North India Tour
Duration : 15 Days / 14 Nights
Destination : Delhi
- Agra - Bikaner
- Ranthambore - Jaipur
- Rupangarh-Osian - Jodhpur -Udaipur-Mumbai
Day 01 Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi met on arrival and transferred
to your hotel
Rest of the day is at leisure
Stay at Hotel
Metropolitan Nikko for two nights.
Metropolitan Nikko is
centrally air-conditioned hotel. Each air-conditioned room has the
facility of a telephone, television and attached private facilities.
Other amenities include a health spa, outdoor swimming pool and three
multi-cuisine restaurants.
Location: International
Airport – 18 kilometers: Domestic Airport – 11 kilometers:
Railway Station – 3 kilometers
Government grading:
Five-star hotel
Our comments: 5-star modern
hotel
Day 02 Delhi
- Agra
Drive to Agra (210 kms / 05 hours)
Arrive Agra and check in at
your hotel
Stay at The Trident for one night.
(First class
modern hotel)
Set amidst six acres of landscaped gardens,
The Trident combines traditional Mughal architecture with all the
amenities of a modern hotel. It is built around a central courtyard,
which contains a swimming pool and elegant fountains and has a
restaurant, bar, beauty salon, barber shop and book shop. Each bedroom
has private bathroom with bath and/or shower and toilet, telephone,
television and mini bar.
Enjoy a sightseeing of the
city in the afternoon.
(Including the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and
the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula)
The Taj Mahal truly is one of the
wonders of the world. The Taj Mahal is a monument of love built by the
Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to
enshrine her mortal remains. For twenty-two years 20,000 men labored
day and night to build this masterpiece, which has held the world awe
struck ever since.
Built principally as military
establishments by Akbar in 1565, the red sandstone Agra fort was
partially converted into a palace during Shah Jahan’s time.
Though Akbar built the original structure, his grandsons made many
more additions. This powerful fortress encompasses the imperial city
of the Mughal rulers within its 2.5-kilometre-long enclosure walls.
Day 03 Agra
- Ranthambhor National Park
Drive to Ranthambhor (180 kms / 06 hours)
visiting Fatehpur Sikri en-route
Fatehpur Sikri was built
by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after fifteen years due to
scarcity of water. The attractions in Fatehpur Sikri are Jama Masjid –
a beautiful building containing elements of Persian and Hindu Design,
The main entrance is through the 54 m high Buland Darwaza, the Gate of
Victory, constructed to commemorate Akbar’s victory in Gujarat.
The Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) is a projecting room with walls
made entirely of stone latticework. Birbal Bhavan, built either by or
for Raja Birbal, Akbar’s favourite courtier, this small palace is
extremely elegant in its design and execution. Hiran Minar (Deer
Minaret) is said to have been erected over the grave of Akbar’s
favourite elephant. Panch Mahal – This amusing little five-storey
palace was probably once used by the ladies of the Court and
originally had stone screens on the sides. The lower floor has 56
columns, no two of which are exactly alike.
Outside the Jama
Masjid are the remains of the small stone – cutters’ mosque.
Chishti’s cave was supposedly at this site and the mosque
predates Akbar’s imperial city.
Arrive Ranthambhor and
check in at Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge for 02 nights
First Class
Heritage Lodge – a unit of prestigious Taj Group of Hotels
Taj Group's Sawai Madhopur lodge is a
Government approved heritage property, which was formerly the hunting
lodge of the Royal family. It is situated 182 kms from Jaipur airport,
20 minute-drive from the Ranthambore National Park and 1.5 kms from
the railway station. The hotel has 29 rooms, 2 suites, 6 double-bedded
tents, swimming pool, restaurants and bar. Each air-conditioned
bedroom has a private bathroom with bath and /or shower with toilet.
Day
04 Ranthambhor
Morning and afternoon
game drives (jungle drives) for Tiger Tracking and Bird Watching
Ranthambore National Park is one of the prime examples of Project
Tiger’s conservation efforts in Rajasthan. The forests around the
Ranthambore Fort were once, the private hunting grounds of the
Maharajas of Jaipur. The desire to preserve the game in these forests
for sport was responsible for their conservation, and subsequent
rescue by Project Tiger.
The Park sprawls over an estimated area
of 400 sq kms. Steep crags embrace a network of lakes and rivers, and
a top one of these hills, is the impressive Ranthambore Fort, built in
the 10th century. The terrain fluctuates between impregnable forests
and open bush land. The forest is the typically dry deciduous type,
with dhok, being the most prominent tree. The entry point to the Park
goes straight to the foot of the fort and the forest rest house, Jogi
Mahal. The latter boasts of the second-largest banyan tree in India.
