Rajasthan Splendour
Delhi - Agra - Ranthambore - Jaipur - Deogarh - Udaipur - Mumbai
Duration:12 Days / 11 Nights
Day 1
ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi, after clearing Immigration & Customs formalities; you will reach the arrival hall. Here you will meet your guide from Banyan Tours and transferred to your hotel. Overnight: The Claridges, Deluxe Room.
Day 2
FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR OF OLD AND NEW DELHI
Old Delhi pulses with energy and colour, the hustle and bustle of thronged bazaars and is laced by a maze of narrow lanes which twist and turn between tall, leaning houses. It is full of the sights, sounds and aromas indicative of the Indian sub-continent. In Old Delhi you will see the famous Red Fort surrounded by shops, and bazaars, the Jama Masjid with its tapering minarets and wonderful marble domes and Chandni Chowk. In Old Delhi you will also have an opportunity to experience a rickshaw ride.
As a complete contrast to the medieval Old Delhi, New Delhi stands in formal splendour. It is a city of wide boulevards which offers ever-changing perspectives of Lutyen's landscaped city. It is a city known for its formal parks, magnificent Parliament Building, the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the official residence of the President of India in the 330 acres of land and designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens) and India Gate. In New Delhi you will also visit Qutab Minar, the 72.5 metre high tower dating back to the 13th century, and Humanyun's Tomb which was built in the 16th century and architecturally considered the fore runner of the Taj Mahal. Overnight: The Claridges, Deluxe Room. B
Day 3
DELHI - AGRA (TRAIN)
Early this morning you will be driven to New Delhi railway station for your train to Agra (Bhopal Shatabdi departs Delhi at 0615hrs and arrives Agra at 0812 hrs). On arrival in Agra you will be received at the station and assisted to your hotel.
Later this afternoon you will be taken to visit the incomparable Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, where you stay until sunset. The Taj Mahal is at its best at sunrise and sunset - just when the light, playing on the marble of the tomb and the reflections in the stillness of the waters, presents this incredible building in all its beauty, majesty and splendour. It is a monument of love built by Shah Jehan in 1630 for his Queen, Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. For twenty-two years 20,000 men laboured day and night to build this masterpiece, which has held the world awe struck ever since. The Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world.
The Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan was imprisoned by his son in Agra's magnificent Fort. Here you will see the art and crafting of the white marble that has made the area so famous, the Pearl Mosque and the Halls of Public and Private Audience. After visiting Agra Fort you will visit the Tomb of Itimad ud Daulah. Before the Taj Mahal was built, its design was already standing in the form of Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb, hence it is affectionately known as the 'Baby Taj'. Built to represent a silver jewel box in marble, this mausoleum houses the body of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, the father of the Mughal Empress Noor Jahan. Overnight: The Taj Gateway, Superior - Taj View Room. B
Day 4
AGRA - BHARATPUR - RANTHAMBORE
Early morning, you will be driven to Bharatpur - en route visiting the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri is an exquisite city built by Akbar the Great in 1569, famous for its red sandstone construction of forts, palaces and mosques. Explore the magnificent palaces, public and private buildings, courtyards and gardens which are emblematic of a perfect synthesis of Hindu, Muslim and Persian architectural styles, and redolent of the majesty and romance of that era.
Board GT Mail leaves at 1054 Hrs from Bharatpur and arrive 1340 Hrs at Sawai Madhopur. You will be received at station and taken to Ranthambore. Ranthambore National Park encompasses nearly 400 sq km of dry, deciduous forest in South Western Rajasthan. The park derives its name from the fort of Ranthambore, which sits on a rocky outcrop in the forest. In 1980, Ranthambore was declared a National Park.
