India...Best of Rajasthan & Taj

Day 01:   Depart the UK

Day 02: Arrive Delhi (Flight Time – TBA)

Arrive at New Delhi International Airport.
Following immigration, baggage collection, and customs,  you will be met by the local guide at the EXIT of ARRIVAL TERMINAL building standing after which you will be transferred to your hotel.
On arrival, check in at the hotel. Check in at 1400 hrs. Relax and Overnight at the hotel. (Dinner)

Day 03: Old & New Delhi Sightseeing

After your breakfast we proceed for Delhi sightseeing will include drive past Red Fort & visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque. Take a cycle rickshaw ride through the back streets of Old Delhi to get a firsthand experience of the hustle and bustle of the ancient city. Later proceed to New Delhi, visit to the Raj Ghat, drive past the India Gate – a War Memorial Arch, Rashtrapati Bhawan – the President’s Residence, the Parliament House – the Government headquarters and other Government buildings located in the heart of New Delhi. Next visit Humayun’s tomb; the first substantial example of Mughal architecture in India, built-in 1565 AD is of great significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. Conclude your day with visit to Qutub Minar; being one of the most important landmarks of Delhi, with calligraphically decorated interiors and inscriptions of verses of the Holy Quran. Stay overnight at Delhi. (Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 04: Delhi - Agra (approx. 04 hrs drive)

Morning travel to Agra, home to India's most famous landmark, the Taj Mahal. A poem of white marble, the Taj is described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love. On arrival check into the hotel. This afternoon, proceed for a guided tour of the 16th century Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built by Emperor Akbar, made of red sandstone, is a labyrinth of Mahals, Courtrooms, Gardens, secret pass way and many impressive structures, exhibiting a fascinating mixture of Islamic and Hindu style of artistry. Thereafter visit Itimad-Ud-Daulah Tomb built between 1622 and 1628 by Queen Nur Jahan in fond memory of her father Mizra Ghiyas Beg, is the first Mughal structure, made of complete marble, said to have important influence behind the design of Taj Mahal, thus nicknamed the Baby Taj. Return to hotel for overnight in at Agra. (Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 05: Agra – Ranthambhore (By road, approx. 05 hours’ drive)

Early morning visit India’s most iconic landmark, the Taj Mahal (closed on Friday), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The epitome of love, standing majestically on the banks of the river Yamuna, was built in the 17th century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in loving memory of his queen. Return to your accommodation for breakfast and later in time check out and travel to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. Stay overnight in Ranthambhore. (Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 06: Ranthambhore (Morning & Afternoon Safari)

Wake up early in the morning and prepare for the first game drive at 6:00 – 9:30 am kindly check with the reception if there is any change in time. Enjoy the national park travelling in jeep with an estimated area of 400sq Km of this amazing reserve. The park is dotted with steep rocky hills and the dominating architecture of Ranthambhore Fort (built in the 10th century), adds to its landscape. The rugged park terrain alternates between dry deciduous forest, open grassy meadow, dotted by several lakes and rivers that are only made passable by rough roads built and maintained by the Forest Service. The tiger is not the only attraction at Ranthambhore although it is the one park resident that people come to see. A variety of birds including Owlets, the ubiquitous Langur (monkey), Leopard, Caracal, Hyena, Jackal, Jungle Cat, marsh Crocodiles, Wild Boar, Bears and various species of Deer are the other attractions. Return to the hotel approximately around 9:30 am and have your breakfast. Later in the afternoon we have another game drive.  Stay overnight at the tiger reserve. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

 Game drives are scheduled between 0630 - 0930 AM & 0230 – 0530 PM, visitors are strictly advised to follow the guidelines of the national park and the wildlife tourist guide)

Day 07: Ranthambhore - Jaipur (By road, approx. 04 hours 30 min drive)

Morning after breakfast travel to Jaipur, the first planned city of India, is a treasure-trove of culture, art and history, famous for its colour, lifestyle and Rajasthani cuisine. On your arrival at Jaipur, assistance for transfer and check-into the hotel. (Breakfast )

Optional: Cooking demonstration with Indian Family @ GBP 28 Per Person: In the evening around 17:30 Hrs, visit an Indian family for an interactive cooking session with home-cooked food. Though not a cooking class with a professional chef, it is a chance to visit an Indian home and gain insights into their daily life and get introduced to a very tasty regional cuisine by the lady of the house. Do not forget to ask for the recipe and the spices used while cooking the dishes. After the cooking session, enjoy a sumptuous dinner with the family. Later you will be transferred to your accommodation.

