Treasures of North India

Day 1: Welcome to India

We will meet you from your flight into Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and transfer you to your hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, a traditional Indian welcome of aarti- tikka- garland will be offered. The check-in time at the hotel is 14:00 hrs. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner to meet up with your tour guide.

Day 2: Delhi

This morning we begin our city tour of Delhi. The city consists of two parts - Old & New Delhi. Old Delhi was the capital of Muslim India between 17th and 19th century and has many mosques, monuments and forts. New Delhi, the imperial city was created by the British as the capital of India. In 1911, Edwin Lutyens, the most renowned English architect of the day, was chosen to design New Delhi which flaunts a surprising number of impressive monuments related to its conquests by the Mughals, Turks, Persians and ultimately the British.
Begin your day with an exploration starting in Old Delhi, visiting the Jama Masjid, the royal mosque built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in 1656. It is one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world and is constructed in red sandstone and white marble. The main prayer hall has a seating capacity of more than 20,000 worshippers.
We’ll enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk, the spine of Old Delhi. Jahanara Begum, the daughter of Shah Jahan designed this commercial place in 1648. We’ll also visit Rajghat where father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Next we’ll visit New Delhi and drive through its majestic boulevards. Rashtrapati Bhawan (Presidential Palace) is where the Viceroy once lived and now is the official residence of the President of India. It is an imposing structure with 340 rooms, constructed high up on Raisina Hill. View India Gate, a war memorial arch built in honor of 90,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. Lunch is at a superb local restaurant.
This afternoon visit Humayun’s Tomb, the first great example of Mughal architecture in India, it developed to become the hallmark of the Mughal Dynasty. The squat building of white marble and red sandstone, with a dome and high arched entrances, surrounded by formal gardens, is generally regarded as a prototype of the famed Taj Mahal of Agra. Huyamun’s wife is buried in the red-and-white sandstone building in a black-and yellow marble tomb.
Next on the itinerary is Qutab Minar, a soaring tower of victory, 72.5meters high with five distinct stories. The construction of this minaret commenced in 1193 and was completed in 1368. Built on the foundation of a Hindu temple, many elements of the construction reflect their Hindu and Jain origins. Within the complex, there are myriad monuments that combine both Islamic calligraphy and Hindu motifs. Return to your hotel. Dinner is served at the hotel.

Day 3: Delhi to Jaipur 

This morning drive to Jaipur covering a distance of 250kms in approximately 5 hours. Jaipur, "The City of Victory", was first intended to be "Sawai Jaipur", named after the boy Prince who commissioned it - Maharaja Jai Singh II - a warrior, astronomer and politician who reigned over the Mughals from 1699 to 1743. Today's Jaipur is pink, visually described as ‘the city shaded with the autumn colors of a sunset’. Although originally the walls were render set and pigmented the color of red sandstone, Jaipur's universal coat of pink only came in 1876 to coincide with the visit of the Prince of Wales (King Edward VII). Almost the entire city was given a coat of pink paint, thus giving it the name "The Pink City".
Arrive in Jaipur and check in at your hotel.Buffet lunch is at the hotel. In the afternoon we’ll visit City Palace and museum; it has a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes, and armory of Mughals and Rajputs including swords, antiques and artifacts. Proceed to Jantar Mantar - a stone astrological and astronomical Observatory. It was built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the 18th century. We’ll enjoy a cycle-rickshaw ride in the colorful bazaar of the old city.
We’ll also visit Hawa Mahal or the "Palace of the Winds." This beautiful façade is probably the most-photographed in Jaipur. With its ornately carved windows designed so that the ladies of the palace could look out onto the streets unobserved. There is also time to shop for Jaipur blue pottery and block-printed cotton linens. Return to your hotel. Evening is free to explore the town. Buffet dinner is at the hotel.

Day 4: Jaipur

This morning enjoy an excursion to the magnificent Amber Fort. We’ll tour the chambers and hallways of the palace, famous for the excellence of its design and decoration. Within the complex is Ganesh Pol, an imposing gateway painted with the images of the elephant-headed god, Ganesh.
The merging of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles is captured in the Sukh Niwas and Jas Mandir apartments, and the Charbagh garden with its perfectly proportioned landscaping. Pierced screen windows offer views from different vantage points, and shimmering mirrors encrust the walls of Sheesh Mahal. Return to hotel for lunch. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure for relaxation and independent activities. A shopping tour of Jaipur can be arranged on prior request. Buffet dinner is at the hotel.

