Home >> India Wildlife Tours >> Best of Culture North India with Tigers
Best of Culture North India with Tigers
Duration : 12 DaysDestination Covered : Delhi - Varanasi - Khajuraho - Orchha - Agra - Ranathambhore - Jaipur - Delhi
Day 01 Arrive at Delhi:
Company representatives will receive you on in Delhi. Transfer 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 stay will be at hotel.
Day 02 Delhi:
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for a full day tour of New and Old Delhi.
NEW DELHI - An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House and the President's Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Enjoy the rickshaw ride at Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi.
OLD DELHI - A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Mughal Empire.
Overnight stay will be at hotel.
Day 03 Delhi / Varanasi:
By Air
Flight Number : 9W 333
Airline : Jet Airways
Departure : 1040 Hrs
Arrival : 1150 Hrs
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Proceed to the airport for flight to Varanasi.
Varanasi is the World's most ancient living city. Crowded with temples, and its labyrinth of streets, the city attracts the maximum number of tourists. The religious capital of Hinduism, Varanasi is the carpet-manufacturing place of India. It was previously known as Kashi - the city that illuminates. The present name is derived from the fact that the city is at the confluence of the rivers Varuna and ASI. It is also called CITY OF TEMPLES.
Visit Sarnath - 5 Miles out of Varanasi for a day excursion: one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 B.C. Witness of the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a Fine Museum which House an Excellent Collection of Buddhist Art & Sculptures.
Rest of the day will be at leisure. Overnight stay will be at Varanasi.
Day 04 Varanasi - Khajuraho: By Air
Flight No : 9W 333
Airlines : Jet Airways
Departure : 1220 hr
Arrival : 1300 hr
Morning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and most important religions. (To start at 0500 hrs. for the best lifetime experience) For you to appreciate this remarkable city, we'll transfer you to the banks of the River Ganges before the sun rises.
Board a boat with your guide and proceed to the middle of the river, where at sunrise the sight unfolds before you. Thousands of faithful come daily to the banks to bathe and pray while in the background, temples and palaces rise in tiers from the water's edge. Then return for a walk through the cobblestone streets along the banks of "Ganga". As shops are opening, the place now becomes a beehive of activity as the faithful are coming and going. Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple while returning to the hotel.
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Proceed for day guided tour of Varanasi.
Visit Bharat Mata Temple, which features a big relief map of Mother India engraved in marble. Also visit the 18th century Durga Temple, commonly known as the Monkey Temple due to the huge population of the monkeys. Proceed to the Tulsi manas Temple, crafted from white marble which features the entire Ramayana inscribed on its walls. Also visit the BHU considered as the biggest residential university in Asia. The University Campus houses an Art Gallery and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
Take flight to Khajuraho. On arrival you will check in to the hotel. Company representative will assist you on arrival. Relax at the Hotel.
Situated in the heart of India, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is a fascinating village with a quaint, rural ambience and a rich cultural heritage, honored by the world as India's unique contribution to human civilization. The Chandela dynasty built eighty-five temples here. Only twenty remain as embodiments of Indian architectural and sculptural art at its most evolved state. Even ten centuries after they were constructed, the temples of Khajuraho reflect an eternal philosophy relevant to mankind. The temple of Khajuraho is a world heritage site and belongs not just to India but to the world.
Evening will be free. Overnight will be at Khajuraho.
Day 05 Khajuraho:
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Start sightseeing of the WESTERN SET OF TEMPLES at sunrise.
After lunch visit the EASTERN TEMPLES and JAIN TEMPLES.
In the evening proceed for the SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW and retire for the night. Overnight will be at Khajuraho.
Day 06 Khajuraho - Orchha:
By Road 175 km in 4 hr
Orchha - Agra:
By Train
Train Number : 2001
Train Name : Bhopal Shatabdi Exp.
Departure : 1755 hr from Jhansi
Arrival : 2025 hr at Agra
Breakfast will be at the resort.
