – a tour through the old city of Delhi.

Sightseeing of Old Delhi includes a visit to Red Fort and Jama Masjid, which is India's largest mosque, built of red sandstone and white marble in the middle of the 17th century. Chandni Chowk (Silver Street), once the imperial avenue down which Shah Jehan rode at the head of lavish cavalcades, is today bustling with shops, stalls and silversmiths' ateliers.

We will of course go on a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk.

A tour of New Delhi will be scheduled in the afternoon.

The city of Delhi can broadly be divided into two parts, Old Delhi and New Delhi. Old Delhi was the capital of Delhi’s Muslim rulers notably the Mughal's between 17th & 19th centuries. New Delhi on the other hand is referred to as the IMPERIAL city when the British decided to move their capital from Calcutta in 1911.

Sightseeing of New Delhi includes a visit to India Gate, built in memory of Indian soldiers killed during the First World War. Rashtrapati Bhawan, built in the early 20th century as the Imperial residence of the Viceroy is today the official residence of the President of India and Parliament House, a unique circular building with huge colonnades, houses the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament. Humyun’s Tomb is the first Mughal garden tomb. Visitors are immediately struck by the tomb's resemblance to its more famous cousin - the Taj Mahal - with its four grand gateways, octagonal base-plan, soaring niche-shaped arches, lofty double domes and the symmetrical garden with its central canal. One of Delhi’s most striking monuments is the 70-meter high Qutub Minar, which looms majestically across the wide plains of Delhi.

Overnight at the Taj Palace Hotel

Monday 19 September
DELHI & AGRA

After a very early! tea/ coffee at the Taj Palace Hotel we transfer to New Delhi railway station to board the train- SHATABDI EXPRESS (0610/ 0810) to Agra.

Arrive Agra and proceed to visit Fatehpur Sikri.

The royal city at Fatehpur Sikri, situated 26 miles west of Agra, was built at the orders of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. While Akbar himself was illiterate, he took a keen interest in literature, architecture, and the arts. He is also reputed to be a very tolerant ruler, and the buildings at Fatehpur Sikri blended both Islamic and Hindu elements in their architectural style. One of the buildings even reflects the new syncretistic faith founded by Akbar, Din-e-ilahi, which though very short-lived remains a matter of controversy.

Return to Agra and check in at hotel.

In the afternoon, we will enjoy a city tour of Agra, visiting Agra Fort & Taj Mahal.

The Red Fort at Agra was built by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar and developed later by his successors. Built in the year 1565 and added upon subsequently the fort was principally a military structure and later partially became a Palace during the reign of Shah Jehan who built the Taj Mahal.

After visiting Red Fort, proceed to visit the magnificent Taj Mahal at sunset. Watch the ray of the setting sun bathe the marble edifice in warm hues of gold, and orange.

The Taj Mahal was built by the great Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love. Standing on the banks of the Yamuna River it is a flawless architectural masterpiece.

Return to the hotel.

Overnight at Taj View hotel

Tuesday 20 September
AGRA/ DELHI

After Breakfast at hotel everyone will have free time at leisure.

OPTION: You can visit TAJ MAHAL again this morning @ extra entrance fee of USD 18 per person.

We will drive from Agra to Delhi airport to board Indian Airlines flight IC 839 (1655/ 1900) to Hyderabad.

The Price Includes:

This is a fully coordinated and escorted tour via the Asian Battery Conference Organising committee, Conference Works and our local tour operator.

• Accommodation on DOUBLE or TWIN SHARING at all hotels as per the program from 17th Sep’11 (check in 12h00) in Delhi until 20th Sep’11 (check out 12h00) in Agra for a total of 3 nights with daily Breakfast.
• Ground Transportation (all transfers, sightseeing and excursions) by luxury air-conditioned tour coach.
• Assistance & porterage – meeting and assistance on arrival/departure at airports and hotels and porterage of two pieces per person at all transfers point (airports).
• Entrance fee at monuments as per the program.
• Accompanying multilingual staff
• Rickshaw ride in Delhi.
• Train journey from Delhi/ Agra in AC Chair Car.
• All presently applicable taxes including 2.56% Govt. Service Tax.

The Price Does Not Include:

• Drinks during meals, including mineral water, soft drinks.
• All other items of purely personal nature.

Hotels Used

Bookings

Should you wish to join this tour please email the Conference Management Office events@conferenceworks.net.au to check availability

Cancellations & Refunds

A full refund is available for cancellations prior to 1 May 2011. Cancellations and refunds of payments after 1 May 2011 will be based on incurred supplier expenses.

Operation

This tour will operate based on a minimum number of bookings. Should the tour cancel due to lack of participation full refunds will be provided.

Inclusions

Delegates are asked to be aware that the program inclusions, hotels used may change due to supplier limitations/restrictions.