Duration:
14 Nights / 15 Days
Destinations Covered:
Delhi -
Jaipur - Amer - Ranthambore - Bharatpur - Keoladeo Ghana
National Bird Sanctuary - Agra - Orcha - Bhandavgarh
National Park - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi
Places of
Interest on this Tour :-
wildlife, culture,
temples, birds, Taj Mahal, Buddhism, Elephant safari and
Holy River Ganges.
Day - 1 --
Delhi
Arrival Delhi in the morning. "Namaste" a warm welcome to
India, a sincere greeting with a bow and folded hands.
Transfer to a 5-star hotel in New Delhi. After a short
break we embark on our first journey to discover India.
Our introduction to India will be by a " Rickshaw" ride a
mode of transport used in small towns and in Old Delhi.
We head for a guided city tour to the most interesting
sights of the city that is the Red Fort a fort made of red
sand stone which once housed the world famous PEACOCK
throne and the Jama Masjid mosque. Welcome Dinner at the
old Hauz Khas village complex overnight stay at the hotel.
Day - 2
--
Delhi - Jaipur (265 kms -
travelling time - 4.5 hrs)
We leave for the pink city of Jaipur arriving for lunch.
After lunch day at leisure to explore the streets and
bazars of Jaipur. Overnight at hotel.
Day - 3 --
Jaipur- Amer - Jaipur (24 kms -
30 minutes)
We visit the city palace, the palace of winds and then
proceed to Amer fort the ancient capital of Jaipur built
in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh in red sandstone and
marble. It has some very intersting apartments like the
Sheesh Mahal the glass canopy apartments and Jai Mandir,
Sukh Niwas Baodi etc.
The highlight of this trip is the elephant ride up the
ramparts of the fort just like the maharajas did. After
this we visit the Jaigarh fort the armoury of the
erstwhile state which houses the biggest cannon on wheels
in the world. Overnight at hotel.
Day - 4 --
Jaipur - Ranthambore (185 kms -
3 hrs)
Drive to Ranthambore the finest national park of India
arriving in the hotel in afternoon. Evening visit the old
fort which overlooks the national park. Overnight hotel.
Day - 5 --
Ranthambore
Ranthambore Morning & Evening drives in the park.
Day - 6 --
Ranthambore - Bharatpur (140 kms
- 2.30 hrs)
Ranthambore - Bharatpur drive to Bharatpur the capital
city of another racial community of India The Jats.
Afternoon visit Bharatpur fort which is different from
other Rajasthan forts as it has thick mud walls which the
British army could not break despite laying a siege for 4
months.
Day - 7 --
Bharatpur or Keoladeo Ghana National Bird
Sanctuary
Full day bird watching in possibly the biggest bird
sanctuary in the world Keoladeo Ghana National. To take in
the essence of the park you need to divide your trips into
different times of the day, Early morning take in
spectacular sightings of large flocks of water birds &
their exquisite birdsongs. At dusk catch the elusive bird
(night herons ,bitterns & owls). Post lunch catch the
python basking in the sun.Overnight at the hotel.
Day - 8 -
Bharatpur - Agra
Take the road for Agra Enroute we visit the ancient city
of Fatehpur Sikri built by Emperor Akbar as thanks giving
for the saint who blessed him with a son. In the afternoon
check in to the hotel. After a short break leave for the
Agra Fort. The fort where Emperor Shajahan the builder of
Taj was held captive by his son Emperor Aurangzeb, who had
usurped the throne of India. One can see the magnificent
Taj from the quarters in which the emperor was jailed.
Before sunset visit the Taj a monument of Love and
romance. Overnight at the hotel.
Day - 9 --
Agra -Jhansi (train) and drive
to Orcha
Take an executive class airconditioned train to Jhansi
drive to Orcha the old capital of the Bundhela Kings who
were the contempories of the Mughal Emperors. Check into
the hotel on the banks of the river. Go exploring the
marvels of Bundhelkhand. Overnight at the hotel.
Day - 10 --
Orcha -Jhansi (drive) and train
to Bandhavgarh National Park
Some more exploring later in the day take the train to
Katni / Umaria. Disembark for Bhandavgarh National Park.
Afternoon take the first drive into the park if luck
favors us we will sight the Tiger. As the concentration
of tiger population is highest in this park hence our
chances of sighting. Overnight at hotel / camp.
Day - 11 --
Bhandhavgarh National Park
Full day for the park. We will take two trips into the
park. Early morning on elephant back, post lunch & evening
in jeeps.
Day - 12 --
Bandhavgarh - Khajuraho
Bandhavgarh - Khajuraho. Drive to Khajuraho the citadel of
power of the Chandela Kings in 10th &11th century.
Khajuraho has been declared a World Heritage Site. Though
famous for its Erotic temple sculpture Khajuraho is much
more then just Kamasutra. The question which comes to mind
is how could any society approve of such eroticism in a
place of worship. To answer this question only a visit to
khajuraho can do. Overnight at the hotel.
Day - 13 --
Khajuraho - Varanasi (fly)
Walk the streets of Khajurao leave for the airport around
11:30 A.M. to catch the flight for Varanasi the oldest
living city in India and one of the worlds most ancient
previously known as Kashi in the times of Puranas and
Vedas. Its also the second most important religious city
on the Ganges. After check in and a short break visit the
bazar of Benaras which is an experience of a life time
even for the Indians living in other cities. Varanasi is a
city which can not be described it can only be
experienced. Around sunset take a visit to the ghats
(Banks of river ganga) and a boat ride in the Ganges to
see the AARTI (culmination of the days prayers with lamps)
which are offered to the mother Ganga and left to float in
the river. It's a spectacle seen nowhere else in the
world. It seems that stars are floating in the river.
Day - 14 --
Varanasi (Kashi)
Early morning again visit the ghats before sunrise to see
people praying to the Sun god another experience of its
kind. After breakfast visit Kashi Vishwanath temple the
most important temple of Lord Shiva in India Saranath
where lord Budha preached his first Sermon. It was here he
revealed the eight fold path of Nirvana.
Day - 15
--
Varanasi - Delhi (fly)
Varanasi - Delhi In the morning take another river cruise
on the Ganges. In the evening, fly to Delhi to catch your
international flight.
