Adventure India - Wildlife Escapades

Day 1: Arrive Delhi

ARRIVE DELHI - at Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport. You are greeted and escorted by our company representative to your pre booked Hotel by AC car. Overnight stay.(Room check in 1400 hrs)

Day 2: Delhi

Morning enjoy a luxurious & relaxed breakfast. Later at 0930 hrs proceed for a guided tour of Old Delhi to explore the magnificent Red Fort, built at the zenith of the Mughal Empire in India. The centuries- old international market- place that sprawls at its feet is still one of Delhi’s most important commercial hubs: Chandni Chowk, or as also known as the “Moonlight Square”. Walk through the bustling silver market and the wholesale spice market. The sounds, smells and colors of the bazaar, and the throngs of people who animate it make this an unforgettable spectacle. Visit Jumma Masjid, the largest mosque in Asia and Raj Ghat - Final resting place of Mahatma Gandhi, before returning to your hotel for Lunch.

Afternoon is free for own activities.(Car with personal chauffeur at disposal for local city running) Overnight stay in the hotel

Meals : Breakfast

Day 3: Delhi -agra

Morning after breakfast, depart by surface at 0930 hrs for the Mughal splendor of Agra. A 2.5 to 3 hour’s drive get us to this fascinating historically rich city of the Taj Mahal. Later on arrival, drive on to your pre booked hotel, where upon arrival you will be met by our company representative who will facilitate your check in at the hotel.

Afternoon, at 1530 hrs proceed on “Tonga” (Horse driven chariots) with your guide to visit the Taj Mahal to witness sunset (subject to weather condition) Taj Mahal, a UNESCO Heritage monument, is a fine example of fusion of many architectural styles is one of the wonders of the modern world. Built in 1652 by Emperor Shah Jahan, It took 22 years and 20,000 skilled artisans to complete this poem in white marble. Take your time to marvel at this unfathomable beauty built by human hands and enjoy the changing colors of the “Taj” as the sun goes down. Return to hotel for Overnight stay.

Meals : Breakfast

Day 4: Agra -fatehpur Sikri -agra

Early Morning before sunrise (subject to weather condition) at 0530 hrs proceed with your guide to Mehtab Bagh which is the best place to see Taj at sunrise. The garden complex is perfectly aligned with the Taj Mahal on the opposite bank. This was the last of eleven Mughal- built gardens along the Yamuna opposite the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort.

Next visit Itmaudualla - a Mughal mausoleum, often described as a "jewel box", and sometimes called the "Baby Taj", the tomb is often regarded as a draft of the Taj Mahal. Queen Noor Jahan, wife of Emperor Jahangir, commissioned this mausoleum for her father Mirza Ghiyās Beg, originally a Persian Amir in exile who had been given the title of Itimād-ud-Daulah (pillar of the state). Noor Jahan was also responsible for the construction of the Tomb of Jahangir and her own at Lahore. Mirza Ghiyās Beg was the grandfather of Mumtaz Mahal (originally named Arjūmand Bāno, daughter of Asaf Khan), the wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, responsible for the construction of the Taj Mahal. Return to hotel at 0830 hrs for breakfast.

After breakfast day is reserved for guided sightseeing tour of the Agra City & its surroundings. Begin your tour at 1000 hrs visiting the mighty Agra Fort (UNESCO Heritage Site) which lies across River Yamuna. An era marked by invasions and fortifications, where power was symbolized by grand palaces and grander forts…..during such time was built this awesome Fort and It was here that Aurangzeb, the 3rd son of Shah Jahan (the then Mughal Emperor) kept his father under house arrest till his final demise.

Afternoon is reserved for excursion to Fatehpur Sikri the well preserved ghost city located 35 Kms from Agra. A 1 hr journey brings us to this magnificent fort, built in red sandstone. Once the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign, from 1571 until 1585, it was abandoned, ostensibly due to lack of water. Sikri shared its imperial duties as a capital city with Agra, where a bulk of the arsenal, treasure hoards and other reserves were kept at its Red Fort for security. During a crisis, the court, harem, and treasury could be removed to Agra, less than a day's march. Visit the tomb of Salim Chisti built by Mughal emperor Akbar in honor of this Sufi saint in 1571 who foretold the birth of 3 sons to the Emperor Akbar, is an example of robust stability combined with originality. Each important edifice here represents a type by itself. Notable among them are the Diwan I Khas, Punch Mahal, and the Buland Darwaza. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Meals : Breakfast

Day 5: Agra -jaipur

Morning after breakfast, depart by surface at 0930 hrs for the city of Jaipur. A 5.5 hour’s drive get us to this vibrant city with its exuberance of color, dance & songs with traditional arts and crafts. Known as the 'Pink City' it is one of India's most well planned cities with wide straight avenues, roads, streets and lanes in a grid system. It is the land of Maharajas, Forts & Palaces with its diversity of colors & culture that is unique to the State of Rajasthan. On arrival check-in to your pre booked Hotel, where you will be met by our company representative who will facilitate your check in at the hotel.

