12 Days / 11 nights from $2967 per person. SAVE $500pp
A great introductory tour to India at a great price including tiger safaris in Ranthambore National Park.
Delhi (2) , Mandawa (1) , Jaipur (2) , Ranthambore (2), Kalakho (2), Agra (1), Delhi (1)
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Delhi
After clearing immigration and customs, your representative will meet you at the receiving area and escort you to your hotel. Delhi is a dynamic city where the past coexists with the present. While historic evidence shows that the area around Delhi was first occupied around 2,500 years ago, Hindu mythology predates that by another 500 years. The British captured the city in 1803 and when they decided to make it the capital of India in 1911, they commissioned Sir Edwin Lutyens to draw up the plans. The result is slightly surprising with spacious tree-lined avenues punctuated with architecture which is among the most striking in the world.
Overnight:Hotel Suryaa
Day: Delhi (B)
After breakfast, you will experience the combined charm of Old and New Delhi. The day begins with the sightseeing of Old Delhi and a visit to the Raj Ghat. Drive past the Red Fort on your way to the Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. A tour through the bazaars of Chandni Chowk is followed by a drive past the historical India Gate, the President’s estate and the Parliament House. The day is concluded with a visit to the capital’s most striking monument; the 70 meter high Qutab Minar.
Overnight: The Lalit
Day 3: Delhi - Mandawa (approx. 6 hour drive)
After breakfast drive to Mandawa and check-in to the hotel on arrival. Situated in the North Indian state of Rajasthan, the fort town of Mandawa lies in the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. This small town attracts travelers because of its beautifully made forts and palaces, known as Havelis.
Overnight: Castle Mandawa
Day 4: Mandawa - Jaipur (approx. 4 hour drive) (B, D)
Depart for Jaipur, the home of India’s legendary Hindu warriors, whose historic forts, palaces, and gardens lend a timeless quality to this storied region. You may spend the day exploring the colorful and lively markets of Jaipur.
Enjoy Dinner with a local family. (Experiencing the Living Cultures of India).
Overnight:ITC Rajputana
Day 5: Jaipur (B)
After breakfast, our day’s sightseeing excursion tour takes us to the mighty Amber Fort. En route, we make a photo stop at the Palace of Winds, the Hawa Mahal. A five-story building with 25-cm thick façade, dating from the 18the Century, the Hawa Mahal has 953 windows and niches so that ladies of the royal family could see the processions and events in the city without being visible to the people.
Proceed to the Amber Fort, situated on a ridge 130m high surrounded by the Aravalli hills, 11 km north of Jaipur. Amber was the ancient capital of the Kachhawaha Rajputs until 1037. Enjoy an elephant ride to the top of the Palace fort (Subject to availability of elephants).
In the afternoon, visit the “Pink City” of Jaipur. The City Palace occupies the center of Jaipur. It houses the Royal residence and museums with collections of textiles and costumes, armory, manuscripts, paintings, and other royal treasures.
We will also visit the Jantar Mantar observatory (1728-34), built by Maharajah Jai Singh II, who had great interest in astrology.
Overnight: ITC Rajputana
Day 6: Jaipur - Ranthambore (approx. 4 hour drive) (B, L, D)
Drive to Ranthambore after breakfast. En route, stopover at a local school and observe the pattern of their education. Check-in to the hotel at Ranthambore and enjoy lunch. Thereafter, explore the incredible Ranthambore fort only to spend the evening enjoying an interesting talk on wildlife accompanied by an intriguing slide show.
Overnight: Nahargarh Fort
Day 7: Ranthambore (B, L, D)
See the forest greet a new day in an early morning game drive. The National park is famous for its tigers and is one of the best places in the country to see these majestic predators in the wild. After lunch resume the search for tigers during the afternoon game drive.
Overnight: Nahargarh Fort
Day 8: Ranthambore - Kalakho (approx. 3 hours drive) (B,L,D)
Your exquisite experience will lead you to your next destination, Kalakho. On arrival you will be greeted at the Dera Village Retreat which has been specially created to explore the Living Cultures of India. A lively traditional Folk dance performance at the Retreat in the evening would surly leave you feeling cheerful and jovial.
Overnight: Dera Village Retreat
Day 9: Kalakho (B,L,D)
After breakfast, camels will take you to a nearby village where the colorful Meena tribes reside, meet the villagers and learn about the rural Indian life. Later, in the afternoon enjoy hiking to the nearby hills.
Overnight: Dera Village Retreat
Day 10: Kalakho - Bharatpur - Agra (approx. 3 hours drive) (B)
Proceed to Bharatpur after breakfast to appreciate the splendid bird life on an exciting cycle rickshaw ride through one of the India’s finest bird parks, the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo Ghana National Park). Take a 2hrs drive to Agra and en-route explore Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful sandstone city. At Agra you will check-in at your hotel and later in the afternoon pay a visit to the Agra Fort which over the years has acquired all the elegance, lavishness and majesty of an imperial palace.
Overnight: ITC Mughal
Day 11: Agra - Delhi (approx. 4 hours drive) (B)
Early in the morning, behold the glorious sight of the sun casting its mellow rays on the Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world and surely the greatest symbol of love and devotion. Return to the hotel for breakfast and proceed to Delhi. After checking-in to a hotel in Delhi, you may spend the evening leisurely.
Overnight: Holiday Inn
Day 12: Delhi - Depart (B)
Today is at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your onward journey.
Our quote includes:
- 5 star accommodation on twin sharing basis.
- Daily breakfast and meals as per itinerary.
- Private a/c vehicle with driver.
- All transfers and sightseeing tours as per itinerary will be by air-conditioned vehicle
- Entrance fees at all monuments as per itinerary, road taxes, parking fee, fuel charges, interstate taxes, and porterage at all hotels & airports.
- Services of an English language speaking local guides.
- Representative for assistance on all arrival and departure transfers.
- All currently applicable taxes.
The above cost does not include:
- Expense of personal nature like laundry, telephone/fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure tax etc.
- Any tipping.
- Any other services not mentioned in the inclusions.
- Any meals or beverages that are not specified on the above inclusions.
- Expenses caused by factors beyond our control like rail and air plane delays, roadblocks, vehicle malfunctions, political disturbances, taxes, lost luggage, etc.
- Any further tax levied by the government of India.
- Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in currency and amendments in Government taxes & charges.
Booking Process:
Deposit
To confirm your reservation on this tour a non refundable deposit of $440 per person is required at time of booking.
Balance Payment
The balance payment is due 65 days before departure. If payment is not received by the 14th August ’15 we reserve the right to cancel the tour.
Cancellation Policy
Should you need to cancel your holiday, please advise us immediately in writing. Cancellation fees are applicable as follows:-
Cancel more than 90 days before departure – Loss of deposit
Cancel 89 – 51 days before departure – 50% of tour cost
Cancel 50 days or less before departure – 100% of tour cost
Comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy
It is a condition of this booking that guests have taken out a comprehensive travel insurance which includes cover for cancellation fees, medical expenses and emergency evacuation.
India Tourist Visa
Guests travelling on Australian Passports require an India Tourist Visa. Please refer to www.vfs-in-au.net for information on India Visa Applications. We are more than happy to assist you with the visa application process.
Health & Vaccinations
Please refer to your doctor for advise on health and vaccinations precautions for the areas visited on this tour.
Information is also available at www.traveldoctor.com.au. Note it is the guests responsibility to have the appropriate vaccinations.
This tour will require guests to have a reasonable level of fitness. Guests with any pre-existing illness or medical dietary requirements should consult their doctor to determine whether they are able to participate in the activities of this tour.