Royal Indian Wildlife Tour
Royal Indian Wildlife Tour
Duration: 14 Nights / 15 Days
Places Cover: Delhi – Varanasi – Khajuraho – Orchha – Jhansi – Agra – Bharatpur – Ranthambhore – Jaipur – Udaipur – Delhi
Day 01: Delhi
Arrival at Delhi
You will be met on arrival at the International airport. 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. Delhi is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land and a window to the kaleidoscope – that is India. Overnight will be in Delhi.
Day 02 : Delhi – Varanasi
By Air
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Transfer in time to airport for flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi, VARANASI IS THE WORLD’S MOST ANCIENT LIVING CITY. SUNRISE ON THE RIVERFRONT, AS SEEN FROM A BOAT, CAN BE SPIRITUALLY UPLIFTING SIGHT. CROWDED WITH TEMPLES, AND ITS LABYRINTH OF STREETS, THE CITY ATTRACTS THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TOURISTS. THE RELIGIOUS CAPITAL OF HINDUISM, VARANASI IS THE CARPET MANUFACTURING PLACE OF INDIA. IT WAS PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS KASHI – THE CITY THAT ILLUMINATES. THE PRESENT NAME IS DERIVED FROM THE FACT THAT THE CITY IS AT THE CONFLUENCE OF THE RIVERS VARUNA AND ASI. Visit Sarnath ? 5 miles out of Varanasi for a day excursion: One of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 BC. Witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a fine Museum which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures found at the site. Proceed to the GHATS for a sunset tour on the river. Overnight will be spent at Varanasi.
Day 03 : Varanasi
Drive early morning to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world’s oldest and most important religions. (To start at 0500 hrs. for the best lifetime experience) For you to appreciate this remarkable city, we’ll transfer you to the banks of the River Ganges before the sun rises. Board a boat with your guide and proceed to the middle of the river, where at sunrise the sight unfolds before you. Thousands of faithful come daily to the banks to bathe and pray while in the background, temples and palaces rise in tiers from the water’s edge. Then return for a walk through the cobblestone streets along the banks of “Ganga”. As shops are opening, the place now becomes a beehive of activity as the faithful are coming and going. Also visit the Kashi Vishwana th Temple while returning to the hotel. Return for breakfast to the hotel. Proceed for day guided tour of Varanasi including the Gyanvapi Mosque and Benaras Hindu University.
Overnight will be at Varanasi.
Day 04 : Varanasi – Khajuraho
By Air
In the morning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world’s oldest and most important religions. (To start at 0500 hrs. for the best lifetime experience) For you to appreciate this remarkable city, we’ll transfer you to the banks of the River Ganges before the sun rises. Board a boat with your guide and proceed to the middle of the river, where at sunrise the sight unfolds before you. Thousands of faithful come daily to the banks to bathe and pray while in the background, temples and palaces rise in tiers from the water’s edge. Return for a walk through the cobblestone streets along the banks of “Ganga”.As shops are opening, the place now becomes a beehive of activity as the Return to hotel for a sumptuous breakfast. Proceed for a guided tour of Varanasi in the afternoon including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Gyanvapi Mosque, Benaras Hindu University and other important monuments.
Transfer to airport for flight to Khajuraho.
Situated In The Heart Of India, In The State Of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho Is A Fascinating Village With A Quaint, Rural Ambience And A Rich Cultural Heritage, Honoured By The World As India’s Unique Contribution To Human Civilisation. The Chandela Dynasty Built Eighty-Five Temples Here. Twenty Remain As Embodiments Of Indian Architectural And Sculptural Art At Its Most Evolved State. Even Ten Centuries After They Were Constructed, The Temples Of Khajuraho Reflect An Eternal Philosophy Relevant To All Mankind. The Temples Of Khajuraho Is A World Heritage Site And Belong Not Just To India But To The World. Khajuraho Is One Of The Few Millennium Destinations Of The World.
Reach Khajuraho. Transferred to hotel and relax. Visit the FAMOUS TEMPLES. Overnight will be at Khajuraho.
Day 05 : Khajuraho – Orchha – Jhansi – Agra
By Road 170 km in 4 hr
By Train
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for a short tour of the EXOTIC TEMPLES to complete the tour started previous afternoon.
Proceed by surface to ORCHHA.
