RJ/04b - Golden Triangle with Bandhavgarh / Ranthambhore (8 nights)

Route : Delhi (1 night) - Jaipur (2 nights) - Agra (2 nights with 1 night in overnight train) - Bandhavgarh (2+1 nights) / Ranthambhore (2 nights)

Highlight - This is a variant the popular Golden Triangle tourist itinerary  that covers two major destinations Agra (Taj Mahal, Agra Fort) and Jaipur (Forts and Palaces) alongwith Delhi and Bandhavgarh, a park best known for its prolific tiger sightings. 

Recommended Itinerary (Can be customised as per guest requirements / preferences).

With Bandhavgarh 

• Day 01: Arrive Delhi - Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel. Afternoon half day sightseeing of New Delhi visitng Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate. Drive past Parliament buildings and Rashtrapati Bhawan. 

• Day 02: Delhi- Jaipur (approx260 kms/07 hrs) - After breakfast, visit Red Fort and Jama Masjid. Drive past Chandni Chowk. Later depart to Jaipur by surface. Arrive & check-in. Evening Optional visit Dinner at Chokhi Dhani. (Ethnic Indian Restaurant).

• Day 03: Jaipur - After breakfast,  proceed for full day sightseeing covering Amer Fort (optional Elephant ride at Amber Fort), Jantar Mantar (Observatory), photo stop at Hawa Mahal and City Palace. 

• Day 4: Jaipur -Agra (approx 200 kms/ 5hrs) After breakfast, depart by surface to Agra via Bharatput and Fatehpur Sikhri. Reach Agra by evening & check-in at hotel. 

• Day 05: Agra -Umaria:  Late morning,  proceed for half day sightseeing tour visiting Taj Mahal (Closed on Fridays) and Agra Fort. Later transfer to Agra Cantt railway station for train to Umaria. Overnight in train.

• Day 06: Umaria Railway Station -Bandhavgarh (approx 32 kms/ 1 hr) - Arrive early morning at Umaria railway station and transfer to Bandhavgarh. Arrive at check-in at Jungle Lodge/Resort (request for early check as train arrives around 6 AM). One can start safaris right away or take some rest and start with afternoon safari. 

• Day 07: Bandhavgarh -Early morning Jungle safari. Return to hotel for breakfast. After lunch, proceed for afternoon jungle safari. 

• Day 08: Bandhavgarh -Umaria (approx 32 kms/ 1 hr) OR Katni (approx 100 kms) OR Jabalpur (approx 200 kms) - Early morning jungle safari. Return to hoel for breakfast. 12:00 hrs check & proceed to Umaria railway station/Katni railway station/Jabalpur by overnight train or take a flight next day from Jabalpur (possibly to Delhi).

With Ranthambhore 

• Day 01: Arrive Delhi - Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel. Afternoon half day sightseeing of New Delhi visitng Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate. Drive past Parliament buildings and Rashtrapati Bhawan. 

• Day 02: Delhi -Jaipur (approx 260 kms/ 7 hrs) - After breakfast, visit Red Fort and Jama Masjid. Drive past Chandni Chowk. Later depart to Jaipur by surface. Evening Optional visit Dinner at Chokhi Dhani (Ethnic Indian Restaurant). 

• Day 03: Jaipur - After breakfast,  proceed for full day sightseeing covering Amer Fort (Optional Elephant ride at Amber Fort), Jantar Mantar (Observatory), photo stop at Hawa Mahal and City Palace. 

• Day 04: Jaipur -Agra (approx 200 kms/ 5 hrs) - After breakfast, proceed to Agra enroute visitng  Fatehpur Sikri. Reach Agra by evening. 

• Agra - After breakfast proceed for half day sightseeing tour visiting Taj Mahal (Closed on Fridays) and Agra Fort and Itmad-ud-daullah. 

• Day 05: Agra - After breakfast proceed for half day sightseeing tour visiting Taj Mahal (Closed on Fridays) and Agra Fort and Itmad-ud-daullah. 

• Day 06: Agra -Ranthambore (approx 280 kms/6 hrs) OR Agra -Bharatpur (approx 60 kms/1-1 1/2 hrs) -Ranthambore - After early breakfast, depart by surface to Ranthambore OR via Bharatpur. Arrive and check-in, day at leisure. 

• Day 07: Ranthambore - Early morning jungle safari. Return to hotel for breakfast. Afternoon Safari. 

• Day 08: Ranthambore - Sawai Madhopur railway station (approx 15kms) OR Jaipur (approx 180 kms /2 hrs) - Early morning transfer to Sawai Madhopur railway station for train to Delhi Or Late morning transfer to Jaipur airport for the onward journey

• Guest not too keen on staying at Delhi or Interest in exploring heritage villages, may opt for an additional night enroute from Delhi towards Jaipur at Shekhawati region (Known for its Frescoed Havelis and rural Rajasthan feel). 

• Guests may opt for Fort Madhogarh instead of Jaipur stay. Fort Madhogarh offers an experiential stay that involves Camel rides and Jeep Safari to the village, Half day Camel/ Horse/ Jeep Safari to the Tunga battle field, cenotaphs and step wells, bird watching etc. Cookery lessons in Rajasthani cuisine are also available on prior request.

• For those interested in Bird watching and completely off-beat / experiential extension, could opt for Chambal Safari Lodge, 80 kms South of Agra.

Accommodation Options - Agra - Jaipur - Delhi - Bandhavgarh - Ranthambhore

Seasonality - Oct-March is the best time weather wise. Dec-Jan is when Delhi Airport has fog related flight delays. So one may opt for an afternoon flight and opt for an extra night at Delhi. 

Access - New Delhi is the International Airport and Capital of India which gets trains and flights from All over India and across the globe.

Please email to rj04b@nivalink.co.in with dates of travel for a firm quote (hotel cost and transportation) with an indicative itinerary.