Places to See : Delhi - Sawai Madhopur
- Ranthambore - Jaipur - Bharatpur - Agar - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Katni - Bandhavgarh
- Umaria - Delhi
Duration : 20 Nights / 21 Days
Day 1 : Depart your city
Board international flight to Delhi from your home place. Overnight on board
before you reach the pulsating and activity filled capital: Delhi.
Day 2: Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi very early in the morning. Welcome, meeting and assistance on arrival
by the representatives of nature safari and transfer to the hotel. On arrival,
check into the rooms.
Delhi - the capital of India, is a fascinating city with complexities
and contradictions, beauty and dynamism, where the past co-exists with the present.Delhi-
the commercial hub has many tourist attractions to offer. Visit vibrant shopping
complex of Connaught Place, Delhi Haat for handicraft goods and delicious food
bonanza. Pay a visit to Red Fort and Qutub Minar to view the excellence of Mughal
architecture.
Or just drop in at Janpath- for buying a variety of cheap and best items. If
you are looking for spiritual peace, visit Lotus temple, which is also famous
for its marvelous architecture and heavenly beauty. Take a stroll at Rajpath.
Or pay a visit to India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhawan for viewing monuments made
during British era.
Late morning: proceed on a Combined tour of Old & New Delhi.
The historic Red Fort - Shah Jehan’s elegant citadel in red sandstone, was built
as an octagon measuring 900m by 550m and surrounded by a 9-meter deep moat,
which was at its inception fed by the waters of the Yamuna River. The fort is
entered from the Lahori Gate and leads to a roofed passage called Chatta Chowk.
The Naqqar Khana (drum house) at the end of this passage marks the entrance
to the royal enclosure. A spacious lawn leads to the Diwan-i-Am - the pillared
Hall of Public Audience, Diwan-i-Khas - the Hall of Private Audience where the
emperor met select visitors and the Pearl Mosque built by Shah Jahan’s son,
Aurangazeb, the last of the “Great Mughals”. Drive past the Jama Masjid (Friday
Mosque), India’s largest mosque and the famous bazaars of Chandni Chowk, which
is adjacent to both the Fort and the Mosque.
The other places that will be visited in the day are the Qutab Minar,Jama masjid,
and the like. Welcome Dinner at a nice restaurant in Delhi Overnight in Delhi
Taj Palace/ Qutub Residency.
Day 3: Delhi - Sawai Madhopur - Ranthambore
Morning transfer to the Railway Station to board the train for Sawai Madhopur.
Leave Delhi for Sawai Madhopur and then to the land of the big cat. Meeting
and assistance on arrival at Sawai Madhopur Railway Station and transfer to
hotel in Ranthambore. On arrival, check into the Jungle Resort.
Ranthambore: 
This Park is a jewel in the crown of India`s Tiger Parks and it is situated
in southern Rajasthan. The reserve derives its name from a hill top fortress
dominating the approach to the park. The mixture of historical sites and wildlife
provides magical photo opportunities.The ancient mountain ranges of Aravali
& Vindhya meet here producing a mixture of steep cliffs criss crossing the park.
The varied topography provides a diversity of habitat for animals like the Jackal,
Mongoose, Sloth Bear, Leopard & of-course the Tiger.
The park was declared wildlife sanctuary in 1957 & in 1974 it came under The
Project Tiger. It is the best park for photography because of diurnal behaviour
exhibited by the Tigers, which adapted to the changes brought about by one of
the Park Director.
Nine villages were relocated outside the park by the park Director. The success
of this measure could be calculated by the fact that tigers shed their nocturnal
claok because of far less human encroachment. This resulted in a dramatic increase
in encounters with the Tiger.
Day 4: Ranthambore
Morning and afternoon game drive into the sanctuary by Jeep. Overnight in Ranthambore
TIGER DEN RESORT/ RANTHAMBORE REGENCY.
Day 5: Ranthambore
Morning and afternoon game drive into the sanctuary by Jeep. Overnight in Ranthambore
Tiger Den Resort /Ranthambore Regency.
