Rajasthan Tiger & Taj Tour
Duration : 9 Days / 8 Nights
Highlights of the Tour : Delhi - Agra - Ranthambore - Jaipur - Delhi!!
Highlights of the Tour : Delhi - Agra - Ranthambore - Jaipur - Delhi!!
Day 01: Delhi
Arrive at Delhi airport late in the evening/morning. Our Company representative will receive you at the International Airport. Board the car and drive to the pre booked hotel. If time permits go for local sightseeing. Check-in at the hotel and stay overnight.Delhi: A Transition through Time - As you walk along the narrow by lanes of this city of dreams, tread softly. Every crumbling wall has a story to tell. Every yesterday is replete with history. Rulers have come and gone. The city has lived through wars and resurrection, repeatedly rising from the ashes. Cradling civilizations since times immemorial Delhi goes back hundreds of thousands of years back into time.Stone tools belonging to early Stone Age were discovered from the Aravalli tracts in and around Anangpur, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Campus, the northern ridge and elsewhere - evidence that the Early Man lived here. Excavations at Mandoli and Bhorgarh in east and north-west Delhi respectively have thrown up remains of chalcolithic period dating back to 2nd millennium BC, 1st millennium BC as well remains of 4th-5th century AD have been traced here. The excavations of the ancient mound of Indraprastha, capital of the Pandavas, located within the fold of the sixteenth century Purana Qila revealed evidence of continuous habitation of the site for almost 2500 years. According to the Mahabharata, the Pandavas founded their capital Indrapratha in the region known as Khandava-prastha. Delhi was also witness to the glories of the Maurya Empire during 3rd century BC. The Ashokan edict engraved on a rock in East of Kailash as well as remains found in Purana Quila excavations belonging to the Mauryan period point to Delhi's importance during this era.
The first city of Delhi, Lal Kot was founded by the Tomar ruler Anangpal, in the 11th century. It was extended to Qila Rai Pithora by King Vigraharaja IV (Circa 1153-64). Qutbuddin Aibak became Delhi's first Sultan in 1206 and laid the foundations of the Qutb Minar, India's tallest stone tower at the site of the first city of Delhi subsequently the kings of the Sultanate dynasties, Khaljis, Tughluqs Sayyids and Lodis continued to build. New cities as Delhi grew. The second city around Siri by Alaud-Din Khalji (1296-1316); Tughlaqabad, the third city built by Ghiysud-Din Tughlug (1321-51); Firuzabad, the fifth city of Delhi, is now represented by Kotla Firuz Shah, founded by Firuz Shah Tughluq (1351-88). It was Humayun who laid the foundations of the sixth city - Dinpanah. This was destroyed and reconstructed as the Purana Qila by Sher Shah Suri however, it was the Mughals who took Delhi to the zenith of architectural glory. While some construction activities did continue during the reign of Akbar (1556-1605) and Jehangir (1605-27), it was Shah Jehan (1628-58) who built the seventh city, Shahjahanabad which remained the Mughal capital until 1857. The British in 1911 shifted the capital of India to Delhi. The eighth city of New Delhi took shape in the imperial style of architecture. From then to now Delhi continues to throb with vitality and hop. The ruins and ramparts still stand tall in dignity - and amidst them rise modern buildings and giant skyscrapers. It's a breathtaking synthesis of yesterday and tomorrow, the holding on to the past and surging ahead to the future.
Day 2| New Delhi
This day is kept for the local sightseeing of the city. After having breakfast at the hotel, the chauffer will take you to the full day city tour. Being the current metropolitan and the capital, Delhi is also one of the oldest inhabited cities of the world. Basically Delhi is divided into two parts, New Delhi & Old Delhi. You will start your day by visiting Lotus Temple also known as Bahai Temple built in a shape of Lotus. Then proceed to Qutub Minar, the 72 meters high minaret. After admiring the huge minaret, go to India Gate which is also known as All India War Memorial. Then proceed to Birla Mandir and enroute see Rastrapati Bhawan, the presidents house. Now proceed to Old Delhi and see the Red Fort & Jama Masjid. In the evening enjoy shopping and strolling in the famous Chandani Chowk Bazaar. Enjoy shopping and food there. Drive back to the hotel and stay overnight.
Lotus Temple: It is a very recent architectural marvel of the Bahai faith. The Bah' Faith is the youngest of the world's independent religions. Its founder, Bah'u'llh (1817-1892), is regarded by Bah's as the most recent in the line of Messengers of God that stretches back beyond recorded time and that includes Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Christ and Muhammad. The central theme of Bah'u'llh's message is that humanity is one single race and that the day has come for its unification in one global society. God, Bah'u'llh said, has set in motion historical forces that are breaking down traditional barriers of race, class, creed, and nation and that will, in time, give birth to a universal civilization. The principal challenge facing the peoples of the earth is to accept the fact of their oneness and to assist the processes of unification.
Qutub Minar: The Qutub Minar made of red sandstone rising to the height of 72.5mts is an architectural marvel of the 13th century. Also a must is the visit to Ashoka Pillar dating back to the 5th century. Though made of iron it has with stood the weathers of time.A very interesting belief is assigned to this pillar- Stand with your back to the pillar, and if you can hold your hands around it, then make a wish and it will surely come true. Try it. You don't have to an archaeologist to find out about the past of your country. Simply visiting historic monuments helps you to understand it & can also lead you to grab some useful information, you never realized before. A distinct present from the past, Qutub Minar has inspired explorers and travelers through the ages. Qutb-u'd-Din Aibak laid the foundation of Qutab Minar in AD 1199 for the use of Mu'azzin to give calls for prayer and raised the first storey, to which were added three more storeys by his successor and son-in-law, Shamsu'd-Din Iitutmish. Viewing it is a truly surreal experience as Qutub Minar is still the highest stone tower as well as one of the finest Islamic structures ever raised in India. It is covered with intricate carvings and deeply inscribed verses from the Koran. Beautiful calligraphy adorns the adjacent edifices. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone, the fourth and fifth of marble and sandstone.
India Gate: India Gate is constructed as a memorial and was built in the memory of 90,00 soldiers who laid down their lives during world war I. Located at Rajpath, India Gate is 42 m high and is popular relaxation area during the summer evenings. India Gate also acts as popular pinic spot during winter. Also known as the All India War Memorial, India Gate was designed and constructed by Lutyens. He was the one who is considered the chief proclaimer in designing the New Delhi plans. A tour of Lutyens Delhi just has to kick off with the stately India Gate at the east end of the broad Janpath (earlier Kingsway) that leads to the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Another additional 13,516 names engraved on the arch and foundations form a separate memorial to the British and Indian soldiers killed on the North-West Frontier in the Afghan War of 1919. The foundation stone was laid by HRH the Duke of Connaught in 1921 and the monument was dedicated to the nation 10 years later by the then Viceroy, Lord Irwin. Another memorial, Amar Jawan Jyoti was added much later after India had said goodbye to its imperial rulers. It is in the form of a flame that burns day and night under the arch to remind the nation of soldiers who perished in the Indo-Pakistan War of December 1971. The entire arch stands on a low base of red Bharatpur stone and rises in stages to a huge cornice, beneath which are inscribed Imperial suns. Above on both sides is inscribed INDIA, flanked by MCM and to the right, XIX. The shallow domed bowl at the top was intended to be filled with burning oil on anniversaries but this is rarely done.
Red Fort: Emperor Shah Jahan built Delhi's most magnificent monument, the Red Fort and above is the red fort picture . In 1638 Shah Jahan shifted the Mughal Empire's capital from Agra to Delhi. A new royal palace known as Red Fort or Red Fort Delhi (Lal Qila) was constructed. It was begun in 1639 and completed in 1648. The name Red Fort comes from the massive red sandstone walls that surround it. 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. The Red Fort Delhi has two main entrances, the Delhi Gate and the Lahori Gate. The latter faces Chandni Chowk, the city's most crowded but diverse market. The Red Fort also houses the Diwan-i-Aam or the Hall of Public Audiences, where the Emperor would sit on a marbled paneled alcove, studded with gems, and listen to the complaints of the common people. The Diwan-i-Khas or the Hall of Private Audience, where private audiences were granted. This hall is made of marble, and its centre-piece used to be the Peacock Throne, which was studded with rubies and gems. Today, although the Diwan-i-Khas is only a pale shadow of its original glory, yet the verse of Amir Khusro If there is Paradise on the face of earth, it is here, it is here, it is here" reminds us of its former glory. The Rang Mahal or the 'Palace of Colours' as it is known, holds a spectacular Lotus shaped fountain, made out of a single piece of marble, and housed the Emperor's wives and mistresses. The other attractions enclosed within this monument are the Hammams or the Royal Baths, the Shahi Burj, which used to be Shahjahan's private working area, and the Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque. Even today, the Red Fort (Lal Qila) is an eloquent reminder of the glory of the Mughal Empire. Shah Jahan when comes to Delhi after ruling Agra laid the foundation stone of Red Fort Delhi in 1618 and finally it's inauguration was done in 1647.
