Your Itinerary
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Golden Triangle and the Ganges Your itinerary Start Location Visited Location Plane End Location Cruise Train Over night Ferry Day 1 Included Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Arrive Delhi (3 Nights) Day 7 Welcome to India's bustling and colourful capital city, Delhi. At once peaceful and Ranthambore Sightseeing chaotic, ancient and modern, Delhi is unlike anywhere you've likely ever been before. Where else in the world can you find ancient relics of multiple bygone eras rubbing It's an early start this morning as you head back into the park for your second game shoulders with gleaming new shopping malls, whilst hawkers, cows, monkeys, drive. Sunrise is arguably the best time of the day for tiger spotting, so keep your rickshaws and tourists all compete for space in the narrow lanes of Old Delhi? fingers crossed! Heading back to the hotel for breakfast and some down time by the Arriving today you'll transfer to your hotel before meeting up with your Travel Director pool, you'll then venture back into the wilderness for your third and final drive. As well to learn the lay of the land. Briefing complete, you'll then be treated to your first as wildlife this ancient park is also a wealth of history, the centre piece of which is taste of Delhi's delicious foodie scene at a welcome dinner. the 10th Century Ranthambore Fort. Nestled right in the centre of the park it's a real sight to behold, not to mention the crumbling forts, mosques and hunting pavilions Hotel - The Suryaa New Delhi peppered throughout the territory. Included Meals - Dinner Included Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 2 Day 8 Delhi Sightseeing Ranthambore Agra (1 Night) The winding streets and bustling bazaars of Old Delhi await you this morning as you From tigers to the Taj, today's journey will take you one step closer to the head out on a sightseeing tour. Embrace it all as you experience this real slice of undisputed icon of India. Stopping for lunch at the royal city of Bharathpur, known for India, then breathe a sigh of relief as you see the imposing Red Fort, which was built its abundance of forts, palaces and lush parks, you'll arrive into Agra with a free by Emperor Shah Jahan during his Mughal reign and served as the residence of afternoon to explore. Take a wander around the bustling chowks to sample Indian emperors for 200 years. From here it's on to the magnificent red sandstone carved sweets and shop for marble goods, head to a rooftop bar to sip a cold one or opt to Jama Mosque, another pocket of calm and Delhi's biggest mosque. Take your time join our visit to the UNESCO listed Agra Fort. Another fine example of Mughal exploring here before hopping on a cycle rickshaw to weave you through the lanes of craftsmanship, the vibrantly red sandstone Fort dates back to 1565 and comes Old Delhi, then head on to New Delhi to experience a different side of the city. Drive complete with fairy tale palaces, beautiful gardens and views of the Taj in the past grand government buildings before finishing up at Humayun's Tomb, another distance. This evening and as a way of saying goodbye to those who are not relic of the Mughal reign. Likely exhausted from a busy day, this evening is then continuing on to Varanasi tomorrow, choose to join our optional farewell dinner for a yours to enjoy as you please. feast of Indian delicacies. Included Meals - Breakfast Hotel - Clarks Shiraz Day 3 Included Meals - Breakfast, Lunch Delhi Free Day Day 9 Today gives you the chance to unearth Delhi at your own pace. Those seeking a Agra Delhi Varanasi (2 Nights) nature reprieve could head to the beautifully manicured Lodi Gardens, whilst foodies will likely be keen to join our Optional food tour of Old Delhi, where you'll get to Today's the day! Heading out at dawn you'll make your way to the Taj Mahal for one wander through the maze of the old spice market, taste exotic pickles and sample of the best sunrises of your life. A thousand times more impressive in real life, watch edible silver before enjoying lunch with a local family at their haveli. Keen to dive as the rising sun paints the glistening white marble shades of pink and gold. deeper into Delhi's rich history? Why not join our optional trip to Nizamuddin, a Described by Rudyard Kipling as 'the embodiment of all things pure', the Taj was former 14th century village that developed around the shrine of a Sufi saint. Known built by Shah Jahan in 1632 as a testament to the love he held for his third wife for its narrow lanes, tombs, cuisine and spiritual music, you'll learn more about the Mumtaz Mahal, who died in child birth. Head