07NIGHTS / 09 DAYS
DAY 01 ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
DAY 02 DELHI
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning sightseeing of Old Delhi takes you to the magnificent Red Fort(drive pass only), – a marvel in red sandstone, built on the banks of River Yamuna by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Visit Raj Ghat (memorial to Mahatma Gandhi), Jama Masjid, – The largest mosque in India. Drive past Chandi Chowk, once an imperial avenue of Mughal Royalty which today is the busiest commercial area of the city. Walk through Chandni Chowk to savour the ambience of an oriental bazaar.
In the afternoon sightseeing of New Delhi. Visit the 12th century Qutab Minar, gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of 234ft, and the iron pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time and not rusted even after 1500 years. Visit the mausoleum of emperor Humayun – a forerunner of the Mughal style of architecture. Drive past the India Gate (war memorial dedicated to the lives of laid down by the Indian soldiers), the president’s residence – formerly the Viceroy’s Palace, parliament House and the Secretariat buildings, – an interesting blend of the Victorian and 20th century architecture.
Overnight in the hotel.
DAY 03 DELHI – AGRA By Surface 220 km/4 hours
Breakfast at the hotel.
Later transfer to Agra by Surface.
On arrival to Agra hotel check in.
AFTERNOON CITY TOUR INCLUDING VISIT WORLD FAMOUS TAJ MAHAL
Agra has long been renowned as the city of the Taj Mahal. This has often overshadowed the fact that this royal Mughal has, in addition to the legendary Taj, many magnificent monuments that epitomise the high point of the
Mughal architectural achievement. Not even Delhi the seat of kings and emperors for over a thousand years, can boast such a heritage of architectural and cultural splendour from the golden age of the Great Mughals.
Agra was the chosen city of the Mughal emperors during the early years. It was here thatthe founder of the dynasty, Babur, laid out the first formal Persian garden on the banks of theRiver Yamuna. Here, Akbar, his grandson, raised the towering ramparts of the great Red Fort.Within its walls, Jehangir built rose-red palaces, courts and gardens. Shahjehanembellished it with marbled mosques, palaces and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble.
Morning visit the world famous Taj Mahal – Perhaps no other symbol epitomizes India as Taj Mahal. Situated on the banks of the river Yamuna, the Taj Mahal is an epitome of love, a poem in marble by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan for his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is entirely made of white marble and its walls are decorated with exquisite pietra dura (stone inlay) work. It is said that different types of precious and semi-precious stones were used in the intricate inlay work done on the interiors. This magnificent monument is set around a Charbagh or ‘four garden’ plan, which is split by watercourses-a reflection of the Persian style.
TAJ MAHAL IS CLOSED ON FRIDAYS.
Agra Fort – Built by Emperor Akbar on the west bank of the river Yamuna and beautified with palaces and gardens by Jehangir, Agra Fort today dominates the centre of the city. Diwan-i-Aam (hall of public audience) and Diwan-i-Khas (hall of private audience) were built by Shahjahan for receiving audiences. Other places to see within the fort include the Khas Mahal, Sheesh Mahal (the mirror palace) and the Anguri Bagh (the Grape Garden).
After sightseeing proceed to watch stage performance “Mohabbat – E – Taj”
“Mohabbat E Taj” The Saga of Love is based on story behind the making of Taj Mahal. The eternal love story of Emperor Shahjahan & his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal who gave us first wonder in the world in the form of ‘Taj Mahal’.
The romantic tale from Indian history has been told in a dramatic manner through a live performance by over 80 professional artistes packed by latest light & sound technologies, the climax being the unexpected out of this world appearance of the most precious jewel the Taj Mahal on the stage.
“Mohabbat the Taj” is a live show performed by 70 professional artists from different parts of India. Major attraction of our show is 12’ Taj Replica (8250 Kg. in weight) which is made up of with the same material from which original Taj is made up off. Same inlay work same geometrical structure.
Overnight at hotel.
DAY 04 AGRA – RANTHAMBORE By Surface via FATEHPUR SIKRI 257 km/ 6 hours
Breakfast at the hotel.
After transfer to Ranthanbore visiting enroute Fatehpur Sikri.
Perched atop a rocky ridge 37 km west of Agra, Fatehpur Sikri came into being four centuries ago when the Emperor Akbar, created the first planned city in Indo- Islamic style. The city was actualised with great energy, but was completely abandoned a little more than a decade later. Fatehpur Sikri is built in red sandstone, and is a beautiful blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural elements.
Later continue drive to Ranthanbore. On arrival hotel check in.
Ranthambore reserve is situated in India’s northwestern state of Rajasthan, near the town of Sawai Madhopur, midway between Bharatpur and Kota townships. It is surrounded by the Vindhya and Aravali hill ranges and is very near to the outer fringes of the Thar Desert. The entire area has sprawling tracts of the desert and semi-desert vegetation. Originally a hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur, Ranthambore was declared a game sanctuary in 1955. In 1980, it became a national park and listed among the reserves protected under Project Tiger (1973). Presently the Kaila Devi Sanctuary, also famous for its tigers, and Mansingh Sanctuary also form part of Ranthambore Reserve.
Tigers can be spotted quite often in their natural habitat even during daytime. They have been frequently seen at the edges of three lakes—Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab and Milak Talab. The park also has panthers in sizable numbers, though they have been spotted generally at the outskirts of the park perhaps due to the inevitable conflict with the tiger population, which command the ‘superior’ position amidst the predatory cats. For spotting panthers, Kachida Valley is regarded as the ideal place.
