Watch the sun rise over the Ganges and take a sunset drive in search of tigers. Enjoy brunch at a royal fortress and dinner under an Indian night sky. Gaze in awe at the world’s greatest symbol of love and marvel at intricate carvings in ancient temples. Wander through deserted cities and gaze through the archways of sandstone palaces. Superb wildlife, spectacular scenery and stunning architecture are just waiting to be discovered on this splendid tour.
- Travelling - 1
Fly Over night To Delhi, Arriving On Day 2. Your Tour Guide And Local Specialist Guide Will Be On Hand Throughout The Holiday. Overnight Delhi.
- Ancient Walled Cities - 3
Discover A Maze Of Crowded Narrow Streets And Thronging Markets Inside The Ancient Walled City Of Old Delhi By Rickshaw. See The Spectacular Red Fort And Stroll Along Vibrant Chandni Chouk. Colourful Silk Saris Adorn Store Fronts And The Fragrance Of Local Spices Fills The Air. Beards Are Shaved At Outdoor Barber Shops And Teeth Pulled At Local Dentists. Silver Is Weighed And Indian Sweetmeats Sampled, Everything Is For Sale Here. Pay Your Respects At Raj Ghat, The Simple Memorial To Mahatma Gandhi And Admire The Impressive Marble Domes Of Jama Masjid, India’s Largest Mosque.
- Tombs, Towers And Gardens - 3
Drive Through The British Built Boulevards And Lush Green Parks Of New Delhi. The Iconic India Gate And Imposing Parliament House Are Both Reminders Of A Colonial Past. Qutub Minar, A Soaring Tower Of Sandstone Is A Moslem Symbol Of Victory Over An Ancient Hindu Kingdom, And Humayan’s Tomb Looks Strangely Familiar, It Is Often Described As The Predecessor Of The Taj Mahal. Overnight Delhi.
- Evening In The ‘Eternal City’ - 4
The ‘Eternal City’ Of Varanasi Sits On The Banks Of The Sacred River Ganges. Indians Are Drawn Here To Worship, Meditate, Burn Their Dead And, Above All To Bathe In The Holy Waters. This Is The Centre Of The Hindu Religion. Spend Early Evening By The River With Your Tour Guide And Watch For Priests Performing ‘Puja’ To The Four Elements On High Podiums Above A Sea Of Pilgrims. Rich And Poor Worship Together At This Atmospheric Ceremony. Overnight Varanasi.
- Sunrise On The Ganges - 5
As Dawn Breaks Board A Boat, And Watch The City Come Alive As The Sun Rises. Drift Past The Ghats Which Tumble Down To The Water. At Each Brightly Painted Staircase A Different Crowd Gathers; Devout Hindus Bathe And Pray, Chattering Women In Brightly Coloured Saris Pound Their Laundry And Bare-Chested Men Twist Into Mind-Boggling Yoga Positions. Witness The Conclusion Of Life At The ‘Burning Ghats’, It Is Believed You Go Straight To Heaven From Varanasi. Follow Your Tour Guide Through The Narrow Streets And Watch Out For Wandering Sacred Cows As You Turn Each Corner For Another Fascinating Glimpse Of Local Life. See The Benaras Hindu University And The Bharat Mata Temple, As You Return To The Hotel For Breakfast.
- Temples Of Sarnath - 5
Escape The Crowds And Travel To Tranquil Sarnath, The Symbolic Birthplace Of Buddhism. See Temples Representing Buddhist Communities From Around The World And Learn More Of A Fascinating Religion At The Museum. Overnight Varanasi.
- Travelling - 6
Journey By Air And Road To Bandhavgarh. Experience A
Close Up Of Rural Life And En Route Ask Your Local Specialist Guide About Typical Customs In The Small Towns And Villages. Overnight Bandhavgarh.
- In Search Of Big Cats - 7
Bandhavgarh National Park, Formerly A Hunting Reserve For The Maharajahs, Sits Amidst Soaring Cliffs And Wooded Mountains. Board Open Jeeps For Early Morning And Afternoon Game Drives Across A Landscape Teeming With Wildlife. Royal Bengal Tigers And Leopards Prowl Across The Grasslands; Dawn And Dusk Are The Perfect Times For Sightings Of These Magnificent But Elusive Creatures. Don’t Overlook Other Wildlife; Kingfishers Dive In The Reed Covered Wetlands And Hunch-Backed Egrets Sit In The Shallows. Vultures Nestle In The Sheer Cliffs And Spotted Deer And Wild Pig Graze On The Prairies. Bengal Fox, Sloth Bear And Mongoose Hunt In The Forest And The Eerie Call Of A Jackal Breaks The Silence Of The Evening.
