India Safari & Royal Rajasthan

ITINERARY

• DAY 1

  Welcome to Delhi, India

  Arrive at Delhi Airport. Welcome to India!
  
  Meet the airport representative as you step outside of the aerobridge who will assist you through immigration & customs and baggage collection and will hand over you to Creative’s ambassador in the arrival area of the airport. Depart for your hotel where you will check-in for your stay.
  
  Delhi stands as the capital of Modern India. Here you can see the mingling of the Old and New India, the ancient and the modern. Delhi is made up of seven ancient cities, spanning the period from the 11th to the 20th centuries. Delhi has seen the rise and fall of many emperors, which has left behind a plethora of monuments that commemorate the grandeur and glory of bygone ages. Very few cities in the world can express such a profusion of architectural styles.

  What's included?

  • Accommodation
  • Transfer
• DAY 2

  Delhi - City Sightseeing Old Delhi and Enjoy The Live Show Mohabbat The Taj

  After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a full day of sightseeing in Delhi.
  
  Start with Old Delhi, visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India (Mosque will be closed during praying hours). After this visit, hop on to your rickshaws and enter the colorful, narrow alleys and gullies of Old Delhi. Discover the gems of the main street of Chandni Chowk. Then proceed into busy streets which are forever bustling with the clamor and routine of daily trade, offering a glimpse of life back in the day and age when the city started as a commercial hub. Proceed to Kinari Bazaar or wedding market where one can buy all the paraphernalia required for an Indian wedding. At night, the gold and silver decorated borders, laces, and colorful embellishments in this lane twinkle, glitter, and shine, casting flirtatious looks upon innocent passers-by. Visit Asia's largest spice market, where spices, which in times gone by were once so valuable that they caused invasions and fierce battles, is still traded! On the way, you have the option of sampling some of Delhi’s delicious street food from Jalebis to samosas! Here you will also visit Red Fort the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire.
  
  Continue to visit Lutyens’s New Delhi. New Delhi was designed and built by the British in the 1920's - it's a city of wide boulevards, impressive Government buildings, green parks, and gardens. In 1911 King George V announced the transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi. The King's architects, Lutyens and Baker, set in motion the design and construction of Delhi's eight cities - New Delhi. Lutyens designed an "Imperial City" having palatial-sized buildings set amid broad tree-lined avenues punctuated by Mughal-style gardens, complete with fountains and shallow pools. It took 20 years to complete this immense undertaking only to have the British pack up and relinquish the subcontinent in 1947.
  
  Visit two monuments from Delhi's past - Qutub Minar (Historical construction of a landmark in 1199, Qutub-Ud-Din raised the Qutub Minar either as a victory tower or as a minaret to the adjacent mosque. From a base of 47 feet it tapers to 9 feet at a height of 238 feet) & Humayun's tomb (This tomb, which was built by emperor Humayun's wife, took eight years to complete and is regarded as an example of the early Mughal architecture. The emperor's wife, Begai Begum, was buried in the tomb and the structure is the first of its kind built in the center of a well-planned garden. The combination of white marble and red sandstone was a great influence on later Mughal architecture. It is generally regarded as a prototype of the famed Taj Mahal of Agra).
  
  Your drive also takes you along the ceremonial avenue, Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate (At the center of New Delhi stands the 138 feet high India Gate, an "Arc-de-Triomphe" like Archway in the middle of a crossroad. It’s almost like its French counterpart war memorial. It commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the First World War and bears the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the North-western Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919. The foundation stone was laid by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught in 1921 and was designed by Edwin Lutyens), President House (The palatial building built on an area of 330 acres with a private garden designed by the illustrious Lutyens, as the official residence of the Viceroy of India during British reign, is now the official residence of the First Citizen) and the Parliament House (This is the symbol of Indian democracy).
  
  Included Experience: Volunteer with Wildlife SOS Bear Sanctuary
  
  The Agra bear rescue center is the largest Sloth Bear rescue facility in the world housing over 250 sloth bears who have all been rescued from their lives of torture as dancing bears that used to ply the villages and highways of the region. The visit includes a personal guided tour of the facility including a video presentation of the 'dancing bears' and a short talk on bear conservation and its challenges in India. Interact with the bear keepers and learn about the unique habits of the bears, their rehabilitation, and their new world of play, foraging, feeding, and digging. This is truly one of India wildlife's success stories and is a heart-warming experience.
  
