Splendours of India – Palaces and Tigers

Day 1 London, In Flight
Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service® transports you from your front door to London Heathrow Airport and our direct, scheduled Virgin Atlantic flight to New Delhi.

Day 2 New Delhi
On arrival at Delhi Airport we will be transferred to the Le Meridien 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 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.

Day 3 Delhi
Today we will see the contrast of the walled city of ‘Old Delhi’, with its narrow alleys, bazaars, temples and mosques that form 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. This afternoon you are free to make your own discoveries.

Day 4 Delhi, Udaipur
Today we depart for Delhi Airport for 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 where we will stay for the next two nights. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

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 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.

Day 6 Udaipur, Jaipur
Today we embark on our journey to Jaipur, stopping for an included lunch en-route, before arriving in the afternoon at the Le Meridien Hotel, where we stay for the next two nights. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 7 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 facade 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’. 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.

Day 8 Jaipur, Ranthambore
This morning we embark on our journey to Ranthambore. On arrival we make our way to our lodge for the next two nights, the Ranthambore Regency. Lunch is included at the resort after which we are taken on our first 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.

Day 9 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.

Day 10 Ranthambore, Agra
This morning we take the train to Bharatpur and drive onwards to 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.

Day 11 Agra
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. 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, and the Radisson hotel, where we will stay overnight.

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.

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. 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. 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. Later we transfer to Varanasi Airport for our scheduled flight to Delhi. On arrival the coach will transfer us to the Le Meridien hotel for our overnight stay.

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 transport for the return journey home to your own front door.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please note: It should be borne in mind that whilst a vast array of wildlife exists in Ranthambore park, game viewing is different to that in Africa and therefore sightings of the elusive tiger may be difficult, particularly due to the forested terrain. The order of the itinerary may be subject to change.

Titan Travel have a reputation for innovative and enthralling escorted holiday itineraries, and through the guidance of their founding principles, “quality, service and value” which have remained unchanged since the 1970′s, their expertise and experience are second to none.

Titan Travel strive to ensure that aspect of their holidays whispers quality, before you fly, you get to appreciate a comfortable, chauffeur-driven transfer from your front door to the airport with our peerless VIP Home Departure Service, check-in assistance and complimentary porterage. All international flights are with world-renowned scheduled airlines and cruises with acclaimed operators. Touring holidays are expertly designed by the product team to present a comprehensive, imaginative introduction to the destination of choice yet still offer plenty of time for relaxation. The services of a tour manager or cruise manager are included throughout. When you return to the UK, you are met in the arrivals hall of the airport and shown to your VIP Home Departure Service vehicle, waiting to return you to your front door.

Our Opinion
“Titan Travel’s guiding principles of customer service, quality of product and value for money are undoubtedly a contributing factor to them being voted, on many occasions, the UK’s best tour operator.”