Day 1: Depart from origin. You can ask us to include international flights - we offer discounted consolidator fares (First, Business & Economy) on the best airlines and we know the best routes and travel routings, including seasonal advantages.
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 an Easy Tours Travel Facilitator and 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 you are presented with your welcome package. Among other things, this package includes a beautiful handcrafted journal for your explorations, travel documents such as your air tickets and hotel vouchers, as well as copies of documents (such as our General Travel Guide) that were sent to you earlier.
Day 3: Delhi. You are at leisure this morning to recuperate from your international flight.
Afternoon – start your exploration of India with a tour of New Delhi. This excursion begins with the awe-inspiring Qutab Minar (1193 A.D.). This 239 ft tall medieval tower is a symbol of victory and a beautiful example of Persian architecture from that period. There is a winding stairway inside the tower that goes up all the way to the balcony at the very top of the tower – unfortunately they are no longer accessible for visitors. The Qutab Minar and its Monuments are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Within the Qutab complex, amidst the ruins of the Quwat-ul-Islam Mosque, stands one of the legendary Ashoka Pillars. This large iron pillar has withstood the ravages of Delhi’s weather (and recent pollution) and has not rusted in over 1500 years. After the Qutab complex you will be driven to visit the magnificent tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun.
Delhi has such an abundance of amazing monuments that this Tomb Complex (1562 A.D.) does not quite get the acclaim that it deserves. It is Delhi’s third UNESCO World Heritage Site and its amazing architecture and the elaborate gardens (all currently undergoing restoration) will captivate you.
From the tomb you will proceed on a drive to Lutyens’ New Delhi. Time permitting (you will have time available on the next day for completing this exploration), this drive will include photo opportunities at some of the following attractions - the exterior of the massive and awe-inspiring Rashtrapati Bhawan (known as Viceroy’s House during the British era), Delhi’s landmark structure India Gate, a golden domed Sikh Temple (Bangla Sahib Gurudwara), & the Birla Temple. The last part of this excursion is a drive through Connaught Place, which is New Delhi’s downtown.
Day 4: Delhi. Enjoy a guided city tour of Old Delhi. Drive, walk and ride through the ancient city’s streets and alleys; explore crowded and colorful bazaars. This excursion includes a tour of the Charity Bird Hospital inside the Jain Digambra Tempe. The hospital is free of charge but not meant for pet birds as Jain philosophy dictates that any birds brought in here are released in the open after they recover. Next comes an exploration of the Jama Masjid (1650 AD), the largest mosque in India. The Masjid (Mosque) is a magnificent example of Mughal architecture and is constructed of red sandstone and white marble. It is an active place of worship and its courtyard can hold 25,000 worshippers.
You continue on to the amazing Red Fort that was finished a decade before the mosque. Both structures were built by Shah Jahan, the emperor that created the Taj Mahal.
The great city inside the massive sandstone walls of the Red Fort offers visitors a large number of architectural and historical attractions; it was once known as the 8th wonder of the world. The Red Fort was the seat of the Mughal Empire for more than two hundred and fifty years and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is an amazing example of a blend of Persian, Indian, and European architecture. You will also experience a fascinating rickshaw ride in the ancient alleys of the crowded and colorful bazaar at Chandni Chowk. After these experiences a short drive will deliver you to an oasis of calm and serenity, which also happens to be your last destination in Old Delhi. The cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi (Raj Ghat) is a simple yet stirring memorial to the father of the nation. Lush lawns extend beyond the enclosure that surrounds the black marble platform occupying the spot where the Mahatma was cremated. An eternal flame burns next to the platform.
There is a break for lunch.
Afternoon – Enjoy a guided visit to the National Museum of Natural History. This is India’s finest museum and has a vast selection of fascinating exhibits spanning many millennia of India’s history. The second museum experience is an exploration of the National Rail Museum (closed on Mondays), with its collection of steam powered locomotives. This includes the Fairy Queen, the world’s oldest running locomotive, built in 1885. There are a number of other fascinating exhibits, including one of the two remaining Morris-Belsize Fire Engine’s in the world today, various Saloon’s that were built for Indian and British Royalty, and a toy train takes you around (available on most days) the 10 acre museum.