Jama Masjid: It is the largest mosque in India. The Jama Masjid stands across the road in front of the Red Fort. Built between 1644 and 1658, Jama Masjid is one of the last architectural works of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The spacious courtyard of the Jama Masjid holds thousands of faithful. Jama Masjid is located on a mound in the heart of the old city and projects beautifully into the Old-Delhi skyline. Jama Masjid Mosque was built in red sandstone and marble by more than 5000 artisans. Originally called the Masjid-i-Jahan-Numa, or "mosque commanding view of the world", the Jama Masjid stands at the center of the erstwhile capital city of the Mughals, Shahjahanbad. The Jama Masjid was completed under the supervision of Saadullah Khan, the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan. A sum of Rs 10 lakhs was spent on the construction of the Jama Masjid. The Jama Masjid is built on a red sandstone porch, about 30 feet (10 m) from the level of the ground and is about 1400 square yards (1200 m) in extent. The Jama Masjid has three gateways, four towers and two minarets. The gateways in the north and south are led by a fleet of steps. The main entrance is on the eastern side facing the red fort. It was probably used by the emperors. The tower of the Jama Masjid is made up of five distinctive storeys. Each one of the storeys has a projecting balcony. The adjoining edifices are beautifully done with calligraphy. The first three storeys of the Jama Masjid tower are made of red sandstone and the fourth one is made of marble, while the fifth is made of sandstone. The Jama Masjid is covered with intricate carvings and has verses inscribed from the holy Koran. The grand Red fort (Lal Qila) stands on the eastern side of the Jama Masjid. The main prayer hall of the Jama Masjid is made up of high cusped arches and marble domes. The cabinet in the north gate of the Jama Masjid contains a collection of Muhammad's relics - the Koran written on deerskin, a red beard-hair of the prophet, his sandals and his footprints, implanted in a marble block.
Chandni Chowk: The antiquity of the main market area of Chandni Chowk has rendered it a venerated place in the markets of Delhi. It is said that it was once lined with beautiful fountains. However, with time, it grew as crowded as it is today. Situated opposite the Red Fort, Chandani Chowk houses the Digambar Jain Temple, Fatehpuri Mosque - built by the wives of Shah Jahan - and Sunheri Masjid. It was from here that the troops of Nadir Shah started their mission of plundering and massacring the 'infidels' at Delhi. One of the most prominent wholesale and retail markets of India, Chandni Chowk is more than 300 years old. It was established in 1650, when Mughal Emperor Shahjahan shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi, as an accompaniment to the fort. Jahanara, the Emperor's favorite daughter, is credited with designing this market, where an arcade of shops was built in a half-moon shape around a pool. It soon budded into a prosperous trading center and branched into a number of by-lanes and soon stretched from the Fort to Fatehpuri Mosque. A canal known as Faiz Nahar, renovated by Ali Mardan Khan, is said to have run through the entire length of Chandni Chowk, providing water for both drinking and irrigation, but it went into disuse later. Besides the Red Fort situated nearby, one can also visit the famous Chawri Bazaar. It is one of the narrowest, busiest and most prosperous trading centers of Delhi, dealing in iron and hardware, paper, utensils of brass, copper and stainless steel. You can see traditional framework of Chandni Chowk consisting of 'Havelis', 'Kuchas' & 'Katras'. Visit the seven major Hindu and Jain temples, two Churches, three Mosques and two Gurudwaras in the area. These places of worship include Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, Jama Masjid, Gurudwara Shish Ganj, Gauri Shankar temple and Sunahari Masjid.
Janpath: Janpath Market is situated opposite the famous Connaught Place, in New Delhi. It is the perfect for buying the latest fashion goods at cheap prices. The budget travelers as well as those wanting to flaunt the latest in-things, Janpath of Delhi, India is the place to be. This is one place in the capital city, where you will find more foreign shoppers than Indians shoppers. There are a fair number of showrooms also in this market. However, shopping in Jan Path, New Delhi is best done at the numerous stalls that have been put up there. One thing to remember while shopping at Janpath is to bargain as much as you can. There is no limit to how low you can get the prices to be. There is also no dearth of small cafes and restaurants here. So, do visit this place, if not for shopping, then, at least to look at the amazing stuff you can get here. Some of the most popular items at Janpath market are Ethnic dresses, Daily-wear Clothing (right from skirts to jeans to t-shirts and so on), Junk Jewelry, Silver Jewelry, Leather Footwear (Jutis, Mojris, Kohlapuris, etc), Embellished Linen, Cotton Garments, Rajasthan vegetable color paintings, Imitation Jewelry, Indian artifacts and Carpets, CDs and DVDs, Furniture, Decorative Items etc.
Day 3| New Delhi Agra (by Road 200kms in 3-4hrs approx)
After breakfast at the hotel, get driven to Agra, the city of Taj Mahal. Enroute visit Sikandra, tomb of a Mughal ruler Akbar. Reach Agra and check in at your pre booked hotel. Then get ready to visit the important historical places like Itmad-Ud-Daula, Red Fort, Sikandra and explore the local bazaars like Sadar, Raja ki Mandi, Sanjay Place, Taj Ganj Area etc. Come back to the hotel and stay overnight.
Agra: Agra is the one of the prominent destinations of the World Tourism map with three heritage monuments -The Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri & Red Fort. It is more just a decadent city of graveyards and stones, but it is a vibrant centre of Culture, Art and Religious philosophies that have enriched mankind and shaped human thought over centuries. Agra is famous for handicrafts products such as Inlay work on Marvel, Leather Work, Footwear, Brasswear, Carpets, Jwellery, Zari and Embroidery work.
Sikandra: Sikandra, the former capital of Lodi dynasty, was named after the Afghan ruler Sikander Lodi. The city of Sikandra, located at about 12 km from Agra, houses the tomb of Mughul Emperor Akbar. The design and construction of the tomb was started by Akbar himself and subsequently completed by his son Jehangir. The shape of the tomb is a truncated pyramid with five stories. The first four stories were constructed with red sandstone and the fifth one with white marble. The white marble storey comprises a false tomb of Emperor Akbar. The real tomb of Akbar is located in a crypt right below the false tomb. There are several well laid out gardens in the tomb complex. The Baradi palace in the gardens was built by Sikander Lodi. The ausoleum originally had four red sandstone gates. Now only the southern gate is used as the main entrance to the tomb.
Taj Mahal: It is regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and some Western historians have noted that its architectural beauty has never been surpassed. The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. On a foggy morning, the visitors experience the Taj as if suspended when viewed from across the Yamuna River. Taj Mahal was built by a Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan (died 1666 C.E.) in the memory of his dear wife and Queen Mumtaz Mahal at Agra, India. It is an "elegy in marble" or some say an expression of a "dream." Taj Mahal (meaning Crown Palace) is a Mausoleum that houses the grave of Queen Mumtaz Mahal at the lower chamber. The grave of Shah Jahan was added to it later. The queens real name was Arjumand Banu. In the tradition of the Mughals, important ladies of the royal family were given another name at their marriage or at some other significant event in their lives, and that new name was commonly used by the public. Shah Jahan's real name was Shahab-ud-din, and he was known as Prince Khurram before ascending to the throne in 1628. Taj Mahal was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers. It was completed in 1648 C.E. at a cost of 32 Million Rupees. The construction documents show that its master architect was Ustad Isa, the renowned Islamic architect of his time. The documents contain names of those employed and the inventory of construction materials and their origin. Expert craftsmen from Delhi, Qannauj, Lahore, and Multan were employed. In addition, many renowned Muslim craftsmen from Baghdad, Shiraz and Bukhara worked on many specialized tasks. The Taj stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and symmetry of architectural elements. Its central dome is fifty-eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of 213 feet. It is flanked by four subsidiary domed chambers. The four graceful, slender minarets are 162.5 feet each. The entire mausoleum (inside as well as outside) is decorated with inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy using precious gems such as agate and jasper. The main archways, chiseled with passages from the Holy Quran and the bold scroll work of flowery pattern, give a captivating charm to its beauty. The central domed chamber and four adjoining chambers include many walls and panels of Islamic decoration. The mausoleum is a part of a vast complex comprising of a main gateway, an elaborate garden, a mosque (to the left), a guest house (to the right), and several other palatial buildings. The Taj is at the farthest end of this complex, with the river Jamuna behind it. The large garden contains four reflecting pools dividing it at the center. Each of these four sections is further subdivided into four sections and then each into yet another four sections. Like the Taj, the garden elements serve like Arabesque, standing on their own and also constituting the whole.
