Befriend with Tigers and Maharajas (Wildlife tour)

Day 4: Sariska - Ranthambore
After breakfast drive to Ranthambore (240 kms) On arrival in Ranthambore - check into the hotel.
Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary - Rajasthan's most renowned wildlife sanctuary, it is 400 sq kms of dry deciduous forest, perfect natural habitat for tigers, and is set in the Aravalli and Vindhya hills, dotted with pavillions and dominated by a hilltop fort. Ranthambore was one of the hunting preserves of the former rulers of Jaipur and because of this the Maharajas ensured the environment was preserved and the forest and their inhabitants well protected. It has a good population of tiger and their prey species, and has been declared a "Project Tiger" reserve. Wildlife includes blue bull, black buck, spotted deer or cheetal, wild boar, a large variety of bird species and, if very lucky, the rarely seen leopard.  Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Ranthambore
Early morning and late afternoon, game viewing in the sanctuary by jeeps.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Ranthambore - Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur (156 kms) On arrival in Jaipur - check into the hotelLunch at the hotel

Afternoon, tour of the "Pink City" is spectacularly set within surrounding rugged hills, dotted with ancient ruined fortresses. Your tour will include the imposing City Palace, still home to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the public. Many antiques and artefacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here, including a collection of weaponry. You will also visit the Hawa Mahal "Palace of the Winds", and the open-air Jantar Mantar Observatory to see the vast astronomical instruments. Enjoy a stroll through the colourful bazaar before returning to your hotel. Overnight at hotel.
 

Day 7: Jaipur - Bharatpur
Morning visit Amber Fort. Afternoon drive to Bharatpur

The famous Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary which is a wonder of the natural world and no less worth seeing than the marble mausoleum of the Taj. Here over 350 species of birds find refuge in the 29sq kms of shallow lakes & wood lands of the park. A third of them are migrants many of whom spend winter in Bharatpur before returning to their breeding grounds as far away as Siberia and Central Asia.

This sanctuary is the creation of the Maharaja of Bharatpur in the late 19th century, who recognized the area's potential and augmented the water supply by diverting water from a nearby irrigation canal. He also constructed small dams, dykes and shooting butts & in a few years the new ecosystem so flourished that it was able to support thousands of water birds. The maharaja celebrated his success in style, with extravagant shooting parties for the dignitaries of princely India. Their exploits are recorded to this day on a sandstone inscription in the park. There are many good paths & trails through the dense park, but a ride with your expert rickshaw driver will be a rewarding experience as he has been trained to recognise the different species of birds.

Afternoon, cycle-rickshaw ride.

Day 8: Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
After breakfast drive to Agra (56 kms) enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri - drive to the impressive sandstone fortress of Fatehpur Sikri. The fort was built in the 16th century and only occupied for a few years before being abandoned, leaving the buildings in virtually perfect conditions.

On arrival in Agra - check into the hotel.

Lunch at the hotel

Afternoon, visit the Taj Mahal is the mausoleum of Empress Mumtaz Mahal, the beloved spouse of Shah Jahan, who died in 1630. The Taj complex comprises a forecourt, a lofty entrance, a charming formal Mughal garden with canals and a central tank with a series of fountains, the tomb proper, and an attached mosque on the west and its symmetrical counterpart on the east. The Taj is remarkable for its perfect proportion and rich pietra dura, with minute details executed with great skill. The building, often styled "a dream in marble" is said to have taken at least 22 years (1631-1653) to build.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Agra - Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the Red Fort built by three generations of Mughal Emperors starting from Akbar the Great in 1565 AD, which is a masterpiece of design and construction. It housed both the residential Palaces of the Royal family, and the military quarters. Lunch at the hotel.
Afternoon drive to Delhi (203 kms/ 5 hrs)

Upon arrival transfer to the international airport for onward flight.

Day 10: Delhi - Abroad
Leave Delhi for Abroad.