North Indian Highlights

15 days - from $1449

This trip is perfect for the first time visitor. Original and exciting activities such as a desert camel trek, a safari in the fabulous Ranthambore Tiger Sanctuary and a boat trip on the River Ganges all add to the experience.

Itinerary:

Day 1, DELHI Afternoon tour of Delhi. Day 2, SHEKHAVATI Drive to the Shekhavati area of Rajasthan, renowned for its painted frescoes and ornate havelis (merchant’s houses). We spend the night in a heritage hotel. (B) Day 3, SHEKHAVATI Walking tour of one of Shekhavati’s small towns followed by a camel ride to surrounding villages. (B) Day 4, JAIPUR Drive to Jaipur. Afternoon excursion to the splendid Amber Fort. (B) Day 5, JAIPUR Morning Jaipur city tour. Remainder of the day at leisure. (B) Day 6, RANTHAMBORE Drive to Ranthambore National Park where we take an afternoon game ride. (BD) Days 7-8, KARAULI Visit Ranthambore Fort then drive to Karauli where we stay in a Maharaja’s residence. We visit the magnificent Karauli City Palace and the local bazaar. (B) Day 9, BHARATPUR - AGRA Drive via the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur to the abandoned Moghul capital at Fatehpur Sikri. (B) Day 10, AGRA Visit the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal. Overnight sleeper train to Varanasi. (B) Day 11, VARANASI Afternoon excursion to Sarnath. This is where Buddha preached his first sermon, 2,500 years ago, and there are extensive ruins of Buddhist temples and stupas, set in a serene deer park. Day 12, VARANASI Early morning boat trip on the Ganges followed by a city tour. Afternoon at leisure. (B) Day 13, VARANASI A free day to explore Varanasi, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India. Overnight sleeper train to Delhi. (B) Day 14, DELHI Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel. Free day. Day 15, DELHI - Tour ends. (B)

Group Size: Max 15
Activities: Camel ride
Accommodation: 8 nights tourist class hotels, 4 nights heritage hotels, 2 nights sleeper train
Transport: Private air-conditioned coach, trains, camels, boat ride on Ganges, game safari at Ranthambore
Airport Transfer: To hotel day 1
Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides
Meals: As per itinerary. B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
Entrance Fees: Included for all sites visited as part of the itinerary
During the months of June-September, we will stay a night in Madhogarh Fort as Ranthambore National Park is closed. (This applies to the HTNI & HTMH programmes):
Trip Reference: HTNI08