Delhi - Agra - Ranthambore National Park - Jaipur - Pushkar - Udaipur - Mumbai

DAY 1: WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH ARRIVE DELHI
Departing from Manchester and flying via Amsterdam, we arrive late evening into Delhi and are transferred to the Maidens Hotel for our first two-night accommodation in India.

DAY 2: THURSDAY 5 MARCH DELHI
In the morning we will proceed on a tour of Old Delhi to get a feel of the hustle and bustle of this vibrant city. The tour will include the Red Fort built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1638 which was the seat of Mogul power till the last emperor was dethroned. Jama Masjid is one of Asia's largest mosques built in 1656. Chandni Chowk - the silver street of Delhi bustles with activity, providing ample opportunity for some unique photos that capture the vibrance of Incredible India! Thereafter, we visit Raj Ghat - the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation.

In the afternoon we drive past Purana Qila. It is one of the most prominent monuments in Delhi. Then to Bahai Temple (the Lotus Temple). Bahai faith represents the equality of mankind and oneness of its soul. The same feeling has been successfully transcended into the beautifully and scientifically deigned Bahai Temple in Delhi, designed by Fariburz Sahba, an Iranian-born Canadian architect, in the shape of a lotus flower, the symbol of purity. Thereafter we visit the Qutab Minar - a soaring stone tower, 72 m high that was built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak in 1193. The tower has five distinct stories, each with a projecting balcony. At its base is the Quwwat-ul Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India. A 7m high iron pillar (4th century) stands in the courtyard of the mosque.

This evening there is a welcome dinner in at an ethnic Indian restaurant called Chor Bazar in Old Delhi.

DAY 3: FRIDAY 6 MARCH DELHI - AGRA
In the morning we visit Humayun's Tomb built in the Indo-Persian style and a predecessor to The Taj Mahal in Agra. The tomb of the second Mogul emperor also houses the graves of his wives. We see India Gate, a War Memorial Arch built in honour of 90,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. Below it burns the Amar Jawan Jyoti, the eternal flame in tribute to all martyred soldiers of India. We drive past the President's House called Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, Government Secretariat buildings and Connaught Place - the heart of New Delhi and a busy shopping center.

After a break for lunch, we drive to Agra which is a very interesting three hours journey passing through beautiful countryside and villages. En-route we stop at Sikandra, Akbar's mausoleum made of red sandstone, situated just before Agra.
Our accommodation for the next two nights is the Hilton Agra.

DAY 4: SATURDAY 7 MARCH AGRA
After breakfast in morning we are introduced to Agra, visiting first the red sandstone Agra Fort, which stands like a crescent on the banks of the Jamuna River enclosed by forbidding 20-meter high walls, with a 12- meter moat between them. Three successive Mogul emperors - Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jehan - helped create this massive structure which combines Hindu and Muslim architecture.

After lunch in a local restaurant we proceed to the famous white marble mausoleum, which was built in the middle of the 17th century by the Mogul Emperor Shah Jehan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is surely the greatest monument to love and one of the wonders of the modern world. Completed in 1652, skilled craftsmen from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and some 20,000 labourers worked for 17 years to build this edifice, constructed by emperor Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his beloved queen. Marble was brought from Makrana, near Jodhpur and precious stones of onyx, amethyst, malachite, lapis lazuli, turquoise, jade, crystal and mother of pearl were carried to Agra from Persia, Russia, Afghanistan, Tibet, China and the Indian Ocean.

DAY 5: SUNDAY 8 MARCH AGRA - BHARATPUR - FATEHPUR SIKRI - RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK

This morning we visit the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and the ancient Mogul capital of Fatehpur Sikri. The Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur is blessed with more than 350 different species of resident & migratory birds. Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride for an hour to spot some birds before driving another 18 km to the abandoned Mogul capital of Fatehpur Sikri. This 16th century capital of Mogul Emperor Akbar is a complex of forts, palaces and mosques built in sandstone. The city had to be abandoned because of lack of water. The white marble Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti, Akbar's spiritual adviser, is now a Muslim pilgrimage site. Later drive to Ranthambore National Park, where we spend the next two nights in heart of the park at the Forest Resort.