inside the mausoleum to visit the area with the help of a local guide from the Hope Project, visiting the stepwell and tombs of Jahan and Mumtaz, then perhaps snap a photograph on the famous 'Diana tomb of 'India's Shakespeare' Mirza Ghalib, before finishing up at the Dargah of Sufi seat' before heading back to your hotel for a welldeserved breakfast. Still feeling saint, Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya. distinctly in awe you'll travel to Delhi International Airport this afternoon to catch your flight to the holy city of Varanasi. Included Meals - Breakfast Hotel - Clarks Varanasi Day 4 Delhi Jaipur (2 Nights) Included Meals - Breakfast Leaving Delhi behind this morning you'll venture on the state of maharajas, Day 10 Rajasthan. A firm favourite amongst visitors for its rich culture, glorious cities and Varanasi Sightseeing shopping opportunities, don't be surprised to see camels pulling wooden carts slowly plodding alongside your window as you enter the 'Pink City' of Jaipur, the Waking up in one of the oldest cities on earth, prepare yourself for an unforgettable capital of Rajasthan. Settle in to your hotel then head out to explore for yourself, two days. A cacophony of colour, sights and smells, Varanasi is one of the rare perhaps making a beeline for the City Palace. Nestled in the heart of the Old City, places on earth where life and death coexist as daily rituals. Rising early for a this lavish complex of courtyards, gardens and buildings blends Rajasthani and sunrise boat ride along the banks of the River Ganges, you'll experience the Mughal architecture, the crowing glory of which are the four ornately painted doors of fascinating routines that take place daily along the ghats. Watch people offering the Pitam Niwas Chowk, which represent the four seasons. Keen to get your hands their morning prayers to Mother Ganga, men bathing their buffalo and locals on Jaipur's famous gems, textiles and handicrafts? The bustling Old City chowks are practising their yoga moves as you drift along. After breakfast at your hotel, we'll the place to go. head out on a sightseeing tour of the city, starting off with the courtyards of the Bharat Mata Temple, otherwise known as the Mother India temple, where a vast map Hotel - Clarks Amer of undivided India is carved in marble. Next up visit the most famous temples in Varanasi, Durga Mandir and Kashi Vishvanath Temple. This evening experience the Included Meals - Breakfast rich spiritual culture of India at a traditional Aarti ceremony. Taking place on the banks of the Ganges, truly a pinch yourself moment as offerings of candles and Day 5 flowers are floated down the river. Jaipur Sightseeing Breakfast Early risers will have the chance to witness a morning ritual of the Hindu community Included Meals - today, with an optional visit to one of the country's most important Krishna temples Day 11 to watch as worshippers offer their prayers to Lord Krishna. Back at the hotel and Varanasi Free Time Delhi (1 Night) after breakfast you'll then head out to visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Amber Fort. Set atop a hill and once the residence of Rajput rulers, this extensive palace of It's the final day of your Indian adventure today so be sure to make the most of it. glistening white marble and yellow and pink sandstone is a true gem of Rajasthan. With most of the day yours to explore your way, you could start out by paying a visit From here it will then be on to the icon of Jaipur, the Hawa Mahal. Known as the to Assi Ghat, one of the largest and busiest of the ghats. From here stroll along the Wind Palace, this distinctive 5 storied building of pretty latticed windows was built river and take in the comings and goings of daily life, including the famous burning as a way of allowing the ladies of the royal household to watch the antics of the city ghat where bodies from all over India are cremated, a ritual said to send the below. With the rest of the day then free, perhaps opt to join our heritage walking deceased straight to heaven. Weave through the tiny maze of streets that make up tour for a deeper insight into the culture and community of the Old City, visiting the Old Town and fuel up on delicious lassis served out of clay pots. This afternoon flower markets, silver bazaars and jewellery makers along the way. perhaps choose to join our optional trip to Sarnath. Located on the outskirts of Varanasi and one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations for Buddhists from all Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner over the world, Sarnath is said to be the spot where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment.