GOLDEN TRIANGLE & RANTHAMBHORE
TOUR COST from AUD1,978.00** Per Person Twin Share
Day 01 ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. As guests exit, you will be met and transferred from airport to Le Meridien hotel.
DELHI – INDIA’S PAST AND ITS FUTURE
“I asked my soul what is Delhi?
It replied the world is the body; Delhi is its soul….. is how a 19th century poet described this city that has ever been so many things to so many different people. To the weary travellers on the ancient silk route it was the first plain after having crossed the Himalayan Mountains with the promise of shelter, food and business opportunities. To the Afghan, Turk, Greek, Arab and Roman kings it was a vast and inexhaustible source of treasures of all kinds to the Chinese travellers it was the land of knowledge and wisdom. Its ageless face saw the advent of Islam. It saw empires being built and destroyed or even merely dismantled to make way for the new and Delhi lived on….
The British created their own Delhi with large well planned avenues and planted 10000 trees with a 112 Kms of hedges that it would be green round the year abundant with flowers a botanical paradise. The seat of the British Empire Delhi of 1911 was planned to resemble ‘an Englishman dressed for the climate’. Its planners and main architects decided that it would be neither Hindu, nor Muslim, nor Buddhist, nor English nor Roman but IMPERIAL a house for the Viceroy that resembled ‘a giant Indian bungalow, embattled Rajput fortress and Mughal tomb with shades of Buckingham Palace with English country house comforts. Delhi is perhaps the only city in the world that fuses its past present and evokes its future without losing an iota of its identity. 1300 monuments speak of her antiquity of the ambitions of men who thought they could hold on to her but history proved otherwise. A popular superstition is that it is also known as the ‘graveyard of dynasties’ with every one of its cities built there heralding the death the dynasty that built it.
Thus, Delhi is a Melting Pot of cultures, politics and religions of India’s colorful past in its monuments, its palaces, and in the faces of its people that they narrate the story of their glorious past.
New Delhi is the capital of modern India.
Overnight: Le Meridien (Executive room)
Day 02 DELHI
Breakfast at the hotel.
09.30 hrs: Old Delhi – Happily Chaotic!
We proceed for our unique yet fascinating experience of Old Delhi. Drive past the Red Fort followed by “cycle rickshaws” through the lanes of “Chandni Chowk” or Silver Street, experiencing the sights and sounds of this very busy Avenue heading west from the Fort. Chandni Chowk literally means “moonlit crossroads” and an area which best represents the “super-
Oriental”- the glory and the guile; the grandeur and the grime, with its crowded bazaars, twisting lanes, maze of small streets strange aromas, the pungent odour of Oriental spices, the cries of shopkeepers, coolies and “rickshaw- walas” and the clatter and whirr of furious industry. The thrill of being driven through the narrow, winding lanes is a memorable experience. This is perhaps one of Delhi's most populated areas and the largest marketplace.
15.00 hrs: New Delhi: Touch of Faith, Philosophy & British India
We drive to one of the most colonial part of New Delhi called Raisina Hill. Drive past the Viceroy's House (now known as Rashtrapati Bhawan, present residence of the President of India) Lutyen's magnum opus; the India Gate, a war memorial arch.
We then drive past a Sikh place of worship called a Gurdwara or Temple. This shrine is the scene of constant devotional music, whose ethereal tones are relayed throughout the entire complex. A Sikh temple without a Community Kitchen or “Langar” is inconceivable. Food is serviced in the kitchen of the Gurudwara 24 hours to all visitors without any distinction of caste, creed, color or religion. All people - high or low, rich or poor sit in the same queue. Approximately 40,000 visitors share meals every day.
The discovery of New Delhi with a visit to Qutab Minar which is Delhi's Eiffel Tower, its Statue of Liberty and Nelson's Column. Visit the mosques, mausoleums and ruins of forts that lie around it.
Later visit the Humayun’s tomb - the magnificent structure in red sandstone and white marble – one of the finest examples of the garden tomb and a precursor to the Taj Mahal.
Overnight: Le Meridien (Executive room)
Day 03 DELHI – JAIPUR (245 Kms/05 hrs drive approx.)
09.00 hrs: Checkout and drive to Jaipur enroute stopovers for refreshments.
15.00 hrs: Arrive Jaipur; you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Jaipur – The City of Royalty Jaipur was one of the first examples in the world of city planning. The 250-year-old city is a startling blend of forts and palaces, of teeming markets, shops and transport of every kind, from cars to camels! Jaipur today, is the capital of Rajasthan with a population of over 1 ½ million people. Jaipur is called the “Pink City”, for by law all the buildings in the old city must be painted a deep saffron-pink. It is especially known for its arts and crafts: jewellery, enamel work, hand-painted fabrics and stone sculptures. Above everything, Jaipur is an extraordinary colorful place. On its streets, you see women in their brilliant red and orange head coverings and sweeping skirts, and men in their equally vivid turbans and upturned moustaches. Jaipur is also a city of polo which is played on horseback, elephants and at times on bicycles!
