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DAY
01 : ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi in the evening. Upon arrival, you shall met & assisted
with your baggages at the airport by our executive and transferred
to your prebooked Hotel.
DAY
02 : DELHI
After breakfast, full day city tour of Delhi : Indias capital
& a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling
metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient &
the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons
why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi
also reflects the legacy the British left behind . The division
between New & Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals
of the British & the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the
visitor goes, he will invariably confront the citys past.
Visit
Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the
construction was started in 1844 and was not completed until 1658;
drive past Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan. This massive
fort was built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat - the
cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. Visit Humayuns Tomb : built in
mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture;
Qutab Minar, drive past India Gate, President House, Connaught Place.
The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple.
DAY
03 : DELHI - AGRA (210 KMS., 04 – 05 HRS. DRIVE)
Morning, leave for Agra enroute visit Sikandra - Four kilometers
before Agra is the mausoleum of Mughal Emperor Akbar. This structure
is a perfect blend of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Jain
motifs. The tomb has three-storey-minarets on its four corners.
These minarets are built in red sandstone with
stunning inlay work of marble.
Afternoon,
visit the highlight of the tour - The Taj Mahal - Epitome of Love,
One of the Seven Wonders of the World - was built by Shah Jahan
(King of the World) for his beloved Begum Mumtaz Mahal (the exalted
of the Palace). Work on the mausoleum began in 1633 and 20,000 workers
laboured for 17 years to build it. The most skilled architects,
inlay craftsmen, calligraphers, stone-carvers and masons came from
all across Indian and lands as distant as Persia and Turkey. The
master mason was from Baghdab, an expert in building the double
dome from Persia, and an inlay specialist from Delhi. The marble,
India's finest was quarried at Makrana near Jodhpur, Jasper from
Punjab, the garnets from Bundelkhand, Jade & Crystal from China,
Turquoise from Tibet, Lapis from Afghanistan and Ceylon, Chrysolite
from Egypt, Amethyst from Persia, Agate from Yemen, Malachite from
Russia, Diamonds from Golconda and Mother of Pearl from the Indian
Ocean. Mumtaz Mahals final resting-place was ornamented like
a queens jewel-box.
NOTE
: TAJ MAHAL CLOSED ON FRIDAYS
Visit
Red fort, Built principally as a military establishment by Akbar
in 1565, the red sandstone Agra fort was partially converted into
a palace during Shah Jahan's time. Though the principal structure
was built by Akbar, many more additions were made by his grandsons.
This massive fort is 2.5 kms long and is considered as the predecessor
of the Delhi Red fort. The maze of courtyards, mosques, palaces,
gardens, halls of private & public audience of the fort echo
the story of the Mughal Empire.
Itmad-ud-daulah,
which was constructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and is
very similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband, Jehangir,
near Lahore in Pakistan.
DAY
04 : AGRA - FATEHPUR SIKRI - BHARATPUR (55 KMS, 01-02 HRS DRIVE)
BHARATPUR- RANTHAMBORE (TRAIN, JAN SHATABDI EXPRESS : 1548-1800 HRS)
After breakfast, leave for Bharatpur, enroute visit the abandoned
Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri : 37 kms before Agra, built predominantly
in Red Sandstone by Emperor
Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the Mughals, which was abandoned
after 15 years due to scarcity of water. Witness the graceful buildings
including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal &
other Palaces which are still preserved in its original glory.
Proceed
to - the world over renowned Keoladeo Ghana National Park or-as
many people prefer to call it-the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.
Bharatpur hosts a variety of bird species from across the globe.
Close to 380 species of birds are found in this 29 sq km stretch,
approximately 10 sq km of which comprises of marshes and bogs. Rest
of the area comprises of scrublands, grasslands and more than 44,000
trees that are used for nesting by birds each year. This rather
intriguing blend of marshes, woodland and flora found here represents
and, at the same time, substantiates the density and diversity of
the region's forest cover.
After
the visit transfer to Bharatpur railway station to board train for Ranthambore - Located at the junction of the Aravalli
and Vindhya hill range, this is one of the finest places to view
animals, especially as they are used to being stared at here.The
park covers an area of Approximately 400 sq Km . Ranthambore national park was declared a wildlife sanctuary
in 1957 and in 1974 it gained the protection of "Project Tiger".
It got it's status of a National Park in 1981. Ranthambore National
Park is dotted with structures that remind you of bygone eras. There
are many water bodies located all over the park, which provide perfect
relief during the extremely hot summer months for the forest inhabitants.
A huge fort, after which the park is named, towers over the park
atop a hill. There are many ruins of bygone eras scattered all over
the jungle, which give it a unique, wonderful and mixed flavour
of nature, history and wildlife. Tigers at Ranthambore National
park have been known to even hunt in full view of human visitors.
These tigers are famous for being seen in the daytime too, due to
their lack of fear of human presence in vehicles. This lack of fear
of humans is excellent for tourists, as they get to see the tigers
often. This National park is a wildlife enthusiast and photographer's
dream. It
offers excellent accommodation and internal transportation facilities.
The park remains open every year from October to May. Famous for
the exciting and frequent tiger sightings captured dramatically
in several books, this park is today affected by ecological pressures
and poaching. In Nutshell, Ranthambore National park is a wildlife
enthusiast and photographer's dream.
DAY
05 : RANTHAMBORE
Morning and afternoon, Jungle Safari to witness the wild life. The
Park contains a huge variety of animals, birds and reptiles within
it. Primarily the population consists of... Animals : Tigers, Leopards,
Striped Hyenas, Sambar deer, Chital, Nilgai, Common or Hanuman langurs,
Macaques, Jackals, Jungle cats, Caracals, Sloth bears, Black bucks,
Rufoustailed Hare, Indian Wild Boar, Chinkara, Common Palm Civets
or Toddy cat, Coomon Yellow Bats, Desert Cats, Fivestriped Palm
Squirels, Indian False Vampires, Indian Flying Foxes, Indian Foxes,
Indian Gerbilles, Indian Mole Rats, Indian Porcupines, Longeared
Hedgehogs, Ratels, Small Indian Mongoose, Small Indian Civets and
Common mongoose. The amphibian species only consist of the Common
India Toad and the Common Frog. The park is most famous for it's
diurnal tigers. The park also has a large number of marsh crocs
Reptiles: Snub Nosed Marsh Crocodiles, Desert Monitor Lizards, Tortoise,
Banded Kraits, Cobras, Common Kraits, Ganga Soft Shelled Turtles,
Indian Pythons, North Indian Flap Shelled Turtles, Rat Snakes, Russel's
Vipers, Saw-scaled Vipers and the Indian Chamaeleon.
DAY
06 : RANTHAMBORE - JAIPUR (180 KMS, 03-04 HRS DRIVE)
Continue drive to Jaipur - The Pink City : Jaipur needed a fresh
coat of paint to welcome its distinguished guest the Prince of Wales
in 1905-6. The contractor inability to supply any other color in
the required quantity compelled the choice of pink shade for its
walls. A contractors compulsion famed Jaipur to Pink city.
Since then the PINK color is associated with hospitality in Rajput
culture. The capital city of the state of Rajasthan owes its name,
its foundation and planning to the great warrior astronomer Maharaja
Jai Singh II. The city of Jaipur has broad avenues & sits on
a dry lake bed in a wild and somewhat arid landscape, surrounded
by barren hills surmounted by fortresses and crenellated walls.
Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked Hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure.
DAY
07 : JAIPUR
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort enroute witness the façade
of Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds which was built in 1799.
Amber Fort - The ancient capital of the state until 1727 when Jai
Singh decided to move from his hillside fortress at Amber to new
site on the plains. The construction of this fort began in 1592
by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbars army. The
fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated
on a hillside and overlooking a lake which reflects its terraces
and ramparts. Visit the Jagmandir or the hall of victory glittering
with mirrors, Jal Mahal & temple of Kali. Ascend on elephant
back, the hill, on which the fort is situated.
Afternoon,
city tour of Jaipur. Visit the Jantar Mantar the observatory
built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1728 ; the City Palace which is
a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. It also has a museum
with an extensive collection of art, carpets, paintings, enamel
ware and weapons dating back to the 15th century.
