Temples & Tigers

Temples & Tigers

109 Views
10 Days From

$1295

$1254

Temples & Tigers

10 Days Starting and ending in Delhi, India

Visiting: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Ranthambore National Park

Tour operator:

Encounters Travel

Tour code:

275

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 14

Physical rating:

All Ages / Not applicable

Age range:

8-95

Special diets catered:

Request dietary needs

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Safari Tours

Activities:

Walking

From: $1295 $1254 Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$41

NB: Prices correct on 11-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey through India with the "Temples & Tigers" tour, a captivating adventure designed for singles and small groups. Discover the vibrant contrasts of Old and New Delhi, marvel at the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, and immerse yourself in the rich culture of a local village in Suroth Mahal. Explore the enchanting Pink City of Jaipur, with its majestic hilltop fort and the intricate Abhaneri step well. Experience the thrill of spotting tigers in their natural habitat at Ranthambore National Park. This tour offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration and wildlife adventure, with comfortable accommodations in mid-range hotels and heritage properties, and all transport and transfers in air-conditioned vehicles. Enjoy guided sightseeing tours, local culinary experiences, and the expertise of a local tour leader, ensuring a seamless and enriching travel experience.

Highlights

  • Old and New Delhi exploration, including a rickshaw ride and street food tasting.

  • Visit to the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, with a Mughal Heritage Walk.

  • Experience village life with a walking tour in Suroth Mahal.

  • Explore the Pink City of Jaipur, including the Amber Fort and a block printing workshop.

  • Visit the Abhaneri step well, the largest and deepest in the world.

  • Wildlife safari in Ranthambore National Park to see tigers.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive In Delhi, Transfer To Hotel Included

Location: Delhi

Accommodation Name: Delhi hotel

Once you arrive in Delhi, you'll be met by one of our local staff, who will transfer your hotel. Once you're settled in, we'll run through the tour itinerary for the next few days, brief you on the local area and arrange a time to collect you tomorrow.

Day 2 : Exploring Delhi, Rickshaw Ride & Street Food Tasting

Location: Delhi

Accommodation Name: Delhi hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Your day starts with a morning tour of India's capital, New Delhi. Built on the banks of the Yamuna river, New Delhi is a beautiful blend of a historical past and a vibrant present. We start at India Gate in the centre of New Delhi, a 42-metre high "Arc-de-Triomphe" like archway, a war memorial built to commemorate the 82,000 soldiers who partook in the undivided Indian Army. We'll drive past various government buildings such as the President's Palace and the Parliament of India, before passing Humayun's Tomb - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Bangla Sahab Gurudwara Sikh Temple. We'll stop at Connaught Place Station and join the locals on the metro to Old Delhi where we'll walk through one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk, before exploring the narrow streets of Chawri Bazar which specialises in selling brass, copper and paper products. Throughout the afternoon our guide will also introduce you to the wide range of street food snacks and delicacies so you can get your first authentic taste of the delicious and varied Indian cuisine. Our walking tour will also take in a rickshaw ride and the Jama Masjid mosque, one of the largest in India.

Day 3 : Head To Agra. Sheroes Hangout, Mughal Heritage Walk. First Glimpse Of The Taj Mahal

Location: Agra

Accommodation Name: Agra hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We head to Agra this morning, home of the famous Taj Mahal. After arriving in Agra we'll make a stop for lunch at the Sheroes Hangout Cafe The cafe was set up by the Chhanv Foundation and is run by victirms of acid attacks. The cafe works to raise awareness of acid attacks in India and to empower those who have sadly been the victims of these heinous crimes. Prior to gaining employment in the cafe, many of the 'Sheroes' led solitary lives, rarely going outside due to shame associated with their scars. At Encounters Travel we're proud to support such an organisation, which has the sole aim of helping these women find acceptance, a supportive community and a means of income. Lunch will be included whilst at the cafe. Once you've checked in into your hotel, we'll spend the afternoon on a Mughal Heritage Walk through the ancient village of Kachhpura and surrounding farmland on the banks of the Yamuna River across from the Taj Mahal and Red Fort. This walk has been designed by a local NGO and helps support the local community through employment and new infrastructure. During the walk one of the villagers will give a guide to their village life, the layout of their homes, with living, cooking & religious areas, the farming done, and the local cottage industry for leather shoe making which helps Agra export shoes all over the world. You'll also see some lesser known but important Mughal era monuments. Finally today we'll stroll around the park at Mehtab Bagh - originally built by Emperor Babur as the last in a series of 11 parks on the Yamuna River's east bank, before taking in the magnificent sight of the Taj Mahal at sunset. A special evening option is available today, where you can join a Hindu family for a Vegetarian Thali cooking lesson and meal.