Day 5: Delhi. You are at leisure on this day. The only service provided by Easy Tours is your Hotel Room, including breakfast and taxes. A chauffeur driven vehicle as well as a guide can be arranged for half a day or the full day. Delhi has a lot of experiences and activities that you can indulge in, including great dining and souvenir shopping. There are interactive experiences that families can enjoy, such as the shows at the impressive Akshardham Temple Complex. Our staff can make suggestions based on your preferences.
Day 6: Delhi – Agra.
You are assisted with your checkout from your hotel and driven to Delhi’s railway station where you are assisted with boarding the early morning Express train to Agra for a two hour journey. This is an opportunity to experience an Indian Railway Station, something that you will find nowhere else on this planet.Your Easy Tours Facilitator assists you in getting seated in your assigned seats and gets your luggage ported to the appropriate location above your seats. The facilitator stays with you until the train departs. Your Travel Facilitator provides you with a detailed itinerary of the trains schedule so as to make you comfortable with every step of the journey. Refreshments are served by Indian Railways during this journey – we recommend that you refrain from consuming these (except for the bottled water) as you will have been provided with a bagged breakfast. You are greeted by an Easy Tours Facilitator on your arrival at Agra. If an early check-in is available, you are driven to your hotel and assisted with your check-in. If it is not available, you can either commence your guided exploration directly or opt to visit your hotel and use the facilities there before you start your sightseeing.
You now start your exploration of Agra with a half day city tour of the magnificent monuments of this city. The exploration of Agra includes a visit to the famous tomb of Itmad-Ud–Daulah. This memorial was built by the Mughal Emperor Jehangir’s queen as a memorial to her father. The tombs sheer beauty will surprise you – the only reason it does not get more accolades is because it shares the stage with the incomparable Taj Mahal. Like the Taj it has amazingly intricate ‘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. After your exploration of the tomb you will visit the first red sandstone fort of North India, the Agra Fort. It was built in 1565 by India’s greatest Mughal ruler, Emperor Akbar. Its royal audience halls, immense stone courtyards, marble mosque and the private royal chambers give us a glimpse 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 is obviously a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Taj Mahal was completed by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1653 AD as a memorial to his beloved queen, Mumtaz Mahal. This spectacular white marble mausoleum was created by about 22,000 skilled craftsmen and it took twenty two years to complete. When you experience the Taj Mahal with an Easy Tours Guide and have them provide unique insights into its innumerable facets, some of their passion for this masterpiece may rub off on you! Explore the amazing Taj and its surroundings until it is time to admire the sun’s rays setting on the façade of the world’s finest monument.
Day 7: Agra – Ranthambore. You can either sleep in or chose to enjoy either of these two optional excursions - a sunrise visit to Mehtab Bagh (no charge), which is a 500 year old Mughal garden located across from the Taj Mahal on the other side of the Yamuna River; or a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal (entry fee surcharge applies). If you select either of the latter options, you will return to your hotel to freshen up after the excursion. An optional experience where you can learn how to tie a Sari or a Turban is available this midmorning. You can choose to enjoy the facilities at your hotel until just before noon. If you do not start out for Ranthambore fairly early in the morning (enabling you to have a late lunch on arrival), we recommend that you consider getting a packed lunch from the hotel for your journey. The dining/rest stopover during the journey offers limited choices.
You are assisted with your check-out from your hotel and then you are driven to
Fatehpur Sikri. Enjoy a guided exploration of this beautiful uninhabited city. It was built by Emperor Akbar between 1570 and 1585 and is constructed primarily out of red sandstone. The Emperor moved his capital from Agra to this city and then, a few years later, abandoned it, returning back to Agra. Visit the tallest gateway in the world, the towering Bulund Darwaza (The Gate of Victory). In the northern part of the courtyard is the superb white marble tomb of Shaik Salim Chishti, built in 1570.
Continue on with your journey to Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore National Park). The second half of this drive is through rural Rajasthan and there are multiple photo opportunities of the colorful villagers as they go about their daily activities. You will also encounter many camels and other livestock on this drive.
You are greeted on arrival at your jungle lodge and assisted with your check-in.
Since 2006, Easy Tours of India has tracked the percentage of tiger sightings for our guests in Ranthambore National Park. Over 85% of our guests have had tiger sightings during this period, with many of them getting multiple sightings.
