This amazing adventure through historic India takes us to some of the glorious country's most exciting sights. On our fascinating journey we discover thriving cities, spectacular Historical forts & Palaces, Museums, Frescoes & Semi of heritage and have the chance to see a tiger in the wild
Arrive Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. Meet our representative at the airport & depart for hotel by air conditioned vehicle.
Delhi stands as the capital of Modern India. Here you can see the mingling of the Old and New India, the ancient and the modern. Delhi is made up of seven ancient cities, spanning the period from the 11th to 20th centuries. Delhi has seen the rise and fall of many emperors, which have left behind a plethora of monuments that commemorate the grandeur and glory of bygone ages. Very few cities in the world can express such a profusion of architectural styles.Overnight stay at hotel.
Morning visit to New Delhi was designed and built by the British in the 1920's - it's a city of wide boulevards impressive Government buildings, green parks and gardens. In 1911 King George V announced the transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi. The King's architects, Lutyens and Baker, set in motion the Design and construction of Delhi's eight cities - New Delhi. Lutyens designed an "Imperial City" having palatial-sized buildings set amid broad tree-lined avenues punctuated by Mughal style gardens, complete with fountains and shallow pools. It took 20 years to complete this immense undertaking only to have the British pack up and relinquish the subcontinent in 1947.
You will visit the monuments from Delhi's past & known as two of the 26 World Heritage sites of India - Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar. Your drive takes you along the ceremonial avenue, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the Indian president
Afternoon visit to Old Delhi - an ancient walled city, Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1650 switched the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi; We take rickshaw ride through the narrow streets of towards Chandni Chowk- which gives us an incredible and authentic insight into the real, everyday lives of the millions of people who live in the city, you will be immersed in real India - surrounded by people, sounds and smells as we squeeze past vegetable carts and impromptu market stalls, avoiding delivery men carrying boxes on their heads. We duck underneath Sari displays and ride through the fragrant steam of street-side food stands and restaurants. Here you will see Red Fort, (Lal Qila) the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire. The fort is Shah Jehan's symbol of power and elegance, built behind red sandstone walls. Its main gate (Lahore Gate) faces Chandni Chowk, the perpetually congested avenue heading west from the Red Fort, is filled with twisting lanes, small streets and crowded bazaars. If you peer through a portico you may see a man getting shaved, silver being weighed, or any other conceivable form of intense commerce.Overnight stay at hotel
Morning we take southbound Gatimaan Express at 08.10 hrs arrive Agra at 09.50 hrs. you will be meet by our representative at station transfer to hotel. Agra - at the time of the Mughals, in the 16th & 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of the grand Mughal Empire. During this period the city became a leading centre of art, science, commerce and culture. Akbar the Great made Agra great. The city's origins are dim but Akbar's grandfather Babur is credited with Agra's founding.
Today visit to Itmad-ud-Daulah built by Empress Noor Jehan in the memory of Her Father. Horse cart ride to take you near the Taj gate and Enjoy the Magnificent Taj Mahal – The Monument of Love in the warm glow of Sunset, which was built in 1630 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631, and is believed to have taken 18 years to complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working around the clock. The design and construction is said to be that of the legendary architect, Ustad Ahamad Lahori. What makes the Taj Mahal unique is its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, medium of construction and ornamentation. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. It is impossible to visualize the Taj Mahal in any surrounding others than its paradoxical garden. Paradise, in Islam, is visualized as a lush garden where running streams flow. When the Mughals brought this concept to India they elevated it to heights of Incomparable artistry.
As you will drive through the city witness the local life and bazaars (markets) and the hustle bustle of everyday India. Agra is famous for Marble Items. Overnight stay at hotel.
After breakfast country side drive to Ranthambore en route to Ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri the deserted red sandstone city that was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital Ponder the mysterious desertion of this capital city that was dramatically abandoned a few years after it was built. It was a veritable fairy tale city and its 'ruins' are still in a pristine condition. It is not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur of Shah Jehan, mastermind of the unforgettable Taj Mahal. Later proceed to Ranthambore National Park: Rajasthan’s first Project Tiger Reserve spread over in an area of 392 sq. kms and named after a 1000 year old fort which stands in the park. This is the state’s most well-known tiger reserve under Project Tiger. Home of an expansive variety of other animals in its area, one can spot sambar, cheetal, wild boar, leopard, sloth bear, jackal, hyena among others. Artificial lakes, dense forests and the shield of the Aravallis have helped to make this park very impressive and interesting Overnight stay at hotel.
Morning 3 hours Jeep safarideep into the Jungle to see the Tiger and Leopard, the main predators found in this reserve. Hyena & Jackal are the Scavengers. Sloth Bear and Wild Bear are the main carnivores. The main herbivores found in this Park are Spotted Deer, Sambhar Deer, Nilgai (Bluebell) antelope, Chinkara (Indian gazelle) and the common langur.
