India Family Adventure Tour

Arrive Delhi and check into hotel. The Indian capital has long been a phoenix rising again and again out of its own ruins. New Delhi was the creation of the British Raj of the 30’s and our tour includes a look at the Lok Sabha building (Parliament), India Gate, the Rajpath and Qutb Minar. Compared to New Delhi the Old City is much closer to the image conjured up by Rudyard Kipling. We travel by cycle rickshaw to its hub at Chandni Chowk Bazaar, a jamboree of deafening barter and a wonderful introduction to the ‘real’ India. The major sights nearby are the Jami Masjid Mosque and we pass by the Red Fort on return to the hotel.

Overnight Standard Hotel

Leaving the capital by train is an experience in itself. New Delhi railway station is a hive of activity and a great place for people watching. Being on board an Indian train is like being on a moving village, with literally millions of people travelling every day; many seemingly carrying all their worldly belongings with them! After about a 3 hour train ride we will arrive in Agra. In the afternoon we plan to visit Agra Fort, built by Akbar the Great, which contains the incomparable Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque). Before returning to the hotel we will get our first sight of the Taj Mahal in the evening light.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we aim to visit the Taj Mahal, the world’s most perfect and poetic building, at sunrise. Over 300 years have elapsed since its construction, yet it stands today unscarred by age; its beauty and symmetry seemingly beyond man, time and space. Created by Shah Jahan as a funerary monument to his favourite wife, Mumtaz, it took 22 years to build (1630-52). The Great Moghul lies beside his beloved under the white marble dome. Inlaid with precious gems, the building cost a fortune and later Shah Jahan moved his capital to Delhi before being overthrown by his son, Aurangzeb. After breakfast we will drive to the entrance of Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Formerly a royal duck-shooting reserve and now an ornithologist’s paradise, the sanctuary is best visited either at dusk or dawn. Covering 12 square miles, some 7000 acres are under water: the lakes and marshlands offer a safe habitat for large numbers of breeding waterbirds and migrants. More than 300 species have been sighted, among them herons, storks, geese and the huge and rare Siberian crane. We will be taken on a birdwatching tour by cycle rickshaw and we hope to see some of these magnificent birds. This afternoon we will head to the train station to catch our train to Ranthambore (approximately 2 hours).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Ranthambore is one of the best examples of the country’s tiger conservation projects. The best chance of sightings is between September and May. During this period water is scarce and the animals must stay close to the lakes and river. It is little wonder that this was once one of the best hunting areas of the Maharajas. We include a game drive this morning into the Reserve, in search of the wildlife which, as well as tiger, includes sloth bear, langur, jackal and fox as well as crested hawk eagle, crested serpent eagle, jacana, parakeet and white-breasted kingfisher. The park itself is very picturesque with lakes, rivers and forests surrounded by steep cliffs and rocky outcrops. In the afternoon there is another opportunity to do a game drive to get a chance to see more wildlife and views.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning there is chance for an optional game drive before we drive to Pachewar (approximately 4 hours drive). A small village, Pachewar is famous for cenotaphs, blue pottery kiln, metal toy makers and interesting surroundings. It is a lively place that was once ruled by Khangarot Rajputs. The caretaker of Khandar, Thakur Anoop Singh Khangarot had captured the fort of Ranthambor from the captivity of Marathas and annexed the fort to the state of Jaipur. Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur bestowed upon him the fief of Pachewar. Since then the nobles from the Khangarot clan of Rajputs ruled Pachewar. We will be staying in a family run heritage hotel, Pachewar Garh. This fort with its huge ramparts, turrets as well as gates was built about 300 years ago and bears testimony to its rich heritage. After checking in, we will spend the afternoon exploring the village and surrounding area by bullock drawn cart, which gives us an ideal opportunity to sample first hand traditional rural life in a typical village.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

From Pachewar we drive to Pushkar (approximately 3 hours). This popular lakeside town has a wonderful atmosphere and gives us a real insight into rural India. This evening it will be possible to climb up to Savitri temple to watch the beautiful sunset views.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we leave the bus behind and take a camel trek through nearby villages to the Brahma Temple. This traditional method of transport has been used for centuries and is a great way to meet some of the locals. This afternoon we will then drive to Jaipur. The drive will take about 5 hours although there is always something new or different to see along the roadside in rural India.  There is an optional puppet show at the hotel this evening or you may wish to see a Bollywood movie at the local cinema.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, we drive the short distance to the foot of Amber Palace/fortress; then, if they are available, we may have the chance to ride elephants up to the gateway. This impressive hilltop fortress possesses what must be the world’s finest Chamber of Mirrors and affords glorious views of the surrounding plains. We will visit the palace with a local guide after which we will return to Jaipur. Sometimes called the Pink City, Jaipur’s palaces and fortified walls were first painted terracotta pink by Maharajah Swai Ram Singh to celebrate the visit of Prince Albert in 1853. This afternoon, after arriving and checking in to our hotel, we will take a city tour with a local guide. We will visit the lavish and well preserved City Palace with its fine collection of textiles, costumes and armoury and the Palace of the Winds, a 5-storied façade (built about 1760) which has been the subject of countless Indian posters. Jai Singh, the great Maharajah-astronomer, built his extraordinary (and very accurate) stargazing Observatory (Jantra) here. The Old City has several fine gates let into the pink walls, and there are many opportunities for photos and shopping.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Leaving Jaipur after breakfast we take the train back to Delhi. On arrival we are free for last minute sightseeing or picking up some souvenirs at the Chadni Chowk bazaar.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Included meals: Breakfast