Golden Triangle Tour With Ranthambore

You will have a breakfast fit for kings waiting for you as you get ready to brace the day. First, we head to the Qutub Minar which happens to be the tallest brick minaret in the world. Many people think that the minaret was built by Qutub-ud-din-Aibak. But the fact is that although the construction of the minaret was started by him, it was taken forward by his successor Sultan Iltutmish and ultimately culminated by Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq. The Qutub Minar thus has impressions of three distinct architectural styles. The minaret gets its name from the famous Sufi saint Qutubuddin Bakhtiar Kaki.

Next on our list is the Humayun's Tomb. Built by the great emperor Akbar in 1560, the tomb is said to have inspired the construction of the great Taj Mahal. The tomb is built on layered gardens and has pools of water joined via channels. A grandeur which can only be experienced and not imagined, the tomb depicts the epitome of Mughal architectural virtuosity.

We move on to seek spiritual blessings at the famous Lakshmi Narayan Temple A.K.A the Birla Mandir. Sprawling across 7.5 acres of land, the temple was inaugurated by none other than Mahatma Gandhi himself. Built-in the Nagara style of architecture, the temple is an important attraction. You will see extensive use of marble in this temple along with intricate craftsmanship sculpted by master artisans from Banaras.

After satiating our spiritual desires, it's time now to move on to our next destination which is an icon of Indian bravery. All India War Memorial A.K.A India Gate was constructed to commemorate the contribution of Indian soldiers during World War I. 13,300 names of the soldiers who made an indelible mark on Indian War History have been inscribed on this marvelous structure. Alongside India Gate is Amar Jawan Jyoti which was inaugurated in 1971.

We know traveling is exhausting, that's why we recommend retail therapy. Chandni Chowk is one of the oldest shopping destinations in this historical city. With scores of shops, each claiming to give you the best offer, the customer is truly king at the Chandni Chowk. The place gets its name due to a water canal which reflected the moon's rays. The market will give to you that bewitching feeling of being in medieval Delhi replete with all its scents and smells.

Our next stop will take your mind into India's freedom struggle. Raj Ghat, the place where people come to pay homage to the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi. Let your mind ponder over the man's greatness, the man who brought down the mighty British Empire on its knees.

We move on to visit the picturesque Jama Masjid next. This 400-year-old mosque was built during the time when the Mughal Empire was at its zenith. India's largest mosque is a treat to the eyes and with extensive use of red sandstone and marble, it's a sight to behold.

Return to the hotel for night stay.

Start the day with a sumptuous breakfast as you contemplate yesterday and soak your mind in the city's beauty along with those biscuits. Then on the third day of your golden triangle tour with Ranthambore package, we travel to Agra to visit the epitome of love. Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife (yes wife!) Mumtaz Mahal. Thousands of (20,000 to be precise) expert artisans camped near the site for nearly 20 years to make this dream structure a reality. The marble mausoleum looks stunning when bathed in moonlight, but is no less a beauty during the day also.

There is a reason this place is among the Seven Wonders of the World. You need to experience its beauty to feel the power of love, love which is as pure as the pure white marble of this place. There is no such structure in the world, which is magnanimous and tranquil at the same time. You will revel in the intricately carved Quran scriptures and flowers as the intensity of the emperor's love melt your heart.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Agra.

Enjoy your mouth-watering breakfast as we move into the 4th-day of our tour. We leave towards Ranthambore with pit-stop at Fatehpur Sikri. The city was Akbar's capital, for a short while. The emperor built the capital city in memory of Khwaja Salimuddin Chishti, a direct descendant of famous Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer. He did this because the Sufi Saint had correctly predicted that the Mughal Empire would get its heir soon.

The city is adorned by the Buland Darwaza, a 55-meter tall monument which is symbolic of Akbar's victory over Gujarat. The majestic structure is made of red sandstone and has stone umbrellas atop it. The Buland Darwaza is a shining example of Akbar's religious tolerance. The Buland Darwaza has inscription about Jesus. It says "The world is a bridge. Pass through it but do not wish to make houses on this bridge".

