Best of North India with Culture & Wildlife

Day 01: Delhi Arrival

Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport in Delhi late in the evening. 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.
Overnight at Delhi.

Day 02: Delhi

Breakfast at Delhi. Proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi.

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.

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.

Relax in the evening.

Overnight at Delhi.

Day 03: Delhi – Jaipur

By Surface: 240 Km 5 Hrs.

After breakfast drive to beautiful Pink City – Jaipur.

Reach and check in at hotel.

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 it's character and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. 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.

Overnight at Jaipur.

Day 04: Jaipur

Breakfast at hotel.

Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts of Jaipur. 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. It’s forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds it's ultimate expression.

Proceed for sightseeing of the city.

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. Its 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.

Visit a rug factory and see the ladies at the intricate work or a gem factory and see the gem cutting and polishing process.

Overnight at Jaipur.

Day 05: Jaipur – Ranthambhore

By surface: 180 Km 3 Hrs

After breakfast drive to Ranthambhore. Reach and relax in the hotel, you can relax or watch some slides on the tiger.
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.

Ranthambhore forest is of tropical dry deciduous type, further classified as Dhok climax forest because of the predominance of Dhok (Anogeissus pendulla) found nearly everywhere. Dhok is an extremely hardy tree, capable of withstanding prolonged droughts. The leaves of this tree are good fodder and they are browsed by herbivores, and form a significant part of their diet. Even the dry, fallen leaves, eaten by them, are rich source of nutrition.

Palas or Cheela or the Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperms) blooms magnificently around mid-April. During the period, Kachia and Anatpura provide an amazing view, like a forest on fire. Around Kamaldhar massive Gum trees (Sterculia urens) with smooth white trunk stand out conspicuously. Similarly, Gurjan (Lannea coromandelica) with greyish trunks at the banks of the lakes and soft wood Salar (Boswellia serrata) dotted atop hills are noticeable.

Fruits of Ber (Zizyphus spp.) and ‘crocodile bark’ Tendu (Diospuyros melanoxylon) are highly relished by Sloth Bears.

The lakes abound with aquatic vegetation including duck weeds, lilies and lotus.

A haven for a multitude of wild animals, the Park boasts of playing host to tigers, leopards, the elusive caracals, hyenas, sloth bears, wild boars, crocodiles and so on. Besides, there are over 300 species of birds, from the majestic Crested Serpent Eagle to the exotic Golden Oriole.

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.

The other kinds of cats found in Ranthambhore are Leopard (Panthera pardus), Caracal (Felis caracal), Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis), Fishing Cat (Felis viverrina) and the Jungle Cat (Felis chaus). Besides the big cats, the other large predators found in Ranthambhore include Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, Wolf, Wild dog (or Dhole), Jackal, Indian Fox, Palm Civet, Small Indian Civet, Common Indian Mongoose, Small Indian Mongoose, Ratel (or Honey Badger), Marsh Crocodile and the Indian Python. There are two species of Antlers, namely the Spotted Deer (or Chital) and the Sambhar Deer, and, two kinds of Antelopes, namely the Indian Gazelle (or Chinkara) and the Bluebull (or Neelgai). Black Buck (another kind of antelope), which is rarely found in the National Park is common in Devpura area, in the outskirts of the park.
Overnight at resort.

Day 06: Ranthambhore

2 Game drives (stay at resort)

A full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris)

Overnight resort. (B,L,D)

Day 07: Ranthambhore – Bharatpur – Agra:

By Train: Kota Jan shatabdi: Dep:06:00 Arr:08:45

After breakfast our company representative will give you transfer to the railway station for the train to Bharatpur, Reach and drive to Agra. En-route visit Fatehpur sikri.

The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilaratig 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 it’s grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.

Continue drive to agra, reach and transfer to the 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. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.

After lunch proceed for the sightseeing of Agra, Enjoy battery van ride to the Taj.

TAJ MAHAL:

Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from it’s stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen. Proceed for sightseeing to the 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.

Visit Itmadullah’s Tomb built by Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory of her father (The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj).

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 08 Agra– Khajuraho:

By Train: Bhopal Jan shatabdi Dep time: 0758 hrs Arr Time: 1035 Hrs

Morning after breakfast transfer to railways station for train to Jhansi.

Upon arrival in Jhansi you will be received by our representative. Continue your journey towards Khajuraho.

Jhansi – Orchha – Khajuraho

By road 180 kms 4 hrs

Enroute visit Orchha, now a small hamlet in the state of Madhya Pradesh but once the capital of the formidable Bundela kingin medieval times. Attractions include Raj Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, Rai Parveen Mahal, Ram Raja Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple, and Laxmi Narayan Temple. On arrival at Khajuraho check into hotel. Spend rest of the day on leisure.

Overnight at Hotel

Day 09 Khajuraho

After breakfast explore the Temple complex Proceed for the city tour in the Morning. Khajuraho is famous world over for the erotic temples built in the medieval times by the mighty kingdom of Chandelas with inspiration taken from Kamsutra - the celebrated Indian treatise on sex. The temples are divided into three groups Eastern, Western, and Southern. Kandariya Mahadeo is the most celebrated of all temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and famous for erotic sculpture on its walls.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 10 Khajuraho – Varanasi

Flight: 9W – 334 Dep: 1330 Hrs Arr: 1410 Hrs

In the afternoon our company representative will give you transfer to airport for the flight to Varanasi. Before departure do the sightseeing of Khajurahoi.

On arrival check in the hotel. Afternoon on leisure. Evening visit the Temple and explore the Pooja Ceremony.

Overnight at hotel.

About Varanasi

Standing on the western bank of India's holiest rever Ganges, Varanasi is the oldest surviving city of the world and the cultural capital of India. It is in the heart of this city that there stands in its fullest majesty the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in which is enshrined the Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha. Here gravitate the teeming millions of India to seek benediction and spiritual peace by the darshan of this Jyotirlinga which confers liberation from the bondages of maya and the inexorable entanglements of the world. A simple glimpse of the Jyotirlinga is a soul-cleansing experience that transforms life and puts it on the path of knowledge and bhakti. Vishweshwara jyotirlinga has a very special and unique significance in the spiritual history of India.
Overnight at Hotel.

Day 11 Varanasi – Delhi:

Flight: - IT-603 Dep:14:45 Arr:16:00

Enjoy boating on the river Ganges in the dawn. Explore the city of Varanasi - the Spiritual capital of India after breakfast. Visit Ghats, Kashi Vishwanath Temple

After breakfast explore the Varanasi, late in the afternoon our company representative will give you transfer to the airport for the flight to Delhi. Late In the evening Proceed for the DANCES OF INDIA SHOW in the evening. After the show you will have FAREWELL DINNER before reaching the airport for flight home with sweet memories of India.