Colors of Rajasthan with Wildlife of India

Duration of Tour : 18 Nights / 19 Days
Destinations covered: Delhi - Corbett - Udaipur - Ranakpur - Jodhpur - Jaipur - Ranthambore - Agra - Bandhavgarh - Delhi.

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
On arrival at International airport meet our representative and transfer to hotel. Relax.
Overnight at Delhi

Delhi, capital city of the Federal Republic of India is one of India's fastest growing cities. The city has two distinct parts, Old Delhi & New Delhi. Old Delhi reflects shades of Mugal Empror where as New Delhi shows the legacy of what British left behind.

The streets of Old Delhi are narrow & bustling. The beauty & serenity lies inside the courts of the main buildings. Delhi has some of the finest museums in the country. Its boutiques and shopping arcades offer access to a wealth of traditional and contemporary crafts, from all over the country. New Delhi was proclaimed the capital of India by the British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944), & is tree-lined & spacious.

Day 02: Delhi
After breakfast proceed for day sightseeing of Delhi covering old Delhi as well as New Delhi.
Today we will cover following spots
Rajghat - a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, also know as Bapu (Father of nation).

Red Fort (Lal quila) - Old Delhi is centered on the Red Fort built by Emperor Shah Jahan between 1636 & 1658, when the mougal empire was on its peak.

Jama Masjid (Mosque) - Work on the Jama Masjid mosque was begun in 1650 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to complement his palace at the Red Fort. More than 5,000 workers toiled for six years to complete the largest mosque in India.

Qutub Minar - is the tallest stone tower in India. Some believe it was erected as a tower of victory to signify the beginning of the Muslim rule in India. Others say it served as a minaret to the muezzins to call the faithful to prayer

Indian Gate - Built as a memorial to commemorate the 70,000 India soldiers killed in World War I, India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1931. Built from sandstone, the arch also houses the Eternal Flame, a gesture in memory of the Indian soldiers who laid their lives in the 1971 war with Pakistan.

Rashtrapati Bhawan - Formely the Viceregal Lodge, the building is the highlight of Lutyen's New Delhi and was completed in 1929 at a cost of 12,53,000 pound sterling. Located in an area of 130 hectares, the palace has 340 rooms.
Back to hotel and overnight at hotel

Day 03: Delhi - Corbett national park (260 Kms - 5 hours drive)
After breakfast drive down to Corbett national park.

Corbett national park - Nestling in the foothills of the Himalayas, Corbett National Park has rich and varied topography and vegetation which supports its diversity of habitat and natural beauty. Flat valleys are interspersed with hilly ridges and the Park's rolling grasslands known as the 'Chaurs' provide visitors with an excellent view of the animals. The Ramganga River flows through the Park and little forest streams tumble through the ravines. While dense stands of Sal cloak the higher ridges, mixed deciduous forests are found throughout the park. Corbett national park has highest density of tigers in the world.
Arrive at Corbett national park. Check in at resort. Get acclimatized to the environment.
Overnight at resort on river bank

Day 04: Corbett
Early morning start for full day jeep safari at Corbett national park in Bijrani/ Jhirna/ Lohachaur zone of Corbett national park. Full say safari gives a bright chances of spotting a tiger or Asiatic elephant in the wild.
Evening arrive at resort.
Overnight at resort.

Day 05: Corbett
Early morning start for elephant safari at Corbett national park. Breakfast at resort. Enjoy the river side view from the resort. Visit Corbett museum and Garjia temple. Corbett museum reveals the history of Corbett national park, affiliation of sir Jim Corbett with the park and diverse wildlife which is supported by the wide range of vegetation in the park. Evening start for elephant safari at Corbett national park where you get a chance to see the wildlife by close quarters. Back at resort and enjoy wildlife movie at resort.
vernight and dinner at resort

Day 06: Corbett - Delhi (260 Kms - 5 hours drive) - Udaipur (By Air)
Early morning breakfast and start for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to domestic airport to catch flight for Udaipur.
Evening arrive Udaipur and Check in hotel.

Udaipur - The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure lake, hemmed in by the lush hills of the ARAVALLIS. A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences and inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers. Overlooking the aquamarine expanses of the Lake Pichhola stands the splendid City Palace a marvel n granite and marbel. Exquisite lake palaces of Udaipur,shimmering like jewelson the Lake Pichhola are overwhelming in splendour. Udaipur is the jewel of MEWAR -a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years.
Overnight at Udaipur

Day 07: Udaipur
After breakfast start for sightseeing of Udaipur.

Kumbhalgrah Fort - The sceond principal fortress in Rajasthan after Chittaurgarh, it is perched atop the Aravallis. Built in the 15th century by Maharana Kumbha,it extends over 12 km and encloses many temples,palaces and gardens.The fort was renovated in the 19th century.The Badal Mahal or Cloud Palace offers a spectacular bird's-eye- view of the surrounding country side. Closeby is the Kumbhalgrah Wildlife Sancutuary with a rich variety of wildlife. The fort is accessible only by jeep form Kelwara through the seven gates.

