Taj and Tiger Trail, Deluxe (8n)
- As Per Itinerary
- As per itinerary
FULL ITINERARY (8 nights - 9 days)
________________________________________
DAY 01: ARRIVE DELHI (by International flight)
- Arrive Delhi.
- Transfer to your hotel.
Welcome to India!
Our representative will meet you in the arrival area of the airport after you clear all immigration and custom formalities. He will be assisting you and transfer you to your hotel where you will check in for your stay.
India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds - the ancient with the modern.
(Hotel Check-in: 1400 Hrs, Early check in would be subject to the availability)
Optional Experience: - Cooking Demo with Dinner with an Indian Family (Need to be pre booked before coming to India)
From having a simple meal with the family to a hands-on cooking lesson which is easy to reproduce at home, to a local market visit – this is a great way to spend time in Delhi.
OR
Optional Experience – Private Evening Tour of Akshardham Temple with Musical Fountain Show (Closed on Monday)
This tour takes you on a journey through the marvellous Akshardham Temple, where you’ll witness the enormity and beauty of this exceptional monument under the guidance and knowledge of an privateexpert guide. Visit the temple, appreciate its splendour, and watch the exceptional musical fountain show to experience Indian faith at its best.
Overnight at Hotel.
________________________________________
DAY 02: DELHI
- Full day tour of Delhi.
After breakfast, proceed for the full day city tour of Old & New Delhi including visit of the 17th century Jama Masjid and enjoy normal rickshaw ride through the narrow, winding lanes of colourful and bustling Chandni Chowk.. Also stop in front of the Mughal Empire’s most opulent fort, the Red Fort for a photo stop. Later Visit Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.
Afternoon proceed to New Delhi where you will be taken for the Drive past of The Presidential Palace, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys, the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war and a drive along the Rajpath past the Parliament House and secretarial buildings.
Tour Highlight – Visit the Rail Museum (Closed on All Mondays). This unique museum has a fascinating and exotic collection of over 100 real size exhibits of Indian Railways.
Afterwards visit Qutab Minar, the 12th century tower of victory built by a slave king and prototype of all minars (towers) in India. Also visit the 16th century Humayun’s tomb, a precursor to the Taj Mahal.
Optional Experience–Unique Delights Special Cycle Rickshaw Ride In Old Delhi
You will be transported 400 years back and will ride on a rickshaw through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk known as The Moonlit Square of India. Witness the architectural marvels, the multicolour facades, beautifully decorated shops, ethnically dressed men and women and get bombarded by the cries of hawkers and fragrances emanating from the potpourri of eateries that line these historical alleys.
The total duration of the tour will be 3 hours – 3 hours 30 minutes. It is an extensive tour that covers 20 main sites which includes palaces, mansions, elegant shrines and colorful bazaars. This is a detailed tour with several stops and includes complimentary snacks.
Or you might Opt for a Walking tour:
Optional Experience – Unique Delights Nizamuddin Basti Walk
Late afternoon, walk through Nizamuddin basti (colony), a medieval settlement where the tomb of the famous 13th century Muslim Sufi Saint Nizamuddin Auliya is located. An underprivileged young adult trained by a local NGO will conduct this tour.
Spend the evening at leisure.
Overnight at Hotel
________________________________________
DAY 03: DELHI – AGRA (by Train)
- Train to Agra (Gatimaan express @ 0810/0950 Hrs – A/C Chair class) Train Operates Daily except on Fridays.
- Arrive and visit Agra Fort.
- Transfer to the hotel.
- Late Afternoon Visit Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday).
Today morning on time, you will be assisted & transferred in your private car to Delhi railway station to connect train to Agra.
Once a small village on the banks of the Yamuna, it was transformed by two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and his grandson Shah Jehan into the second capital of the Mughal Empire – Dar-ul-Khilafat, or ‘seat of the Emperor’ in the 16th & 17th century.
Arrive Agra and you will met with our representative outside your train coach who will introduce you to your guide who will take you for the visit of Agra Fort, which was originally started by Emperor Akbar in 1565, but his son, Jahangir, and grandson, Shah Jahan, later made valuable additions to it.
(Hotel Check-in: 1400 Hrs, Early check in would be subject to the availability)
After the visit, check-in at the hotel.
Later in the afternoon, proceed for the sunset visit of the Taj Mahal (Closed on All Fridays) with your guide. On the inner walls, jewel-like stones create beautiful designs in white marble. The Mughals perfected the art of embedding semi-precious stones into marble and the Taj is the finest example of this special process called pietra dura. It begins with a marble plate, varying in size. Then jewels are sliced paper thin and embedded in the marble with such precision that the joints are invisible to the naked eye.
Optional Experience - Volunteer visit to Sheroes Hang out Café – A Café managed by brave Acid Attach survivors, the café serves you food with a flavour of love and warmth (Direct payment basis)
OR
Optional Experience - Kachpura Heritage Walk
Afternoon proceed for Kachpura Heritage Walk. A narrow bridle path through agriculture fields near Mehtab Bagh takes you into the ancient village of Kachpura and Humayun’s Mosque. The walk ends in Mehtab Bagh from where you will have the opportunity to watch the Taj Mahal during sunset from across the river.
Spend the evening at leisure.
Overnight at Hotel.
________________________________________
DAY 04: AGRA - BHARTAPUR BY SURFACE Approx. 37 Kms / 1 Hr
BHARATPUR – RANTHAMBHORE (by Train)
- Drive to Bharatpur.
- Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri- Train To Ranthambhore (Kota Jan Shatabdi Express @ 1550/1802 Hrs – A/C Chair car) Train Operates Daily.