Day 5: Jaipur to Sawai Madhopur, Ranthambore

This morning leave for Ranthambore covering a distance of 160 Kms in approx. 4 hours. Ranthambore, dominated by a vast 11th-century fortress of the same name, is a 400sq-km park situated in an area of rocky hill country, clothed in dry, deciduous forest, grassland, and scrub, and dotted with several small lakes that can be alive with birds.
Some seven years ago, the Tigers of Ranthambore were decimated by an outbreak of poaching; fortunately the situation is improving and we once again have a good chance of encountering the largest and most powerful of the world's big cats. Seeing tiger will be a priority, and it requires covering much ground every morning and afternoon. Besides tigers, large mammals are particularly well represented at Ranthambore, and among the species we might see are
Sambar, Spotted Deer, Nilgai, Dorcas Gazelle (Chinkara), the ubiquitous Northern Palm Squirrel, Hanuman Langur, Small Indian and Ruddy mongooses, Wild Boar, and Indian Flying Fox. Leopard and Sloth Bear are also present in the park, though both are seen infrequently. Ranthambore also boasts an exciting array of birds and a naturalist is always on hand to discuss the wildlife with you. Upon arrival, check in to Khem Villas. Post lunch, enjoy our first game viewing by an open 4x4 jeeps or canter (large safari vehicle). Go in search of the magnificent Royal Bengal Tiger and other wildlife. Dinner will be at the hotel.

Day 6: Sawai Madhopur, Ranthambore

Enjoy morning & afternoon game viewing by open 4x4 jeeps or by canter (large safari vehicle).

Day 7: Sawai Madhopur, Ranthambore 

An early morning game viewing by open 4x4 jeeps or by canter (large safari vehicle). Return to the hotel for breakfast. Remainder of the day will be at leisure for relaxation and independent activities.

Day 8: Sawai Madhopur, Ranthambore to Bharatpur

This morning leave for Bharatpur covering a distance of 200kms in approx. 5 hours. Bharatpur is an impregnable fortified city which is known for the Keoldeo Ghana National Park (a UNESCO world heritage site. The town of Bharatpur is the eastern gateway to the State of Rajasthan. In the 17th and 18th centuries, it was an important stronghold of the Jats, who inhabited this area before the arrival of the Rajputs.
Arrive in Bharatpur and check in at your hotel - Laxmi Vilas Palace. We’ll have lunch at the hotel before we head for a visit to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary by Cycle-Rickshaw.
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoldeo Ghana National Park) is one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world, with over 360 species. Wildlife is especially good from October to February when it is frequented by Northern Hemisphere migratory birds. The prize attraction of the park is the arrival of the rare Siberian Crane, which visits no other waters in India except the marshes of Keoldeo. For those interested in bird photography, Bharatpur is a dream location. Among many other birds to be seen are egrets, ducks, coots, storks, kingfishers, spoon bills, sarus crane and several birds of prey including laggar falcon, greater spotted eagle and palla’s eagle. There are also chital deer, sambar, Nilgai, hyenas and wild boar whilst near Python Point, there are usually some very large rock pythons. We’ll head back to the hotel for dinner.

Day 9: Bharatpur and Agra

This morning begins with a leisurely morning drive to Agra covering a distance of 50 Kms in approx 1 hour 30 minutes.
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 gallies and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favourite 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. Arrive in Agra, have lunch and check in to your hotel.
Late afternoon, and we’ll enjoy a sunset visit to Taj Mahal. The 17th century Taj Mahal is often called a poem in stone. If so, the mausoleum is a love poem - created by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal. It took 22 years to be completed and was designed and planned by a Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen. You won’t forget your first visit to the Taj Mahal – it is an unforgettable site. Buffet dinner is at the hotel.

Day 10: Agra and Delhi

This morning we'll visit Agra fort after breakfast. An imposing structure with walls of red sandstone, it lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town, two miles long and contains palaces, audience halls and mosques. The fort presents a good sampling of Islamic and Hindu architectural styles. It was built by the third Mughal Emperor, Akbar. Subsequent additions were made to the fort by his son Jahangir and grandson Shahjahan. Buffet lunch is at the hotel. Later we’ll leave for Delhi. Rest of the day will be at leisure.

Day 11: Farewell to India

We'll say goodbye to Northern India today and following breakfast head to the airport for our return flight back to the UK.