Birdwatching and the Golden Triangle

1. Day 1 Arrive Delhi

   Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you are met by our representative who will present you with a welcome pack including all necessary documentation and arrange your transfer to hotel for check-in. Delhi: A bustling metropolis and a city of 14 million inhabitants, is also India's capital. A near-perfect blend of the ancient and the modern, Delhi, consisting of two parts Old & New Delhi, is a city with something for everyone. From Forts and monuments that are almost 500-years old to modern shopping malls, nightclubs and golf courses, Delhi truly is India's crown jewel. No activity is scheduled today since most of the International flights arrive in India close to midnight only. Overnight stay in Delhi.

2. Day 2 In Delhi

   This morning you are collected from your hotel for a full-day tour of Old and New Delhi. The tour starts with a visit to the 17th-century old city includes the massive Mughal fortress, the Red Fort, the great mosque of Jama Masjid, the main street of Old Delhi-the colorful shopping bazaar known as Chandni Chowk ("Moonlit Street") and lastly, Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. The tour of New Delhi includes the Humayun's Tomb, the precursor of the Taj Mahal. Drive down the spectacular Rajpath ("the Kingsway,") passing the India Gate (the memorial built to commemorate the unknown soldiers,) the President's House, and the House of Parliament. Lastly, visit the Qutub Complex- a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Evening at leisure to perhaps venture out and discover the city or its many restaurants on your own.

3. Day 3 Delhi - Agra (220 kms/4 hrs.)

   This morning you drive to Agra (220 kms/4 hrs.). Agra: "The Land of Taj" was once the capital of the Mughal Empire and even today it seems to linger in the past. Agra is an old city and it is said that its name was derived from Agrabana, a forest that finds mention in the epic Mahabharata. In more recent times Agra came into prominence when Sikandar Lodi made it his capital city in 1501. Later it passed into the possession of the Mughals. It was during the time of the third emperor "Akbar" that Agra came into its own and later on his grandson "Shah Jehan" ornamented the city with that masterpiece of Mughal architecture - The Taj Mahal. Not surprising, for the Mughal emperors with their passion for building, endowed the city with some of the finest structures in the world. In the afternoon, you are collected for a half-day city tour of Agra visiting the Taj Mahal a poem, a feeling of love, in white marble, is a fine example of the fusion of many architectural styles. It has been described as the most extravagant monuments ever built for love. Time spent at the Taj Mahal will always remain in your memory, as one of the best memories of your India tour. Your tour also includes a visit to the Agra Fort, the seat of the Mughal dynasty in the 16th century, lies on the bend of the River Yamuna, almost in the heart of town. The red sandstone fortress was built by Akbar over the years of 1565-1573 and now has the status of a World Heritage Site. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Agra.

4. Day 4 Agra – Bharatpur (50 kms/ 01 hr)

   Morning, you are collected from your hotel for a half-day tour of Agra visiting The Taj Mahal - a poem, a feeling of love, in white marble, is a fine example of the fusion of many architectural styles. It has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love. Your tour also includes a visit to the red-sandstone Agra Fort, seat of the Mughal dynasty in the 16th century, lies on the bend of the River Yamuna, almost in the heart of town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the years of 1565-1573. Later, drive to Bharatpur (50 kms/ 01 hr). Now known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, situated in the North Indian state of Rajasthan (actually very close to Agra) is without question one of the finest bird-watching locations in the world. In fact, it is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. The reserve provides diversity and abundance of birdlife only equaled in Africa and keen birdwatchers are often overwhelmed by the sheer number of birds present. Notable species amongst the throngs of nesting Painted Storks, White Ibises, Darters, and Spoonbills are specialties such as the threatened Black-necked Stork, Comb Duck, and the elusive Spotted Creeper. Thousands of ducks crowd the marshes and pools and include, amongst the more familiar species, hundreds of Ferruginous and Lesser Whistling Ducks plus smaller numbers of Red-crested Pochards and Spotbilled Ducks. Both White and Dalmatian Pelicans may occur and large numbers of Common Cranes along with smaller numbers of Sarus Cranes use the reserve in which to winter. Bharatpur has also been famous as the winter hideaway of the very rare Siberian Cranes, though the sighting of these has reduced considerably in recent years. Bharatpur also provides unrivalled opportunities for observing a large range of raptors, including Spotted, Imperial, Steppe and Tawny Eagles, as well as a host of vultures. Bharatpur is also known for the sighting of rare bird species such as Orange-headed Ground Thrush, Dusky Warbler, Marshall's Iora and Large-tailed Nightjar. Other wildlife inhabiting the Bharatpur Sanctuary includes the rare and beautiful Blackbuck, Indian Smooth Otter, Fishing Cat, Soft-shelled Turtle and Indian Python. Nilgai, Sambar, Spotted Deer and Rhesus Macaques. A very interesting feature of Bharatpur is the way game rides are done, on cycle rickshaws. You could also take a cycling or walking tour of this park. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Overnight in Bharatpur.

5. Day 5 Bharatpur – Jaipur (180 kms/3½ hrs.)

   Later drive to the Pink city of Rajasthan, Jaipur. Jaipur: Jaipur is an exuberance of colour, dance, and song with the traditional arts and crafts. It's one of India's most well planned cities, with wide, straight avenues, roads, streets and lanes in a grid system. In fact, Jaipur walled city is one of the UNESCO listed World Heritage SItes in India. The great warrior/astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II carefully planned Jaipur's foundation. Laid out in the 18th century, its design followed specifications from an epochal Hindu treatise on architecture. This "Pink City," so called because its buildings are painted in the tones of an autumnal sunset, intersperses the play of red and pink with white borders and motifs. The royal family's residence at Amber is only 11 km away. The palaces and forts of yesteryear, once witness to royal processions, now shine amid the splendor of modern monuments, juxtaposition accepted quite naturally into the lifestyles of an amazing people. Upon arrival in Jaipur, check-in at the hotel. Overnight in Jaipur.

6. Day 6 In Jaipur

   This morning you are collected from your hotel for excursion to Amber fort, situated on the outskirts of the city. Here, you are transported back in time today, riding like royalty atop elegantly draped and painted elephants into the high mountain fortress. Amber Fort was the ancient capital of the State until 1728 and inside the fort, you visit the Jagmandir or the Hall of victory glittering with mirrors, Jai Mahal and the Temple of Kali. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur city visiting Hawa Mahal or "Palace of Winds," one of the major landmarks of Jaipur, although it is actually little more than a façade. The five-story building was originally built to enable the ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and processions of the city. The City Palace, located in the heart of the old city, is a large complex of courtyards, buildings, and gardens, and also houses an interesting museum. Adjacent to the City Palace is Jantar Mantar, the ancient astronomical observatory built by Raja Jai Singh, whose passion for astronomy was even more notable than his prowess as a warrior. Overnight in Jaipur.

7. Day 7 DRIVE JAIPUR - DELHI (265 KM/05 HRS) AND DEPART DELHI

   Morning at leisure until drive to Delhi International airport (265 kms/05 hrs) in time to board flight home.

Price

Start from: USD 1068 Per Person

Accommodation

Important Information

• Small supplements may apply for travel between 20th December' and 05th January' and during the month of February’ .
• All the figures quoted above are net per person in US Dollars.