Golden Triangle with Ranthambhore Tour

Arrive at New Delhi with the scheduled flight to be received and welcomed by our representative. You will be transferred directly to the hotel for relaxation and overnight stay.

After buffet breakfast at the hotel, the day is dedicated to the visit of the capital of India, composed of two agglomerations: the old city "Old Delhi" and the modern city "New Delhi". In the morning, discovery of Old Delhi is scheduled. First visit the mosque Jama Masjid, (remains closed on Fridays and holidays), the largest mosque in India that can gather up to 20,000 faithful in its inner courtyard. It was built by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan in 1656. 5000 workers participated in its construction which lasted six years. Next comes Chandni Chowk, the great bazaar (built in 1648) with the flower market and the jewelery market. There are silver jewelery, crafts and sweets. It remains swarmed with people day and night. A three-wheeled manually-pulled rickshaw ride will take place in the old town. It passes in front of the Red Fort (closed on Monday), former residence of the Mughal rulers, and meanders through the alleys of the market. Thereafter, move to visit the Raj Ghat, place of cremation of Mahatma Gandhi. The Raj Ghat, a polished marble platform, is the strongest symbol of the nation. It is the place where the cremation of the body of Mahatma Gandhi took place in 1948. On this platform of granite are inscribed his last words: "Hey Ram".

After lunch, in the afternoon , discovery of New Delhi commences. The first monument will be Humayun’s tomb. The tomb of Humayun, son of Babur and father of Akbar, is a red sandstone building inlaid with white marble, placed in a garden designed by a Persian architect in the 16th century. This tomb, which was the prototype of the Mughal garden tombs, inspired other monuments such as the Taj Mahal. Built in 1565, it houses the burials of Humayun's wives. Qutub Minar is the next destination. The Qutab Minar (13th century), the highest minaret in the world, built to announce the advent of the sultans, consists of five floors of red sandstone and white marble over a height of 73 meters and according to a polygonal plan of 20 sides. Then you will pass the Gate of India before arriving at the Presidential Palace and the huge Connaught Place, the commercial heart of New Delhi, with its shady arcades and shops, restaurants, cinemas and book stalls. Later, in the evening, return to the hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast, drive to Agra. On arrival, check-in at the hotel. After lunch, in the afternoon, visit Agra, enriched with the most beautiful Mughal architecture of the XVIIth century: the Red Fort and the Taj Mahal. First visit the Agra Fort, former home of the Mughal rulers. In 1565, Akbar began to build the Agra Fort with its high red sandstone walls. Inside, to the south, stands the Jahangir Mahal or Jahangir Palace built by Akbar and to the north the Pearl Mosque built by Shah Jahan. From the "Khas Mahal" which forms three pavilions, one discovers a magnificent view on the Yamunâ and the Taj Mahal. Then, ride tonga to reach Taj Mahal, unforgettable mausoleum of white marble. A visit to the famous Taj Mahal at sunset will allow you to admire the site under a special light. The mausoleum was the supreme work of Muslim art and was built (1631-1653) near Agra by Shah Jahan for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. He is also buried there. The exterior is decorated with arabesques and texts of the Koran, encrusted with precious stones. The tomb itself, in pure white marble, consists of an octagonal building with a square terrace, surmounted by a 26 meters high dome. On this vast terrace of marble rise four elegant minarets. The Taj Mahal remains closed on Friday. Later, in the evening, return to the hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast, drive to Fatehpur Sikri , the former Mughal capital built by Akbar and whose palace is a fine example of Mughal architecture from the 16th century. This fortified ghost town is located on the road to Jaipur, 38 kms from Agra. On this spectacular site in the Ganges valley, these magnificent red sandstone ruins lying in the middle of the plain are the remains of one of the capitals of Akbar. He founded it in 1569 to express his gratitude for the birth of his son, Salim. The main building houses a great Mosque, probably the most wonderful in India. The Palace of Jodha Bai, the Rajput wife of Akbar, includes a courtyard surrounded by a gallery topped by buildings and covered with a roof enamelled in blue. The private apartments of Akbar and the exquisite palace of the Turkish Sultana are located in another courtyard. The Panch Mahal includes the audience hall. Visit the palace and Bulund Darwaza, known as the biggest gate in the world.

Thereafter, continue to Ranthambhore tiger reserve. On arrival at Ranthambhore, check in at the resort for overnight stay.

DepartureDuring the day, you will enjoy two jeep safaris on a small open truck in Ranthambhore National Park (one early in the morning and another in the afternoon), to explore the territory of the tigers. You will also have the chance to see bears, panthers, lynx and jackals, as well as many species of birds. Once hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur, Ranthambore National Park is one of India's most famous reserves for its tigers, whose breed has successfully been saved from extinction by the Tiger Project. Around Ranthambore, live 200,000 villagers who draw their resources from the 410 square kilometers of protected forest. The national park is located near the town of Swai Madhopur and now dotted with ruins with overgrown grass. Hunting pavilions, tombs, summer gardens, temples, towers and ramparts of the medieval fort of Ranthambore are hiding in the maze of the abundant fauna. Overnight stay is scheduled in Ranthambhore resort.

After breakfast, drive to Jaipur, nicknamed "the pink city", is the capital of Rajasthan whose Rajas are believed to be descendants of Rama. The city of Jaipur was founded in 1728 by astronomer warrior Maharajah Jai Singh II, an ardent scholar of astronomy. The whole city with pink constructions, is surrounded by crenellated walls, and overhung by hills and forts. On arrival at Jaipur, you will be transferred to Jaipur hotel. Afternoon has been kept for your leisure. You can walk into the narrow streets of the old town for a personal discovery or relax at the hotel. Overnight stay is scheduled in the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, the day will be devoted to the discovery of Jaipur. Morning move on an excursion to Amber Fort perched on a hill. Continue to Amber Fort, which is reached by elephants or jeep (subject to availability). Amber was the ancient capital of Rajasthan. Founded by the Minas and still flourishing in 967, the fort was taken over by the Rajputs in 1037. They kept it until 1728 and then deserted it for the new city of Jaipur. In addition, entrance to a rocky gorge, near a beautiful lake, Amber's picturesque location is enhanced by the beauty of its architecture. One goes up to the ramparts to visit the fairy rooms of the palace and a temple dedicated to Kali. Visit the temple of Kali. You will be asked to leave all your leather goods to the guard to enter this temple.

Hereinafter, return to the city centre to have lunch and keep the pace of sightseeing of Jaipur. Three major monuments- Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and City Palace will be visited. Stop in front of the facade of the Palace of Winds or Hawa Mahal, an astonishing architectural fantasy that allowed the women of the royal family to watch public events without being seen (outside visit only). The Maharaja Palace, popularly known as City Palace of Jaipur, part of which is still inhabited by the local Raja (unauthorized access) and the other transformed into a museum containing magnificent ancient carpets. Visit the museum. At the gates of the palace, stop at Jantar Mantar, a solar observatory built at the beginning of the 18th century and whose instruments are astonishing and admired. Then you will leave for an unusual heritage walk in the colorful bazaar of the old town. A moment will be devoted to the walking tour of the spice bazaar. Later return to Jaipur hotel for overnight stay.

Have breakfast in the hotel and spend the morning hours leisurely in the hotel. Early noon, depart by road to Delhi. Late evening, you will be transferred to Delhi International Airport. Golden Triangle with Ranthambhore Tour ends here.