Best of North India

1. Day 1 - Arrival at Delhi
   Arrival. Namaste! We are warmly welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together at the airport and transferred to our hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax.
2. Day 2 - Delhi
   The capital of India is a true reflection of the old and new of India. Today we visit the Old Delhi, drive past to the Red Fort Complex*. Named for its massive enclosing walls of red sandstone, it is adjacent to an older fort, the Salimgarh, built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546, with which it forms the Red Fort Complex. 
   We embark on a captivating journey on a Rickshaw passing through the narrow lanes of the famous Chandni Chowk Bazaar, it was originally built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan for his daughter Jahan Ara in 17th Century since then many changes have taken place however it still remains Old Delhi's one of the Oldest and busiest markets in Delhi. Finally end our rickshaw ride at Jama Masjid, Mughal majesty and India's largest mosque. In the evening we enjoy a welcome dinner at hotel. 

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
   • Dinner

   OPTIONAL: Visit to Red Fort Complex (remain closed on Monday) - USD 49

   We visit the Red Fort Complex. The Red Fort is considered to represent the zenith of Mughal creativity which, under the Shah Jahan, was brought to a new level of refinement and each pavilion reveals architectural elements typical of Mughal building, reflecting a fusion of Persian, Timurid and Hindu traditions

3. Day 3 - Delhi / Agra (Drive: 220 Km/ 4 Hours)
   We start our morning tour with New Delhi and visit Birla House, the Former Residence of Mahatma Gandhi before he was assassinated by Nathu Ram Godse on January 30, 1948. Later we visit the famous India Gate followed by the Houses of Parliament, Connaught Place and Humayun's Tomb*, the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent, built in 1570. After the tour of New Delhi, we drive to Agra. On arrival in Agra, we check in our Hotel.

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
   • Dinner

   OPTIONAL: Visit Qutub Minar - USD 49

   We visit Qutb Minar and its Monuments* Built in the early 13th century the red sandstone tower of Qutb Minar is 72.5 m high. The surrounding archaeological area contains funerary buildings, notably the magnificent Alai-Darwaza Gate, a masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art and two mosques.

4. Day 4 - Agra
   To many today is the most awaited day. We begin our day before sunrise with a visit to one of the most beautiful monuments in the world, the Taj Mahal*. An immense mausoleum of white marble built between 1631 and 1648 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, the Taj Mahal is the crown jewel of Muslim art in India and across the world. Set in a vast Mogul garden located on the right bank of the Yamuna River, this funerary monument combines elements and styles of Persian, Central Asian and Islamic architecture. After our sunrise experience at this artistic masterpiece, we return to our hotel for breakfast. 
   Later we visit Agra Fort*. This powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques. 
   The remainder of the day is free for personal activities or enjoy optional tours. 

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
   • Dinner

   OPTIONAL: Tour of Fatehpur Sikri - USD 53

   We visit visit Fatehpur Sikri*. Built in 1640 by the by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar the Great, it was the capital of the Mughal Empire for about ten years before it was abandoned. The complex of monuments and temples features a uniform architectural style and includes one of India’s largest mosques and the beautiful Mausoleum of Salim Chisty, a revered Sufi saint. 

5. Day 5 - Agra / Ranthambore (Drive: 290 Km/ 6 Hours)
   A countryside drive takes us to Ranthambore, the former hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur. Ranthambore National Park lies at the edge of a plateau and is bounded to the north by the Banas River and to the south by the Chambal River. There are several lakes in the park. It is named for the historic Ranthambhore Fort*, which lies within the national park. The rugged terrain and the dense deciduous forests are major features of this national park, which has among the largest and most diverse collection of wildlife species in India. In the afternoon we take a safari through the National Park, where we encounter a variety of mammals, including tigers. About 150 bird species have their habitat here and in winter a variety of migratory birds can be seen.  

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
   • Lunch
   • Dinner
6. Day 6 - Ranthambore / Jaipur (Drive: 180 Km/ 4 Hours)
   Today, we drive to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan called the Pink City, since most of the buildings in the old city are made of pink sandstone. The remainder of the day is free for personal activities. 

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
   • Dinner

   OPTIONAL: Afternoon Safari through Ranthambore National Park - USD 79

   Afternoon Jeep Safari through Ranthambore National Park 

7. Day 7 - Jaipur
   This morning we visit Amber Fort, located in a valley formed by a range of Aravalli’s known as Kalikho hills. The Palace and Fort are located on top of the hill with the city on slopes, and the valley protected by fort walls with four gates in the four cardinal directions. The construction of the fort began in 1592. It shows the evolution from the purely defensive fort settlements of the early medieval period to the palace fortress type of architecture typified in the 16th century. This palace fortress was never attacked or invaded. The fort comprises of number of gardens, courtyards and palatial spaces derived from Mughal architecture and are a distinguished example of 17th Century Rajput architecture. 
   After that we explore Jaipur City* visiting the beautiful Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, where the ladies of the royal harem used to watch the city from behind the intricately carved facade. 
   We also visit the Jantar Mantar*, an astronomical observation site built in the early 18th century that includes a set of some 20 main fixed instruments designed for the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye. It is an expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts of the court of a scholarly prince at the end of the Mughal period. The evening is free to enjoy both shopping and the cultural experience in the bazaars. Jaipur is noted for its craftsmen, skilled in brass inlay, lacquer work and stone setting. 

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
   • Dinner

   OPTIONAL: Elephant ride at Amber Fort (Subject to availability) - USD 28

   One of the highlights of a visit to the stunning Amber Fort is the chance to ride an elephant up the hill to the main entrance. The Amber Fort elephant ride is a fantastic experience, but visitors must arrive early to guarantee a ride.

   OPTIONAL: Visit the majestic City Palace - USD 37

   We visit the majestic City Palace, which houses a rare collection of Indian art. 

8. Day 8 - Jaipur / Delhi (Drive: 260 Km/ 6 Hours)
   After an incredible tour, we are driven to Delhi and transferred to airport for our flight to onward destination. We bid farewell to India after what will have been a memorable journey into history, culture, art, architecture, making new friends and lots of memories. 

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast

   OPTIONAL: Wash & Change for 02 Hours followed by dinner at Holiday Inn Express Transit Hotel at Terminal-T3 - USD 58

   On arrival we check in at Holiday Inn Express Transit hotel for wash & change for 02 Hours (Till 20:00 Hrs) folllowed by dinner. After dinner, we board our flight to onward destination. 

* DENOTES UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES INCLUDED