Travel to India: Of Tigers and Palaces (Northern India)

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Of Tigers and Palaces (Northern India)

			Read a Trip Review DAYS: 11 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $3095 per person * SPECIAL DISCOUNTS APRIL 08 DEPARTURE * HIGHLIGHTS: Ranthambore Tiger Safari Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary Delhi Agra Taj Mahal Fatipur Sikri Red Fort Jaipur Amber Palace Elephant Ride (optional) ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Rajasthan, 'Land of Kings', is arguably the world's most romantic destination, with desert castles, Maharajas palaces of unequaled grandeur, chivalric legends and the lasting echoes of the British Raj, India is an unforgettable travel experience. Our tour covers a large section of Northern India's breathtaking panoply of history, culture and peoples. We safari to glimpse tiger in the magnificent landscapes of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. We explore New and Old Delhi and wander through the architectural masterpieces of the Taj Mahal, Red Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. We visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Koeledeo National Park, and in Jaipur gaze in awe at the exquisite Howa Mahal, wander the Janta Manta Observatory and marvel the wonderful Palace Museum. There is even an optional elephant ride up to the Amber Palace. Northern India is, quite simply, magnificent.

DAY 1 :  ARRIVE DELHI
On arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport we are met and transferred to our Delhi hotel. Overnight Hotel Park or similar [B]

Janpath Market, New Delhi

DAY 2 :  TOUR DELHI
There have been seven cities constructed around Delhi stretching way back into history. The latest was built in the 1920s, designed by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. It rubs shoulders with Moghul Old Delhi and its famous market, Chadni Chowk, and the nearby Red Fort and Jamia Masjid (Friday Mosque); all of which we visit on today's tour. We also visit India Gate, Lok Sabah (Parliament building), Hamayuns Tomb and, if time, Qutub Minar. PM return to the hotel. Overnight Hotel Park or similar [B]

	Rajasthani elegance

DAY 3 :  TRAIN TO AGRA
This morning we wake early and board the Shatabdi Express to Agra (1st class AC chair), where we are met and transferred to our hotel. Agra is the ancient capital of the Moghul Empire and sits astride the slow moving River Yamuna, which flows into the mighty Ganges - Goddess-river of Hindus. On arrival in Agra we deposit our things at the hotel then depart by peddle rickshaw to the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort for a relaxed pace tour. Exquisite in design and beautiful to behold, the Taj Mahal is the world's most famous building. A white marble tomb built by Shah Jehan between 1631 ACE and 1648 ACE for his wife, Arjuman Banu Begum, whose death in childbirth broke the Moghul Emperor's heart. Later, as Shah Jehan lay dying, imprisoned in the Red Fort by his son Aurangzeb, his last wish was to look one more time at the Taj Mahal across the river, a last view of the resting place of his beloved Mumtaz. His manservant proped him up and, using a strategically held mirror (he was almost blind), Shah Jehan's last wish was fulfilled. Following our visit to the Taj Mahal, we drive to the nearby Red Fort. Situated on the west bank of the Yamuna the Red Fort was constructed 65 years before the Taj by Shah Jehans grandfather Emperor Akbar, in 1565 ACE. The impressive red sandstone fort extends for about 2.5 km and is surrounded by a deep moat which was once filled with water from the Yamuna. Though Akbar built it mainly as a military centre, under Shah Jahan's rule the fort became a mini city. Of the several gates, the only one open to public today is the Amar Singh Gate, through which we enter. Among the many impressive monuments within the fort are the Diwan-i-Khas, where the emperor met dignitaries, the Diwan-i-Aam, the Nagina Masjid (a mosque built by Shah Jahan for his harem) and the Moti Masjid. Towards the northeast of the fort is the Musamman Burj, where Shah Jahan peered myopically at the Taj before dying. Overnight Hotel Mansingh Palace or similar [B]

