Day 01 Arrive Delhi
Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be received by a DestinAsia Journeys representative and escorted to the hotel. You are welcomed in the hotel in a Traditional Indian style on arrival and check into the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 02 Delhi
After breakfast in the hotel, we leave for city sightseeing tour of Old Delhi & New Delhi.
Old Delhi came into prominence when Shah Jahan moved his capital from Agra to Delhi. You visit 300 year old Chandni Chowk market. Enjoy a short rickshaw ride through a maze of lanes crowded with shops selling an extraordinary variety of items and food, the noise and crowds are a quintessential part of any Indian market. From here you continue to the Jama Masjid or Friday Mosque. This is India's largest mosque designed by Shah Jahan. In complete contrast to the noise and crowds of Old Delhi, is Raj Ghat a simple and stunning memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the main architect of India's independence.
During afternoon, we drive past India Gate, Presidential Palace and Parliament House. Later, we take our tour of New Delhi and visit Humayun's Tomb built by mother of Emperor Akbar. It is believed that it was this mausoleum, which inspired Shah Jahan to build the Taj Mahal. From there our next stop is Qutab Minar, the tallest minaret of India. Qutab Minar is a soaring, 73 metre high tower of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak immediately after the defeat of Delhi's last Hindu kingdom. The tower has a total of five distinct storeys. We return to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 03 Delhi – Agra (204Kms / 04Hrs)
After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Agra. Upon arrival in Agra, check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon we leave by Tonga (Horse Carriage) to reach (till Taj Khema Hotel) the world famous Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday), built by Shah Jahan in 1632 for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. This architectural marvel is a perfectly proportioned masterpiece fashioned from white marble that stands testimony to the skill of 20,000 craftsmen brought together from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and who took 22 year to complete this 'Love Poem in Marble'.
Next we visit Agra Fort built by Emperor Akbar between 1565 & 1573, which reveals the Mughal talent for combining defensive architecture with beauty and design. Overnight stay is at the hotel.
Continue our visit with Mother Teresa’s Charity home in Agra has 48 children who are orphaned or come from poor families who can no longer provide for them; as well as 150 infirmed adults who can no longer care for themselves. The mission is solely reliant on private donations to support their cause. The Collette Foundation has committed to support Mother Teresa’s Charity Home for the next 2 years. Overnight is at the hotel.
Optional Inspiring Experience:
Mohabbat–the–Taj Show
While staying in Agra, you cannot afford to miss “Mohabbat–the–Taj Show” which is a musical extravaganza depicting the saga of one its kind love story of Muhgal Emperor Shah Jahan and his most beloved wife Mumtaz. The show comes alive every evening at the Kalakriti Auditorium and enthralls the audience with its heart rendering dialogues and dance performances which transport you to the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan who immortalized his love by building Taj Mahal in the fond memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. This exceptionally inviting event brings alive the historical legacy of India which is truly admired by the overseas visitors who visit the country to experience its diverse cultural heritage.
Day 04 Agra – Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri (265 Kms / 5 Hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Jaipur en route visit of Fatehpur Sikri, located 40 Km from Agra. The deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, in honour of the great Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti who blessed Akbar and prophesized the birth of three sons to the heirless Emperor. The emperor used Fatehpur Sikri as his capital and the city was fully occupied for 14 years but slowly became deserted and ruined after Akbar left the city. Scarcity of water was the prime factor for the abandonment of this beautiful city. Visit the remarkably well-preserved, graceful buildings within the 'Ghost City' including the Jama Masjid, tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal Palace and other palaces that speak of the grandeur and splendour of the Mughal empire at the height of its power. Continue drive to Jaipur.
Check-in at the hotel upon arrival.
Later in the evening you will be taken to a home of an Indian family and you have the opportunity to dine and taste the hospitality of the locals in their private home. Your hosts will go an extra mile to teach you how to cook traditional Mewari food and will charm you with stories of the royal splendor of Pink City over dinner. The interactive cooking sessions are usually elementary and carefully planned keeping in mind the comfort level of the guests. Return to the hotel for overnight stay. Overnight stay is at the hotel.
