Tour Highlight
This program takes you to Ranthambore National Park; one of the best places to spot the tiger in its natural habitat. The program begins with your arrival in Delhi, the capital of the country. Continue to Jaipur, a royal city with diverse colors and history brimming monuments and citadels and then continue to Ranthambore; the sanctuary of the magnificent wild cats - the tigers. Then we drive to the erstwhile princely state of Bharatpur to visit the Keoladeo Ghana bird sanctuary which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then we continue to Agra, the Mughal city famous for Taj Mahal and other monumental marvels. The tour culminates in Delhi.
Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Late evening arrival at New Delhi International Airport. On your arrival you will be met by our representative who will welcome and escort you to your hotel in a chauffeured car. He will hand you our India travel kit that contains all your hotel and transport vouchers, air/rail tickets, a welcome letter and a list of do' s and don't s while travelling in India.
Meals included - None
Overnight at the hotel
Day 02: In Delhi
Morning after breakfast visit Red Fort (photo - stop) – massive sandstone fort built by Shah Jahan on the banks of river Yamuna. Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and stands across the road from the Red Fort, built in 1656 by Shahjahan. About 20,000 people can pray here at a time, Rajghat - the cremation ground of Mahatma Gandhi. Afternoon proceed for sightseeing of New Delhi where you visit Qutub Minar- the tower of victory started by Qutub-Ud-Din-Aibak in 1199AD upon becoming sultan of Delhi, India Gate (the war memorial) and Presidents House (From outside).
Meals included - Breakfast
Overnight at the hotel
Day 03: Delhi - Jaipur
Today after breakfast we drive to Jaipur(262km - 5hr), popularly known as the Pink City, the flamboyant & colourful capital of Rajasthan. With its rich &colorful past, resplendent with tales of valour & bravery, it is now one of the most important heritage cities in India. The city was founded in the year 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai II, the ruler of Amber. It remains the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors.
Meals included - Breakfast
Overnight at the hotel
Day 04: In Jaipur
Breakfast at the hotel
After breakfast proceed for the sightseeing tour to Jaipur. Our first stop is the famous Amber Fort, the palace complex which stands to this date was commenced under the reign of Raja Man Singh. We take an Elephant ride to reach the Fort situated on the hill, which is an overwhelming experience in itslelf.
As we finish exploringthe Amber Fort we proceed to the City Palace, a perfect blend of Rajasthani & Mughal architecture. The center of the palace is a seven-storied building called Chandra Palace, with fine views over the gardens & the city. Further we visit Jantar Mantar (Solar Observatory), an astronomical treasure house, with solar devices that give accurate predictions till date. We also visit Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a five-storied structure of pink sandstone. It was built in the year 1799 so that veiled royal women could peer down the busy street market through its 593 stone Jharokas (mini windows).
Meals included - Breakfast
Overnight at the hotel
Day 05: Jaipur - Ranthambore
Today after breakfast we drive to the famous Ranthambore National Park(145km -3hr), bounded to the north by Banas River & to the Chambal River in the south. It is named after the historic Ranthambore fortress, which lies within the park. The Park was declared as one of the Project Tiger reserves in the year 1973. It became National Park in the year 1980 & later in the year 1991 the tiger reserve was enlarged to include Sawai Man Singh & Keladevi sanctuaries, total area 1334 km.
It is famous for its tiger population. Other wild animals found in the national park include the leopard, Nilgai, dholes, wild pig, Indian elk, spotted deer& the gaur. It is also home to wide variety of trees, birds & reptiles.
In the evening, we take a jungle safari to try spotting the tigers
Meals included - Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight at the wildlife resort
Day 06: In Ranthambore
Today we continue with the wildlife safari at the Ranthambore National Park. We will get up early in the morning and start with the Jeep Safari to the Tiger Reserve, since becoming one of the original areas under Project, the park has recovered much of its natural beauty & dry deciduous forest has been restored.
In the later half of the day we will visit the Ranthambore Fort, founded in the year 944 by the Chauhan Rajputs. It led by Govinda Raja, grandson of Prithviraj became the center of Chauhan resistance to the expanding Sultanate of Delhi. Later after many battles & rulers, it came in hands of Mughals Emperor Akbar in the year 1559. The fortress passed to the Kachhawa Maharajas of Jaipur in the 17th century & it remained part of Jaipur state until Indian Independence. The area surrounding the fortress became a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur.
Meals included - Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight at the wildlife resort
Day 07: Ranthambore - Bharatpur
Early breakfast at the wildlife resort
Sharp in the next morning, we will be visiting the Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary (255km -05hr), founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in the year 1733. It was once an impregnable, well-fortified city, & the capital of a kingdom ruled by Jat maharajas.
The Sanctuary was previously known as Bharatpur bird Sanctuary & now known as Keoladeo National Park. The name Keoladeo is derived from the name of an ancient Hindu temple devoted to Lord Shiva in the sanctuary's central zone while the Hindi term 'Ghana' implies dense, thick areas of forest cover. This is a magnificent park having one of the World's greatest & most important heronries. It is situated at the confluence of Ghambhir & Banganga Rivers in Bharatpur district. Now a World Heritage site by UNESCO, this former duck-hunting reserve of the Maharajas is one of the major wintering areas for large numbers of aquatic birds from Afghanistan, Siberia & Turkmenistan. Some 364 species of birds, including the rare Siberian Crane, have been recorded in the park.
Meals included - Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight at the hotel
Day 08: Bharatpur - Agra via Fatehpur Sikri
After breakfast we will drive to Agra, en route we will visit Fatehpur Sikri (55 km – 2 hr), the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign, from the year 1571 until 1585, when it was abandoned, ostensibly due to lack of water. We visit Emperor Akbar's Residential complex, Mosque & Tomb of Salim Chisti.
Further we continue our drive to Agra, situated on the banks of river Yamuna. It achieved prominence as the capital of the Mughals Emperors from the year 1526 to 1628, remains major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era monuments, most notably the Agra Fort & Fatehpur Sikri, all three are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Later we visit Agra Fort, taken over from the Lodhis by the Mughals Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century. The Fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city. It was built from red sandstone, often inlaid with white marble & intricate decorations.
Meals included - Breakfast
Overnight at the hotel
Day 09: Agra - Delhi
Early morning proceed to the Taj Mahal (Closed on Fridays). Taj Mahal is perhaps the most photographed monument in the world. Taj Mahal regarded as the epitome of immortal love all over the world is no less than a magnificent love story carved in marble. Taj Mahal’s glory and beauty of building surpasses beyond all human imaginations.
Return to your hotel for breakfast.
Later we continue our drive to Delhi, upon arrival in Delhi you will be transferred to the Airport for onward Destination.
Meals included - Breakfast
