DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi

You will be met at Delhi Airport by your driver and transferred to your hotel in this ancient capital of kingdoms and empires that is now a sprawling metropolis.

Delhi's strategic location was one of the main reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power and today it is a conglomerate of seven cities. The division between the old walled city and New Delhi marks a division in lifestyles, with the old city retaining its past traditions whilst New Delhi strives to match the pace of the 21st century.

Day 2: New Delhi & Old Delhi

Today enjoy a full day tour of modern New Delhi and the 17th century walled city of Old Delhi, which came to prominence when Shah Jahan moved his capital here from Agra.

In Old Delhi enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through 300 year old Chandni Chowk market, a maze of lanes crowded with noisy shops selling an extraordinary variety of items and foods, and past the Jamia Masjid (or Friday Mosque), the largest in India, and drive past the imposing walls & battlements of the Red Fort, once the most opulent palace in the Mughal Empire. We continue to the Raj Ghat - the simple but moving memorial on the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.

In the afternoon our tour of New Delhi starts with a visit to the Qutub Minar, an ancient victory tower built of red sandstone and marble in 1199 and still the tallest minaret in India. With its imposing cylindrical towers and surrounding ruins, it is today a World Heritage Site. Our next stop is Humayun's Tomb, the beautiful mausoleum of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, that inspired the Taj Mahal.

We drive along the Rajpath - the capital's broadest avenue - where you will see the imposing arch of the India Gate war memorial, Parliament House, the Rashtrapati Bhavan presidential residence built for the Viceroy of India, and the government buildings on Raisina Hill.

Day 3: Drive to Agra & Taj Mahal

This morning we drive 3.5 hours from Delhi to the ancient city of Agra, set along the banks of the Yamuna River and originally the capital of the Mughal Empire.

Agra is world renowned as the home of the Taj Mahal - that great symbol of love built by emperor Shah Jahan in the 16th century as a memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal.

On arrival we visit the Agra Bear Rescue Facility for 2 hours. This facility provides sanctuary to over 200 orphaned and distressed sloth bears, including many rescued dancing bears.

Afterwards we visit the magnificent white marble Taj Mahal mausoleum that took 22 years to build. Apart from its stunning design and perfect symmetry, it is noted for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best marble inlay work ever done. Sunrise and sunset are particularly good times to visit and see the dome subtly change its colour.

Note: The bear sanctuary visiting times are from 9-11 am, 12-2 pm and 2-4 pm.

Taj Mahal is closed every Friday. You are allowed a maximum of 3 hours at the monument and cannot take in anything except your camera, water and essential medicine.

Day 4: Baby Taj & Agra Fort

This morning ask your guide to take you across the river to view the Taj Mahal at sunrise.

After returning to your hotel for breakfast, we visit the much quieter Itmad-ud-Daulah - fondly known as the "Baby Taj" as this mausoleum, built to honour the grandfather of Mumtaz, was the forerunner of the Taj Mahal.

In the afternoon we visit Agra Fort, a massive structure with walls over 70 ft high and 1.5 miles long that encompasses an astounding collection of well-preserved buildings, many of them completed during the reign of Shah Jahan. After he was deposed by his son, he was imprisoned in this fort where he remained until his death - spending the rest of his life looking out along the river to the final resting place of his beloved wife.

Day 5: Fatehpur Sikri & Jaipur

This morning we travel 1 hour to the magnificent red sandstone royal city of Fatehpur Sikri, built by the emperor Mohammad Akbar as the capital of the Mughal Empire. The city was abandoned due to water shortage, when the capital was moved north to Delhi, and in more recent years the fort has provided a dramatic backdrop to several famous films.

We then drive 4 hours to Jaipur which is the capital of Rajasthan. Check in to your hotel in this chaotic and colourful "Pink City" - home to over 3 million people.

Note: At Fatehpur Sikri there is a short transfer from the car park in a local bus, that will be very full and will not be air-conditioned.

Day 6: Jaipur City Tour & Amber Fort

Today enjoy a tour of the city of Jaipur, which has been declared a World Heritage Site due to its cultural heritage.

Our first stop is to view the magnificent Hawa Mahal (the "Palace of the Winds") designed in the form of the crown of the Hindu god Krishna. This five-storey frontage looks like a bee's honeycomb with 953 small windows, each decorated with intricate latticework so that the court ladies living in secluded purdah could watch royal processions, without being seen themselves. Built of red and pink sandstone, it is particularly striking early in the morning when lit by the sunrise.