Day 6: Ranthambore - Jaipur
Morning game drive into the sanctuary as this is the last day at the national
park of Ranthambore.After the adventurous game drive the guests will have to
return to the hotel for freshening up and then we will have to leave for our
next destination of the pink city: Jaipur.
Jaipur - the capital of Rajasthan, is color washed pink - the color associated
with hospitality in Rajput culture. This Pink City of fairy tale palaces, rugged
fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues, is picturesque. The first
planned city of its time, a formidable wall encircles Jaipur. Rest of the day
at leisure for independent activities. Overnight in Jaipur Jai Mahal Palace
/ Alsisar Haveli.
Day 7: Jaipur
Morning : Proceed on an excursion to Amber Fort with Elephant ride up to the
Fort. Drive past Hawa Mahal, known popularly as the Palace of Winds, is a facade
built for the Ladies of the Royal household in the 19th century. The Amber Fort,
the capital of the erstwhile State of Jaipur until 1728 is perched on a hill.
It has halls of Public and Private audience, a Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors)
various marble palaces which are marvelous examples of ancient Rajput architecture.
The Temple of Amba (Mother Goddess), the patron deity of the Royal family is
at the entrance to the palace. Ride an elephant to ascend the hill on which
the Fort is situated.
Afternoon : proceed on a city tour visiting the City Palace - the former royal
residence built in a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal styles which houses a museum
with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armoury of the Mughals and
Rajputs, including swords of different shapes and sizes with ornate handles.
It has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets,
royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and
Sanskrit. Also visit the Jantar Mantar - an astrological and astronomical observatory
built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the 18th century, which is remarkable for its
accuracy even in the present times. Overnight in Jaipur Jai Mahal Palace / Alsisar
Haveli.
Day 8: Jaipur / Bharatpur
Morning drive to Bharatpur (200 kms/ 5 hrs). On arrival, check-in to the room
at the Laxmi Vilas palace.
One of the finest bird parks in the world, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo
Ghana National Park) is a reserve that offers protection to faunal species as
well. Nesting indigenous water- birds as well as migratory water birds and waterside
birds; Sambar, Chital, Nilgai and Boar also inhabit this sanctuary.
Overnight in Bharatpur Laxmi Vilas Palace.
Day 9: Bharatpur
Morning visits the park once again, on a Cycle Rickshaw. Afternoon visit the
Sanctuary to the colonies of the bird species. Overnight in Bharatpur Laxmi
Vilas Palace.
Day 10: Bharatpur / Agra
Morning drive to Agra enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri (15 kms). Fatehpur Sikri.
Sikri was a decrepit little village till the Mughal Emperor Akbar came visiting
in 1568. Despite marrying the Amber princess Jodhabai in 1562, and having over
300 concubines at his beck and call, the monarch was childless. Desperate for
an heir, Akbar visited the saint, Shaikh Salim who was encamping here and who
predicted that Akbar would have a son within 3 years. As fate had willed it,
Jodhabai bore him a son the next year. The emperor named him after the mystic.
Not only that, he decided to move lock stock and barrel to the place and named
it Fatehpur, or the ‘City of Victory’. His military conquest of Gujarat might
also have persuaded him to shift base as must have the local abundance of red
sandstone.
Agra is famous as the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Taj
Mahal. The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces
in Agra is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal empire.
Agra was their capital for nearly a hundred years from 1564. A pleasant town,
with a comparatively easy pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble
and soapstone by artisans who are hereditary crafts persons. The city is also
famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes.
Afternoon: tour of the Taj Mahal - the inimitable poem in white marble. Built
over a period of 22 years, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630, for his
Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains, it is one of the seven modern
wonders of the World. [The Taj is closed on Fridays] Overnight in Agra Trident
/ Jaypee Palace.
Day 11: Agra / Khajuraho
Morning: visit the Agra Fort, built by three Mughal Emperors starting from Akbar
the Great in 1565 AD, which is a masterpiece of design and construction.
