A Private India Tour – Mumbai, Aurangabad, Udaipur, JAIpur, Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, Agra & Delhi

Day 1 Arrive Mumbai
Upon arrival in Mumbai, be met by your personal guide and transferred to your hotel for your next 2 nights’ accommodations.

Day 2 Mumbai
This morning, enjoy a  city tour of Mumbai’s highlights. Visit the Gateway of India. Drive past the Victoria Terminus, the most remarkable example of Victorian Gothic architecture in India opened during Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee Year. Visit the Hanging Gardens and Jain Temple. Afternoon at leisure to relax or explore Mumbai on your own. (B)

*Elephanta Caves closed on Mondays*

Day 3: Mumbai / Aurangabad 
Morning excursion to the Elephanta Caves* with a one-hour boat ride through the forested island of Elephanta, one of the most atmospheric places in Mumbai. Populated only by a small fishing community, it makes a wonderful contrast to the seething claustrophobia of the city. One of the highlights here is the unique cave temple excavated between the 5th and 8th centuries, whose massive Trimurti Shiva sculpture is a fine example of Hindu architecture.

Early evening flight to Aurangabad,  a city founded as a vice regal capital in the Deccan by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The fort wall surrounding the city is a poignant reminder of its ancient history. Check-in to your hotel for your next 3 nights’ accommodations. (B)

Day 4: Aurangabad (Ajanta Caves)
This morning, we’ll visit the remarkable cave temples of Ajanta (closed Mondays). Much older than Ellora, these secluded caves date all the way back to 2nd century B.C., and were among the earliest monastic institutions to be constructed in the country. Ironically, it was Ellora’s rise that brought about Ajanta’s downfall and historians believe the site was abandoned once the focus shifted to Ellora. Afternoon at leisure. (B) 

Day 5: Aurangabad (Ellora Caves)
This morning’s program features the awe-inspiring Ellora Caves. Located 30km from Aurangabad, this UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases the epitome of ancient Indian rock-cut architecture. The caves here were chipped out laboriously over five centuries by generations of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monks. Monasteries, chapels, temples – the caves served every purpose and stylishly embellished with a profusion of remarkably detailed sculptures. 

Afterwards, continue to Daulatabad Fort. Perched on a 200-meter-high conical hill, it was a formidable medieval fortress renowned for its impregnable defences. Its elaborate fortification made Daulatabad one of the most powerful and secure forts of the medieval period, showcasing advanced military engineering and strategic planning. Continue to Bibi-qa-Maqbara (a.k.a. poor man’s Taj), a mausoleum built to honor Rabia-ud-Daurani. Oernight in Aurangabad. (B)

Day 6: Aurangabad / Udaipur
Early morning flight to Udaipur, connecting in Delhi. The city of Udaipur (a.k.a. City of Sunrise) combines natural beauty with a glorious past. Visit Udaipur City Palace, one of the architectural marvels of Rajasthan, located peacefully on the banks of Lake Pichola. It is the most-visited tourist attraction of Udaipur and often distinguished as the largest palace complex in Rajasthan.  Time permitting, visit Jagdish temple, a prominent Hindu temple located in Udaipur, Rajasthan. It is one of the most important and well-known temples in the city, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple stands out for its architectural beauty and historical significance. Overnight in Udaipur. (B) 

Day 7: Udaipur 
This morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast followed by a stroll around town. This afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola. Limpid and large, the lake reflects the cool grey-blue mountains on its rippling mirror-like surface, a perfect place to immerse in the amazing view of the Palace against sunset sunlight. Evening free to explore the local markets of Udaipur. (B)

Day 8: Udaipur / Jaipur
Transfer for your morning flight to Jaipur. Popularly known as the Pink City, Jaipur was built by Raja Jai Singh in the 18th century surrounded by hills topped with rugged fortresses, dotted with fairy-tale palaces. Ambling camels and brightly-dressed peasants, reflect Jaipur’s desert heritage. Upon arrival, commence sightseeing of the city with a visit to Amer Fort.  A marvelous example of Rajput architecture with its terraces and ramparts reflected in the Mata Lake below, the inside of the fort features royal halls decorated with intricate ivory work, exquisite wall paintings and tiny mirror chips. Check-in to your hotel in Jaipur for your next 2 nights’ accommodations. (B) 