We continue to the Amber Fort - another World Heritage Site. This magnificent royal palace was built from pale yellow & pink sandstone and white marble and is divided into four main sections, each with its own courtyard. You will enter via the main courtyard (Jaleb Chowk), where returning armies would display their war booty and women could view them from the veiled windows of the palace. Once inside explore the amazing Palace of Mirrors and Hall of Public Audience.

We then visit the Jantar Mantar Observatory, the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world and also a World Heritage Site. It is the best preserved of five observatories built by Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur. It has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition.

Our day finishes with a visit to the nearby City Palace, the former Royal Residence part of which is now a museum. One of the major attractions here is the armoury with its impressive array of pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers used by the Maharajas of Jaipur. The Textile and Costume Museum on the first floor is another fine display, with items from all over India.

Day 7: Elephant Interaction & Family Dinner

Today you have the opportunity to enjoy an Elephant Interaction, spending 2 to 3 hours up close and personal with Asian elephants cared for by a mahout family.

You can touch and help feed them and learn about elephant decoration, medicines and treatments, before taking a walk with the elephants into the village. During the summer you can also see them being washed.

The balance of your day is free to explore Jaipur with your guide, enjoy some shopping or simply relax and enjoy the facilities of your hotel.

In the evening enjoy the unique experience of dining with a local family, where you will taste spicy Rajasthan food and gain insight into their lifestyle, with different generations living under the same roof.

Note: If you would like to take a gift for your hosts, we suggest flowers. Avoid edible items, because of varying religious and dietary restrictions.

Day 8: Drive to Ranthambore National Park

This morning we travel 4 hours from Jaipur to Sawai Madhopur in southeast Rajasthan.

On arrival say goodbye to your guide, who will drop you off at your lodge situated near Ranthambore National Park. In the afternoon enjoy a private jeep safari in this world famous tiger sanctuary. Originally the hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Jaipur, today it is the largest wildlife reserve in northern India and covers an area of over 250 square miles (400 square km).

Day 9: Tiger Safari

This morning enjoy a private jeep safari in Ranthambore National Park.

Early morning is the best time to see tigers, but be aware that it is extremely difficult to find them in the jungle and sightings are never guaranteed. Best viewings are generally at the end of the dry season (March to May, although it is extremely hot from April onwards), when the tigers search out the waterholes - but you need to take at least 4 game drives for a good chance of a sighting.

Other animals you can hope to see include leopard, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, caracal, civet, desert cat, mongoose, ratel, sloth bear, langur & macaque monkeys, wild boar, palm squirrel, flying fox, porcupine, long-eared hedgehog, marsh crocodile, tortoise and softshell turtle. Also antelope such as sambar deer, chital, nilgai, chinkara and black buck.

In the afternoon return to the park for another game drive. In addition to the many mammals and reptiles, there are over 270 bird species - including eagles, falcons, owls, greylag geese, flamingos, parakeets, fly catchers, bee-eaters, grebe, terns, woodpeckers, hornbills and kingfishers.

Note: You will have a different driver on each jeep safari, as drivers are allocated according to a roster over which we have no control. Whilst some drivers are very good, unfortunately there are some who drive too fast. Speak sternly to your driver if this happens. In the winter months, morning safaris require warm clothes including woolly hats and gloves to protect you from the wind chill in your open vehicle.

Zones 1 to 5 of this tiger reserve are closed during the monsoon season (July to early October), but Zones 6 to 10 remain open.

Day 10: Train to Delhi

This morning transfer to Sawai Madhopur Station to board the express train (air-conditioned chair car) for your 5 hour journey to Delhi.

You will be met at Delhi Station and transferred to your hotel situated near the airport.

Note: To avoid any unnecessary stress, on the train you will be accompanied part of the way by a local helper. Please note he is not a guide and may have limited English. Always be alert for possible theft (e.g. do not wear expensive watches or jewellery and never leave your belongings unattended); do not buy any food or drink from hawkers and know the toilets are likely to be in a poor condition. Because of the very short (2 minute) stops at each station, train travel in India is not recommended for the elderly or those travelling with children.

Day 11: Fly Home

Transfer to Delhi Airport for your flight home.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, and full board whilst on your tiger safari. All transfers, train, park fees and game drives are included. International flights are not included and will be quoted separately.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance. The FCO should also be consulted.