Day 01  :  ARRIVE  DELHI
Arrive Delhi International airport in the evening.  After immigration & customs, you will be met & transferred to your prebooked Hotel.

Day 02  :  DELHI
After breakfast, visit the capital of India. Delhi is a fascinating mix of history and modernity, a city of contrasts where imposing fortresses, palaces & mosques, medieval ruins in landscaped gardens, the elegant edifices of the British ‘Raj’ all blend harmoniously into the trappings of a modern city. Cool tree lined avenues of Lutyen’s Delhi are as much a part of the city’s charm as the bustle of the busy bazaars of the walled city of Shahjehanabad. Delhi also offers a range of cultural treats including cultural treats such as the arts and fine museums

The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; drive past the Red Fort continuing to the Jama Masjid by bicycle rickshaws, it is the largest mosque in India, accommodating up to 25,000 worshippers at one time. Designed by Shah Jahan, this grand red sandstone and white marble mosque was said to have been built by 5,000 artisans from 1644 to 1656. The broad red sandstone steps lead up to gates to the east, north and south

The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. Qutub-ud-din Aibak started it in 1199. Pulling down 27 Hindu and Jain temples and using their columns erected the attached Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque also built by him. Then visit Humayun’s tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style, a precursor of the Taj Mahal. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate - An imposing structure, the gate was built in memory to the of the 90,000 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during World War I, the Parliament building and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President’s residence

Day 03  :  DELHI - JAIPUR                        260 kms / approx. 05 hrs.
Morning, drive to Jaipur, The City of Victory – also known as the Pink City – is capital of princely state of Rajasthan. It is the gateway to Rajasthan, the home of the Rajputs, the land of chivalry and martial tradition, of legends of brave men & beautiful women. Stately palaces, colourful bazaars, and old fortifications brooding above the city give it a medieval air. Jaipur is however only two hundred years old. Encouraged by the waning of Mughal power, Maharaja Jai Singh abandoned his ancestral hill fortress of Amber in 1727 and built the city that was named after him. The city reflects the character of state and its people; surrounded by rugged hills, each crowned by formidable fort, beautiful palaces, mansions and gardens dotted throughout the city. It was a planned city in the modern sense, built on a grid pattern but divided into nine sectors to symbolise the nine divisions of the universe.

Day 04  :  JAIPUR
After breakfast, excursion to the ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Moat Lake. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravalli hills and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area. Enroute 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 overlooks the main street of the old city and is a stunning example of Rajput artistry with its pink, semi-octagonal, honeycombed, sandstone windows. It was originally built to enable the ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and processions of the city.

Upon reaching Amber Fort, experience the majesty of a bygone era, riding like royalty atop elegantly draped and painted elephants into the high mountain fortress. Once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many mirrors, lighting up the room.

Afternoon, tour part of the City Palace, which is open to the public. The most striking building on entering through the Atish Pol or stable gate is the beautiful marble and sandstone Mubarak Palace, initially used to welcome foreign dignitaries and later used as the Cabinet Office. Today the palace houses the textile gallery exhibiting an excellent collection of costumes and rich textiles from the private collection of the Jaipur royal family. The armory is entered through the magnificent marble inlaid Singh Pol or Lion Gate. The most impressive part of the place is the Diwan-I-Khas or the hall of Private audience. Entered through a gateway richly decorated in pietra dura and flanked by a pair of elephants carved out of a single block of marble, the star exhibits of this area are a pair of enormous sterling silver vessels used to store holy water from the Ganges. The water was used by the Maharaja for his daily bath when travelling overseas, to protect him from ritual pollution. Also of interest is the Art Gallery, which has a collection or royal memorabilia. The Jantar Mantar which you visit next is a collection of futuristic structures and astronomical instruments designed by Sawai Jai Singh the founder of Jaipur. This was a result of this intense study of Astrology and Astronomy, and these 17th century extraordinary structures are accurate even today

