11 Days Taj, Palaces and Temples with Tiger Safari

This morning after breakfast head on for full day guided tour of Old and New Delhi. First you will visit Old Delhi, build by the fifth Mughal Emperor Shanjahan known as Shahjahanabad during Mughal rule. Here you will first visit the largest Mosque of Asia Jama Masjid and there upon enjoy rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Shahjahanabad, it will give you a glimpse of the bygone era, followed by drive pass of Red fort build by the same emperor. Later visit the Raj Ghat, the cremation ground of Mahatma Gandhi. Than have lunch at city restaurant. After Lunch, you visit Humayun’s Tomb- also called precursor of Taj Mahal. Followed by drive through the Lutyens Delhi, where you will have glimpse of British era which is renowned for its formal parks and magnificent parliament building with short stop at India gate, war memorial built in the memory of Soldiers who died in First World War. Lastly visit Qutab Minar, the tallest and famous towers in the world, also famous for its architecture, history and design.

Overnight at Hotel

Meals:Breakfast Only

After breakfast, you will be driven to Jaipur (265 Km / 5Hrs), upon arrival, check in to your hotel.

Jaipur the pink city and its pink color associated with hospitality in Rajasthan, spreading out pink carpet for its visitors. Planned by young architect, Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, Jaipur was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727 AD. Laid in a grid system, with straight avenues, roads, streets, lanes criss cross the city with rows of shops on either side of main bazaars arranged in nine rectangular city sectors (Chowkris), based on the principles of “Shilpshastra”, an epochal treatise on Hindu architecture.

Rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight at Hotel

Meals:Breakfast Only

Today after an early breakfast, head on excursion to Amber, the former capital has a beautiful complex of palaces, halls, gardens and temples built by Raja Man Singh, Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh over a period of about two centuries. It emerges from the placid waters of Mootha Lake and is approachable only through steep path. Enjoy short Elephant ride to reach the fort located on the hill.

After visit, continue with Jaipur city tour visit the City Palace, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal. The city palace houses museum with superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armory of Mughals and Rajputs including swords of different shapes and sizes with chased handles, some of them inlaid with enamel and embellished with Jewels and encased in magnificent Scabbards. The art gallery has excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets and rare artifacts.

Overnight at Hotel

Meals:Breakfast Only

Today, after breakfast, you will be driven to Agra (240Km/6hrs), en route visit Fatehpur Sikri the first planned city of the Mughals, built by Akbar, the grandson of Babar. The sloping levels of the city were connected into terraces which were utilized for various complexes such as Jami masjid, Buland-Darwazah and tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti; Khass Mahal, Shahi-Bazar, Mina-Bazar, the Panch-Mahal, Khwabgah, Diwan-i-Khass, Anup-Talao, Chaupar and Diwan-i-Am. The efficient system of drainage and water-supply adopted here suggest an extremely intelligent town-planning..

Upon arrival in Agra, check in to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure, free to explore or do shopping

Overnight at Hotel

Meals:Breakfast Only

Today after break, head on for full day sightseeing of Agra, include visit to Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, Itmad-ud-Daulah and Sikandra

Agra fort built by Akbar, the great Mughal Emperor in 1565 A.D. later additions Jahangir his son and Shah Jehan his grandson Shah Jehan.. The fort is crescent shaped, flattened on the east with a long, nearly straight wall facing the river. It has a total perimeter of 2.4 km and is ringed by double castellated ramparts of red sandstone punctuated at regular intervals by bastions. A 9mt. wide and 10mt. deep moat surround the outer wall. There are number of exquisite building like Moti Masjid a white marvel mosque akin to a perfect pearl, Diwan-e-Am, Diwan-e-Khaas, Jahangir’s Palace, Khaas Mahal, Shish Mahal and Musamman or Samman Burj where Shahjehan was held captive in 1666 A.D.

Taj Mahal, completed in 1653 A.D. built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan as the final resting place for his Queen, Mumtaz. It is India’s most fascinating and beautiful monument, perfectly symmetrical monuments took 22 years (1630-1652) and 20,000 workers, Masons and Jewelers to built. Set amidst landscaped gardens Taj Mahal on the bank of the Yamuna River. It can be observed like a Mirage from the Agra Fort from where Emperor Shah Jehan stared at it, for the last eight years his life as a prisoner of his son Aurangzeb.

Sikandra- the mausoleum of emperor Akbar represent his philosophy and secular outlook, combining the best of Hindu and Muslim architectures in a superlative region. Completed in 1613 A.D. by his son Jahangir, it is one of the well preserved monuments. Itmad-ud-Daulah is the tomb of Mirza Ghyas Beg, a Persian who had obtained service in Akbar Court. The Marvel tomb was built by Emperor Jehangir's Queen, Noorjahan, for her father Mirza Ghyas Beg during 1622-1628 A.D

Overnight at Hotel

Meals:Breakfast Only

Today after and early breakfast, you will be transferred to Agra Cant Railway station to Bhopal Shatabdi for Jhansi, departing Agra at 0820hrs.