The most beautiful building on earth

DAY 4 :  IN AGRA
Agra is a town best explored on foot. Our hotel is located convenient to the main monuments and the old town. You can stroll through the local market, re-visit the Taj Mahal, explore the funeral ghats on the river, or just soak up Agra's atmosphere in Gandhiji Park. There are also many worthy monuments within a taxi or rickshaw drive, including Sikkandra, tomb of Akbar the Great. Located a few miles along the Bharatpur Road from Agra, Sikkandra is entered through the Buland Darwaza, a gigantic gateway beautifully adorned with huge mosaic patterns inspired by Fatehpur Sikri (which we see tomorrow). The tomb itself is enclosed within calm green gardens populated with monkeys, parrots and the occasional deer. Also within range is the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula, known as the Mini Taj as its architecture was the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. Itmad-ud-Daula is justifiably still famous for its pietra dura (inlay work), despite being dwarfed by the Taj, just over the river. Overnight Hotel Mansingh Palace or similar [B]

	Akbar's Audience Hall, Fatipur Sikri

DAY 5 :  DRIVE BHARATPUR
After breakfast we drive 24 kilometers along the Jaipur road to Fatehpur Sikri, deserted capital of the Mughal Empire. Constructed in honor of the Muslim saint Shaikh Salim Chisti, the Sufi Fakir who prophesized directly to the Emperor Akbar and Queen Jodhabai the birth of their son, Jehangir. Akbar ordered a city to be constructed as the new Mughal capital on Sikri Ridge in Christi's honor. In 1571 ACE construction began. Within a year, most of the work was finished and over the next few years a well planned administrative, residential and religious center had been created. Among the important buildings in the complex is the Tomb of Shaikh Salim Chisti himself, with its huge single-piece latticed marble screens. However, Fatehpur Sikri remained capital for only a short period, abandoned soon after construction due to a fatal dirth of water. We then continue to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bharatpur Bird Sanctury in Keoladeo Ghana National Park, where we check into our hotel. In the evening we embark on a peddle rickshaw excursion into the bird sanctuary. Some 425 species of birds have been recorded in the 29km square park, making it an amazingly dense and diverse bird habitat. The shallow marshy lakes, mature woodland scrub and dry open grassland have created one of a few places in the world where it is possible to see 150 species in a single morning. Best known as the wintering ground of the famous and rare Siberian Crane, who arrive after a marathon 6400 km flight from the Arctic, Bharatpur sanctuary is also inhabited by Sambar, Chital, Nilgai and wild Boar. Your rickshaw peddlers are trained by the park management in bird watching and are quite knowledgeable. This evening, those who wish to may arrange a second excursion into the park for dawn tomorrow directly with your rickshaw driver. Overnight Hotel Udai Villas or similar [B]

Peacock Gate, Jaipur Palace

DAY 6 :  DRIVE JAIPUR
Once the birders and wildlife enthusiasts have returned from their optional dawn rickshaw trip, we take breakfast and depart for Jaipur, capital of the Maharajas. Jaipur is a hustle-bustle of a city with a turbulent history. Ordered painted pink in preparation for a visit of the British Viceroy during the 19th century, Jaipur is nicknamed 'The Pink City' and has retained its pink color ever since. Today, Jaipur remains Rajasthan's most vibrant urban hub. Populated by a cosmopolitan array of businessmen, politicians, old-world imperial characters and by an selection of desert peoples wearing Rajasthan's traditional bright clothing, Rajasthan is India at its most colorful. If the flag flies over Jaipur's City Palace, the Maharaja is in residence and the business of politics is brisk. After a brief rest following check in to our hotel, we depart on our afternoon tour of Jaipur.  Visits include the Janta Manta, City Palace, and Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). Late afternoon return to hotel. Overnight Hotel Samode Havali or similar [B]

	The Maharaja is in residence! Royal Flag flies above Jaipur Palace.