Optional Inspiring Experiences
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Walking Tour of Old Jaipur
A heritage walk across pink city takes you through colorful temples, majestic havelis and local bazaars and is a unique way to explore the traditional life of walled city of Jaipur which moves at a pace of its own not wanting to compete with the lifestyles of jet-setting metros. As you walk across the streets in the wee hours of the morning, you will notice rows of people lined outside temples where offering prayers is a daily ritual and the day simply cannot start without worshipping the deity. The roadside stalls serving snacks do a thriving business every morning as majority of Jaipur middle class families order breakfast from these vendors to pamper their guests with a sumptuous meal.
Day 05 Jaipur
After breakfast we leave for excursion to Amber Fort. A major attraction at Amber is the Elephant Ride (subject to availability) all the way up to the Fort entrance. This journey on caparisoned elephants is bound to enrich your memories with the Royal lifestyle of the Maharajas and leave you with a truly unforgettable experience. Amber is a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. The rugged, time-ravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful from the outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. Miniatures painted on the walls depict hunting and war scenes, apart from festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are embedded into the plaster. Inside the Fort visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory.
While coming back from the fort we will make a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds. Later, we visit Maharaja's City Palace, the former Royal residence part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as Armoury Museum housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers.
Next we visit Jantar Mantar. It is one of the largest stone and marble crafted observatories in the world built by Jai Singh from 1728 to 1734. We finish our city tour with a walk through the busy lanes of the city. In the evening, feel like a local as you watch a Bollywood flick at a theatre designed in art deco style.
Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 06 Jaipur – Ranthambore (170 Kms / 3 Hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel we drive to Ranthambore, upon arrival check-in to hotel.
In the afternoon you will go for your first game drive in the jungle. Ranthambore National Park is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country to see these majestic predators in the wild. Ranthambore was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and became a part of the Project Tiger in 1973. The park covers an area of nearly 400sq Kms and is set between the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges. After the game drive we return back to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 07 Ranthambore
We have morning and afternoon game drives in the park. Usually the main focus is to search for The Royal Bengal Tigers but a wide variety of other mammals are present and, in addition to them Leopard, Caracal, Hyena, Jackal, Jungle Cat, Marsh Crocodiles, Wild Boar, Bears and various species of deer can be found here. Our attention would also be on the bird life present in the park.
The most important birds in Ranthambore includes Indian courser, Painted Spurfowl, Indian Skimmer, Quails, Larks, Pipits, Prinias, Greylag Goose, Woodpeckers, Indian Gray Hornbills, Common Kingfishers, Bee Eaters, Cuckoos, Parakeets, Asian Palm Swift, Owl, Nightjars, Pigeon, Dove, Spoonbills, Quails, Storks, Geese, Crakes, Snipes, Sandpipers, Gulls, Terns, Great Crested Grebe, Eagles, Darters, Cormorants, Egrets, Herons, Bitterns, Flamingos, Ibis, Pelicans, Pittas, Shrikes, Treepies, Crows, Orioles, Cuckooshrike, Minivets, Drongos, Flycatchers, Ioras, Wood Shrikes, Pipits, Bayas, Sparrows, Finches, Wagtails, Munias, Bulbul, Mynas, Falcons, Grey Legged Goose, Pintails, and Shelducks etc.
Day 08 Ranthambore – Bhainsrorgarh (190 Kms / 4 Hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Bhainsrorgarh. Check-in at the hotel upon arrival.
In the Afternoon, visit a local school where you can donate pencils, pens and books to children studying there. Day is at leisure; enjoy the panoramic views and unwind by indulging yourselves in painting, reading or writing. You can either go for a delightful village walk just outside the gates or embark on a boat ride viewing the sunset. Overnight stay is at the hotel.
Day 09 Bhainsrorgarh – Udaipur via Chittorgarh (235 Kms / 4Hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Bhainsrorgarh en route stop to visit Chittorgarh, said to be originally built by mighty Bhim, one of the Pandava heroes of the Mahabharata legend. Also visit the Vijay Stambh with nine storeys and 37 meters high, built by Maharana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over Muslim rulers of Malwa and Gujarat in 1440. Kirti Stambh, the Tower of Fame, 22 meters high is covered with figures from the Jain Pantheon.