City Palace As the hub of Udaipur the City Palace stands majestically on the hill guarded by crenellated fort walls. A riot of arches, domes, turrets, crenellations and chattris crown the steep fortress.
Also visit the lovely Sahelion-Ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the city Museum.

Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace in the middle of the lake and spend some time. (Currently water level is very low and is subject to increase water level).
Enjoy dinner and dance shows. Overnight will be at Udaipur.

Day 08: Udaipur - Jodhpur (250 kms, 6 hours drive by road)
After breakfast start for Jodhpur. On the way visit beautiful temples of RANAKPUR.
Ranakpur (The Jain Temples in Aravali) - Ranakpur in the state of Rajasthan is one of the five most important pilgrimage sites of Jainism. It is home to an exceptionally beautiful temple complex in the Aravali ranges and a must visit for the tourists coming to this region. The RANAKPUR TEMPLES, dating back to the 15th century have 200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29 halls.

Arrive Jodhpur and check in at Hotel.
Jodhpur is set at the edge of the Thar Desert. This imperial city echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. In the past, it was the capital of the Marwar state, founded in 1459 A.D. by Rao Jodha - the chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs. A high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions encompasses the city. It was once a major trade center. Jodhpur is now the second largest city of Rajasthan.

Day 09: Jodhpur
After breakfast start for Jodhpur tourist spots stand as a living proof of the splendor, traditions and culture of the Jodhpur. The glorious past of Jodhpur is personified through the various forts, palaces and other monuments of Jodhpur. The main places to see in Jodhpur Rajasthan are:

Mehrangarh Fort - The most magnificent fort in Jodhpur is the Mehrangarh Fort. It is situated on a 150m high hill. Rao Jodha, the then chief of Rathore clan, constructed it in 1459. There are a number of attractions within the fort like several palaces, galleries, a museum, temples and so on.

Umaid Bhavan Palace - One of the fascinating palaces of Jodhpur is the Umaid Bhavan palace. Maharaja Umaid Singh constructed it in 20th century. A part of the palace has now been converted into a hotel and a museum.

Jaswant Thada - Jaswant Thada lies to the left of the Mehrangarh fort complex. It is a royal cenotaph made up of white marble. It was built to commemorate Maharaja Jaswant Singh. Some rare portraits of the former rulers of Jodhpur are also displayed here.
Overnight at Jodhpur.

Day 10: Jodhpur - Jaipur (250 kms, 6 hours drive by road)
After breakfast drive to Jaipur and on your way stop at CHATRASAGAR for lunch.
Reach later in the afternoon and in the evening relax at the palace. Have dinner at Chokidhani where you get to know about the culture and customs of Rajasthan. Rajasthani are known to be very good hosts so enjoy their hospitality.
Overnight at hotel

Day 11: Jaipur
After breakfast proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.
Amber fort palace - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression. At the foot of the hill you will mount your caparisoned elephant for the slow but steady climb up to the main gate, making your entrance in the time honoured fashion. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families.

Continue sightseeing.
City palace - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.

Jantar Mantar - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.

Hawa Mahal - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.
Evening leisure for shopping or one can visit Birla temple to explore the religious side of Jaipur.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Jaipur - Ranthambore (170 kms - 3 hours drive)
After breakfast start for Ranthambore. Arrive Ranthambore and check in at wildlife resort. Rest of day leisure to enjoy the activities at resort. Get acclimatised to the environment.
Overnight at Ranthambore

Ranthambore National Park was the hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur. It is situated at the confluence of the Aravali Hills and the Vindhyan plateau in the eastern Rajasthan. The Chambal River in the South and the Banas River in the North drain the Ranthambore National Park. Six man-made lakes and many perennial streams add to the beauty of the national park.

The former rulers of Jaipur first felt the need to preserve the area. In 1955, Ranthambore became a game sanctuary and was among the first few protected areas in India. In 1984, Ranthambore Sanctuary acquired the status of a National Park covering almost 400 sq km of area. It was declared as the Tiger Reserve in India, when Project Tiger started in 1972. Currently the tiger count in the park is around 35.

Day 13: Ranthambore
Get up early in the morning and start for safari at Ranthambore national park. Ranthambore national park has different safari zones and each zone has a lot to offer by richness of wildlife. Back from the safari and have breakfast. Afternoon one can visit Ranthambore palace or one has the option to enjoy camel cart ride to the nearby village. Back to resort and after lunch proceed for another safari is search of the king of the jungle. Back to resort and have dinner.
Overnight at resort.

Day 14: Ranthambore - Agra (255 kms - 6 Hours drive by Road)
Get up early in the morning and start for safari at Ranthambore national park. Back from the safari, have breakfast and start for Agra. On the way stop at Fatehpur Sikri.

