Duration: 07
Nights / 08 Days
(Delhi - Agra - Ranthambhore - Jaipur - Delhi)
Day 01 : Arrive at Delhi
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international
airport in Delhi late in the night or midnight. Transfer to your hotel.
Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis
with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction
to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope
- that is India. Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 02 : Delhi
Start a full-day tour of Old and New Delhi after breakfast.
OLD DELHI : A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting
the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama
Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent
fort and palace of the Moghul Empire. Enjoy a Cycle rickshaw ride from Jama
Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
NEW DELHI : An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include
a visit to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar and a drive along the ceremonial
avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's
Residence and the Lotus Temple and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic
Enclave. Spend night at Delhi.
Day 03 : Delhi - Agra
Start for Agra early in the morning after breakfast. Reach and check in
at hotel.
AGRA : Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed
the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal
Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today
a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red
sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that
irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains.
It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage
most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city
will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine. Proceed
for day sightseeing of Agra.
TAJ MAHAL : Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder
which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra.
Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful
wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed,
and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design
balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its
elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work
ever seen. AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD,
the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture
perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction. After Agra Fort
we will visit BABY TAJ - The interiors of which are considered better than
the Taj. Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 04 : Agra - Ranthambhore
Breakfast will be at hotel. Drive to Fatehpur Sikri. The deserted, red Sandstone
City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th
century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and
its "ruins" are in pristine condition ... it's not hard to imagine
what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur. Also
visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world. Proceed to Ranthambhore.
Reach and transfer to the resort. Evening free at the resort and you can
relax or watch some slides on the tiger.
Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, at the junction of the Aravalis and the
Vindhyas, is a unique example of natural and historical richness, standing
out conspicuously in the vast, arid and denuded tract of eastern Rajasthan,
barely 14 kilometers from Sawai Madhopur. Get in tune with nature for a
luxury holiday in the heart of the jungle. It spreads over a highly undulating
topography varying from gentle to steep slopes; from flat topped hills of
the Vindhyas to the conical hillocks and sharp ridges of the Aravalis, from
wide and flat valleys to narrow rocky gorges. An important geological feature
the 'Great Boundary Fault' where the Vindhya plateaus meet the Aravali hill
Ranges, meanders through the Reserve. The National Park is bound by the
rivers Chambal in the south and Banas in the north.Ranthambhore forest is
of tropical dry deciduous type, further classified as Dhok climax forest
because of the predominance of Dhok (Anogeissus pendulla) found nearly everywhere.
Dhok is an extremely hardy tree, capable of withstanding prolonged droughts.
The leaves of this tree are good fodder and they are browsed by herbivores,
and form a significant part of their diet. Even the dry, fallen leaves,
eaten by them, are rich source of nutrition. Tiger, at the apex of the food
chain, lord over the kingdom in a subtle way. Solitary by nature, it operates
in stealth. Therefore tiger sightings, frequent as they are, are always
a matter of chance. However, even evidences of tiger's activities are very
exciting. Dinner will be served at the resort and relax for the night at
resort.
Day 05 : Ranthambhore
Wake up early morning and leave for your safari into the National Park.
Track the tigers and other wildlife through the morning. Return to the resort
/ lodge by 1000 in the morning and have breakfast. Freshen up and either
spend time at the pool or visit the town. You could also go for a nice visit
to the temple on top of the fort. In the afternoon have lunch and then leave
again for you afternoon safari. The safari will be till evening 1700 - 1800
hr and then return to the resort / lodge. Dinner will be at the resort and
retire early for the night. Overnight will be at Ranthambhore.
Day 06 : Ranthambhore - Jaipur
Proceed to the National Park for the third safari. Return to the resort
for breakfast. Leave for Jipur after breakfast. Reach and check in at hotel.
Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan a romantic realm of resplendent
palaces, mighty fortresses and regal Maharajahs that lies in the western
deserts and is an utterly unique part of India. Proudly belonging to the
KSHATRIYA warrior caste and fiercely independent, the Rajput princes made
fearsome foes. However, many of them realized that to maintain their wealth
and authority locally, it was expedient to proclaim allegiance to the central
power. Thus, many enjoyed a privileged position under the Mughal emperors
and also the British Raj that followed. The bustling Rajasthan capital of
Jaipur takes its name from its venerated founder Jai Singh II, who was given
the title Sawai Maharaja by the Mughal. Literally translated this would
mean 'one and a quarter', suggesting that the Mughal thought this emperor
to be more valuable than just 'one'. Jaipur is known as the 'Pink City'
on account of the distinctive colour of its buildings. This did not, however,
form part of the original plan, but dates back to 1856, when the city was
given a wash of pink in honor of a State Visit from Prince Albert. This
evening, visit the Birla Temple to learn more about the fascinating religious
life of Jaipur. The marble structure, built as recently as 1985, houses
ornate statues including one of Lakshmi (goddess of Wealth and Beauty) and
Narayan dressed in gaudy robes, representing a Hindu vision of heavenly
luxury. Carvings in the temple and on pillars supporting the covered walkways
include images of the Hindu pantheon, as well as Jesus, the Blessed Virgin
Mary and St Francis of Assisi. Your visit will coincide with the AARTI Ceremony,
which involves oil lamps being lit and waved, in order to awake and invoke
the deity. Enjoy the experience and spend night at Jaipur. Overnight will
be in Jaipur.
Day 07 : Jaipur
Proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort after breakfast. Elephant
ride ascent to the fort.
AMBER FORT PALACE : Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort
palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed
by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise
where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.Continue
sightseeing.
CITY PALACE : A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani
architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the
walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the
City Palace Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR : This is the largest and the best preserved of the
five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country.
This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still
in use.
HAWA MAHAL : The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds"
is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-storey structure of sandstone
plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies.
The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the
Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women. Relax in the evening
or visit the markets. Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 08 : Jaipur - Delhi
After leisurely breakfast proceed for shopping. Leave for Delhi after lunch.
Reach Delhi and you will be transferred to airport for flight home with
sweet memories of India.
TOUR ENDS
Taj Tiger Tradition Travel Reservation Form