North India's Wildlife and Culture Private Tour - 13 Days

A quarter mile drive takes you to Lutyens’ historic New Delhi.Here you will enjoy photo opportunities at the following attractions - the exterior of the massive and awe-inspiring Rashtrapati Bhawan (known as the Viceroy’s House during the British era) and Delhi’s landmark structure, the India Gate.

From here you will be driven to visit the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, making your way through Connaught Place, which is New Delhi’s downtown, and still retains its colonial architecture and design.

The Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, a gold domed Sikh House of Worship, is the most prominent Gurudwara in Delhi, and was first built as a small temple in 1783 and then expanded over the next few decades. The campus includes the temple, a kitchen, a school, an art gallery, and the holy pond (Sarovar), whose water is called Amrit (Holy Nectar). As with all Sikh Gurudwaras, volunteers, including children and old folks, the extremely wealthy and not so well-off, perform almost all the chores required to keep the Gurudwara functioning.

A fascinating part of this is the daily langar (community meal), and you will witness as thousands of meals are served to all visitors who want one, regardless of race, religion, gender or belief. Only vegetarian food is served, so that no religions dietary restrictions are violated. Click here for a CNN story on how U.S. based Sikhs contributed with large langars during the Covid-19 pandemic

After a break for lunch you are driven to the awe-inspiring 12th century Qutab Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Delhi has over 500 ancient structures strewn over its vast expanse, with many of them in various states of disrepair. In terms of amazing achievements of man from almost a millennium ago, the Qutab Minar is unmatched in its architectural brilliance and longevity.

This 240 ft tall medieval tower is a symbol of victory and a spectacular example of Persian architecture with intricate carvings and gorgeous inlaid calligraphy. There is a winding stairway inside the tower that goes up all the way to the balcony at the very top of the tower – unfortunately, this is no longer accessible for visitors.

Within the Qutab complex, amidst the ruins of the Quwat-ul-Islam Mosque, stands the legendary 2500-year-old Iron Pillar. The pillar stands 23 feet and 8 inches tall, weighs about 7000 pounds, and has inscriptions that are still legible to a great extent. This massive cast iron structure is said to have been moved from its distant cave shelter to Delhi around the 12th century, and since then has withstood the ravages of Delhi’s weather (and recent pollution) without rusting.

After the Qutab complex you will be driven to the gorgeous Lodi Gardens. Spread over 90 acres of extremely expensive real estate in the heart of New Delhi, this massive verdant garden area has ancient trees, lush landscaping, and beautiful flower beds surrounding an interesting collection of royal tombs from the 15th & 16th century. A large number of birdlife is also found here.

From the gardens you will enjoy a walk (driving is an option) through an affluent area of New Delhi, ending up in the Lodi Art District. Delhi may not be famous for its street art and murals, but the large amount of street art found all over this upscale part of the city will both surprise and delight you. The subject matter ranges from quirky to distinctly ethnic Indian, and there will be surprises around every corner. Your day will end with a quarter mile drive back to your hotel.

Day 3: Delhi - Agra. (B) You are assisted with your check-out from your hotel after breakfast and you are driven towards Agra, with a stop to explore Old Delhi along the way. You can have your hotel pack a lunch or snack for your journey, or enjoy a very late lunch in Agra. Your first stop in Old Delhi will be the Jama Masjid (1650 A.D.), the largest mosque in India. The Masjid is a magnificent example of Mughal architecture and is constructed of red sandstone and white marble. It is an active place of worship and its courtyard can hold 25,000 worshippers. Bare legs and shoulders are not permitted inside the mosque, and we include rented sarongs and scarves from the vendors at the entrance.

One of your most enduring memories of India will be your next experience as you walk through the ancient Chandni Chowk Bazaar. The cacophony of sounds, the cries of hawkers and the animated bargaining, sounds which have echoed through the centuries, all combine with the incredible colors and the diverse smells emanating from the street food stalls and spice markets to make for an experience that is unique to this ancient bazaar.