- A School Visit And Evening With An Expert - 7
Meet Pupils At A Village School, Their Command Of English Will Astound You And Small Gifts Will Be Rewarded With Beaming Smiles. A Park Expert Will Give A Talk This Evening And Your Questions On Wildlife Will Be Welcomed. Overnight Bandhavgarth.
- Brunch At The Fort - 8
Explore The Park As Dawn Breaks, You Don’t Want To Miss The Stunning Sunrise. The Forested Hills And Wetlands Echo To The Cries Of Monkeys And Lemurs, Hornbills And Fish Eagles. High Up In The Imposing Bastions Of The Bandhavgarth Fort A Special Buffet Brunch And Spectacular Views Across The Reserve Await You After A Morning Safari. Join A Final Included Game Drive This Afternoon. You May Prefer To Relax In The Comfortable Surroundings Of The Lodge And Take A Snooze In The Shade. The Choice Is Yours.
- Tribal Dances And Dinner Under The Stars - 8
Beating Drums Fill The Night Air As Local Tribes Entertain You With A Colourful Display Of Song And Dance. Gather With Travelling Companions And Dine Under The Stars. Overnight Bandhavgarh.
- ‘Sound And Light’ At Khajuraho - 9
Travel To Bewitching Khajuraho Where The Ancient Stones Speak. A Spectacular ’Sound And Light’ Show Is The Perfect Introduction To The Mesmerising Architecture Of This Special Place. Overnight Khajuraho.
- Erotic Carvings And Mystical Temples - 10
The Medieval Temples Of Khajuraho Embody The Golden Age Of A Former Royal Dynasty And Are Famed For Their Erotic And Explicit Sculptures. As You Wander Through These Mystical Structures With Your Tour Guide Imagine The Shock Of An Officer Of The British Raj Who Discovered The Deserted Temples During The Rather Restrained Reign Of Queen Victoria. Browse In Handicraft Stores And Barter For The Locally Woven Fabrics; A Miniature Stone-Carved Replica Of An Erotic Sculpture Will Always Remind You Of Your Visit. Overnight Khajuraho.
- By Road And Rail To Agra - 11
Journey By Road Through Madhya Pradesh Stopping En Route At Orcha, A Little Gem Of A Town Dotted With Temples And Palaces Built By Bandela Kings. At Jhansi Board The Train Bound For Agra. The Station Platform Heaves With Travellers, Local Vendors Sell Spicy Samosas, And Small Boys Lug Huge Silver Kettles Of Chai. Sit Back, Relax And Enjoy The Constantly Changing Scenery And Engaging Company Of Fellow Passengers. An Indian Rail Journey Is Always A Memorable Experience. Overnight Agra.
- The Magic Of The Taj Mahal - 12
Nothing Prepares You For Your First Sight Of This Shimmering White Marble Mausoleum, Built By The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan To Commemorate The Life Of His Favourite Wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Step Inside And Gaze In Wonder At The Millions Of Semi-Precious Stones And Intricate Patterns That Adorn The Interior. Surrounded By Immaculate Gardens, Shimmering Mirror Pools And Running Streams, A Visit To The Taj Mahal Will Exceed All Your Expectations. Travel Through The Bustling Streets Of Agra To The Red Sandstone Agra Fort. Wander Through The Chambers Of This Former Royal Residence And Capture Glimpses Of The Shimmering White Taj Mahal, Framed By A Perfect Archway.
- Ancient Romance - 12
This Evening Take Your Seat For A Performance Of ’Mohabbat
The Taj ‘And Watch As The Greatest Love Story Of All Is Revealed With A Spectacular Performance Of Song And Dance. Overnight Agra.
- Return To The Capital - 13
Enjoy Last Views Of Everyday Indian Life As You Return By Road To Delhi. The Street Stalls And Boutiques Of Connaught Place Are The Perfect Spot For Last Minute Bargains This Evening. Ask Your Local Specialist Guide For Directions. Overnight Delhi.
- Travelling - 14
Return Flight To The Uk, Arriving The Same Day.
