DAY 01 - DELHI /
JAIPUR (258kms 5hrs 30mins approx.)
Morning drive to Jaipur, the picturesque capital of Rajasthan.
Jaipur is colour washed pink - the colour associated with
Rajput culture. Built in 1727 A.D. by Maharaja Swai Jai
Singh II. The only planned city of its time, Jaipur is encircled
by a formidable wall. Jaipur is an exuberance of color,
dance and song with the traditional arts and crafts. Rest
of the day is at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
DAY
02 - JAIPUR
In the morning visit the impressive Amber Fort, the former
capital of the Royal Family of Jaipur, taking an elephant
ride to the top of the fort. In the afternoon visit the
City Palace, the Jantar Mantar and the Hawa Mahal. Rest
of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
DAY
03 - JAIPUR / RANTHAMBHORE (167kms 3hrs approx.)
Drive to Sawai Madhopur, the gateway to the world renowned
Ranthambhore National Park - Tiger Reserve. On arrival in
Sawai Madhopur check into hotel. In the afternoon embark
on a Jeep Safari into the Park for Game Viewing. Ranthambhore
is the ideal place to spot the tiger. The majestic predator
assured of protection, roams freely during the daytime and
can be seen at close quarters. Other wildlife to be seen
include sambar, chital, nilgai (blue bull), chinkara, langur,
wild boar, sloth bear, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, pythons
and leopards. Crocodiles abound in the lakes. The lakes
also attract a large number of migratory and local birds.
The best time to visit is between October and April. Overnight
at hotel.
DAY
04 - RANTHAMBHORE
In the morning embark on another Game View Jeep Safari into
the National Park. Rest of the day is at leisure to pursue
independent activities. Overnight at hotel.
DAY
05 - RANTHAMBHORE / BHARATPUR (191kms 4hrs approx.)
Morning drive to Bharatpur - paradise of birds. On arrival
check into hotel. Later you will enjoy a Rickshaw ride inside
the Sanctuary for Bird Watching. Bharatpur is world renowned
for its World Heritage listed Bird Sanctuary, the Keoladeo
Ghana National Park. It is one of the finest bird sanctuaries
in the world inundated with over 400 species of water birds.
Exotic migratory birds from Afghanistan, Central Asia, Tibet
as well as Siberian cranes, come here in July/August to
spend the winters and they breed till October/November.
Other common bird life to be seen are cormorants, spoonbills,
storks, egrets, herons, pelicans, ibis and herons that can
be spotted all over the park. The best time to visit the
park is from October to late February when many migratory
birds can be spotted. Overnight at hotel.
DAY
06 - BHARATPUR / AGRA (50kms 1hr 30mins approx.)
Early in the morning enjoy another Rickshaw ride inside
the sanctuary to view the birds. Later drive to the Mughal
splendour of Agra, en route visiting Fatehpur Sikri
the ghost city 35kms from Agra. Fatehpur Sikri built in
red sandstone in honour of Saint Salim Chisti, who foretold
the birth of 3 sons to Emperor Akbar, is an example of robust
stability combined with originality. Each important edifice
here represents a type by itself. Notable among them is
the Diwan-e-Khas, Panch Mahal, Tomb of Salim Chisti, and
the Buland Darwaza. Drive on to Agra and check-in to the
hotel. Overnight at hotel.
DAY
07 - AGRA
Drive to Agra. Upon arrival proceed to the Taj Mahal to
see the one of the wonders of the world, it was built by
the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1560 A.D. as a memorial
to his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. Agra is famous all over
the world as the city of immortal Taj Mahal, standing on
the banks of river Yamuna. The Taj Mahal a poem in white
marble which took 22 years to build by 20,000 skilled artisans
who inlaid the white marble edifice with precious and semi
precious stones. Visit Agra Fort from where one can get
the most moving view of the Taj from the little octagonal
tower in the Agra Fort which lies across the river Jamuna.
It was here that Aurangzeb the third son of Shahjahan kept
his father under house arrest. Also visit the Tomb of Itmad-ud-daullah,
built by Empress Noorjahan in memory of her father. It is
a small tomb but made of splendid marble construction. Its
craftsmanship foreshadows that of the Taj Mahal. It was
here that 'pietra dura' the inlay work on marble, so characteristic
of the Taj was first used. This is followed by a visit to
a marble factory to witness the inlay work of precious and
semi-precious stones into marble. Rest of the day is at
leisure. Overnight at hotel.
DAY
08 - AGRA / DELHI (201kms 4hrs approx.)
In the afternoon proceed to Delhi en route visit the Tomb
of Emperor Akbar at Sikandra.