The Padam Talab, the Raj Bagh Talab and the Malik Talab are some of
the lakes in the area that attract the tiger population. They have
been spotted at the edges of these lakes, and Jogi Mahal itself. Old
crumbling walls, ruined pavilions, wells, and other ancient structures
stand witness to the region's glorious past. The entire forest is
peppered with the battlements and spillovers of the Ranthambore Fort -
tigers are said to frequent these ruins, too. The tigers can be
spotted quite often even during the day, busy in their normal pursuits
- especially stalking or hunting and taking care of their young. With
the strict measures that have been taken for their conservation, they
seem quite accustomed to human activity and are not disturbed by it.
For a relatively small area, the park has a rich diversity of
fauna and flora - species list includes 300 trees, 50 aquatic plants,
272 birds, 12 reptiles (including the marsh crocodile) &
amphibians and 30 mammals.
Day 05 Ranthambhor - Jaipur
Morning game drive to the national park for
Tiger Tracking and animal watch
Drive to Jaipur (03 hours)
Stay at the Trident Hilton for two nights.
The Trident is centrally air-conditioned
hotel. Each air-conditioned room has a telephone, television, mini
bar, tea/coffee maker and attached private facilities. The hotel
offers non-smoking rooms and rooms specially designed for the
physically challenged. Other amenities include a swimming pool,
shopping arcade and a multi –cuisine restaurant.
Location:
Airport – 12 kilometers: Railway Station – 8 kilometers.
Government grading: Four-star hotel
Our comments:
First class modern hotel – a part of Oberoi group of hotels
Day 06
Jaipur
Morning enjoy an excursion to Amber Fort which is
ascended on elephant back.
Enjoy a sightseeing of the city in the
afternoon.
(It includes Sawai Man Singh Museum, Jantar Mantar -
Observatory, Hawa Mahal and the colourful bazaar of the Pink city)
Amber Fort
Amber, built by Man Singh, embodies the Rajput belief that the fort
symbolizes the strength of the King. Its commanding view, sheer walls
and rock face, and the curved route that leads to the palaces within,
all point to concern with security and defense. The fort is mirrored
in Maota Lake, which stands adjacent to the Dilaram Garden. The
private apartments begun by Man Singh in the17th century combine Hindu
and Mughal styles and the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors), its walls
covered with tiny mirrors, becomes a dazzling fantasy with the light
of a single match. Visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory,
glittering with mirrors, Jai Mahal and the Kali Temple.
Afternoon:
Jaipur – city sightseeing
The capital of Rajasthan, also known popularly as the ‘pink city’,
Jaipur was founded in the year 1727. Here you will see the Hawa Mahal
(Palace of Winds), which remains only a façade today, was
originally built to enable ladies of the royal family to watch the
everyday life and processions of the city. The Jantar Mantar
(Observatory) was built between 1728 and 1734. Each of the instruments
serves a particular function and each gives an accurate reading.
Situated in the centre of the city occupying a large area divided into
a series of courtyards, gardens and buildings, the City Palace is an
interesting place to visit. You can see the textile and costume
museum, arms and armour museum, art gallery and hall of public and
private audience.
Day 07 Jaipur
- Roopangarh
Morning drive to
Roopangarh (03 hours)
Arrive Roopangarh and check in at
Roopangarh Fort
Built in 1649, Roopangarh Fort is today a
comfortable heritage hotel. The hotel has a tennis court and 19 rooms
including 1 suite. The restaurant offers Indian and local cuisine.
Rest of the day at leisure
Day
08 Roopangarh - Osian
Morning drive to Osian (04 hours)
58 kms north of Jodhpur, lie ruins of an ancient city called Osian, an
oasis in the desert, situated on the diversion off the main Jodhpur -
Bikaner highway. A drive to this ancient township takes one past
undulating terrain, punctuated by desert stretches and little hamlets.
Osian has 15 beautifully sculpted Jain and Brahmanical temples. Of
these, the most outstanding ones are the earlier Surya or Sun Temple
and the later Kali temple, Sachiya Mata Temple and the main temple
dedicated to Lord Mahavira.
Arrive Osian and check in at Osian
Camel Camp for one night
Day
09 Osian - Jodhpur
Morning drive on to
Jodhpur (02 Hours).
Founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, a chief
of Rajput clan known as the Rathores, Jodhpur was the capital of the
Rathore Kingdom. Until recent times, Jodhpur was known as the ancient
kingdom of Marwar, the largest kingdom in Rajputana. Standing at the
edge of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is the largest city in Rajasthan
after Jaipur. The city is dominated by a massive fort that sits atop a
sheer rocky ridge right in the middle of the town.
