North India Discovery Tour
13 Day – Private tour with air-conditioned car and driver
Discover the diverse magic of North India’s rich culture and natural beauty on this spectacular North India Tour. See the Golden Triangle highlights including Delhi, the Taj Mahal and the charming pink city of Jaipur. Enjoy tiger spotting jeep safaris in Ranthambore National Park and experience tribal life in the Thar Desert on route to the historically rich cities of Jodhpur and Udaipur.
Highlights of the North India Discovery Tour
Tiger at Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
Full day sightseeing tour of New and Old Delhi including rickshaw
Afternoon sightseeing trip to Agra Fort and Taj Mahal
Visit to Fatehpur Sikri
Three game drives in Ranthambore National Park
Morning sightseeing trip to Amer (Amber) Fort and Jaipur tour
Bishnoi Village safari followed by a sightseeing tour of Jodphur
Full day sightseeing tour of Udaipur
Boat ride on Lake Pichola
North India Discovery Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Delhi
Upon arrival at Delhi International Airport, you will be welcomed by your Authentic India Tours representatives who will transfer you to your hotel for a 2 night stay.
The remainder of the day is free to relax and enjoy the facilities of this luxury hotel.
Accommodation: The Maidens Hotel, Delhi
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 2 Full Day Tour of Delhi
Your full day sightseeing tour of Delhi begins in Old Delhi, once the Mughal city of Shahjahanabad, with its vibrant market lanes, old havelis (mansions) and colourful neighbourhoods. You will explore Chandni Chowk on a cycle rickshaw through lanes or gallis, where everything from spices, brassware, antiques, jewellery and perfumes are sold. Then it’s time to visit the highly decorative Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, before passing the Red Fort and visiting Raj Ghat.
After lunch your tour continues in New Delhi with its open spaces, government buildings, museums and wide tree-lined avenues. It begins with a drive to see the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the President of India, Raj Path and the India Gate whose Amar Jawan Jyoti (eternal flame) has been burning since 1971 and symbolises the sacrifice of brave Indian soldiers. This is followed by Qutab Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and lastly a visit to Humayun’s tomb, the first garden tomb built by the Mughals in India.
Accommodation: The Maidens Hotel, Delhi
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3 Delhi – Agra and Taj Mahal
This morning your drive to Agra will take about 3 – 4 hours.
Your tour of Agra begins with a visit to the forbidding red sandstone battlements of the Agra Fort and its impressive Diwan-e-Am & Diwan-e-Khas hall in the afternoon.
Later in the evening, a highlight of the tour is a visit to Mehtab Bahg, the Mughal park on the other side of river Yamuna to enjoy beautiful views of the Taj Mahal during sunset.
When arranging your dates please be aware that the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
Approximate travel time and distance: 4 hours, 240 kms
Accommodation: The Trident, Agra
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4 Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Ranthambore
It’s an early start for another visit to the Taj Mahal to see this beautiful monument at sunrise. Built in memorial of Mumtaz Mahal, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s beloved wife, this magnificent building is made entirely of marble and decorated with elaborate geometric forms and inlay work that showcases plants, flower and fruit motifs.
Later your adventure takes you into the countryside towards Ranthambore National Park, home to an abundance of wildlife including the majestic tiger. En route, you will stop to explore the fascinating ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri. The city was once the capital of the Mughal empire and includes a stunning mosque, which is still in use today.
Approximate travel time and distance: 5 hours 50 mins, 300 kms
Accommodation: Ranthambore Kothi, Ranthambore
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5 Jeep Safaris in Ranthambore National Park
If you love nature, today is a special treat with two safari drives into Ranthambore National Park which is a former royal hunting ground. Your jeep safaris will take you through the rugged terrain which is home to a wild variety of wildlife including the elusive Bengal tiger.
Your game drives are early in the morning and then again in the early evening when temperatures are at their coolest and the animals are most active.
Accommodation: Ranthambore Kothi, Ranthambore
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6 Ranthambore – Jaipur
This morning you have another opportunity to enjoy a safari in the National Park before departing for the 4-hour journey to the Pink City of Jaipur where you will stay for two nights.
Jaipur is one of India’s best-loved destinations and is home to wonderful historic sites as well as the film ‘The Exotic Marigold Hotel’.
The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy your hotel facilities or maybe enjoy some shopping in the many bazaars.
