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REAL EXPERTS
Offices in India:
Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Cochin & Ranthambore
USA offices: Austin, Texas;
Cheyenne, Wyoming
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World Heritage
Sites on this Visit:
Kathmandu Valley
Agra Fort
Fatehpur Sikri
Humayun's Tomb, Delhi
Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi
Red Fort Complex
Taj
Mahal
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This
'Visit' gives you some of the best highlights of North India.
It is available either as
one of our monthly small group departures or as a customizable visit.
Dates,
hotel and travel information, as well as inclusions are given below the detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Depart from origin (you can ask us to include
international flights if you choose).
Day 2: Arrive at Delhi
(most flights arrive either in the evening or at night). Our services
begin here. You are greeted at the airport by our travel facilitator or 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.
Day 3: Delhi.
Start your exploration of India with a city 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 239 ft 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 of the 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.
Day 4: 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.
Day 5: 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.
Day 6: Ranthambore.
Covering an area of 410 sq. km, Ranthambore runs along the eastern spur of the Aravali mountain range until it meets 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’
in to 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.
Day 7: 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.
Day 8: 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.
There is a break for lunch.
Afternoon – you are at leisure with your guide and driver, who are available to you till 5 pm. This is a good time to shop for Rajasthani specialties if you are so inclined. There are enough other options that your guide/driver can offer you.
Evening – Watch the show at your hotel and then drive to have dinner with a Traditional Rajasthani family at their home. Or drive to a cultural show and dinner.
Day 9:
Jaipur –
Delhi
– Kathmandu. Board
the morning flight to Delhi. Connect
with the flight to Kathmandu.
Arrive at
Kathmandu and check in to your hotel.
There is a
break for lunch.
Afternoon - Visit the
Pashupatinath temple and Boudhanath
Stupa, a World Heritage Site.
Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most
sacred Hindu shrines in the world.
Day 10: Kathmandu.
You have the option of taking the
Everest flight this morning (extra charges apply).
Take a tour of Kathmandu city. Visit `KUMARI`
the LIVING GODDESS, Kasthamandap, the
Big Bell, Kal Bharab etc.
Visit
the Swayambhunath
temple, Katmandu’s oldest and best known
religious monument. With a history that
goes back a least 1500 years for the
location, this ancient Stupa is world
renown and is visible from miles (from
all over the Kathmandu Valley).
There is a
break for lunch.
Afternoon - Take a tour
of `Patan City`, one of the three queen
cities of the valley. Patan is the city
of fine arts, and we visit Durbar
Square, Krishna Mandir, and Mahavihar,
the Golden Temple of Lord Buddha, built
in the 12th century. Also visit the
Tibetan centre.
Day 11: Kathmandu – Pokhara.
You are at leisure in
the morning. Check out of your
hotel and board your mid-morning flight
to Pokhara. Arrive at Pokhara and check
in to your hotel.
Pokhara is part
of a once vibrant trade route extending
between India and Tibet. To this day,
mule trains can be seen camped on the
outskirts of the town, bringing goods to
trade from remote regions of the
Himalaya. This is the land of the Magars
and Gurungs, hardworking farmers and
valorous warriors who have earned
worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers.
The serenity of
Phewa Lake and the magnificence of the
fish-tailed summit of Machhapuchhre
(6,977 m) rising behind it have to be
experienced to be understood. At an
elevation lower than Kathmandu, it has a
much more tropical feel to it, a fact
well appreciated by the diversity of
beautiful flowers which prosper in the
valley. The valley surrounding Pokhara
is home to thick forests, gushing
rivers, emerald lakes and of course, the
world famous views of the Himalaya.
You are at leisure for balance of
the day.
Day 12:
Pokhara.
Explore the old trading town of Pokhara
where decorated pony trains from the
Kali Gandaki trade routes jostle with
men from the mountains, as they barter
in the bazaar. Visit the Bindhyavasini
Temple and the fascinating Butterfly
Museum located in the grounds of the
university.
There is a
break for lunch.
Afternoon - enjoy a boat
cruise on Phewa Lake passing the simple
three-story villa where the King of
Nepal maintains his winter home. Stop at
the small golden temple to the Hindu god
Varahi which is nestled in foliage on an
island in the centre of the lake. You
will see many fishermen and other
pilgrims take their long canoes (carved
from tree trunks) to the island to visit
the shrine.
Day 13:
Pokhara – Kathmandu - Delhi -
International Flight. Board
the morning flight to Kathmandu. Connect
with the flight to Delhi. Arrive at
Delhi and you are greeted at the airport
by our travel facilitator and driver.
You are provided with personal vehicles
for each single traveler/couple/or
larger group.
You can use the remaining few hours
(in India) you have to do some last
minute sightseeing or dining.
Also, some of the best shopping in India
is in Delhi. We can make suggestions
based on your interests. Your vehicle
and driver stay with you till your late
evening assisted check in at the
airport.
Our
services end at Delhi airport.
Day
14: Arrive at your next destination
Scroll
to the bottom of the page for inclusions & Hotels.
TRAVEL
DETAILS:
Delhi
Agra
Ranthambore  Jaipur
Delhi
Kathmandu
Pokhara Kathmandu
Delhi
Domestic Air Travel supplement (including Nepal) starts at: $876 per
person
RESERVATION INQUIRY FORM:
Inclusions:
*
Daily breakfast at the hotels
* All three meals at
Ranthambore at the Deluxe & Luxury
Levels
* Lunch at Bharatpur
* 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 Amber Palace in Jaipur.
*
All safari related charges at Ranthambore (including park entry fees,
guide fees, vehicle fees etc.)
* Delhi – Agra Train travel by Luxury AC Chair Car
* Bharatpur - Ranthambore Train travel by Luxury AC Chair Car
* Bottled water during sightseeing/excursions and long drives.
* All currently applicable taxes.
Not included:
* Everest flight in Nepal
*
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
Opulent Level Hotels:
Delhi –The Oberoi Hotel – Luxury Room / Imperial Hotel – Heritage Room / Comparable
Agra – Oberoi Amar Vilas
- Premier room with Balcony
Ranthambore - Oberoi Vanya Vilas
Jaipur – Oberoi Raj Vilas / Taj Rambagh Palace
Pokhara
– Fulbari Resort
Kathmandu
– Dwarika's Hotel / Hyatt Regency - Stupa View Room
Luxury Level Hotels:
Delhi –The Oberoi Hotel
/ Taj Palace / Comparable
Agra* – Taj Gateway Hotel – Executive Taj View Room / Mughal Sheraton
*Sep'10 onwards
Oberoi
Amar Vilas / Taj Gateway Hotel - Taj View 2 Room Suite
Ranthambore - Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge
Jaipur – Jai Mahal Palace / Raj Palace - Heritage Room
Pokhara
– Shangri-La Village
Kathmandu
– Soaltee Crowne Plaza / Yak & Yeti
Deluxe Level Hotels:
Delhi - Oberoi Maidens / The Metropolitan / The Svelte - All Suite hotel
Agra
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Taj Gateway Hotel - Taj View Room / The Trident - Garden View Room
Ranthambore - The Pug Mark / Tiger Den
Jaipur - The Trident - Lake View Room / Sheraton Rajputana
Pokhara – Fish Tail Lodge
Kathmandu
–
Annapurna / The Everest hotel
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