India Odyssey: Delhi, Jaipur, Ranthambore, Varanasi & More

Welcome to Delhi, India's capital and major gateway. Delhi is a tantalizing mix of ancient monuments, wide boulevards, narrow alleys, urban parks and spiraling towers. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

After breakfast, start a sightseeing tour of Old Delhi visiting Raj Ghat, the Cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi followed by an e-Rickshaw ride through Old Delhi. Drive past Red Fort, followed by a visit to Gandhi Smriti, the 16th Century tomb of Humayun, Qutab Minar and India Gate.
Dinner at local restaurant or hotel.

After an early breakfast at hotel, drive to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan state and known as Pink City for its trademark pink buildings. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy an Orientation Walk of Jaipur city and markets.
In the evening, enjoy a Home hosted dinner with a local family in Jaipur.

After breakfast, begin a Jaipur city tour starting with a visit to Amber Fort. The Fort sits on top of a rugged hilltop and overlooks Lake Moata. The Fort is unique in that it's outside, an imposing and rugged defensive structure, is very different from its inside, a lavish interior influenced by both Hindu and Muslim styles. Return to the base of the fort by jeep. Continue to explore the city including a photo stop at Hawa Mahal (the Palace of Winds) as well as visit to the City Palace, museum and the Jantar Mantar Observatory.
Later in the day, learn about Block Printing of Jaipur at Anokhi Musuem.

Dinner at local restaurant or hotel.

After breakfast, depart for Sawai Madhopur and home to Ranthambore National Park. The park was originally the hunting reserve for the Maharaja of Jaipur and it was declared a game sanctuary in 1955. In 1972, the park came under Project Tiger and finally in 1980 it became a National Park. Ranthambore is one of the best locations to get a close view of the tigers. Upon arrival proceed to your resort for lunch.
In late afternoon drive up to the entry gate of Ranthambhore Fort. Hike up to have an ariel view of Ranthambore National Park and hear stories of this historical Fort.
Dinner at hotel.

Enjoy an early morning game drive in Ranthambore National Park before returning to resort for Breakfast.
Late afternoon enjoy another safari to the Park and arrive back before sunset.
Ranthambore National Park is the perfect place to indulge in wildlife photography. Numerous animals are found in this park and it is common to spot antelopes, nilgai, sambhar and chital. Down by the lake and at the water holes many other animals can be sighted like the sloth bear, wild boar, porcupine, jackal, leopard, jungle cat and crocodile. A large number of birds are also found within the park and there are over 300 different species of birds here. But of course it is the tigers that everyone comes to see. And seeing these magnificent animals in the wild is a fantastic experience. Ranthambore is one of the best locations to get a close view. They are sighted almost daily somewhere in the park - especially early in the morning. The luckiest visitors may catch a glimpse of tigers hunting, and the females taking care of their cubs.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Hotel.

After breakfast depart for Agra. En route stop for lunch at local restaurant in Bharatpur.
Agra is famous as being home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid remainder of the capital in the 16th and early 17th centuries.
On arrival transfer to hotel.
In the evening enjoy a musical dance - drama show on the story of the Taj Mahal at a local theatre.

Enjoy an early morning yoga session. After breakfast, depart for sightseeing of Agra including a visiting to Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. The Taj Mahal, an awe inspiring structure built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife who died in childbirth. The tomb is the centrepiece of a 42-acre complex, which includes a mosque and a guest house, and is set in formal gardens bounded on three sides by a wall. It is said to have taken over 22 years to build using more than 20,000 men.

Evening is at leisure. Dinner at hotel.

After an early breakfast, check out and drive to Lucknow.

On arrival at Lucknow check in at hotel and enjoy time at leisure. Lucknow is both elusive and endearing. In the alleys of the old city area, you can still sample delicacies prepared by men who trace their lineage to Lucknow's legendary cooks. In Phulwari Galli or Flower Alley, women still embroider exquisite chikan saris and dresses exactly as before and you can still buy itra from the perfumers to the erstwhile Nawabs.

Late afternoon enjoy an orientation tour to learn about local cuisine followed by dinner.

After breakfast, start a sightseeing tour with a visit to British Raj Residency followed by visit to the exquisitely decorated Rumi Darwaza also known as the Turkish Gate. Here you will see the magnificent Bara Imambara, the Husainabad Immambara, which reflect the quintessence of Avadhi architecture with its strong Persian influence. Visit the Picture Gallery which houses a collection of lifesize oil paintings of the Nawabs of Oudh (1882-1885) and see in the foreground the British style Clock Tower built in 1881. End the morning with a visit to Chattar Manzil, Moti Mahal.

In the afternoon explore local markets and learn about local textile work of "Chikankari".
Dinner at local restaurant or at hotel.

After an early breakfast, check out and drive to India's most sacred city, Varanasi . Varanasi is the world's oldest continuously inhabited city and is regarded as a holy city by the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Upon arrival, check into hotel and enjoy time at leisure.
In late afternoon join orientation walk followed by evening boat ride and witness Ganga aarti at Ghat.
Dinner at hotel.

After breakfast at hotel proceed for an excursion to Sarnath, one of the main Buddhist centers in India. It is believed that Lord Buddha delivered his first speech after gaining Nirvana, or enlightenment here. Explore the Sarnath Museum, whose most famous exhibit is the "lion capital of Asoka": this statue of four lions guarding the four cardinal directions has become the emblem of modern India.
Lunch at local Vegetarian restaurant.

In the afternoon explore the city and its temples including a visit to the Bharat Mata temple. Unlike other temples in India which all house deities of gods and goddesses, this is the only temple dedicated to Mother India. The most peculiar thing about the Bharat Mata Temple is that it houses a relief map of India, carved out of marble. Built by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupt and inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936. The statue of Bharat Mata is built in marble and is a model of undivided India, depicting the mountains, plains and oceans.
Dinner at hotel.

Early this morning proceed to ghats for a boat ride on the River Ganges. As your boat slowly drifts along the misty river you will witness so many fascinating sights - devotees having their ritual bath, the performing of religious ceremonies, or puja, to the rising sun, an ancient tradition that is still followed today. The shimmering red and gold hues on the waters of the river seem to cast a magical spell on the devout worshippers. The haunting sound of the chanting of mantras and hymns coupled with the sweet fragrance of incense fills the air with mystery and engulfs the senses of its spectators and offers an experience of ultimate bliss.
Disembark and walk up the narrow cobbled lanes for a walk through the old city andstopping to check out Silk weaving of Varanasi.
In the afternoon, transfer to Varanasi Airport for your flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi you will be met and transferred to hotel.
Final Dinner at hotel.

Transfer to Delhi Airport for your onward flight.