Both this fortified city and the Jama Masjid (Mosque) were built by Shah Jahan, the emperor who created the Taj Mahal. Since the design and structures of the Agra and Red Forts are similar, and much of the Red Fort is occupied by the Indian Army and inaccessible to visitors, you will save time here and explore the Agra Fort on the next day. Get on North India’s best highway (which begins near Old Delhi), an elevated tollway that does not permit most of India’s chaotic road traffic to impede your approximately two-hour journey. No pedestrians, cows (or other livestock), bicycles or other two-wheel traffic is permitted, and you will be able to see the fertile farmlands and rural activity surrounding the tollway.

Upon arrival at your iconic luxury resort you will be assisted with your check-in. Easy Tours includes an upgraded room with a private balcony that overlooks the Taj Mahal, framed by the lush gardens and trees of the Amarvilas. Please note that all Oberoi Vilas Resorts offer multiple experiences, including private cooking lessons with their master chefs. These can be reserved by us, or at the resort.

Lunch can be at your resort, or a local restaurant, and after lunch you will proceed for a sunset visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the incomparable Taj Mahal. The world’s greatest monument dedicated to love is obviously a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Taj Mahal was completed by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1653 A.D. as a memorial to his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. This spectacular white marble mausoleum was created by about 22,000 skilled craftsmen, many of whom were brought here from far away nations, and it took twenty two years to complete.

When the Taj Mahal closes right after sunset, enjoy the short walk to your resort, which is just a few hundred yards away.

Day 4: Agra - Ranthambore. (B,L,D) Enjoy a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. Morning is the best time to experience it during most of the year, except for some years during which morning fog in late December and most of January can affect photography. Since it is more expensive for Indian tourists to enter at that early hour, the massive monument and its surrounding Mughal gardens have a lot fewer visitors than the rest of the day.

As the rising sun’s rays illuminate the precious stones inlaid in the marble, they will gleam momentarily and change colors. When you experience the Taj Mahal with an Easy Tours’ Tour Director who shares unique insights into its innumerable facets, some of their passion for this masterpiece may rub off on you.

Return to your resort after this and enjoy breakfast. You are assisted with your check-out from your resort in the mid-morning and then you will head to the first red sandstone fort of North India, the Agra Fort, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in 1565 by India’s greatest Mughal ruler, Emperor Akbar. Its royal audience halls, immense stone courtyards, marble mosque and the private royal chambers give us a glimpse of the grandeur of the Mughal Empire. There are unique views of the Taj Mahal from a section of the fort, including the room where Emperor Shah Jahan’s infamous son and successor, Aurangzeb, imprisoned his father during the latter years of his life.

On your drive to Ranthambore you will stop at the Chand Baori stepwell at Abhaneri before you turn into the countryside towards Ranthambore. A packed meal from the Oberoi Amarvilas is included for the first part of your journey, and we recommend enjoying this before you arrive, or as soon as you arrive at the stepwell.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/india-beautiful-stepwells-spc/index.html. The massive 10th century Chand Baori stepwell is one of the most impressive in all of India and is located next to a charming Rajasthani village. The depth of the stepwell is that of a modern 7 story building, and there are stairs (no longer accessible to visitors) leading down to the bottom from three of the 100 foot (35 meters) plus wide sides of the opening – the stairs significantly add to the symmetry and visual beauty of the structure.

There is a potter’s hut that you can stop at, as well as opportunities to view other indigenous activities. This is a real village, and not a tourism destination. if you communicate with the villagers through your Tour Director, their simplicity, warmth, and hospitality will captivate you.

Continue on with your journey to Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore National Park). The second half of this drive is through rural Rajasthan and there are multiple photo opportunities of the colorful villagers as they go about their daily activities. You will also encounter many camels and other livestock on this drive. On your arrival you are assisted with your check-in at one of India’s two Aman Resorts, the Aman-i-Khas. Located on the fringes of Ranthambore National Park with unrivalled access to nature, the small boutique resort has 10 large luxury tents and provides an unsurpassed jungle experience.

Since 2006, Easy Tours of India has tracked the percentage of tiger sightings for our guests in Ranthambore National Park. More than 85% of our guests have had tiger sightings during this period, with many of them getting multiple sightings.

Day 5: Ranthambore. (B,L,D) Covering an area of 410 square kilometers, Ranthambore National Park runs along the eastern spur of the Aravalli mountain range until it meets with the Vindhya ranges. Ranthambore was once the Jaipur rulers’ private hunting ground. In 1972 it was declared a Sanctuary and was brought under the Project Tiger Conservation platform.