Itmad-Ud-Daula: Empress Nur Jehan built Itmad-Ud-Daula's Tomb, sometimes called the Baby Taj, for her father, Ghias-ud-Din Beg, the Chief Minister of Emperor Jahangir. Located on the left bank of the Yamuna River, the mausoleum is set in a large cruciform garden criss-crossed by water courses and walkways. The mausoleum itself is set on a base about 50 meters square and about 1 meter high. The mausoleum is about 23 meters square. On each corner are hexagonal towers, about 13 meters tall. Small in comparison to many other Mughal-era tombs, it is sometimes described as a jewel box. Its garden layout and use of white marble, pietra dura, inlay designs and latticework presage many elements of the Taj Mahal. The walls are white marble from Rajasthan encrusted with semi-precious stone decorations - cornelian, jasper, lapis lazuli, onyx, and topaz in images of cypress trees and wine bottles, or more elaborate decorations like cut fruit or vases containing bouquets. Light to the interior passes through delicate jali screens of intricately carved white marble. Many of Nur Jahan's relatives are interred in the mausoleum. The only asymmetrical element of the entire complex is that the cenotaphs of her father and mother have been set side-by-side, a formation replicated in the Taj Mahal
Fatehpur Sikri: It is a city and a municipal board in Agra district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It was the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign, from 1571 until 1585, when it was abandoned, ostensibly due to lack of water. The name of the place came after Mughal Emperor Babur defeated Rana Sanga in a battle at a place called Khanwa (about 40 KM from Agra). Then Mughal Emperor Akbar wanted to make Fatehpur Sikri his headquarters. So he built this majestic fort. But due to shortage of water he had to ultimately move his headquarters to Agra Fort. Akbar had no child. After the blessing of Sufi Saint Salim Chisti he was blessed with a male child who became the heir to his throne, he was named Salim (after the name of Sufi Saint Salim) who later become Emperor Jahangir. The tomb "Salim Chisti Ka Mazar" was built in honour of Sufi saint Salim Chishti in 1571 by Mughal emperor Akbar. Earlier it was built with red sand stone but later converted into beautiful marble mauseleum. This was built much later the Fatehpur Sikri Fort was built by Akbar.
Day 4| Agra Ranthambhore (Sawai Madhopur) (by Road 290kms in 5-6hrs approx)
Early morning go to THE TAJ MAHAL again to see its view in the Dawn which is magnificent. Comeback to the hotel and after breakfast, get driven to Ranthambhore, a national park (Ranthambhore national park is the only dry deciduous tiger habitat in the world). Reach Ranthambhore and check-in at the hotel. If time permits, go for a wildlife safari or else enjoy the peace amidst the Ranthambhore National Reserve. Evening will be free at the resort and you can relax or watch some slides on the tiger. Stay overnight at the resort.
Ranthambhore: Ranthambhore National Park is one of the largest and most famous national parks in northern India. It is situated in Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, about 130 km from Jaipur, which is also the nearest airport. The nearest town and railway station is at Sawai Madhopur, about 11 km away. Ranthambhore was established as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 by the Government of India, and was declared one of the Project Tiger reserves in 1973. Ranthambhore became a national park in 1980. In 1984, the adjacent forests were declared the Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary and Keladevi Sanctuary, and in 1991 the tiger reserve was enlarged to include Sawai Man Singh and Keladevi sanctuaries. The park lies at the edge of a plateau, and is bounded to the north by the Banas River and to the south by the Chambal River. There are several lakes in the park. It is named for the historic Ranthambhore fortress, which lies within the national park. The park covers an area of 392 km, and is famous for its tiger population, and is one of India's Project Tiger reserves. Other major wild animals include the tiger, leopard, nilgai, dhole, wild pig, sambar and chital. It is also home to wide variety of trees, plants, birds and reptiles. Ranthambhore is also the site for one of the largest Banyan trees in India.
Day 5| Ranthambhore
After breakfast, go for a safari in jungle. Come back to the hotel and have your lunch. Then again get ready for another jungle safari. Main species found: Tiger, panther, hyena, jungle cat, civet, sambar, chital, nilgai, bear, wild boar, partridge, green pigeon, red spur fowl etc. Surrounded by the Vindhyas and the Aravalis, amidst vast, arid and denuded tracts of the desert ecology of Rajasthan, lies the oasis of biomass, the Ranthambhore National Park, spread over an area 392 sq.kms. of dense forest with nullahs and waterfalls. The herbivorous population includes chital, sambar, blue bull and chinkara. Sambar deer is the pride of the park. There is no other park in Asia, where these largest of all Asiatic deer can be seen so frequently during day-time. Wild boars and langurs are a common sight. Among the reptiles, crocodiles can be seen basking in the sun near the lakes. The tiger is the biggest attraction of this park. According to naturalists, Ranthambhore is one of the best parks in the country for observing and photographing the activities of the tiger. Other carnivores in the park include leopard, hyena, jackal, fox, caracal, jungle cat, sloth bear and ratel. The park nests more than 300 varieties of birds. Common birds seen in the reserve are peafowl, parakeets, doves, partridges, storks, egrets, flycatchers, eagles and owls. In the evening come back to the hotel and stay overnight.
RANTHAMBHORE NATIONAL PARK: Ranthambhore National Park is probably the best place in the world to see wild tigers and is the only dry deciduous tiger habitat in the world. The Ranthambhore National Park, which is a part of the much larger Ranthambhore tiger reserve, a Project tiger reserve, lies in the Sawai Madhopur district of eastern Rajasthan. It is the only forest reserve in Rajasthan state and in the entire Aravali hill ranges where wild bengal tigers still exist. The dry deciduous habitat of the reserve makes it much easier to find and observe tigers in their natural wild habitat. The Chambal River forms a natural boundary of the Park towards the east, and on the eastern shore of Chambal lies the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. To the northeast of the Park, flows the river - Banas, a tributary of Chambal. Across the river Banas, lies the Keladevi sanctuary, while the Sawai Man Singh sanctuary lies to the south of the Park. Both these sanctuaries, along with the Ranthambhore national park, are part of the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. Today, this Project Tiger reserve spans over 1334 sq. km of area, of which 282 sq. km is the Ranthambhore national park. The entire Tiger Reserve stretches in a North-East to South-West direction for a distance of over 70 kilometers. To the extreme North-East lies the Kela Devi Sanctuary, south-west of which (and across the river Banas) lies the Ranthambhore National Park. The Sawai Madhopur Sanctuary, followed by the Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary and the Qualji Closed Area lies further South-West of the park. Ranthambhore is where the Aravali and the Vindhyan hill ranges meet and this confluence is perhaps the reason for the rich bio diversity of the Ranthambhore. The geological formations of Vindhyan system are characterized by flat table tops locally known as 'Dang' , while the Aravallis are characterized by sharp ridges and conical hill tops. An important geological fault line - the Great Boundary Fault - lies at the confluence of the Aravali and the Vindhyan systems - and runs right across Ranthambhore national park. All the Tiger safaris in the Reserve are conducted inside the National park. The park is open to tourists during October-June, and receives more than 50,000 visitors every year from all over the world.
Day 6| Ranthambhore Jaipur (by Road 185kms in 2-3hrs approx)
After breakfast at the hotel get driven to Jaipur, the Pink City, founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, the ruler of Amber. Reach there and check in at the hotel. Then go for local sightseeing. Explore the beautiful architecture of HAWA MAHAL, CITY PALACE, BIRLA TEMPLE and JANTAR MANTAR, the go to see the well preserve history in the MUSEUM. After visiting all the tourist places come back to the hotel and get ready to attend the New Year Party in the hotel or around.
Hawa Mahal: Hawa Mahal was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, Hawa Mahal is the most stunning sight in the city of Jaipur. The palace, part of a huge complex, overlooks one of Jaipur's main streets and was originally constructed to offer women of the court a vantage point, behind stone-carved screens, from which to watch the activities taking place in the bazaar and the surrounding streets. Hawa Mahal Jaipur five-story, pyramid-shaped structure is made up of small casements, each with tiny windows and arched roofs with hanging cornices, exquisitely modeled and carved. Its faade makes Hawa Mahal look more like a screen than a palace. Its top three stories are just a single room thick but at the base are two courtyards. It is a fifty-foot high thin shield, less than a foot in thickness, but has over 900 niches and a mass of semi-octagonal bays, carved sandstone grills, finials and domes, which give this palace its unique faade. Hawa Mahal or Hawa Mahal Jaipur is also popular as "Palace of Winds" and it is designed by Lal Chand Usta and this name of the palace is given because Hawa Mahal has about 953 windows through which wind or (hawa) flows and keep the palace cool. Jantar Mantar: Jantar Mantar at Jaipur is the largest stone observatory in the World and this feature makes it, a special destination for a traveler. Jantar Mantar of Jaipur is one of the five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur. During the period between 1727 and 1733, Jantar Mantar took its form and structure. Initially Jantar Mantar was named as Yantra Mantra, which means instruments and formulae, but due to mispronunciation of the term, it is changed to the recognized name. Jantar Mantar has a remarkable collection of architectural astronomical instruments. It portrays noteworthy attempt of the ancestors, who were interested in astronomy and knowledge of celestial bodies. Above all, this observatory still, provides accurate information, which can be compared with today's modern instruments undeniably. The compound instruments, whose settings and shapes are scientifically designed depicts the forte of Medieval Indian Astronomy. Jantar Mantar is wholly constructed with stone and marble. The observatory has fourteen statistical instruments for measuring time, predicting eclipses and to ascertain other astronomical events. Amongst all the instruments, the Sundial usually attracts the maximum attention of people, which tells the time to an accuracy of about two seconds in local time of Jaipur. Jantar Mantar was carefully renovated in 1901 and was declared a national monument in 1948. Today, Jantar Mantar has become a major tourist attraction in Jaipur.