Fatehpur Sikri in Agra is a city in Uttar Pradesh, built during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar during the 16th Century BC. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a combination of various regional schools of architecture. Influence of Hindu and Jain architectural features are found in this monument with traces of Islamic elements in it. Fatehpur Sikri is made of red sandstone and the beautiful marvel tomb of Seikh Salim Chisti is located here.

Start from Fatehpur sekri for Agra.
Arrive agra and check in at Hotel.
Overnight at Agra
Agra - Heritage of Agra city is linked with the Mughal dynasty, numerous other rulers also contributed to the rich past of this city. Modern Agra was founded by Sikandar Lodhi (Lodhi dynasty; Delhi Sultanate) in the 16th century. Babar (founder of the Mughal dynasty) also stayed for sometime in Agra and introduced the concept of square Persian-styled gardens here. Emperor Akbar built the Agra fort and Fatehpur Sikri near Agra. Fatehpur Sikri remained his capital for around fifteen years after which the city was left isolated in mysterious circumstances. Jahangir beautified Agra with palaces and gardens despite spending most of his time in Kashmir with which he was passionately attache.

Day 15: Agra - Bandhavgarh (Overnight train)
After breakfast visit Taj mahal
Taj Mahal For centuries, the Taj Mahal has inspired poets, painters and musicians to try and capture its elusive magic in word, colour and song. It is one of the most flawless architectural creations of the world. Since the 17th century, travellers have crossed continents to come and see this ultimate memorial to love, and few have been unmoved by its incomparable beauty. The Taj Mahal in Agra India is considered one of the best examples of Mughal architecture in India. The history of the Taj Mahal is one of the great love stories of the world. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan ruled from 1628 to 1658 and was married to Arjumand Bano Begum in 1612 A.D. He called his wife Mumtaz Mahal or Crown of the Palace. Her dying wish to Shah Jahan was that he should "build a tomb in her memory such as the world had never seen before." The history of the Taj Mahal begins with Mumtaz Mahal's tragic end.
Transfer to railway station to board train for Umaria.
Overnight in Train.

Day 16: Bandhavgarh
Early morning arrive umaria station and transfer to Bandhavgarh National Park.
Bandhavgarh definitely is the crown in the wildlife legacy of Madhya Pradesh and is the natural habitat to a wide range of floral and fauna. While you are on a jungle safari in this place, you can come across several wildlife species such as Royal Bengal Tigers, cheetals, leopard, gaur, sambhar, and various other animal species. The park is nested in the foothills of undulating Vindhya mountain range of Central India and features hills and ravines. Bandhavgarh got the status of a national park in the year 1968. Bandhavgarh flaunts a very deep-seated significance of it's own in the history and mythology of India. The fort of Bandhavgarh looms high over the entire park and located here, dates back to the legendary era of Rama and Hanuman from the famous Hindu epic Ramayana. Rama and Hanuman used this fort on their journey back to their kingdom from Lanka. At present the Maharaja of Rewa owns the fort and in the northern part of the fort you will find caves dug into sandstone and carry "brahmi" inscriptions that date back to the 1st century BC. Once upon a time Bandhavgarh was also ruled by the Chandela kings of Bundelkhand who built the famous Khajuraho Temples.
Relax and get freshen up. Afternoon start for the jeep safari at Bandhavgarh National Park.
Evening back at resort.
Dinner and overnight at resort.

Day 17: Bandhavgarh
Early morning start for full day jeep safari at Bandhavgarh National Park. Full day safari consists of two safari with the lunch break in between. Also enjoy the joy elephant ride at Bandhavgarh National Park.

Bandhavgarh fort - The oldest fort in India - considered to be more than 2500 years. One-hour trek up the fort is worth the effort. The charm of this trek lies in discovering these monuments in the jungle, unspoiled and unexplored. Some of the statues lie off the main path and so it is best to take a guide. Apart from the avatars, well worth seeing are three small temples of around the 12th century. These temples are deserted but the fort is still used as a place of worship. Kabir Das, the celebrated 16th century saint, once lived and preached here. The natural ramparts of the fort give breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside. The fort still belongs to the Maharaja of Rewa and permission is required to visit it. However permission is available locally and no trip to Bandhavgarh is complete without making an effort to climb up the fort. The staff of the resort carries your lunch while you are busy negotiating the trek to the fort.
Overnight and dinner at Resort at Bandhavgarh.

Day 18: Bandhavgarh - Delhi
Early morning start for morning jeep safari at bandhavgarh for the final safari. Breakfast at resort and transfer to Umaria/Katni station to board train for Delhi.
Overnight in train.

Day 19: Delhi
Early morning arrive at Delhi. Transfer to hotel closer to Airport. One can enjoy shopping or more sightseeing depending upon availability of time. Transfer to international airport to catch flight for onward destination.