Splendours of India - Palaces and Tigers

Delhi • Udaipur • Ranthambore National Park • Jaipur • Agra • Khajuraho • Varanasi

This holiday includes 3 safaris in Ranthambore National Park, 14 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 9 evening meals

India is a country that breathes an atmosphere of exotic magic. Its endless variety, colour and spectacle make it a wonderful touring destination. Here you will find bustling cities, ever-changing scenery, fabulous temples and a country alive with different cultures and peoples. This, combined with a stay in the renowned Ranthambore National Park, Project Tiger area, with 3 safaris included and an optional visit to the legendary city of Kathmandu in Nepal, set among the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas, will ensure vivid memories that will last for a lifetime.DAY 1 LONDON • IN FLIGHT
We begin with Titan HiTours Home Departure Service to London Heathrow Airport and your scheduled Virgin Atlantic flight to New Delhi. During the flight you will enjoy meals, free bar service and in-flight entertainment.

DAY 2 NEW DELHI
On arrival at Delhi airport we are transferred to Le Meridien or Hyatt Regency Hotel. This afternoon we have arranged a sightseeing tour of New Delhi to provide you with a taste of India in miniature, the city being a microcosm of the country itself. New Delhi, the Imperial City created as India’s capital by the British, contains many fine government buildings laid out in spacious settings. Its tree-lined streets, parks and fountains gravitate to the hub of New Delhi’s fashionable centre, Connaught Place. Sights include Qutab Minar, a 73 metre high medieval tower of victory. The tour continues with a drive along the ceremonial avenue, Rajpath, past Parliament House, the President’s Residence and the imposing India Gate, built as a memorial to the Indian soldiers who died in World War II. Dinner is included this evening.

DAY 3 DELHI
Today we will see the contrast of the walled city of “Old Delhi”, with its narrow alleys, bazaars, temples and mosques, forms the old Muslim capital. The Red Fort, once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire, stands majestically within the old city and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. We visit Raj Ghat, the memorial at the site where Mahatma Gandi was cremated and Jama Masjid, India’s largest and most elegant mosque. After lunch you are free to make your own discoveries.

DAY 4 NEW DELHI • UDAIPUR
This morning we depart for Delhi Airport and our flight to Udaipur, renowned for its romantic atmosphere and recognised as one of the finest creations of the Rajputs. On arrival, we are transferred to the Trident Hotel or similar where we will stay for the next two nights. The remainder of the day is at leisure before an included evening dinner.

DAY 5 UDAIPUR
This morning we commence our sightseeing tour of this city located deep in the Rajasthan desert and known as the “Venice of the East”. Founded in the 16th century, Udaipur is a superbly crafted explosion of palaces, temples, parks and gardens, many of which line the shore of Lake Pichola. The lake itself was enlarged by Udai Singh and there are two islands, Jagniwas and Jagmandir, upon it. The Palace is entered through the Tripolia Gate and it was once the custom for visiting maharanas to be weighed, upon entering the gate, and the equivalent weight in gold was to be distributed among the town’s inhabitants. The Palace, now a museum, is famed for its mirrored walls, ivory doors, coloured glass windows and inlaid marble balconies. Glassware, porcelain and beautiful paintings adorn the state rooms. Other fine buildings to be visited include the Jagdish Temple, a fine Indo-Aryan temple, Bagore ki Haveli, a nobleman’s house and once a royal guest house. This afternoon there may be an opportunity to enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola, water levels permitting. We return to our hotel for our overnight stay.

DAY 6 UDAIPUR • RANTHAMBORE
We are transferred to Udaipur airport early this morning for our flight to Jaipur. On arrival we make our way to Ranthambore and our lodge for the next two nights, the Ranthambore Regency. Lunch is included at the resort after which we are taken on a jungle safari. Ranthambore National Park covers an area of 410 square kilometres and is where the elusive Indian tiger may be seen. Although the main appeal for visitors, the tiger is not the only resident here; leopard, monkey, sloth bear and a variety of birds are among the other inhabitants. After this exciting introduction to Ranthambore’s wildlife we return to our lodge for our evening dinner.

DAY 7 RANTHAMBORE
Further opportunities to view the inhabitants of this wildlife haven await us today as we are taken on safaris before breakfast and after lunch, both of which are included at our lodge. The Ranthambore Foundation strives to create an ecological balance between man and animal by conservation of the forest cover and the spread of water bodies throughout the park. These improvements to the tiger’s natural habitat have seen the recovery of Ranthambore’s tiger population since 1998. With many wonderful images ingrained in the memory, we return to the lodge for our evening meal.

DAY 8 RANTHAMBORE • JAIPUR
This morning we embark on our journey to Jaipur. On arrival at the Le Meridien Hotel where we will stay for the next two nights.The remainder of the day is at leisure and dinner this evening is included.