Created by the Chandela kings around 925 AD, Khajuraho emerged when the west
was still finding its place in the Sun. The temples are a spectacular feat of
architectural excellence, carved with the roughest of tools, all within the
span of a hundred years. There were 85 temples in all, portraying the zest for
life of the people. The elaborate carvings depict spirituality, love, music,
and dance, hunting and feasting. Today, 22 temples survive. Khajuraho has achieved
fame for the sensual appeal of the erotic sculptures. But, these form only part
of the wealth of the site that depicts everyday life of the people and the court
in the 10th and 11th centuries.
Architecturally the temples have some unique features. They stand on high platforms
and do not have the customary enclosure. Each temple has a large number of spires
in ascending order representing man's aspirations towards spiritual goals. The
sculptures describe the moments of truth, amazement and bliss in which one forgets
everything and surrenders completely to spiritual emotion. And this wonder is
the elusive theme of the temples at Khajuraho.
Afternoon: visit the Western Group of temples. The Kandariya Mahadeo temple
of the Western group is the largest, dedicated to Shiva. The main shrine is
exquisitely carved and features, in delicate detail, gods, goddesses, celestial
maidens and lovers. Also visit the Chaunsat Yogini temple dedicated to Kali
and Chitragupta temple dedicated to the Sun-god Surya. Overnight in Khajuraho
Trident.
Day 12: Khajuraho / Varanasi
Morning: visit the Eastern and Southern group of temples. The Parsvanath temple
of the Eastern group is the group’s largest Jain temple. The themes depict,
in charming detail, everyday activity. Also visit the Duladeo temple dedicated
to Shiva and the Chaturbhuj temple of the Southern group.
Afternoon transfer to the airport to board the flight for Varanasi. Leave Khajuraho
for Varanasi by 9W: 724 (1405 / 1445 hrs ) Meeting and assistance on arrival
at Varanasi airport and transfer to the hotel. On arrival, check-in to the room.
Varanasi on the banks of the great Ganges and in between the Varuna and the
Assi streams. One of the most ancient Indian cities Varanasi or Benaras embraces
millions of devotes annually. Join the group of Hindus and Buddhists who frequently
flock to their religious center. Explore the center of education, religion,
art and culture from times immemorial. Visit the temple dedicated to Mother
India besides the Durga temple and the Tulsi Manas temple. The observatory of
Jantar Mantar and the oldest university of north India namely the Benaras Hindu
University are worth paying a visit. A holiday destination with gharanas of
Indian classical music, an art form as popular as the ghats, is awesome.
Day 13: Varanasi
Early morning: Take a boat ride at dawn down India's most sacred river, The
Ganges. Sun rise at the holy river is a truly tranquil and breath taking sight
with pilgrims standing waist-deep in water, praying to the rising Sun. Past
these bathing ghats, see the "burning ghats" where the Hindus cremate their
dead. This is done with great religious fervour that makes for a moving experience.
On your return walk through the streets of the old city. See the famous Vishwanath
temple with its spires covered with gold, dedicated to Shiva, the presiding
deity of the city.
Return to the hotel for Breakfast.
Visit the Benaras Hindu University founded in 1916 and its famous Museum - Bharat
Kala Bhavan which houses one of the finest collection of Mughal miniature paintings
and brocade textiles. The Bharat Mata and Durga Temple.
Afternoon: Proceed on an excursion to Sarnath - The place where the Buddha turned
the “Wheel of Law” and delivered His First Sermon. See the Chowkandi and Dhamek
Stupas, the ruins of 9th and 10th century monasteries and temples, the temple
built by the Mahabodhi Society in 1931, and the Tibetan Temple. Visit the famous
Sarnath Museum. Overnight in Varanasi Taj Ganges / Hindustan Int'l.