This varied flora supports a large number of animals including a variety of deer and antelope, crocodiles, the sloth bear, over 320 species of birds, leopards and of course, one of India’s highest densities of the Bengal Tiger.

Enjoy private jeep wildlife safaris into the park in the morning and afternoon. As in all of India’s National Wildlife Parks, safaris are operated by the Forest Department, in either jeeps or large old trucks (called canters) with up to 20 passengers. The front seats of Ranthambore’s small jeeps have to be occupied by the forest departments wildlife guide and the jeep driver. Almost all jeeps operate on a shared basis, with 5 or 6 passengers on the two bench seats in the back. Your safari will be just for you in a private jeep, with much better views of the wildlife, as well as the ability to get unobstructed photographs.

In between safaris, you have the option of a guided visit to the Ranthambore Fort. This excursion does have a fairly steep climb with approximately 700 feet of stairs. The massive Fort is one of the finest examples of the ancient Hindu concept of Vana-Durg, or a fort protected by a jungle. The history of this Fort (built in 944 A.D.) is a chronicle full of tales of blood and valor. Successively occupied by the Muslims, Rajput’s and Mughals, the insides of the fort today lie partly in ruin. There are superb views of the park to be had from its ramparts. There is also an ancient temple located in the fort which attracts a continuous stream of pilgrims from the surrounding villages. A note of caution – a large number of aggressive langurs (a larger than average South Asian monkey breed) have made the Fort area their home and it is not advisable to have food or shiny objects visible as you tour the fort, as such items will be aggressively snatched away, which could cause injury.

Day 6: Ranthambore – Jaipur. (B,L) Enjoy your last private jeep safari into Ranthambore in the morning. Return to your resort after the safari to freshen up and have breakfast, after which you are assisted with your check-out from your jungle resort and are driven to the Oberoi Rajvilas, arriving in time for a late lunch. You can also choose to enjoy your spectacular jungle resort for the rest of the morning if you like, checking out at noon and then having lunch there before heading towards Jaipur in the early afternoon. Sawai Madhopur, the community located next to Ranthambore), is a rural small town, and you will drive through it to get a glimpse of life here before you head for Jaipur, which is a UNESCO World Heritage City. The first half of this drive is also through rural Rajasthan and there are multiple photo opportunities. You are assisted with your check-in at your boutique luxury resort upon your arrival at Jaipur.

Unlike its only luxury competitor at Jaipur, the palace is centrally located in the city, and not at a 30-minute drive. Set in 47 acres of lush greenery, this exquisite 19th century palace hotel is the former royal residence and offers expansive facilities and bespoke experiences, including some of the best fine-dining restaurants in Jaipur.

Day 7: Jaipur. (B) Start your day with an excursion to the Amber Fort and Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located a little ways away from Jaipur.

Easy Tours does not offer elephant-back ascents up the ramparts of the complex as many of the elephants are not well taken care off. The massive Fort complex was originally built by Raja Mansingh and is one of India’s finest examples of Rajput architecture. Explore the chambers and hallways, which are famous for their exquisite designs and handcrafted embellishments. Your Tour Director will regale you with the history of the various structures as you take in the amazing workmanship of the craftsmen who created them. Return to the valley beneath the fort/palace complex and you will now break for lunch.

After lunch proceed for an exploration of the walled pink city of Jaipur. You will start with a visit to Jantar Mantar (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a fascinating stone observatory built in 1728. Among other instruments, it includes a massive stone sun dial that is accurate to within 2 seconds. After the observatory comes a photo opportunity at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Wind).

Continue the tour with an exploration of the City Palace, the royal residence that was built in a delightful blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles. A part of this massive complex is still occupied by the Royal family and is not accessible to the public. Your Tour Director will regale you with stories of royalty as you admire their trappings. This immense complex also houses a number of museums that include displays of armor, miniature paintings, and a large and impressive collection of ancient royal garments and accoutrements.

