You will arrive at New Delhi's International Airport. Following customs, immigration
formalities and baggage collection, a BHARAT TRAILS representative will meet you at the
arrival hall after which you will be transferred to the hotel for check - in.India's capital and a
major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which
successfully combines in its folds - the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling
skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as
silent reminders to the region's ancient legacy. The first impressions for any visitor traveling
in from the airport are of a specious, garden city, tree-lined with a number of beautiful parks.
You will first visit Old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to
Mahatma Gandhi; drive past the Red Fort continuing to the Jama Masjid one of Asia's
largest mosques The magnificent Red Fort, overlooking the river Jamuna was built during
the years 1638 - 48 when the Moghul Empire was at its peak. Visit Jama Masjid, one of
Asia's largest mosques.
After visiting Old Delhi, you will be driven to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British
left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of
the British and the Mughals respectively. The division in the walled city and New Delhi also
marks the division in the life-styles. The walled city is all tradition where one will be able to
glean a past life-style in all its facets, colours and spells. New Delhi in contrast, is a city
trying to live up to the best of 21st century standards.
The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in
India. Qutub-ud-din Aibak started it in 1199. Pulling down 27 Hindu and Jain temples and
using their columns erected the attached Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque also built by him. The
tour also includes a visit to Humayun Tomb and a drive past the imposing India Gate, the
Parliament building and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President's residence.
Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast you will be driven from Delhi - Agra (approx 210 kms / 04 hrs).
Agra in terms of ambiance is still associated with its Mughal period. The Mughals besides
being great rulers were also great builders and they preserved their best architectural
wonders for Agra & its neighbourhood. It has many wonderful monuments and the Taj
Mahal, the greatest of them all, is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture at its best. The
massive but elegant Agra Fort, the delicate artistry of Itimad-ud-daulah's tomb, the
magnificent Taj and Akbar's deserted capital, Fatehpur Sikri, are each unique and
outstanding.
Later visit to Agra Fort, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture. Agra Fort - the seat
and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This was the seat of
Mughal rule and administration and the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who
erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River.
Shah Jehan added the impressive quarters and the mosque while Aurangzeb added the
outer ramparts.Visit its Hall of Public Audience and its Royal Pavilions.
In the evening when the Sun is about to set, proceed to visit Taj Mahal. Everything that has
been said about it and more. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was
quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built
by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal,
in the mid-17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Though the
Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, it is the close-up marble inlay
work, which is really astounding. You will have ample time to view and be mesmerized by
this outstanding piece of architecture.
Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel.
After a buffet breakfast drive to Ranthambhore (approx 270 Kms / 07 hrs) en-route visiting
Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in gratitude of Muslim saint Sheikh
Salim Chishti.
During 1564 A.D. The emperor seeks the blessing of Sheikh Salim Chisti for a son. When
his son was finally born, he constructed his capital city, an architectural epic in red
sandstone. and named it Fatehpur Sikri. The city was later abandoned due to shortage of
water and unrest in the north-west. The architectural fusion depicted in the buildings has
made it one of the most revered tourist attractions. The beautiful marble tomb of the saint
still attracts thousands who seek blessings. Later continue your drive to Ranthambore.
Near the township of Sawai Madhopur, in the state of Rajasthan, Ranthembore National
Park is an outstanding example of Project Tiger's efforts at conservation in the country. The
forests around the Ranthambore Fort were once the private grounds of the Maharajas of
Jaipur. As a result of the stringent efforts in conservation, tigers, the prime assets of the
Park, have become more and more active during the day. More than in any other park or
sanctuary in India, tigers are easily spotted here in daylight. It is very easy to chance upon a
tiger lolling around lazily in the sun, or feverishly hunting down sambhar around the lakes.
Apart from tigers, you will come across a few panthers too.The other permanent residents of
the park include Marsh crocodiles,hyenas,jungle cats & sloth bears. Sambars are found in
abundance all over the area. The primary target of all predators. Chital,nilgai & chinkara are
the inhabitants of the region. The avian population comprises of black storks,quail’s,
Bonelli’s, eagles, spur fowls, crested serpent & painted strokes. On arrival proceed for
check-in at your hotel
Dinner & Overnight at the hotel
Early in the morning hop on to your canters for game viewing. Morning is the best to spot
maximum wild animals.