DAY 6: MONDAY 9 MARCH RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK

We enjoy a full day at the Ranthambore National Park. Our stay is on "Jungle Plan" (full-board).

There is a greater chance of spotting tigers here in the wild than anywhere else in India. They may be seen lolling around lazily or feverishly hunting down sambhar around the lakes. Apart from tigers, the park also has its share of panthers. They are to be found on the outskirts of the park due to the inevitable conflicts with the tiger population. The other permanent residents of the park include marsh crocodiles, hyenas, jungle cats and sloth bears. Sambhar, found in abundance all over the area are the prime target of all the predators. Chital, nilgai and chinkara are the other inhabitants of the region. The avian population consists of black storks, quails, Bonelli's eagles, spur fowls, crested serpent eagles and painted storks. During the winter months the park attracts a lot of migratory birds, primarily breeds of ducks.
In the evening we attend a cultural evening of local dance and a gala dinner.

DAY 7: TUESDAY 10 MARCH RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK - JAIPUR
After our wildlife experience we continue our drive to Jaipur and arrive at the capital of Rajasthan. The buildings of the city are famously pink in colour - the colour associated with hospitality in Rajput culture. This Pink City of fairy-tale palaces, rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues is picturesque. The first planned city of its time, a formidable wall encircles Jaipur. After we check in at the Clarks Amber Hotel (2 nights), the rest of the day is free to relax in the hotel or visit the market place.

DAY 8: WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH JAIPUR
This morning we make a short drive to the outskirts of the city to visit the Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the State until 1728. Visit the Temple of Kali, the Hall of Victory or Jai Mahal and Jagmandir. We can have the unique experience of traveling on an elephant up to and from the top of the hill on which the fort is situated. The Amber Fort, the capital of the erstwhile State of Jaipur until 1728 is perched on a hill. It has halls of Public and Private audience, a Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) various marble palaces which are marvelous examples of ancient Rajput architecture. The Temple of Amba (Mother Goddess), the patron deity of the Royal family is at the entrance to the palace. During our tour of the pink city, visit the City Palace - the former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mogul styles which houses a museum with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armoury of the Mogul and Rajputs, including swords of different shapes and sizes with ornate handles. It has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit. Also visit the Jantar Mantar - an astrological and astronomical Observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 18th century, which is remarkable for its accuracy even today. Lastly stop at the Palace-Of-the-Winds for taking pictures and spend time in crowded lanes and by-lanes of the pink city, haggling and souvenir- hunting.

We have a special evening dinner at Chowi ki Dhani before returning to our hotel.

DAY 9: THURSDAY 12 MARCH JAIPUR - PUSHKAR
From Jaipur we first drive to Ajmer. The city has a unique character from its harmonious combination of Hinduism and Islam. Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan founded Ajmer in the 17th century. The legendary Prithviraj Chauhan was born here and died fighting against Sultan Ghori's army. Here we visit the most sacred of all Muslim shrines in India - the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti.
Pushkar is set on an enchanting holy lake, which in Hindu beliefs, takes on magical powers during the month of November, or Kartik Purnima as it is known in the Hindu calendar. A pilgrimage centre with the only temple in India dedicated to Brahma, the Creator; Pushkar is the venue of an annual camel fair, which is held in November.
After lunch, we visit the Brahma Temple. Though he may have no other temple sacred to his memory, Brahma seems to have taken full advantage of the only one where prayers are offered to him. Not only did he perform yagya or ritual fire ceremony here; he also dropped a lotus from his hands to create the lake where people bathe before offering him prayers. A silver turtle at the entrance of the marble temple is a symbol of his means of transport (the gods had various animals on which they moved along their heavenly paths).
We spend one night at the Jagat Palace Hotel.

DAY 10: FRIDAY 13 MARCH PUSHKAR - UDAIPUR
Today we drive to the renowned city of Udaipur. It is the city of lakes, also known as "the Venice of the East" and the second most visited city in Rajasthan, after Jaipur. A royal past makes itself evident in every nook and corner in Udaipur. Whether it is the ornate doors that are entrances to people's homes or the palaces, gardens and monuments, Udaipur gives one a glimpse of what the place would have looked like in its time of glory. Founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1568, and considered the jewel of Mewar, Udaipur's air is filled with a strong sense of romance, adventure and the best of Rajputana. Described as, 'the most romantic spot in India', the pale white grey-rose and cream city, crowned by cupolas, sits on Pichola Lake. At the centre lies the Lake Palace, the creamest cakiest building of all. When the lake is full the palace appears to float.
Our accommodation for the next two nights is the Shikarbadi Hotel.

