Duration: 11 Nights / 12 Days
Places Covered: Delhi - Sariska - Jaipur - Ranthambhore - Bharatpur - Agra - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi
Day 1: Delhi
On arrival meeting and transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of
Old and New Delhi visiting the Red Fort, Qutub Minar Jantar Mantar etc.
Delhi is just not a city but it is a book-- a book which narrates the history
of India. The city was built and destroyed seven times and has been witness
to the various events which has brought India through the history books.
Seven times this city went through the pain of being built and rebuilt.
Today as the capital of India Delhi is the seat of administration and the
monuments which tell the saga of a bygone era stand there. These icons are
testimony to the grandeur of past and also an attraction for the tourists.
With an area of 1483 sq. Kms, Delhi is all set to acquire full statehood.
The charm of Delhi has attracted Emperors, Conquerors and poor in equally.
It is correctly said that Delhi is a land of 'Dilwalas' or for people with
heart. This phrase acquires a true colour when one goes around the lanes
of Delhi.
Day 2: Delhi - Sariska
Today morning drive to Sariska another wild life park. On arrival transfer
to Lodge. In the afternoon visit the Park. Night at Lodge. Sariska National
Park lies in the Aravalli hills and is the former hunting preserve of the
Maharaja of Alwar. Sariska itself is a wide valley with two large plateaus
and is dotted with places of historical and religious interest, including
the ruins of the Kankwari Fort, the 10th century Neelkanth temples, the
Budha Hanumab Temple near Pandupol, the Bharthari Temple near the park office,
and the hot and cold springs of Taalvriksh. The large Siliserh Lake is at
the north-eastern corner. The forests are dry deciduous, with trees of Dhak,
Acacia, Ber and Salar. The Tigers of Sariska are largely nocturnal and are
not as easily seen as those of Ranthambhor. The park also has good populations
of Nilgai, Sambar and Chital. In the evenings, Indian Porcupine, Striped
Hyaena, Indian Palm Civet and even Leopard are sometimes seen. The forests
are lush during and immediately following the monsoon, but during the dry
months of February May there is a shortage of water and in consequence mammals
are attracted to water holes. At this time of year visibility is good because
of the sparse foliage. Sariska is excellent for birdwatching and has an
unusually large population of Indian Peafowl.
Day 3: Sariska - Jaipur
Morning Jungle drive. Later drive to Jaipur enroute visiting the Amber Fort.Afternoon
city tour of Jaipur to see City Palace, Jantar Mantar and observatory. Jaipur,
the vibrant capital of Rajasthan, is popularly known as the ' Pink City
' because of the pink-coloured buildings in its old city. It sits on a dry
lake bed in a somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted
by forts and crenellated walls. This buzzing metropolis is certainly a place
of wild contrasts and a feast for the eyes. All through, Jaipur has retained
its strong Rajputana flavour tempered by several influences - the mughal
being the most prominent. The region's strong cultural heritage is distinctly
evident even today. The city is a visitor's delight. From the intricate,
delicate looking Hawa Mahal to the graphic forms of the Jantar Mantar -
an open air observatory of outsized astronomical instruments, the Badi Chaupar
lined with shops and business establishments on both sides to the majestic
fort-palace at Amber; from the colorful fountains of life to the sublime
Birla Temple; from the architectural delight of the City Palace to the serene
Jal Mahal.
Day 4: Jaipur - Ranthambhore
Drive Morning one more drive deep into the park then drive to Ranthambhore
National Park, which is rich in wildlife including tiger, nilgai, jungle
cat, mugger and python. Night at jungle Lodge.
Day 5: Ranthambhore
Morning and afternoon safaris in Ranthambhore. Overnight at Hotel. Ranthambore
National Park is in Sawai Madhopur District of Rajasthan state.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
Day 6: Ranthambhore
Morning and evening Jungle excursion and Overnight at hotel.
Day 7: Ranthambhore - Bharatpur
Drive from Ranthambhore to Bharatpur, one of the finest bird sanctuaries
in the world. The marshes here are home to over 360 species of birds including
the Siberian cranes that come to spend the winter here. Overnight at Hotel.
One of the finest bird parks in the world, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo
Ghana National Park) is a reserve that offers protection to faunal species
as well. Nesting indigenous water- birds as well as migratory water birds
and waterside birds, this sanctuary is also inhabited by Sambar, Chital,
Nilgai and Boar The major attractions of tourists visiting the park are
the numerous migratory birds, who come from as far away as Siberia and Central
Asia and spend their winters in Bharatpur, before returning to their breeding
grounds. Migratory birds at Bharatpur bird sanctuary include, several species
of Cranes, Pelicans, Geese, Ducks, Eagles, Hawks, Shanks, Stints, Wagtails,
Warblers, Wheatears, Flycatchers, Buntings, Larks and Pipits, etc
Day 8: Bharatpur
Take a boat ride to the nesting colonies of birds. Overnight at hotel.
Day 9: Bharatpur - Agra
After break fast, in morning bird viewing. Later drive on to Agra to see
the Taj-Mahal. Afternoon city tour.
Taj Mahal
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the
memory of his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful mausoleum took
22 years to complete with a work force of 20,000 craftsmen and master builders,
who came from all over Asia to join in this great work from Baghdad, Shiraz,
Delhi, Samarkand and Turkey. The marble, India s finest; was quarried at
Makrana near Jodhpur. Precious and semi precious stones were imported from
distant lands : Jasper from Punjab, Jade & Crystal from China, Turquoise
from Tibet, Lapis from Afghanistan and Ceylon, Chrysolite from Egypt, Amethyst
from Persia, Agate from Yemen, Malachite from Russia, Diamonds from Golconda
and Mother of Pearl from the Indian Ocean. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Agra - Khajuraho
Morning fly to Khajuraho. On arrival visit the Western Group of Temples.
Overnight at Khajuraho. Khajuraho, once the great Chandela capital, is today
a village of about a few thousand people in the interiors of central India,
in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. Tradition records the existence
of eighty five temples, of which only twenty five, strewn amidst lakes and
fields, have survived. The temples at Khajuraho, brilliant examples of medieval
Indian architecture, were built under later Chandela kings between AD 950
and AD 1050. Each ancient structure in India has a fascinating story to
tell. But few match the temples of Khajuraho.
Day 11: Khajuraho - Varanasi
Take flight to Varanasi. Relax in the evening. Overnight at Varanasi. The
land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus
for ages. Often referred to as Benares, Varanasi is the oldest living city
in the world. These few lines by Mark Twain say it all: "Benaras is older
than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice
as old as all of them put together". Hindus believe that one who is graced
to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the
cycle of birth and re-birth. Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins
of Varanasi are yet unknown. Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the
power to wash away the sins of mortals.
Day 12: Varanasi - Delhi
Morning boatride at Ganges for sunrise. Proceed for sightseeing of the city.
Take flight to Delhi. Later transfer to the International Airport for flight
to onward destination after FAREWELL DINNER.