Day 14: Varanasi / Katni / Bandhavgarh
Morning transfer to the Railway Station to board the train for Katni. Leave
Varanasi for Katni by Howrah Mumbai Mail ( 0830 / 1557 hrs ) Carry packed lunch
from the hotel. Meeting and assistance on arrival at Katni Railway Station and
transfer to the Forest Lodge in Bandhavgarh (95 Kms). On arrival check-in at
the Jungle Resort.
Bandhavgarh is a National Park with a very long history. Set among the Vindhya
hills of Madhya Pradesh with an area of 168sq miles (437sq kms) it contains
a wide variety of habitats and a high density of game, including a large number
of Tigers. This is also the White tiger country. These have been found in the
old state of Rewa for many years. Maharaja Martand Singh captured the last known
in 1951. This white Tiger, Mohun is now stuffed and on display in the Palace
of Maharaja of Rewa.
Prior to becoming a National Park, the forests around Bandhavgarh had long been
maintained as a Shikargarh, or game preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa. The Maharaja
and his guests carried out hunting - otherwise the wildlife was well protected.
It was considered a good omen for Maharaja of Rewa to shoot 109 tigers. His
Highness Maharaja Venkat Raman Singh shot 111 Tigers by 1914.
With over 35 kinds of mammals, 250 species of birds, 111 species of butterflies,
16 kinds of snakes, 500 kinds of plants and many more trees and shrubs it undoubtedly
has a very rich flora and fauna. Judge for yourself and take a drive through
the park and be convinced! Forget the Tiger! Forget the Chital herds and forget
the Sambar! Just let the sky above and the earth below enchant you! It will.
It does! The vibrant and luxuriant Jungles of Bandhavgarh has its own poetry
to recite as you "Let Go" and allow your senses to let the language of nature
sink in. No doubt the famous Saint of 16th century Kabir spent years atop Bandhavgarh
Fort meditating.
Day 15: Bandhavgarh
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the Lodge. Morning and afternoon game drive into
the sanctuary by Jeep/ Elephant.
The Forest Department has devised an ingenuous system of tracking the tiger
at this Park. Every day, early in the morning, elephants and their "Mahouts"
(drivers) are sent out into the jungle, in search of the Tiger. Once it has
been sighted, a radio message is flashed to the Forest Ranger, who in turn informs
the visitors in their jeeps, who are then taken on elephant-back, into the bush,
to see the elusive Tiger. Overnight in Bandhavgarh Tiger’s Den Resort.
Day 16: Bandhavgarh
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the Lodge. Morning and afternoon game drive into
the sanctuary by Jeep/ Elephant Overnight in Bandhavgarh Tiger’s Den Resort.
Day 17: Bandhavgarh
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the Lodge. Morning and afternoon game drive into
the sanctuary by Jeep/ Elephant Overnight in Bandhavgarh Tiger’s Den Resort.
Day 18: Bandhavgarh / Umaria / Delhi
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the Lodge. During your stay in Bandhavgarh, arrangements
will also be made to visit the local villages and the Tala School. A visit to
the Bandhavgarh Fort will also be arranged with picnic lunch.
Morning game drives into the sanctuary by Jeep/ Elephant. Evening transfer to
Umaria Railway station (45 kms/ 1½ hrs) to connect the train for Delhi. Carry
packed Breakfast from the hotel. Leave Umaria for Delhi by Utkal Kalinga Express
leaving Umaria at 2242 hrs. Overnight enroute On Board the Train.
Day 19: Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi at 1330 hrs. Meeting and assistance on arrival with the representatives
of the company at Hazrat Nizam-uddin Railway Station and transfer to the hotel.
On arrival, check-in to the rooms. Rest of the afternoon at leisure for independent
activities. Evening Visit an Indian home and participate in some specially planned
activities. Overnight in Delhi Park Royal / Qutub Residency.
Day 20: Delhi
Full day free for shopping, packing and independent activities for the guests.
Evening: FAREWELL DINNER at a nice restaurant. After Dinner, transfer to the
Airport to board flight back home. ( Rooms may be retained till departure for
airport)
Day 21: Leave Delhi
Leave Delhi for your respective cities.
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