15 day travel itinerary to world heritage sites from Delhi

ITINERARY TO WORLD HERITAGE SITES
DELHI-AGRA-RAJASTHAN ITINERARY
Day 1: DELHI-AGRA
Depart from Delhi to board the train at Nizammundin Railway Station in the morning. On arrival, check in to the hotel. Rest back and take a rickshaw to Lunch at Park Dining Room in Sardar Bazaar. Post lunch, hop into an auto for a 10 minute drive to the Taj mahal, which is one mans monumental testimony to love, is a mausoleum built by Shah Jahan for his empress Mumtaz Mahal. The construction is believed to have taken 18 years (1631-1648) with over 20,000 artisans working around the clock. Evenings tend to be quite crowded, but the Taj is extremely beautiful at dusk. Get a tour from a certified guide to acquaint yourself with the history and significance of this magnificent monument. Taj mahal is closed on Fridays. Post the tour, spend remainder of the evening at Meena Bazaar, a large shopping paradise where you will find vendors selling quality craft items, jewellery, marble figurines and more and hang around till the closing time(7pm).Dine at Shankara Vegis restaurant for a pure vegetarian meal at Tajganj and take an auto to head back to the hotel.
Total cost of the day: Rs 625 and Total distance travelled: 12 km

Day 2: AGRA
After breakfast visit the sprawling Agra Fort and explore its vast grounds with a certified guide. Agra Fort is a 16th-century red-sandstone fortress. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and see its remarkable palaces, embellished chambers and marvellous mosques, like the Pearl Mosque. The elegant buildings inside reflect an interesting synthesis of Hindu and Central Asian architectural styles. Built by Emperor Akbar, the maze of the courtyards, mosques & private chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire. Walk down to Jodha the Restaurant for a sumptuous lunch offering Indian Chinese continental cuisines.Post lunch take an auto to proceed to Itimad-ud-Daula tomb.This exquisite marble tomb was made by Emperor Jahangir’s queen, Nurjahan , in the memory of her father Mirza Ghias Beg during 1622-1628 A.D. Built entirely in white marble and inlaid with semi-precious stones, this mausoleum on the bank of the Yamuna River, exhibits a strong Persian influence. Dine at Shah Continental for some amazing Mughlai food and overnight stay at hotel.
Total cost of the day :800/810 and Total distance travelled:16 km

Day 3: SIKANDRA,AGRA
After breakfast head to Sikandra, half n hour drive from the hotel. Visit the Akbars serenely beautiful tomb which houses the mortal remains of the Mughal emperor which consists of 5 storeys. Explore the sikandra fort, one of the preserved monuments in India. Started by Akbar, it was completed by Jahangir, his son which is the foundation for Sikandra Fort Complex. It stands in great grandeur amidst a lush green garden which is surrounded on all sides with lofty walls. There stands a colossal gate on each side of the walls, which encloses the garden. The fort is built with precious red sandstone. Looking at the great fort, it brings ancient Mughal history back to life right before your eyes. Auto ride to Guru ka tal, the Sikh pilgrimage dedicated to the 9th Sri Guru Tegh Bahudar Ji. It is the place where he laid down his arms to accept arrest in front of Aurangazeb. The Gurudwara was built in 1970 due to the contributions of Saint Baba Sadh Singhji. When first built it had twelve towers, but only eight had managed to survive the years and remain intact. Constructed on red sandstones, it has the finest architecture notable by archaeologists all over the world. A number of devotees pay their respect every year to offer their prayers. Langar is a must have here. Head back to Sadar bazaar, Agra by an auto for a relaxing dinner at Haldirams .Overnight stay at hotel.
Total cost of the day: 570, Total distance travelled for the day: 21 km

Day 4: AGRA-BHARATPUR
After an early breakfast take a cab and proceed towards Agra Bikaner road to experience the City of Victory Fatehpur Sikri, which was the capital of the Mughal Empire for about 10 years. It was the first planned city of the Mughals and also the first one designed in Mughal architecture. It is an amalgamation of Indian architecture, