Taj, Tigers and Palaces

Day 01: Delhi Arrival at Delhi Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport in Delhi and transfers to your hotel. Relax. DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India .

Overnight will be at Delhi.
Red fort remains closed on Mondays
Day 02: Delhi After breakfast proceed for a day sightseeing tour of the city. Start with the sightseeing of Old Delhi . 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, one of Asia 's largest mosques. The magnificent Red Fort, overlooking the river Jamuna was built during the years 1638 - 48 when the Moghul Empire was at its peak. The tour continues to Jama Masjid, one of Asia 's largest mosques and which is viewed from the outside. People stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet.Enjoy the rickshaw ride at Old Delhi.

After visiting Old Delhi, you will be driven to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively. The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks the division in the life-styles. The walled city is all tradition where one will be able to glean a past life-style in all its facets, colours and spells. New Delhi in contrast, is a city trying to live up to the best of 21st century standards.
Imperial Delhi will include the Qutub Minar - the tallest stone tower in India , Humayun's tomb , the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. And which inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President's residence.

Spend night at Delhi .
Day 03 : Delhi - Agra - By road 210 km in 4 - 05 hrs Start for Agra early in the morning after breakfast. Reach and check in at hotel.

AGRA : Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma ofMughlai cuisine

TAJ MAHAL: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra . Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.

AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.
Proceed to visit the Itmadullah's Tomb (also known as the BABY TAJ) Return to hotel and relax in the evening.

Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 04 : Agra – Fatehpur Sikri - Bharatpur - Sawai Madhopur Drive to Fatehpur Sikri after breakfast. The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition ... it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.

After Visit to Fatehpur Sikri transfer to Bharatpur train stations for train to Sawai Madhopur Later transfer to railway station to board the train to Sawai Madhopur. Jan Shatabdi Express 1545:1800 hours (Operates Daily except Sundays); air-conditioned chair car or Paschim Express 1930 :2210 hours (daily); second air-conditioned carriage You will be met on arrival and drive to Ranthambhore (about 30 minutes drive)
Check in at your hotel for two nights
Day 05 Ranthambore Enjoy morning & afternoon game drive by shared Canter Ranthambore National Park, Sawai Madhopur spread over an area of 392.59 Kms of forest with so many Waterfalls, Lakes, Kunds, is one of the famous parks for the Tiger. Population of park includes Chital, Sambhar deer, Blue Bull and Chinkara, besides other mammals and a variety of bird life. Ranthambore fort located inside the park is rich in archeological monuments. It has 7 large gates situated on a high and large hill, which is a protected monument, by the Archaeological Survey of India. There are very famous temples of God Ganesh and (Trinetri) & Maa Kali inside the fort.
Day 06 : Ranthambore - Jaipur - By road 180 km in 4 hr Enjoy morning game drive by shared canter Continue your drive to Jaipur.Arrive Jaipur and transferred to your Hotel for two nights. Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan a romantic realm of resplendent palaces, mighty fortresses and regal Maharajahs that lies in the western deserts and is an utterly unique part of India . Proudly belonging to the KSHATRIYA warrior caste and fiercely independent, the Rajput princes made fearsome foes. However, many of them realized that to maintain their wealth and authority locally, it was expedient to proclaim allegiance to the central power. Thus, many enjoyed a privileged position under the Mughal emperors and also the British Raj that followed.

The bustling Rajasthan capital of Jaipur takes its name from its venerated founder Jai Singh II, who was given the title-Sawai Maharaja by the Mughal. Literally translated this would mean 'one and a quarter', suggesting that the Mughal thought this emperor to be more valuable than just 'one'. Jaipur is known as the ' Pink City ' on account of the distinctive colour of its buildings. This did not, however, form part of the original plan, but dates back to 1856, when the city was given a wash of pink in honor of a State Visit from Prince Albert

Overnight will be in Jaipur.
Day 07 : Jaipur Proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort after breakfast. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.

AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression. At the foot of the hill you will mount your caparisoned elephant for the slow but steady climb up to the main gate, making your entrance in the time honoured fashion. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families.

CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum .

JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.

HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this " Palace of Winds " is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women. This afternoon 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 08 : Jaipur - Delhi -By road 260 km in 6 hr After leisurely breakfast proceed for shopping.
Leave for Delhi after lunch. Reach and transferred straight to Delhi Airport for flight back home