After feasting your eyes on the majestic beauty of the Buland Darwaza, we move inside to revel in the beauty of the Jama Masjid. The Jama Masjid is a fine example of a symbiotic relationship between Islamic and ancient Indian architectural styles. As you enter this marvelous place, along with the serene atmosphere that typically accompanies religious place you are up for a sensory delight.

The masjid has beautiful Islamic carvings and as you enter inside and explore the beauty of this place, you are bound to forget where you are. You will surely reach into the bygone era of the mighty Mughal emperor Akbar.

The third building in the complex is the Sufi saint Khwaja Salimuddin Chishti's tomb, because of whom Fatehpur Sikri came into existence. The tomb is made out of pure white marble. The main attraction at the tomb are the exquisitely carved jalis (windows). These artistic jalis are made with mathematical precision with perfect curves. The legend of the tomb is such popular that hundreds of women come here to ask a wish (for a child) by tying a thread.

The palace of Mariam-us-Zamani (Jodha Bai) is the other place worth visiting in Fatehpur Sikri. Made from firelight colored red sandstone, the palace is another fine example of the confluence of Islamic and Hindu style of architecture.

Panch Mahal is another place of significance in the city. The structure is called the Panch Mahal because it has five stories. If the other buildings are an example of Indo-Islamic architecture, the Panch Mahal is a brilliant piece of architectural delight encompassing the principles of Buddhist architecture.

Birbal's Palace is another sightseeing spot in this wonderful city. The palace is two-storied and was made for Raja Birbal, Akbar's prime minister. The palace is built in red sandstone with special care taken to keep the interiors cool.

After a day full of history soaking, our cavalcade moves on to Ranthambore. You will reach the hotel and relax your aching feet in the hot shower while you sign off for the night.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Awaken to the sounds of chirping birds, the scent of fresh jungle air and the beautiful rising sun in Ranthambore. We leave at dawn to enjoy wildlife safari. The Ranthambore National Park flanked by the Aravallis and the Vidhya is a 1300 square kilometer heaven of wildlife. You shall be greeted by rich deciduous forests. The park is every wildlife enthusiast's dream as you will see hyenas, wild buffaloes, crocodiles, sambar, chital, chinkara and a large number of migratory birds and yes the Tiger. Tigers are the park's biggest lure, the reason why every year thousands of tourists flock the park. Although spotting one is based purely on your luck, finding a tiger roaming in these jungles is much easier than other national parks of India.

The park had a large tiger population once, which dwindled in number due to excessive hunting and poaching. It was once the royal hunting ground of the Jaipur Royals. The tiger population has a stabilized in the park now, as the only shooting allowed now is the shooting with the camera. And in this regard, the park doesn't disappoint with its wide variety of flora and fauna the shutterbugs just don't want to leave the park!

We return to have a crackerjack of breakfast and as you share stories with your friends and family of spotting the tiger, we prepare for another round of safari for those of you who weren't so lucky with the wildlife.

After an entire day rumbling through the Ranthambore jungles, retire for the night at the hotel.

Tired after two days of non-stop sightseeing? Don't worry we have got you covered. Today, after a felicitous breakfast our caravan moves on towards the 'Pink City' of India, Jaipur. Get ready for another road trip people!

Check-in at your hotel in Jaipur and enjoy the rest of the day as you please. We shall be covering the major attractions the city has to offer tomorrow. Meanwhile, you have the option of just relaxing, having your sip of wine or reading that book whose last chapter was perennially remaining to be read.

Jaipur markets are one of best and you will find everything from authentic Rajasthani handicrafts to sarees to jewelry and everything a tourist could wish for. Bargain hard we say and there are chances that you will fill your shopping bags faster than you thought. The local food is a gastronomical delight. With dishes like Gate ki Subzi, Dal-Bati Churma, Desi Ghee Jalebis, Pyaz Kachori, Kalmi Vada, Balushahi inviting you to dig your tongue in them, you are forgiven to skip that diet plan of yours.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Enjoy a delectable breakfast while you gormandize the city's beauty in the fresh morning breeze. Our first stop will be the Amber Fort, a building symbolizing the grandiose of the Rajputana. Amber fort A.K.A Amer Fort was built by Raja Man Singh atop a hill near the scenic Maota Lake. The fort which you see now was built over two hundred years by the descendants of Raja Man Singh. The fort served as the capital for generations of Rajput maharajas before the capital was shifted to Jaipur. The fort is another fine specimen of amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture.