Upon arrival you will be met and driven to Khajuraho, One thousand years ago, under the generous and artistic patronage of the Chandela Rajput kings. 85 temples magnificent in form and richly carved were built near the village of Khajuraho. In short span of 100 years, from 950 AD – 1050 AD, all the temples were completed, Today, only 22 have survived the destruction by Muslim invaders; these remain as a collective paean to life, to joy and to creativity; to the ultimate fusion of man with his creator.

Overnight at Hotel

Meals:Breakfast Only

Today morning after an early breakfast, you will be driven to to Bandhavgarh National Park. (240Km/5hrs)

Bandhavgarh National Park is a park with a rich historical past. Prior to becoming a national park, the forests around Bandhavgarh had long been maintained as a Shikargah, or game preserve, of the Maharajas and their guests. It has the highest density of Bengal tigers known in the world, and is home to some famous named individual tigers. Charger, an animal so named because of his habit of charging at elephants and tourists (whom he nonetheless did not harm), was the first healthy male known to be living in Bandhavgarh since the 1990s. The female tigress called Sita, who once appeared on the cover of National Geographic, is considered the most photographed tiger in the world. The 105 km² of park area open to tourists was reported to have 22 tigers, a density of one tiger for every 4.77 km². (Population estimation exercise 2001). The population of tigers in the park in 2012 is about 44-49. There is a saying about the Park that goes: "In any other Park, You are lucky if you see a tiger. In Bandhavgarh, you are unlucky if you don't see (at least) one."

Later after relaxing, enjoy lunch at the resort. You will then set out for afternoon jeep safari to seek the treasures of this Tigers territory.

Overnight at Jungle Resort

Meals:Breakfast & Dinner

You have two full days to explore Bandhavgarh National park. Our local naturalists are extremely knowledgeable about park and the tiger movements since they grew up there and spent many years working as a naturalist. Having a couple days ensures tiger sightings and if you are lucky may catch a glimpse of them playing, hunting, sleeping and drinking.

Overnight at Jungle Resort

Meals:Breakfast Lunch & Dinner

Early morning head on for morning Jeep safari, return late morning and after breakfast you will be driven to Jabalpur Airport (165 Km/4 hrs) for your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the hotel.

Rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight at Hotel

Meals:Breakfast & Dinner

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Today you will be driven to International airport in time to board your flight back home. Depart with exciting and sweet memories of your Cuture & wildlife trip to India.

Meals:Breakfast Only

End of Tour

The Package Includes

• Welcome Drink on arrival at all hotels.
• Accommodation in city hotels on Bed and breakfast basis
• Ranthambhore and Jawai is on full board (all meals)
• Morning Evening Tea Coffee during the stay at Ranthambhore & Jawai.
• 5 Jeep Safaris in Ranthambhore National Park.
• 4 Jeep Safaris in Jawai Leopard Conservation Area
• English Speaking Guide at all the places for sightseeing
• Entrance fee to all the monuments as per itinerary
• Rickshaw ride at Delhi
• Horse cart Ride at Jodhpur
• Elephant Ride at Jaipur – Amber Fort
• Boat Ride at Udaipur – Lake Pichola
• Services of a professional Naturalist for all your safaris.
• Free use of indoor / outdoor recreational activities at the hotels
• All airport and road transfers by AC Vehicle
• Udaipur to New Delhi domestic flight (One Way)
• Applicable Govt. Taxes.

The Package Excludes

• International Airfare and Taxes.
• Optional activities like boat rides, cultural visits, walking safaris, etc.
• Extras at the lodges or tented camps i.e. beverages and drinks, telephone, laundry etc.
• Visa fees
• Tipping
• Personal travel insurance
• Any other item not included in itinerary

Important Notes

• Maximum of 2 Children are allowed to share room with 2 Adults.
• We may have to re-route the itinerary or accommodate in similar Hotels / lodges in case of non-availability.
• Park fees may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will be passed to you.
• As the group size is limited, please secure your seats by booking at the earliest
• Quoted prices are indicative only
• Flights & Trains costs included in the itinerary are based on advance purchase fares. These are subject to change and availability
• Bandhavgarh National Park is closed for afternoon safari on Wednesdays.
• The Especial Vacations reserves the right to change the hotels, lodges to similar category in case of no availability.
• The Especial Vacations reserves the right to reroute the itinerary in case of non-availability of Flight / Train tickets, or other reasons of similar nature.
• There are limited safari vehicles allowed to enter in the national parks and are most difficult to book at a short notice. Please book your tour much in advance
• The published price is not applicable during the Christmas and New Year period.
• Check-in and check-out time at all hotels is 12 noon unless otherwise specified.