Arrive Delhi by an International flight. Meeting and
assistance on arrival at Delhi Airport and transfer to the hotel. On
arrival, check in to the hotel room. Delhi
- the capital of India, is a fascinating city with complexities and
contradictions, beauty and dynamism, where the past co-exists with the
present. Many dynasties ruled from here and the city is rich in the
architecture of its monuments. Delhi is not only the present metropolis of
India but also a Necropolis. Because of its location, being on the banks of
the river Yamuna, many cities have risen and fallen over the last five
millenniums. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 02 : Delhi
Morning full day tour of the city. Visit to the Old City
of Delhi to see the historic Red Fort and the Jama Masjid, India's largest
mosque from the outside. See the colourful bazaar of Chandni Chowk and take
a cycle rickshaw ride through the back streets of Old Delhi to get a first
hand experience of the hustle and bustle of this traditional city. This ride
through the small by-lanes will be most fascinating.
Return to the enroute doing a tour of New Delhi visiting the Qutab Minar, a
tower of victory built in the 12th century and India Gate - the war
memorial. Drive past the Rashtrapathi Bhawan, the residence of the President
of India, the houses of Parliament and the Government Secretariat buildings.
Overnight in Delhi.
Day 03 : Delhi - Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur ( 280 kms/ 5 ½ hours ).
Assistanc eon arrival and check in to the room. Jaipur - the capital of Rajasthan, is colour washed pink - the
colour associated with hospitality in Rajput culture. This Pink City of
fairy tale palaces, rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad
avenues, is picturesque. The first planned city of its time, Jaipur is
encircled by a formidable wall. Check into the hotel, rest of the afternoon
at leisure for independent activities. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 04 : Jaipur
Morning
- excursion to Amber Fort with Elephant ride upto the Fort. Drive past
Hawa Mahal, known popularly as the Palace of Winds, is a facade built for
the Ladies of the Royal household in the 19th century. The Amber Fort, the
capital of the erstwhile State of Jaipur until 1728 is perched on a hill. It
has halls of Public and Private audience, a Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors)
various marble palaces which are marvelous examples of ancient Rajput
architecture. The Temple of Amba (Mother Goddess), the patron deity of the
Royal family is at the entrance to the palace. Ride an elephant to ascend
the hill on which the Fort is situated. Afternoon - city tour visiting the City Palace - the former royal
residence built in a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal styles which houses a
museum with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armoury of the
Mughals and Rajputs, including swords of different shapes and sizes with
ornate handles. It has an art gallery with an excellent collection of
miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical
works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit. Also visit the Jantar Mantar -
an astrological and astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in
the 18th century, which is remarkable for its accuracy even in the present
times. Overnight in Jaipur
Morning drive for Ranthambore (166 kms/ 3 hours). On
arrival, check in at the lodge.
Ranthambore - With an area of 400 sq. km encompassing rocky hill
crests which descend to open valleys between the Aravalli and Vindhya
ranges, dotted with water pools and fruit trees, this park gets its name
from the thousand year old fortress, which looms above the forest. Well
known for the diurnal activity of tigers, Ranthambore is a very special and
unusual area where a natural present meets a historical past. Sambar,
cheetal, chinkara, nilgai and languor. The elusive leopard and tigers are
found in this reserve with tourists standing a very good chance of seeing
tigers during the day. Dotted across the landscape are the crumbling ruins
of its past glory, be it chatris or cupolas, like palaces or old guard
posts, all of which reinforce the magical and ethereal quality of this great
wilderness. Lunch and Dinner at the lodge. Afternoon visit the sanctuary on
Jeep. Overnight in Ranthambore
Day 06 : Ranthambore
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the lodge.
Morning and afternoon visit the sanctuary on Jeep with an English speaking
Naturalist. Overnight in Ranthambore
Day 07 : Ranthambore
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the lodge.
Morning and afternoon visit the sanctuary on Jeep with an English speaking
Naturalist. Overnight in Ranthambore.
Day 08 : Ranthambore - Bharatpur - Agra
Early morning proceed on a game drive. Return to the hotel
for Breakfast. Late morning transfer to the Railway station to board the
train for Bharatpur. Leave Ranthambore for Bharatpur by Golden temple mail
(1300/ 1535 hrs). Meeting and assistance on arrival at Bharatpur railway
station and transfer to Agra hotel, en route visiting Fatehpur Sikri
(15kms). Fatehpur Sikri - This exquisite city built by Akbar the Great in
1569, in red sandstone, with its forts, palaces and mosques was abandoned 14
years after its creation due to political reasons. The Diwan-i-am - a vast courtyard in which the emperor gave daily
public audience; Diwan-i-khas - a large quadrangle which contained all the
major functions of the Palace, Pachisi court, the Emperors private living
quarter, Jodha Bhai's Palace, Mariam's Palace, Birbal's Palace, Hawa Mahal
and Panch Mahal are some of the important buildings of this residential
complex. The Friday Mosque and the exquisite tomb of Sheik Salim Chisti are
in the religious grounds set aside in a separate enclosure adjacent to the
secular buildings. Continue drive to Agra (40 kms). On arrival, check in to
the room.
Agra - is famous as the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the world -
the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and
the palaces in Agra is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary
Mughal empire. Agra was their capital for nearly a hundred years from 1564.
A pleasant town , with a comparatively easy pace, Agra is known for its
superb inlay work on marble and soapstone by artisans who are hereditary
crafts persons. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread
embroidery and leather shoes.
Day 09 : Agra
Morning
proceed on a tour of the city visiting Visit the Agra Fort, built by three
Mughal Emperors starting from Akbar the Great in 1565 AD, which is a
masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort are a number of
exquisite buildings including the Moti Masjid, Jahangir's Palace, Khas Mahal
and the Sheesh Mahal, Diwane-i-Am, Diwane-i-Khas and Musamman Burj, where
Emperor Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal Emperor, died a prisoner. Visit the Taj
Mahal - the inimitable poem in white marble. Built over a period of 22
years, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630, for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal
to enshrine her mortal remains, it is one of the seven modern wonders of the
World. Overnight at hotel in Agra.
Day10 : Agra - Nagpur by train.
Morning at leisure for shopping/independent activities.
Evening transfer to Agra railway station for Gondwana Express departing for
Nagpur. Overnight on board.
Day 11 : Nagpur - Pench
Arrive Nagpur at 0805 hrs. Upon arrival you are met and
transferred to Pench Jungle Camp. Lunch at the Camp. Evening game drive into
the park. Overnight at Pench.
Day 12 : Pench
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the Lodge. Morning and
afternoon visit the sanctuary on Jeep/ elephant with an English speaking
Naturalist. Overnight at the Camp.
Day 13 : Pench
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the Lodge. Morning and
afternoon visit the sanctuary on Jeep/ elephant with an English speaking
Naturalist. Overnight at the Camp.
Day14 : Pench - Nagpur - Delhi/Mumbai
After an early breakfast, leave for Nagpur at 0630 hrs in
time for flight to Mumbai/Delhi.