Day 9: Jaipur
After breakfast, visit Janntar Mantar, the largest and best preserved observatory where astronomical instruments remain in use. Continue to City Palace, a delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture that sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city; followed by Hawa Mahal, or “Palace of Winds”, a five-story structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies and a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Return to your hotel and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure to relax or further explore the city. Overnight in Jaipur. (B)

Day 10: Jaipur / Ranthambore Tiger Reserve 
After breakfast, embark on a 3.5 drive to Ranthambore. The sanctuary is a system of lakes and rivers – hemmed by steep, high crags and the remains of a thousand-year-old fortress and temple.  The area has a  dramatic terrain of rocky, steeply–scarred hills, valleys, and open land offering a good chance of seeing one of the few, highly endangered Bengal Tigers remaining in the park. The deep gorges of Ranthambore serve as hideouts for leopards, tigers, and sloth bear.  The park also provides a congenial habitat for the ‘chital’ or spotted deer and sambar, the largest of the Asiatic deer. In recent years, Ranthambore Tiger reserve has become internationally known as an exciting hub for research and conservation directed towards protecting the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger and its total environment. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at your resort followed by an afternoon game drive in search of spectacular wildlife and the illusive Bengal Tiger in the reserve. 

Day 11 Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve
Enjoy a full-day jungle safari in Ranthambhore National Park with a park ranger. There are many water bodies located all over the park, which provide perfect relief during the extremely hot summer months for the forest inhabitants. A huge fort, after which the park is named, towers over the park atop a hill. There are many ruins of bygone eras scattered all over the jungle, which give it a unique, wonderful and mixed flavour of nature, history and wildlife. Tigers at Ranthambhore National Park have been known to even hunt in full view of human visitors. These tigers are famous for being seen in the daytime too, due to their lack of fear of human presence in vehicles. This lack of fear of humans is excellent for visitors, as they get to see the tigers often. Includes lunch and dinner. Overnight in Ranthambhore. (B,L,D)

Day 12: Ranthambore / Agra 
After breakfast at the lodge, proceed on an 5.5 hour overland drive to Agra, visiting the abandoned red sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri en-route. Check-in to your hotel and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 13 Agra
Enjoy an early morning visit to the Taj Mahal.*  With its incredible lacy white grandeur, the Taj Mahal is perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world. In memory of his wife, the great Mughal emperor Shah Jehan constructed this most extravagant and incomparable monument built for love.  Later, visit Agra Fort, situated on the banks of the river Yamuna.  Agra Fort is yet another monumental mission accomplished by the great Mughal visionary Emperor Akbar. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. (B)

*Note: Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays (if closed on this day, visit can be arranged the day before or after)

Day 14: Agra / Delhi 
Morning drive to Delhi. Upon arrival, enjoy a tour of New Delhi. Drive past the Presidential Palace, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the secretariat buildings, the impressive Rajpath to the World War I memorial arch, the India Gate, the High Court Building and the Old Fort. Visit Humayun’s Tomb, ruins of Quwat-ul-Eslam (Light of Islam) Mosque and Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD. Finish the day with a visit to Qutab Minar – the 72 meter high ruins of Quwat-ul-Islam Mosque dating back to the 4th century that still stands today. Check-in to your hotel for your next 2 nights’ accommodations. (B)

Day 15: Delhi 
Enjoy a morning tour of Old Delhi starting with the Red Fort, the 300-year-old walled city built of red sandstone that dates back to the very peak of the Mughal power.  Opposite the fort are the black and white onion dome and minarets of the Jama Masjid, the largest and most elegant mosque in India. Drive past Kotla Firoze Shah, ruins of an old fort of the 14th century with the 13 meter high Ashoka Pillar, dating back to the 3rd century BC. Visit Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Next, enjoy a stroll or rickshaw ride around Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi lined with stalls of spices, dried fruit, silver jewelry and vivid saris. Afternoon at leisure to relax and/or explore Delhi on your own. (B)

Day 16 Depart Delhi 
Transfer to airport for your departure flight onward. (B)

• Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
• Price includes all entrance fees, domestic air taxes, hotel taxes & service charges
• Prices exclude transpacific airfares, personal expenses, gratuities to guides, drivers and bell persons
• Low Season (LS): April 16 – September
• High Season (HS): October – April 15
• *Taj Mahal in Agra closed on Fridays. Elephanta Caves in Mumbai closed on Mondays
• A visa is required for India (eVisa may be obtained online here ). NOT included in package.
• All flights, hotels and land arrangements are subject to availability at time of reservation.