Taj, Tigers & Temples Tour - 12 Days @ $720
Delhi – Jaipur – Ranthambhore – Agra – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Delhi
From the ancient Hindu temples to fascinating Mughal architectures to the tiger’s pug marks in Ranthambhore, this tour will give you mixture of Indian history and culture.
Day 1-2: Delhi
Our representative will receive you on arrival at the airport in Delhi and will take you to your hotel.
New Delhi the capital of India is one of the most charming & happening place in the world. With thousands of sightseeing places like India Gate, Red fort, Jama Masjid and of course The Connaught Place. This city has been beautifully planned with extra greenery to suite your eyes! Delhi is surely the travelers delight.
Activities: Our full day tour of Delhi will highlight the remarkable contrast between Old and New Delhi. We will visit iconic historical monuments like Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, and the Jama Masjid which is also the largest mosque in Asia. Form the mosque we will take a ride in Rickshaw to absorb the sights and sounds of the famous Chandani Chowk market in the heart of Old Delhi.
We will also visit the Gandhi memorial at Raj Ghat, India Gate, Lotus Temple, Presidents residence, National Museum and modern wonders such as the Akshardham Temple.
Qutub Minar
DDay 3-4: Delhi – Jaipur
By road in 5 hr. (240 Km)
Jaipur the largest city in the state of Rajasthan is rich in heritage, culture and architecture with splendid forts, palaces, temples and beautiful quiet havelis. Apart from these captivating attractions, Jaipur also shows exquisite craftsmanship and stunning jewelry. These intricate artwork give life and color to the uniqueness of this pink city. In addition, the serenity of lush gardens and floral variety gives us a fabulous scenery.
Activities: We will begin our Jaipur excursion with a ride on decorated elephants to visit the Amber Fort Palace, a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu style of architecture. Later, back in the city we will visit the City Palace, Hawa Mahal (the Palace of the Winds), Jantar Mantar – world’s largest stone observatory and the Birla Temple. In the evening, explore the Old City of Jaipur and visit Choki Dhani to enjoy an exuberant Folk Dance performance and a puppet show.
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
Day 5-6: Jaipur – Ranthambhore
By road in 3 hr. (140 Km)
Ranthambhore is one of the largest National Parks of India listed in the Category II of IUCN. Ranthambhore is renowned primarily for the tigers! You can have a thrilling watch of these predators here and that too in action...! Other animals that will attract your attention here include Leopard, Nilgai, and Wild boar, Sambar, Hyena and Chital.
Reptile’s species are also in plenty. One can also visit Ranthambhore fort which lies nearby the entrance to the National Park.
Activities: Morning and afternoon jeep safaris to the Ranthambhore National Park.
Tiger safaris to the Ranthambhore National Park
Day 7-8: Ranthambhore – Agra
By road in 5 hr. (255 Km)
Agra “the love city”, “the wonder city” or the “Taj city” whatever you call- it mean the same, the wonder of the world – The great Taj Mahal, which is perhaps the world’s largest token for love. Visit the massive structure master piece to explore the white marble mausoleum which is the pinnacle of architecture. Apart from Taj Mahal, Agra also has some other place of attraction like Agra Fort and Buland Darwaja.
Activities: Here we will enjoy the visit (at sunrise and sunset) to the legendary Taj Mahal, built as a memorial to the wife of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. We will also see the Red Fort, where Shah Jahan spent the last few years of his life after being imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb and Itmad-ud-daulah, at times also known as the “Baby Taj”. People also say that the interiors of this tomb are better than that of Taj Mahal.
While driving from Ranthambhore to Agra, we will visit Fatehpur Sikri which is also one of the best preserved collections of Mughal architecture in India. The finest example is the Buland darwaja which is stupendously made entrance gate to a mosque. We can also visit the Tomb of Salim Chisti which is a white marble encased tomb of Sufi saint Salim Chisti.
Angela and Jesus during Taj Mahal visit
Day 9: Agra – Jhansi
By train
Jhansi – Orchha – Khajuraho
By road in 4 hr. (175 Km)
En route visit to Orchha where we can witness the magnificence of the ancient India. We will visit Ram Raja Temple, Jahangir Mahal and Chaturbhuja Temple which makes Orchha noteworthy.
Khajuraho Its name comes from the word Kajur in Hindi language which means 'date palm". Here we can see the largest set of Hindu temples of the country, famous for their erotic sculptures (famously known as Kama Sutra). The entire area is walled, with eight doors that allow the entrance to the complex. Each one of these doors is flanked by two palm trees. Originally there were about 80 temples of the remaining 22 in a good state of preservation.
The temples were built in a space of time of about a hundred years, between the 950 and the 1050 and are considered by UNESCO as World Heritage Site.
Activities: We will visit the Western and Eastern group of temples which contains sculptures of lovers and women playing various musical instruments or performing actions such as make-up or bathing, temples decorated with erotic sculptures. See a giant statue of Lord Vishnu at the Chaturbhuja Temple.
In the evening we will enjoy the Light and Sound Show in the temple complex.
Travel Astu group enjoying Khajuraho trip
Day 10-11: Khajuraho – Varanasi
By flight
One of the most ancient cities of the world often referred to as the ‘Spiritual Capital of India’, Varanasi is just abode of Gods. Located on the bank of holy river Ganga, religious souls from all over the globe gather here to take a holy dip into its sacred water. There are hundreds of ‘Ghats’ (embankments) there on which rituals are performed every evening. The mystifying spiritual essence in the air will surely make your mind pious and afresh.
Activities: We will enjoy an early morning boat ride on the Ganges following with visits to various temples on the Ghats. Later we will visit the BHU (the biggest university campus in Asia) and Bharat Kala Bhawan.
In the afternoon we will visit Sarnath, the place where the legendary Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma. You can also call it a “monument city”, as from the periphery to the center, Sarnath is full of magnificent architectural masterpieces. Murals [wall paintings] are just visual treats!
Varanasi City and River Ganga
Day 12: Varanasi – Delhi
By flight
On our arrival in Delhi we will visit the famous Dilli Haat, an exotic and very picturesque bazaar with big variety of art & crafts from different parts of the country all together at one place. Here you will get a variety of things ranging from carved sandalwood, handlooms, jewelry, craft metals etc. If you have forgotten to take some souvenir from India for any of your friends or family, then this is the place.
As per your international flight schedule you will be transferred to airport for flight back home.
Tour ends!!