Afternoon at 1500 hrs is reserved for guided sightseeing tour of the City Palace situated in the heart of the old City, it occupies about one seventh of the old city area. The City Palace SMS Museum displaying a collection of clothes, armory & weapons located within the Palace grounds and Jai Singh's observatory also called “Jantar Mantar” built in the18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, where huge Masonry instruments were used to study the movement of constellations and Stars in the sky.

Drive past Hawa Mahal (Palace of winds) built in 1799, by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, is the most recognizable monument of Jaipur. The 5 storied stunning semi-octagonal monument having 152 windows with over hanging latticed balconies is a fine piece of Rajput architecture. Originally designed for the royal ladies to watch and enjoy the processions and other activities, on the street below. Stop here for photos, before continuing on to Albert Hall Museum, located in the premises of Ram Niwas Garden. Its Indo- Saracenic architecture and stone ornamentation became a source of reference for varied classical Indian styles of design from Mughals to Rajputs. The foundation stone of Albert Hall was laid during the visit of the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward to Jaipur in 1876 and was completed in 1887.

Evening is free for shopping. Explore the exotic & colorful markets, handicraft & jewellery shops, clothes and boutiques of Jaipur. (Car with personal chauffeur at disposal for local city running) Return to your hotel for Overnight stay

Meals : Breakfast

Day 6: Jaipur

Morning after breakfast, proceed at 0930 hrs for Half Day guided excursion to see two of the most impressive forts of Rajasthan. Visit the impressive Amber Fort the former capital of the Royal Family of Jaipur. On arrival mount an elephant to ride to the main entrance of the fort located on a hilly mountain top. Next visit Jaigarh Fort, built in 1726, it has the world’s largest cannon on wheels, Return to hotel. PS: (Those who do not want to ride an elephant can walk up to Amer fort- 2 persons per elephant)

Afternoon is free for shopping. Explore the exotic & colorful markets, handicraft & jewellery shops, clothes and boutiques of Jaipur.(Car with personal chauffeur at disposal for local city running) Return to overnight stay

Meals : Breakfast

Day 7: Jaipur - Sawai Madhopur (ranthambore) (182 Km)

Morning after breakfast at 0930 hrs, drive to Ranthambor Wild Life Sanctuary (3.5 hrs) this exciting journey through the countryside takes you home to the nearly a thousand year old Fortress where countless battles have raged around its walls. The Great Mughal emperor Akbar laid siege here and built the Lake Palace, summer gardens, temples, mosques, tombs and hunting towers, all overrun now by grass and shrubs. Today leopards and tigers prowl the ruins. On arrival check into Ranthambor Forest resort. Complete check in formalities and proceed for Lunch.

After lunch at 1530 hrs proceed for a Game Drive in safari vehicles & canters to watch and spot wild life in their natural surroundings. You will be accompanied & guided by Driver cum Park Ranger. Return to jungle resort for Dinner & overnight stay.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Ranthambor

Ranthambor covers an area about 400 square Kms and is surrounded by beautiful jungle scenery. Ranthambor National Park is very special and unison area where a natural present meets an historical past. This park has up to 27 tigers and has a considerable population of birds. It is one of the few reserves where the Camera - shy Tigers may be seen in daylight.

Morning after breakfast, proceed for a Game Drive in safari vehicles & canters in search of wildlife. You sometimes chance upon these fleet –sure footed and silent creatures, the embodiment of grace. You will be accompanied & guided by Driver cum Park Ranger. Later free time to explore on your own the imposing Ranthambor Fort. Return to your resort for Lunch. After lunch time free for own activities. Dinner & overnight stay in the resort

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Ranthambor -jaipur - Delhi

Morning after breakfast depart by surface for Delhi En route stopping at Jaipur city for Lunch (Own expense).

After Lunch proceed by surface for the capital city Delhi and on arrival transfer to Holiday Inn hotel (airport) for check in. Balance day is at leisure. Overnight stay in the hotel.

Meals : Breakfast

Day 10: Delhi

Morning after breakfast, proceed at 0930 Hrs for Half Day guided tour of New Delhi. The buildings designed by Edward Lutyens, architect of modern Delhi - are truly majestic. The Presidential Palace, Parliament House and India Gate are all reminiscent of the British “Raj”.

Drive through Delhi’s beautiful tree-lined avenues and the Diplomatic Enclave en route to the 12th century, 234-foot high fluted minaret of Qutab Minar followed by a visit to the Lotus Temple. Since its inauguration to public worship and visits in December 1986, the Baha'i House of Worship has drawn to its portals more than 70 million visitors, making it one of the most visited edifices in the world. On an average, 8,000 to 10,000 people visit the Baha'i House of Worship each day. These visitors have admired its universal design in the form of a lotus and have been fascinated by the Teachings of the Baha'i’ Faith, especially its tenets of the Oneness of God, the Oneness of Religions, and the Oneness of Mankind. Your tour will terminate with a visit to Humayun’s Tomb (UNESCO World Heritage Site) where rests the remains of the second Mughal Emperor to rule India. Return to hotel.

Afternoon is free for own activities. (Car with personal chauffeur at disposal for local city running)Overnight stay in the hotel.

Meals : Breakfast