  Included Experience: Live show - Mohabbat The Taj
  
  Spend your evening enjoying the amazing Mohabbat- e - The Taj show that depicts the romantic love story of Emperor Shajahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. You will be blown away by the creative dance and dramatic lighting with the 12’ x 12’ Taj Mahal replica as well as the lavish lifestyle of the Mughal Empire.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 3

  Agra - Visit The Impressive Agra Fort and Exceptional Views of The Taj Mahal

  After breakfast transfer to Railway station to board the train to Agra. Meet & Greet on arrival in Agra and proceed to visit Agra Fort.
  
  Visit the impressive Agra Fort, where you are taken through the chambers of this royal residence. As you drive through the city, witness the local life and bazaars (markets) and the hustle-bustle of everyday India. Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Agra, India. The fort is also known as Lal Qila, Fort Rouge, and Red Fort of Agra. It is about 1.5 miles northwest of its much more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.
  
  It is the most important fort in India. The great Mughals Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb lived here, and the country was governed from here. It contained the largest state treasury and mint. It was visited by foreign ambassadors, travelers, and the highest dignitaries who participated in the making of history in India.
  
  After sightseeing transfer to the hotel and check-in.
  
  Afternoon, proceed for a 1-2-hour walk exploring the village and meeting the villages who live in the shadow of the Taj Mahal.
  
  It is a wonderful, unique, and interactive experience that gives a rare ‘behind the scene' glimpse of the world’s most famous tourist attraction. Take a walk through Kachhpura Village which is in the shadow of the Taj Mahal with one of the village boys. He will show you the lesser-known heritage monuments of Humayun’s Mosque and Gyaraha Sidi and walk you through this historic settlement where you can meet its people and discover their way of life as agriculturists next to the Taj. Enjoy tea and pakoras on the rooftop of a village house overlooking the monument and see how creating this experience has benefited the local community. The walk ends at Mehtab Bagh or Moonlit Garden which has exceptional views of the Taj Mahal. The money generated from this tour is used to put sanitation in the village, educate women and provide initiatives for children.
  
  On your way back to the hotel sample a popular traditional sweet of Agra called Petha.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
  • Train
• DAY 4

  Ranthambore National Park - Witness Taj at Sunrise and Visit Small Town Fatehpur Sikri

  Wake up early morning today to witness Taj at sunrise.
  
  That magnificent monument of love - The Taj Mahal, was built by an emperor in memory of his beloved queen. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631 and is believed to have taken 22 years to complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working round the clock. The design and construction are said to be that of the legendary architect, Ustad Ahamad Lahori. Legend has it that once construction was completed, Shah Jehan had Lahori's hands cut off, and blinded, so he would never be able to duplicate the structure. What makes the Taj Mahal unique is its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, medium of construction, and ornamentation. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. It is impossible to visualize the Taj Mahal in any surrounding other than its paradoxical garden. Paradise, in Islam, is visualized as a lush garden where running streams flow. When the Mughals brought this concept to India they elevated it to heights of incomparable artistry.
  
  Note: Taj Mahal remains closed every Friday.
  
  Return hotel for breakfast, check out, and drive to Ranthambore en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri.
  
  Fatehpur Sikri – The imperial city of the Mughal dynasty between 1571 and 1584, Fatehpur Sikri was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar. The architectural grandeur of this deserted city cannot be described in words and one can only experience the aura of its magnificent edifices by seeing them. Fatehpur Sikri is the most popular day excursion from Agra, the city of Taj, and the capital of invincible Mughals for a long time. Today, as one enters Sikri from the Agra Gate, one of the nine gateways on the way to the palace complex, Diwan-I-Aam, or the hall of public audience appears first. It is a huge rectangular walled-in courtyard where petitions were heard, proclamations made, ambassadors received, and entertainment programs held. Ponder the mysterious desertion of this capital city that was dramatically abandoned a few years after it was built. It was a veritable fairy tale city and its ‘ruins’ are still in pristine condition. It is not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur.
  
  Upon arrival check-in at the hotel.
  
  Ranthambhore park is famous for tigers and due to conservation efforts, the tiger population has stabilized if not increased here. The tigers can be spotted quite often even during the day, at their normal pursuits-- hunting and taking care of their young ones. Ranthambhore is one of the best places to see these majestic predators. Ranthambore is a heritage site because of the picturesque ruins that dot the wildlife park. There are lake palaces, 'chhatris', old fortifications, and a majestic 1,000-year-old fort, overlooking the park. The lovely Jogi Mahal is located at the foot of the fort and gives a magnificent view of Padam Tlao, painted white with water lilies.
  