City Palace: City Palace forms one of the most famous tourist attractions and a major landmark in Jaipur. The beautiful palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh during his reign. Among the various forts and palaces of Jaipur, City Palace stands apart, with its outstanding art and architecture. City Palace complex covers a huge area, which is divided into a series of gardens, courtyards and buildings. Initially, Raja Jai Singh built the outer wall occupying a huge area. The additional grand buildings were constructed later by the succeeding rulers. A part of the exquisite Palace still makes home for the former Maharaja/ King. The premises consists several buildings like Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Mukut Mahal, Maharani's Palace, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum. One would come across the Mubarak Mahal, as one enters the first square. Mubarak Mahal was built by Sawai Madho Singh in the 19th century to entertain his guests. Today, it has converted into a costume gallery, which displays royal attires of the Kings. After crossing the first square, a beautiful gateway welcomes to Diwan-I-Khas, a hall meant for private audience. It has two sterling silver vessels on display and they are acclaimed to be the world's largest silver vessel. These vessels were made for Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II to carry water from River Ganga to drink on his trip to England. Diwan-I-Aam, which was meant for public audience, forms the other attraction of this courtyard. At present, it makes an art gallery showcasing enthralling painted ceilings and rare ancient handwritten original manuscripts of Hindu scriptures. In the series, Maharani's Palace, which was meant for royal queens, has been converted into a museum, showcasing weapons dated back to 15th century. Chandra Mahal is essentially regarded as the best part, out of the whole tour to City Palace. It has seven stories and each story is known by a different name. The topmost story is known as Mukut Mahal. The wonderful architecture of this Palace with delicate paintings, mirror work on walls and floral decorations, makes it a "must-see" for every visitor. In the present day, this palace serves as the residence of ex-ruler. Badal Mahal stands opposite to Chandra Mahal and while crossing the path, one would find Govind Dev Ji Temple between them. Above all these, the Palace also offers delicacies in its multi cuisine restaurant. To sum up, the City Palace is a structure of historical importance and a souvenir of the regal past. The palace, with its royal grace stands as a symbol of magnificence. All these features of City Palace leave the tourists with no other option, but to visit it.
Birla Temple: Birla Temple forms one of the major attractions of Jaipur. Birla Temple of Jaipur looks stunning, when it is brightly lit in the night. Birla Mandir, in pure white marble, dominates the skyline of southern part of Jaipur. The enormous temple was built during the year 1988, by Birla Group of Industries, one of the business tycoons of India. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Narayan), the preserver and his consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. Due to this reason, Birla Temple is also known as Laxmi Narayan Temple. The Birla Mandir is situated just below the renowned Moti Dungri Fort. Built in a contemporary manner, Laxmi Narayan Mandir covers the vast lands of the city of Jaipur. The temple stands erect on a raised platform, at the footsteps of the Moti Dungri Hill. Birla Mandir is constructed in the finest quality of white marble. The three huge domes of the temple represent three different approaches to the religion. The beautiful white marble temple mesmerizes the onlookers, when it glows at night. The attractive stained windows glass windows of the temple depict scenes from Hindu Mythology. The idols of the temple look so real as if, they would utter a word just now. Amongst all the idols, the marble idol of Ganesha is a masterpiece which looks almost-transparent. The idols of Lord Vishnu and his consort, Lakshmi attract the attention, being made out from one piece of marble. The temple also portrays great historical achievers, philosophers and religious saints such as Socrates, Zarathustra, Christ, Buddha, and Confucius. The Laxmi Narayan Mandir is a modern architectural marvel, surrounded by lush green gardens. The fascinating exteriors of the temple are carved splendidly with beautiful sculptures based of mythological themes, while the interiors have a large marble panel portraying mythological events. The Birla Temple has a museum too, which showcases the ancestral valuables of the Birla family. Birla Mandir / Laxmi Narayan Temple are a masterpiece of art and tourists should not miss this architectural spiritual heritage on their trip to Jaipur.
Day 7| Jaipur
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for an excursion to AMBER FORT in the outskirts of Jaipur. Elephant ride ascent to the fort. Enjoy the wonderful carvings and minute mirror work on the walls & ceilings. Enjoy some shopping around. In the evening proceed to Chokhi Dhani, an ethnic village. It is one its own kind, each of the detailed work in the village tells you about the culture and tradition of Rajasthan. It could be Camel Rides, Elephant Rides, Tonga Rides, Bullock Cart Rides, Bow n Arrows, Turbans or Food, it will make you feel a KING. Dinner and cultural program will be organized for you at Chokhi Dhani. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
Amber Fort: Amber Fort is located in Amber (Jaipur), which used to be the capital of the Kachhwaha clan, till Jaipur was made the official capital in 1727. The Amber Fort looks stunning, all-built in white marble and red sandstone. To add to its charm, Maotha Lake makes its foreground. The crystal mirror image of the Fort, on the still waters of the lake, seems to be a beautiful illusion. Amber Fort is usually pronounced as Amer Fort. In 1592, construction of the Fort was started by Raja Man Singh I. However, the Amber Fort took its present form during the reign of Raja Jai Singh I. The outer appearance of the Fort, being rough and craggy is totally different from its core. The interior of the Fort provides a soothing and warm ambience, which is least expected from its outer appearance. The marvelous decoration of the Amer Fort is influenced by both, the Hindu and Muslim manner of ornamentation. Exquisite paintings of hunting scenes on the walls depict the temperament of the Rajputs, who were adventurous, revolutionary and self-indulgent. The intricate carvings on the walls and ceilings simply astonish the visitors. The minute mirror work adds to the grand appearance and royalty of the halls. The Amer Fort undoubtedly captivates the tourists with its artistic quality of delicate work. The mighty walls guarantee the protection of the Fort against the invasion of the enemies. The Fort is divided into four subparts. Kali Temple, which is also known as Shila Devi Temple, forms the part of the Fort. It is renowned for its glorious past, huge silver lions and silver doors. The Hall of Public Audiences, Diwan-I-Aam is a pavilion with double row of columns. Ganesh Pol, another feature of the Fort, directs the way to the inhabited apartments of the King. The Hall of Victory, Jai Mandir has a stunning ceiling comprised of mirror work and an inlaid panel. The Fort has numerous other halls and pavilions with their own specific attraction. The best part of this tourist attraction situated on a crafty hill, is the royal elephant ride. The flawless beauty of the Fort can be enjoyed royally with an elephant ride. Amber/Amer Fort is the part of Jaipur and its royalty. A trip to Jaipur would be definitely incomplete, without the visit to this imperial Fort of Amber.
Chokhi Dhani: Capturing the spirit of Rajasthan and ensuring the perfect Rajasthani experience is Chokhi Dhani, a unique Village Resort. Chokhi Dhani literally means a fine hamlet i.e. a quintessential village that offers an ideal pastoral experience. Away from the urban life the quaint mud and thatch dwellings in the resort give the right blend of traditions - modern amenities in typical ethnic environment. An ideal place for a perfect vacation is Chokhi Dhani Resort and what makes it so? Without further contemplation it is the multiple facilities fulfilling all needs of guests. Chokhi Dhani has incorporated all that is needed to make a guests stay, a memory. Its continual improvement system always maintains the standards. So guests may rest assured that their comfort is in right hands. Chokhi Dhani Resort literally meaning the "Fine Hamlet" is a 5 star Ethnic resort, the only one of its kind in the country. With quaint mud & thatch dwellings set in sprawling acreage of land, it has 65 cottages, 8 Haveli Suits, 4 Conferences Halls, Bindola - the ethnic restaurant, Aarogosa - the multicuisine restaurant, Kesar Kyari - outdoor barbeque, Chaupal, Chandi Mahal Bar, Rhun Jhun - Discotheque cum bar, Kesariya - The Sansha Spa. Embedded with the richness and variety of Rajasthani culture is Kotri, Chokhi Dhanis Lobby. It brings a churn of the ethnicity that lies in Rajasthan- bamboo net ceilings, mud plastered walls, paintings, murals, beautifully carved furniture and artifacts.
Day 8| Jaipur New Delhi (by Road 250kms in 5hrs approx)
After breakfast at the hotel, drive back to Delhi. Reach Delhi in the afternoon, check in at the hotel and relax till evening. In the evening go for shopping and leisure activities at the places like Janpath, Sarojini Nagar, Dilli Hatt etc. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 9| New Delhi
After breakfast at Delhi hotel, drive to the International Airport, for boarding the flight to you country or wherever you wish to head .
