Family Time in India

We begin the day by visiting Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a Sikh place of worship where thousands of people from every walk of life are fed every day. You have the option to assist the kitchen volunteers in their job. Next, we visit the ever peaceful Humayun’s Tomb – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and then shop along the priciest shopping strip in India. You will find excellent bookshops, up-market boutiques, and brand showrooms. Additionally, there are nice eateries and cafes that are popular with the locals where you can enjoy your lunch (payable directly).

Next, we visit Gandhi Smriti to honour the inspirational figure who, in the late 1940s, through a nonviolent approach spurred reform that resulted in India being independent. Take a tour through the landscape of Old Delhi, a fascinating tapestry of many cultures and delectable cuisines. There are actual restaurants on this specifically selected street food path, some of which are centuries old. Treat your taste buds to some handspun, deep-fried syrupy delicious jalebi. Try some refreshing lemon soda and chilled yoghurt. Choose from a variety of hot snacks that have been cooked following traditional recipes that have been handed down through the ages.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

Today’s sightseeing includes visiting many gems of Jaipur. We begin by exploring the resplendent Amber Fort, sprawled across the summit of a natural hill outside of Jaipur. Amber Fort, which is pronounced “AH-meer” is a well-preserved structure from the heyday of the Rajput monarchy in Rajasthan. It is historically significant and artistically spectacular. The elaborate Maharaja’s palace from the sixteenth century is a distinctive fusion of Islamic and Hindu architecture.

In the evening, explore Jaipur when it becomes truly alive at night. We begin by attending an aarti ceremony at a local temple. Feel the positive vibes and passionate devotion of locals as they chant in chorus. Enjoy Jaipur’s illuminated old town while riding in e-rickshaws.

We begin the day with an interactive session to learn the dying art of block printing in the town of Bagru, located on the outskirts of Jaipur. Visit the workshops of artists who specialise in printing, dyeing, and block-carving. Marvel at the variety of colours while touring the drying fields. Watch how skilled printers stamp designs that date back hundreds of years. You are free to try your hand at making a block-printed t-shirt.

In the afternoon, we visit City Palace, the present-day home of the Maharaja and the erstwhile royal family of Jaipur. Next, we visit Jantar Mantar, a monumental astronomical observatory constructed entirely out of stone and based on the astronomical tables of the French mathematician Phillipe de la Hire. It also has the world’s second-largest sundial, made entirely out of stone.

In the evening, you are invited to the house of an Indian Family for a cooking demonstration followed by dinner. Here, you’ll get to see what a typical Rajasthani home looks like, experience the hospitality for which India is so famous, and enjoy a dinner of traditional dishes.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

Today we explore the nooks and corners of Jaipur. As the streets are quiet early in the morning, we’ll hop on an E-rickshaw to visit the busy doodh-mandi (milk market), where milk is typically delivered in cans on the back of motorcycles, rickshaws, or camel carts. Doodh-wallas (milkmen) and confectionery stores in the area buy it and transport it for further distribution. Then we drive to the flower market to see the riot of colors and fragrances. We finish the sightseeing by attending a prayer ceremony at a local Krishna Temple.

Later, we drive to Agra en route visit Fatehpur Sikri. This spectacular walled historic city is located west of Agra and served as the Mughal empire’s transient capital from 1572 to 1585 under Emperor Akbar. The city is an Islamic architectural wonder, was built in an allegedly water-scarce location, and was thus abandoned soon after Akbar’s demise.

Continue with your drive to Agra. Check-in at the hotel upon arrival.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

At sunrise, we visit the white wonder marble standing majestically on the banks of River Yamuna. Taj Mahal – a UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in 1632 by Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal’s exterior embellishments serve as the ideal illustration of exquisite Mughal art. The Taj Mahal’s marble inlay art is a marvel and will be a striking ornamental element.

After the visit, we drive to Chambal. Check-in at the hotel upon arrival.

This afternoon, we leave for The Blackbuck Jeep Safari head southwest towards the countryside between the Chambal and Yamuna ravines, for excellent sightings of Blackbuck deer and numerous dry land birds including the Indian Courser. It is also a fascinating journey through remote hamlets and habitations; a world that is strangely as connected as it appears removed from modern India.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

Today early morning, we leave for a river safari which provides a great opportunity to view the wildlife. The calm waters of the Chambal River are best explored by boat and a Chambal Safari boatmen are exceptionally skilled at maneuvering as close to the gharials, muggers & turtles basking in the sun; the many migratory and resident birds flying sorties without disturbing them, and the trained naturalists who accompany you will provide expert information about everything that you see.

