Itinerary

Day 1 - ARRIVAL in DELHI, INDIA
Upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, you will be met by a Born Free representative and transferred The Taj Ambassador Hotel. Your hotel is located in one of the best areas of Delhi and is close to the central Delhi markets. Inspired by colonial charm, this hotel’s design offers a palette of local colors, materials, and fabrics. The rooms are rich in elegant Indian design cues, light, airy, and modern offering modern comforts and warm, hospitable service.
The Taj Ambassador Hotel (B&B)

Day 2 - DELHI
After breakfast, spend the day on a guided sightseeing tour to explore some historical sites and the architecture of colonial Delhi. It is a city of contrasts, housing monuments of the 13th and 16th centuries amidst manicured boulevards and government buildings, designed and landscaped for the seat of the Mughal and later the British capital. Included are visits to the Red Fort and Jama Masjid. You will also be taken on a short rickshaw ride around the old section of Delhi, which will enable you to view of the commercial life along the streets. It will also offer you a chance to do a little shopping. A mix of four major religions, thousands of years of history and cultural development, with significant movements of different populations, invasions and colonialisation, Delhi has one of the most vibrant and profound cultures in the world.
The Taj Ambassador Hotel (B&B)

Day 3 - KHAJURAHO and BANDHAVGARH
This morning you, fly to Khajuraho. On arrival in Khajuraho you will be met and taken on a guided tour of the western group of the Chandela temples, an UNESCO world heritage site. The temples at Khajuraho were built during the Chandella dynasty, which reached its apogee between 950 and 1050. Only about 20 temples remain; they fall into three distinct groups and belong to two different religions – Hinduism and Jainism. They strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. The Temple of Kandariya is decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art.

Later, a longer drive to Bandhavgarh and the Taj Safari Lodge – Mahua Kothi. The name Mahua Kothi draws its inspiration from one of India's most beautiful trees, the Madhuca Indica, or as it is commonly known, the Mahua or butter tree. The grounds are unique and feature twelve charming suites, known as Kutiyas or 'Jungle Huts' which were all recently renovated.
&Beyond: Taj Safari Lodge – Mahua Kothi (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
   

Day 4-5 - BANDHAVGARH
For the next two days, explore inside Bandhavgarh National Park with a mix of early morning and evening jeep drives and trips on elephant back.* The park is situated in Central India and was formerly a Royal hunting reserve of the princely state of Rewa where the first wild White Tiger was ever found. The core area of the park is fairly small with a fragile ecology, but it supports such wildlife as the Chital (Spotted Deer), Sambar deer, Muntjak (Barking Deer), Nilgai (Blue Bull), Chowsingha (Four-horned Antelope), Wild Boar, Leopard, Dhole (Wild Dog) and most notably the Tiger. Bird life also abounds with hundreds of species of bird. Bandhavgarh National Park is considered to be the best protected area in India to photograph Tigers.

* Elephant rides cannot be guaranteed as this depends on the successful tracking of the tigers by the mahouts and their team of elephants.
&Beyond: Taj Safari Lodge – Mahua Kothi (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6 - Travel to AGRA
This will be a day of travel and transportation. Early this morning, you will drive to Jabalpur, for flight to Gwalior. Upon arrival in Gwalior, you will be met and chauffeured to Agra. On arrival you will be taken to Hotel Mughal Sheraton. Exquisite interiors, impeccable service, extraordinary cuisine, and contemporary technology come together to create an experience that is both grand and intimate. Located on 35 acres of enchanting gardens, the hotel is situated near the city centre and in close proximity to the mesmerizing Taj Mahal.

Later in the evening you will be taken on a short guided tour of the Taj Mahal to view it by the setting sun.
Hotel Mughal Sheraton (B&B)

Day 7 - AGRA
Early this morning you will be taken for a guided tour of Taj Mahal by sunrise. Said to be one of the most elegant and harmonious buildings in the world, the Taj Mahal manifests the wealth and luxury of Mughal art as seen in the architecture and garden design, painting, and calligraphy. The huge double dome of the Taj is capped with a finial, and the surrounding four minarets are crowned by an open octagonal pavilion highlight the perfect symmetry of the tomb. The filigree screen, meant to veil the area around the royal tomb was carved out of single block of marble.

After the tour, come back to the hotel for breakfast and relaxation. Later you will be taken on a sightseeing tour of Agra Fort and Itmad-ud-Daulah. Rest of the day is at your leisure to explore or relax.

The city of Agra flourished under the patronage of the emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan and attracted artisans from Persia and central Asia. Agra is still famous for handicrafts products such as Inlay work on marble, carpets, jewelery, zari and embroidery work.
Hotel Mughal Sheraton (B&B)

Day 8-9 - JAIPUR
This morning, an extended drive to Jaipur. En route visit the Emperor Akbars’ abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri.

Founded in 1728, Jaipur is a labyrinth of fascinating bazaars, opulent palaces resplendent with tales of valour and bravery. The focal point of the city of Jaipur is the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds, a five story high Baroque-like structure built to enable the veiled ladies of the harem to observe the street scenes below and remain unnoticed. The City Palace, a wonderful combination of Mughal and Rajput forms of architecture, is now partly a museum housing miniature paintings, manuscripts, Mughal carpets, musical instruments, royal costumes and weapons, giving invaluable insight into Jaipur's royal past. Spend your days visiting the various historical monuments like the Amber Fort, City Palace, Astronomical Observatory & Hawa Mahal.
Hotel Rajputana Sheraton (B&B)

Day 10 - JAIPUR and YOUR JOURNEY ONWARDS
Today you have the day free to explore and do last minute shopping. Check out late in the day, when you will be chauffeured to the airport to board your flight to Delhi and your international flight beyond!
(Breakfast)

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