Classical India & Tiger Safari Tour

Day 1: Arrive Delhi

On arrival at Delhi airport assistance & transfer to hotel (hotel check in/ out time 12pm). Rest time free to relax and personal activities. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Delhi (B)

City tour of Delhi. In Old Delhi visit the majestic Red Fort (closed on Monday) the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years until 1857. Jama Masjid one of the largest mosques in the world built by Shah Jahan. Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market a busy shopping area with markets full of spices, dried fruit, silver jewelry and vivid saris, while the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery and traditional Indian sweets. Raj Gath the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination.

In New Delhi visit Humayun Tomb the first garden-tomb in Indian subcontinent and an early example of Mughal architecture commissioned by Humayun`s first wife Empress Bega Begum in 1569-70. Qutab Minar a 73-metres tall minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex a fine examples of Afghan architecture. Lotus Temple a Bahai House of Worship notable for its flower-like shape. Also drive pass President House, Parliament & India Gate etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Delhi - Agra (210kms) (B)

Drive to Agra check in at hotel.

Later visit Taj Mahal an ivory-white marble mausoleum commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal, it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. Agra Fort the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638. And Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb commissioned by Nur Jahan for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Agra - Jaipur (170kms) (B)

Drive to Jaipur via visiting Fatehpur Sikri an abandoned predominately a red sandstone construction sprawling over a huge area. See the graceful buildings including Diwan-E-Khas hall, Jodha Bai Palace, Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & Buland Darwaza. Next visit Abhaneri a small village popular for India`s deepest, largest and amazing step well & a Hindu Temple.

Continue drive to Jaipur check in at hotel. Evening explore the local market of Pink City. Overnight at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Jaipur (B)

City tour of Jaipur the first planned city of India. Established in 1727 by Jai Singh II, the king of Amber when he shifted his capital from Amber to the new city because of the rapidly-growing population and an increasing water scarcity. Noted architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya used the established principles of Vastu Shastra to build the city. In 1876, the Prince of Wales visited Jaipur and the entire Jaipur city was painted in pink the symbolic colors of hospitality to welcome him. Jaipur rises up majestically against the backdrop of the forts Nahargarh, Jaigarh and Garh Ganesh Temple. In morning visit Amber Fort followed by Jaigarh Fort. Later visit City Palace, Observatory, Hawa Mahal, Sisodia Rani Garden & Birla temple. Explore the famous bazaars of Pink City with its rich history and heritage exudes an amazing mix of royalty and art. Overnight at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Jaipur - Ranthambore (155kms) (B,L,D)

Drive to Ranthambore National Park check in at resort. Later visit Ranthambore Fort built by the Chauhan rulers in the 10th century. The fort encompass temples, tanks, massive gates and huge walls, numerous cenotaphs, ruins and abandoned settlements overcome by nature testament to battles and romances of an era long gone. The fort is also related to the historical legend of the royal women performing jauhar (self-immolation) when the Muslim invader Alauddin Khilji laid siege on this fort in 1303. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Ranthambore (B,L,D)

Head into Ranthambhore Park twice to enjoy game drives through the rugged terrain which is home to lots of wildlife, including the elusive Bengal tiger. Your game drives are early in the morning and then early evening, when animals at their most active.

Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve is one of the world`s best known wilderness areas at the junction of some of the geologically oldest mountain ranges, the Aravallis and Vindyas. Once a private game reserve of the royal house of Jaipur Ranthambore offers some of the finest opportunities for sighting the magnificent tiger in the wild. A mix of rolling hills and crags, and meadows, lakes and rivulets, this dry-deciduous forest system is home to an incredible variety of flora and fauna. Apart from the tiger, you can also spot sloth bear, leopard, caracal, jackal, fox, hyena, Indian wolf and mongoose. The dainty chital, sambhar deer, the blue bull antelope, rhesus macaque, langur and an incredible variety of birds amidst a setting of dhok, fig and banyan trees makes a visit to this park a delight for tourists and naturalists alike. Basking crocodiles, king vulture on a snag, the scream of the serpent eagle, the alarm call of spotted deer are some sights and sounds that make this safari experience like none other. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Ranthambore - Orchha (300kms) (B)