After game viewing, return to your hotel for breakfast.
Lunch at the Hotel.
Afternoon again Jungle Safari at the National Park.
Dinner & Overnight at the hotel
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Jaipur (approx. 170 Kms / 04 hrs) and upon arrival check
in at hotel.
Jaipur - The city is located at a distance of around 258 km from Delhi and 232 km from Agra,
making it a part of the famed Golden Triangle tourist circuit of North India. Jaipur got its
name from its founder Sawai Jai Singh (1693-1743), who had the vision to create a
meticulously planned city as his capital. All the houses in the old city are painted pink,
including the famous Hawa Mahal, thereby giving the city its alternative name, the Pink City.
On arrival proceed for check-in at your hotel.
In the evening visit “BIRLA MANDIR” a Hindu temple dedicated to lord Vishnu witnessed
ARATI evening temple ceremony.
Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.
After buffet breakfast you will proceed to visit the capital of Amber to see the fabulous
Amber Fort. An elephant (alternatively by jeeps) will spare you the trouble of reaching up
to the fortress. Once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls.
En-route to Amber Fort you will stop and see the 'Palace of Winds', otherwise known as
Hava Mahal. It is really an elaborate facade behind which the ladies of the court used to
watch the daily goings on in the street below.
In the afternoon, you will visit the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of
exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace
museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armoury, costumes, carpets and miniature
paintings.
Jaipur' Jantar Mantar is the most famous of five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh in
India. Jai Singh was a great admirer of progress and research made in the fields of science
and technology, but he was passionate about astronomy.
Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast proceed to Delhi approx 270Kms/6 hrs
On arrival in Delhi visit Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple. Akshardham Mandir refers
to one of the most iconic and intricately designed Hindu temples, known for its spiritual
significance, grand architecture, and cultural exhibitions. There are two major Akshardham
temples in India. Also make a visit to Lotus temple,is a Bahá'í House of Worship completed
in 1986.Notable for its flowerlike shape, it serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian
subcontinent and has become a prominent attraction in the city.
Dinner & Overnight at the hotel
Breakfast at the Hotel Later in time transfers to the airport in order to board a flight for
Varanasi.Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. In the evening, witness the AARTI ceremony at
the Ghats followed by the Rickshaw ride.
Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.
Very early in the morning you will take a boat ride along the bathing ghats on the Holy River
Ganges. At sunrise the Hindu faithful flock to the river to cleanse themselves of their sins.
You see the cremation ghats and the Deswameedha ghats. To die in Varanasi is to end the
Hindu cycle of re-birth, thereby making it a popular place to end one's life. After sunrise you
will visit some of the temples in the surrounding area.
After sunrise, you will visit Kashi-Vishwanath Temple, the most sacred of shrines dedicated
to Lord Shiva, the patron deity of Varanasi. Reconstructed in the 18th century, its gold
plating on the 'shikaras' was a gift of the one-eyed Sikh king, Maharaja Ranjit Singh; Bharat
Mata Mandir, inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi is a unique temple dedicated to Mother
India. It houses a relief map of India carved out of marble; and some other important
temples.
In the afternoon, proceed to visit Sarnath. Visit the buried Buddhist city of Sarnath, northeast of Varanasi - it is as holy to the Buddhists as Varanasi is to the Hindus. Having
achieved enlightenment as Bodhgaya, Budhha came to Sarnath to preach his message of
the way to Nirvana. Later, Ashoka, the great Buddhist emperor erected magnificent stupas
and monasteries at Sarnath. What is visible today are the ruins of a once flourishing
Buddhist monastery and one can visit a fine museum, which houses an excellent collection
of Buddhist art and sculpture.
Dinner & Overnight at the hotel
In time transfer to the airport to fly for Delhi, upon arrival transit at the airport to fly for onward
