‘’The history of a millennium in a nutshell’’ Delhi is fondly known as the ‘City of Cities’. The bustling capital of India successfully brings together in its fold- the old and new presenting a unique melting-pot that fascinates all. Visiting Agra is like an experience of India's Mughal period. The seat of the Mughal Empire for over 300 years, the town by the River Yamuna is one of the most historical and culturally-enriched places to visit in India. Besides, the omnipresent Mughal architecture and not to forget the heavenly Taj Mahal, Agra has a name for its fascinating tales, marble-carvings, delightful food- especially the mouth-watering pethas (sweets), colourful festivals, and so much more. Rajasthan, the vibrant destination of desert, kathputlis and palaces, has a myriad of faces that no one is much aware of. Yes, we are talking about offbeat attractions and experiences in Rajasthan. It is one of the most versatile states in India that offers almost all kind of experiences. You can make it a food journey, a ghost hunting trip or live like royals in the heritage havelis in Rajasthan, options are endless.
Delhi has a number of tourist attractions, right from history to present. Museums, heritage, shopping -you name it, Delhi has it all. It’s astonishing heritage is the city's star attraction - both in terms of its monuments and its cultural offerings. Although there are sites in Delhi that one may tick off the travellers list, it is the Old Delhi area which has those lesser talked about places that cannot be missed.
Agra tops the list of "must visit" places in India and attracts tourists like moths to flame. Home to one of the seven wonders in the world, The city is studded with splendid architecture, dating back to the Mughal-era. Agra Fort, Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri have been recognized by the UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.
Ranthambore National Park is one of the biggest and most renowned national parks in Northern India. The park is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, which is about 130 km from Jaipur. Once considered as one of the famous and former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, today the Ranthambore National Park terrain is a major wildlife tourist attraction that has drawn the attention of many wildlife photographers and lovers.
Jaipur, Rajasthan's capital, evokes an image of the royal family that once ruled the region what is now called the Old City or Pink City for its trademark building colour. It is known for its fascinating monuments, colourful markets, gorgeous handloom garments and wonderfully laid-out gardens; it is not difficult to fall in love with Jaipur the moment you land here.
On your arrival in Delhi, our tour representative will meet you at the airport and help you with a guided transfer to your hotel. Check-in at the hotel and enjoy the day as you like. To recover from the jet lag we suggest a complete rest. Overnight stay at hotel.
Munch some tasty breakfast and energize yourself for a day full of excitement and fun. Enjoy your day with a sightseeing tour around this beautiful city.
One can choose an experience based walking tour of Delhi from the below options
Option 1: Salam Balak Trust Guided Walking Tour (Recommended in Morning Hours)
This guided walking tour is done by adolescents who have been fully trained as local guide and who want to improve their communication and speaking skills. City Walk gets the children's stories heard, gives people a view of their world through their eyes. Those who take the City Walk tour through the streets of inner city of Paharganj and the area around New Delhi railway station, led by a child who was once living and working on the streets will experience special tour far from the tourist main attractions. City Walk is an example of how a volunteer's creativity can translate into a unique and enduring programme, which is both popular and economically viable. Over the last seven years, thousands have taken the Walk and empowered a number of children, helping them to join mainstream life.
Option 2: Old Delhi Night Food Walk
A food tour is one of best ways to explore cuisine, sights and culture. It is a city tour, food walk, sightseeing; urban exploration and culinary tour of Delhi city in one package .The eating part of the food tour include sampling different varieties of street food from various places in the itinerary. Food is all that you can eat, but we insist you to have a little of everything and enjoy the variety. We place a lot of stress on hygiene and only trusted and safe vendors which serve good and hygienic food are on our list. Apart from the usual and must see, the food tours cover some under-rated and less explored places of Delhi which very few people know about. These places are not listed on most tourist guides. A lot of very good photo-opportunities and bragging rights are on line.
Option 3: Pub crawling is a way to enjoy the night life of Delhi
A lot of tourists want to enjoy the nightlife of New Delhi but are unsure how to do so. Sure one can visit a few bars after getting recommendations from locals or reading up on internet, but the best watering holes are more or less hidden and not as famous as some of the bigger bars. In order to help travelers who love the nightlife but are short on time to explore everything by themselves, we offer pub crawls which include some of the best bars and pubs in New Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida. All bars/pubs included in our bar hopping tours are carefully selected in accordance with their atmosphere, quality of drinks, food, location and fun factor. These pub crawls are a great way to meet new people, enjoy some great drinks and do it all in a fun and safe way.
