Temples & Tigers
Duration – 13 Days
Destinations: - Delhi,
Varanasi,
Khajuraho,
Bandhavgarh,
Agra,
Ranthambore,
Jaipur
Day 01: - Arrive Delhi, India
Arrive at Delhi International Airport.
Delhi - A bustling metropolis and a city of 14 million inhabitants,
is also India’s capital. A near perfect blend of the
ancient and the modern, Delhi, consisting two parts Old &
New Delhi, is a city with something for everyone. From Forts
and monuments that are almost 500 years old, to modern shopping
malls, nightclubs and golf courses, Delhi truly is India’s
crown jewel.
Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you are met by our
representative who will present you with a welcome pack including
all necessary documentation and arrange for your transfer
to your hotel for check-in. No activity is scheduled today,
since most of the International flights arrive into India
close to midnight only. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 02: In Delhi
This morning you are collected from your hotel for full day
tour of Old and New Delhi.
The tour of the 17th-century old city includes the great
mosque of Jama Masjid, The main street of Old Delhi is the
colorful shopping bazaar known as Chandni Chowk (“Moonlit
Street”). Drive past Raj Ghat, the cremation site of
Mahatma Gandhi.
The tour of New Delhi includes the Humayun's Tomb, the precursor
of the Taj Mahal. Drive down the spectacular Rajpath (“the
Kingsway,”) passing the India Gate (the memorial built
to commemorate the unknown soldiers,) the President’s
House, and the House of Parliament. Enjoy a brief respite
from the otherwise bustling city at Birla Mandir, a modern
and colourful Hindu temple.
Evening at leisure to perhaps venture out and discover the
city or its many restaurants on your own. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 03: Delhi
- Varanasi
This morning you will be met by our representative and escorted
from your Hotel to the Delhi airport in time for your flight
to Varanasi.
Varanasi - One of the holiest cities in India, Varanasi is
one of the most important pilgrimage sites and also a major
tourist attraction. It has been the religious capital of Hinduism
since time immemorial. Situated on the banks of the sacred
Ganges, Varanasi has been a center of learning and civilization
for more than 2,000 years. Written records of the Skanda Purana
and the Mahabharata mention its existence as long as 3,000
years ago. It is probably the oldest living city in India,
and one of the world's most ancient. Varanasi has been a great
cultural centre, especially in the fields of music, learning
and the craft of silk weaving.
Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for
check-in etc. Early afternoon, you are collected from your
hotel for a half-day tour of Varanasi.
The tour of this ancient city includes The Bharat Mata Temple,
which has a big relief map of India in marble, the Benares
Hindu University with its art gallery, and the Mosque of Mughal
Emperor Aurangazeb built on the side of an ancient Hindu temple,
bathing ghats, The Kashivishwanath temple, The Durgakund.
Evening at leisure. Overnight in Varanasi.
Day 04: Varanasi
– Khajuraho
Early morning enjoy a boat ride on the holy river The Ganges.
A highlight of any trip to Varanasi - this incredible scene
as multitudes of devotees comes to the river to pay homage
to the Sun God. The riverfront, as seen from a boat at sunrise,
is a spiritually uplifting sight. Hinduism, deep and mystical,
is everywhere: in a decorated doorway; in a glimpse of a glittering
temple; in the sound of a sacred bell; in the chant of the
priests; and in the fragrance of flower oblations.
Return to the hotel for a leisurely breakfast, and early
afternoon, met by our representative and escorted from your
Hotel to the Varanasi airport in time for your flight to Khajuraho.
Khajuraho - Famous for its temples that are India's unique
gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life,
to love, to joy, perfect in execution and sublime in expression.
Life, in every form and mood, has been captured in stone,
testifying not only to the craftsman's artistry but also to
the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs
under whose rule the temples were conceived and constructed
in the short span of a hundred yeas, from 950-1050 AD, in
a truly inspired burst of creativity.
Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for
check-in etc. Late afternoon you are collected from your hotel
for half- day tour of Khajuraho visiting eastern & western
group of temple. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Khajuraho.
Day 05: Khajuraho – Bandhavgarh
This morning you drive to Bandhavgarh (250 kms/07 hrs.)
Bandhavgarh: Bandhavgarh, famous for its white tigers, is
a comparatively new National Park, with a lovely fort in the
middle of it. With its hills, sal forests, and open grasslands,
the park harbours a multitude of game, from Rhesus macaques,
jungle cats, hyenas to nilgai, blackbuck etc. The park offers
varied habitats to over 22 species of mammal and over 250
bird species.
Upon arrival in Bandhavgarh, check in to your hotel and rest
of the day at leisure. Overnight in Bandhavgarh.
Day 06: Bandhavgarh
- Agra
Early morning & evening game safaris into the Bandhavgarh
National Park. Safaris in Bandhavgarh are organized in jeeps
and on elephant back. Local guides and naturalists are at
hand to enhance the experience.
Late in the Evening drive from Bandhavgarh to Umaria (35
kms/01 hrs.) nearest railway station of Bandhavgarh, and aboard
the overnight train to Agra (2055/1015 hrs).
