Taj Mahal With Tiger Tour
Places Covered : Delhi - Sariska - Jaipur - Ranthambhore - Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Delhi
Duration : 09 Days - 08 Nights
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi by international flight.
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Check-in time is 12 Noon
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 02 : Delhi
Sprawling on the banks of the river Yamuna, Delhi, the capital of India, typifies the soul of the country. The city conceals within its bosom the remains of a civilization that flourished over the last three thousand years. Since those legendary days, many dynasties and rulers have flourished on its regal soil. The legacy of that past survives in the many monuments left behind by its rulers.
Old Delhi tour covers the Red Fort built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1638 AD, Jama Masijd, the largest mosque in India also built by Shah Jahan, Raj Ghat and Shanti Van -the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and drives past Chandni Chowk, the street of silversmiths in Old Delhi.
New Delhi visit includes Qutab Minar, one of the earliest remains of Imperial Delhi (13th century AD) Humayun's Tomb - the fine monument believed to be forerunner of the Taj Mahal, India Gate, the 42 metre high arch was raised as a memorial to soldiers who died in war, drives past Parliament House, President's House, Secretariat Building, Laxminarayan Temple and Connaught Place.
Day 03 : Delhi - Sariska drive, 200 km/4 hours
On arrival, check-in at Sariska Palace.
Afternoon visit the wildlife Sanctuary
Sariska Tiger Reserve is situated in the northern part of the Aravali hills, nearly 200 kms. From Delhi on the Delhi-Alwar-Jaipur Road. An area of 800 sq. kms, Sariska was declared a sanctuary in 1955 and it became a Tiger Reserve in 1979.
In Sariska, wildlife observation at the water holes is fascinating during the hot days of April, May and June. Water requirements increase and wildlife activities get restricted to the water holes, specially around Kalighati and Slopka. Sambars, chitals, nilgais, chausinghas, jackals, wild boars, langurs etc. visit water holes throughout the day. The tiger appears around dusk or during the silence of the night. Besides leopard, the hyena, jungle cat and wild dog are the other main predators.
Day 04 : Sariska- Jaipur, 10 km/2 hours
Drive to Jaipur, enroute visit Amer Fort. Amer Fort, set in a picturesque location is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Built in the 16th century by Raja Mansingh in red sandstone and white marble, the palace complex has some very interesting apartments. Jai Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Sukh Niwas, Ganesh Pol and Temple of Kali are some of the prominent areas of interest. Elephants are provided to ascend the fort to visit the complex.
Check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon city sightseeing tour.
Jaipur, this city was built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer 260 years ago. Visit the Maharaja's City Palace, the home of the erstwhile royal family, the Observatory, Ram Niwas Gardens, Hawa Mahal or the Palace of winds built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and drive past the historic areas of Jaipur city
Day 05 : Jaipur - Ranthambhore drive, 185 km/4 hours
On arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon jungle safari.
Surrounded by the Vindhyas and the Aravalis, amidst vast, arid and denuded tracts of the desert ecology of Rajasthan, lies the oasis of biomass, the Ranthambhor National Park, spread over an area of 392 sq.kms. of dense forest with nullahs and waterfalls.
The herbivorous population includes chital, sambar, blue bull and chinkara. Sambar deer are the pride of the park. There is no other park in Asia, where these largest of all Asiatic deer can be seen so frequently during the day. Wild boars and langurs are a common sight. Among the reptiles, crocodiles can be seen basking in the sun, near the lakes.
The tiger is the biggest attraction of this park. According to naturalists, Ranthambhore is one of the best parks in the country for observing and photographing the activities of the tiger. Other carnivores in the park include leopard, hyena, jackal, fox, caracal, jungle cat, sloth bear and ratel.
Day 06 : Ranthambhore
Morning and afternoon jungle safari
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 07 : Ranthambhore - Bharatpur drive, 250 km/5 hours
Drive to Bharatpur and on arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon cycle rickshaw ride for bird watching.
Main species found: Siberian crane, cormorant, stork, spoonbill, quail, coot, heron, teal, tern, sambar, chital, blackbuck, wild boar, civet, etc.
One can see colorful kingfishers, graceful pelicans, rare Siberian cranes and trans-continental fliers. Migratory water-fowl are amongst the 375 species of birds found in the Keoladeo National Park. The most spectacular nesting is that of the egrets, storks, herons and cormorants, which make over 10,000 nests every year. This makes the sanctuary one of the outstanding bird havens of the world.
Day 08 : Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra, 50 km
Morning drive to Agra, en-route visit Fatehpur Sikri, 10 km from Bharatpur, on the way to Agra.
Fatehpur Sikri, the birth story of this beautiful city is interesting. There, in a grotto in Sikri, lived a Muslim Saint, Sheikh Salim Chishti by name. Akbar hearing of his renown, asked for the blessings of a son, and when a son was born, not only was the child named Salim, the site for a mighty and ambitious project - a city - was chosen near the residence of the saint erected in 1569. The shortage of water lead to the desertion of this city. Visit the mosque of Salim Chishti, Panch Mahal and other palaces.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 09 : Agra - Delhi, 204 km/4 hours
Morning sightseeing tour of Agra.
Agra, the home of the immortal Taj Mahal, the inimitable poem in white marble is the first expression of love of the Emperor Shah Jahan for his queen Mumtaz Mahal. This great monument was completed in 1653 AD. Agra Fort, the imposing structure on the banks of the river Yamuna is replete with priceless examples of craftsmanship in the Mughal period, including the beautiful pearl Mosque, it was designed and built by Emperor Akbar in 1565 AD. The tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah built between 1622 AD by the Empress Nur Jehan, in memory of her father, Ghias-id-Din Beg., is considered a precursor of the Taj Mahal.
Afternoon drive to Delhi and transfer to the international airport for your return flight, with unforgettable memories of your Taj Mahal and Tigers tour.