. (Optional Experience – Early Morning – Sunrise Taj Visit)
Today morning after breakfast, you will be transferred in your private car to Bharatpur.
During your drive, you will visit the once seat of Mughal legacy, which is an abandoned city glowing red under the sun, Fatehpur Sikri - the deserted red sandstone city built by the Great Mughal Emperor, Akbar, as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is just 37kms from Agra.
After the visit, you will be taken to Hotel Laxmi Vilas Palace for Lunch (Direct Payment Basis)
After Lunch, you will be assisted & transferred to Bharatpur Railway Station to connect train to Ranthambhore. (Luggage’s will be transferred by your vehicle to the hotel in Ranthambhore – will recommend carrying 01 handbag with your valuables during your Train journey)
Arrive Ranthambhore and you will be met by our representative at the railway station outside your coach who will assist and transfer you to your hotel.
RANTHAMBORE –Ranthambore National Park Covering 410 sq. km runs along the easternmost spur of the Aravalis to the Vindhya ranges. The dry deciduous forest covers open valleys with lush vegetation around the lakes, and open grasslands in the higher slopes. This varied flora supports a large number of animals including a variety of deer, the sloth bear, the shy caracal, leopards and of course, the tiger.
Optional Experience: - Yoga by Facing Taj Mahal, Agra (Early Morning)
Yoga being a gem of Indian culture is not only a way to keep oneself healthy and fit, but it’s more of a way of life. This session covers Asana, Dhyana and Pranayama at a lush green mound about 150 meters from the Taj Mahal facing the same. It is best suited for all, be it a beginner or a pro, child or an adult.
Spend the evening at leisure.
Overnight at Hotel
________________________________________
DAY 05: RANTHAMBHORE
- Morning & Afternoon Shared Jeep Safari to the national Park.
Today early morning proceed for the morning game drive in Ranthambhore National Park by Shared Jeep.
Return to the hotel for Breakfast and Lunch.
In the Afternoon, proceed for another round of game drives in Ranthambhore National Park.
Spend the evening at leisure.
Overnight at Hotel.
________________________________________
DAY 06: RANTHAMBHORE - JAIPUR (by Surface Approx. 180 Kms / 4 Hrs)
- Morning Shared Jeep safari to the national Park.
- Drive to Jaipur.
Early morning proceed for the morning game drive in Ranthambhore National Park by Shared Jeep. After early Lunch you will drive to Jaipur.
Arrive and check in at the hotel.
JAIPUR – the capital of Rajasthan province is known for its arts and crafts, jewellery, hand-painted fabrics and stone sculptures; it is one of North India’s finest examples of a planned city embodying the best of Rajput and Mughal architecture.
Optional Experience: - Food Walk in Jaipur (Evening)
From its creation in 1727 the royal families and nobles of Jaipur patronized the craftsmen and artisans of the city. These traditions continue to this day and as a result modern day Jaipur is considered by many as the craft capital of India. Traditional methods are still used to produce many valuable and highly prized items. Using skills passed down through generations, artisans and master craftsmen can be seen in the areas of Ghat Darwaza and Vishveshwar ji.
On this fascinating evening walk mingle and talk with the locals whilst sampling some of the regions culinary delights; try pakoras, aloo tiki, samosa and sweets from some of the city’s most popular street food vendors. Observe local artisans in their workshops; jewellers and silversmiths, gold and silver foil makers. The iconic Hawa Mahal also called the Palace of the winds is the meeting point at which this two and a half hour walk begins.
Spend the rest of the evening at leisure.
Overnight at Hotel.
________________________________________
DAY 07: JAIPUR
- Visit Amber fort – a UNESCO world heritage site.
- Half day city tour.
Today morning after an early breakfast visit the hilltop fortress at Amber. A jeep will spare you the trouble of reaching up to the fortress. Once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls.
En-route to Amber Fort you will stop and see the `Palace of Winds’, otherwise known as Hawa Mahal (Only Drive past). It is really an elaborate façade, extremely intricate in its pink sandstone carving.
Afternoon visit the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways.
Afterwards visit Jaipur's Jantar Mantar is the most famous of five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh in India. Jai Singh was a great admirer of progresses and research made in the fields of science and technology, and he was assionate about astronomyTour Highlight - In the evening, you will be taken for a Cooking Demonstration followed by meal with the Indian family in their home.
Overnight at Hotel.
________________________________________
DAY 08: JAIPUR - DELHI (by Surface Approx. 261 Kms / 6 Hrs)
- Drive to Delhi.
- Rest of the day is at leisure.
After breakfast, you will drive back to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, check-in at the hotel.
Optional Experience–Visit to Bagru Textile Printing (near Jaipur, Approx. 28 Kms one-way)
Bagru is little town 30kms from Jaipur. Known for its unique art of Block Printing, Bagru has emerged as one of the industrial areas for textile printing in Rajasthan with over a 100 small & large scale Factories.
This is an hand on experience where you create your own piece of art under a mentor to take back with you as a memento of your travels to India. Be careful you might be judged for your printing proficiency and alignment.
Spend the rest of the day at leisure. (Note: - Vehicle will not be with you this evening in Delhi at disposal)
Overnight at Hotel.
________________________________________
DAY 09: DELHI
- Depart Delhi by international flight.
- Assisted Transfer to the Delhi International airport.
Today on time our representative will meet you at the hotel’s lobby and will provide you the assisted departure transfer to the International airport to board your flight for onward destination.
«TOUR ENDS»
