North Indian Highlights Tour

This trip is perfect for the first time visitor. Original and exciting activities such as a desert camel trek, a safari in the fabulous Ranthambore Tiger Sanctuary and a boat trip on the river Ganges all add to the experience.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Maximum Group Size: 15
Arrival Transfer: Airport transfer to hotel day 1
Staffing: Fully escorted by Imaginative Traveller leader, services of local guides
Transport: Private air-conditioned coach, trains, camels, boat ride on Ganges, game safari at Ranthambore
Activities: Camel ride
Accommodation: 9 nights tourist class hotels, 3 nights heritage hotels, 2 nights sleeper train
Meals: As per itinerary B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
Entrance Fees: Included for all sites visited as part of the itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGE: During the months of June to September we will stay an extra night in Jaipur as Ranthambore National Park is closed. Please refer to the trip dossier for further details.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Search for tigers in Ranthambore National Park
• Explore the bird sanctuary of Bharatpur
• Visit the Pink City of Jaipur
• Wander around the Amber Fort
• See the exquisite Taj Mahal
• Fascinating old city of Varanasi
• Sunrise boat trip on the Ganges

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1, DELHI: Afternoon tour of Delhi.

Day 2, SHEKHAVATI: Drive to the Shekhavati area of Rajasthan, renowned for its painted frescoes and ornate havelis (merchant’s houses). We spend the night in a heritage hotel. (B)

Day 3, SHEKHAVATI: Walking tour of one of Shekhavati’s small towns followed by a camel ride to surrounding villages. Overnight in the desert resort, in beautiful and luxurious mud huts! (B)

Day 4, JAIPUR: Drive to Jaipur. Afternoon excursion to the splendid Amber Fort. (B)

Day 5, JAIPUR: Morning Jaipur city tour. Remainder of the day at leisure. (B)

Day 6, RANTHAMBORE: Drive to Ranthambore National Park where we take an afternoon game ride. (BD)

Days 7-8, KARAULI: Visit Ranthambore Fort then drive to Karauli where we stay in a Maharaja’s residence. We visit the magnificent Karauli City Palace and the local bazaar. (B)

Day 9, BHARATPUR - AGRA: Drive via the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur to the abandoned Moghul capital at Fatehpur Sikri. (B)

Day 10, AGRA: Visit the awe inspiring Taj Mahal. Overnight sleeper train to Varanasi. (B)

Day 11, VARANASI: Afternoon excursion to Sarnath.

Day 12, VARANASI: Early morning boat trip on the Ganges followed by a city tour. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 13, VARANASI: A free day to explore Varanasi, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India. Overnight sleeper train to Delhi. (B)

Day 14, DELHI: Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel. Free day.

Day 15, DELHI: Tour ends. (B)

DEPARTURE DATES

* Extra day in jaipur instead of Ranthambore

** X-mas & New Year Supplement

TRAVEL STYLE

You love the sometimes tough but ultimately rewarding nature of adventure travel and you want to spend more time enjoying every experience rather than wasting time on travel arrangements.

Maximum Group Size - 18: You love the whole concept of travel. Getting there is as much fun as being there and you love using public transport, local restaurants and small family run hotels where you get the best chance to really get under the skin of a destination. You love the sometimes tough but ultimately rewarding nature of adventure travel and you love spending more time enjoying every experience rather than wasting time on travel arrangements.
Included: All accommodation (usually twin share but occasionally multi share), transportation
Not included: Most meals, entrance fees
Single Supplement: Not available. [Read more about Imaginative Traveller travel styles]