India’s Golden Triangle & Taj & Tigers Tour

● Flight to Delhi with major airline

● Arrive Delhi, begin your fully escorted 8nt tour with a transfer to your Delhi hotel for a welcome meeting, rest of the day at leisure.

● Delhi Old City tour and journey to Agra & Taj Mahal at sunset. Start your day with a visit to Jama Masjid Mosque (c1644), then take a rickshaw ride through the bazaar and spice markets of Chandni Chowk and Khari Baoli. Take a photo stop outside the Red Fort (c1638) then visit Raj Ghat – the memorial to the father of India – Mahatma Ghandi. Then transfer to Agra aboard your air conditioned coach to chek in at your hotel BB) and (time permitting) visit a local artisans art gallery & Workshop. This evening visit the Mehtab Bagh Gardens for your first view of the magnificent Taj mahal as the sun sets. (BB)

● At the break of dawn enjoy a sunrise guided tour of the Taj Mahal. Later in the morning head to the Red Fort of Agra, a UNESCO World Heritage sight and home to the 16th Century Mughal Emperors. Dating back as far as 1080 AD this Red Sandstone fort displays a fusion of Hindu & Islamic influences. Walk with your guide as you learn of the different stories, history, architecture and functions of the inner palace.(BB)

● Journey to Ranthambhore National Park, once the hunting ground of the Maharajas, now a 1400 sq km wildlife reserve and home to the famous Royal Bengal Tigers. Here you check in to your lodge or retreat for 2nts with breakfast, lunch & dinner and your game drives. (B,L,D)

● Today enjoy a morning game drive in open topped jeep (shared basis), with an expert naturalist, returning in the afternoon for lunch, followed by an evening into sunset game drive experiencing all the flora and fauna this spectacular park has to offer. Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, nilgai, wild boar, sambar, striped hyena, sloth bear, southern plains grey langur, rhesus macaque, mugger crocodile and chital can all be found here. (B,L,D)

● After breakfast take a scenic drive to Jaipur (c1727) , the ‘Pink City’ and gateway to Rajasthan.
Time permitting we will visit a local artisans workshop and govt licensed art-gallery for demonstration from carpet master-weavers, genuine pashmina embroiderers, and antique jewellers showcasing the traditional silver craftsmanship of India.
Hotel Check in Jaipur (BB)

● Today join your guide for a heritage tour brief, then visit ancient & picturesque Amer, before enjoying a jeep safari to the walls of the Amber Fortress (16h Century), where magnificent hilltop views combine with UNESCO Heritage amid the many temples, halls and monuments. Afterwards drive to Jaipur centre and take a photo stop outside the Water Palace, Jal Mahal, en route to the Patrika Gates and Jantar Mantar, the ancient celestial observatory dating from 1728. From here we reach the City Palace & Museum of Jaipur before concluding your day with a Bazaar Walk and Tuk Tuk ride through the streets to the Palace of Winds, Hawa Mahal (BB)

● After breakfast today enjoy a scenic tour drive to New Delhi for check in on your final night in Delhi. Explore the 1930’s architectural styles of Lutyens and the British Empire influence on your tour of New Delhi, from the Raj Path Boulevard to the House of Parliament, Connaught Place and India Gate. Visit the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Sikh House of worship and experience the Langar Kitchen, where meals are cooked every day to feed over 10,000, regardless of caste, creed or religion. (BB)