Earlier as the private hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Jaipur, Ranthambore was once the scene of royal hunting parties. Nestling between the Aravali and Vindhya hills, Ranthambore remains one of Rajasthan's last sizeable stretches of verdant grassland and jungle. Though mainly known for tiger, Ranthambore also has large number of sambhar, chital and nilgai. Sounders of wild boar and an occasional gazelle can be seen, as well as the Indian hare, mongoose and monitor lizards. Among the other local fauna are the leopard, hyena, jackal, jungle cats, sloth bear and marsh crocodile. The lakes and pools at the park are where the deer congregate and where it is easiest to see the animals. Enjoy evening game drive. Overnight: Khem Vilas, Luxury Tent. BLD
Day 5
RANTHAMBORE
Today you will again enjoy two game drives, one in morning and the other in evening. Overnight: Khem Vilas, Luxury Tent. BLD BLD
Day 6
RANTHAMBORE - JAIPUR
Enjoy morning game drive. After breakfast, you will be driven to Jaipur (approx 6 hours). You will arrive at Jaipur in the afternoon and would be at leisure for the rest of the day. Overnight: Samode Haveli, Deluxe Room. B
Day 7
JAIPUR
Today you can enjoy a full day tour of Jaipur. In the morning you will be taken to the magnificent Amber Fort where you ride up to the imposing hilltop location on elephant back.
Amber, the ancient capital of the region, still recalls its heyday in the majestic ramparts rising steeply along the contoured hillsides. Here, elephants still carry visitors in stately splendour to the main Palace, through unusually high gateways obviously designed to accommodate this archaic mode of transport. Explore the maze of passages, corridors, pavilions, ornamental gardens and ramparts.
Later you will be taken to explore Jaipur, capital of the modern state of Rajasthan. Its centrepiece is the City Palace, home of the royal family and known for its clutch of excellent private museums that display royal memorabilia, particularly armaments, art, books, costumes and textiles. Lying adjacent to the City Palace is the medieval Jantar Mantar observatory. End the day with a walk through Jaipur's traditional markets, set amidst the memorable backdrop of Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob's vernacular architecture. Jaipur is a city of pink, and the light playing upon the buildings, creating shadows and highlighting every nuance of the architecture, will enchant you. After your exploration of the city you will be driven back to Samode. Overnight: Samode Haveli, Deluxe Room. B
Day 8
JAIPUR - DEOGARH
This morning you will be driven to Deogarh (approx 6 hours) The afternoon may be spent at leisure. Overnight: Deogarh Mahal, Deluxe Suite. B
Day 9
DEOGARH
Spend the day here walking round the Village life. Overnight: Deogarh Mahal, Deluxe Suite. B
Day 10
DEOGARH - UDAIPUR
This morning you will be driven to Udaipur (approx 04 hrs), en route visiting the Fort of Kumbhalgarh. Kumbhalgarh Fort is one of the most impressive fortresses in the ancient kingdom of Mewar. The size of this building needs to be seen to be believed- the perimetre walls are over 36 kms in length and 20 ft. thick. The complex of buildings, temples and palaces within these walls need time to be explored. Kumbhalgarh Fort and its adjoining areas have been declared a wildlife sanctuary, intended to protect the local wildlife including wolves, leopards and flying squirrels. The steep climb up to the fort is well worth the effort, giving a fantastic view over the surrounding area. After exploring the fort you will continue on to Udaipur where you will arrive early in the evening. Overnight: Jagat Niwas Palace, Heritage Lake Facing. B
Day 11
UDAIPUR
Udaipur, the enchanting City of Dawn, looms up like a vision in white. The sightseeing tour takes you to City Palace, built in 1725, which has various palaces inside such as Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal, and the Palace of Krishna, all ornately decorated. Saheliyon Ki Bari - the 'Garden of Maids of Honour' - is a small ornamental pleasure garden containing an elegant lotus pool, gushing fountains, beautiful black marble kiosks on the corners of the pool and stunning bougainvilleas covering the wall of the enclosures. Also visit Jagdish Temple.
This morning you will explore Udaipur city in a half-day tour. After a leisurely afternoon, early this evening you can enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola as the sun sets over the city. Overnight: Jagat Niwas Palace, Heritage Lake Facing. B
Day 12
UDAIPUR - MUMBAI - ONWARD DESTINATION
Your morning is at leisure. In the late afternoon you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai and transferred to the international airport for your flight back home. B