Arrive at Delhi airport late in the evening/morning. Our Company representative will receive you at the International Airport. Board the car and drive to the pre booked hotel. If time permits go for local sightseeing. Check-in at the hotel and stay overnight.Delhi: A Transition through Time - As you walk along the narrow by lanes of this city of dreams, tread softly. Every crumbling wall has a story to tell. Every yesterday is replete with history. Rulers have come and gone. The city has lived through wars and resurrection, repeatedly rising from the ashes. Cradling civilizations since times immemorial Delhi goes back hundreds of thousands of years back into time.Stone tools belonging to early Stone Age were discovered from the Aravalli tracts in and around Anangpur, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Campus, the northern ridge and elsewhere - evidence that the Early Man lived here. Excavations at Mandoli and Bhorgarh in east and north-west Delhi respectively have thrown up remains of chalcolithic period dating back to 2nd millennium BC, 1st millennium BC as well remains of 4th-5th century AD have been traced here. The excavations of the ancient mound of Indraprastha, capital of the Pandavas, located within the fold of the sixteenth century Purana Qila revealed evidence of continuous habitation of the site for almost 2500 years. According to the Mahabharata, the Pandavas founded their capital Indrapratha in the region known as Khandava-prastha. Delhi was also witness to the glories of the Maurya Empire during 3rd century BC. The Ashokan edict engraved on a rock in East of Kailash as well as remains found in Purana Quila excavations belonging to the Mauryan period point to Delhi's importance during this era.
The first city of Delhi, Lal Kot was founded by the Tomar ruler Anangpal, in the 11th century. It was extended to Qila Rai Pithora by King Vigraharaja IV (Circa 1153-64). Qutbuddin Aibak became Delhi's first Sultan in 1206 and laid the foundations of the Qutb Minar, India's tallest stone tower at the site of the first city of Delhi subsequently the kings of the Sultanate dynasties, Khaljis, Tughluqs Sayyids and Lodis continued to build. New cities as Delhi grew. The second city around Siri by Alaud-Din Khalji (1296-1316); Tughlaqabad, the third city built by Ghiysud-Din Tughlug (1321-51); Firuzabad, the fifth city of Delhi, is now represented by Kotla Firuz Shah, founded by Firuz Shah Tughluq (1351-88). It was Humayun who laid the foundations of the sixth city - Dinpanah. This was destroyed and reconstructed as the Purana Qila by Sher Shah Suri however, it was the Mughals who took Delhi to the zenith of architectural glory. While some construction activities did continue during the reign of Akbar (1556-1605) and Jehangir (1605-27), it was Shah Jehan (1628-58) who built the seventh city, Shahjahanabad which remained the Mughal capital until 1857. The British in 1911 shifted the capital of India to Delhi. The eighth city of New Delhi took shape in the imperial style of architecture. From then to now Delhi continues to throb with vitality and hop. The ruins and ramparts still stand tall in dignity - and amidst them rise modern buildings and giant skyscrapers. It's a breathtaking synthesis of yesterday and tomorrow, the holding on to the past and surging ahead to the future.
Day 2| New Delhi
This day is kept for the local sightseeing of the city. After having breakfast at the hotel, the chauffer will take you to the full day city tour. Being the current metropolitan and the capital, Delhi is also one of the oldest inhabited cities of the world. Basically Delhi is divided into two parts, New Delhi & Old Delhi. You will start your day by visiting Lotus Temple also known as Bahai Temple built in a shape of Lotus. Then proceed to Qutub Minar, the 72 meters high minaret. After admiring the huge minaret, go to India Gate which is also known as All India War Memorial. Then proceed to Birla Mandir and enroute see Rastrapati Bhawan, the presidents house. Now proceed to Old Delhi and see the Red Fort & Jama Masjid. In the evening enjoy shopping and strolling in the famous Chandani Chowk Bazaar. Enjoy shopping and food there. Drive back to the hotel and stay overnight.
Lotus Temple: It is a very recent architectural marvel of the Bahai faith. The Bah' Faith is the youngest of the world's independent religions. Its founder, Bah'u'llh (1817-1892), is regarded by Bah's as the most recent in the line of Messengers of God that stretches back beyond recorded time and that includes Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Christ and Muhammad. The central theme of Bah'u'llh's message is that humanity is one single race and that the day has come for its unification in one global society. God, Bah'u'llh said, has set in motion historical forces that are breaking down traditional barriers of race, class, creed, and nation and that will, in time, give birth to a universal civilization. The principal challenge facing the peoples of the earth is to accept the fact of their oneness and to assist the processes of unification.
Qutub Minar: The Qutub Minar made of red sandstone rising to the height of 72.5mts is an architectural marvel of the 13th century. Also a must is the visit to Ashoka Pillar dating back to the 5th century. Though made of iron it has with stood the weathers of time.A very interesting belief is assigned to this pillar- Stand with your back to the pillar, and if you can hold your hands around it, then make a wish and it will surely come true. Try it. You don't have to an archaeologist to find out about the past of your country. Simply visiting historic monuments helps you to understand it & can also lead you to grab some useful information, you never realized before. A distinct present from the past, Qutub Minar has inspired explorers and travelers through the ages. Qutb-u'd-Din Aibak laid the foundation of Qutab Minar in AD 1199 for the use of Mu'azzin to give calls for prayer and raised the first storey, to which were added three more storeys by his successor and son-in-law, Shamsu'd-Din Iitutmish. Viewing it is a truly surreal experience as Qutub Minar is still the highest stone tower as well as one of the finest Islamic structures ever raised in India. It is covered with intricate carvings and deeply inscribed verses from the Koran. Beautiful calligraphy adorns the adjacent edifices. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone, the fourth and fifth of marble and sandstone.
India Gate: India Gate is constructed as a memorial and was built in the memory of 90,00 soldiers who laid down their lives during world war I. Located at Rajpath, India Gate is 42 m high and is popular relaxation area during the summer evenings. India Gate also acts as popular pinic spot during winter. Also known as the All India War Memorial, India Gate was designed and constructed by Lutyens. He was the one who is considered the chief proclaimer in designing the New Delhi plans. A tour of Lutyens Delhi just has to kick off with the stately India Gate at the east end of the broad Janpath (earlier Kingsway) that leads to the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Another additional 13,516 names engraved on the arch and foundations form a separate memorial to the British and Indian soldiers killed on the North-West Frontier in the Afghan War of 1919. The foundation stone was laid by HRH the Duke of Connaught in 1921 and the monument was dedicated to the nation 10 years later by the then Viceroy, Lord Irwin. Another memorial, Amar Jawan Jyoti was added much later after India had said goodbye to its imperial rulers. It is in the form of a flame that burns day and night under the arch to remind the nation of soldiers who perished in the Indo-Pakistan War of December 1971. The entire arch stands on a low base of red Bharatpur stone and rises in stages to a huge cornice, beneath which are inscribed Imperial suns. Above on both sides is inscribed INDIA, flanked by MCM and to the right, XIX. The shallow domed bowl at the top was intended to be filled with burning oil on anniversaries but this is rarely done.
Red Fort: Emperor Shah Jahan built Delhi's most magnificent monument, the Red Fort and above is the red fort picture . In 1638 Shah Jahan shifted the Mughal Empire's capital from Agra to Delhi. A new royal palace known as Red Fort or Red Fort Delhi (Lal Qila) was constructed. It was begun in 1639 and completed in 1648. The name Red Fort comes from the massive red sandstone walls that surround it. 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. The Red Fort Delhi has two main entrances, the Delhi Gate and the Lahori Gate. The latter faces Chandni Chowk, the city's most crowded but diverse market. The Red Fort also houses the Diwan-i-Aam or the Hall of Public Audiences, where the Emperor would sit on a marbled paneled alcove, studded with gems, and listen to the complaints of the common people. The Diwan-i-Khas or the Hall of Private Audience, where private audiences were granted. This hall is made of marble, and its centre-piece used to be the Peacock Throne, which was studded with rubies and gems. Today, although the Diwan-i-Khas is only a pale shadow of its original glory, yet the verse of Amir Khusro If there is Paradise on the face of earth, it is here, it is here, it is here" reminds us of its former glory. The Rang Mahal or the 'Palace of Colours' as it is known, holds a spectacular Lotus shaped fountain, made out of a single piece of marble, and housed the Emperor's wives and mistresses. The other attractions enclosed within this monument are the Hammams or the Royal Baths, the Shahi Burj, which used to be Shahjahan's private working area, and the Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque. Even today, the Red Fort (Lal Qila) is an eloquent reminder of the glory of the Mughal Empire. Shah Jahan when comes to Delhi after ruling Agra laid the foundation stone of Red Fort Delhi in 1618 and finally it's inauguration was done in 1647.
