North India Tigers and Temples

Arrive at the international airport of Delhi. After a traditional ‘Swagat’ (Welcome) our representative would assist you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. In the afternoon we proceed for the half-day sightseeing tour of Delhi; we start with craft museum, the largest craft museum in India. It was started in the 1950s with the efforts of well-known Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay. The museum holds 33,000 rare and typical pieces of which 3000 are on display; these reflects the fine artwork of Indian craftsmen and one can observe craftsmen at work in the museum. Then we head towards National Rail Museum, it was opened on the 1^st February 1977 and spread over on 10 acres of land. The museum has a wide range of collection of rare and antique steam locomotives, carriages, saloons and other railway artifacts. Here we enjoy the toy train ride to explore the collection of the museum. After that we move towards The Laxminarayan Temple also known as Birla Mandir (‘Mandir’ means Temple in Hindi) the temple was built by the industrialist J.K. Birla in the year 1939 and it is dedicated to Laxmi (the goddess of prosperity) and Narayana (The preserver). Overnight Hotel

Note: Museum remains closed on Monday

This day after breakfast we drive by surface to Agra (Distance: 240km approx.). Reach there and check-in to the hotel. In the afternoon we visit the imposing Agra Fort which is also known as Lal Qila and Red Fort of Agra; it is located to the northwest of its famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The Fort is described as walled palatial city and its mighty red sandstone walls enclose the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. The Fort is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and evening is free for us to explore the beautiful city of Agra on own. Overnight Hotel

Today we will rise early to visit the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal (remains closed on Friday) at sunrise. Taj Mahal is a symbol of eternal love which stands on the banks of River Yamuna. It was built by the 5^th Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. The Taj Mahal is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze a first time visitor. Later we drive (approx. 250Km/6-7hours) to Jaipur en-route Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri is the deserted royal city constructed by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This impressive and well-preserved citadel served as the political capital of India’s Mughal Empire under Akbar’s reign. Overnight Hotel

After breakfast we drive to the ancient capital of Amber, 11 km away from Jaipur. Famous for its massive Amber Fort, Amber was the ancient capital of Kachhawaha dynasty for 6 centuries. We take an Elephant ride to reach the Fort situated on the hill, an overwhelming experience. Later, we proceed to the City Palace, a perfect blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. City palace was built during the 18^th century; the palace complex houses numerous edifices, vast courtyards and attractive gardens. Then we move towards Jantar Mantar (Solar Observatory), an astronomical treasure house, with solar devices that give accurate predictions till date. We also visit Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a five-storied structure of pink sandstone. It was specially built as a high screen wall so that the women of royal household could observe the street festivities while nobody can see them from outside. Overnight Hotel

Today we drive to Ranthambore National Park (Distance: 180Km); the park is in Sawai Madhopur District of Indian state Rajasthan. Located at the junction of Aravalli and Vindhya hills range, it is one of the biggest and famous national parks in Northern India. Ranthambore National Park was declared one of the Project Tiger reserves in 1973 and it became a national park in 1980. Ranthambore National Park is the site of one of the largest banyan trees in India. The wildlife here includes leopard, nilgai, wild boar, sambar, hyena, sloth bear and chital. The park is also home to a wide range of trees, plants, birds and reptiles. We reach at Rathambore and check-in to the hotel and during afternoon we enjoy 01 game drive into the park by shared canter (a large open truck). After the game drive we return to hotel and relax. Overnight Hotel

This day we have two game drives in Ranthambore National Park. The first game drive will be in the morning and second in the afternoon. The game drive will be on a large open truck called a canter. Later after the game drives we come back to hotel and relax. Overnight Hotel

Today we have a free morning and in the afternoon we will be transferred to the Sawai Madhopur railway station to board the overnight train towards Amritsar. Amritsar is a city in the Indian state of Punjab and it is home to the prominent Harmandir Sahib also well known as the Golden Temple, the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikhs. Overnight Train 

Early morning we reach Amritsar railway station and will be transferred to the hotel for check-in and relax. Late afternoon we head towards Wagah Border to watch the closing ceremony that is  ‘lowering of the flags’ or The Beating Retreat ceremony is a daily military practice that the security forces of India (Border Security Force) and Pakistan (Pakistan Rangers) have jointly followed since 1959. Then we return to the hotel and relax. Overnight Hotel

Today morning we visit glorious Golden Temple, also known as Harmandir Sahib. It is an important pilgrimage destination for devotees all around the world. It remains open to visitors and pilgrims alike 24 hours a day, all year round. The temple houses the sacred scripture of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib; there is also an Amrit Sarovar (pool of nectar) where pilgrims take holy dips and drink its water to purify their soul. Then we return to the hotel and rest of the day is free for us to explore the surroundings on own. Overnight Hotel

Today, you will be transferred to the International airport of Amritsar to board the flight for your onward destination.