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. Later proceed to Agra, a city whose origins can be traced back to the days of the Mahabharata (the epic poem of Great India). Agra, part of the Delhi Sultanate was captured by a Persian-Turkic emperor, made into a capital and later gained prominence under Mughal emperors like Akbar, Jehangir and Shahjahan. Agra has been immortalized ever since, by Taj Mahal – the magnificent mausoleum, which the emperor Shahjahan had built for his queen, Mumtaz and India’s own jewel in the list of 7 Wonders of the Modern World.
Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and relax. Later, proceed to visit,
After breakfast star your drive to Karauli.
Optional: SEE THE AGRA BEYOND TAJ MAHAL (Recommended in the morning hours)
Agra at Dawn cycling program organized in the morning. This is an unique opportunity for the traveler to have a close look at the city and life of local people. In this tour no. of lesser known monuments and places are covered. In this tour Tourists get to see the Mughal and British Agra, the ancient MankaMeshwar temple, the Jama Masjid, and churches of different Christian sects, on the way, they will see the early morning bustle at the wholesale Vegetable and Flower Market and the Dhobi Ghat and so many other things.
"The soul of India lies in its villages" these words by Mahatma Gandhi hold true for various reasons. In India, villages are symbolic of the earthy, traditional, rustic and relaxed way of life. Predominantly inhabited by farmers, where people live off the land and are in tune with nature and their local environment. In comparison to the cities, village life is slow paced, calm and peaceful, cuisine more authentic, organic, music, dance and folklore are modes of relaxation.
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel.
Have your sumptuous meal at the hotel, before you head into Ranthambhore Park twice to enjoy game drives through the rugged terrain which is home to lots of wildlife, including the elusive Bengal tiger.
Enjoy your morning game drive and spot the tigers. Post game drive return to the hotel to enjoy your breakfast.
Optional: Bazaar, Crafts & Cuisine
Jaipur offers a dazzling immersion into the riches of traditional India. Since its foundation in 1727, royal family and nobles of Jaipur had been patronizing various craftsmen and artisans in Pink City. Join us on this buzzing walking tour to explore the vibrant bazaars of the old city. It’s a great way to explore Jaipur like locals do and learn about the rich artistic traditions of this fascinating city.
Optional: The Art & Antiquities Of Old Jaipur
This one & a half to two hours of walk provides an interactive, innovative encounter with the trading communities of the old city. With some story telling from our resident guides this walk reveals the life style, craft activities and historic buildings to small groups of interested and inquisitive clients.
After breakfast, proceed to explore the beautiful pink city embed with beautiful monuments.
Optional: Private Dinner / Culinary Experience
We organise interactive Cooking Lessons, where cooking is taught by the charming local host family. It is a 2-3 hour demonstration in the kitchen whereby the family shares some of their favorite dishes. The cooking lessons are very elementary and it will give an idea to all the learners how to cook a basic yet delicious Indian meal. Our intention is to offer our guests an insight into the psyche of Indian cooking and once basic knowledge and experience are gained, it will be possible to cook many other types of dishes using different combinations of Spices.
Enjoy your leisurely breakfast recollecting some of the best moments and pictures that you have collected during this tour to India and many more to come. Rooms are booked till 1200 hours, Later depart to Delhi to catch your onward journey flight.
Tour ends with bag fully loaded of priceless memories.
The Claridges, New Delhi has strived to be the best in business and has been successful in winning accolades of guests and fraternity. The Claridges houses some of the finest restaurants of the city, huge banquet halls, a rejuvenating fitness center, adequately furnished rooms, a pool with cabanas and lush green lawns to make your experience memorable. Comprising of elegantly adorned rooms, The Claridges offers you a plethora of rooms to choose from. Adequately equipped with all the facilities that you could possibly need, these rooms proffer an unconventional blend of the elegant style of architecture and the contemporary modern styles.
Sprawled over 35 acres of luxurious gardens, and in close proximity to the Taj Mahal, ITC Mughal, a luxury hotel in Agra is a fitting tribute to the great Mughal builders of the past. The only Indian hotel to have won the prestigious Aga Khan Award for its excellent representation of Mughal architecture. This luxury hotel in Agra comprises of 233 opulent rooms and suites, recreating a paradise for the contemporary Mogul- full of splendor and perfection which was the hallmark of the Mughal Dynasty.
Bhanwar Vilas Palace is a series of delightful discoveries-from the first awe-inspiring glimpse of its magnificent façade standing out against the ancient town of Karauli, to an exploration of its edgy decor aesthetic-an eclectic melding of Oriental and Art Deco forms. Built in 1938 it is the family home of Maharaja Krishna Chandra Pal, who is the 181st in an illustrious line tracing itself back to Lord Krishna and is the head of the Yaduvanshi Rajputs.