  Optional Experience: Champagne Breakfast overlooking Taj
  
  Taj Khema is another charming experience to bask in the magnificence of the Taj Mahal. Located approximately 300 meters from the monument, Taj Khema is a lush green mound that offers an uninterrupted view of the Taj. The legend has it that the mud which was dug up to build the Taj Mahal was collected at a little distance and with time it formed into the hillock mound that is now called Taj Khema. It serves as the most scenic vantage point to marvel at the beauty of the Taj Mahal. Being in a protected zone, the area is virtually pollution-free.
  
  A champagne breakfast will be arranged at this venue. It is a magnificent experience to dine in the shadows of the Taj.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Train
• DAY 5

  Ranthambore National Park - Enjoy a Game Drive in the Jungle to See Wildlife

  Early this morning proceed to enjoy a game drive with the naturalist in the Jungle to see wildlife by Jeep on a Private basis.
  
  Return to the hotel for Breakfast by 10:00 AM. The rest morning is free to relax in the hotel till later afternoon.
  
  Later in the afternoon proceed again to enjoy another game drive in the National Park by Jeep on a Private basis with the naturalist.
  
  Included Experience: Visit Dastkar Center
  
  Get the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the Dastkar Ranthambore Project. In 1981, six women came together to start an organization that dealt with the problems of traditional artisans in contemporary India. They all shared the belief that craft, despite the strains of urbanization and industrialization, is still viable, with a vital role to play in the economic mainstream of the country. Whilst, the roots of all craft traditions are based on social, cultural, or religious customs, one must remember that craft is an important economic activity and the second-largest source of income for rural people in India today.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 6

  Jaipur Park - The Capital of The Colorful State of Rajasthan

  Today morning enjoy your last Game drive at the park before heading to Jaipur.
  After safari return to the hotel for breakfast and later check out and drive to Jaipur.
  Known as the “Pink City”, Jaipur is the capital of the colorful state of Rajasthan. It has the distinction of being a well-planned and laid-out city. As you drive through the old part of town, you will witness a life most unlike others. Witness how the city blooms during the day in a kaleidoscope of color and sound.
  
  Upon arrival check-in at the hotel and the afternoon is at leisure.
  
  Evening, enjoy the Pink City Rickshaw tour.
  
  Explore the secrets hidden in the walled city of Jaipur on these uniquely designed, eco-friendly e-rickshaw rides through the city. Driven by smart, enthusiastic, and well-trained women, all from low-income households, this exciting ride by the Pink City Rickshaw Company offers the best sights and sounds of Jaipur while also providing a new source of income to these women. With a stylized collapsible canopy, ergonomically designed seats, mechanical improvements for greater safety, city maps, guidebooks, mobile phone charging station, and even a locker, the ride itself is a unique experience.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 7

  Jaipur - Visit Govind Dev Temple and Amber Fort

  Wake up early morning today to visit Govind Dev temple to attend the morning aarti, witness the crowd of more than 100 people chanting in sync during the aarti.
  
  After early breakfast at the hotel proceed to visit Amer Fort. Amber Fort is a marvelous example of Rajput architecture with its terraces and ramparts reflected in the Maota Lake below. The interiors of the fort have various royal halls decorated with intricate ivory, mirror, and glasswork complemented by exquisite wall paintings. As you move between the rooms of this magnificent structure feel the history and visualize the pomp and grandeur of a kingdom that was never conquered.
  
  Continue for a private tour of the City Palace, enter the Palace through Tripola Gate which is used only by the members of the Royal Family of Jaipur. Visit the exclusive rooms of the private residence and enjoy Hi-Tea at the end of the tour
  
  Also, visit the City Palace Museum where you can see an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal Art. The museum is resplendent with its collection of robes of royal princes, carpets, an armory of old weapons, miniature paintings portraying court scenes, battle scenes, and processions, also, visit the awe-inspiring Jantar Mantar (an accurate observatory built in 1726 AD).
  
  Also included is a photo visit at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) - a five-storied wonder with a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes, and spires.
  
  Later visit the spice market in the walled city along with local delicacy- Kachori tasting.
  
  Spend some time in the city’s crowded and colorful bazaars that sell a wide variety of artisan goods and semi-precious stones, which are the local specialty.
  
