Wildlife Tour of North & Central India

 

 

Duration : 14 Nights/15 Days

Destination Covered : Delhi - Jaipur - Ranthambore - Agra - Umaria – Bandhavgarh - Varanasi

Day 01 : Delhi Arrival. You will arrive Delhi International airport by any International flight in the evening/night. Traditional "Swagat" (Welcome)  on arrival at the airport. Later our representative will assist you at airport & transfer to hotel for check in. Delhi is a metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds the ancient with modern. Delhi strategic location was the main reason why many dynasties chose it as their  seat of power.

Many monuments were built here over several centuries by different rulers like Qutub-ud-din Aibek, Alauddin Khilji, Tughlaks, Humayun & Shah Jahan, who built the Walled City Shah Jahanabad.
Later in first half of the 20th century, New Delhi was planned by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Night stay in Hotel.

Day 02 : Delhi
Morning after breakfast, you will be picked up from hotel at about 9 AM and proceed for a guided city tour o Delhi of Old Delhi, the 17th century walled city of Shah Jehanabad, incliding a visit of Jama Masjid  the larget mosque in India. Mosque was built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Drive past through the Red Fort.
In New Delhi, visit Raj Ghat, memorial to the father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Later drive past India Gate, memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls.
Also visit the President's House, the official residence of the President of India, built in 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House.
After lunch {own}, proceed to visit the Humayun's Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year 1562. Qutub Minar, built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aybak. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. Evening visit the Bahai temple {Lotus Temple}.
Night stay in hotel.
Note :  Lotus Temple, Red Fort will be closed on Monday.

Day 03: Delhi - Jaipur 05-06 Hrs Drive to Jaipur, after breakfast in the morning. Enroute visit Samode, place famous for culture and art. It is popular for mansions, havelis, and handicrafts. At Samode, you can visit the Samode Palace - belongs to the Rawals of Samode, who do not belong to a royal family but are affluent noblemen.

For their loyalty and courage, the family was bestowed the title of "Maha Rawal". The palace being four hundred years old and has gone through a lot of restoration work. A heritage hotel, now. You will be provided with tea, coffee and snacks when you arrival at Samode Palace. Then you can visit the Sheesh Mahal and drive for about a kilometer up to the point from where you will be provided Camel Ride for 2 Km and reach Samode Bagh.
By doing so you can check the local traditions and colors of the town. You can have your lunch here and later drive to Jaipur. On arrival in Jaipur, check in to the hotel.
Night stay in hotel.


Day 04: Jaipur
Morning after an early breakfast proceed for an excursion to Amber Fort (11 km);  the palace complex which stands to this date was commenced under the reign of Raja Man Singh.
Enjoy an Elephant ride to reach the Fort situated on the hill, an overwhelming experience. You will feel like a Maharaja.
Afternoon proceed for a city tour of Jaipur,  including City Palace, a perfect blend of Rajasthani & Mughal architecture.  Further visit the Jantar Mantar, the Solar Observatory, an astronomical treasure house, with solar devices that give accurate predictions till date. Also have a look on Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a five-storied building of pink sandstone. It was built in year 1799 so that veiled royal women could peer down unseen by the world through its 593 stone Jharokas (mini windows).
Night stay in Hotel.
Optional Tour - Chokhi Dhani
An evening excursion to Chokhi Dhani complex, ethnic village resort located at a distance of 15 km from Jaipur City. Rajasthani village atmosphere is recreated on the sprawling ground and includes the entertainment by folk dancers and  musicians. Late return to hotel.
Night stay in hotel.

Day 05: Jaipur / Ranthambore 04-05 Hrs. Drive to Ranthambore after breakfast in the hotel, on arrival in Ranthambore, check in to the hotel. Afternoon free for independent activities or optionally you can go for a visit of the Fort. Night stay in hotel.

Note: Though Tiger sighting can never be guaranteed, but chances for Tiger sighting are good in Ranthambore.

Day 06: Ranthambore
Morning as well as afternoon game drives in Ranthambore national park by canter bus.
Night stay in hotel.

Day 07: Ranthambore - Agra 06-07 Hrs.
Drive to Agra, after breakfast. Enroute you can visit Fatehpur Sikri - by the Emperor Akbar - was the capital of the Mughal Empire, for around a decade. On arrival in Agra, check in at the hotel.
Night stay in hotel.

