Plans, plans, plans!

OK, so after much discussion, and advice and help from Mrs Vineeta Jalan, we have finally arrived at a PLAN!
As per our original itinerary, we arrive in New Delhi at 2:05 am on the 10th of February.  at 9:40 am we will fly via IndiGo Air to Dibrugarh, Assam, arriving 1:50 pm.

We will then spend the next four days at the home of Manoj and Vineeta Jalan in Assam, during which time we will hopefully get in some riding, and see some sights, including a park, where I understand we can ride elephants!  (Maybe I should pack the BIG helmet!)

We will try to not be too obnoxious, and will hopefully avoiding putting too big a strain on Indo-Canadian relations!

On the 14th of February, we fly back to New Delhi (again via IndiGo Air—I love that name!), arriving at 6:55 pm.  At this point, IndoAsia Tours takes over our care and management.  We spend the nights of the 14th and 15th  in New Delhi, probably at the Radisson Marina Hotel (not confirmed yet).  On the 16th, we leave for Agra, probably spending the night of the 16th at the Clark Shiraz.  Back to New Delhi on the 17th, flying home 3:20 am on the 18th…  Here’s the ‘tour’

15 Feb:             Delhi
After breakfast enjoy a full day city tour of Old & New Delhi. Visit the Red Fort  ‑ the 17th century imposing fortress built in red sandstone is surrounded by a huge 33m high boundary wall. Inside are exquisite palaces and beautiful gardens.
Opposite the Red Fort lies Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) made of red sandstone and white marble, completed in 1656 at a cost of one million Rupees has perfect proportions. India's largest mosque where more than 20.000 people can kneel in prayer. The interior of the prayer hall is divided into aisles by arches. The walls and floors are of marble inlay panels.
Also visit the Raj Ghat on the banks of the river Yamuna is Mahatma Gandhi's Memorial, where he was cremated following his assassination in January 1948. The memorial lies in the midst of landscaped gardens and made of a simple square platform of black marble inscribed with his last words "Hey Ram". An eternal flame burns 24 hours.
Drive through Lutyens Delhi and see India Gate ‑ Built of Bharatpur‑stone, commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1st world war. 13516 names of British and Indian soldiers killed in the Afghan War of 1919 are engraved on the arch and foundations. Photo stop at Rashtrapati Bhawan once the Viceroy's residence is now the official residence of the President of India. 
Later in the afternoon explore New Delhi. Visit the Humayun's Tomb, built by his wife Haji Begum in the 16th. Century. An early example of Mughal architecture considered the predecessor of the Taj Mahal. The elements in its design ‑ a squat building, lighted by high arched entrances, topped by bulbous dome and surrounded by the char bagh (garden divided into quadrants), water channels and fountains.
Later visit the Qutub Minar ‑ the landmark of Delhi, a huge tower of victory started in 1199 and completed in 1368. The Minar is 72.5m high with a diameter at the base 14.4m and 2.7m at the top. The tower has 379 steps to the top.
In the evening enjoy Light and Show program at Red Fort, New Delhi.
Overnight at the Hotel
 16 Feb:             Delhi – Agra
After breakfast drive to Agra. En-route visit Sikandra. The mausoleum of the great Mughal King Akbar (1556-1605). Akbar began building it during his lifetime and his son, the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, completed it. It has a large arched entrance and green lawns, on which deer can be seen grazing, surround the tomb.
The entrance is decorated with marble inlay work around the arch, and the inner surface of the dome of the tomb is decorated with images of flowers, geometric designs and Islamic calligraphy.
Later continue your drive to Agra.
Agra stands on the right bank of the river Yamuna, was once the seat of the Mughal rulers, the zenith of art and an en‑shrined romance. A town famous for its beautiful medieval monuments. The passion of the Mughals for building endowed it with some of the loveliest buildings in the world.
On arrival at Agra, transfer to the hotel and check in.
Later visit Agra Fort. Designed and built by Akbar in 1565 A.D., the fort is surrounded by a 70 feet high wall. It houses the beautiful Pearl Mosque and numerous palaces. The Agra fort happens to be on the same bank of the river Yamuna as the Taj Mahal, which is visible in all its beauty from one side of the fort. Emperor Shahjahan, a prisoner of his son Aurangzeb in his old age was put in a cell from where he could gaze at the Taj Mahal at a distance from his cell in the Agra Fort. It is an imposing structure with walls of red sandstone almost three kilometers long.
Overnight at the Hotel
17 Feb:             Agra – Delhi
After breakfast visit Taj Mahal- a poem in white marble, built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal. Today India's most fascinating and beautiful masterpiece, this perfectly symmetrical edifice is set amidst landscaped gardens on the banks of the Yamuna River. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day and glows pearl-like in the moonlight and during the monsoon.
Later drive to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, enjoy Dinner at the local Restaurant.
After dinner, transfer to the International airport to board the flight to onward journey.
18 Feb:             Fly back to home.
 
How about THAT, eh?