Agra - “The Land of Taj” was once the capital
of the Mughal Empire and even today it seems to linger in
the past. Not surprising, for the Mughal emperors with their
passion for building, endowed the city with some of the finest
structures in the world. Agra is an old city and it is said
that its name was derived from Agrabana, a forest that’s
finds mention in the epic Mahabharata. In more recent times
Agra came into prominence when Sikandar Lodi made it his capital
city in 1501. Later it passed into the possession of the Mughals.
It was during the time of the third emperor “Akbar”
that Agra came into its own and later on his grandson “Shah
Jehan” ornamented the city with that masterpiece of
Mughal architecture - The Taj Mahal.
Overnight on board.
Day 07: Agra
Upon arrival in Agra you will be met and escorted to your
hotel for check-in etc. Afternoon, you are collected from
your hotel for a half-day tour of Agra visiting The Taj Mahal
- a poem, a feeling of love, in white marble, is a fine example
of the fusion of many architectural styles. It has been described
as the most extravagant monument ever built for love. Your
tour also includes a visit to the Red Sandstone Agra Fort,
seat of the Mughal dynasty in the 16th century, lies on the
bend of the River Yamuna, almost in the heart of town. Akbar
built it as his citadel over the years of 1565-1573.
Evening at leisure. Overnight in Agra
Day 08: Agra – Ranthambore
This morning you drive to Ranthambore (290kms/07 hrs.) visiting
Fatehpur Sikri en-route – often called the ghost city,
built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century to serve as the
capital of his vast empire, Fatehpur Sikri was mysteriously
abandoned 13 years later. Later continue your drive to Ranthambore.
Ranthambhore -- In the heart of Rajasthan lies one of the
best-known renowned and easily accessed National Parks in
India, Ranthambhore. Formerly a hunting ground of the Maharaja
of Jaipur, it became a National Park in 1972 under the Project
Tiger scheme. It is bordered on two sides by the Aravalli
Hills and Vindhya range. The park has a mixture of forest,
valleys, hills and pools, providing shelter, hunting grounds
and water for the animals. There is a healthy population of
tigers which you can track by jeep and canter safaris. You
can also expect to see a wide variety of deer, monkeys and
a variety of birds.
Upon arrival in Ranthambore, check in to your hotel and rest
of the day at leisure. Overnight in Ranthambore.
Day 09: - Ranthambore
Early morning & evening game safaris into the Ranthambore
National Park. Safaris in Ranthambhore are organized in jeeps
and open air mini trucks, and local guides and naturalists
are at hand to enhance the experience. Overnight in Ranthambore.
Day 10: - Ranthambore
- Jaipur
Early morning game safari at Ranthambore National Park. Return
to the hotel for a leisurely breakfast and later drive to
the Pink city of Rajasthan - Jaipur (195 kms/3½ hrs.).
Jaipur- Jaipur is an exuberance of colour, dance, and song
with the traditional arts and crafts. It's one of India's
most well planned cities, with wide, straight avenues, roads,
streets and lanes in a grid system. The great warrior/astronomer
Maharaja Jai Singh II carefully planned Jaipur's foundation.
Laid out in the 18th century, its design followed specifications
from an epochal Hindu treatise on architecture.
This "Pink City," so called because its buildings
are painted in the tones of an autumnal sunset, intersperses
the play of red and pink with white borders and motifs. The
royal family's residence at Amber is only 11 km away. The
palaces and forts of yesteryear, once witness to royal processions,
now shine amid the splendor of modern monuments, juxtaposition
accepted quite naturally into the lifestyles of an amazing
people.
Upon arrival in Jaipur, check in to your hotel and rest of
the day at leisure. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 11: Jaipur
This morning, you are collected from your hotel for a city
tour of Jaipur.
Visit the Hawa Mahal or "Palace of Winds,” one
of the major landmarks of Jaipur, although it is actually
little more than a façade. The five-story building
was originally built to enable the ladies of the royal household
to watch the everyday life and processions of the city.
The City Palace, located in the heart of the old city, is
a large complex of courtyards, buildings, and gardens, and
also houses an interesting museum.
Adjacent to the City Palace is Jantar Mantar, the ancient
astronomical observatory built by Raja Jai Singh, whose passion
for astronomy was even more notable than his prowess as a
warrior.
Your tour also includes a visit to the Amber fort, situated
on the outskirts of the city. Here, you are transported back
in time today, riding like royalty atop elegantly draped and
painted elephants into the high mountain fortress. Amber Fort,
was the ancient capital of the State until 1728 and inside
the fort, you visit the Jagmandir or the Hall of victory glittering
with mirrors, Jai Mahal and the Temple of Kali.
Evening at leisure. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 12: Jaipur – Delhi
Morning drive back to Delhi (265 kms / 05 hrs.).
Upon arrival in Delhi check-in to your hotel. The evening
is at leisure to either relax, or explore the city on your
own, or perhaps indulge in some last minute shopping. Overnight
in Delhi
Day 13: Depart Delhi
Met by our representative and escorted from your hotel to
the Delhi airport in time for your flight home.
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