(Medical Facilities and Institutions of India )

Day 1 Delhi : Arrive at Delhi airport. Received by Angad Tour Representative Transfer to the hotel.

Day 2 Delhi : Tour of historic places of Delhi .

After break fast the tour will begin with sightseeing of New Delhi : the capital of the nation has long been a phoenix rising again and again, out of its ruins. See the famous Qutab Minar-12th century 238 Ft. tall stone tower, indeed a masterpiece of construction, Humayun tomb-built by widow of the second Mughal King Humayun in 1265. Old Delhi : for something close to Rudyard Kipling, visit the 17th century Old Delhi; Jama Masjid - the biggest Mosque in India .

Day 3 Delhi : Tour of New Delhi

New Delhi was the creation of the British Raj of the 30's. This morning the tour will commence with sightseeing of Rajghat memorial, where father of the nation Gandhi was cremated, Lotus temple further the tour will includes the President's House, Parliament House, India Gate, The Raj path and Downtown Connaught Place. Lunch at a restaurant.

Day 4 Delhi: Tour of Delhi University.

The University of Delhi is the premier university of India and is known for its high standards in teaching and research and attracts eminent scholars to its faculty. The University of Delhi was established in 1922 as a unitary, teaching and residential university by an Act of the then Central Legislative Assembly. Only three colleges existed then in Delhi : St. Stephens College founded in 1881, Hindu College founded in 1899 and Ramjas College founded in 1917, which were affiliated to the University. The University thus had a modest beginning with just three colleges, two faculties (Arts and Science) and about 750 students. In October 1933, the University offices and the Library shifted to the Viceregal Lodge Estate, and till today this site is the nucleus of the University (Main Campus). Apart from central administrative offices, examination offices and the sports complex, the main departments of the Faculty of Science are housed in the Viceregal Lodge Estate. There are several medical colleges affiliated to University of Delhi .

Day 5 Delhi : Tour to Maulana Azad Medical College .

The Maulana Azad Medical College is situated in the capital city of Delhi . It straddles the historic old city of Delhi on one side and the more modern Lutyen's Delhi on the other. The sprawling campus includes the college and three of its majo r a ssociated hospitals namely Lok Nayak Hospital and GB Pant Hospital and the Guru Nanak Eye Centre. This institution is named after the great patriot and educationist, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad and has been in existence since 1959. aulana Azad Medical College and associated hospital complex consist of four integral units, names Maulana Azad Medical College , Lok Nayak Hospital , Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital and Guru Nanak Eye Centre.

The college was established twenty two years after the commissioning of Irwin Hospital , a well established general hospital drawing patients mainly from Delhi and from the neighboring states of Punjab , Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Day 6 Delhi : Tour to AIIMS (All-India Institute of Medical Sciences)

All-India Institute of Medical Sciences was established as an institution of national importance by an Act of Parliament with the objects to develop patterns of teaching in Undergraduate and Post-graduate Medical Education in all its branches so as to demonstrate a high standard of Medical Education in India; to bring together in one place educational facilities of the highest order for the training of personnel in all important branches of health activity; and to attain self-sufficiency in Post-graduate Medical Education. The Institute has comprehensive facilities for teaching, research and patient-care.

As provided in the Act, AIIMS conducts teaching programs in medical and para-medical courses both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and awards its own degrees. Teaching and research are conducted in 42 disciplines. In the field of medical research AIIMS is the lead, having more than 600 research publications by its faculty and researchers in a year. AIIMS also runs a College of Nursing and trains students for B.Sc.(Hons.) Nursing post-certificate) degrees.

Twenty-five clinical departments including four super specialty centers manage practically all types of disease conditions with support from pre- and Para-clinical departments. However, burn cases, dog-bite cases and patients suffering from infectious diseases are not entertained in the AIIMS Hospital. AIIMS also manages a 60-beded hospital in the Comprehensive Rural Health Centre at Ballabgarh in Haryana and provides health cover to about 2.5 lakh population through the Centre for Community Medicine.

Day 7 Delhi : Tour to Apollo Hospital one of the largest and most advance hospital in India .

Apollo group is the largest healthcare group in Asia . With over 7000 beds in 38 hospitals, a string of nursing and hospital management colleges, and dual lifelines of pharmacies and diagnostic clinics providing a safety net across Asia , Apollo Hospitals is a healthcare powerhouse you can trust with your life.

Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals is spread over 12 acres of land and has a built-up area of 600,000 square feet.

Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals recently achieved the Joint Commission International (JCI) USA Accreditation the first Indian hospital to be awarded this gold-standard certification.

