Tiger and Leopard safari Tour, India
Sample Itinerary
DAY 1
ARRIVE IN DELHI
Welcome to India! You land at Delhi’s international airport
After Immigrations and Customs you are met by our representative and assisted with your transfer to your hotel and check-in.
Delhi is often distinguished as the old and new, the old referring to the pre –British habitations and the new is Lutyen’s Delhi, built to suit British sensibilities and the rapidly expanding city of independent India. However as we walk you through this city which has fascinated one and all for centuries, you will see that these demarcations are fluid with an intermixing of the old and new Delhi’s producing a supremely fascinating pulse to its city life.
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 2
DELHI SIGHTSEEING
After a relaxed morning, your guide meets you in the lobby at 1000 hrs and your tour starts in Old Delhi.
This was the former Imperial capital of the Mughal Emperor, though very little remains of the grandeur of the Emperor Shah Jahan’s city. Old Delhi’s backbone is Chandini Chowk. Today, it is a busy market selling an extraordinary variety of items – silver, jewellery, aromatic spices, leather, fruit and vegetables. Apothecaries sell home grown medicinal items, and roadside dentists display their bizarre array of equipment and false teeth.
Here, you will enjoy the walking tour near Chandini Chowk
Also visit India’s largest Mosque, Jama Masjid.
This mosque is the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan. Begun in 1644, the mosque was not completed until 1658. It has three great gateways, four angle towers and two minarets standing 40m high. It is constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble.
After your visit you board your waiting vehicle and drive to Raj Ghat.
A simple square platform of black marble marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated following his assassination in 1948. It is surrounded by a beautiful park with labelled trees planted by notables like Queen Elizabeth II, USA President Eisenhower, Ho Chi Minh and various others.
Your next stop is the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the temple of the followers of the Sikh religion.
The Sikhs, which means “disciples”, are one of the country’s most recognizable groups. Beards and turbans give them a distinctive look. Unlike Hinduism, they believe in one god, and that everyone, regardless of their station in life, should do “sevak” or rendering social services. This resulted in the “Langar” or community kitchen, where every member of the religion considers it an honour to come and put in a couple of hours cooking thousands of Indian breads, making huge vats of curry to feed the poor and underprivileged.
This afternoon you visit Humayun’s Tomb.
Humayun’s Tomb is the earliest example of Mughal architecture in India. Recently renovated with the gardens restored to their former splendour and the working fountains, it is a very attractive site. Architecturally, the mausoleum drew its inspiration from the styles prevalent in Samarkand, and the design of the Taj Mahal is based on this tomb.
From here drive to Qutb Minar complex which has many historic monuments. The first mosque in India – The Quwwat-Ul- Islam – built from the dressed and carved stones of demolished temples lies in this complex. It establishes the political victory of Islam in northern India. The Qutub Minar itself was begun in 1199 by Qutub ud din Aibak and was completed by his successors. This fluted elegant tower is decorated with elegant balconies and carvings.
On your way back to the hotel, you will drive past some famous landmarks; Rajpath (Kingsway), the imposing approach to New Delhi sets the venue for the Republic Day parade every January 26th for millions of people to gather and enjoy the spectacle. Among the buildings you drive past are the Secretariat buildings, Parliament House, Presidential Palace (Rashtrapathi Bhawan) and India Gate, a memorial to soldiers of the undivided Indian Army who died in the period between 1914 and 1921.
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 3
DRIVE FROM DELHI TO AGRA (205 KMS / 04 HRS.)
You set out for Agra today after breakfast. The drive takes approx. 4 hrs. excluding stops.
Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire).
Start your sightseeing post lunch at the imposing Agra Fort.
When the Mughal Emperor Akbar established his supremacy in Northern India, he began his first architectural venture, rebuilding the fort as a beautiful fort palace. The work was completed by his son and grandson, highlighting the Mughal’s ability to blend defensive and decorative architecture. Richly decorated with marble and mosaic, it was in a part of this fort that Shah Jahan spent the last years of his life, imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. His private quarters, where he was confined, has a magical view of the Taj Mahal across the river Yamuna.