  Included Experience: Champagne Breakfast at Dera Amer with Elephant Interaction
  
  Dera Amer situated behind the hills of the famous Amer Fort is the ideal location for outdoor recreational and adventure activities in very close proximity to the city of Jaipur. The Camp is located at the foothills of the Aravali Range and surrounded by the wilderness of a reserved forest with no urban civilization in the vicinity, just a few hamlets housing the local villagers occupied by farming on their fields bordering a pretty lake. The guests would get to interact with our resident elephants feeding them, washing and scrubbing them, and decorating their trunks with organic colors-all in privacy and exclusivity at one of our exclusive wilderness venues or simply strolling in the wilderness with them.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 8

  Jaipur - Learn The Art of Turban and Saree Tying at a Local Indian Family Home Along with a Cooking

  After breakfast day is at leisure to explore the city on your own.
  
  Later in the evening learn the art of turban and saree tying at a local Indian family home along with a cooking demo & dinner.
  
  The hospitality of the Indians is legendary. In Sanskrit Literature the three famous words 'Atithi Devo Bhava' or ‘The guest is truly your god' are a dictum of hospitality in India. Indians believe that they are honored if they share their mealtimes with guests. Even the poorest look forward to guests and are willing to share this meager food with guests. And of importance is the Indian woman's pride that she will not let a guest go away unfed or unhappy from her home. Indians are known for their incredible ability to serve food to their guests invited or uninvited.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 9

  Narlai - Discover the Rawla Fortress

  After breakfast commence your drive to Narlai. On arrival check into your hotel.
  
  Located in the heart of a typical Rajasthan village bustling with activity and bursting with color, the Rawla fortress is an oasis of serenity offering a splendid view of gigantic 350-foot-high granite rock dotted with caves and temples. The rock is crowned by a statue of a white elephant serving as a proud guardian to the open desert on one side and the crumbling Aravalli hills on the other. Ten years of thoughtful restoration and reconstruction are behind the authenticity of the heritage rooms with features such as ancient wall paintings and stone screen windows for example.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 10

  Narlai - Visit Narlai Village and Enjoy ‘Baoli’ for Mystical Dinner at The Stepwell

  After breakfast morning is at leisure.
  
  Later in the afternoon proceed for an escorted village tour to visit Narlai, its main temples, meet the friendly people of the village, their homes, and get to learn a little about their way of life. PLANT A TREE and be a part of our conservation project.
  
  In the evening proceed to the re-excavated 18th century stone step-well or ‘Baoli’ for Mystical Dinner at the Stepwell. The mystical surroundings combine art, culture & history in an intoxicating performance that will quite simply blow your mind.
  
  Encircled by a lush mango grove, your night is lit up by hundreds of brass lanterns & traditional lights that illuminate the step-well, creating a visual impact that is spellbinding. Folk songs by the local ascetic sitting within the step-well add to the surrounding mystic & take you into a happy trance.
  
  Inebriated by the magic & we daresay, our ever-vigilant bar service, you are seated on the top tier of the well & served authentic Rajasthani cuisine in traditional brass plates & containers called ‘thali’s’.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 11

  Udaipur - Explore Ranakpur

  Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and drive to Udaipur en-route visiting Ranakpur (Audio Guide will be provided in Ranakpur).
  
  Ranakpur is widely known for its marble Jain temple, and for a much older Sun Temple which lies opposite the former. The renowned Jain temple at Ranakpur is dedicated to Adinatha. Light-colored marble has been used for the construction of this grandiose temple which occupies an area of approximately 60 x 62 meters. The temple, with its distinctive domes, shikhara, turrets, and cupolas rises majestically from the slope of a hill. Over 1400 marble pillars, carved in exquisite detail, support the temple. The idol faces all four cardinal directions. On the axis of the main entrance, on the western side, is the largest idol. The construction of the temple and quadrupled image symbolize the conquest of Tirthankara of the four cardinal directions and hence the cosmos.
  
  Post-visit, continue your drive to Udaipur, check in at the hotel on arrival.
  
  Dotted with marble palaces, hibiscus-laden gardens, and fountain pavilions, Udaipur appeals to the imagination of poets and painters, travelers and writers like no other city in the country. The city's inherent romance and beauty and its remarkable past redolent with episodes of heroism and splendor, continue to enthrall the visitor even today. Udaipur, the City of Dawn, looms up like a vision in white. Surrounded by hills and mountains and set on the edge of three lakes that lead on to a fertile plain - it is a truly enchanting city. Narrow streets lined with vividly colored stalls, gardens, temples, and palaces mirrored in the placid blue waters of Lake Pichola, add to the magic of Udaipur.
  
  Optional Experience: Dinner at Darikhana Restaurant at Jagmandir Island
  (please ask for an early reservation)
  
  Jagmandir Island Palace is a historic 17th-century palace redeveloped as a complete destination with its all-day café, stylish-dining restaurant, bar, and spa designed to uplift moods and spirits.
  
