Highlights of Northern India

Flights usually depart London in the evening.
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Day 2

Those who are on the group flights will land in Delhi in the morning. Those
not on the group flights will need to be at the start hotel by 9am (or at the
airport when the group land). A local representative will meet Land Only
clients at the start hotel and provide a transfer to the airport where we
meet clients arriving on the group flight. Once everyone has arrived we will
then depart on the drive to Jaipur, which may take between 5-7 hours
depending upon traffic conditions.
*Standard Hotel*

Day 3

Built in the late 18th century, Jaipur is a planned city of broad avenues
built of sandstone and painted pink at a later stage. We visit the City
Palace in the centre of Jaipur, formerly the residence of the Maharaja, now a
fine museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings, royal garments and
weapons. Close to the palace is one of the most intriguing sights of India,
the observatory of Jai Singh. This is an assembly of immense astronomical
instruments made of marble and brass set in a pleasant garden. We will also
see Jaipur's impressive landmark, the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds. We
then visit the impressive and splendid Amber Fort, a few miles from the main
city, rising above a lake. Jaipur is a centre of many handicrafts, such as
durries (woven rugs), carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones,
leatherwear etc. It will be difficult to leave a workshop without buying
anything!
*Standard Hotel*

Day 4

We wind our way through the villages of rural India to Ranthambore Tiger
Reserve (approx. 5 hr drive); we stay in a hotel not far from the park
entrance and make 2 game drives into the park, one in the late afternoon and
one the following morning. Ranthambore is one of India's tiger reserves under
Project Tiger. After initial success, poaching has drastically reduced the
tiger population and the chance of spotting a tiger is small, but many Exodus
groups have seen tigers over the last few years. There is other wildlife to
spot such as several species of deer, crocodiles and bird life including
purple heron, kingfishers, cormorants, parakeets, jacanda, waders and
partridges.
*Standard Hotel*

Day 5

In the morning we take our second game drive, trying to find that elusive
tiger, before we start our journey to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri
is the Emperor Akbar's deserted royal city. This impressive and
well-preserved citadel became his capital in 1571, after the blessing of a
local Moslem holy man correctly predicted the birth of a longed-for son, his
successor the Emperor Jehangir. The mosque, designed to hold ten thousand
worshippers, the palaces, residences and halls of audience are all made of
decorative red sandstone. But this magnificence only lasted 14 years, as in
1584 Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri to secure his outlying territories, leaving
this city much as we see it today – in perfect condition. This is another
very full but rewarding day. Total driving time approx. 7 hrs.
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 6

Today we will rise early to visit the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal at
sunrise which was built by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his
beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. The Taj is serenely beautiful
and never fails to amaze a first time visitor; the white marble exterior
changes colour according to the position of the sun during the day and is
matched by the rich interior detail. Within striking distance is the imposing
Red Fort of Akbar, third of the Moghul Emperors, whose mighty sandstone walls
enclose the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls,
courtyards and fountains of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan.
It is here that the latter spent his last years, imprisoned by his own son
Aurangzeb. Later in the day we will transfer to Agra train station and join
the overnight sleeper train to Varanasi.

*Sleeper Train*

Day 7

We arrive in Varanasi during the morning and transfer to our hotel. Varanasi,
located on the river Ganges, is one of the holiest cities in India and stands
at the centre of the Hindu Universe. As such, the city lives and breathes
Hinduism: there are thousands of pilgrims, wandering holy men (Sadhus),
religious elders and casual visitors. It is a city to get immersed in by
exploring its maze of narrow lanes and the many temples and watching the
Hindu ceremonies that take place around the clock. There is time to explore
the emporiums specialising in silks and brocades or maybe take a massage by
the banks of the Ganges. Your leader can organise various optional
sightseeing trips during your 2 days here.
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 8

Just before dawn, we take a boat out on the Ganges to witness the
extraordinary spectacle on the ghats, the steps leading down to the river.
Every day thousands of Hindu pilgrims come to these three miles of riverbank
to soak in the holy waters.  This afternoon we fly back to Delhi.  *
*

*Standard hotel*

Day 9

Today you are free to relax or explore the sites of New and Old Delhi (an
optional sightseeing trip will be organised if you wish). Recommended sites
are the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, Jama Masjid (India's largest
mosque), Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) and Raj Ghat. For last minute
shopping, we recommend the market area of Chandni Chowk or Karol Bagh. 
*Standard Hotel*

Day 10

Those on the flight inclusive package will depart for the airport this
morning for the daytime flight back to London; Land Only arrangements will
finish after check-out from the hotel.
**