Hidden Secrets of India

Day 1: Delhi

Today is an arrival day and no activities are planned, so you may arrive at any time. If you are arriving early, please check the noticeboard in the foyer of the hotel for suggestions of things to see and do in Delhi. A pre-departure meeting takes place this evening at the hotel. Please also check the noticeboard for details of this meeting and for any other messages from your tour leader. Please also bring your passport and travel insurance documents to the meeting. Afterwards we have the opportunity to go out for an optional group dinner.

Day 2: Agra

We catch the early morning express train to Agra, home to India’s most famous icon - the majestic Taj Mahal. Here we include a visit to this amazing 17th century marble mausoleum, which Emperor Shah Jahan built as a monument to the memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died whilst giving birth. The emperor himself was subsequently overthrown and imprisoned by his son and oversaw the construction of this magnificent monument whilst incarcerated in Agra Fort. Upon his death, Shah Jehan was also entombed in the Taj Mahal next to his beloved wife. Our tour leader will also give us the option of visiting Agra Fort (please see refer to 'Optional Excursion' section below for approximate cost).

Day 3-4: Jaipur

Our journey takes us to Jaipur, the vibrant and colourful capital of Rajasthan, where we meet our new city guide. There we see traditionally dressed Rajput men wearing colourful turbans and sporting magnificent moustaches making their way through crowded streets, packed with cars, camel carts, rickshaws, trucks and bicycles. We include a visit to the stunning medieval Amber Fort, located some 11 kilometres from Jaipur. This fortification was built in 1592 by Maharaja Man Singh and is a superb example of Rajput architecture. Several hours are needed to explore the huge area that it covers. Our tour leader will also take us to the Old Bazaar and the Hawa Mahal, better known as the Palace of the Winds. This five-storey façade with pink, honeycombed sandstone windows is one of Jaipur's best-known landmarks.

Day 5-6: Ranthambore National Park

We leave the bustle of the cities and head to some of the last remnants of wilderness in India. We travel by train to Sawai Madhopur and transfer to the park. Ranthambore National Park is one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in India. It was a former hunting ground for the maharajas and the park is still contains ruins of temples and mosques, as well as an impressive 10th-century fort that dominates the surroundings from the top of a large hill. The park is a favourite amongst bird watchers, but many people come here to spot some of India's exotic large animals. Antelopes such as nilgai and blackbuck can be commonly seen, as well as axis deer and sambar deer. There are large families of active monkeys known as langur, often seen playing around at the park entrance, but our main aim here is to try and spot the magnificent and elusive Royal Bengal tiger. It is not always easy to spot a tiger in the wild and doing so will certainly be an experience of a lifetime. One morning safari is included, but there may be a chance for you to book additional safaris in our afternoons here (depending on availability).

Day 7-8: Tordi Garh

We travel by jeep for two-and-a-half hours to our next stop, Tordi Garh, a small village in the central region of Rajasthan inhabited by various communities and tribes. People survive mainly on agriculture and rearing animals. Our stay here is in the residence of the nobles of Tordi, who have converted their haveli into a homestay. The village boasts of a small dam and a series of hills, with Tordi Fort perched on top of one of them. Sand dunes, forests, seasonal rivers and canals, step wells and ancient temples are features of the area, where local communities still live as they have done so for centuries and green farms stretch around the village. We take a walk through the village visiting the old temple, the houses of potters, ironsmiths and artisans, a village school, the markets and the farms, all the while interacting with the locals.

Day 9: Pushkar

In the morning we drive through the countryside to the holy town of Pushkar. This is a small pilgrimage town that has been made famous by the famous Pushkar Camel Fair, held each year in November. Built around a picturesque lake, Pushkar has the only temple in India dedicated to the principal god of Hindus - Bramha. This place has now become a tourist haven and is scattered with guest houses, temples and shops selling all sorts of artefacts, souvenirs and clothing. We have ample time to explore the bathing ghats, Bramha Temple and the markets or just simply chill out in town's laid-back and almost surreal atmosphere.

Day 10: Jodhpur

This travel to Jodhpur and arrive there early afternoon. This city lies at the edge of the Thar Desert and is dominated by the imposing Meherangarh Fort, which sits atop a sheer rocky ridge in the middle of town. We visit the fort, which is run by the current Maharaja of Jodhpur, as well as the bustling Sardar Market. It’s a great place to explore with several alleyways leading off to various bazaars selling fruits, vegetables, spices, textiles and handicrafts.

Day 11-13: Udaipur - overnight train

There is time for a wander around the famed 'Blue City' before we catch a local bus to Udaipur - the journey is spectacular and takes about 5 hours. Sometimes known as the 'Venice of the East', this beautiful city, built around the shores of Lake Pichola, is full of fascinating temples, ornate palaces and impressive 'havelis'. The charming setting of the Lake Palace on Jagwinas Island is unforgettable. During our stay we visit the Jagdish Temple, an Indo-Aryan temple containing a black stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, Lord of the Universe. We also visit the City Palace, surmounted by balconies, towers and cupolas, where there are excellent views of the city and lakeside from the upper terraces. There are many other options available for sightseeing and our tour leader will be happy to assist in arranging these. From Udaipur we board an overnight sleeper train bound for Delhi.

Day 14: Delhi

On arrival in Delhi we are transferred from the railway station to our hotel, where we spend our last night. Our tour leader takes us into the old city's market area known as Chandni Chowk as well as Connaught Place - the commercial heart of New Delhi. The rest of the day is free for relaxing or doing some further sightseeing on our own. Red Fort and the impressive Jama Masjid (Great Mosque) are two of the city's most notable landmarks, whilst Raj Ghat is a monument that marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. In the final evening we have the opportunity to head out for a final group dinner (optional) before saying our goodbyes.

Day 15: Delhi

Our trip ends today around breakfast time. If you wish to stay on in Delhi, please pre-book your post-tour accommodation before you commence your travels. Delhi has many interesting museums and monuments. If you are interested in historical and cultural matters, it is recommended that you to extend your stay and visit some of these places. Humayun's Tomb and Safdarjang's Tomb are other great examples of Mughal architecture and design. Hauz Khas Village is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown - a chic artistic enclave set right next to the remnants of a historical site.

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