Day 4 : Taj Mahal Sunrise. Drive To Suroth Mahal, Village Walking Tour

Location: Agra

Accommodation Name: Suroth Mahal heritage hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We start today early for our tour of the Taj Mahal. Truly one of the wonders of the world this elaborate monument to love was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and took over twenty-two years to complete. Sunrise is a great time to visit as the light changes gradually with the colours of the Taj changing too. After breakfast we leave the region's popular tourist areas and head into the heart of rural Rajasthan to the small town of Suroth. The property was a former palace, now welcoming guests as a hotel, but retaining its heritage charm, with rooms painted with murals. The afternoon sees us exploring the village, interacting with the local villagers, getting invaluable insight into seeing their way of life. Our walking tour will pass by local shops, down narrow streets, we'll visit a small temple and perhaps even visit a local barber shop where you can have a shave or head massage. In the evening we'll have a cooking demonstration before enjoying dinner at the hotels restaurant.

Day 5 : To Jaipur Via The Abhaneri Step Well. Optional Bollywood Movie Or Cooking Demo

Location: Jaipur

Accommodation Name: Jaipur heritage hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we head to Jaipur, the capital and the largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan in Western India. Enroute, we'll visit the Abhaneri step well, the largest and deepest step well in the world, which boasts 3500 steps and is 13 stories deep. You may recognise this as the place that Sonny tried to express his feelings for Sunaina in the recent movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. The remaider of the day in Jaipur will be free to explore at leisure or join one of our optional extras: A fun option this evening is to head out and watch a Bollywood movie at the Raj Mandir cinema. Another good choice for this evening is to visit a local family in their home for a cooking demonstration and dinner together.

Day 6 : Amber Fort & Jaipur City. Block Printing Workshop

Location: Jaipur

Accommodation Name: Jaipur heritage hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

You have an option of going on an early morning hot air balloon ride over Jaipur, flying over its palaces, forts and lakes - a truly mesmerising experience.

If you chose to sleep a little later, your morning starts with a visit to the Amber Fort, the jewel in Jaipur's crown - an ancient fortress built on a hilltop in the 16th century dedicated to the ruling Kachhawa clan of Amber. Be mesmerised by this majestic architectural wonder, with its pink sandstone and marble palace shining in the sun. It's massive fortress walls sprawls across the hills, with many seeing a resemblance of the Great Wall of China.

Later, we return to the city for a tour of Jaipur, as we visit the strange Jantar Mantar monument, a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments, built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II between 1724 and 1730. Jaipur was the first planned city of medieval India and we'll also explore its City Palace. Built by Raja Man Singh during 1729-1732 AD, the City Palace was once the seat of kings as it was from here that they ruled the region. This tangle of courtyards, manicured gardens and exceptionally crafted mahals is one of the most revered attractions in India.

We spend the remainder of the day walking in the walled city to discover some of Jaipur's famous crafts markets and craftsmen in action such as jewellers, silversmiths, textile workshops and bangle makers. Our tour will include a blockprinting workshop, where we learn the ways in which fabric is decorated using this ancient method and we'll also have a gemstone demonstation.

Day 7 : Ranthambore - Home Of The Bengal Tiger. Afternoon Game Drive

Location: Ranthambore National Park

Accommodation Name: Ranthambore Heritage hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We leave Jaipur today and head to Ranthambore National Park, which is named after Ranthambore fortress, located within its boundaries. If you're looking to see tigers in the wild, this is the place to be. In 1973, the park was established as a sanctuary for the tigers and to help decrease the fatal interactions that were increasing between humans and tigers.

We'll have our first chance to see Tigers this afternoon as we join a shared canter for game drive through the park.

Day 8 : Morning Game Drive In Search Of Tigers

Location: Ranthambore National Park

Accommodation Name: Ranthambore Heritage hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We'll head back out on an early morning game drive, giving you the best opportunity to see India's tigers in their natural habitat, but keep your eyes peeled for other wildlife such as leopards, sloth bears, black bucks, flying foxes, Indian porcupines, striped hyenas, jackals, jungle cats, wild boar, civets, desert cats, macaques, mole rats, and many more species.

