GOLDEN TRIANGLE WITH WILDLIFE TOUR

Morning after breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour of Old Delhi and New Delhi

In Old Delhi visit Jama Masjid, Chandini Chowk, Red Fort, Raj Ghat – Gandhi Memorial

Jama Masjid – Built by Shah Jahan, Jama Masjid was begun in 1650 and it took hard work of six years of more than 5000 workers to build the largest mosque in India. It was customary for the emperor and his courtiers to go to the mosque every Friday for attending ‘Jumme ki namaaz’, the congressional prayers.

Chandini Chowk – The living legacy of Delhi is Shahjahanabad. Created by Shahjahan, the builder of Taj Mahal, this city, with the Red Fort as the focal point and Jama Masjid as the praying center, has a fascinating market planned to shine under the light of the moon and thus is called Chandini Chowk.

Red Fort (Lal Quila) – One of the most spectacular pieces of Mughal Architecture is the Lal Quila or the Red Fort. Built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648, the Red Fort has walls extending up to 2 kms. in length with the height varying from 18 mts. on the river side to 33 mts. on the city side.

Raj Ghat – The Raj Ghat is the last resting place of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The place is not far away from the banks of River Yamuna. Mahatma Gandhi was cremated here on 31st January 1950 following his assassination on 30th January 1950 by Nathu Ram Godse. The memorial stone is a simple square platform made of black stone. The last words uttered by Mahatma “Hey Ram” are inscribed near the black platform. An eternal flame keeps burning in a copper urn in the Raj Ghat. Thus the first item on the agenda of a foreign dignitary on a state visit to India is to visit Raj Ghat. They the memorial is set in a garden with fountains and a variety of exotic trees. The Gandhi Memorial Museum is just across the road. It houses many belongings of Gandhi and photographs from his life.

In New Delhi visit Birla Temple, India Gate, Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple and Jewish Synagogue

Birla Temple (Lakshmi-Narayan Mandir) a Hindu temple which came up alongside with New Delhi and has therefore been pegged with it. Popularly known as the Birla Mandir, it is the first of the temples built across the country by the industrial family of Birla. Located just off Connaught Place on Mandir Marg, it is dedicated to Vishnu, the second of the Hindu Trinity of creator-preserver-destroyer, and his consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.

India Gate is the pride of Delhi. An imposing structure, the gate was built in memory to the of the 90,000 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during World War I. Situated at the at the end of Rajpath, the India Gate is 42 meters high

Photo stop at Presidential Palace and Indian Parliament House.

Baha’i Temple (Lotus Temples) in Delhi is often compared to the Sydney Opera House. Popularly known as the Lotus Temple, Baha’i Temple is a major feature of Delhi and is well known for its appearance. There is no doubt that in years to come the temple will prove to be a mecca for the visitors. Baha’ism is considered to be a syncretism of the nine great religions of the world and traces its genesis to its prophet Baha’u’llah, born in Persia in the twentieth century.

Qutab Minar, one of the most visited places in Delhi. The unique architectural structure of the monument attracts many visitors from all across the world. The construction of Qutab Minar began in the 12th century and it was completed in the 13th century. Beautiful calligraphy of the magnificent tower adorns the adjacent edifices. The Minar rises over 230 feet and can be ascended by a circular stairway for a breathtaking view.

Return to your hotel
Overnight at hotel.

Morning after breakfast visit Amber Fort which lies 10 kms from from Jaipur. Amber with an old palace overlooking the lake at the entrance to a rocky mountain grove, climb up to fort on elephant back in a Maharaja (emperor) style.

Afternoon city tour visiting the sprawling the City Palace of Sawai Jai Singh II, sits right in the centre of the geometric grid in the heart of the old city. It consists of the seven-storied Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, the Diwan-i-Am and the Diwan-i-Khas.

The City Palace Museum houses an exquisite collection of textiles, costumes, carpets, the finest porcelain and a rare collection of arms and paintings. It is here that you can see the world’s largest silver objects – a pair of giant urns.

Jantar Mantar (Observatory) is one of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh whose ruling passion was astronomy. It was built between1728-34 and consists of observer’s seat, sundial and a number of enormous instruments used to calculate altitude, locate and identify celestial bodies. These instruments are extremely accurate.

Hawa Mahal or the ‘Palace of Winds’ is one of the most unusual structures built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Honeycombed with over 900 niches or windows, it allowed the ladies of the court to watch the activities on the streets below and yet not be seen themselves. The Hawa Mahal too is made of the famed Jaipur pink stone!

Later visit the Birla Temple and local market.
Overnight at the hotel.

Morning after breakfast depart for Ranthambore, stretches across an area of 1,334 sq km on the eastern edge of the Thar Desert. Once the hunting grounds of the erstwhile ruling family of Jaipur, today it is one of the last sanctuaries of the big cat, the Royal Bengal Tiger. Ranthambhore actually consist of not one, but three, wildlife preserves: the Ranthambhore National Park itself, the Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary and the Keladevi Sanctuary.

Arrive and check in at Hotel
Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Return to Hotel, breakfast and lunch.
Afternoon proceed for proceed for Park by Exclusive Jeep / Canter (Open roof bus).
Return to Hotel
Dinner and overnight.

Morning after breakfast, depart for Bharatpur

Bharatpur National Park, in eastern Rajasthan, about 176 Kms away from Delhi and 50 kms west of Agra, is the Keoladeo Ghana or Bharatpur National Park. Keoladeo is just two km from the erstwhile royal capital of Bharatpur, termed as the ‘Eastern Gateway to Rajasthan’, founded in 1733 AD by Maharaja Suraj Mal, the place was named Bharatpur after Bharat, younger brother of Lord Ram. Keoladeo Park is one the most spectacular bird sanctuaries in India, nesting indigenous water birds as well as migratory water birds and water side birds. It is also inhabited by Sambar, Chital, Nilgai and Boar. More than 300 species of birds are found in this small park of 29 sq. kms of which 11 sq kms are marshes and the rest, scrubland and grassland.

Arrive and check in at Hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Early morning proceed to Park for bird watching either by Cycle Rickshaw or Bicycle along with naturalist who will explain you about the various bird species in Keoladeo Park.

Return to hotel for breakfast and later depart by for Agra en route visit Fatehpur Sikri – Situated 40 kms from Agra, this deserted city of Emperor Akbar literally means ‘The City of Victory’. The audience halls, palaces and mosques are still perfectly preserved as are the Panchmahal and the Buland Darwaza.

Continue drive to Agra
Arrive and check in at Hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Early morning proceed for visiting Taj Mahal – Built by Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal, this beautiful mausoleum in pure white marble is an architectural marvel. The Taj by sunrise and sunset is a breathtaking sight.

Return to hotel for breakfast and visit Agra Fort

Agra Fort – Built by Emperor Akbar, the maze of courtyards, mosques and private chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire.  The Moti Masjid and other magnificent buildings reflect the skill of the ancient Indian architects and artists.

Evening witness for live theater show on Taj Mahal (Optional)

Mohabbat The Taj is a fascinating play that depicts the saga of love and a memorable journey into history. The Drama portrays the Mughal era in 16th Century. It is series of play depicting the true and immortal love of Shajahan for Mumtaj Mahal- his beautiful wife, the lavish lifestyle of mughal era, emaculate hardship of the artisans for 22 years that created the most precious specimen of craftsmanship.

(Note : Kalakriti show closes from 01 May till 15 July for annual maintenance)

Return to your hotel
Overnight at hotel.

Arrive and check in at Hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

End of the tour
Hotel Check in / out time 1200 hrs.