Rajasthan Wildlife with Taj Mahal

Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi. You will be met on arrival and after traditional welcome transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 2: Delhi
After breakfast you will proceed to city tour of Old and New Delhi. This city containing both the spacious, planned New Delhi of late colonial Britain and Old Delhi its bustling and crowded medieval counterpart. Start your tour with a visit to Old Delhi. Built in the first half of the 17th Century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan , this old city is still a dense network of overcrowded homes, markets and numerous narrow lanes leading towards enormous Red Fort. Take a guided walk through the old city starting from Chawri Bazaar and ending in Chandni Chowk, a bustling thoroughfare of shops (most are closed on Sundays), craftsmen's workshops, mosques and temples. On the way visit Jama Masjid the largest mosque in India, commissioned by Shah Jehan and completed in 1656.

One must be careful of personal possessions when walking through these busy streets. From Chandni Chowk continue to the Red Fort (closed on a Monday) with its imposing appearance and towering entrance. Also visit Rajghat, the cremation place of Mahatma Gandhi and the Qutub Minar complex housing an impressive 13th Century 72m victory tower. In the afternoon drive south to New Delhi designed by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens in a combination of western and eastern styles. Proceed up to Rashtrapati Bhavan once the Viceroy's abode but now the official residence of the President of India and then across to the eastern end of the Rajpath to the impressive India Gate. This war memorial, designed by Lutyens, commemorates the Indian soldiers who died in the First World War, on the Northwest Frontier and in the Afghan War of 1919 and, most recently, in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.

Day 3: Delhi - Agra (203kms / 4-5 hrs drive)
After breakfast drive by your private car with driver to Agra. On your approach into Agra stop at Sikandra the site chosen by the Mughul Emperor Akbar for his tomb. Akbar died during the construction but his son, Jahangir, completed it in 1613 after considerably altering the original designs. The result is a hugely impressive and imposing 22m high tomb structure four stories high set amongst an enclosed garden. Below ground level is the Tomb of Akbar.

Afterwards continue to the Taj Mahal (closed Friday), a UNESCO world heritage site and the greatest monument of love, built by Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz .. The craftsmanship is outstanding with semi-precious stones inlaid into the marble in beautiful patterns, a process known as pietra dura, whilst the white marble reflects every change in light allowing the Taj to appear to change its hue according to the light and time of day. Later visit Red fort, built in red sandstone, another marvelous example of extra-ordinary mughal architecture.

Day 4: Agra - Alwar (198 kms / 4-5 hrs drive)
After breakfast drive by your private car with driver to Agra. On the way to Agra stop at Fatehpur Sikri the one time red sandstone capital of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Built during the second half of the 16th Century in honour of a local holy man who had helped, and then prophesised, to Akbar that he would have the three sons and heirs that he so desperately desired, Fatehpur Sikri grew into a city that is still today a reminder of his power, lifestyle and vision. Unfortunately this city was abandoned in early 1600s. Arguments range from political and strategic motives, to lack of a consistent water supply and even the untimely death of a court singer! Afterwards continue your drive to Alwar. Checkin at hotel.

Alwar is a quiet town that lies in the hills of the Aravalli range and is surrounded by lakes, forests and palaces. An important Rajput state, Alwar played a vital part in the history of Rajasthan. It came under Muslim rule in the 13th century and in the 18th Century, the Rajput ruler, Maharaja Pratap Singh, wrested it back from the invaders and founded the then state of Alwar. The locale is famous for its picturesque surroundings and a wide variety of birds and animals. The famous Sariska Tiger Reserve is only 35 km away. Situated in the midst of the arid Aravallis is the regal Amanbagh. Once the site of the Maharajah of Alwar's hunting lodge, and favoured garden retreat, Amanbagh evokes the cultural richness, the princely pleasures, and the romantic interludes of the Moghul era. Overnight stay at Amanbagh.

Day 5: Alwar
Early moring at sunrise excursion to Sariska national park. You will be provided a jeep safari inside the park. Here you will get chance to see Tigers, Antelopes, and various birds. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 6: Alwar - Jaipur (145 Kms / 2-3 hrs drive)
Today morning drive to Jaipur- capital city of Royal state of Rajasthan, its also known as the Pink city. On arrival in Jaipur checkin at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 7: Jaipur
Today morning drive through the rugged hills that surround Jaipur city to visit Amber Fort a beautiful fort palace with coloured stone inlays, intricately painted murals, palaces, temples and cooling courtyard watercourses. In the afternoon take a guided walking tour through the old city to explore the colourful markets and bazaars before continuing onto the City Palace complex that occupies the centre of Jaipur. Painted pink as a mark of welcome, the City Palace was completed in 1732 and houses the intriguing Armoury Museum and the beautiful Peacock Gate. Nearby is the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, which forms part of the east wall of the City Palace complex. Built at the turn of the 19th Century this five storied structure with its elaborate façade was built for the ladies of the harem and is best seen from the street outside. Further along is the Jantar Mantar the largest stone observatory in world. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 8: Jaipur - Ranthambore (160 Kms / 4 hrs drive)
Today drive to Jaipur and start your journey to the Project Tiger Reserve at Ranthambore. Covering over 410 sq. kms the reserve runs from the east of the Aravallis to the Vindhya range and is one of the finest tiger parks of its kind in the country. This park was one of the original areas under Project Tiger in 1973 the reserve has recovered much of its natural beauty and large areas of the dry deciduous forest have been restored. Set in a valley dotted with small pools and fruit trees and surrounded by rocky hills Ranthambore provides a perfect wildlife environment. The reserve supports a mixed range of birds, mammals and insects and although the major predator is the tiger, leopards, jackal, hyena and other jungle cats are also present in areas on the park boundaries. Sambar, chital and wild boar thrive in the grasslands and lakeside woods, nilgai antelope and chinkara gazelles are found in drier areas of the park and crocodiles openly bask by the lakes. As with much of India the blend between nature and history is strong at Ranthambore and the 13th Century fort is the focal point of the park.

The Indian Tourism Department has taken over the administration of Ranthambore and in order to protect the environment of the park, entry for individuals is limited to Gypsy 4-wheel drive vehicles which have seats for 5 guests per vehicle. Sole use of the vehicles is no longer an option that can be requested or provided and depending on demand on the day you may have to share the vehicle.

Day 9: Ranthambore
Visit the park at sunrise and sunset by jeep in the company of an expert naturalist. Don't forget to carry your own binoculars , camera and take a warm fleece, hat and gloves with you.

It is reported that there are now approximately only 26 tigers in the whole of this reserve, therefore, you will be very fortunate to spot a tiger at Ranthambore.

Day 10: Ranthambore - Jaipur - Delhi (by flight)
Morning after breakfast you will drive back to Jaipur to catch flight for Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi connect your international flight at midnight.

Day 11: Depart Delhi

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