Proceed for Orchha. ORCHHA- A medieval city founded by Bundela rulers with Palaces and temples of the 16th and 17th century which have remarkable withstood the onslaught of time, the city is picturesquely flanked by river Betwa.
Proceed for lunch and then visit the temple and the CHATTRIS.
Take an evening train to Agra. 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 of Mughlai cuisine.
Overnight stay will be at Agra.
Day 07 Agra:
Proceed for sightseeing after breakfast.
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.
After Agra Fort we will visit BABY TAJ - The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj.
Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 08 Agra - Ranthambore: By Road
270 km in 5 hrs
Visit TAJ MAHAL on sunrise.
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. Breakfast will be at hotel.
Breakfast will be at the hotel and then drive to Ranthambore.
Stop at Fatehpur Sikri. 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 it's grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.
Reach Ranthambhore.
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, at the junction of the Aravallis and the Vindhyas, is a unique example of natural and historical richness, standing out conspicuously in the vast, arid and denuded tract of eastern Rajasthan, barely 14 kilometers from Sawai Madhopur. Get in tune with nature for a luxury holiday in the heart of the jungle. Ranthambore - perhaps the best place in the world to sight a tiger in the wild. The Ranthambore National Park has had more Tiger sightings than any other National Park in the country. It has come to be known as "The land of the Tiger", where most of the documented footage of this majestic best has been recorded.
It spreads over a highly undulating topography varying from gentle to steep slopes; from flat topped hills of the Vindhyas to the conical hillocks and sharp ridges of the Aravallis, from wide and flat valleys to narrow rocky gorges. An important geological feature the 'Great Boundary Fault' where the Vindhyas plateaus meet the Aravali hill ranges meanders through the Reserve. The National Park is bound by the rivers Chambal in the south and Banas in the north.
Ranthambore forest is of tropical dry deciduous type, further classified as Dhok climax forest because of the predominance of Dhok (Anogeissus pendulla) found nearly everywhere. Dhok is an extremely hardy tree, capable of withstanding prolonged droughts. The leaves of this tree are good fodder and they are browsed by herbivores, and form a significant part of their diet. Even the dry, fallen leaves, eaten by them, are rich source of nutrition. Palas or Cheela or the Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperms) blooms magnificently around mid-April.
During the period, Kachida and Anatpura provide an amazing view, like a forest on fire.Around Kamaldhar massive Gum trees (Sterculia urens) with smooth white trunk stand out conspicuously. Similarly, Gurjan (Lannea coromandelica) with greyish trunks at the banks of the lakes and soft wood Salar (Boswellia serrata) dotted atop hills are noticeable.
Relax in the evening at the hotel enjoying a movie / lecture on wildlife and the Ranthambhore National Park. Overnight stay will be at Ranthambore resort.
Day 09 Ranthambore:
Wake up early morning and leave for your safari into the National Park. Track the tigers and other wildlife through the morning. Return to the resort / lodge by 1000 in the morning and have breakfast.
Freshen up and either spend time at the pool or visit the town. You could also go for a nice visit to the temple on top of the fort.
In the afternoon have lunch and then leave again for you afternoon safari. The safari will be till evening 1700 - 1800 hr and then return to the resort / lodge.
Dinner will be at the resort and retire early for the night. Overnight will be at Ranthambhore.
Day 10 Ranthambore - Jaipur:By road 175 km in 4 hrs
Proceed for the morning safari into the National Park. Breakfast will be at hotel.
Drive to Jaipur - the pink city after lunch.
JAIPUR - The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. It is popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.
Reach by early evening and relax at the hotel.
Overnight stay will be at Jaipur.
Day 11 Jaipur:
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for the excursion to Amber fort in the outskirts of Jaipur. Elephant ride at Amer 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.
Proceed for the sight seeing tour of the city.
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.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 12 Jaipur - Delhi:
By road 270 km in 5 hrs
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Proceed to Delhi by surface and drive straight to the international airport for flight home with sweet memories of India.