Jama Masjid: It is the largest mosque in India. The Jama Masjid stands across the road in front of the Red Fort. Built between 1644 and 1658, Jama Masjid is one of the last architectural works of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The spacious courtyard of the Jama Masjid holds thousands of faithful. Jama Masjid is located on a mound in the heart of the old city and projects beautifully into the Old-Delhi skyline. Jama Masjid Mosque was built in red sandstone and marble by more than 5000 artisans. Originally called the Masjid-i-Jahan-Numa, or "mosque commanding view of the world", the Jama Masjid stands at the center of the erstwhile capital city of the Mughals, Shahjahanbad. The Jama Masjid was completed under the supervision of Saadullah Khan, the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan. A sum of Rs 10 lakhs was spent on the construction of the Jama Masjid. The Jama Masjid is built on a red sandstone porch, about 30 feet (10 m) from the level of the ground and is about 1400 square yards (1200 m) in extent. The Jama Masjid has three gateways, four towers and two minarets. The gateways in the north and south are led by a fleet of steps. The main entrance is on the eastern side facing the red fort. It was probably used by the emperors. The tower of the Jama Masjid is made up of five distinctive storeys. Each one of the storeys has a projecting balcony. The adjoining edifices are beautifully done with calligraphy. The first three storeys of the Jama Masjid tower are made of red sandstone and the fourth one is made of marble, while the fifth is made of sandstone. The Jama Masjid is covered with intricate carvings and has verses inscribed from the holy Koran. The grand Red fort (Lal Qila) stands on the eastern side of the Jama Masjid. The main prayer hall of the Jama Masjid is made up of high cusped arches and marble domes. The cabinet in the north gate of the Jama Masjid contains a collection of Muhammad's relics - the Koran written on deerskin, a red beard-hair of the prophet, his sandals and his footprints, implanted in a marble block.
Chandni Chowk: The antiquity of the main market area of Chandni Chowk has rendered it a venerated place in the markets of Delhi. It is said that it was once lined with beautiful fountains. However, with time, it grew as crowded as it is today. Situated opposite the Red Fort, Chandani Chowk houses the Digambar Jain Temple, Fatehpuri Mosque - built by the wives of Shah Jahan - and Sunheri Masjid. It was from here that the troops of Nadir Shah started their mission of plundering and massacring the 'infidels' at Delhi. One of the most prominent wholesale and retail markets of India, Chandni Chowk is more than 300 years old. It was established in 1650, when Mughal Emperor Shahjahan shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi, as an accompaniment to the fort. Jahanara, the Emperor's favorite daughter, is credited with designing this market, where an arcade of shops was built in a half-moon shape around a pool. It soon budded into a prosperous trading center and branched into a number of by-lanes and soon stretched from the Fort to Fatehpuri Mosque. A canal known as Faiz Nahar, renovated by Ali Mardan Khan, is said to have run through the entire length of Chandni Chowk, providing water for both drinking and irrigation, but it went into disuse later. Besides the Red Fort situated nearby, one can also visit the famous Chawri Bazaar. It is one of the narrowest, busiest and most prosperous trading centers of Delhi, dealing in iron and hardware, paper, utensils of brass, copper and stainless steel. You can see traditional framework of Chandni Chowk consisting of 'Havelis', 'Kuchas' & 'Katras'. Visit the seven major Hindu and Jain temples, two Churches, three Mosques and two Gurudwaras in the area. These places of worship include Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, Jama Masjid, Gurudwara Shish Ganj, Gauri Shankar temple and Sunahari Masjid.
Janpath: Janpath Market is situated opposite the famous Connaught Place, in New Delhi. It is the perfect for buying the latest fashion goods at cheap prices. The budget travelers as well as those wanting to flaunt the latest in-things, Janpath of Delhi, India is the place to be. This is one place in the capital city, where you will find more foreign shoppers than Indians shoppers. There are a fair number of showrooms also in this market. However, shopping in Jan Path, New Delhi is best done at the numerous stalls that have been put up there. One thing to remember while shopping at Janpath is to bargain as much as you can. There is no limit to how low you can get the prices to be. There is also no dearth of small cafes and restaurants here. So, do visit this place, if not for shopping, then, at least to look at the amazing stuff you can get here. Some of the most popular items at Janpath market are Ethnic dresses, Daily-wear Clothing (right from skirts to jeans to t-shirts and so on), Junk Jewelry, Silver Jewelry, Leather Footwear (Jutis, Mojris, Kohlapuris, etc), Embellished Linen, Cotton Garments, Rajasthan vegetable color paintings, Imitation Jewelry, Indian artifacts and Carpets, CDs and DVDs, Furniture, Decorative Items etc.
Day 3| New Delhi Agra (by Road 200kms in 3-4hrs approx)
After breakfast at the hotel, get driven to Agra, the city of Taj Mahal. Enroute visit Sikandra, tomb of a Mughal ruler Akbar. Reach Agra and check in at your pre booked hotel. Then get ready to visit the important historical places like Itmad-Ud-Daula, Red Fort, Sikandra and explore the local bazaars like Sadar, Raja ki Mandi, Sanjay Place, Taj Ganj Area etc. Come back to the hotel and stay overnight.
Agra: Agra is the one of the prominent destinations of the World Tourism map with three heritage monuments -The Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri & Red Fort. It is more just a decadent city of graveyards and stones, but it is a vibrant centre of Culture, Art and Religious philosophies that have enriched mankind and shaped human thought over centuries. Agra is famous for handicrafts products such as Inlay work on Marvel, Leather Work, Footwear, Brasswear, Carpets, Jwellery, Zari and Embroidery work.
Sikandra: Sikandra, the former capital of Lodi dynasty, was named after the Afghan ruler Sikander Lodi. The city of Sikandra, located at about 12 km from Agra, houses the tomb of Mughul Emperor Akbar. The design and construction of the tomb was started by Akbar himself and subsequently completed by his son Jehangir. The shape of the tomb is a truncated pyramid with five stories. The first four stories were constructed with red sandstone and the fifth one with white marble. The white marble storey comprises a false tomb of Emperor Akbar. The real tomb of Akbar is located in a crypt right below the false tomb. There are several well laid out gardens in the tomb complex. The Baradi palace in the gardens was built by Sikander Lodi. The ausoleum originally had four red sandstone gates. Now only the southern gate is used as the main entrance to the tomb.
Taj Mahal: It is regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and some Western historians have noted that its architectural beauty has never been surpassed. The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. On a foggy morning, the visitors experience the Taj as if suspended when viewed from across the Yamuna River. Taj Mahal was built by a Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan (died 1666 C.E.) in the memory of his dear wife and Queen Mumtaz Mahal at Agra, India. It is an "elegy in marble" or some say an expression of a "dream." Taj Mahal (meaning Crown Palace) is a Mausoleum that houses the grave of Queen Mumtaz Mahal at the lower chamber. The grave of Shah Jahan was added to it later. The queens real name was Arjumand Banu. In the tradition of the Mughals, important ladies of the royal family were given another name at their marriage or at some other significant event in their lives, and that new name was commonly used by the public. Shah Jahan's real name was Shahab-ud-din, and he was known as Prince Khurram before ascending to the throne in 1628. Taj Mahal was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers. It was completed in 1648 C.E. at a cost of 32 Million Rupees. The construction documents show that its master architect was Ustad Isa, the renowned Islamic architect of his time. The documents contain names of those employed and the inventory of construction materials and their origin. Expert craftsmen from Delhi, Qannauj, Lahore, and Multan were employed. In addition, many renowned Muslim craftsmen from Baghdad, Shiraz and Bukhara worked on many specialized tasks. The Taj stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and symmetry of architectural elements. Its central dome is fifty-eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of 213 feet. It is flanked by four subsidiary domed chambers. The four graceful, slender minarets are 162.5 feet each. The entire mausoleum (inside as well as outside) is decorated with inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy using precious gems such as agate and jasper. The main archways, chiseled with passages from the Holy Quran and the bold scroll work of flowery pattern, give a captivating charm to its beauty. The central domed chamber and four adjoining chambers include many walls and panels of Islamic decoration. The mausoleum is a part of a vast complex comprising of a main gateway, an elaborate garden, a mosque (to the left), a guest house (to the right), and several other palatial buildings. The Taj is at the farthest end of this complex, with the river Jamuna behind it. The large garden contains four reflecting pools dividing it at the center. Each of these four sections is further subdivided into four sections and then each into yet another four sections. Like the Taj, the garden elements serve like Arabesque, standing on their own and also constituting the whole.