Stay at
Taj Hari Mahal for 02 nights
Five star deluxe hotel - a unit of
prestigious Taj group of hotels
Located in a prime residential
locality, Taj Hari Mahal is 4.5 kms from the airport and a few kms
from the railway station. Spread over 6 lush acres of landscaped
gardens; the centrally located hotel is an architectural blend of
age-old Rajasthani motifs and contemporary design. It has 93
tastefully appointed rooms including 3 suites. The hotel has a
swimming pool, fitness centre, multi-cuisine restaurant, tennis court
and jogging tracks. Each air-conditioned bedroom has telephone,
television, tea/coffee maker and a private bathroom with bath and/or
shower and toilet.
Day
10 Jodhpur
Morning half day guided tour
of Jodhpur city
Afternoon visit to Bishnoi villages
Day 11 Jodhpur
-Kumbhalgarh
Morning drive to
Kumbhalgarh (04 hours)
Rana Kumbha built this most
inspiring Fort surrounded by 36 Kms of twenty feet thick ramparts, and
365 temples. Kambulgarh fort is at a height of 1100 m and encloses
temples, palaces and gardens. The fort is approached by a narrow pass
in the surrounding hills with five gigantic gates called pols.
Kumbhalgarh is the second most important bastion of Mewar
martial history- after Chittorgarh, which was sacked repeatedly by the
Mughals. After Chittorgarh fell for the third and final time in the
15th century, Kumbhalgarh was built by Rana Kumbha. Legend credits
this mightly warrior with having been “a giant who stood 20
cubits 9about 30 feet!), whose spar n mortal man could lift”.
The fort is approached by a narrow pass
in the surrounding hills, which winds its way through five gigantic
gates called “pols”. Kumbhalagarh never crumbled under
attach, and with just one look you can see why.
Arrive Kumbhalgarh and check in at Hotel
Aodhi
Hotel Aodhi is built into the mountainside a short distance
from Kumbhalgarh Fort, surrounded by greenery and wildlife. The hotel
has 26 rooms including 3 suites, swimming pool and restaurants that
offer Indian, Continental and regional cuisine.
Each room has the
facility of a telephone and a private bathroom with bath and/or shower
and toilet.
Day
12 Kumbhalgarh - Udaipur
Drive on to
Udaipur (03 hours)
Upon arrival in Udaipur check into Lake
Palace for of 02 nights.
A Government approved 5-star deluxe
property located in the middle of Lake Pichola, 26 kms from the
airport, 3 kms from the railway station and 1 km from the city centre.
This centrally conditioned hotel has a swimming pool, mini gym, two
multi-cuisine restaurants and a bar. Each bedroom has a telephone,
television and a private bathroom with bath and/or shower and toilet.
Government grading: Five-star deluxe hotel
Our
comments: 5-star deluxe heritage palace – a unit of the
prestigious Taj Group of Hotels
Day13
Udaipur
In the morning enjoy
sightseeing tour of the city.
Udaipur, the enchanting City of
Dawn, looms up like a vision in white. City Palace was built in 1725,
and has various palaces inside such as Dilkush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal,
Moti Mahal, the Palace of Krishna etc, all ornately decorated.
Saheliyon Ki Bari - this 'Garden of Maids of Honour' is a small
ornamental pleasure garden, contains an elegant lotus pool, gushing
fountains, beautiful black marble kiosks on the corners of the
pool and stunning bougainvilleas covering the wall of the enclosures.
Shilpgram situated on the outskirts of Udaipur, the Shilpgram is a
crafts and performing arts center and houses various craftsmen from
different states who display live their crafts and products for the
benefit of the visitors.
Evening boat ride at Lake Pichola
Day 14 Udaipur
- Mumbai
Departure transfer
to the airport to connect flight to Mumbai (9W 3401 0840 hrs / 1020
hrs)
Arrive Mumbai at 1020 hrs met upon arrival and
transferred to your hotel
Stay at Hotel Leela Kempinski for one
night
The Leela is centrally air-conditioned hotel and has and
417 rooms each with a telephone, television, mini bar and attached
private facilities. Other amenities include a swimming pool,
discotheque, spa & fitness centre, multi-cuisine restaurant
Location: International Airport –
1.5 kilometers: Domestic Airport – 7 kilometers: Railway Station –
20 kilometers
Government grading: Five-star deluxe hotel
Our comments: A modern five-star deluxe hotel
Day 15 Mumbai
- Onward Destination
Departure transfer to the airport to connect
flight to onward destination
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