TAJ, TIGERS & GOA

Duration : 12 Days

Delhi - Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Bharatpur - Ranthambore - Jaipur - Goa - Delhi

Day 01 : Delhi
Arrive Delhi in the evening. Transfer to Hotel by private vehicle. The capital of modern India, Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between New & Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals of the British & the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront the city's past.

Day 02 : Delhi
After breakfast, full day city tour of Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India ; the massive 17th century Red Fort ; walk through the colourful bazaars of Chandni Chowk. Rajghat, memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Drive past India Gate - a war memorial, President's House & the Parliament. Visit the UNESCO Word Heritage Sites : Humayuns Tomb : built in mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture ; Qutub Minar, at 120 meters, is the tallest brick minaret in the world. The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple.

Day 03 : Delhi - Agra (203 kms., 04 hrs.)
After breakfast, drive to Agra. Arrive Agra, check-in at prebooked hotel.

Afternoon, sightseeing of Agra. Visit the highlight of the day, The Taj Mahal, which was constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction of the Taj began in 1631 and was not completed until 1653.

Visit the impressive Agra Fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences amongst many other beautiful structures.

Day 04 : Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Bharatpur (55 kms.)
Bharatpur - Ranthambore (Train : Jan Shatabdi : 1550 - 1892 hrs.)
After breakfast, drive to Bharatpur enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri : built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the Mughals, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its original glory.

Visit the Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary or-as many people prefer to call it-the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Bharatpur hosts a variety of bird species from across the globe. Close to 380 species of birds are found in this 29 sq km stretch, approximately 10 sq km of which comprises of marshes and bogs. Rest of the area comprises of scrublands, grasslands and more than 44,000 trees that are used for nesting by birds each year. This rather intriguing blend of marshes, woodland and flora found here represents and, at the same time, substantiates the density and diversity of the region's forest cover.

Transfer to Bharatpur railway station to board Jan Shatabdi Express scheduled to depart at 1550 hrs. for Sawai Madhopur. (Train does not operate on Sunday). Arrive Sawai Madhopur at 1802 hrs., transfer to prebooked hotel.

Day 05 : Ranthambore
Morning and afternoon, Jungle Safari to witness the wild life. The Park contains a huge variety of animals, birds and reptiles within it. Primarily the population consists of... Animals : Tigers, Leopards, Striped Hyenas, Sambar deer, Chital, Nilgai, Common or Hanuman langurs, Macaques, Jackals, Jungle cats, Caracals, Sloth bears, Black bucks, Rufoustailed Hare, Indian Wild Boar, Chinkara, Common Palm Civets or Toddy cat, Coomon Yellow Bats, Desert Cats, Fivestriped Palm Squirels, Indian False Vampires, Indian Flying Foxes, Indian Foxes, Indian Gerbilles, Indian Mole Rats, Indian Porcupines, Longeared Hedgehogs, Ratels, Small Indian Mongoose, Small Indian Civets and Common mongoose. The amphibian species only consist of the Common India Toad and the Common Frog. The park is most famous for it's diurnal tigers. The park also has a large number of marsh crocs Reptiles: Snub Nosed Marsh Crocodiles, Desert Monitor Lizards, Tortoise, Banded Kraits, Cobras, Common Kraits, Ganga Soft Shelled Turtles, Indian Pythons, North Indian Flap Shelled Turtles, Rat Snakes, Russel's Vipers, Saw-scaled Vipers and the Indian Chamaeleon

Day 06 : Ranthambore - Jaipur (175 kms., 4 hrs. drive)
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur, the capital city of the state of Rajasthan also know as "Pink City" owes its name, its foundation and planning to the great warrior astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II. The city of Jaipur has broad avenues. The city sits on a dry lake bed in a wild and somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by fortresses and crenellated walls. Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 07 : Jaipur
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort enroute witness the façade of Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds which was built in 1799. Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the state until 1727 when Jai Singh decided to move from his hillside fortress at Amber to new site on the plains. The construction of this fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar's army. The fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake which reflects its terraces and ramparts. Visit the Jagmandir or the hall of victory glittering with mirrors, Jal Mahal & temple of Kali. Ascend on elephant back, the hill, on which the fort is situated.

Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the Jantar Mantar, the observatory built by Jai Singh in 1728; the City Palace which is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. It also has a museum with an extensive collection of art, carpets, paintings, enamel ware and weapons dating back to the 15th century.

Day 08 : Jaipur - Goa (Flight : 9W-2383 : 0820 - 1230 hrs.)
Morning, transfer to the airport to board flight for Goa. Seductively laid-back, Goa is India-meets-Portugal, a recipe of whitewashed churches, fish curry, markets, yoga, a colonial state capital and the Arabian Sea. The white sands, crystal-clear waters and swaying palm trees make the region very enchanting. A colourful and welcoming place, this distinctive west coast state is known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’. It revels in its party-paradise reputation during its countless festivals, not to mention the bars and clubs that throb with music after sunset. Arrive Goa, transfer to prebooked Hotel.

Day 09 : Goa
Day at leisure.

Day 10 : Goa
Day at leisure.

Day 11 : Goa
Day at leisure.

Day 12 : Goa - Delhi/Mumbai (Flight)
Morning, transfer to the airport to board flight for Delhi/Mumbai. Arrive Delhi/Mumbai, transfer to the international airport to board onward/return flight.