Affordable Nature

Cultural India Unmatched

India’s romantic culture, storied past and natural beauty come alive on this classic tour through the Golden Triangle and Ranthambhore National Park. Indulge your senses with old world glamour and ancient traditions. Revel in the vibrant hues of saffron, orange, magenta and turquoise as sari-clad women sweep past you. Discover a wealth of artistic and architectural treasures amidst modern city streets, winding alleyways and rural landscapes. Recount centuries of great imperial rulers, spiritual devotion and legends at such famed sites as the Taj Mahal, Amber Fort and City Palace. Search for the magnificent wild tiger amidst crumbling monuments in the former hunting grounds of royals. This is India as you’ve never imagined it – and will never forget.

Day 1/2 - New York/Delhi
If you are arranging international flights through Classic Escapes (quoted separately), your adventure begins as you board your overnight flight to Delhi.  Arrive the next evening, where you will be met and escorted to your luxurious hotel in the commercial district of Delhi.
LALIT NEW DELHI HOTEL. (Meals Aloft)

Day 3 - Delhi
Spend today acclimating yourself to your new time zone and exploring one of the most fascinating cities in the world. India’s capital and political hub is an ancient city that has something for everyone. Settled seven times over the centuries, the city has grown in a way that reflects its
past, while retaining its cosmopolitan flavor. Delhi is India’s showcase, be it architecture, religion, shopping, culture – everything is available here waiting to be discovered. LALIT NEW DELHI HOTEL. (B)

Day 4 - Delhi/Agra
Following breakfast today, you will drive to the most famed Indian city, the home of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Agra. Perhaps no other historical monument has evoked as much awareness and admiration from tourists and travelers alike as the magnificent Taj Mahal - fondly considered the ultimate requiem of love, from a great Mughal Emperor to his beloved wife. So overwhelming is the exquisite beauty and presence of this marble mausoleum that centuries later today, even the very land where it has been located has been immortalized as the City of the Taj. Yet, it doesn’t take much for the wandering eye to discover that there's more to Agra than just the fabled Taj Mahal. The city is a virtual gateway to a world of discovery... a freeze-frame from a resplendent era that's long since gone by.  Spend this morning discovering this imposing city and its fabled past as you explore the monuments, the majesty of the buildings and the exquisite arts and crafts… all cherished as priceless legacies of a nostalgic past.  The Mughal Sheraton offers a view of the Taj Mahal, located just over a mile away. MUGHAL SHERATON. (B)

Days 5/6 - Agra/Bharatpur/Ranthambhore National Park
Your drive to Bharatpur is short in mileage, but longer than anticipated because of the chaotic Indian way of life. At all points you’re competing with the cars, rickshaws, people and animals that line the streets for a most amazing cultural experience. After lunch, continue to Bharatpur railway station where you board the Jan Shatabdi Express for Ranthambhore. Ranthambhore National Park, once the hunting grounds for the royals of Jaipur, is now one of the best places in the world to see tigers in the wild. The park, which is a part of the much larger Project Tiger Reserve, lies in the Sawai Madhopur district of eastern Rajasthan. Sightings are recorded fairly regularly, due to infrequent rainfall leaving the grasses shorter for tigers to hide in and the excellent network of forest tracks. Besides tigers, the other wild cats found in Ranthambhore are leopards, caracals, jungle cats, and rusty-spotted cats. Fishing cats and leopard cats have also been reported but their sightings are yet to be verified. The ungulates include sambar, spotted deer (Chital), blue bull (Nilgai), chinkara (Indian gazelle) and wild boar. Other large mammals include the Sloth bear, Indian fox, jackal, the rare wolf and Indian wild dog (Dhole), small Indian civet, palm civet, common Indian and ruddy mongoose and striped hyena. Your home for the next two nights, Sawai Madhopur Lodge, was originally built by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II in the 1930s as a hunting lodge. SAWAI MADHOPUR LODGE. (B,L,D Daily)

Day 7 - Ranthambhore National Park/Jaipur
Last chance to photograph the amazing tiger this morning as you go on your last safari run before dawn. Return to the lodge for breakfast before you begin your drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival, you are escorted to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure. Your home for the
next two nights is Hotel Rajputana Sheraton one of the best hotels in the Pink City. RAJPUTANA SHERATON. (B)

Day 8 - Jaipur
Jaipur is known as the Pink City, a rather idealized description of the terra-cotta-colored lime plaster that coats the old part of the city's walls, buildings, and temples. The history and times of Jaipur are deeply entwined with the stories of royal princes and princesses, with grand Mughals and later with visiting dignitaries from the British Royal family or 20th century royalty like the U.S. Presidential families. Modern Jaipur plays host to all of them and to many thousands who come here enchanted by all that the city has to offer. Jaipur is undoubtedly a city of kings and queens and its distinctive architecture clearly emphasizes this. Even so it has a timeless appeal, since many of the traditional crafts patronized by the 18th century rulers are still thriving. During your days here discover all this wonderful history and culture as you explore the various palaces, observatories, forts and local markets. Visit one of the major attractions at Jaipur, the Amber fort. You may either walk or ride an elephant to unfold the magic of the fort. The ride of the majestic animal is an experience in itself. On your way back stop at the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds located at the main street of the old city, the five-story building is a pink splendor with carved trelliswork. The structure meant to be a window for the royal ladies to view the activities on the street including the daily life and the processions. You will relish each moment of the royal retreat. Another landmark worth visiting is the former residence of the royal family, the City palace. The charming palace reveals a combination of the Rajasthan and Mughal styles of architecture. RAJPUTANA SHERATON. (B)

Day 9 - Jaipur/Delhi
Your morning is at leisure. Return to Delhi where a day room awaits you at the RADISSON HOTEL. Later this evening you will be transferred to the airport for your return flights home. (B,Meals Aloft)

Day 10 - Delhi/New York
This morning finds you in USA with incredible memories of spectacular wildlife, ancient ruins and incredible people.

Optional Post Extension to Rajputana
Extend your journey and explore further in Rajputana, beginning with Pushkar along the sacred and picturesque banks of the lake. Enjoy a camel ride through the local bazaar before retiring to your tented camp nearby. Jodphur is next with its powerful fort and exploration of local cultures and peoples. Udaipur beckons next, rich in history and dedicated temples. And if you must, return home with a new appreciation for this land.

Your Journey Includes:

• Flight from Udaipur to Delhi.
• Train transfers with Jan Shatabi from Bharatpur to Ranthambhore.
• An enrichment lecturer will accompany the group with 15 paying travelers.
• Services of highly qualified English-speaking guide throughout, as well as local guides.
• Superior accommodations throughout as indicated or similar.
• Breakfast daily and other meals as specified in itinerary.
• Sightseeing in National Parks, and points of interest as indicated, escorted by specialist guide in private coaches.
• All applicable hotel and lodge taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
• Gratuities to driver/guides, specialist-guide and other conveyance attendants
• All entry fees.
• Complimentary baggage tags and passport wallet.

For reservations or more information, please contact:
Classic Escapes at (800) 627-1244