Next you will take a stroll through the great Jaipur bazaar in the heart of the pink city and watch the locals as they shop for pretty much everything a consumer can possibly want. You will break for lunch at a time of your choice as a couple of decent dining options are nearby. In this atmospheric and crowded bazaar, street sellers of vegetables, fruit and other goods occupy the curbs with their displays. There are stores selling spices, nuts, flowers, toys, footwear, hardware, and a lot more is mixed in with street food vendors and brick and mortar eating establishments. Byzantine alleys lead into inner courtyard shops, where the experienced locals shop for items at slightly lower prices.

Guests who want to do so will be driven back to your lavish Palace for a late afternoon of relaxation. Jaipur is India’s shopping mecca for all sorts of exquisite hand-crafted items, fabrics, carpets, as well as jewelery, and those who are interested in shopping can have their Tour Director serve as a personal shopper until the late evening.

Day 8: Jaipur - Varanasi. (B) You are assisted with your check-out in the late morning and driven to the airport. Although poor airplane food may be available on the flight, we recommend that you eat before the journey. You are assisted with boarding your early afternoon no-frills nonstop flight to the oldest continuously inhabited city on our planet, with a history that dates back five millennia, Varanasi. Upon arrival at the Varanasi airport, you are driven to your boutique small palace hotel, the historic Nadesar Palace. Your luxurious palace is situated among 28 acres of verdant gardens and is an oasis in the middle of this extremely congested city. There is no other real luxury lodging in Varanasi.

After a brief break to freshen up, you will head to the Ghats on the holy river’s banks. These Ghats stretch for a few miles, and are always full of activity, but the middle of the whole expanse is where the holiest Ghats are located, and where the main evening ceremony takes place.

You can float your own lamps from your private boat while you watch the ancient prayer and oil lamp ceremony at sunset. Your boat enables you to enjoy a great view of the ceremony and hundreds of lamps as they float down the holy river.

Day 9: Varanasi - Khajuraho. (B) Two of the highlights of your time in Varanasi are the sunset and sunrise cruises on the Ganga. Start your day with an early morning boat cruise on the Ganga. The best time to visit the Ghats is at dawn, as that is when there are the fewest people around. You can simultaneously witness the ceremony of a recently deceased Hindu’s ashes being immersed in the river so that the soul can achieve salvation, while nearby, another Brahmin priest orchestrates the naming ceremony of a newborn. Your boat offers an excellent view of all the activity on the Ghats - women bathing discreetly while still wearing their sarees, priests offering prayers as they immerse themselves in the holy water, and others who seem oblivious to their surroundings as they practice yoga or meditate on the banks of the Ganga.

After the boat cruise you will walk through the narrow lanes and through the crowded bazaars to discover a way of life that has not changed much over the past few millennia. Your Tour Director will guide you on a walk on some of the Ghats - it is a lot less crowded on these Ghats in the early morning, which allows for a close-up look as pilgrims and locals go about their rituals and related activities. It is also a great opportunity to experience some of Hinduisms ancient and iconic rituals.

Return to your palace for a late breakfast and to pack. You are assisted with your check-out from your hotel in the mid-morning and driven to the airport, where you are assisted with boarding your afternoon flight to Khajuraho. Your Tour Director and you are greeted on arrival at the Khajuraho airport and you are driven to your hotel and assisted with your check-in. Although this hotel is not as luxurious as the other lodging on your tour, it is the only upscale option in Khajuraho and far superior t0 any other lodging. There is a break for a late lunch, if you so desire – airplane food will have been served on the flight.

Thousands of extremely detailed stone sculptures adorn the facades of these temples, and the subject matter includes some very explicit erotic scenes. The sophisticated design and building techniques that were used in the creation of these temples and the detailed artistry of the sculptures cannot be described in words - you have to experience them personally to grasp their impact. You have the option of attending the sound and light show at the western group of temples in the evening – it is hard to understand and not of high quality.

Day 10: Khajuraho - Bandhavgarh. (B,L,D) You are assisted with an early morning check-out of your hotel and then you are driven through the countryside and jungle to Bandhavgarh National Park. A packed breakfast is provided from your hotel for this journey.