Itmad-Ud-Daula: Empress Nur Jehan built Itmad-Ud-Daula's Tomb, sometimes called the Baby Taj, for her father, Ghias-ud-Din Beg, the Chief Minister of Emperor Jahangir. Located on the left bank of the Yamuna River, the mausoleum is set in a large cruciform garden criss-crossed by water courses and walkways. The mausoleum itself is set on a base about 50 meters square and about 1 meter high. The mausoleum is about 23 meters square. On each corner are hexagonal towers, about 13 meters tall. Small in comparison to many other Mughal-era tombs, it is sometimes described as a jewel box. Its garden layout and use of white marble, pietra dura, inlay designs and latticework presage many elements of the Taj Mahal. The walls are white marble from Rajasthan encrusted with semi-precious stone decorations - cornelian, jasper, lapis lazuli, onyx, and topaz in images of cypress trees and wine bottles, or more elaborate decorations like cut fruit or vases containing bouquets. Light to the interior passes through delicate jali screens of intricately carved white marble. Many of Nur Jahan's relatives are interred in the mausoleum. The only asymmetrical element of the entire complex is that the cenotaphs of her father and mother have been set side-by-side, a formation replicated in the Taj Mahal
Fatehpur Sikri: It is a city and a municipal board in Agra district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It was the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign, from 1571 until 1585, when it was abandoned, ostensibly due to lack of water. The name of the place came after Mughal Emperor Babur defeated Rana Sanga in a battle at a place called Khanwa (about 40 KM from Agra). Then Mughal Emperor Akbar wanted to make Fatehpur Sikri his headquarters. So he built this majestic fort. But due to shortage of water he had to ultimately move his headquarters to Agra Fort. Akbar had no child. After the blessing of Sufi Saint Salim Chisti he was blessed with a male child who became the heir to his throne, he was named Salim (after the name of Sufi Saint Salim) who later become Emperor Jahangir. The tomb "Salim Chisti Ka Mazar" was built in honour of Sufi saint Salim Chishti in 1571 by Mughal emperor Akbar. Earlier it was built with red sand stone but later converted into beautiful marble mauseleum. This was built much later the Fatehpur Sikri Fort was built by Akbar.
Day 4| Agra Ranthambhore (Sawai Madhopur) (by Road 290kms in 5-6hrs approx)
Early morning go to THE TAJ MAHAL again to see its view in the Dawn which is magnificent. Comeback to the hotel and after breakfast, get driven to Ranthambhore, a national park (Ranthambhore national park is the only dry deciduous tiger habitat in the world). Reach Ranthambhore and check-in at the hotel. If time permits, go for a wildlife safari or else enjoy the peace amidst the Ranthambhore National Reserve. Evening will be free at the resort and you can relax or watch some slides on the tiger. Stay overnight at the resort.
Ranthambhore: Ranthambhore National Park is one of the largest and most famous national parks in northern India. It is situated in Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, about 130 km from Jaipur, which is also the nearest airport. The nearest town and railway station is at Sawai Madhopur, about 11 km away. Ranthambhore was established as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 by the Government of India, and was declared one of the Project Tiger reserves in 1973. Ranthambhore became a national park in 1980. In 1984, the adjacent forests were declared the Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary and Keladevi Sanctuary, and in 1991 the tiger reserve was enlarged to include Sawai Man Singh and Keladevi sanctuaries. The park lies at the edge of a plateau, and is bounded to the north by the Banas River and to the south by the Chambal River. There are several lakes in the park. It is named for the historic Ranthambhore fortress, which lies within the national park. The park covers an area of 392 km, and is famous for its tiger population, and is one of India's Project Tiger reserves. Other major wild animals include the tiger, leopard, nilgai, dhole, wild pig, sambar and chital. It is also home to wide variety of trees, plants, birds and reptiles. Ranthambhore is also the site for one of the largest Banyan trees in India.
Day 5| Ranthambhore
After breakfast, go for a safari in jungle. Come back to the hotel and have your lunch. Then again get ready for another jungle safari. Main species found: Tiger, panther, hyena, jungle cat, civet, sambar, chital, nilgai, bear, wild boar, partridge, green pigeon, red spur fowl etc. Surrounded by the Vindhyas and the Aravalis, amidst vast, arid and denuded tracts of the desert ecology of Rajasthan, lies the oasis of biomass, the Ranthambhore National Park, spread over an area 392 sq.kms. of dense forest with nullahs and waterfalls. The herbivorous population includes chital, sambar, blue bull and chinkara. Sambar deer is the pride of the park. There is no other park in Asia, where these largest of all Asiatic deer can be seen so frequently during day-time. Wild boars and langurs are a common sight. Among the reptiles, crocodiles can be seen basking in the sun near the lakes. The tiger is the biggest attraction of this park. According to naturalists, Ranthambhore is one of the best parks in the country for observing and photographing the activities of the tiger. Other carnivores in the park include leopard, hyena, jackal, fox, caracal, jungle cat, sloth bear and ratel. The park nests more than 300 varieties of birds. Common birds seen in the reserve are peafowl, parakeets, doves, partridges, storks, egrets, flycatchers, eagles and owls. In the evening come back to the hotel and stay overnight.
RANTHAMBHORE NATIONAL PARK: Ranthambhore National Park is probably the best place in the world to see wild tigers and is the only dry deciduous tiger habitat in the world. The Ranthambhore National Park, which is a part of the much larger Ranthambhore tiger reserve, a Project tiger reserve, lies in the Sawai Madhopur district of eastern Rajasthan. It is the only forest reserve in Rajasthan state and in the entire Aravali hill ranges where wild bengal tigers still exist. The dry deciduous habitat of the reserve makes it much easier to find and observe tigers in their natural wild habitat. The Chambal River forms a natural boundary of the Park towards the east, and on the eastern shore of Chambal lies the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. To the northeast of the Park, flows the river - Banas, a tributary of Chambal. Across the river Banas, lies the Keladevi sanctuary, while the Sawai Man Singh sanctuary lies to the south of the Park. Both these sanctuaries, along with the Ranthambhore national park, are part of the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. Today, this Project Tiger reserve spans over 1334 sq. km of area, of which 282 sq. km is the Ranthambhore national park. The entire Tiger Reserve stretches in a North-East to South-West direction for a distance of over 70 kilometers. To the extreme North-East lies the Kela Devi Sanctuary, south-west of which (and across the river Banas) lies the Ranthambhore National Park. The Sawai Madhopur Sanctuary, followed by the Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary and the Qualji Closed Area lies further South-West of the park. Ranthambhore is where the Aravali and the Vindhyan hill ranges meet and this confluence is perhaps the reason for the rich bio diversity of the Ranthambhore. The geological formations of Vindhyan system are characterized by flat table tops locally known as 'Dang' , while the Aravallis are characterized by sharp ridges and conical hill tops. An important geological fault line - the Great Boundary Fault - lies at the confluence of the Aravali and the Vindhyan systems - and runs right across Ranthambhore national park. All the Tiger safaris in the Reserve are conducted inside the National park. The park is open to tourists during October-June, and receives more than 50,000 visitors every year from all over the world.
Day 6| Ranthambhore Jaipur (by Road 185kms in 2-3hrs approx)
After breakfast at the hotel get driven to Jaipur, the Pink City, founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, the ruler of Amber. Reach there and check in at the hotel. Then go for local sightseeing. Explore the beautiful architecture of HAWA MAHAL, CITY PALACE, BIRLA TEMPLE and JANTAR MANTAR, the go to see the well preserve history in the MUSEUM. After visiting all the tourist places come back to the hotel and get ready to attend the New Year Party in the hotel or around.
Hawa Mahal: Hawa Mahal was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, Hawa Mahal is the most stunning sight in the city of Jaipur. The palace, part of a huge complex, overlooks one of Jaipur's main streets and was originally constructed to offer women of the court a vantage point, behind stone-carved screens, from which to watch the activities taking place in the bazaar and the surrounding streets. Hawa Mahal Jaipur five-story, pyramid-shaped structure is made up of small casements, each with tiny windows and arched roofs with hanging cornices, exquisitely modeled and carved. Its faade makes Hawa Mahal look more like a screen than a palace. Its top three stories are just a single room thick but at the base are two courtyards. It is a fifty-foot high thin shield, less than a foot in thickness, but has over 900 niches and a mass of semi-octagonal bays, carved sandstone grills, finials and domes, which give this palace its unique faade. Hawa Mahal or Hawa Mahal Jaipur is also popular as "Palace of Winds" and it is designed by Lal Chand Usta and this name of the palace is given because Hawa Mahal has about 953 windows through which wind or (hawa) flows and keep the palace cool. Jantar Mantar: Jantar Mantar at Jaipur is the largest stone observatory in the World and this feature makes it, a special destination for a traveler. Jantar Mantar of Jaipur is one of the five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur. During the period between 1727 and 1733, Jantar Mantar took its form and structure. Initially Jantar Mantar was named as Yantra Mantra, which means instruments and formulae, but due to mispronunciation of the term, it is changed to the recognized name. Jantar Mantar has a remarkable collection of architectural astronomical instruments. It portrays noteworthy attempt of the ancestors, who were interested in astronomy and knowledge of celestial bodies. Above all, this observatory still, provides accurate information, which can be compared with today's modern instruments undeniably. The compound instruments, whose settings and shapes are scientifically designed depicts the forte of Medieval Indian Astronomy. Jantar Mantar is wholly constructed with stone and marble. The observatory has fourteen statistical instruments for measuring time, predicting eclipses and to ascertain other astronomical events. Amongst all the instruments, the Sundial usually attracts the maximum attention of people, which tells the time to an accuracy of about two seconds in local time of Jaipur. Jantar Mantar was carefully renovated in 1901 and was declared a national monument in 1948. Today, Jantar Mantar has become a major tourist attraction in Jaipur.
