Indian Wildlife - Golden Triangle & Tigers

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Duration: 09 Nights / 10 Days
Places Covered: Delhi - Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambhore) - Jaipur - Delhi

Day 1 : Arrival at Delhi
A Our India Holidays epresentative will receive you on arrival at Delhi airport and transfer you to the hotel.
Delhi, India's capital has seen great empires rise and fall around it for millennia, with each new batch of rulers building over the works of their predecessors. As a result, the city abounds in monuments and ruins of stunning diversity. The seat of the world's largest democracy, it also boasts of magnificent symbols of government that pay architectural tribute to the ideals of self-rule and democracy. These co-exist side by side with wide multi-lane motorways, shopping malls, fast cars and ultramodern steel-glass office complexes that characterise any large 21st century metropolis.
Overnight will be at Delhi. 

Day 2 : After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for guided tour of Old Delhi
Raj Ghat is the famous memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. The shrine bears testimony to the simplicity of the man who changed the world with the power of ideas. A simple black stone structure with an eternal flame burning at one end.
The majestic Red Fort was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1639, and remained seat of the empire for the next two centuries. Today, the Prime Minister of the India delivers his Independence Day speech to the nation from the ramparts of this red sandstone structure.
Jama Masjid is one of Asia's largest mosques. We shall view this magnificent structure from outside, its lofty and highly ornate domes and minarets reminiscent of a scene from the Arabian Nights.
New Delhi was built by the British in the 1930s as their imperial capital. Majestic government and administrative buildings line the wide, tree-lined avenues of what is also known as Lutyen's Delhi after Sir Edwin Lutyens who was commissioned to design the city in 1911.
Start at India Gate, the red sandstone arch erected in memory of Indian and British soldiers who laid down their lives in World War I. Close by are the majestic Parliament House, the seat of the world's largest democracy and the
the Indian President's official residence. Inside are the famed Mughal Gardens with its ornate fountains and manicured lawns. Mughal Gardens are open to the public during spring.
Further south lies the Qutub Minar. Built by Qutubuddin Aibak, a slave general in 1193, it is India's tallest stone tower and marks the site of the country's first Muslim kingdom. The iron tower in a square opposite is unique in that it never rusts, although it has been exposed to the elements for centuries.
The lotus-shaped Bahai temple south of Delhi is also of interest. An ideal place for meditation, this Bahai House of worship is open to people of all faiths.
Overnight will be at Delhi. 

Day 3 : Delhi to Agra by rail
Breakfast will be at the hotel, board the train for Agra.
The Mughal capital of Agra on the banks of the Yamuna River is a bustling town teeming with narrow, winding alleyways that hark back to an era gone by. Dotted by magnificent monuments including UNESCO World Heritage Site Taj Mahal, the city is a dazzling contrast of red sandstone and white marble structures.
Our representative will receive you on arrival at station and transfer you to the resort. Later proceed for a short sightseeing tour.
A beautifully maintained tree-lined monument at Sikandra marks the grave of the illustrious Akbar the Great. A great believer in harmony and equality of all religions, this visionary Mughal Emperor created Din-i Ilahi, a unique religion that combines the fundamentals of Islam, Hindusim, Buddhism and Christianity. His memorial imbibes architectural motifs of all the faiths that inspired him.
Enjoy the DANCE DRAMA depicting the love story of TAJ MAHAL in the evening. Overnight will be at Agra.  

Day 4 : Sightseeing around Agra
Enjoy sunrise over the Taj Mahal.
Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his queen Mumtaz Mahal and designed by Persian architect Ustad, the magnificent Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world. A massive white marble structure so delicate that it appears to float in the air, the Taj is otherworldly in its beauty and is best viewed in moonlight or at dawn and dusk. The close-up view reveals breathtakingly intricate inlay work carved into the marble, and bears eloquent testimony to the triump of Mughal art, culture and architecture at its peak. No holiday in India is complete without the Taj.
Return to hotel for breakfast. Later, proceed for sightseeing.
Standing across the river from the Taj, the majestic red sandstone structure of Agra Fort was erected in 1565 by Mughal Emperor Akbar the great. Little did he know that the same fort would later serve as prison for his grandson Emperor Shah Jahan in the end of his days. From his prison perch of Musamman Burj, an exquisite octagonal marble tower atop the fort, Shah Jahan would spend his last days looking out longingly at the Taj.
Itmad-ud-Daulah is perhaps the Mughal Empire's best kept secret. Empress Nur Jehan, wife of Jahangir, son of Akbar, commissioned the structure as a memorial to her father. Mistakenly called Baby Taj, Itmad-ud-Daulah in fact is decades older than the Taj, and may have served as its design blueprint.
Overnight at Agra. 

Day 5 : Agra to Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambhore National Park) by road and rail, visit Fatehpur Sikri en route
Breakfast will be the hotel. Drive to Fatehpur Sikri in a spacious, comfortable Our approved vehicle.
Fatehpur Sikri, or the "City of Victory", built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 in honour of sufi saint Salim Chishti was the capital of the Mughals for 14 years. The white marble Tomb of the Salim Chisti with its intricately carved marble screens occupies pride of place in the central courtyard of the structure.
Attractions include the colossal Buland Darwaza, a victory gate built to mark the conquest of Gujarat by Emperor Akbar, the
where the emperor held his legendary hearings with the general public and the Diwan-i-Khas where he held private consultation with his nine ministers, or as he called them, his navaratna or nine gems.
Fatehpur Sikri also houses the palace of Jodhabai, Akbar's Hindu wife, and the house of the legendary Birbal - Akbar's Hindu minister and one of the navaratnas - the tales of whose extraordinary wit and wisdom are the stuff of popular culture in India, inspiring countless comic books and children's animation TV shows.
Post Fatehpur Sikri visit reach Bharatpur and enjoy the lunch at Old Hunting Lodge.
After lunch, board train for Sawai Madhopur.
Ranthambhore is the largest national park in North India and its dry deciduous forests are home to over 500 species of flowering plants and 270 species of birds in addition to leopards, nilgai, sloth bear and wild boar.
Overnight will be at Sawai Madhopur. 