Drive to Orchha via Shivpuri. Visit Madhav Palace a quaint palace that has the colonial touch. George castle built for a short stay of King George V. Collectorate of Shivpuri and memorial of Tatya Tope. The Chhatris of royals Scindia king and queen. Flanked by the Mughal gardens with path adorned with picturesque fencing. The chhatris are a great blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. In order to give a similar effect like Taj Mahal, the cenotaph of Madho Rao Scindia is ornamented with precious & semi-precious stone and gemstone. Continue drive to Orchha check in & overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Orchha - Panna National Park (200kms) (B)

City tour of Orchha a historical town known for its grand palaces, intricately carved temples adorned with classic mural paintings, frescos and cenotaphs that were constructed to commemorate the Bundela rulers. Visit the Orchha Fort complex, which houses a large number of ancient monuments. These are Raja Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, a temple, gardens and pavilions. Chaturbhuj Temple a multi-storied structure noted for having one of the tallest Vimana among Hindu temples. Chattris (Cenotaphs) situated on the banks of Betwa river, are magnificent royal tombs of the Maharajas, placed on a platform and supported by the pillars.

Later drive to Panna NP check in & overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Panna NP - Khajuraho (35kms) (B)

Game drive gypsy safari in tiger reserve with naturalist. The park is located where the tropical and subtropical forest belts are found. River Ken runs through this relatively dry national park providing water to the wildlife throughout the year. Many rare species and endangered species can be spotted in this park. You can spot the majestic tiger, the ghariyal - a huge reptile found only in the Indian subcontinent, Indian wolf, four-horned antelope, sloth bear pangolin, rusty spotted cat, leopard, carcal and a variety of flora and fauna. There are six species of vulture found in this park. Also visit the magnificent Pandav Falls inside the park a perennial fall fed by a tributary of the river Ken. The falls cascades down from a height of about 30 meters into a heart shaped pool. Surrounded by lush green forests. At the foot of falls there are some ancient caves overlooking a large pool of water. The Pandavas of the Mahabharata are believed to have spent a part of their exile here.

Later drive to Khajuraho check in at hotel. Evening light & sound show. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Khajuraho - Varanasi (B)

Visit well maintained UNESCO World Heritage Site, exploring eastern, western & southern group of temples adorned by erotic and sensuous carvings. The architecture of these temples depict the erotic forms of love, the carvings on the walls display passion in the most sensuous yet aesthetic ways. Built between 950 to 1050 AD by Chandela dynasty the temples of Khajuraho are India`s unique gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life, to love, to joy, perfect in execution and sublime in expression. Of the 85 original temples, 22 have survived till today to constitute one of the world`s great artistic wonders.

Later transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi.

On arrival assistance and transfer to hotel. Evening attend Holy Ganga Aarti, a magical ritual held every evening at sunset on the banks of the Holy Ganges. The entire Ghat gets illuminated with a divine light that can be felt strongly. The magnificent ritual involves huge brass lamps lit with oil and the priests chant the holy mantras that reverberate in the entire location. The entire Ghat gets illuminated with a divine light that can be felt strongly. The magnificent ritual involves huge brass lamps lit with oil and the priests chant the holy mantras that reverberate in the entire location. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Varanasi (B)

Early morning boat ride & ghat visit along the Ganges and catch the scene of devotees bathing and praying in the sacred water. Ghats in Varanasi are riverfront steps leading to the banks of the River Ganges. The city has 88 ghats, most of the ghats are bathing and puja ceremony ghats, while two ghats are used exclusively as cremation sites. The ghats are frequented by the people which include early morning bathers, priests, people practicing meditation and yoga, students and tourists as well.

Later city tour visit Banaras Hindu University. With 5.3 sq kms campus and 30,000 residing students it is the largest residential university in the continent. Bharat Mata Temple built in 1936 houses a relief map of undivided India, carved out of marble. Tulsi Manas Mandir one of the most famous temples in Varanasi. The temple has beautiful images of Lord Rama, Mother Sita, Lakshman and Lord Hanuman. The walls of temple are adorned with verses from Ramcharitmanas, the Hindi version of the epic Ramayana. Continue to Sarnath, it was here Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining the Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. The great Dhamekh Stupa and glistening pillar established by Emperor Ashoka in 273-232 B.C. stand testimony to the importance the place enjoyed at that time. If time permit visit Ram Nagar Fort located on the eastern bank of River Ganga. The Fort includes an eccentric museum boasting a royal collection of vintage cars, swords, palanquins, ivory works, an old weaponry section and an extremely unusual astrological clock. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Varanasi - Delhi (B)

As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. From Delhi board connecting flight for your onward destination.