Ganges, Tigers & Taj

This private guided tour of Old & New Delhi boast spectacular monuments and holy sites. The city of New Delhi was designed in the typically British colonial style, with tree-lined avenues and colonial bungalows. Whilst on this tour you will see the Laxminarayan Temple, a modern Hindu temple, and Gate of India which is a 42 m high War Memorial Arch. On route you will drive past the Parliament House, the Secretariat buildings and the Vice Regal Palace, which is now the official residence of the President of India. Also visit the Red Fort which was the palace for Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's new capital, Shahjahanabad, when he moved his capital from Agra to bring prestige to his reign. Its wall is 1.5 miles long, and varies in height from 60-110 ft. At 72.5 meters, the Qutab Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world. Surrounding the building are many fine examples of Indian artwork dating back to 1193. Humayun's tomb is a complex of buildings of Mughal architecture dating to the Slave Dynasty (1268-1287 AD). The complex is a World Heritage Site and the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. This style of mausoleum is similar to the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Relax and enjoy an airport transfer in a private vehicle, with driver, and English-speaking assistant.

Enjoy your flight from Delhi to Varanasi. The flight duration is approximately 90 mins.

From your hotel, a private vehicle, with driver, and English speaking guide, will transfer you to the airport for your flight.

Private guided tour of Sarnath, located 5 miles from Varanasi, the site is a deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma after his enlightenment. Sarnath is one of four holy Buddhist sites sanctioned by the Buddha himself for pilgrimage. Amongst the ruins is the Dharmekh Stupa is impressive at 128 feet high, and 93 in diameters. This dates back to 200 BC and is the sport where the Buddha is said to have preached his first sermon.  Within the deer park complex is the large Dhamekha Stupa, constructed by the Emperor Ashoka in 249 BCE, and several other Buddhist structures that were added between the 3rd and the 11th century BC.

The Aarti Ceremony is a Hindu ritual where light or fire is offered to the deities.  Each Lamp wick is soaked in ghee or purified butter and lit, whilst songs of praise are sung in front of the deities.  Almost all the Hindu rituals of worship involve the ceremony of Aarti.  Perhaps the earliest mention of the Ceremony of Aarti in India can be found in Rig Veda, which is considered to be the earliest scripture of Hinduism.  According to the Rig Veda, the use of Aarti can be said to be derived from the Vedic concepts of elaborate sacrificial fires or Homa. The word Aarti can be itself said to be derived from a conjunction of the two words of "Aa", meaning "towards", and "Rati", which in turn means "the highest love for God" in Sanskrit. Thus, the word Aarti in actuality means the "highest love for God.

Glide along the famous and holy Ganges waterway in a private boat accompanied by an expert guide. The Ganga Ghats at Varanasi attract tourists and pilgrims of all ages for the opportunity to take a dip in the holy Ganges, which is believed to absolve one's sins. Pilgrims and tourists alike can be seen swimming and bathing immediately next to the funeral pyres of the riverside temples. This is a somewhat surreal experience and only for those with a strong constitution.

"One can survive everything nowadays, except death." Dying is accepted as a part of life, and when one dies, there are a multitude of rituals and ceremonies that need to be performed. This experience takes you to the Manikarnika Ghat to take a look at the various death rituals passage that the Hindus perform. Hindus, who perform a myriad of rituals in their lifetime, believe that humans are reborn according to their karma and hence, perform many death rituals to ensure that the soul rests in peace. Often, we wonder why Hindus burn or cremate the body instead of burying it. The answer lies in the belief. Here, our tour guide will introduce you to the history and mythology associated with this Ghat. You will get to understand the rites being performed and see the inner workings of this unique place. This experience is expected to last approximately 4 hours including travel time.

Winding through the streets and popping out onto the riverside will give you an insider’s look at the symbiotic life of the riverside people of Varanasi. Eventually, as you tour through the city you will end up on Bengali Tola, the street of the Bengalis, where you will be visiting the hidden Mother Goddess Kali shrines, and the vistas of life along the riverside. The tour continues to the historic ritual bathing site called Dashaswamedh, or the ten-horse sacrifice Ghat, the perfect way to conclude this walking city tour.

From your hotel, a private vehicle, with driver, and English speaking guide, will transfer you to the airport for your flight.

Enjoy your flight from Varanasi to Jaipur via Delhi. Approximate flying time 5 hrs.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking assistant.

Private guided tour of the City Palace of Jaipur, an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthan and Mughal architecture, originally built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of the Kachhwaha clan of Rajputs. The vast palace complex occupies one seventh of the walled city of Jaipur. The Jantar Mantar is a collection of massive astronomical instruments, built of local stone and marble. Each instrument carries an astronomical scale marked on the marble inner lining, and bronze tablets were also employed. Adjoining the Palace is the  Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the Hawa Mahal overlooks one of the main streets and also provides some excellent views of the city. We feel the Amber Fort is best reached by car, but an optional elephant ride is available should you prefer (cost not included).

From its creation in 1727, the royal families and nobles of Jaipur patronized the craftsmen and artisans of the city. These traditions continue to this day and as a result modern day Jaipur is considered by many as the craft capital of India. Traditional methods are still used to produce many valuable and highly prized items. Using skills passed down through generations, artisans and master craftsmen can be seen in the areas of Ghat Darwaza and Vishveshwar ji.

On this fascinating evening walk mingle and talk with the locals whilst sampling some of the region's culinary delights; try pakoras, aloo tiki, samosa and ladoo from some of the city’s most popular street food vendors. Observe local artisans in their workshops; jewelers and silversmiths, gold painters and tie dying experts. The iconic Hawa Mahal also called the Palace of the Winds is the meeting point at which this two and a half hour walk begins.

Meet your driver for a private transfer to Ranthambore.

You'll join others to Rajasthan's first Project Tiger reserve, spread over 392 sq. km, and named after the 1,000 year old fort which stands in the park. Game viewing for tigers is often successful, and the park is also home to sambhar, cheetah, wild boar, leopard, sloth bear, jackal, and hyena among others.

You'll join others to Rajasthan's first Project Tiger reserve, spread over 392 sq. km, and named after the 1,000 year old fort which stands in the park. Game viewing for tigers is often successful, and the park is also home to sambhar, cheetah, wild boar, leopard, sloth bear, jackal, and hyena among others.

The 13th century Ranthambore Fort is in the midst of the jungle, and features the palaces of Toran Dwar, Mahadeo Chhatri, Sameton KiHaveli, 32-pillard Chhatri, Mosque & the Ganesh Temple.

Meet your driver for a private transfer to Agra.

Be amazed on this private guided tour of Taj Mahal, one of the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his dear wife and Queen Mumtaz Mahal. Also visit Agra Fort, built of red sandstone and marble. This great monument of red sandstone dominating a bend in the river Yamuna, 2km northwest of Taj Mahal was constructed by the Mughals during 1565-1571.

Meet your driver for a private transfer to Delhi. (205 Kms/5 hrs)