  Guests are ferried to the Jagmandir Island Palace, the palace synonymous with a defining episode of history when the Mughal Prince Khurram sought refuge here in 1623. His stay at the Gol Mahal inspired him, as Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan, to build the Taj Mahal in Agra. At the colonnaded Darikhana Restaurant, Picholi Bar, and all-day café you can leisurely spend hours gazing across Lake Pichola and the City Palace complex. For history-lovers, there’s Jagriti, a heritage museum onsite to give a fill on how Jagmandir Island Palace was built and developed over the centuries.
  
  Jagmandir Island Palace is often referred to as a Swarg ki Vatika or garden of heaven. When cocktails, theme dinners, banquets, and wedding ceremonies are organized here, the flowers and special lighting, folk dancers, and fireworks bring alive this garden of heaven in vibrant colors of celebrations. Musical soirees and performances at the Garden Courtyard, wedding ceremonies at Kunwarpada Chowk, lavish buffets, or sit-down banquets at Kunwarpada Lawns. Jagmandir Island Palace has dedicated heritage venues that challenge your creativity in pampering your guests.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 12

  City Tour of Udaipur

  After breakfast at the hotel proceed for a city tour of Udaipur.
  
  We start with a visit to the City Palace complex which houses the private residence of the Maharana of Mewar (a title which means “kings of kings “) who belongs to the oldest royal lineage of the country. This palace complex consists of four major and several minor palaces forming a single breath-taking façade of almost 900 meters in length overlooking Pichola Lake.
  
  Also, visit the City Palace museum the main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum displaying a large and diverse array of artifacts. Down steps from the entrance are the armory museum exhibiting a huge collection of protective gear, weapons including the lethal two-pronged sword. The City Palace museum is then entered through the Ganesh Deori meaning the door of Lord Ganesh.
  
  The Durbar Hall or Hall of Public Audience of the Fateh Prakash Palace is the place for royal ceremonies even today. The family festivals are held here and the Maharana entertains visiting dignitaries and Heads of State.
  
  Following our visit to the City Palace, we wander through the markets and bazaars to get the feel of the city situated behind the City Palace. We also visit the Jagdish Temple built in 1651 ornamented with excellent carvings and a bronze figure of the Garuda. Proceed to the Garden of the Maids of the Honour constructed in the early 18th century which was used as a venue for royal parties.
  
  Evening Boat ride at Lake Pichola
  
  Early this evening enjoys a boat ride on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the lake, you have a wonderful view of the City Palace stretching along the east bank, while the south bank has pleasant gardens running down to the waterside. (Boat ride depending upon the water level of the lake).
  
  Optional Experience: Morning trek through the Indian Countryside - Morwaniya Village to Ubeshwarji.
  
  This is a wonderful 5 miles trek which starts at a charming village, takes you through the countryside of Rajasthan, meeting villagers and farmers, ending up at Ubeshwarji an area renowned for its natural beauty. There are plenty of photo opportunities along the way, with scenic views, village life as well as wonderful flowers and colorful birdlife; see the villager's going about their daily chores and looking after their cattle grazing in the fields and passing through various small villages and hamlets where The Bhil Tribals, one of the oldest indigenous tribes still reside. The trek ends at Ubeshwarji, a well-kept secret that is known only amongst the locals for its pristine natural beauty, it is a remote area is surrounded by the green valleys of the Aravali Mountains and seasonal rivers.
  
  It is also a religious spot for the people of Udaipur. There are a couple of temples here, one of them dedicated to Lord Shiva and the other to The Mother Goddess. Enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to the hotel.
  
  Optional Experience: Unique Art Experience – Jal Sanjhi
  
  If you are in Udaipur, you cannot miss the Jal Sanjhi painting workshop. An art that was originally discovered in Jaipur however, today it faded away in the layers of history and is now kept alive by just one family in Udaipur.
  
  Jal Sanjhi painting is the art of making a painting on water. This artwork is over 200 years old and is a tribute to Lord Krishna.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Cruise/Boat
• DAY 13

  Fly to Delhi

  After breakfast at the hotel transfer to the airport to board a flight for Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, transfer to the hotel and check-in.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Transfer
• DAY 14

  Departure Back Home

  After breakfast at the hotel transfer to the airport to board your international flight for onward destination.
  
  Our guest ambassador will assist you till the departure gate of the airport from wherein the airport representative will assist you through check-in, immigration & custom and till aerobridge.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Transfer