This Visit lets you experience
the amazing Pushkar Fair combined with some of the best highlights of North India.
It is available either as a special small group departure or as a customizable visit.
Dates,
hotel and travel information, as well as inclusions are given below the detailed itinerary.
Oct
22nd: Depart from the
United States
(you can ask us to include international flights if you choose).
Oct
23rd: Arrive at
Delhi
(most flights arrive either in the evening or at night). Our services
begin here. You are greeted at the airport by an ETI travel facilitator or your Tour Director, and then ushered to a chauffeur driven vehicle. You
are then driven to your hotel where you are assisted with your check in.
The
next day’s plans are briefly reviewed and the travel
facilitator or Tour Director hands over travel
documents such
as your air tickets and hotel vouchers to you.
Oct
24th:
Delhi.
Start your exploration of India with acity tour of Old Delhi
that includes visits to the Jama Masjid (1650 AD) which is the largest
mosque in India, and the amazing Red Fort (1639-48) which was the seat
of the Moghul Empire for more than 250 years. Enjoy a rickshaw ride
along the alleys of the ancient bazaar at Chandni Chowk. You also visit the
cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi (Raj Ghat).
There is a break for lunch. Afternoon – enjoy a city tour of New Delhi that begins with a
drive past Safdarjang’s Tomb (1753 AD) while driving to the Qutab Minar
(1193 A.D.) which is a striking medieval tower of victory of Persian
architectural style and is 73 m high. Within the Qutab complex, amidst
the ruins of Quwat-ul-Islam mosque, stands the Iron pillar which has
stood the vagaries of weather and has not rusted over 1500 years. Later,
visit the Tomb Moghul Emperor Humayun and then drive through Lutyens New
Delhi which includes the Embassy area (Diplomatic enclave), Government
buildings, India Gate, a golden domed Sikh Temple (Bangla Sahib
Gurudwara),
Birla
Temple and Connaught Place, which is New Delhi’s main shopping area.
Oct
25th:
Delhi – Agra.
Board the early morning (6
am)
Express train - two hour journey - to
Agra.
Half day tour of Agra – The tour includes a visit to Itmad -Ud –Daulah’s
tomb, built by the Mughal Emperor Jehangir’s queen as a memorial to her
father. It has beautiful ornamentation with ‘Pietra Dura’ inlay and
lattice marble screens. The mausoleum rests in a walled garden with a
view of the river Yamuna. Constructed in
the year 1628, most historians believe that its design provided
the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. You then visit the original red
sandstone fort in
North India,
the Agra Fort. It was built in 1565 by Emperor Akbar, the greatest
Mughal ruler of India. Its maze of courtyards, marble mosque, and
private chambers all serve as reminders of the grandeur of the Mughal
Empire.
There is a break for lunch.
Afternoon - Visit one of the
Seven Wonders of the World,
the incomparable Taj Mahal. The world’s greatest monument dedicated to
love; the Taj Mahal was
built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1653 AD as a memorial to his beloved
queen, Mumtaz Mahal. This pure white marble mausoleum took 22 years and
22,000 craftsmen to build.
Tour the amazing monument and its surroundings till it is time to admire
the sun’s rays setting on the Taj Mahal’s façade.
Agra
is famous
for its marble art & manufacturing of the same.
Oct 26th:
Agra
– Ranthambore.
You have the option (no charge) of a sunrise visit to Mehtab Bagh, which
is a 500 year old Mughal garden located across from the Taj Mahal on the
other side of the Yamuna River. If you do that, you will return to your
hotel to freshen up after the visit. Check out of your hotel and proceed for the drive to Bharatpur.
Stop at Fatehpur Sikri for a tour. This deserted, red sandstone
city, built by Emperor Akbar, between 1570 and 1585. Visit the towering Bulund
Darwaza (The Gate of Victory), which is set in the south wall. In the
northern part of the courtyard is the superb white marble tomb of Shaik
Salim Chishti, built in 1570. Lunch is included this afternoon at Bharatpur. After lunch - board the Express train for Ranthambore – a two and
a half hour journey to Ranthambore. Arrive at Ranthambore in the evening and check in at your resort.
Oct
27th: Ranthambore.
Covering an area of 410 sq. km, Ranthambore runs along the eastern spur
of the Aravalli mountain range till they meet with the Vindhya ranges.
Ranthambore used to be the private hunting ground for the Royal family
of Jaipur. In 1972 it was declared a Sanctuary and was brought under the
Project Tiger Conservation platform.
Dry deciduous forest covers open valleys with lush vegetation around the
lakes in this park, and there are open grasslands on the higher slopes.
This varied flora supports a large number of animals including a variety
of deer, the sloth bear, the shy caracal, leopards and of course, the
tiger. Enjoy wildlife safaris’ into the park in the morning and evening.
In between safaris’ you can visit the jungle fort at Ranthambore. This
is one of the finest examples of the ancient Hindu concept of
“vana-durg”, or a fort protected by a jungle. The history of this
Fort (first built in AD 944) is a chronicle full of tales of blood and
valor. Occupied by the Muslims, Rajputs and Mughals, the insides of
the
fort today lie in ruins, but there are superb views of the park to be
had from the ramparts.
Oct
28th: Ranthambore – Jaipur.
Enjoy your last safari into Ranthambore in
the morning. Check out of your hotel and proceed on a drive to Jaipur. Arrive at Jaipur and
check into your hotel.