Arrive at Bandhavgarh (Bandhavgarh is statistically India’s best park for tiger sightings, almost always multiple sightings over your 4 private safaris) in time for a slightly late lunch, and, before or after lunch, you are greeted by the hotel staff and then assisted with your check-in to your luxury jungle lodge, the only truly authentic luxury lodging in Bandhavgarh. The Taj Safari Lodges and the services and safaris included are the result of a very successful collaboration between & Beyond, one of Africa’s top luxury safari outfitters, and a dedicated team of specially trained wildlife luxury specialists from the Taj Group. Easy Tours only uses their most inclusive package both here and at your next destination - Kanha, including all meals, house wines and spirits, some laundry, and a number of available activities. As you are now in the care of the expert staff of the lodge, your Tour Director bids you a temporary farewell until the day you depart Kanha National Park for Delhi.

The park is also densely populated with prey for the tigers, such as the chital (Spotted Deer), sambar (Barking Deer), nilgai (Blue Bull), and chausingha (Four Horned Antelope). A large variety of different species of birds is also found here.

The ramparts of the Bandhavgarh Fort provide a home for vultures, blue rock thrushes and crag martins. The terrain is rocky, with hills rising sharply from the swamps and surrounding densely forested valley. The most imposing of these hills is Bandhavgarh, which is bounded by great cliffs of massive rock. The 2000-year-old Fort stands on the top of this hill. There is a temple at the fort that can be accessed only on foot and with prior notice to the authorities; however, this permission can be hard to get. Scattered throughout the Park, particularly in the area around the fort, are numerous caves containing shrines with ancient Sanskrit inscriptions, some of which date back as far as the 1st Century.

Enjoy a private jeep wildlife safari into the park this afternoon.
Easy Tours recommends that, while planning your dates, you keep in mind the fact that there are no safaris on Wednesday afternoons at Bandhavgarh and Kanha. Easy Tours will apprise you of this fact if this is an issue with your selected dates. However, if this is not possible, there are many other activities available, such as village and nature walks, at no additional cost.

Days 11 & 12: Bandhavgarh. (B,L,D) Enjoy morning and afternoon private jeep wildlife safaris into the park on these days. In-between safaris, your lodge offers multiple activities, including al fresco dining with jungle views, wildlife lectures and videos, and village excursions.

Day 13: Bandhavgarh - Jabalpur - Delhi - International Flight. (B) Enjoy your last private jeep wildlife safari into the park this morning. After this you will return to your lodge to freshen up and enjoy breakfast.

Your Tour Director will re-join you here and assist with your check-out. You are driven to Jabalpur Airport for a non-stop no-frills flight to Delhi. A packed lunch is provided by your lodge for the journey.

THE FOLLOWING DEPARTURE OPTIONS ARE OFFERED FOR GUESTS NEEDING GUIDANCE ON THIS SUBJECT. Please note that almost all international flights depart from India’s airports either very late at night or early in the morning.

Departure Option 1: If your international flight departure is less than four hours from your scheduled arrival time at the domestic terminal at Delhi, your Tour Director will escort you to the international terminal where you will board your international flight. At the airport, before bidding you farewell, your Tour Director will assist you in connecting you with your Airport VIP Services Representative, who will escort you through customs and immigration. Additional services can be added upon request.

Departure Option 2A: Late Night Flights - If your international flight departure is not in the early morning, but is four or more hours from your scheduled arrival time at the domestic terminal at Delhi, you are greeted at the Delhi airport by your personal chauffeur. Your Tour Director along with your personal vehicle and chauffeur are available to you until it is time for your airport transfer for your international flight. This is a good time to do some last-minute shopping and/or dining if you are so inclined. When you are driven to the airport for your international flight at the appropriate time, your Tour Director will assist you in connecting you with your Airport VIP Services Representative, who will escort you through check-in, customs and immigration. Additional services can be added upon request.

OR

Departure Option 2B: Flights around Midnight - If your flight departs early the next morning, upon your arrival in Delhi, you will be driven to the Oberoi Gurgaon and your Tour Director will assist with your check-in. A nominal additional charge will apply for this extra night. During your check-in, please remind the hotel staff of your flight departure timing - Easy Tours will already have informed them. Your Tour Director will bid you farewell at this time.

Day 14: Delhi – International Flight. Flights well after midnight or on the next day - Check-out at the appropriate time (your room is available until noon) and a luxury Oberoi vehicle will transfer you to the airport where you will board your international flight. At the airport the Oberoi Airport Representative will connect you with your Airport VIP Services Representative, who will escort you through check-in, customs and immigration. Additional services can be added upon request.