Overnight: Trident (Deluxe Garden View room)
Day 04 JAIPUR
Breakfast at the hotel
08.30 hrs: Amber – The Medieval Rajput Citadel "I have seen many royal palaces, but for varied and picturesque effect, for the richness of carving, for wild beauty of situation and the trangeness of finding such a building in such a place and country, I am able to compare nothing with Amber.” Bishop Heber, 1824.
Amber, the former capital of Jaipur state is stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake which reflects its terraces and ramparts. To add the spirit of adventure and royalty, we ascend the hill on elephant back (subject to availability). Amber is a fortified complex of many splendid palaces evolved over a period of six centuries.
15.00 hrs: Visit to 953 little windows and balconies. Proceed to the highly ornamented Hawa Mahal or the Palace of
Winds built in 1799 which has no less than 953 little windows and balconies. It is a stunning example of Rajput artistry and was originally built to enable ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life in the streets below through the delicately honeycombed sandstone windows.
Later visit the imposing City Palace now a museum this was the former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles which now houses a museum with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armoury of the Mughals and Rajput’s. Also, visit the ancient Observatory and drive past the picturesque bazaars of the walled city.
We also have the option to embark on an adventure of discovery of the city of Jaipur as we take bi-cycle rickshaws to the narrow and winding lanes of the city markets experiencing the various interesting sights and sounds, thereafter walking tour through the bustling bazaars. Free time for souvenir shopping -Jaipur is renowned for textile block printing, blue pottery, carpet weaving, semi-precious stones and local crafts which still thrive from the day of Maharaja Jai Singh’s patronage when he designed special areas in the city for the ‘bandhanas’, the ‘cheepas’ and the ‘meenakari’ workers.
Overnight: Trident (Deluxe Garden View room)
Day 05 JAIPUR – RANTHAMBHORE (163 Kms/ 03 hrs drive approx.)
Breakfast at the hotel
09.00 hrs: Check out and drive to Ranthambhore.
13.00 hrs: Arrive at Ranthambhore; Check-in at Anuraga Palace
Ranthambhore - India’s Premier Tiger Reserve. It was established as a sanctuary in 1959 and included in the very first phase of Project Tiger in 1972. In 1981, Ranthambhore was awarded the status of a National Park. The park at Ranthambhore was once the scene of royal hunting parties. Today, it is famous for its tigers and is one of the best places in the country to see these majestic predators in the wild. The tigers can be spotted quite often even during the day, busy in their normal pursuits - especially stalking or hunting and taking care of their young. With the strict measures that have been taken for their conservation, they seem quite accustomed to human presence and are not disturbed by it.
15.00 hrs: Jeep Safari to the park.
This afternoon enjoy a jeep safari to the sanctuary in the hope of spotting the elusive tiger. Apart from the Royal Tiger, this park also has a large population of panthers, which are the second largest predators of the forest. Another interesting feature of the park is the visibility of marsh crocodiles in and around the lakes. Other predators in Ranthambhore are hyenas, jackals and jungle cats. Caracals too have been recorded. Ranthambhore also has sloth bears, Sambar, Chital, Nilgai (Blue Bull), wild boar, Indian gazelles, Indian hare, mongoose and Monitor lizards.
Overnight: Anuraga Palace (Deluxe room)
Day 06 RANTHAMBHORE
06.30 hrs: Jeep Safari to the park.
Another morning jeep safari to the sanctuary.
Return to the hotel after the park safari for breakfast.
15.00 hrs: Final Jeep Safari to the sanctuary.
Overnight: Anuraga Palace (Deluxe room)
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Day 07 RANTHAMBHORE – AGRA (260 Kms/ 05 hrs drive approx.)
Breakfast at the hotel.
08.30 hrs: Check out and depart for Agra, enroute visiting the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri - this exquisite city built by Akbar the Great in 1569, in red sandstone, with its forts, palaces and mosques was abandoned 14 years after its creation due to political reasons.
It is a visual experience of an ancient city abandoned by its ruler and yet well preserved to this day. One can visualize the splendour and glory of a bygone era. Fatehpur Sikri radiates a true sense of faith and belief in oneself and in God. Even today, people visit a shrine within the complex to pray for a better life.
15.00 hrs: Arrive Agra and check in to the hotel.
Agra – The city that created the most extravagant monument ever built for love.
Agra city is a virtual gateway to a world of discovery. It has witnessed the rise of the pomp and pageantry of three great Mughal monarchs - Akbar, Jahangir and Shahjahan, all of whom lavished on this fabled city, their love and riches to transform the land into one of the greatest centres of art, culture, learning and commerce. Much of the city's impressive past lives in evidence even today, in the haunting presence inside the monuments and in the majesty of the buildings.