Day 08: Agra - Umaria – Bandhavgarh.                         Overnight Train It is recommended to visit the Taj Mahal, at the time of sunrise. The Taj Mahal, built by an emperor in memory of his beloved queen. Construction of the Taj Mahal began

in 1631, and is believed to have taken 18 years to complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working. It consisted of works done by legendary architect, Ustad Ahamad Lahori. Legend has it that once construction was completed, Shah Jehan had Lahori's hands cut off, and blinded, so he would never be able to duplicate the structure. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. The Taj Mahal has distinct femininity, perfect proportions and perfect ornamentation. Paradoxical gardens surround the Taj Mahal. Have late breakfast, in the hotel and later heads towards Agra Fort, Itmad-Ud-Dola and the city.
Here at the fort you can see chambers of this royal residence. Later in the city witness the local life and bazaars. Evening leave for Agra Cantt railway station to take Kalinga Utkal express train to Umaria.
Night in the train.
Note: Travel in 2nd A/C Sleeper Class


Day 09: Umaria - Bandhavgarh
Arrive Umaria railway station at about 6 AM. Meet on arrival and drive to Bandhavgarh, which is approx. 90 Kms away from Umaria. Check in to the hotel. Rest of the day is free for relax.
Night stay in hotel.

Day 10: Bandhavgarh
Morning and afternoon game drives in Bandhavgarh by jeep.
Night stay in hotel.

Day 11: Bandhavgarh – Khajuraho                     05-06 Hrs.
Drive to Khajuraho after breakfast and check in to the hotel.
Evening witness the light & sound show in the temple (Optional) if time permits.
Night stay in hotel.

Day 12: Khajuraho - Varanasi                                Flight
Morning visit the Eastern and Western group of temples. Later depart for Khajuraho airport and board flight for Varanasi. On arrival in Varanasi, check in to the hotel.
Night stay in hotel.

Day 13: Varanasi Varanasi is a holy city and it is situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges. Varanasi is considered to be among the oldest living cities of the world and has been a centre of learning and civilization for centuries. Varanasi is the religious centre of Hindu religion.

It is witnessed that every year hundreds of thousands of pilgrims make a long journey to this vibrant city. Here you can see what faith can do to people and what their devotion to God leads them to achieve. You can sense enlightenment and peace that their belief in a God has bestowed them with. Varanasi has around 2000 temples and shrines, pinnacles, minarets and domes. In this spiritual city, you will see marriage processions and funeral processions.
In the afternoon leave for half-day excursion to Sarnath, which is around 19 kms from the city centre.

It was here that Buddha revealed his doctrine and founded his monastic community. Sarnath symbolizes the birth of Buddhism. The museum at Sarnath being the most important in India, it contains carvings representing a whole range of styles - the Mathura School, Gupta, Archaic and Medieval - covering work of sculptors from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. Here there are original lions heads from the Asoka Pillar, which form the symbol of the Indian republic. Later in the evening visit the Dashaswamedh Ghat and witness the most beautiful Aarti on the Ganges.
Night stay in hotel.

Day 14: Varanasi – Delhi.                  Flight
Early morning leave your hotel around 5:30 am and go on a sunrise boat excursion on the holy River Ganges. See the city come alive, people bathing in the holy water and worshipping the rising sun. Varanasi will be one of the most extraordinary experiences of your visit to India. It is believed if you die in Varanasi you go straight to heaven.
Return to the hotel for breakfast, and leave on a Varanasi City Tour driving through the Banares Hindu University with a visit to the Bharat Mata (Mother India) Temple, Durga Temple, or the 'monkey temple' on account of the large number of monkeys residing there and the Temple of Vishwanath. If you have time on hand visit some of the silk brocade and weaving centers - a specialty of Varanasi. Afternoon transfer to Varanasi airport to take a flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, transfer to hotel for an overnight stay.
Night stay in hotel.

Day 15: Delhi - Departure
In the morning depart to Delhi International airport and board flight for further journey.
Trip ends with pleasant and happy memories of India.
{We wish to have another chance to show you the other part of our lovely country and its culture}