Day
01. Flight to India (Delhi)
Around midnight arrival in
Delhi. The cosmopolitan
city and capital
Delhi is the main gateway for travelers. You are met by an Indo
Vacations representative and transferred to the Hotel.
Day 02. Old - New Delhi
This morning is at leisure. Afternoon sightseeing in Old Delhi. We
take a Rickshaw Ride parallel to the
Red Fort through the old city and
famous Silk Road and Silver Bazaar. Sightseeing of Old Delhi includes
"Rajghat", the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated and
Jama Masjid, the
great mosque of old Delhi. Today we also visit the famous "Humayun
Tomb" which is the first substantial example of Mughal
architecture in India and Qutub Minar which is 71 meter high and
was constructed in 1199. Before we proceed to the Hotel we have a drive
through New Delhi where we see the
India Gate, Government Buildings
and Embassies.
Day 03. Delhi
- Sariska (about 180 km)
Today we leave the capital and drive to
Sariska
National Park which is situated in the northern part of Aravali hills.
Sariska has an area above 479
square km and was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1973 from the government of India.
We take a Jeep ride to watch the activities of Sambars, Chitals, Nilgais, Chausinghas, Jackals, Wild boars, langurs
etc.
Day 04. Sariska - Jaipur (about
130 km)
Today we drive to the Pink City,
Jaipur. This city owes its name, foundations and careful planning to the great warrior and astronomer, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and famous for its handicrafts and precious and semiprecious stones.
In the afternoon we visit the
City Palace which is still the formal residence of the royal family, built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. In the museum of the
City Palace we visit the private collection of the Jaipur Maharajas. We continue to
Jantar Mantar, a stone observatory, the largest of Jai Singh's five remarkable observatories. Its complex instruments reveals us the secrets of medieval Indian astronomy.
Day
05. Jaipur
After breakfast we drive to the ancient capital of
Amber, laying 11 km. away from Jaipur. Amber was the ancient capital of Kachhawaha dynasty for 6 centuries before it was moved to newly created Jaipur. We will ascend to the Palace Fortress on the back of an Elephant. Enroute to Amber we visit the
Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), built in 1799 AD, it contains 953 small casements with each having its own balcony. The windows enabled cool air to circulate and the ladies to watch processions below without being seen.
In the afternoon we have a walk through the colourful Bazaar of Jaipur and visit a factory to see the famous block printing work being done since centuries in Jaipur.
In the evening we drive through the new city of Jaipur and visit "Laxmi Narayan Mandir", a Hindu temple made out of white marble. We might have an opportunity here to observe a prayer ceremony. Today we have dinner with a presentation of Indian music and dance.
Day 06. Jaipur - Ranthambore (about
200 km)
Today we leave the pink city Jaipur and drive to
Ranthambore. After a break
and refreshment in Ranthambore we will explore the park on a canter.
Ranthambore National Park is surrounded by the Vindhyas and the Aravali mountains and covers an area of 392
square km. The Tiger remains the biggest attraction of the Ranthambore National Park.
Day 07. Ranthambore
- Bharatpur (about 250 km)
In the early morning we again explore the park on canters. After the
canter jungle Safari and perhaps with the memories of our encounter with tiger we leave the Ranthambore National Park and proceed to
Bharatpur.
Bharatpur has its fame due to Keoladeo Birds National Park. Bharatpur was earlier a duck shooting resort of the Maharaja.
In the evening we visit the
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Keoladeo National Park with its 375 species is one of the best water bird sanctuary in the world. In winter there are many migratory birds from the northern hemisphere including the rare Siberian crane.
Day 08. Bharatpur
- Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (about 70 km)
Today we leave Rajasthan, the biggest state in India and drive through a series of fields, small towns and villages to Agra. Enroute we make a stop and visit
Fatehpur Sikri, which was once an imperial capital frozen in time, constructed by Akbar the Great in the 16th century. This wonderful city constructed by red sand stones was abandoned as abruptly as it had been built. It has been generally stated that it was due to failing in the water supply. Late evening arrival in
Agra.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 09. Agra
We start today our sightseeing by a visit to the
Agra Fort, built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors. The construction of this massive structure began in 1565 under Akbar's reign and continued till the time of his grandson's reign,
Shah Jahan who built the impressive imperial quarters and mosque.
After the visit of Agra Fort we proceed to visit the most beautiful monument of India, the
Taj Mahal, an enduring monument to love, with a continually fulfilling beauty. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1631-52, as a tomb and memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace), who died at the age of 39 giving birth to her 14th child. We spend enough time at Taj Mahal to take this impressive memory home. After the visit of Taj Mahal we have a look at the famous fine marble inlay work which is still being done in Agra by the descendants of the families of builders and artists of the Taj
Mahal.
Day 10. Agra
- Delhi (about 200 km)
In the morning, after having our Breakfast we drive to Delhi. Arrival in Delhi in the afternoon.
The rest of the day at leisure. (opportunity for the last shopping or enjoy a massage in the Hotel).
Day 11. Flight
to Home
Around midnight flight to home destination.
About
Hotels:
We
provide you the accommodation as per your budget mentioned above in
the table of hotels category for any of the booked tour. Hotels
provided by us are from budget to luxury class hotels. Luxury hotels
are all five stars or of above standard. Deluxe would be a
combination of 3 and 4 star Hotels and standard would be a
combination of 2 and 3 star or similar hotels. The
criteria for selecting hotels by us remains the best value of your
money. We also provide you wherever possible accommodation in
heritage hotels. Heritage Hotels are old Palaces, Forts and Grand
mansions of Maharajas which have been later renovated and converted
into Hotels. Rooms are decorated all individually. Rooms are
comfortable, romantic and present the flair of olden Maharaja days.
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