Day 05  :  JAIPUR - RANTHAMBORE
Drive to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve: Ranthambore is situated at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges. Since becoming one of the original 11 areas under Project Tiger in 1973, the park has recovered much of its previous natural glory. The blend between nature and history is strong in this park - the fort, temples, tanks and other relics are a constant reminder of man’s involvement in the area. The fort commanded a large region and up to the late 13th century was the center of a Hindu kingdom. During the 18th century the area was protected as a hunting area for and by the Maharajas of Jaipur and it is thanks to an extension of this protection that the park exists today. Ranthambore has an impressive range of animal species within its 150 sq. miles (392 sq. km), including sambar, cheetal, nilgai, chinkara, wild boar, sloth bear, hyena, jackal, leopard and tiger. The rich birdlife reflects the range of flora on which it feeds. During the winter months, the lakes attract a variety of migrant water birds.

Day 06  :  RANTHAMBORE
Morning & Afternoon, Jungle Safari

Day 07  :  RANTHAMBORE - BHARATPUR (TRAIN) - FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA
Transfer to Sawai Madhopur railway station to board Jan Shatabdi Express, scheduled to depart at 0710 hrs.  Arrive Bharatpur Jn. at 0925 hrs., proceed to the world famous Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur National Park, officially known as Keoladeo Ghana Sanctuary.  Explore the reserve during by a cycle rickshaw. With luck you should spot over a hundred species in a day here, with concentrations of waterbirds that can be spectacular. The open water holds Darter, four egret species, White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Eurasian Spoonbill, Painted and Black-necked Storks, Black-headed Ibis, Spot-billed Duck, Ruddy Shelduck and Bar-headed Goose. Sarus
Cranes strut through the flooded fields, and Greater Painted-snipe hide in grassy tussocks. This is a good place for eagle identification, as Eastern Imperial, Great and Indian Spotted and Steppe Eagles all winter here. Bharatpur is a rich habitat even if the monsoon has been poor: Indian Peafowl, Indian Courser, Grey and Largetailed Nightjars, White-eared Bulbul, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Small Minivet and Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher are just a few of the likely species. The rickshaw-drivers often know where to find owls: Dusky Horned and Collared Scops-Owls and Spotted Owlet are the most regularly seen. In some winters, the rare Sociable Lapwing visits the sanctuary.

After a visit to the National Park visit Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. It was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago. It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed. Now it is an extraordinary place to wander around with its buildings in near perfect condition. 

Continue drive to Agra - founded in 1475 AD., famous as the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Taj Mahal. Also known as City of Taj. However city attained glory under the Mughal rulers during which Agra witnessed a frenzy of building activity. Modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage. The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces in Agra is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal Empire. Agra was their capital for nearly a hundred years from 1564. A pleasant town, with a comparatively easy pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soapstone by artisans who are hereditary craft persons.    Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked Hotel.

Day 08  :  AGRA - DELHI                                                        204 kms / approx. 04 hrs.
A very early start to see the incredible spectacle of the sunrise over the Taj Mahal (Closed on Fridays). The Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631, built the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal, the most extravagant monument ever built for love. The Taj is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze a first time visitor; the white marble exterior changes colour according to the position of the sun during the day and is matched by the rich interior detail.  Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants.
Although the Taj is impressive from any angle, it's the close-up detail that is really astounding. Semi-precious stones are inlaid into the marble in beautiful patterns and with superb craftsmanship.

After breakfast, visit the Agra Fort - an outstanding example of Mughal architecture. This massive fort is 2.5 kms long and is considered as the predecessor of the Delhi Red fort.  The seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule and administration and the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River. Shah Jehan added the impressive quarters and the mosque while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. This is where Emperor Shah Jahan was kept under house arrest by his son Aurangazeb and spent the last year of his life viewing the Taj Mahal from the little octagonal tower in the fort. The maze of courtyards, mosques, palaces, gardens, halls of private & public audience of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire

Afternoon, leave for Delhi enroute visit Sikandra - Four kilometers from 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.

Arrive Delhi in the evening.  Dinner at a local restaurant
Transfer to the International airport in time to board your flight back home

Day 09  :  DEPART  DELHI
Early morning, flight to your onward destination