Golden Triangle with Varanasi & Safari 13 days Day 01 : Day 1 Australia- - Deli Depart Australia for Delhi International. Day 02 : Arrive in Delhi Once we arrive in Delhi we will be transferred to our hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel. 03 Day 3 : Delhi Later we depart for a combined sightseeing tour of Delhi. The Tour will be commencing from Old Delhi. Drive past and photo stop at Red Fort (Closed on Monday s), a huge settlement that contains within it some very beautiful palaces and public buildings, Visit Jamma Masjid, one of the largest mosques that is still a house of worship for devout Muslims. Also visit Raj Ghat, Shanti Vana the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru our first prime Minister of India. Later we proceed for New Delhi tour drive past the India Gate, a memorial raised in honor of the Indian soldiers who were martyred during the Afghan War, Rashtrapati Bhawan, once the imperial residence of the British Viceroys, it is now the official residence of the President of India Parliament House, a circular building that is a symbol of Indian democracy. Also visit Qutub Minar the 11th century victory tower. The tallest stone tower in India. Qutub-ud-din Aibak started it in 1199. Pulling down 27 Hindu and Jain temples and using their columns erected the attached Quwat-ul-Islam mosque also built by him. Dinner & Overnight at hotel. Day 04 : Delhi - - Jaipur Check out and drive to Jaipur 280 Kms. 06hrs.
Upon arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the evening at leisure. Day 05: Jaipur Later depart for an excursion tour to fabulous Amber Fort, Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Moat Lake. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravalli hills and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area. Enjoy a Jeep Ride at Amber Fort, will spare you the trouble of reaching up to the fortress. Once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls, many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many mirrors, lighting up the room. Later we visit the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armory, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. Nearby one the famous Observatory Jantar Mantar is the most famous of five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh in India. Jai Singh was a great admirer of progresses and research made in the fields of science and technology, but he was passionate about astronomy. There is a very interesting story behind the construction of this observatory, considered as the largest stone observatory in the world. Sawai Jai Singh sent his emissaries to all parts of the world before commencing the construction of this observatory. The emissaries returned with many manuals on astronomy containing cutting-edge technological information. One of these manuals was a copy of La Hire s Tables. The king ordered the observatory to be built according to the details contained in this manual. When the construction ended, for the astonishment of the king and others, the observatory was 20 seconds more accurate than the one mentioned in Table. Evening free for shopping.
Dinner and Overnight at the hotel. Day 06 : Jaipur - - Ranthambhore After breakfast, we will drive to Ranthambhore (180 Kms / 03 Hrs). On arrival, Check in to your hotel. It was established as a sanctuary in 1959 and included in the very first phase of Project Tiger in 1972. In 1981, Ranthambore was awarded the status of a National Park. The park at Ranthambore was once the scene of royal hunting parties. Today, it is famous for its tigers and is one of the best places in the country to see these majestic predators in the wild. The tigers can be spotted quite often even during the day, busy in their normal pursuits - especially stalking or hunting and taking care of their young. With the strict measures that have been taken for their conservation, they seem quite accustomed to human presence and are not disturbed by it. Rest of the day is at leisure. Lunch, Day 07 : Ranthambhore Today we get to enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in the national park. Proceed on jeep safari to the sanctuary in the hope of spotting the elusive tiger. Apart from the Royal Tiger, this park also has a large population of panthers, which are the second largest predators of the forest. Another interesting feature of the park is the visibility of marsh crocodiles in and around the lakes. Other predators in Ranthambore are hyenas, jackals and jungle cats. Caracals too have been recorded. Ranthambore also has sloth bears, Sambar, Chital, Nilgai (Blue Bull), wild boar, Indian gazelles, Indian hare, mongoose and Monitor lizards. Lunch, Day 08: Ranthambhore - Bharatpur - - Agra Today we are transferred to Ranthambhore Railway station to board your train to Bharatpur. Train details: Jan Shatabdi Departs Sawai Madhopur: at 0705 Hrs Arrives Bharatpur: at 0923 Hrs
On arrival at Bharatpur station we will be met and driven to Agra, enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century, It was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago. It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed. Now it is an extraordinary place to wander around with its buildings in near perfect condition. Post visit continue our drive to Agra, on arrival, check in to our hotel. Day 09 : Agra - - Varanasi Early morning sun rise tour of the most opulent wonder of the modern world The Taj Mahal (Friday is Official Closed). The Taj Mahal is everything that has been said about it and more. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in mid-17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Though the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, it is the close-up marble inlay work, which is really astounding. We will have ample time to view and be mesmerized by this outstanding piece of architecture. Return to hotel for breakfast. Later we visit Agra Fort, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture. Agra Fort - the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule and administration and the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River. Shah Jehan added the impressive quarters and the mosque while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. Visit its Hall of Public Audience and its Royal Pavilions. Later check out from hotel (standard check-out time is 12 noon) Train details: Departs Agra: Marudhar Express at 2030 Hrs
Arrives Varanasi: Overnight onboard Train at 0923 Hrs (+1 : Next Day) Day 10 : Arrive Varanasi On arrival at Varanasi station, we will be met and transferred to our Hotel. [Standard check-in time at Hotel is 1400 Hrs] This evening we witness the Illuminated Aarti ceremony at the Ghats of Ganages. Day 11 : Varanasi Early morning sunrise boat tour is must do activity at Varanasi. This Varanasi tour enables you to witness the life of people that has been carried on for thousands of years. Watch the Hindu from all over India come and take this holy dip in the Ganges, offer prayers to the Goad. All this is from the boat that moves slowly from one Ghats to the other. Return to hotel for breakfast at hotel. Later visit Bharat Mata Temple and Banaras Hindu University. Evening at leisure or explore the holy city. Day 12 : Varanasi- - Delhi Check out and transfer to airport to take your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Day 13 : Depart Delhi Later in time you will be transferred to Delhi International airport to board your flight back home.