This afternoon, we leave for the visit of an ancient temple complex at Bateshwar on the river Yamuna, 10 km from the Chambal Safari Lodge, consisting of more than a hundred temples dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

Check-out from the hotel after breakfast and drive to Lucknow. In the evening we’ll go on a food tour focused on Awadhi cuisine which is a delectable combination of Mughal, Kashmiri, and Hyderabadi cooking styles. Explore the renowned Aminabad bazaar to sample Kebabs, Biryanis, Chats, Kulfis, Lassis, and more from the most iconic restaurants.

#Please note this is not a suitable tour for vegetarians or vegans.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

In the morning we leave for a city sightseeing tour of Lucknow. We will start our visit with Bara Imambara and Chota Imambara. This magnificent monument recalls the glorious past of the Nawabs and stands out for its austerity in style, proportion, and symmetry along with its unique in its architecture. Next, we make a photo stop at Dhobi Ghat to see the last phase of the colorful chikan embroidered garments taken for the last wash, starching, and ironing. Next, we drive past Hussainabad Clock Tower which was constructed in 1887.

After lunch, we visit Lucknow Residency. It was the official home of the British between 1780 and 1800. One of the deadliest fights of the 1857 War of Independence was fought here, and the wounds left by the cannons can still be seen on every wall. Later, pay a visit to La Martiniere College, one of the subcontinent’s best and biggest instances of European funeral structures linked with its strange yet romantic past. Finally, we go to Dilkusha Palace & Gardens, which was built as a hunting refuge by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

We leave for Dudhwa this morning, which is part of a large arc of protected areas in the lowlands along the Indo-Nepal border. Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Elephant, One-Horned Rhinoceros, five types of Deer, Fishing Cats, numerous smaller animals, and 350 bird species call this lush area their home.

On arrival at the charming Jaagir Lodge, soak in the serenity of the surroundings as you are escorted to your luxurious room. After the check-in formalities, relax in the comfort of your lodge. Later, set out for a gentle walk around the lodge, to acquaint yourself with the fauna and flora of these rural surroundings. In the evening, your resident naturalist will introduce the wild terrain of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, highlighting the varied activities included as part of your stay. In addition, a list of exciting optional experiences and escorted game drives will be shared.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

Both days will be used to explore Dudhwa National Park and the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary by Safaris. Each day, after enjoying the game drives, return to the comforts of the luxurious lodge.

Wake up early for an exciting day. Your naturalist will meet you as you begin your first jungle safari in the Terai Region. Dudhwa National Park lies amid warm, subtropical forests and provides a fascinating blend of wildlife and flora. Start your drive at dawn to catch the first rays of the sun entering the national park.

Much of the thrill of any safari experience comes from the sheer unpredictability of the jungle. This is an adventure that you have never experienced before! 

The thick sal forests, extensive grasslands, and wet marshes of the park harbor a wide range of wildlife, but it is what you may encounter on your wild sojourn that will keep you on the edge of your seats. However, sightings of the Royal Bengal tiger, leopard, swamp deer, and fishing cats are not uncommon. Later, we continue your search at the many water holes in the marshlands from watchtowers. Rich in aquatic life, they are also critical breeding grounds for the Indian otters in the wild.

Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary is an hour’s drive from Dudhwa and it is an integral part of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. It is an excellent habitat for the unique flora and fauna of the Terai region, which has many bodies of water. The sanctuary is dominated by sal, ficus, and crocodile-bark trees, along with an array of multi-hued flowers and trees, such as the silk cotton tree and the flame of the forest. A swampland fed by the Sharda River, Kishanpur also features the elusive tiger and the endangered swamp deer, along with barking deer, wild boar, and hog deer. Watch freshwater crocodiles bask in the sun and ducks swim on these lakes. Overnight stays will be at the Lodge.

In the morning leave for Lucknow airport and catch your flight to Delhi. In time you will be escorted by a Terra Viaggi representative and assisted at the Delhi International airport for your flight back home.