There is a break for lunch. Afternoon - Proceed for a half day city tour of the walled city
of Jaipur, including the magnificent
City
Palace. Visit the unique Jantar Mantar magnificent stone observatory
built by Raja Jai Singh in 1728. View the ‘Hawa Mahal’ (Palace of the
Wind), the intriguing facade built in 1799 to allow royal ladies to view
the city and bazaar from the windows. Continue the tour to visit the
City
Palace, the former royal residence (a part of it is still occupied by
the Royal family and is not accessible to the public), built in a blend
of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles. This immense complex also
houses a number of museums that offer a large and impressive collection
of miniature paintings, costumes, and armory. Jaipur is famous for its carpets, jewelry, & handicrafts.
Oct 29th: Jaipur. Start your day with an excursion to
Amber Fort & Palace, located 12 kilometers from the center of the City.
Arrive at the complex well before 9 a.m. so as to be able to partake in
the elephant back ascent. The Fort was originally built by Raja Mansingh
and is one of the finest examples of Rajput architecture. Enjoy the
ascent to the palace on the back of a brightly caparisoned elephant.
Visit the chambers and hallways of the Palace which are famous for their
design and decorations.
From here you will proceed on a drive to Samode for sightseeing and
lunch. Enjoy a Rajasthani lunch (included) at the Samode Palace.
A guided tour of
Samode
Palace and the other monuments in the area is included. Drive back to
Jaipur in the late afternoon.
Evening – Watch the show at your hotel and then drive to have dinner
with a Rajasthani family at their home. Or drive to a cultural show and dinner.
Oct 30th: Jaipur – Pushkar. Drive to Pushkar in the morning. Arrive at Pushkar in the mid-morning and check in to
your Luxury Tent or Cottage. Participate in Pushkar Camel Fair festivities (Cattle Fair).
Easy Tours ‘Tour Directors’ will guide you to various activities and
events around the Fair, and are available to assist you with your
individual needs should any arise. Afternoon - Tour the Fair camp
grounds to view the cattle. Experience the trading activity with the
cattle, which is at its peak.
Oct 31st: Pushkar.
Participate in Pushkar Camel Fair festivities (Cattle Fair), including
the camel race which is currently scheduled for this morning (subject to
change).
Easy Tours ‘Tour Directors’ will guide you to various activities and
events around the Fair, and are available to assist you with your
individual needs should any arise. Afternoon - Tour the Fair camp
grounds to view the cattle, and this is a good day to explore the small
town of Pushkar and its monuments.
Nov 1st: Pushkar -
Jaipur
– Delhi - International Flight.
Check out of the resort in the morning and proceed on the drive to
Jaipur airport.
Board the flight to
Delhi.
Arrive at Delhi and you are greeted at the airport by your personal
driver. If you are doing this visit as part of a small group, you are
provided with personal vehicles for each single traveler / couple /
family traveling together. Do any last minute shopping and sightseeing
that you feel you may have left for the end.
Your vehicle and driver stay with you till your (usually late
evening) assisted check in at the airport. Our services end at
Delhi
airport.
Nov 2nd: Arrive in the
United States.
NOTE: The
artwork and other contents of this document are copyrighted by Easy
Tours of India Inc., and any use of these materials without ETI’s
written authorization is strictly prohibited.
Scroll
to the bottom of the page for inclusions & Hotels.
Inclusions: *
All three meals at Pushkar
* All three meals at
Ranthambore at the Deluxe & Luxury
Levels
* Maharaja Level - 2 breakfasts included
* Luxury Level - 2 breakfasts included
* Deluxe Level - 2 breakfasts included
* Lunch at Bharatpur
* Lunch at Ranakpur
* AN ETI EXCLUSIVE: Dinner & cultural show at Jaipur
* All other meals as specified
* Hotel check-in is at 2:00 pm & check-out is at noon for almost all the hotels
* All transfers and sightseeing by your personal Luxury SUV, personal
AC
medium car or Mini Coach (depending on Tour level & small group/custom
travel)
* Services of an ETI Tour Director or the best local English speaking
guides at all destinations as per the itinerary.
* Representative for assistance on all arrival and departure transfers.
* Cycle-rickshaw ride through the ancient bazaar of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi
* AN ETI EXCLUSIVE: A unique folk music & dance greeting at Agra
* AN ETI EXCLUSIVE: Horse drawn carriage ride to the Taj Mahal in Agra
* Applicable monument entrance fees as per the itinerary.
* AN ETI EXCLUSIVE: Personal Elephant ride (per couple) with your
own (jeep option
available) up the ramparts of Amer Palace in Jaipur.
* AN ETI EXCLUSIVE: Personal Camel back (per person) or camel cart safari
(per couple) at Pushkar
* Boat ride on
Lake
Pichola in Udaipur
*
All safari related charges at Ranthambore (including park entry fees,
guide fees, vehicle fees etc.)
* Delhi–Agra Train travel by AC Luxury Chair Car
* Bharatpur-Ranthambore Train travel by AC Chair Car * Bottled water during sightseeing/excursions and long drives. * All currently applicable taxes.
Not included: *
International Travel
* Any expenses of a personal nature like tips, laundry, telephone calls,
drinks etc.
* Meals other than those specified above
* Travel insurance, visa etc.
* Camera fees – still & video