Day 6 : Safari in Ranthambhore National Park
Dawn is the ideal time for wildlife spotting, and you will wake up early for your safari into the National Park. Return to the lodge by 10 a.m. for breakfast.
Ranthambhore of course is best known for its large tiger population. The chances of spotting a tiger is relatively high in Ranthambhore, with the elusive predator often seen basking in the sun or enjoying the shade of a tree.
Ranthambhore's most famous denizen is the aging T-16, better known as Machhli or "fish" after the curious markings on her face. Machhli has been the subject of numerous wildlife documentaries and is an "Internet phenomenon" - a video of her hunting a giant salt water crocodile generating over 2 million views on Youtube.
Other notable striped residents of Ranthambhore include Machhli's grown up cub T-17 or Sundari (the pretty one), her boyfriend the temperamental T-25 (better known as Dollar), the elusive T-19, the current dominant female of Ranthambhore, and the majestic T-28 or Sitara (Star), the park's dominant male.
You could spend the rest of the morning at the pool or visit the town. You could also squeeze in a visit to the temple on top of the Ranthambhore fort.
Ranthambhore Fort is the majestic 10th Century fortress that gives the national park its name. There are four 12th century temples inside the fortress that are worth the visit. Standing 700 feet above its surroundings, the fort's ramparts provide a tremendous panoramic view of the national park. Keep your eyes peeled, as the jungles surrounding the fort are a favorite haunt of T-19.
After lunch, leave for your afternoon safari. Return to the lodge by 6 p.m.
Overnight at Ranthambore. 

Day 7 : Jungle safari in the morning, Ranthambore to Jaipur by road at noon
Proceed for game drive at dawn. Return to the resort for breakfast.
Later, drive to Jaipur.
Jaipur, also known as the 'Pink City' from the facelift it received in 1853 to celebrate a visit by Prince Albert, is dotted with havelis (traditional mansions), bazaars, opulent palaces and rugged majestic forts that showcase the glorious past of its rulers, the Rajputs.
The Rajput princes were fierce warriors some of whom declared loyalty to the invading Mughals and proved to be formidable allies of the empire. Among them was King Jai Singh II, whom the Mughals gave the title Sawai Maharaja, or "King and a quarter". Jaipur gets its name from this valiant king.
Reach and check into the hotel Relax.
In the evening, we shall visit the Birla Temple. A stunning white marble structure, the three towers of the Birla Temple stand for three different approaches to religion. Carvings on the ornate pillars celebrate Hindu gods and goddesses along with Christ, Virgin Mary and St. Francis of Assissi. Don't miss the hypnotic evening Aarti, the ritual lighting of oil lamps. 

Day 8 : Sightseeing in Jaipur
Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Proceed for a morning excursion and elephant ride to Amber Fort.
Situated on the top of a hill, the magnificent Amber Fort Palace offers a panoramic view of the old city. Established in 1592, its rugged exteriors believe the delicate architecture inside, a rare fusion of traditional Rajasthani and Islamic styles. Reach the fort the old fashioned way, atop a ceremonial elephant along a cobbled path up that opens into several havelis, step wells, courtyards and temples. Visit Sheesh Mahal or chamber of mirrors, Jas Mandir with its ornate ceilings and latticework and the stunning Shila Devi temple with its intricately carved silver door. In the afternoon, proceed for sightseeing around Jaipur.
The sprawling City Palace has been home to the rulers of Jaipur since the 18th century. The architecture of the palace is a blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal styles. The City palace Museum is located here and houses various items from Jaipur's princely and warrior past.
The scientific-minded King Jai Singh II, an astronomy enthusiast, commissioned five observatories named Jantar Mantar around West Central India in the early 1700s. The one in Jaipur is the largest and the best preserved. The massive architectural instruments are constructed out of local stone and marble some of which are still in use. We shall walk through and explore this surreal maze of giant geometric objects.
The exquisite outer facade of Hawa Mahal, the "Palace of Winds," resembles a manmade honeycomb and is one of Jaipur's most iconic and oft photographed sights. Designed to facilitate maximum air circulation and cross ventilation, the five-storied Hawa Mahal is made of lime and mortar, and decorated with impossible intricate trelliswork. From the privacy of its ornate jharokhas (traditional Rajasthani windows), the ladies of the court could gaze out at life in the streets below.
This evening is free for you to relax shop or explore independently. Shopping is superb in Jaipur, particularly for gold and silver jewellery, pottery, tie-dye materials, silk, saris, wooden handicrafts and carpets.
Overnight will be at Jaipur. 

Day 9: Jaipur to Delhi by air, Bollywood show in Kingdom of Dreams, Gurgaon
Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Later, proceed for the airport for your flight to Delhi.
A Our India Holidays representative shall meet you at the airport upon arrival and facilitate your transfer to the resort in Gurgaon.
In the evening, visit the fabulous Kingdom of Dreams and experience the breathtaking Bollywood Show.
Overnight will be in Gurgaon. 

Day 10: Departure from Delhi, Tour ends
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Later, the Our team will transfer you to the international airport for your flight home.