Made with red sandstone and white marble, the fort is a sight to behold. The Suraj Pol is the main gate which is facing east. Intricately carved, this gate was used to allow the army of Raja inside the fort. The Jaleb Chowk is a huge courtyard where the king's army used to do a parade. We move on to visit the Ganesh Pol, which is a special gate leading to the royal quarters. Intricately carved sculpture which is golden in color, with beautiful designs, royalty oozes through every inch of the Ganesh Pol. Above the Ganesh Pol is Suhag Mandir where the royal ladies used to watch functions happening in the palace through latticed windows. The Suhag Mandir has beautiful frescoes, whose artwork is still intact after all these years making you wonder about the quality of craftsmen that the kings employed. The crowning jewel of the Amer Fort is Sheesh Mahal. An epitome of artwork, the Sheesh Mahal as its name suggests is a room full of mirrors. One small candle can light up the entire palace in the night and make it resemble the night sky full of stars. The Sheesh Mahal has captured the imagination of moviemakers. Mughal-e-Azam's famous song, 'Jab Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya' was shot here. The mirrors have been placed with mathematical precision. Millions of small mirrors adorn the walls and ceiling of the palace. Such craftsmanship is rare to find. The magic flower is another attraction which will leave you in awe of the artwork of the Amer Fort. It is a flower containing lotus, cobra, lion's tail, corn, fishtail, scorpion and two butterflies one on each side. Such is the intricacy of the artwork that your mind would wonder whether it was created with hands or machine.

Sukh Niwas is another small palace built just across the Sheesh Mahal. The ingenuity of the palace lies in its water conditioning. Yes, you heard it correct! Jaipur was warm you know and kings did not take a special liking towards the heat of Rajasthan. Hence, the palace contains a network of pipes carrying water through them which help in keeping the mansion cool.

After visiting the Amer Fort we move towards another attraction of Jaipur, the Hawa Mahal.

The Hawa Mahal was made to allow the womenfolk to view the ongoing proceedings in the city without being viewed by the common people. Its architect Lalchand Ustad created an architectural masterpiece. The Hawa Mahal consists of 953 jharokhas or windows which are latticed like a honeycomb. This Hawa Mahal is a five-storied building designed in such a manner that it takes full benefit of the Venturi effect, keeping the building cool. The Hawa Mahal is made from sandstone and its exterior is painted with calcium oxide giving the structure the famous pink color or which Jaipur is renowned.

Had enough of palaces and forts? We have a surprise for you! Next, on our list is Jantar Mantar, an observatory showing the master class of medieval Indian astronomers. The Jantar Mantar was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the year 1734. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for the world's largest stone sundial which is called as the Vrihat Samrat Yantra. This stone sundial is accurate in telling the time up to 2 seconds. Apart from the sun-dial, there are different yantras like the Ram Yantra, Jaya Prakash Yantra, Chakra Yantra, Digamsa, and Nadivalaya. The complexity of these yantras generate a sense of respect for the Late Sawai Jai Singh II who himself oversaw the construction of the place. He had made such observatories in Delhi, Varanasi, Jaipur, Mathura, and Ujjain with the observatory of Jaipur being the largest of them all.

Once the seat of the kings, the City Palace in Jaipur is yet another attraction that you must-visit. Constructed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the palace is known for housing the iconic Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal.

In the evening, you can opt to visit Chokhi Dhani to get an authentic feel of Rajasthani culture and savor delicious Rajasthani food.

Go to sleep thinking about the stars (and sun and different planets) after your visit to the observatory.

Overnight stay will be at your hotel in Jaipur.

We hope you have enjoyed this week-long extravaganza. You will leave for Delhi for a final road trip after having your lavish breakfast. It's that time of the journey where you share stories with your fellow travelers as you re-live those memories and soak your heart in their warmth.