After breakfast drive to Jaipur - once the capital of Rajasthan province, "the abode of rajahs." Everywhere you will see the monuments of its Rajput rulers. It has the distinction of being a well-planned and laid out city. As you drive through the old part of town, you will witness a life most unlike others. Witness how the city blooms during the day in a kaleidoscope of color and sound. Jaipur is one of the main centers for shopping in India -- especially with regard to textiles, Jewellery, stones carpets, etc.Afternoon visit to Sanganervillage situated of outskirt of Jaipur Look at the teeming Jain temple from the 17th century and visit the traditional wood block printing, tie and dye fabric, paper factory and blue pottery that make the reputation of the craftsmanship of the city rose. Overnight stay at hotel
After breakfast, Journey back in time at deserted 17th century fortress of Amber Fort. 11 Kms. from Jaipur, Amber Fort is a marvelous example of Rajput architecture with its terraces and ramparts reflected in the Maota Lake below. Go up the fort on the back of a gaily-caparisoned elephant true to the style of the Maharajas of the past. The interiors of the fort have various royal halls decorated with intricate ivory, mirror and glasswork complemented by exquisite wall paintings. As you move between the rooms of this magnificent structure you will feel the history and visualize the pomp and grandeur of a kingdom never conquered. Also stand front of Jal Mahal (water palace) for Photography
Afternoon venture back into the city tour: Visit the City Palace Museum where you can see an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal Art. The museum is resplendent with its collection of robes of royal princes, carpets, an armory of old weapons, miniature paintings portraying court scenes, battle scenes and processions, Also visit the awe inspiring Jantar Mantar (an accurate observatory built in 1726 AD). Also included is a photo visit at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) - a five storied wonder with a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes and spires. Overnight stay at hotel.
After breakfast travel to the town of Patan, on arrival, we are transferred by camel cart to the Patan Mahal Palace Hotel. Built around 1790, shortly after the battle of Badal- Mahal, the Patan Mahal Palace has been lovingly turned into a heritage hotel, this afternoon we enjoy a guided walking tour of Patan town, a wonderful opportunity to see life in an unspoilt rural Indian town, a world away from the hustle and bustle of the big Indian cities. There is then the opportunity to continue to Badal Mahal, an 800-year old palace, where we can admire the stunning views of the town and the surrounding mountains. Dinner at hotel, Overnight stay at hotel
After breakfast we departure for Delhi to take the connected flight for Hyderabad– often called the gateway to the South Indian identities, yet, from both it has developed a distinct personality of its own. Today city sightseeing of Charminar, Mecca Masjid, Jami Masjid, Sri Venkateswara Temple, Hussain Sagar, Golconda Fort and Qutab Shah Tombs.
Morning drive to Gulbarga – a Hindu city before the Muhammadan conquest, Gulbarga is a unique synthesis of two cultures. Afternoon start your tour in Gulbarga with the Fort built by Raja Gulchand and later strengthened by Ala – ud – din Bahamni, the fort has 15 towers and 26 guns, one of them measuring 25 feet in length. Inside the fort is the Jumma Masjid fashioned on the lines of the great mosque of royal tombs. The most important monument in Gulbarga is probably the Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah. The tomb of the great Sufi Saint, Khwaja Syed Mohammad GesuyDaraz. This magnificent building in the Indo-Saracenic style is the venue of an annual urus, attended by nearly one hundred thousand people, both Muslims and Hindus. Also worth seeing are Sultan Hassan’s tomb, the tomb of Ghias-ud-din, the fine mausoleum of Feroze Shah and his family. Overnight stay.
After breakfast drive to Bijapur upon arrival check in hotel. Later sightseeing of Bijapur – think of Bijapur and the first thing that comes to mind is the Gol Gumbaz the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah. Gol Gumbaz boasts of the second largest dome in the world. 44 meters in diameter, this dome forms a highly sensitive echo chamber. On the western outskirts of the city lies the mausoleum of Ibrahim Adil Shah II – Ibrahim Roza, said to have inspired the Taj Mahal in Agra. Embracing 1, 16,300 square feet is the Jumma Masjid – one of the finest mosques in India. Here in a beautiful mihrab – covered by a heavy curtain are verses of the Quran, beautifully inscribed in letters of gold. Malik-e-Maidan the largest medieval cannon in the world – is fourteen feet long, weighing about 55 tons. Afzal Khan’s Cenotaph, the Amin Durgah, TheJod Gumbaz.
After breakfast a scenic journey by road from Bijapur to Badami en route visit to Pattadakal 29 kms away from Badami An escarped visit to nearly Pattadakal - a world heritage center, it has 10 major temples representing early chaluyan architecture, where coronations took place and where most of the temples were built between the 7th and 9th centuries. The Virupaksha, Malikarjuna and join Temples are quite marvelous to behold included is a visit to Aihole which is 46 kms away from Badami where the Hindu temples architecture can be seen in its embryonic stage -50 temples within the fort wall and 50 outside.
Badami set in beautiful countryside’s of the four of a red sandstone ridge the small rural town of Badami was once the capital of the Chalukya Empire which covered much of central Deccan between the 4th and 8th centuries Badami, renowned for its 4 ancient rock-cut Caves, replete with carved pillars and bracket figures, all hewn out of red sandstone on the precipice of a hill. The largest of them is the third cave, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The first sculptural embellishment to dazzle the eye is the 18-armed Nataraja, striking 81 dance poses, in the first cave. Overlooking the caves is the Agastya Theertha Tank, its banks dotted with a cluster of Bhutanatha temples. Overnight stay in Badami.
Revisit Hampi – the 14th century capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire lies in the Deccan Heartland, in the state of Karnataka. The ruins spread over an area of more than 26 sq. kms. Protected by the tempestuous rive Tungabhadra in the north and by rocky granite ridges on the other three sides. A terrain such as this was excellent for a capital city that needed to be vigilant and spend a further day in the heart of the lost empire. Explore Hampi at your own pace. Its monuments- like its centuries- old patience & wisdom- most be savored bit by bit. Overnight stay at Hospet.
Early Morning transfer to station to board the train for Goa this train reach Goa in the afternoon upon arrival check in for rest and relaxed at beach side resort. Overnight stay.
Say good bye to this fascinating land and transfer to airport to board the flight for onward destination.
Laundry, Insurance, Indian Visa, Hard drink, Tips, Telephone Calls, Hard Drinks Still & Video Camera fees in Monuments and Expenses like Personal Nature