Arrive in Delhi, where you will be greeted by a Horizon Worldwide representative, transfer to your hotel, and assisted with check-in. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Delhi on your own or relax at the hotel.

After Breakfast you will head off for a full day of sightseeing in Delhi, a special blend of old and new, Delhi is a bustling, energetic city of contrasts.

The old city was founded in 1639 by Shahjahan and was known as Shahjahanabad, later known as Old Delhi. In the early part of the 20th Century, the British arranged for a leading architect, Edward Lutyens, to design a new city to be the Capital of India, known as New Delhi.

Your tour will start with Old Delhi where you will visit the Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Old Delhi and possibly the finest in India. Afterward, visit the Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, and enjoy a walk down Chandni Chowk, the original market area of Old Delhi. Finally drive past Delhi’s Red Forest, Emperor Shahjahan’s palace.
Spend the afternoon exploring New Delhi with your guide, pass by India Gate, the Parliament building, and Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President’s residence, all outstanding examples of Lutyens architecture. Head to south Delhi to visit Qutab Minar, a tall stone tower of 72.5 meters high and 379 steps leading to the top. Finally visit Humayun’s Tomb, the precursor of the Taj Mahal, built by the widow of Emperor Humayun.

An early start today as you leave Delhi and travel to Agra, transfer to Delhi railway station for the Shatabdi Express train to Agra, which will take approximately 2 hours. On arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Your guided tour today will explore some of the best architectural wonders of the Mughal period including Sikandra, the mausoleum of the greatest Mughal Emperor, Akbar, the massive yet elegant Agra Fort, and of course, the world-famous Taj Mahal.

A morning or sunrise visit if you are an early riser, visit the Taj Mahal and then check out of the hotel to begin your journey to Ranthambore National Park. En routes (time permitting) visit the abandoned Mughal capital of Fatehpur Sikri, one of the best-preserved collections of Mughal architecture in India.

Continue on to Bharatpur railway station where you will get the train to Sawai Madhopur. A new driver will meet you at Sawai Madhopur station as your luggage will be bought by your original driver leaving you free to enjoy the train journey with just hand luggage.

Near the township of Sawai Madhopur, in the state of Rajasthan, Ranthambore National Park is an outstanding example of Project Tiger’s efforts at conservation in India. The forests around the Ranthambore Fort were once, the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. As a result of the stringent efforts in conservation, tigers, the prime assets of the Park, have become more and more active during the day. More than in any other park or sanctuary in India, tigers are easily spotted here in daylight. It is very easy to chance upon a tiger lolling around lazily in the sun, or feverishly hunting down sambhar around the lakes. Apart from tigers, you may be lucky enough to see panthers as well. The other permanent residents of the park include marsh crocodiles, hyenas, jungle cats, and sloth bears.

Today will be taken up with the excitement of game drives into the national park. The day starts with an early morning wake-up, normally before dawn; you will then have coffee and snacks before heading out on the early morning game drive. Game drives in Ranthambore are conducted either on 16-20 seat canters or on jeeps that seat up to 6 visitors.

The game drive will last several hours and hopefully, you will see a variety of wildlife if you are lucky the main attraction, is a wild tiger. On returning to the hotel you will have a big breakfast and then the remainder of the morning and early afternoon is free to relax. After a lazy lunch you will head out again for the evening game drive, you will arrive back at the hotel/lodge in the early evening in time for dinner and an early night to be up and ready for the early drive tomorrow!

This morning enjoy one final early morning wake-up call and game drive before departing for Jaipur. Once you arrive in Jaipur and check into your hotel the rest of the day is free to unwind and enjoy all the facilities and comforts available at the hotel.

Today enjoy a guided tour of Jaipur, India’s first planned city and the gateway to Rajasthan often called the ‘Pink City’ because of the distinct colour of many of its buildings. You will travel outside of the city to Amber Fort, built by one of Emperor Akbar’s generals. This beautiful fort can be reached by elephant or jeep, walk around the complex of courtyards and halls, visiting, in particular, the Sheesh Mahal or Hall of Mirrors. Continue on to the City Palace, built-in 1728, Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur in 1726, and Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds, an intricately designed building from where the ladies of the royal court used to gaze down into the street.

Day 9: Jaipur / Delhi

After a leisurely breakfast check out from the hotel and drive back to Delhi. After checking into your hotel the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy your hotel or to head out and explore some of the shopping or dining options in Delhi.

Day 10: Delhi / Departure

Transfer to the airport for your international flight back home.