Worked upon by Indian artisans and artisans from neighboring Islamic countries, it is aptly described by the poet laureate Tagore as “A tear on the face of eternity”. Decorated with a mosaic of semi-precious stones and Persian calligraphy recreating verses from the Koran, the mausoleum is an important place of pilgrimage since the empress died in childbirth making her a martyr.
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 4
AGRA- SAWAI MADHOPUR via FATEHPUR SIKRI
Today after your breakfast, leave Agra and drive to Ranthambore En route visiting, Fatehpur Sikri.
Located 40 Kms from Agra, the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, in honour of the great Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti who blessed Akbar and prophesized the birth of three sons to the heirless Emperor. Akbar used Fatehpur Sikri as his capital and the city was fully occupied for 14 years but slowly became deserted and ruined after Akbar left the city. Scarcity of water was the prime factor for the abandonment of this beautiful city. Visit the remarkably well-preserved, graceful buildings within the ‘Ghost City’ including the Jama Masjid, tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal Palace and other palaces that speak of the grandeur and splendor of the Mughal empire at the height of its power.
Continue drive to Ranthambore
The evening is at leisure.
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 5
RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK
Your morning and evening have been reserved for game drives.
This famous national park is the best place to spot wild tigers in Rajasthan. Comprising 1334 sq km of wild jungle scrub hemmed in by rocky ridges, seeing a tiger (around 52 to 55 in 2016) is partly a matter of luck; leave time for two or three safaris to improve your chances. But remember there’s plenty of other wildlife to see, including more than 300 species of birds.
The morning safari starts at 6:30 AM and the afternoon safari is at 2:30 PM. Both safaris last approximately three and a half hours.
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 6
DRIVE FROM RANTHAMBORE TO JAIPUR (166 KMS / 04 HRS.)
Morning shared jeep safari at Ranthambhore national park.
After breakfast leave Ranthambhore by surface to jaipur
On arrival check-in at hotel.
Jaipur is also known as the ‘Pink City’, because of the terra cotta coloured lime plaster that coats the old part of the city’s walls, buildings and temples. The reasons for painting the town pink are unknown; some say it is because Maharaja Jai Singh II’s was a devotee of Lord Shiva and pink was his favourite. The most popular reason is that pink is the traditional colour of hospitality, and the old part of the city was freshly painted and paved with pink gravel to warmly welcome Edward VII for his visit here in 1876.
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 7
JAIPUR SIGHTSEEING
Start your full day tour with a drive to the famous Hawa Mahal, the ornate pink façade an icon of the city for a quick photography stop. This five-storied high “screen” composed of projected windows and balconies protected by fine latticed screens, was destined to enable the ladies of the harem to observe the lively street scenes of the city from a position of privacy.
Next, visit Jantar Mantar. It’s the world’s largest observatory carved in stone and marble. Many of the huge ancient instruments here are still in working condition.
Also on the itinerary is a visit to the Maharaja’s City Palace.
This sprawling palace is a superb marriage of the Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture. The seven-storied Chandra Mahal (Moon Palace) is a sprawling complex with multiple courtyards, public buildings, astronomical observatory and zenana mahals (harems). Within the palace complex are several museums; including an interesting textile gallery exhibiting a fine selection of textiles and costumes from the royal collection.
This afternoon visit Amber Fort.
Hill forts were always important to the Rajput rulers. Belonging to the Hindu “Kshatriya” or warrior class, they believed that “a fort is the strength of a king”. They built a number of such forts all over the state of Rajasthan; some made for purely defensive purposes, but most built as fort palaces. Amber is one of the finest examples of a fort palace, built similar in style to the surrounding richly decorated Mughal courts.
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 8
DRIVE FROM JAIPUR TO DELHI (260 KMS / 05 HRS.)
Early Morning do your Leopard Safari , The Jhalana Leopard Reserve or Jhalana Safari Park, situated in the core of Jaipur, safari park is a wildlife area which is popularly known for its leopards. Set in the foothills of Aravalli hills, the Jhalana Safari Park is one of Jaipur’s most exciting visitor attractions ,the reserve is spread over an area of 20 square kilometers and 35 Leopard, with immense flora and fauna present in the park.
After breakfast. The drive takes approx.5 hrs,Arrive into Delhi by late evening and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 9
LEAVE DELHI
Today in time transfer to Delhi airport to board the flight for your onward destination.
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