Overnight: Trident (Deluxe Garden View room)
Day 08 AGRA – DELHI (200 Kms/ 04 hrs approx.) DELHI – NEXT DESTINATION (FLIGHT: TBA)
Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal. (Closed on Friday)
It is said that the world is divided into two parts; those who have seen the Taj Mahal and those who have not.
A flawless architectural creation
For centuries, the Taj Mahal has inspired poets, painters and musicians to try and capture its elusive magic in word, color and son. Since the 17th century, travelers have crossed continents to come and see this ultimate memorial to love, and few have been unmoved by its incomparable beauty. Taj Mahal stands in the city of Agra, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the Yamuna River. It was built in the memory of the beautiful Arjumand Bano Begum, who won the heart of a Mughal prince. She was married at 21 to Emperor Jahangir's third son Prince Khurram and stayed loyally by his side through good times and bad: in the luxurious royal palaces of Agra as well as the transient tents of war camps. A labour of love ~ Work on the mausoleum began in 1633 and 20,000 workers labored for 17 years to build it. The most skilled architects, inlay craftsmen, calligraphers, stone-carvers and masons came from all over India and lands as distant as Persia and Turkey. The master mason was from Baghdad, an expert in building the double dome from Persia, and an inlay specialist from Delhi. Intricacy in design ~ what is most amazing about the Taj Mahal is the fine detailing. The colored inlay is never allowed to overwhelm the design, as carvings done in relief sensitively balance it. The ornate pietra dura and relief carvings are of floral, calligraphic and geometric designs. However, flowers remain the main decorative element as the tomb depicts a paradise garden. The skill of the inlay worker is so fine that it is impossible to find the joints, even when as many as 40 tiny pieces of semi-precious stones have been used in the petals of a single flower. Some of the best calligraphy of Koranic verses can be seen around the entrance arches and on the two headstones. The colours of the Taj ~ Taj Mahal changes its moods with the seasons and the different times of the day. At dawn, the marble has a delicate bloom in shell pink, by noon it glitters majestically white, turning to a soft pearly grey at dusk. Monsoon clouds give it a moody blue tint and it appears and disappears like a mirage in the drifting mists of winter. It can be solid and earthbound, fragile and ethereal, white, amber, grey and gold. The many faces of Taj Mahal display the seductive power of architecture at its best.
Return to hotel and breakfast.
09.30 hrs: Check out and visit to Agra Fort. The Agra Fort’s construction was started by Emperor Akbar in 1565 when he was just 23 years of age.
Within the fort are several fascinating buildings – the Pearl Mosque
built of marble, the Hall of Public Audiences, the Hall of Private Audiences where the famous "peacock throne" was kept, the Octagonal Tower, the Jahangir Palace built by Akbar for his son Jahangir and the Khas Mahal, a beautiful white marble structure used as a private palace.
Continue to the Itimad Ud Daulah, the least visited of the three most important monuments of Agra. Also, known as the Baby Taj, it was built for Gheyas Beg, who was a Wazir in Jahangir’s court and whose daughter Mehrunissa was later married to Jahangir.
13.00 hrs: Continue drive to Delhi
17.00 hrs: Arrive Delhi: you will be met and transferred to the International Airport to board your flight back to home.
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Package includes
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07 Nights’ accommodation in 1 Twin sharing room as per hotels mentioned above.
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Daily Buffet Breakfast at all the hotels mentioned above except Ranthambhore where all meals are included.
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All transportation, transfers and sightseeing by an exclusive chauffeur driven air-conditioned Toyota Innova.
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Elephant ride at Amber Fort (Subject to availability).
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Meet and Greet services in all cities to be visited,
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All entrances to monuments during sightseeing.
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Service of an English-speaking guide for all sight-seeing.
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All applicable Taxes
NOT Included in the tour prices
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Meals other than specified above.
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Any expense of personal nature, like liquor, laundry, telephone calls etc
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Any camera charges (still or video)
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Any other expense not mentioned in the price include column.
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Charges for any optional tours apart from the itinerary above.
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Shared Jeep Safari at Ranthambhore National Park priced from AUD103.00 per person per safari.
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** Valid for travel 01 to 24 October 2019, 16 November to 21 December 2019, 06 to 31 January 2020 and 01 to 31 March 2020.
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*** From AUD2010.00 25 October to 15 November, 2019 and 01 to 28 February 2020.
** Not valid for travel between 22 December 2019 and 05 January 2020. Please contact Aussienet Travel for rates during this peak period.
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Notes:
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Check-in / Checkout time at most of the hotels in India is 1400/1200 hrs.
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The above rates are valid for minimum 02 paying passenger as per the itinerary.
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Red Fort is closed every Monday.
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Taj Mahal is closed on every Friday.