ORCHHA – A medieval city founded by Bundela rulers with Palaces and temples of the 16th and 17th century which have remarkable withstood the onslaught of time. The city is picturesquely flanked by the River Betwa. Proceed for sightseeing of ORCHHA sites within the Fort Complex. Lunch will be at Orchha and then proceed to the station (12 km away) for train to Agra. {This is a superfast train with airline type seats and snacks / mineral water is served on board) Reach Agra and transfer to 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. Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 06 : Agra
Visit TAJ MAHAL at sunrise.
TAJ MAHAL: The fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, built it in 1631 in the memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian princess. She died while accompanying her husband in Behrampur in a campaign to crush a rebellion, after giving birth to their 14th child. Her death so crushed the emperor that all his hair and beard were said to have grown snow white in a few months. When Mumtaz Mahal was still alive, she extracted four promises from the emperor: first, that he build the Taj; second, that he should marry again; third, that he be kind to their children; and fourth, that he visit the tomb on her death anniversary. He kept the first and second promises. Construction began in 1631 and was completed in 22 years. Twenty thousand people were deployed to work on it. An Iranian architect designed it and it is best appreciated when the architecture and its adornments are linked to the passion that inspired it. It is a “symbol of eternal love”.
Having buried her down at Behrampur, it was time for the emperor to keep his promise and build a tomb there itself. But by and by, it was felt that it was virtually impossible to transfer all the marble there, as it would cost an entire fortune and an entire lifetime. So, when Agra was chosen as the only alternative, astonishingly her grave was uprooted and brought to Agra, only to be finally transferred to the monument, completed Return to the hotel for breakfast.
Proceed to visit 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 Agra and visit Agra Fort- which was built by Akbar In 1525 AD.
Visit TAJ MAHAL at sunset. Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 07 : Agra – Bharatpur – Ranthambhore
By road from Agra to Bharatpur
60 km/1 hr
By train from Bharatpur to Ranthambhore
3 hr (approx)
Drive to Ranthambhore after breakfast visiting Bharatpur en-route. Bharatpur is the eastern gateway to Rajasthan. Bharatpur is popular for its bird sanctuary-the Keoladeo Ghana National Park – finest in Asia rich avian variety. Every year the rare Siberian cranes come to spend the winter in the warmer climate of Bharatpur. Drive around the National Park in a rickshaw and view the different species of birds. A naturalist will accompany you to help spotting the rare species.
Proceed to station for train to Ranthambhore and on arrival check-in at Hotel. 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.Ranthambhore – perhaps the best place in the world to sight a tiger in the wild. The Ranthambhore National Park has had more Tiger sightings than any other National Park in the country. It has come to be known as “The land of the Tiger”, where most of the documented footage of this majestic beast has been recorded.
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. Overnight will be at Ranthambhore.
Day 08 : Ranthambhore
Breakfast will be at hotel. Enjoy two private jungle safaris at Ranthambhore. Overnight will be at Ranthambhore.
Day 09 : Ranthambhore
Breakfast will be at hotel. Enjoy two private jungle safaris at Ranthambhore. Overnight will be at Ranthambhore.
Day 10 : Ranthambhore – Jaipur
By Road
180 km / 3 hr
Proceed for the morning safari into the National Park.
Proceed to Jaipur after breakfast.
JAIPUR – The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and history – A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. It is popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens. Reach Jaipur and check in at hotel. Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 11 : Jaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed for a morning excursion will be taken to the Amber Fort. Enjoy the fort ascent on elephant back in a royal manner.
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. Proceed for city sightseeing after lunch. The sites to include:
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. Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 12 : Jaipur – Udaipur
By Air
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Transfer to the airport for flight to Udaipur. Reach Udaipur and relax. The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure lake, hemmed in by the lush hills of the ARAVALLIS. A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences and inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers.
Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic past, epitomizing valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the LAKE PICHOLA is an enticing sight. Udaipur is the jewel of MEWAR -a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years. Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat you will be able toview the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace – the other island palace in the middle of the lake. Spend some time at the Jag Mandir Palace. Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 13 : Udaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur, stopping first at City Palace. Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard. Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the Royal Cenotaphs. Overnight will be in Udaipur.
Day 14 : Udaipur – Delhi
By Flight Breakfast will be at hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. Reach and transfer to hotel. In the evening proceed for the DANCES OF INDIA SHOW and the FAREWELL DINNER. Overnight will be in Delhi.
Day 15 : Delhi – Home
Breakfast will be in the hotel. Start a day tour of Old & 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, a drive along the ceremonial avenue – Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President’s Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Transfer to the international airport for flight on the early hours of the next day