A joint venture between the Apollo Group and the Government of India, it was founded in 1996. It is the largest hospital of the group and was built at a cost of 44 million US dollars.

With a bed-capacity of 692 (including 138 ICU beds) and 14 Operation Theatres, expert medical professionals and the latest technology, the Indraprastha Apollo is the automatic choice for outstanding healthcare in the countrys capital.

The hospital handles close to 200,000 patients a year, of which 9,500 are international patients. International patients come to Indraprastha Apollo from the USA , Australia , Malaysia , Yemen , Brunei and Tanzania , among other countries.

Day 8 Delhi : Day Free for leisure or optional drop off and pick up at Delhi University to interact with people.

Day 9 Delhi : Day kept free for shopping, packing. In the evening transfer to the airport for onward journey.

(Architecture Tour)

Day 1 Delhi: Received at Delhi airport. Transferred to hotel.

Day 2 Delhi Qutab Minar: See the famous Qutab Minar-12th century 238 Ft. tall stone tower, indeed a masterpiece of construction. Overnight at the hotel.

The word 'Qutab Minar' means 'axis minaret'. The 239ft sandstone tower is an Indo-Islamic architectural wonder of ancient India. This magnificent tower of victory stands in the Qutab Complex, 8.9 miles south of Connaught place in Delhi. The complex has a number of other important monuments- the gateway built in 1310, the Alai Darwaza, Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque; one of the oldest existing mosques in India, the tombs of Altamish, Alauddin Khalji and Imam Zamin; the 2000 year old 7m high Iron Pillar- the Alai Minar; another tower 27m high.

King Qutubuddin Aibak of Slave dynasty laid the foundation of the Qutab Minar in 1199, adjoining the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, to proclaim the victory of Islam, after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi. It was the Afghan, Muhammad of Ghur who ousted the last Hindu king Prithviraj Chauhan in AD 1192, but he returned to his country leaving Qutbuddin Aibak as his viceroy. In 1206, on his masters death, Aibak crowned himself as the Sultan of Delhi.

Day 3 Delhi Red Fort: Experience the spectacular Mughal Architecture and the surrounding areas.

One of the most spectacular pieces of Mughal Architecture is the Lal Quila or the Red Fort. Built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648, the Red Fort has walls extending up to 2 kms. in length with the height varying from 18 mts. on the river side to 33 mts. on the city side. The entry to this splendid fort is from the Lahori Gate or the Chatta Chowk. Lal Quila is now a busy market place called the 'Meena Bazaar'. This bazaar has an excellent collection of antiques, miniature paintings and skillfully crafted fake ivory jewellery. The bazaar also sells some fabulous carpets beautifully woven.

The Fort sports all the obvious trappings befitting a vital centre of Mughal governance: halls of public and private audiences, domed and arched marble palaces, plush private apartments, a mosque, and elaborately designed gardens. Even today, the Fort remains an impressive testimony to Mughal grandeur,despite being attacked by the Persian Emperor Nadir Shah in 1739, and by the British soldiers, during the war of independence in 1857.

The Red Fort is a good example of Mughal military architecture. The tall ramparts, heavily fortified gateways, a moat surrounding the fort, etc., reflect the architectural skills of the Mughal rulers. The style of architecture followed in building the monuments within the periphery of this fort conformsto the Islamic style with liberal local influences. A good example of the Islamic style is the use of elaborate patterns and intricately carved marble screens (jali).

Day 4 Delhi Lotus Temple: Examine one of the modern architectural design at Lotus Temple.

It is a very recent architectural marvel of the Bahai faith, Shaped like a half opened Lotus flower, this temple is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand.

It is one of the most modern Western engineering design. Fariborz Sahba, Canadian architect of Iranian origin, spent 10 years in designing and project management, and with the help of a team of about 800 engineers, technicians, artisans and workers brought to realisation one of the most complicated constructions in the world. Rising pure and unsullied above stagnant, muddy waters, the Indians have seen this flower as worthy of emulation, teaching them to be detached from material preoccupations.

The structure of the House is composed of three ranks of nine petals; each springing from a podium elevating the building above the surrounding plain. The first two ranks curve inward, embracing the inner dome; the third layer curves outward to form canopies over the nine entrances. The petals, constructed of reinforced white concrete cast in place, are clad in white marble panels, performed to surface profiles and patterns related to the geometry. Nine arches that provide the main support for the superstructure ring the central hall. Nine reflecting pools surround the building on the outside, their form suggesting the green leaves of the lotus flower. Translating the geometry of the design, in which there are virtually no straight lines, into the actual structure presented particular challenges in designing and erecting the framework Not only was it difficult to align, so as to produce accurately the complex double-curved surfaces and their intersections, but also the closeness of the petals severely restricted workspace.

