Day
1 -
Delhi
DELHI ARRIVAL
Upon your arrival at the airport, you are welcomed and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight: Delhi
Day
2 -
Delhi
DELHI: CITYTOUR (B)
Begin your day with a guided tour of the Old City of ‘Shahjahanabad’. Your introduction to the city will be with a visit to the Raj Ghat – the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. On your way, drive past the Red Fort, the magical monument in red sandstone built at the pinnacle of the Mughal Empire. Stroll through the bustling narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk to Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India built by Shahjahan. In the afternoon continue with your sightseeing tour of New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. You will visit the Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India built to establish the might of Islam and onset of Muslim rule in India. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate(War Memorial Arch), the Parliament buildings and the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the President’s residence).
Overnight: Delhi
Day
3 -
Agra
DELHI – AGRA (B)
After breakfast, check out and drive towards Agra. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. In the afternoon visit the world renowned Taj Mahal. Referred to as one of the wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal in Agra is the epitome of tourism in India and is celebrated for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty. A symphony in white marble, a tribute to eternal love, it was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. There are tombs of Mumtaz and Shahjahan within the mausoleum. Continue to visit Great Fort of Agra, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture and the seat and stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. Originally planned as an impregnable military structure by Akbar, the Agra Fort, over a period of time, acquired all the elegance, lavishness and majesty of an imperial palace. End the tour with a visit to Agra's local market and witness the marble inlay work demonstration.
Overnight: Agra
Day
4 -
Ranthambore
AGRA – BHARATPUR – RANTHAMBORE (B, D)
This morning drive to Bharatpur station and en route visit Akbar’s abandoned capital, Fatehpur Sikri. Built by Mughal emperor Akbar in 1571 in honour of the Sufi saint, Sheikh Salim Chisti, it was the Mughal capital for 14 years after which it was abandoned due to paucity of water. It is made of red sandstone and combines influences from both Hindu and Mughal architecture. Even to this day, the entrance to the fort is through the road that Akbar built which leads to the Buland Darwaza, a huge 54 metres gateway. Continue your drive to Bharatpur station for your train Kota Janshatbdi to Sawai Madhopur. Uppon arrival, check into your hotel in Ranthambore and enjoy your dinner.
Overnight: Ranthambore
Day
5 -
Ranthambore
RANTHAMBORE: GAME DRIVE (B, L, D)
Before breakfast, start your first game drive into the Park by shared Jeep and discover the wildlife. Once a famous hunting place for the Maharajahs of Jaipur, now a National Park for many different animals. See Tigers, Leopards, Sambar Deer, Jungle Cats, and many more during your morning tour. After lunch, you have your second game drive to discover more of the great wild animals.
Overnight: Ranthambore
Day
6 -
Jaipur
RANTHAMBORE – JAIPUR (B)
Today, drive to the impressive city of Jaipur. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight: Jaipur
Day
7 -
Jaipur
JAIPUR: AMBER FORT – ANOKHI MUSEUM – CITYTOUR OF JAIPUR (B, D)
Drive in the morning to the ancient capital of Amer to see the fabulous Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur city. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Moat Lake. Continue then to the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing, to observe the consuming and exhausting method of hand-block printing in entirety, from carving of wooden blocks to transformation of raw fabric into a piece of art. Enjoy then a CityTour of Jaipur on a quirky Tuk-Tuk. Start your tour at the Pink City, an “abode of rajahs”. The highlights of the tour include a visit to the City Palace Museum, which has a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes. Continue to the awe inspiring Jantar Mantar Observatory, a stone astrological and astronomical Observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the 18th century. Also enjoy a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) - a five-storied wonder with a spectacular pyramidal façade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes and spires. Your dinner will be served tonight at a special place: inside the famed Amber Fort! The seating is split invarious small sections, decorated with chandeliers, silk rugs and silver furniture. Not one of the most crowded places, the highlight includes Thaali meals in an exotic ambience.
Overnight: Jaipur
Day
8 -
Delhi
JAIPUR – DELHI DEPARTUR (B)
Before you leave India, enjoy an elephant safari at Dera Amer. It is going to be a unique opportunity to enjoy an interesting insight into the countryside and rural life of Rajasthan. With a beautiful wooden howdah on its back, the elephant and his mahout welcomes you and the safari starts. The elephants take you through farms, agricultural fields, hills and ancient monuments tucked away in the countryside. The atmosphere is peaceful and all you can hear is the ringing of bells that are a part of the ornaments your elephant wears, occasional dialogue between the mahouts and the elephants and sometimes the cheers of excited children from the villages who gather and follow the elephants enjoying this rare sight. Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast afterwards, before you drive back to Delhi. Catch your flight back home or for your onward journey.