Temple, Tiger, Taj
10 Nights / 11 Days
Delhi - Amritsar - Delhi - Jaipur - Ranthambore - Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Delhi

DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
On arrival meet and assist at the airport and transfer to prebooked hotel.

DAY 02 : DELHI
After breakfast, half day city tour of Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the construction was started in 1844 and was not completed until 1658; drive past Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan. This massive fort was built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.

Afternoon, city tour of New Delhi. Visit Humayuns Tomb : built in mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture; Qutab Minar, drive past India Gate, President House, Connaught Place. The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple

DAY 03 : DELHI - AMRITSAR (TRAIN, SHATABDI EXPRESS, 0720-1305 HRS)
Early morning, transfer to the railway station to board train for Amritsar. Arrive Amritsar and transfer to prebooked hotel.

Afternoon visit Indo-Pak Border to watch retreat ceremony-30 KM on the road to Lahore is India-Pakistan Border. A visit to the border is an interesting experience especially at Sunset, when the retreat ceremony takes place with the Border Security Force on the Indian Side and the Sutlej Rangers on the Pakistan side putting up a well coordinated and spectacular display. The sound from the Bugles blown together from both sides paints past on the canvas when India and Pakistan were one, simultaneously Flags of the two nations are ceremoniously retrieved and lights are switched on marking the end of the day. Amidst thunderous applause today this point is the only land route open to approach Pakistan and central Asia.

DAY 04 : AMRITSAR - DELHI (TRAIN, SHATABDI EXPRESS, 1705-2250 HRS)
After breakfast, city tour of Amritsar - Golden Temple-the holy scripture is brought in a vivid procession from the Akal Takhat (the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs) in the morning to the temple to be returned at night. Singing is central to Sikh worship & is a feast to the souls when hymns from the holy scripture are recited Kirtan and the waves of the classical ragas, a sublim blend of voice & music. Jallianwala Bagh - the historic site where hundreds of innocent Indian men, women and children were massacred by British General Michael Dyer on April 13, 1919. A memoral and Garden have been created here as a national monument.

Afternoon, transfer to the railway station to board train for Delhi. Arrive Delhi railway station, transfer to prebooked hotel.

DAY 05 : DELHI-JAIPUR (260 KMS 05-06 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Jaipur - The city owes its names, foundation and its careful planning to the great warrior - astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II. In 1727, with Mughal power on the wane, Jai Singh decided to move down from his hillside fortress at nearby Amber to a new site on the plains. He laid out the city, with its surrounding walls and six rectangular blocks, according to the principles of town planning set down in Shilpa Shastra, an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture.

Arrive Jaipur and check in at prebooked hotel.

DAY 06 : JAIPUR
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride from the foothills of the Aravallis to the fort entrance.

Amber Fort : At a distance of 11 kms from Jaipur, Amber was the ancient capital of Jaipur state. Construction of the fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar's army and is a superb example of Rajput architecture.

Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the City Palace which has museum having an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamel ware and weapons ; Jantar Mantar - the observatory built my Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728 and the façade of Hawa Mahal.

DAY 07 : JAIPUR - RANTHAMORE NATIONAL PARK (180 KMS, 04-05 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast leave for Ranthambore National Park. Located at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya hill range, This is one of the finest places to view animals, especially as they are used to being stared at here.The park covers an area of Approximately 400 sq Km and if combined it with the area of sawai man singh sanctuary area,it is around 500 Sq km. Ranthambore national park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and in 1974 it gained the protection of "Project Tiger".
It got it's status of a National Park in 1981.

Arrive Ranthambore and check in at prebooked hotel. Afternoon, jungle safari inside the park in a private jeep.

DAY 08 : RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK
Morning and afternoon, Jungle Safari inside Ranthambore National Park in a private jeep.

DAY 09 : RANTHAMBORE-BHARATPUR (TRAIN, JAN SHATABDI EXPRES, 0707-0922 HRS)
BHARATPUR - FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA (55 KMS, 01-02 HRS DRIVE)
Early morning, transfer to the railway station to board train for Bharatpur. Arrive Bharatpur and do a rickshaw ride at Keoladeo Ghana Bird sanctuary. Later, leave for Agra.

Enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri : built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the Moghuls, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its original glory.

Continue drive to Agra. Arrive Agra and checkin at prebooked hotel.

Note
- Ranthambore/Bharatpur train does not operate on Sundays.
- Taj Mahal closed on Fridays.

DAY 10 : AGRA-DELHI (203 KMS, 04-05 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, city tour of Agra. Visit Red fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences amongst many other beautiful structues; the highlight of the day - The Taj Mahal, which was constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Contruction of the Taj began in 1631 and was not completed until 1653.

Afternoon, leave for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and check in at prebooked hotel.

DAY 11 : DEPART DELHI
Transfer to the airport to board flight back home.