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Taj, Tigers, Tradition & Tranquility
Duration:
08 Nights / 09 Days
Destinations: Delhi - Agra - Ranthambhore - Jaipur - Udaipur
- Delhi
Day One
Delhi:
Arrival at Delhi
 Company
representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport in Delhi.
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. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient
land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Start with the sightseeing
of Old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial
to Mahatma Gandhi; drive past the Red Fort continuing to the Jama Masjid by bicycle
rickshaws, one of Asia's largest mosques. The magnificent Red Fort, overlooking
the river Jamuna was built during the years 1638 - 48 when the Moghul Empire was
at its peak. The tour continues to Jama Masjid, one of Asia's largest mosques
and which is viewed from the outside.
People stream in and out of the
mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is
rarely quiet.
Enjoy the rickshaw ride at Old Delhi.
After
visiting Old Delhi, you will be driven to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy
the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division
between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively. The division
in the walled city and New Delhi also marks the division in the life-styles. The
walled city is all tradition where one will be able to glean a past life-style
in all its facets, colours and spells. New Delhi in contrast, is a city trying
to live up to the best of 21st century standards.
Imperial Delhi will
include the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. The tour also includes
a drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rastrapathi
Bhawan, the President's residence.
Spend night at Delhi.
Day
Two
Delhi - Agra:
By road
201 km in 4 hr
Transfer
to station by Compass Executive for train to Agra.
 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. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of
the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.
Proceed for sightseeing.
Visit the TAJ MAHAL - one of the
Seven Wonders of the World was built by Shah Jahan in 1631 AD and was completed
in 1651AD. Taj Mahal - The symbol of Love was built in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal
(Shah Jahan's second Wife).
AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal
emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced
within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.
After Agra Fort we will visit BABY TAJ - The interiors of which
are considered better than the Taj.
Shopping or relax in the evening.
Overnight will be at Agra.
Day Three
Agra - Ranthambhore:
By road
250 km in 6 hr
Breakfast will be at hotel.
 Drive
to 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.
Continue drive to Ranthambhore.
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. Most
of the resorts are close to the National Park Gate, Tiger Den being the closest.
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 range meanders through the Reserve. The National Park is
bound by the rivers Chambal in the south and Banas in the north.
Tiger,
at the apex of the food chain, lord over the kingdom in a subtle way. Solitary
by nature, it operates in stealth. Therefore tiger sightings, frequent as they
are, are always a matter of chance. However, even evidences of tiger's activities
are very exciting.
Reach and relax at the beautiful resort.
Overnight will be at Ranthambhore.
Day Four
Ranthambhore:
 Wake
up early morning and leave for your safari into the National Park. Track the tigers
and other wildlife through the morning. Return to the resort / lodge by 1000 in
the morning and have breakfast.
Freshen up and either spend time at
the pool or visit the town. You could also go for a nice visit to the temple on
top of the fort.
In the afternoon have lunch and then leave again for
you afternoon safari. The safari will be till evening 1700 - 1800 hr and then
return to the resort / lodge.
Dinner will be at the resort and retire
early for the night. Overnight will be at Ranthambhore.
Day Five
Jaipur - Ranthambhore:
By road
175 km in 4 hr
Enjoy
the morning safari into the National park tracking tigers.
Breakfast
will be at the resort.
Drive to Jaipur.
 Jaipur
is the capital of the state of Rajasthan a romantic realm of resplendent palaces,
mighty fortresses and regal Maharajahs that lies in the western deserts and is
an utterly unique part of India. Proudly belonging to the KSHATRIYA warrior caste
and fiercely independent, the Rajput princes made fearsome foes. However, many
of them realized that to maintain their wealth and authority locally, it was expedient
to proclaim allegiance to the central power. Thus, many enjoyed a privileged position
under the Mughal emperors and also the British Raj that followed.
The
bustling Rajasthan capital of Jaipur takes its name from its venerated founder
Jai Singh II, who was given the title Sawai Maharaja by the Mughal. Literally
translated this would mean 'one and a quarter', suggesting that the Mughal thought
this emperor to be more valuable than just 'one'. Jaipur is known as the 'Pink
City' on account of the distinctive colour of its buildings. This did not, however,
form part of the original plan, but dates back to 1856, when the city was given
a wash of pink in honor of a State Visit from Prince Albert.
This evening,
visit the Birla Temple to learn more about the fascinating religious life of Jaipur.
The marble structure, built as recently as 1985, houses ornate statues including
one of Lakshmi (goddess of Wealth and Beauty) and Narayan dressed in gaudy robes,
representing a Hindu vision of heavenly luxury. Carvings in the temple and on
pillars supporting the covered walkways include images of the Hindu pantheon,
as well as Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Francis of Assisi. Your visit
will coincide with the AARTI Ceremony, which involves oil lamps being lit and
waved, in order to awake and invoke the deity. Enjoy the experience and spend
night at Jaipur.
Overnight will be in Jaipur.
Day Six
Jaipur:
 Proceed
for a morning excursion to Amber Fort after breakfast. Elephant ride ascent to
the fort.
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.
At the foot of the hill you will mount your caparisoned elephant for the slow
but steady climb up to the main gate, making your entrance in the time honoured
fashion. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100 years to
build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle
of the Moghul ruling families.
Continue sightseeing.
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.
This afternoon is free for you to relax, shop or explore
independently. Shopping is superb in Jaipur, particularly for gold and silver
jewellery, pottery, tie-dye materials, silk, saris, wooden handicrafts and carpets.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day Seven
Jaipur - Udaipur:
Take flight to Udaipur in the morning.
Reach Udaipur and check
in at LAKE PALACE.
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 Pichhola is an
enticing sight.
Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid
waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat you will be able to view 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
Eight
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, the royal cenotaphs and the local
folk Museum.
Enjoy the hotel and overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day Nine
Udaipur - Delhi:
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed to the airport for flight to Delhi. Reach and check in at hotel. Spend
the afternoon in last minute shopping.
Proceed to the airport as per
flight timing and enjoy the FAREWELL DINNER.
Board the flight
for home with sweet memories of India.
TOUR ENDS
Taj, Tigers, Tradition & Tranquility,
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