DAY 11: SATURDAY 14 MARCH UDAIPUR
Udaipur is also a centre of historic arts and crafts of Mewar, like the Mewar School of Miniature Painting. There is of course the modern face of Udaipur that one can look at if interested but given the other sights from a glorious past modernity is no real distraction. This is a place that will hold you in its thrall no matter who you are or where you come from.

During a guided tour you will visit the City Palace built in 1725. The grand City Palace is actually a conglomerate of eleven palaces overlooking the sprawling Lake Pichola. One of the largest, most beautiful palaces in the state of Rajasthan, it is now a museum, royal residence and a luxury hotel. This intricately designed monument is an architectural wonder in granite and marble. Jagdish Temple was built in 1651 by Maharaja Jagat Singh, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located in the centre of the old city. The temple has a black marble image of Lord Vishnu, which is unusual for the northern part of the country, where statues of Gods are normally in marble. Fateh Sagar originally built in 1678 by Maharana Jai Singh, was rebuilt by Maharana Fateh Singh after the rains destroyed the dam. The garden island in the middle of the lake is Nehru Park, which also has a cafe.

In the evening we enjoy a leisurely boat ride on Lake Pichola. With its main attractions being the two palaces on the islands in the lake, Jagniwas and Jagmandir, Lake Pichola is about 4 km in length and 3 km wide. Jagniwas was earlier the summer retreat of the prince of Mewar and is now a five-star hotel.

DAY 12: SUNDAY 15 MARCH UDAIPUR - DELHI
After breakfast at the hotel we are transferred to board our flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi we will be received and taken to a hotel (day use) to freshen up. Thereafter we enjoy time at leisure in India's vibrant capital.
Later in the evening, after a farewell dinner we are transferred to the International Airport to board our flight back home.

DAY 13: MONDAY 16 MARCH
We arrive back into the United Kingdom for our onward journey home.

COSTS & MISCELLANEOUS
Per Person
Twin/Double Sharing £1,890
Single Supplement £590
Deposit on Booking £190

Departure times are based on current KLM Airlines timetables and are subject to change. Grosvenor Travel reserves the right to substitute alternative, equivalent category hotels for those listed above. All breakfasts,two lunches and four dinners, as described above are included in the tour price. Any local or international departure taxes in India are not included.

Travel is based on economy class flights. Flights from U.K. to Delhi may alternatively be taken in Business Class subject to availability and at additional cost.

Check-in time at the hotels is usually around 14.00 and check-out by 12 noon. Where we are arriving at a destination in the morning we will request early availability of rooms, but this is not guaranteed.

Return home transfers are available at special reduced rates. Within an 80 mile radius of Manchester airport cost is £40pp; 80 to 120 miles £75pp; 120 to 160 miles £95pp. For greater distances please ask.

Adequate insurance cover is mandatory for everybody participating on this tour. Grosvenor Travel can provide cover at £40 per person (policy excess can be waived for an additional payment of £15). Premium of 2 x adult rate applies for adults aged 66 to 75, premium of 2.5 aged 76 to 79, and 3.5 aged 80 to 86, at time of booking. Conditions do apply. Extending the duration of the holiday will increase the insurance premium.

Everybody booking this holiday is bound by Grosvenor Travel's booking conditions, which are governed by British Law.

Grosvenor Travel is a member of ABTA with membership number W5838. We also hold an ATOL with number 5886. As such we are fully bonded according to ABTA's rules and abide by ABTA's Code of Conduct. In order to ensure that the monies you pay for your holiday are protected we will issue a confirmation invoice showing the details of the services that you have booked including the price and the amount of money paid by you. You should check these details carefully and advise us or your agent immediately if there are any discrepancies. Please go to www.abta.com for a copy of the Guide to ABTA's Scheme of Financial Protection.