Taj Traveller - 8 days

An alternative to our Taj Express, on this tour of the famous Golden Triangle we also get to sample the traditional Indian way of life in the quaint village of Perharsar near Bharatpur.

Day 1: New Delhi
Saturday. Welcome to India and the start of your holiday! Arrive Delhi, included transfer to hotel. Free afternoon and evening. Overnight - New Delhi
Day 2: Old Delhi & New
This morning, our welcome meeting takes place. We’ll then enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Delhi. Tonight, we enjoy a Namaste Dinner at an Indian restaurant. Overnight - New Delhi (B, D)
Taj Traveller - 8 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
The best way to get around India, an elephant taxi
Day 3: Jaipur - the Pink City!
Delhi - Jaipur. Today, we drive to Jaipur. Affectionately known as the Pink City as Maharaja Ram Singh had all of the Old City painted a welcoming pink in 1876 to herald a visit by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), it is also the bustling capital of the state of Rajasthan. We enjoy a tour of the City Palace, (watch out for snake charmers that dot our route) and Jantar Mantar - an old yet cleverly designed space observatory. Overnight - Jaipur (B)
Colourful masks and religious icons are a common sight in India
Day 4: Amber Fort, Elephants
Very early this morning there is the opportunity to sail over the lofy hilltop forts and regal palaces of Jaipur in a hot air balloon, on our Balloon Over Jaipur Bolt-on. Then we travel beyond Jaipur to the stunning 16th century Amber Fort - a sprawling Rajput concoction which hugs the hill on which it was built and overlooks the hot plains below. We’ll ascend the road leading to the palace in princely style, aboard Indian elephants, - subject to regulations/availability as the elephants are limited to the number of trips that can make up the fort each day. Arriving at the top we'll tour the fort’s well-preserved interior and grounds. Back in Jaipur, enjoy the remains of the day your way. Overnight - Jaipur (B)
The local children are fascinated by foreigners
Day 5: Discover Village Life
Jaipur - Bharatpur via Abhaneri and Peharsar. Our first stop is Chand Baori, a famous 9th century stepwell in the village of Abhaneri. Then we travel to the small rural village of Perharsar, where we walk the backstreets discovering local life, traditions and (if open) visit the village school where we operate our ‘Change for Children’ programme. Here, we’ll also visit a charming haveli with small courtyard, lawned gardens and rustic ‘shabby chic’ appeal carefully being restored to glory of better farming years. After hotel check in at Bharatpur and time to freshen up we visit Keoladeo Ghana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we’ll enjoy a leisurely bicycle rickshaw ride through the park. Overnight - Bharatpur (B, D)
Day 6: Taj Mahal
Bharatpur - Agra. En route to Agra, we visit Fatehpur Sikri, former imperial capital of the great Mughal emperor Akbar. Built between 1569 and 1585, it has been deserted for more than four centuries, by all accounts abandoned in 1600 due to a meagre supply of water. In Agra, we visit the impressive Agra Fort before touring the legendary Taj Mahal and witnessing a glorious golden sunset. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in loving memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, who tragically died in childbirth in 1631, the Taj Mahal in Agra is described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love and remains one of India’s most enduring symbols. Overnight - Agra (B)
The markets are fillled with all sorts of colours and aromas that will make your senses tingle
Day 7: Onward to Delhi
Agra - Delhi. After breakfast we return to Delhi, the latter part of the afternoon is free for you to relax or independently explore more of Delhi. Overnight - New Delhi (B)
Day 8: New Delhi
Saturday. Our tour concludes after breakfast. Goodbye India! Included departure transfer to the airport for your flight back home. (B)

Sail a riceboat through the backwaters of Kerala
Extend your stay with a great 3 day/ 2 night Kerala backwaters bolt-on. Relax, swim, soak up the sun as you float through the shallow palm fringed waters. In the evening enjoy freshly cooked meals under a million stars!

The Elephant Parade... jumbo plays polo & wrestles in tug of war!

India-Elephant-Festival x2-Image

 

Join us and witness the immensely colourful and wildly exciting Elephant Festival hosted annually in the Rajasthan capital of Jaipur! Groomed to perfection, glittering in gold, laden with silk tassels and intricately decorated with brightly coloured motifs, row upon row of elephants will catwalk before an enthralled audience at the parade. The elephants move gracefully in procession, participate in running races, play the regal game of polo and by far the greatest highlight is the tug of war between men and elephants, a mismatch of epic proportions.


This is festival time for the elephants and we will not be missing the parade! If travelling with us on our Taj Traveller tour departing 03 March 2012, we have revised our touring arrangements to allow for us to attend the festival. Travellers on this tour will spend an additional day and evening in Jaipur, making this tour 9 days in length. The festival begins mid afternoon on 06 March with camels and horses and lively folk dancers and musicians leading the carnival to Jaipur’s open air Chaugan Showground. Here we’ll be ringside to witness the colourful festivity, the crowning of the Best Decorated Elephant, the polo match and the comical bout of man verses elephant in tug of war. A small supplement has been added to our tour cost. For exact itinerary arrangements please refer to our Taj Traveller tour Go Guide.

 

 



Tour Details
  • Starts in: New Delhi / Ends in: New Delhi
  • Departs: Saturdays - Sep to Apr
  • No local payment required
  • Breakfast:7, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 2
  • Hotel Rating: 3 - 4 star & heritage hotels
  • Tour Guide: Yes (for groups of 6 or more)
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