The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort, the best 5 star hotel in Ranthambhore, offers luxury tented accommodation inspired by the opulent caravans of the royal families. A fine restaurant serving authentic Rajasthani and international cuisine. And spa experiences customised to suit your needs. All accompanied by hospitality that is genuine and sincere. The perfect space to relax and unwind in after a thrilling day spent tiger spotting in the neighbouring jungle.
Built in the 18th century by His Highness, Madho Singh Ji of Jaipur, The Royal Heritage Haveli opens its doors after 150 years as a boutique hotel. Now owned by Maharaj Jai Singh of Jaipur, the Royal Heritage Haveli is run by his niece Angelique and her husband Pradip. Known for their warm hospitality, Angelique and Pradip give each guest a personalised and truthful taste of the bygone era of the Maharaja’s way of life. An ethereal destination, the Royal Heritage Haveli is complete with rambling lawns, serene courtyards, plush interiors and stately living areas. Only eighteen suites and one apartment are in service as the hotel is dedicated to providing a quiet and tranquil haven of space and luxury to the discerning few.
Journey to India.......once is not enough!!!!
BANKING AND CURRENCY
Currency
The Indian Rupee is the official currency of the Republic of India. The modern Indian Rupee is subdivided into 100 paise (singular paisa). Banknotes in circulation come in denominations of INR 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 2000. Please note that as of November 2016, the older 500 and 1000 INR note are no longer valid legal tender and only new ₹500 notes will be accepted.
The latest Indian Rupee coins are available in denominations of INR 1, 2, 5, 10.
The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited. However, amounts exceeding US$5,000 or equivalent in cash, or US$10,000 or equivalent in all forms of currency must be declared. The export of foreign currency is allowed up to the amount imported and declared.
Currency can be changed at banks, airports or authorised money changers. Many hotels also have facilities to change money but this is a more expensive option. It is illegal to exchange money through unauthorised money changers. US Dollars and Pounds Sterling are the easiest currencies to exchange.
Banking
Banking hours: Monday-Saturday 10h00-03h30 (Bank will be closed on second and forth Saturday).
Strictly speaking, you can neither import nor export Indian currency, but you can get some at the airport straight away to at least get you transport to your accommodation. There are Authorized Foreign Exchange dealers in most big cities, and banks will also change your currency at a fair rate if you have time for the paperwork.
A good way of getting your travellers currency is via an ATM but beware of hidden bank charges, both from the bank providing the ATM and the card-issuing bank - you also do not know what exchange rate you are getting.ATMs are found in most towns and are recommended for cash withdrawals.
Visa, MasterCard and American Express are usually accepted in tourist hotels and many other shops. Debit cards are also widely accepted.
Travellers cheques are widely accepted and may be changed at banks and larger hotels. The most widely accepted currencies include US Dollars and Pounds Sterling. Some banks may refuse to change certain brands of traveller's cheques whilst others may exchange quite happily.
TRAVEL, TRANSPORT AND GETTING AROUND
India is big and there are lots of interesting ways to travel around it, most of which could not very well be described as efficient or punctual. Allow considerable buffer time for any journey with a fixed deadline (eg. your flight back), and try to remember that getting there should be half the fun.
India's large size and uncertain roads make flying a viable option, especially as prices have tumbled in the last few years. Even India's offshore islands and remote mountain states are served by flights, the main exceptions being Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh (although crossing over from neighbouring states is fairly easy). Due to the aviation boom over the last few years, airports have not been able to keep up with the air traffic. Most Indian airports continue to function with one runway and a handful of boarding gates. Check in and security queues can be terribly long, especially in Delhi and Mumbai.
Railways were introduced in India in 1853, more than one and half a centuries ago, by the British, and today India boasts of the biggest network of railway lines in the world, and the rail system is very efficient, if not always on schedule. Travelling on Indian Railways gives you the opportunity to discover the Indian landscape and scenic beauty first hand and is generally more economical than flying domestic. It is one of the safest ways of travel in India. With classes ranging from luxurious to regular, it's the best way to get to know the country and its people. Most train passengers will be curious about you and happy to pass the time with a chat.