We'll be transported through the jungle in an open-backed truck (shared canter), which allows us to travel deep into the park, as we search for India's unique wildlife. We'll also visit the ruined fort located within the boundaries of the park, which is beautifully elevated on a natural hummock, which towers at just over 200 metres high. The ancient ruined fort is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the afternoon you'll have some free time to relax or you could consider booking additional private jeep or shared game drives within the park.

Day 9 : Train Ride To Delhi. Free Afternoon (Optional Visit To The Akshardam Temple)

Location: Delhi

Accommodation Name: Delhi hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

We'll say goodbye to Ranthambore and board a train back to Delhi. Our preferred service is the Kota Jan Shtabad leaving at 0725. The train ride will last for about five hours, but it's one of the best ways to experience the beauty of India, as you make your way past the rural countryside and farmlands as well as the bustling city life as you approach the capital.

Once we arrive in Delhi, you'll be transferred to your hotel and have some free time in the afternoon for last minute shopping or exploration. You could also join our optional tour to the Hindu Akshardam Temple.

Day 10 : All Good Things Come To An End! Airport Transfer Included

Meals Included: Breakfast

You have some free time to buy any gifts for your loved ones back home before we transfer you to the airport to catch your flight back home. Additional half day tours are available this morning if you have a later flight, and extension options are also available.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    All accommodation in mid-range hotels and heritage properties is included.

  • Transport

    All transport and transfers in AC vehicles are included.

  • Airport Transfers

    24-hour airport arrival and departure transfer service is included.

  • Sightseeing Tours

    Sightseeing tours and activities as per the itinerary are included.

  • Delhi Tour

    Delhi Tour, Rickshaw Ride & Street Food Sampling in Delhi are included.

  • Agra Activities

    Agra Sheroes Cafe, Mughal Heritage Walk and Taj Mahal visit are included.

  • Suroth Mahal Village Tour

    Suroth Mahal Village tour & cooking demonstration are included.

  • Jaipur Tour

    Jaipur Amber Fort, City Tour & craft workshop are included.

  • Ranthambore Game Drives

    Ranthambore Shared Canter Game Drives in search of Tigers are included.

  • Tour Leader and Guides

    Services of a local tour leader and specialist local guides are included.

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What's Not Included

  • International Flights

    International flights are not included (available on request).

  • Visa Fees

    Visa fees are not included.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is compulsory and not included (available on request).

  • Meals Not Indicated

    Meals not indicated in the itinerary are not included.

  • Personal Expenses

    Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses (e.

    g.

    laundry) are not included.

  • Tips

    Tips for driver and/or tour guide are not included.

  • Entrance Fees

    Entrance fees are not included (allow approx.

    US$90).

  • Other Items

    Any other items not mentioned above are not included.

Mode of Transport

Travel comfortably with all transport and transfers in air-conditioned vehicles, including a 24-hour airport arrival and departure transfer service.

Accommodation

Enjoy stays in mid-range hotels and heritage properties, offering a blend of comfort and cultural charm throughout your journey in India.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    All accommodation is in mid-range hotels and heritage properties, providing a comfortable and culturally immersive experience.

  • Are airport transfers included in the tour package?

    Yes, a 24-hour airport arrival and departure transfer service is included in the tour package.

  • What kind of transportation is used during the tour?

    All transport and transfers are conducted in air-conditioned vehicles, ensuring a comfortable journey throughout the tour.

  • Is there an opportunity to see tigers during the tour?

    Yes, the tour includes shared canter game drives in Ranthambore National Park, which is known for its Bengal tigers.

  • Will there be any cooking demonstrations during the tour?

    Yes, there is a cooking demonstration at Suroth Mahal, where you can learn about local cuisine.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    Meals are included as indicated in the itinerary, with breakfast provided on most days and some lunches and dinners included as well.

  • What activities are included in the tour of Delhi?

    The tour of Delhi includes a rickshaw ride and street food sampling, providing an authentic experience of the city's vibrant culture.

  • Is there an option to participate in a local family cooking experience?

    Yes, there is an optional evening activity in Agra where you can join a Hindu family for a vegetarian thali cooking lesson and meal.

  • Is travel insurance compulsory?

    Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.

  • When is my balance payment due?

    60 days prior to departure

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s

  • Can I transfer my booking to someone else?

    Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

EdinburghBlair  

Encounters Travel - India Temples and Palaces

January 2015

We have just returned from a 15 day tour of Rajastan, Varanasi, Khajuraho and Orcha organised by Encounters. This was brilliantly organised and planned. The staff in the UK (Anthony Horrobin in particular) and India could not do enough to help us. For eg when we were disappointed with one hotel they arranged another heritage one for us. The briefing material was also impeccable. We were met all over India by helpful courteous people; everything ran like clockwork. The excellent drivers (who have to negotiate some mad traffic and some difficult roads) looked after us as if we were part of their family eg checking we were happy with our hotel, making sure we were not too tired (we are quite old!) They would also show us some of their favorite spots not on the itinerary; special thanks to Man Singh who was with us for a week. Our guides were also excellent. Of course some were more skillful than others in picking up what we already knew and tailoring their accounts accordingly - (special credit to Vikram Singh Rathore in Jaipur) but all were informative. In response to our questions we also learned a lot about contemporary politics, their own families and aspirations. We particularly enjoyed this and it added to our admiration of this extraordinary country which is achieving so much and has so much still to do. We were sorry to say goodbye to all these people who had helped and entertained us; and we wish we could meet them again. The hotels we stayed in (some of which we will review separately) were all comfortable and all had excellent staff. Some were beautiful and/or extraordinary eg the Amar Mahal in Orcha (a new hotel built in Mughal style in the enchanting little town of Orcha) and the Malji ka Kamra ( a converted palace) in Churu. We had booked to go on a group tour but in the end we were the only people on it. So we appreciate we had the huge bonus of exclusive treatment and all the flexibility of a private car. However, even without this all the basic components of the holiday would have been the same. We will definitely travel with Encounters again (and had already traveled to Egypt with their sister firm Uncover the World). In fact so enthused have we been by this trip that we are asking Encounters what additional trip they can organise to India before our visas run out! Go for it! You will not be disappointed.

Tina M  

First holiday with Encounters - a great success

March 2017

Between my sister and her husband's planning and the organisation of Encounters we had the most amazing holiday in India. I wouldn't have changed a thing, and it was great to feel so confident in all the arrangements.

Stanfordspearl  

ndia Tour

May 2016

Our trip to India was an amazing experience. I think Encounters Travel did an excellent job! Everything was not perfect, but I also did not expect perfection! When you travel to a third world country, you always have to be ready for unexpected changes and try to be flexible. All in all I loved this tour. Our first stop was Delhi and we had an excellent guide, Jimmy, very knowledgeable and also funny. Very much enjoyed his company and time together. Second stop was Agra, where we spent one night. The hotel was a bit nicer than the one in Delhi, but both were really ok. Third stop was Jaipur, which is my favorite city on this tour, really amazing with the City Palace, the Amber Fort and the Jantar Mantar, a collection of astronomical instruments, built in 1738 and the largest sun dial of the world. We stayed in the fabulous Shahpura House, an old Heritage House, converted into Hotel. It was really great, with rooftop restaurant, Indian music and dance show at night and very nice swimming pool in the backyard. Next trip took us to the Shekhawati Region. Its a bit of a long trip, and it was hot. This region is famous for its Havelis, traditional, ornately decorated residences, with enclosed court yards. These residences are famous for its frescos, they belonged to the business men from the time when the silk road was striving and a lot of commerce was conducted between Asia and Europe. However, the Havelis that we saw were very run down and hardly livable, with once house occupied by a care taker family. When we entered, we saw the man of the house peeing in the corner of the court yard, and that was not what we had expected, but when you travel in India, you get used to seeing men pee everywhere! Not really what you want to see, but India has this duality, modern and primitive! Our taxi had wifi, but the stench of the polluted air, the garbage everywhere and the dirt and lack of sanitary conditions accompanied us everywhere! The air in Delhi was terrible, smelled like a mix of fire and garbage and I woke up every day with my eyes very swollen, but, again, that's India. India's cities are the most polluted in the world today! The poverty and all the begging children is also very disturbing and heart breaking, but we were prepared that this is common in India and part of the experience. All in all this was an amazing trip and I would highly recommend it!

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.

    Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.

    At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.

    At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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