DAY
08 : JAIPUR - PUSHKAR (150 KMS, 02-03 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Pushkar. the holy lake of Pushkar is
believed to have been created by Lord Brahma himself. It is as important
as Banaras or Puri. Devout Hindus believe that it is essential to
visit Pushkar at least once in their lifetime. No pilgrimage is
considered complete without a dip in the holy Pushkar lake. Pushkar
has as many as 400 temples and 52 ghats and the only temple in the
country that is dedicated to Brahma is to be found here. While Pushkar
is a heaven for the religiously inclined, it is also the venue of
one of the country's most colorful cattle fairs - the Pushkar Fair.
Arrive
Pushkar and check-in at prebooked Hotel. Afternoon, explore Pushkar
on your own.
DAY
09 : PUSHKAR
- JODHPUR (220 KMS, 04-05 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Jodhpur - A flourishing trading center
of the 16th century, the fortress city of Jodhpur is now the second
largest city of Rajasthan. Jodhpur was founded in 1459 AD by Rao
Jodha who claimed to be descendent of Lord Rama. The massive fort
Mehrangarh-came first and around it grew the city of Jodhpur protected
by a high stone wall with seven gates and countless bastions.
Arrive
Jodhpur and check in at prebooked Hotel.
Afternoon,
visit the Mehrangarh Fort which literally means Majestic Fort,
located at the very centre of the city. There are ,in all , three
gates , each built to commemorate a particular victory, as well
as to reinforce the fort. It has a collection of musical instruments,
palanquins, furniture & cannons on the forts ramparts
are well preserved. Jaswant Thada : Close to the fort complex lies
this white marble cenotaph, built in 1899, in commemoration of Maharaja
Jaswant Singh II. Rare portraits of Jodhpur's rulers are, also,
to be seen at Jaswant Thada. Also visit the Clock Tower the
city centre.
DAY
10 : JODHPUR - RANAKPUR - UDAIPUR (275 KMS, 06-07 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Udaipur. Enroute visiting the Jain temples
at Ranakpur : The cluster of temples, made of intricately sculpted
white marble, come across as a marvellousfeat of architecture. It
would take anyone by surprise to learn that they were built in 1460,
so well preserved & sparkling is the marble. The main temple
is supported on 1,444 pillars none of which is similarly
carved.
After
the visit, continue drive to Udaipur - The city of Lakes, Udaipur
is a lovely blend of water, lush green hills that set fire and passion
in poet. Its palaces are straight out of a fairy-tale book, lakes,
forts, palaces, temples, gardens, mountains and narrow lanes lines
withdrawn with stalls, relives the reminisces of a heroic past,
valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the
Lake Pichola is excitement that defines imagination. Udaipur
is one of the most romantic cities of world, also know as the Venice
of East. Arrive Udaipur in the evening and check-in at prebooked
hotel.
DAY
11 : UDAIPUR
After breakfast, visit the romantic city of Udaipur. Visit the City
Palace which is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan ; Jagdish
temple, a fine Indo Aryan temple built in 1651; Sahelion ki Bari
or Garden of the Maids of Honour, which is a small garden with its
fountains, kiosks, marble elephants & lotus pool.
Afternoon,
free. In the evening, boat ride on Lake Pichola.
DAY
12 : UDAIPUR - DELHI (FLIGHT, 9W 708 : 1530-1640 HRS)
After breakfast, free for individual activities.
Optional
: Excursion to Chittorgarh : The hilltop fortress of Chittorgarh
epitomises the whole romantic, doomed ideal of Rajput chivalry.
Three times in its long history, Chittor was sacked by a stronger
enemy and, on each occasion, the end came in a textbook Rajput fashion
as jauhar was declared in the face of impossible odds. The men donned
the saffron robes of martyrdom and rode out from the fort to certain
death, while the women and children immolated themselves on a huge
funeral pyre as honour was always more important than death. The
first defeat occurred in 1303, the second in 1535 and this time
the carnage was immense. It is said that 13,000 Rajput women and
33,000 Rajput warriors died following the declaration of Jauhar.
The final sack came in 1568, when Mughal emperor Akbar, took the
town. In 1616, Jehangir return Chittor to the Rajputs but there
was no attempt at resettlement.
Later,
transfer to the airport to board flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to prebooked hotel.
DAY
13 : DEPART DELHI
Transfer to the airport to board flight back home.
This
itinerary can be modified as per your requirements. For any modification,
please mail
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