Taj Tiger & Palaces

Arrive in Delhi. Your private luxury India Taj Mahal Tour starts here in Delhi. Meet and greet at airport. Transfer to hotel. Delhi is the capital of India, and it`s also the travel hub of northern India. Discover the inner peace of a city rich with culture, architecture and human diversity, deep with history and totally addictive to epicureans. Overnight at Claridges Hotel

Breakfast. Travel to Haridwar and check into hotel. After arriving proceed to an evening arti by the Ganges. An arti is a Hindu devotional song sung to show the highest love for God. In Sanskrit “Aa” means “towards”, and “rati” means “the highest love for God”. Overnight at hotel.After breakfast, we depart for Old Delhi Heritage and Food Walking Tour, as seen in Sydney Morning Herald. Delhi has been the seat of power through multiple civilisations and dynasties through centuries. Yet, the last seat of the Mughal Empire, that exists in the form of Old Delhi today, remains the most fascinating. Colourful, vibrant, noisy and chaotic, Shahjahanabad, as it was known back then, was named after the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan at the peak of the Mughal supremacy over India. As you walk, you discover hidden gems of the nearly 370 year old city, where religious shrines co-exist with trading houses. Gaze upon traditional Havelis (mansions), explore the maze of streets where once royalty descended and learn the quaint stories of market alleys. The fragrance of spices can be exhilarating for your senses in the boisterous Spice market, one of Asia’s largest but you can also be dazzled by the glitter of India’s largest jewellery and wedding markets! (Weekly off is Sunday). We go up the 360 year old steps of the majestic JamaMasjid, India’s 2nd largest Mosque and one of the finest examples of mosque architecture in the world. The food lifestyle with its rich and varied heritage that owes its origins both to the original inhabitants and invaders alike is one of the star attractions. Be it the filling samosa, crispy kachori or the hot halwas, its all in a day’s fun. We`ll also drive past President’s House, Parliament House, Government Secretariat buildings and Connaught Place. Overnight at Claridges Hotel.

Morning breakfast. Morning visit to the Qutub Minar. Later visit the Crafts Museum with the rest of the day on your own.

Breakfast. After Breakfast, transfer by surface to Agra. Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal, described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, has become the de facto tourist emblem of India. Evening visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains Overnight at Jaypee Hotel

Morning breakfast. After Breakfast. Depart for Ranthambhore National ParkThe Ranthambhore National Park stretches across an area of 1,334 sqkm on the eastern edge of the Thar Desert. Once the hunting grounds of the erstwhile ruling family of Jaipur, today it is one of the last sanctuaries of the big cat, the Royal Bengal Tiger. Ranthambhore is the favourite haunt of wildlife buffs and professional wildlife photographers from around the world who come to see tigers, panthers, wild cats, hyena, jackal, marsh crocodile, wild boar, bears, many species of deer and a rich bird life of over 300 species, including the great Indian horned owl. Overnight at Khem Villas

Early morning jeep safari followed by breakfast. Before afternoon safari, visit Dhonk –Craft for Conservation, a unique initiative supporting tiger conservation and the local tribe –The Moghya’s. Depart for afternoon safari at 2:30pm Overnight at Khem Villas

Early morning jeep safarifollowed by breakfast.Free time till afternoon safari.

Morning breakfast and depart for Jaipur. The capital of Rajasthan is popularly known as the `pink city` because of the ochre-pink hue of its old buildings and crenelated city walls. The Rajputs considered pink to be a colour associated with hospitality, and are reputed to have daubed the city in preparation for the visit of Britain`s Prince Alfred in 1853. This tradition and Jaipur’s welcoming, relaxed air continue to this day. Overnight at the luxurious Samode Haveli.

Morning Breakfast. After breakfast we leave for the spectacular Amber Fort, a magnificent fortress protecting, in turn, a complex of palaces, temples and exquisite marble & mirror-inlaid halls and apartments. Afternoon tour of Jaipur -We`ll visit the old city, the Maharaja`s City Palace as well as the Observatory. Then we`ll take a short drive through the residential and business districts and we`ll stop to photograph the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) along the way. Overnight in Samode Haveli

Morning Breakfast. Free Day on your own. Overnight in Samode Haveli

Morning breakfast. Morning at leisure. Depart for Delhi International Airport for onward journey. End of Tour.