Optional Inspiring Experiences
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Sound and Light Show at City Palace
Every evening, the grounds of the magnificent Manek Chowk inside City Palace, Udaipur, come alive in a blaze of lights, as the sound and light show gets underway. The hour-long show seeks to recreate Mewar’s glorious history in a delightful play of light and sound, as a narrative in English evokes significant episodes in the eventful centuries of the region’s history
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Dinner at an exclusive venue at Devigarh Palace.
Savour the culinary delights of Rajasthan at one of our hand-picked and exclusive dinning venue at Devigarh Palace. The venues range from intimate spaces under the stars with a wide array of flowers or candles flickering in mirrored walls, to the gentle sound of flowing water or a view of the mountain peaks lit by the moon. Live Jal Tarang and Flute recital in the background makes it an even more unforgettable and magical experience.
Day 10 Udaipur
After having breakfast is at the hotel, we take the morning city tour of Udaipur with its lakes and palaces, cradled in the hills of the Aravalli range making it a very romantic city. The name itself "The City of sunrise" evokes a sense of romance. We first visit the City Palace - the focal point of the city and has several areas of interest like the Suraj Gokhada, Badi Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Mor Chowk (the peacock courtyard), and the Zenana Mahal.
Next we visit the Jagdish Temple, located close to the Palace with its imposing sculpted figures and heavily ornamented interiors. Finally, stop by to visit Sahelion ki Bari or Garden of Maids; built under the express guidance of Maharana Sangram Singh II, it is believed that the garden was constructed for 48 maids who accompanied the Maharaja’s wife as dowry.
Afternoon, we take a boat ride at Lake Pichola, 4-Km long and 3-Km broad, surrounded by splendid hills, palaces, temples, bathing ghats and embankments. Visit the island palace, Jag Mandir that is beautifully set in the lake and enjoy hi-tea with the sun setting in the background. Return to the hotel after the visit. Overnight stay is at the hotel.
Day 11 Udaipur – Jodhpur (270 Kms / 6 Hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Jodhpur en route visit Ranakpur Jain temples built in the 15th century. They are situated in the lovely Aravali valley. The town is named after Rana Khumba the legendary warrior king of Udaipur. Its surroundings are peaceful and picturesque. The Ranakpur Jain temples have grand structure and beautiful sculptures. There are 1444 pillars in the main temple and no two of them are similar.
After the visit, continue our drive to Udaipur and check-in at hotel upon arrival. In the afternoon we visit the Clock Tower and the nearby Sardar Market – a historical local trading market for Spices.
In the evening, experience historical dinning in a splendid roof top restaurant catering to the best of Indian cuisines you could ask for. Situated on the Umaid Bhawan Hills, the interior is done up in colonial and Rajasthani décor. The dinner will be served in a Royal Thaal (platter) - a symphony of culinary specialties of Rajasthan making it a truly authentic royal experience. Try the best of cuisines, the Bater (partridge), Lal Maas (Mutton), Kher Sangdi and Murg-ke-Sule.
Overnight stay is at the hotel.
Day 12 Jodhpur – Delhi (By Flight) - Journey back home
After breakfast at the hotel we leave for the sightseeing of Jodhpur. We will visit the colossal Mehrangarh Fort, an impregnable fortress towering above a 10km wall with soaring archways leading into the centre. The fort has a series of spectacular palaces, each decorated with exquisite engravings, lattice and mirror work. The museum displays an unusual collection of miniature paintings, glided palanquins and solid silver “howdah” presented by a Mughal emperor to the Maharaja. After that we visit Jaswant Thada - a cluster of royal cenotaphs in the white marble built in 1899 AD in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh-II.
In time we reach the airport to board your flight to Delhi, upon arrival at Delhi met and greeted by a DestinAsia Journeys representative and transferred to the Delhi international airport to board your onward flight to home.
** Imp: all our program's are 100% tailor made and can be modified as per the requirements.