DAY 7 :  TOUR JAIPUR
After breakfast we depart for Amber Palace. Amber is one of Rajput history's most spectacular fortified buildings. Participants will have the option of either walking up to the fort, or paying directly for an Optional Elephant Ride. These regal beasts will slowly amble passengers up to the main gate, where you disembark to explore the labyrinthine passages, chambers, and ornate shrines of the palace. Amber Palace is situated in the town of Amber, the former capital of the Kachhwaha Rajputs, on a hillside overlooking Maotha Lake, 11km from Jaipur on the Delhi-Jaipur road. Its construction was started by Raja Man Singh I, army commander of Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1592 ACE and was completed by Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh, over a period of about two centuries. It is a classic fusion of Mughal and Hindu architecture, built in red sandstone and white marble. Some of the noteworthy architectural marvels in the complex are the Diwan-E-Khas, the Sheesh Maha and the Jai Mandir, with it's exquisite mirror inlay work, the Diwan-E-Aam, the Sukh Niwas, the Shila Mata and Kali Temples, and the Kesar Kyar' garden. Late afternoon return to the hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight Hotel Samode Havali or similar. [B]

DAY 8 :   DRIVE RANTHAMBORE
Today we drive to Ranthambore Tiger Sanctuary. Our route takes us through what can only be termed as the 'real' India. Eighty percent of India's billion or so people live in the countryside. The route we travel through today is well off the beaten track and almost never visited by tourists. We make a point of stopping to wander through villages, buy chai, and chat with locals. Situated in Eastern Rajasthan where the Aravali Hills and Vindhyan plateau meet, Ranthambhore National Park was once the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Jaipur. The River Chambal in the South and Banas in the North bound the Park, and six man-made lakes are the focus of the wildlife. The landscape is dotted with ancient banyan trees, dhok & pipal, clusters of mango trees, but Ranthambore is most famous as one of the best places in the world to observe Tigers, and is a favorite with photographers. The park has a rich diversity of fauna and flora - species include 300 trees, 50 aquatic plants, 272 birds, 30 mammals, 12 reptiles including the Marsh Crocodile, and Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Gazzelle, wild boars, Mongoose, Indian Hare, Monitor Lizards and a large number of birds. The park got its name from Ranthambore Fort, which sits on a rocky outcrop at the heart of the park and dates back to the 10th century. Ranthambore Fort is probably the oldest existing fort in Rajasthan, historically a vital citadel for the control of Central India. On arrival we check into the hotel. Overnight Hotel Nahagargh or similar. [BLD]

PLEASE NOTE: Between July and September Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is closed to the general public. For travel during these months, we visit instead the city of Jodhpur with its mighty fortress.

Safari in Ranthambore

DAY 9 :  TIGER SAFARI
An Indian Tiger Safari traditionally takes place between 06h30 and 09h30 in the morning or between 15h30 and 18h00 in the afternoon - and for good reason. Dawn and dusk are when big cats hunt.  This morning we rise before dawn and, following a welcome cup of tea and biscuits, we depart on our first Tiger Safari of the day. On our return, we take breakfast and a few hours of leisure to swim the hotel pool, explore the neighborhood on foot, or to sleep. Lunch is included at the hotel. In the late afternoon we embark on a second safari to catch the best time of the evening to view tigers. Interestingly, it is not one's eyes one uses to spot tigers, but one's ears. Any and every animal that smells tiger approaching gives its own warning call. To spot a tiger you must first recognize these warning calls and follow their route through the bush with your ears. Only then will you have any chance of using your eyes to spot a tiger. We return after dark for our evening meal at the hotel. Overnight Hotel Nahagarh or similar. [BLD]

DAY 10 :  TRAIN TO DELHI
If the Ranthambore-Delhi train schedule allows us, this morning there may be an opportunity for those who wish to arrange an additional Tiger Safari directly with our guide. (This is not included in the tour cost but can be arranged through your local tour leader. Participants will need to pay for this directly to the local guide and or safari guide.) After the return of those on the dawn Tiger Safari, we take breakfast and then transfer to the railway station to catch our first class AC train to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi we are met and transferred to the hotel. Overnight Park Hotel or similar. [B]

DAY 11 :  SERVICES END
Transfer to airport. Services end.

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Adrian Chalker 1(800)345-4453 C o n t a c t Nilu Jenks 1(800)345-4453