DAY 9 JAIPUR
After breakfast we commence our sightseeing tour of Jaipur, the state capital of Rajasthan known as “The Pink City”, so called after the colour of the buildings within its old walled city. The “Palace of Winds” is a façade of spectacular proportions, with domes, spires and overhanging windows with latticed screens and we also visit the magnificent Amber Fort. Standing in a commanding position overlooking the city, the fort provides a stunning example of Rajput architecture and has been described as “the sleeping beauty of Rajasthan”. The architecture of this city provides an imposing blend of the traditional Rajasthani and Mughal cultures. Our tour includes a visit to the City Palace Museum to view the Royal Wardrobe Collection, as well as a display of carpets, old war weapons and miniature scenes of processions. The unique Jantar Mantar Observatory built during the early 1870s still retains its futuristic looks. The Johari Bazaar in the centre of the old city provides good opportunities for shopping. Overnight at our hotel.

DAY 10 JAIPUR • AGRA
This morning we drive through the sparsely populated region of Nyatapola to Agra, but not before visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city built by Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace during the 16th century. The famous 134ft high victory gate of Bulund Darwaza is seen before we arrive in Agra and the Trident Hotel where we stay for the next two nights. Dinner is included this evening.

DAY 11 AGRA
Agra, the one time capital of India, rose to prominence under Moghul rule during the 16th and 17th centuries. The grandeur of the Agra Fort, the Pearl Mosque, Jasmine Tower and Itmad ud Daulah’s tomb do not captivate the imagination as much as the white marble building of the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. If any one building represents India it must surely be this. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, it has been heralded as the most extravagant monument to love ever built. The Emperor was inconsolable when Mumtaz, his wife of 17 years, died in childbirth and spent the next twenty-two years building this magnificent monument. Over 20,000 people were involved in building the Taj Mahal with experts brought in from Europe to assist with the design and construction. We will have some free time to explore and possibly visit the Kinari Bazaar, the city’s main market place, before visiting the impressive Agra Fort.

DAY 12 AGRA • KHAJURAHO
Early morning, we will take the Shatabdi Express train from Agra to Jhansi followed by a road transfer to Khajuraho, arriving the Radisson hotel, where we will stay overnight and dinner is included this evening.

DAY 13 KHAJURAHO • VARANASI
Today we visit the Chandela Dynasty temples which, set in a beautiful park, spectacularly rise in many peaks and spirals, intricately carved and designed with statues and friezes, some of which are the renowned erotic carvings. We then transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Varanasi. On arrival we are transferred to the Radisson hotel, our base for the next two nights. You are at leisure this afternoon before evening dinner, which is included at our hotel tonight.

DAY 14 VARANASI
Our morning sightseeing tour of perhaps India’s most colourful city and also one of the greatest sacred Hindu cities. Situated on the banks of the Ganges, Varanasi has been a centre of learning and civilization for over 2,000 years. One of the city’s major attractions are the bathing ghats which line the west banks of the Ganges. There are steps that lead down to the river allowing pilgrims to bathe in the sacred waters. Our tour this morning includes a boat ride on the River Ganges to view the bathing ghats and visit some of the many Hindu temples that line the river. Cattle and pedestrians share the narrow lanes leading away from the river to the bazaars where the world-famous Banaras silks can be purchased. Our explorations this afternoon take us to the buried Buddhist city of Sarnath, situated just outside Varanasi. It was at Sarnath that the Buddha first preached 2,500 years ago. Here we witness the ruins of the once flourishing Buddhist monastery. The nearby museum houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculpture.

DAY 15 VARANASI • DELHI
This morning is at leisure to relax and enjoy the facilities of our hotel. After which we transfer to Varanasi Airport for our scheduled flight to Delhi. On arrival the coach will transfer us to Le Meridien Hotel for our overnight stay and evening dinner. OR EXTEND YOUR STAY - CALL FOR DETAILS

DAY 16 DELHI • LONDON
We transfer to Delhi Airport for our direct, scheduled Virgin Atlantic flight to London Heathrow Airport. On arrival our staff will greet you and transfer you to Titan HiTours transport for the return journey home to your own front door.Duration 16 days, 14 nights in hotels – 3 Delhi, 2 Udaipur, 2 Ranthambore, 2 Jaipur, 2 Agra, 1 Khajuraho & 2 Varanasi & 1 night in flight

Titan HiTours VIP Home Departure Service™

Check-in service by Titan staff.

Scheduled Virgin Atlantic direct flights. Internal flights as detailed in the itinerary

First class air-conditioned coaching with experienced drivers.

Accommodation as specified in brochure or of a similar standard.

Excursions, tours and entrances as detailed in the itinerary

Hotel porterage (1 bag per person).

All airport taxes, security charges and the UK Air Passenger Duty and applicable fuel surcharges

Meals: Breakfast on days 3-16, Lunch on days 6&7 & Dinner on days 2,4,6-8, 10, 12, 13&15

Celebration offer - free bottle of wine or room upgrade (Valid for 2010 departures only)