Other mammalian species that have made Ranthambore their home are antelopes, nilgai, sambhar, chital, sloth bear, wild boar, chinkara, porcupines, jackals, leopards, jungle cats, fox, caracals, hyena, gazelle, Indian hare, mongoose and jacanas. Sambhars are in abundance at the park and form the prime target of all the predatory mammals.
The park’s topography varies from secure forests to open scrublands. Vegetation is of the dry deciduous type, with dhok being the most prominent tree. Ranthambore’s water bodies are known to have lovely lotus flowers and water lilies. Among the park’s other oddities is the forest rest house, Jogi Mahal, the premises of which sports the second largest banyan tree in India! Ranthambore is one of the most suitable places for wildlife photography in the world. The park may be toured in a jeep or lorry-van. A guide and a park ranger generally accompany tourists. There is a network of four gravel tracks inside the park for safaris. Ruins within and around Ranthambore bear a testimony to its royal past. There are lake palaces, old fortifications and the majestic Ranthambore fort on a height overlooking the park. The forest rest house is situated at the foot of the fort within Jogi Mahal. It overlooks the Padam Talab, which is afloat with water lilies and lotuses.There are about 264 species of birds found within the park including painted storks white-necked storks, black storks, peafowl, crested serpent eagles, Bonelli’s eagle, Indian horned owl, quail, partridge, spur fowl, paradise flycatcher and jacanas. During winters migratory birds like graylag goose, ruddy sheiduck and pintails may also be spotted. Monitor lizards and marsh crocodiles are also found here.
In the eveningjungle safari in the Ranthambore National Park.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 05 RANTHAMBORE – JAIPUR By Surface 145 km/3 Hours.
Early morning jungle safari in the Ranthambore National Park
Later back to the hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast transfer to Jaipur by surface.
On arrival to Jaipur hotel check in.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 06 JAIPUR
Morning Amber Fort with elephant ride. Amber is a classic, romantic Rajasthani fort Palace. The rugged, time-ravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful from the outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. Miniatures painted on the walls depict hunting and war scenes, apart from festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are embedded into the plaster. A major attraction at Amber is the Elephant Ride all the way up to the Fort entrance. This journey on caparisoned elephants is bound to enrich your memories with the Royal lifestyle of the Maharajas and leave you with a truly unforgettable experience. Inside the Fort visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory. Inside the Jag Mandir is the famed Sheesh Mahal – a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period. Enroute to Amber Fort, you will have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal – the Palace of Winds.
Afternoon city tour begins with a visit to the Maharaja’s City Palace, the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur. Built in the style of a fortified campus, the palace covers almost one-seventh in area of the city. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as Armoury Museum housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers. The royal families of Jaipur once used most of these weapons. Later visit the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. Situated near the gate of the city palace, the observatory has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition.
IN THE EVENING OPTIONAL :
GALA DINNER AT SAMODE.
Durbar Evening at Samode include:
- Camel cart procession to the Palace
- Accompany of local band and ‘mashals’
- Royal Welcome with horses and camels on each side
- Beautifully illuminated Palace
- Champagne cocktail with delicious food on the terrace
- Folk dance performance.
- Spectacular firework display.
Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 07 JAIPUR
Breakfast in the hotel.
Day at leisure.
OPTION 1: BALOON SAFARI
Sky Waltz Balloon Safari experience lasts for about 2 hours with approximately an hour in the air. Enjoy the Pink City view from above.
OPTION 2: ELEPHANT POLO
- Welcome at the entrance by gaily decorated elephants
- Covered seating area
- professional commentator
- 9 Elephants – 4 in each team
- One client and Mahout (Elephant driver) on each Elephant
- Greetings by a military bagpiper’s band
- Briefing introduction with demonstration
Or shopping in the famous Jaipur markets.
Among other things, Jaipur is famous for its different shopping areas. The wide range of items and goods that are available in the markets of Jaipur make this capital of Rajasthan one of the most shopped places on earth. Johari Bazaar is a famous shopping area of Jaipur. As the name suggests, Johari Bazaar is essentially a bazaar of Rajasthani jewelry. The bazaar is famous not only for its extensive range of jewelry products available but also for its bustling ambience. Various necklaces, pendants, earrings, rings, bracelets and other pieces of jewelry made of gold studded with precious stones like diamonds, emeralds, rubies and pearls are displayed to mesmerize you with their sheer beauty and glitter.
Johari bazaar in Jaipur boasts of being a world renowned market for jewelry. Products of diamonds, emeralds, gold and silver are found in plenty in the shops at Johari bazaar. The bazaar remains open all through the week and the best time to visit this shop is from 1100 hours to 1900 hours. The extravagant display of different types of Rajasthani jewelry lures tourists from different parts of India as well as from various parts of the world.
Overnight in the hotel.
DAY 08 JAIPUR -GURGAON / DELHI By Surface
Breakfast in the hotel.
After breakfast transfer to Delhi by surface.
Upon arrival in Gurgaon/Delhi following are the optional activities:
Kingdom of Dreams for the stage show and Farewell Dinner.
Kingdom of Dreams
Kingdom of Dreams is a spectacular world of unparalleled imagination, which brings to you a blend of India’s culture, heritage, art, crafts, cuisine and performing arts with mind boggling technological wizardry of today.
Zangoora, the Gypsy Prince, the magnum opus production is an Indian Cinema styled live musical, bringing alive the splendour of India in a mesmerizing on-stage drama. The magic, aerial sequences, sound, lights, video, special effects and technology showcased in Nautanki Mahal gives the audience an experience of watching a movie live in a 4D format.
Overnight at hotel.
DAY 09 LEAVE DELHI BY FLIGHT
In time transfer to the international airport to board flight for onward destination.