Approximate travel time and distance: 4 hours, 190 kms
Accommodation: The Trident, Jaipur
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7 Full Day Tour of Jaipur
This morning your tour of Jaipur starts with a visit to the stunning 17th-century hilltop Amer Fort. Set in the rugged hills just outside the city you will reach the fort by jeep and can enjoy striking views of the surrounding gorges and lake. Inside the fort, the extensive Maharaja’s apartments that are decorated with murals and mosaic, and the glistening Hall of Mirrors are waiting to be discovered.
In the afternoon, our tour continues with a drive through the colourful bazaars and past the Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds, built for the royal ladies to catch a glimpse of the outside world through delicate screened windows. You will also stop to see the Royal Observatory or Jantar Mantar which was built by Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur and a passionate astronomer and builder and visit the City Palace complex’s collection of rare manuscripts, armoury and costumes.
Accommodation: The Trident, Jaipur
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 8 Jaipur – Jodhpur
Today your venture from Jaipur to Jodhpur on an a 5-6 hour journey which embraces the cultural diversity of Rajasthan
As you travel through the heart of Rajasthan into the Thar Desert, take time to observe the forts and palaces which are dotted along the route.
Approximate travel time and distance: 6 hours, 350 kms
Accommodation: Ajit Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 9 Village Safari and Jodhpur Tour
It’s an early start for a jeep safari into the villages where you will experience an eco-friendly traditional way of tribal life. A village elder accompanies you on this excursion to visit a home of a Bishnoi family. The Bishnois are ecologists and are largely responsible for the preservation of blackbuck, a type of endangered antelope that can be spotted quite easily in this area. You will also visit the home of a Raika (shepherd) for a close look at local customs and to experience their warm hospitality.
This afternoon’s tour of Jodhpur includes a drive through the old city’s maze of streets through gates, bastions and towers towards the majestic hilltop Mehrangarh fort that contains one of Rajasthan’s best museums. Browse through a fine collection of Rajput miniature paintings, armoury and costume and stop for a commanding view of this blue-hued city from one of the ramparts. A quick stop at the Jaswant Thada, a white marble cenotaph of the royal family and a walk through the Sardar Bazaar with its Clock Tower of 1912 completes your tour of this imperial city.
Accommodation: Ajit Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 10 Jodhpur – Ranakpur – Udaipur
Today we drive through Aravalli Hills for about 3 hours to arrive at Ranakpur, a famous intricately carved Jain temple complex. This exquisite temple has 1444 pillars and no two of them are the same.
After lunch, your drive continues for another 2 – 3 hours to Udaipur, which is known as the City of Lakes and is home to an array of lavish royal residences
Approximate travel time and distance: 5 hours, 249 kms
Accommodation: The Trident, Udaipur
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 11 Tour of Udaipur and Lake Pichola Boat Trip
Udaipur is the former capital of the Mewar region, which was once ruled by the Sisodia clan. On your half-day tour of this fascinating city you will experience a blend of sights and sounds with its medley of fairy-tale palaces, temples, gardens and lakes, all hemmed in by the lush Aravalli Hills. You will visit the Sahelion-ki-bari (Garden of the Maids of Honour), the Jagdish temple and the City Palace complex. This architectural marvel towers over the lake and is surrounded by crenellated walls which house a conglomeration of courtyards, pavilions, arched gateways and hanging gardens. The Mor Chowk with its exquisite peacock mosaics in glass is especially noteworthy.
Later in the afternoon, a private boat ride on the 14th century Lake Pichola is included.
Accommodation: The Trident, Udaipur
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 12 Udaipur – Delhi
The morning is at leisure to relax or to pick up some last-minute souvenirs.
This afternoon you will be transferred to Udaipur Airport to board your flight to Delhi.
You will be met on arrival at Delhi Airport and transferred to your hotel.
Approximate Aerial time and distance: 1 hour 20 mins, 540 kms
Accommodation: Hotel Pride Plaza Aerocity, Delhi
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 13 Transfer to Delhi Airport
In plenty of time, you will be transferred to Delhi International Airport to board your return flight to the UK. Check-in is normally 3 hours prior to the estimated time of departure.
If you have a little more time and fancy exploring another area of India such as the beautiful backwaters of Kerala or you may wish to relax on a beach in Goa, please let the team know as this can easily be arranged.
Meals included: Breakfast
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