Day 08: Amber Fort & Jaipur city tour

Morning after breakfast proceed for a guided city tour of Jaipur visiting Amber Fort excursion, the ancient capital of Rajasthan and the majestic palace complex to witness a unique system of air-conditioning of 17th century. En-route photo stop at Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace). Also visit to the City Palace Museum, which boasts to have some of the priceless handwritten Hindu scriptures of the ancient past, miniature delicate paintings, preserved painted ceilings and, the elephant saddles (haudas), and is registered in the Guinness Book of Records to contain the biggest silver objects in the world. Further visit to Jantar Mantar; one of the famed observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh is a complex of astronomical instruments, chiselled out of stone which provides fairly accurate information to this day. Stay overnight at Jaipur. (Breakfast & Dinner))

Day 09: Jaipur – Jodhpur (By road, approx. 06 hours’ drive)

Morning assistance on departure and travel to Jodhpur. Today you will experience the feeling of travelling back in time with a journey to Jodhpur. Also known as the "The Blue City", and "Gateway to Thar", Jodhpur is famous for its Mehrangarh fort, blue houses, temples, sweets and snacks. Apart from the fort, there are multiple temples, lakes, shopping streets that are like a mirage from a bygone era. Upon arrival, assistance by our local executive for check-in at your accommodation with evening at leisure. (Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 10: Jodhpur city tour

Morning, proceed for a city tour of Jodhpur visiting Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest forts in India, where the beauty and grandeur of numerous palaces inside narrates a saga of hard sandstone yielding to the chisels of skilled Jodhpur sculptors. Inside the collection of musical instruments, palanquins, furniture and cannons on the fort's ramparts are all well preserved. Continue to Jaswant Thada, a cluster of royal cenotaphs in white marble built in the year 1899 AD in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. It is an architectural landmark of Jodhpur. Later visit Old city; surrounded by a 10km long wall, the winding streets offer colourful markets, where blue houses alternate with white houses, the Clock tower also known as ‘Ghanta Ghar’ is a prominent landmark. Later explore the Sadar bazaar which exhibits varieties of items ranging from handicrafts, sarees, bangles etc, which would tempt the travellers especially the women. (Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 11: Jodhpur - Udaipur via Ranakpur (By road, approx. 05 hours’ drive)

Morning after breakfast travel to Udaipur with en-route visit Ranakpur Jain temple (Opens at 1200 hrs. noon), renowned for its Jain temples with intricately carved marble Pillars and Domes, Ranakpur is amongst the five holiest places of the Jain community and exceptional in beauty. Tucked away in a remote valley in the Aravalli ranges, it boasts of one of the largest and most important Jain Temples in the country. Later continue your drive Udaipur, also known as the city of lakes, is the crown jewel of the state of Rajasthan. Upon arrival assistance by our local executive for check-in at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. (Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 12: Udaipur

Morning, proceed for the guided tour visiting City Palace and its complex. The City Palace boasts a wonderful blend of Medieval, European and Chinese Architecture and has various towers, domes, and arches, which add to the flavour of this heritage site. Later visit Jagdish Temple, dating back to 1651 AD, it is an exquisite example of Indo-Aryan architecture. Visit Shalion Ki Bari means Garden of Maids. Later enjoy a Boat ride (shared) on Lake Pichola, an artificial freshwater lake, created in the year 1362 AD, and named after the nearby Picholi village. Rest of the day at leisure. (Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 13: Udaipur – Departure (Flight TBA)

Assisted departure transfer to Udaipur airport to board the flight to onward destination. (Breakfast)

Day 14:  Arrive UK