Day 8: Ranthambore. Covering an area of 410 sq. km, Ranthambore National Park 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 of the rulers of Jaipur.
In 1972 it was declared a Sanctuary and was brought under the Project Tiger Conservation platform. Dry deciduous forest covers most of the park, and the vegetation is lush around the many small lakes and ponds. The open grasslands that are the tiger’s favorite terrain account for much of the land 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 have the option of a guided visit to the
Ranthambore Fort. This excursion does have a fairly steep climb – approximately 700 feet of stairs. The massive Fort 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 (originally built in 944 AD) is a chronicle full of tales of blood and valor. Successively occupied by the Muslims, Rajputs and Mughals, the insides of the fort today lie partly in ruins. There are superb views of the park to be had from the ramparts. There is an ancient temple located in the fort and it attracts a continuous stream of pilgrims from the surrounding villages. A little note of caution – a large number of aggressive langur’s (South Asian monkeys) have made the Fort area their home and it is not advisable to have shiny objects and food visible in your hands as you tour the fort, as it will be snatched away.
Day 9: Ranthambore – Jaipur. Enjoy your last safari into Ranthambore in the morning. Return to your hotel after the safari and enjoy your breakfast. You have a couple of hours at leisure to freshen up and pack. You are assisted with your check-out from your hotel at noon and then there is a break for lunch (included).
After lunch you are driven to Jaipur. The first half of this drive is also through rural Rajasthan and there are multiple photo opportunities. Sawai Madhopur itself (the community located next to Ranthambore) is a rural small town and you will drive through it to get a glimpse of life here before you head for Jaipur. You are assisted with your check in at your hotel at Jaipur.
Evening – Join your Easy Tours Facilitator and drive to a local restaurant where you will enjoy a dinner and Rajasthani cultural show that includes regional dance, music and acrobatic performances.
Jaipur is famous for its carpets, jewelry & handicrafts.
Day 10: Jaipur. Join your chauffeur and guide for the short drive to Amer Fort. Just like the Emperors of a few centuries ago, enjoy the ascent up to the ramparts of the fort on top of a colorfully
caparisoned elephant (jeeps are available instead of the elephants, if you so desire). The massive Fort complex was originally built by Raja Mansingh and is one of India’s finest examples of Rajput architecture. Explore the chambers and hallways, which are famous for their exquisite designs and handcrafted embellishments. Return to the valley beneath the Fort on your elephant or jeep and proceed to your Jaipur Hotel, where you are assisted with your check-in.
There is a break for lunch.
Afternoon - enjoy a city tour of the walled city of Jaipur, including the magnificent City Palace. Visit Jantar Mantar (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the magnificent stone observatory built by Raja Jai Singh in 1728. After the observatory comes a photo opportunity of the ‘Hawa Mahal’ (Palace of the Wind). This intriguing facade was built in 1799 so that the ladies of the court could use its unique windows and observe the bustling bazaar, without being visible to the people on the streets. Continue the tour with an exploration of 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.
Day 11: Jaipur. Join your chauffeur and guide at 10 am and proceed to a nearby village to experience rural culture. You will watch the farmers go about their daily activities, and get to observe how the vast majority of Indians contently live simple and hard working lives.
Afternoon - you are at leisure with your chauffeur and guide, who are available to you until 7 pm. An optional stop this afternoon allows the ladies to get Mehndi (Henna) designs applied to their hands and/or feet. There are various other experiences and activities that you can indulge in. Jaipur is India’s shopping capital for tourists and this is a good time to shop for Rajasthani specialties if you are so inclined. Or you can choose to enjoy the facilities at your hotel.
Day 12: Jaipur – Delhi – International Flight. You are assisted with your check-out from your hotel by noon (this time will vary based on your international flights departure time) and you proceed on the drive to Delhi airport. Upon your arrival at Delhi you may have a few hours before you need to check-in for your international flight. This is a good time to do some last minute shopping and/or sightseeing if you are so inclined.
Your vehicle and chauffeur stay with you until your (usually late evening) assisted check in at the airport. If your flight departs early in the morning you may want us to arrange a room for you so you can rest.
Our services end at Delhi airport.
Day 13: Arrive at your next destination.