Nevertheless the task was carried out entirely by the local laborers. Thanks to each one who contributed in its construction. To avoid construction joints, petals were concreted in a continuous operation for approximately 48 hours. All the steel reinforcing for the shells of the lotus petals was galvanised to avoid rust stains on the white concrete in the prevailing humid conditions, guaranteeing the life of the delicate shell structure of 6 to 18 cm thick shells of the petals. India is well endowed with human resources.

The architect believes that this design could not have been executed anywhere else because it is rare to find the combination of traditional craftsmanship, pride in one's work, empathy for spiritual undertaking. As commented by progressive Architecture of USA in their article on the Bahai Temple "It goes to prove that high-tech concepts do not always demand high-tech solutions."

Day 5 Delhi Connaught Place: Day 5 Delhi Connaught Place: Examine the striking balance between Victorian Architecture and high rise.

One of Delhi's most popular shopping and business centers, was built in 1931.It comprises of two concentric circles with colonial style buildings surrounded by a park. These buildings can be reached through the inner, middle and the outer circles here. Gulmohur trees, a large fountain, ornate fencing and the recently added light post grace the central park. Various state emporiums are located at Connaught Place. It is instantly recognisable on any map of Delhi, being the big circle in the middle with radial roads spreading out in all directions, like spokes on a wheel.

Although Connaught Place appears to be a logically planned area, specific shops have become frustratingly hard to find due to the various one way streets and heavy traffic. The centre circle (there are three) and Palika Bazaar are undergoing a lot of construction due to the introduction of the New Delhi Metro system.

Connaught Place's obvious Victorian architecture is modeled after the Royal Crescent in Bath, England.

Day 6 Delhi - Agra- Jaipur: Morning drive to Agra to explore the megnificance of the 17th century Islamic architecture Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world, and some Western historians have noted that its architectural beauty has never been surpassed. The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. On a foggy morning, the visitors experience the Taj as if suspended when viewed from across the Jamuna river.

Taj Mahal was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers. It was completed in 1648 AD at a cost of 32 Million Rupees. The construction documents show that its master architect was Ustad 'Isa, the renowned Islamic architect of his time. The documents contain names of those employed and the inventory of construction materials and their origin. Expert craftsmen from Delhi, Qannauj, Lahore, and Multan were employed. In addition, many renowned Muslim craftsmen from Baghdad, Shiraz and Bukhara worked on many specialized tasks. The Taj stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and symmetry of architectural elements. Its central dome is fifty-eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of 213 feet. It is flanked by four subsidiary domed chambers. The four graceful, slender minarets are 162.5 feet each. The entire mausoleum (inside as well as outside) is decorated with inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy using precious gems such as agate and jasper.

The main archways, chiseled with passages from the Holy Qur'an and the bold scroll work of flowery pattern, give a captivating charm to its beauty. The central domed chamber and four adjoining chambers include many walls and panels of Islamic decoration.

Day 7 Agra - Jaipur: Drive from agra to Jaipur. On arrival check in hotel. In the afternoon city tour of The Pink City Jaipur.

Early morning drive form agra to Jaipur (137 miles) on arrival check in the hotel .Afternoon: Sightseeing of Jaipur visiting city palace, palace of winds (Hawa Mahal) & observatory (Jantar Mantar). Hawa Mahal 'palace of the winds' which is not just in your imagination but a real palace, then come to the 'pink city' of Rajasthan and see the Hawa Mahal. Each wall of the palace reinforces the idea that 'dreams truly can come true', and the whole structure is such a beautiful sight that you possibly cannot describe it in words.

The Hawa Mahal, which adjoins the famous City Palace wall, was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and has now become one of the major landmarks of Jaipur. The palace is shaped like a pyramid and is a five-storied building, with number of small windows and screens, with arched roofs. As one looks at this building, one realizes that the rear side of the building is comparatively very plain and lacks much of ornamentation. One is rather surprised at the contrast, since in the front there is intricate carving and much attention has been paid to even minute details yet the backside is more a mass of pillars and passages.

Jantar Mantar: is one of the most timeless and culturally independent pieces of architecture in the world. A place of religion and science still in its own unsecularized integrity, only comparable with the witnesses in stone of the archaic cultures.

Day 8 Jaipur - Delhi: Morning drive to Delhi. Evening kept free to relax. In the evening a fabulous farewell dinner.

Day 8 Delhi: After breakfast. Whole day is available for shopping and packing. Transferred to Delhi airport for onward journey.