City Palace: City Palace forms one of the most famous tourist attractions and a major landmark in Jaipur. The beautiful palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh during his reign. Among the various forts and palaces of Jaipur, City Palace stands apart, with its outstanding art and architecture. City Palace complex covers a huge area, which is divided into a series of gardens, courtyards and buildings. Initially, Raja Jai Singh built the outer wall occupying a huge area. The additional grand buildings were constructed later by the succeeding rulers. A part of the exquisite Palace still makes home for the former Maharaja/ King. The premises consists several buildings like Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Mukut Mahal, Maharani's Palace, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum. One would come across the Mubarak Mahal, as one enters the first square. Mubarak Mahal was built by Sawai Madho Singh in the 19th century to entertain his guests. Today, it has converted into a costume gallery, which displays royal attires of the Kings. After crossing the first square, a beautiful gateway welcomes to Diwan-I-Khas, a hall meant for private audience. It has two sterling silver vessels on display and they are acclaimed to be the world's largest silver vessel. These vessels were made for Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II to carry water from River Ganga to drink on his trip to England. Diwan-I-Aam, which was meant for public audience, forms the other attraction of this courtyard. At present, it makes an art gallery showcasing enthralling painted ceilings and rare ancient handwritten original manuscripts of Hindu scriptures. In the series, Maharani's Palace, which was meant for royal queens, has been converted into a museum, showcasing weapons dated back to 15th century. Chandra Mahal is essentially regarded as the best part, out of the whole tour to City Palace. It has seven stories and each story is known by a different name. The topmost story is known as Mukut Mahal. The wonderful architecture of this Palace with delicate paintings, mirror work on walls and floral decorations, makes it a "must-see" for every visitor. In the present day, this palace serves as the residence of ex-ruler. Badal Mahal stands opposite to Chandra Mahal and while crossing the path, one would find Govind Dev Ji Temple between them. Above all these, the Palace also offers delicacies in its multi cuisine restaurant. To sum up, the City Palace is a structure of historical importance and a souvenir of the regal past. The palace, with its royal grace stands as a symbol of magnificence. All these features of City Palace leave the tourists with no other option, but to visit it.
Birla Temple: Birla Temple forms one of the major attractions of Jaipur. Birla Temple of Jaipur looks stunning, when it is brightly lit in the night. Birla Mandir, in pure white marble, dominates the skyline of southern part of Jaipur. The enormous temple was built during the year 1988, by Birla Group of Industries, one of the business tycoons of India. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Narayan), the preserver and his consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. Due to this reason, Birla Temple is also known as Laxmi Narayan Temple. The Birla Mandir is situated just below the renowned Moti Dungri Fort. Built in a contemporary manner, Laxmi Narayan Mandir covers the vast lands of the city of Jaipur. The temple stands erect on a raised platform, at the footsteps of the Moti Dungri Hill. Birla Mandir is constructed in the finest quality of white marble. The three huge domes of the temple represent three different approaches to the religion. The beautiful white marble temple mesmerizes the onlookers, when it glows at night. The attractive stained windows glass windows of the temple depict scenes from Hindu Mythology. The idols of the temple look so real as if, they would utter a word just now. Amongst all the idols, the marble idol of Ganesha is a masterpiece which looks almost-transparent. The idols of Lord Vishnu and his consort, Lakshmi attract the attention, being made out from one piece of marble. The temple also portrays great historical achievers, philosophers and religious saints such as Socrates, Zarathustra, Christ, Buddha, and Confucius. The Laxmi Narayan Mandir is a modern architectural marvel, surrounded by lush green gardens. The fascinating exteriors of the temple are carved splendidly with beautiful sculptures based of mythological themes, while the interiors have a large marble panel portraying mythological events. The Birla Temple has a museum too, which showcases the ancestral valuables of the Birla family. Birla Mandir / Laxmi Narayan Temple are a masterpiece of art and tourists should not miss this architectural spiritual heritage on their trip to Jaipur.
Day 7| Jaipur
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for an excursion to AMBER FORT in the outskirts of Jaipur. Elephant ride ascent to the fort. Enjoy the wonderful carvings and minute mirror work on the walls & ceilings. Enjoy some shopping around. In the evening proceed to Chokhi Dhani, an ethnic village. It is one its own kind, each of the detailed work in the village tells you about the culture and tradition of Rajasthan. It could be Camel Rides, Elephant Rides, Tonga Rides, Bullock Cart Rides, Bow n Arrows, Turbans or Food, it will make you feel a KING. Dinner and cultural program will be organized for you at Chokhi Dhani. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
Amber Fort: Amber Fort is located in Amber (Jaipur), which used to be the capital of the Kachhwaha clan, till Jaipur was made the official capital in 1727. The Amber Fort looks stunning, all-built in white marble and red sandstone. To add to its charm, Maotha Lake makes its foreground. The crystal mirror image of the Fort, on the still waters of the lake, seems to be a beautiful illusion. Amber Fort is usually pronounced as Amer Fort. In 1592, construction of the Fort was started by Raja Man Singh I. However, the Amber Fort took its present form during the reign of Raja Jai Singh I. The outer appearance of the Fort, being rough and craggy is totally different from its core. The interior of the Fort provides a soothing and warm ambience, which is least expected from its outer appearance. The marvelous decoration of the Amer Fort is influenced by both, the Hindu and Muslim manner of ornamentation. Exquisite paintings of hunting scenes on the walls depict the temperament of the Rajputs, who were adventurous, revolutionary and self-indulgent. The intricate carvings on the walls and ceilings simply astonish the visitors. The minute mirror work adds to the grand appearance and royalty of the halls. The Amer Fort undoubtedly captivates the tourists with its artistic quality of delicate work. The mighty walls guarantee the protection of the Fort against the invasion of the enemies. The Fort is divided into four subparts. Kali Temple, which is also known as Shila Devi Temple, forms the part of the Fort. It is renowned for its glorious past, huge silver lions and silver doors. The Hall of Public Audiences, Diwan-I-Aam is a pavilion with double row of columns. Ganesh Pol, another feature of the Fort, directs the way to the inhabited apartments of the King. The Hall of Victory, Jai Mandir has a stunning ceiling comprised of mirror work and an inlaid panel. The Fort has numerous other halls and pavilions with their own specific attraction. The best part of this tourist attraction situated on a crafty hill, is the royal elephant ride. The flawless beauty of the Fort can be enjoyed royally with an elephant ride. Amber/Amer Fort is the part of Jaipur and its royalty. A trip to Jaipur would be definitely incomplete, without the visit to this imperial Fort of Amber.
Chokhi Dhani: Capturing the spirit of Rajasthan and ensuring the perfect Rajasthani experience is Chokhi Dhani, a unique Village Resort. Chokhi Dhani literally means a fine hamlet i.e. a quintessential village that offers an ideal pastoral experience. Away from the urban life the quaint mud and thatch dwellings in the resort give the right blend of traditions - modern amenities in typical ethnic environment. An ideal place for a perfect vacation is Chokhi Dhani Resort and what makes it so? Without further contemplation it is the multiple facilities fulfilling all needs of guests. Chokhi Dhani has incorporated all that is needed to make a guests stay, a memory. Its continual improvement system always maintains the standards. So guests may rest assured that their comfort is in right hands. Chokhi Dhani Resort literally meaning the "Fine Hamlet" is a 5 star Ethnic resort, the only one of its kind in the country. With quaint mud & thatch dwellings set in sprawling acreage of land, it has 65 cottages, 8 Haveli Suits, 4 Conferences Halls, Bindola - the ethnic restaurant, Aarogosa - the multicuisine restaurant, Kesar Kyari - outdoor barbeque, Chaupal, Chandi Mahal Bar, Rhun Jhun - Discotheque cum bar, Kesariya - The Sansha Spa. Embedded with the richness and variety of Rajasthani culture is Kotri, Chokhi Dhanis Lobby. It brings a churn of the ethnicity that lies in Rajasthan- bamboo net ceilings, mud plastered walls, paintings, murals, beautifully carved furniture and artifacts.
Day 8| Jaipur New Delhi (by Road 250kms in 5hrs approx)
After breakfast at the hotel, drive back to Delhi. Reach Delhi in the afternoon, check in at the hotel and relax till evening. In the evening go for shopping and leisure activities at the places like Janpath, Sarojini Nagar, Dilli Hatt etc. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 9| New Delhi
After breakfast at Delhi hotel, drive to the International Airport, for boarding the flight to you country or wherever you wish to head .
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