In central locations of big cities like airports or stations reliable pre-paid taxis are available and will save you money as well as the bargaining hassle. However beware of touts who would claim themselves to be running pre-paid taxis. Always collect the receipt from the counter first. The receipt has two parts - one part is for your reference and the other part you will need to handover to the taxi driver only after you reach your desired destination. The taxi driver will get his payment by submitting or producing this other part to the pre-paid taxi counter. Normal taxis running by meter are usually more common. In many non Metro Cities (or even in Metros depending on time) taxies or autos may ply without the usual meter.
While you can't take a cross-country bus-ride across India, buses are the second most popular way of travelling across states and the only cheap way of reaching many places not on the rail network (eg. Dharamsala).
FOOD, DRINK AND CUISINE ADVICE
Water for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should first be boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is often unpasteurised and should be boiled. Avoid dairy products likely to have been made from non-boiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Do not eat salads, vegetables should be cooked and peel your own fruit. Don’t eat street vendor food unless it is piping hot. Tap water is not safe to drink, rely on bottled water which is widely available. However, do check the seal on bottled water.
Indian food is world-renowned for its tantalising flavours, spiciness and enormous variety. Curries are created from the subtle and delicate blending of spices such as cumin, turmeric, cardamom, ginger, coriander, nutmeg and poppy seed although these vary from region to region and every spice has medicinal properties and use.
Vegetable dishes are more common than in Europe, particularly in the fruity, coconutty dishes of southern India, while northern India has an entirely different but equally satisfying cuisine to sample. Breads like paranthas, chapatis, naans and rotis are also part of the main diet in several states like Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Achars (pickles), relishes and chutneys again vary by region and add more resonance to amazing meals.
Sweets or mithai too have regional specialities. They tend to be milk based and some are syrupy and fried. Well-known northern sweets are gulab jamun, jalebi (it’s worth watching how these syprup-based confections are made in the street), kulfi, kheer, halwa and laddu. From the east are rasgulla and rasmalai. The south has several burfi and halwa-type desserts like coconut burfi and badam halwa made from almonds.
While care should be taken in where one eats, exceptional food can be had in the most humble surroundings such as food at ashrams as can be found in 5-star restaurants. Non-vegetarians will find fabulously spiced mutton dishes according to regional specialities including fish dishes typical to coastal areas.
10 to 15% is usual in restaurants that impose no service fee; optional where service fee is added to bill.
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
The weather is mainly hot most of the year with significant variations from region to region. The coolest weather lasts from around the end of November to the beginning of March, with fresh mornings and evenings, and mostly sunny days. The really hot weather, when it is dry, dusty and unpleasant, is between March and June. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in summer anywhere between June and early October.
CLOTHING AND DRESS RECOMMENDATIONS
Male or female, one rule covers all visitors to India: don't leave the house with your arms or legs bare. You'll naturally get attention as a foreigner, as full-on staring is common and accepted on Indian streets, but you'll suffer far less negative attention if you remain covered up. For most locations and seasons in India, thin, loose linen or cotton pants and button-down shirts will keep you comfortable in hot, humid weather and help you blend in. While you may see Indian young adults sporting tight jeans and fitted brand-name tops, you'd stand out significantly more in the same outfit. If you visit anywhere in northern India - not just the mountains, Delhi too - during the winter, prepare for seriously cold weather. Bring jeans and heavy shirts and pick up an Indian wool wrap.
What you can get away with at an Indian beach depends entirely on which beach you visit. In the state of Goa, a popular beach and club getaway destination, locals are accustomed to seeing tourists in bikinis on the beach and Indian men often sport Speedos. But skimpy clothes need to stay on the beach. Don't walk around town or your hotel in nothing but a bikini and sarong. In less Western-frequented beach destinations, such as the beaches around Bombay, Alibag and Chowpatty, or anywhere in the south, hit the beach in light pants and a tunic.
When visiting temples and other religious sites on your own or part of a tour, be on the lookout for signs advising visitors to dress in a specific way to enter the temple. The government of India advises that some religious institutions require visitors to cover their heads or remove their shoes, and covering your legs and arms in respect goes without saying. Certain sites may carry more specific requirements, such as donning a certain colored sash or sarong-like covering. Take your cue from other visitors exiting the site.
ELECTRICITY AND PLUG STANDARDS
For the most part, electrical sockets (outlets) in India are the "Type D" 5 amp BS-546 sockets. This is actually an old British standard. The "Type D" Indian plug and socket is not to be confused with the "Type M" South African plug and socket. In pictures, they look very similar, but the South African type is much larger than the Indian type, and they are physically incompatible. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in.
Electrical sockets (outlets) in India usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliances are not compatible with 220-240 volt electrical output, a voltage converter will be necessary.
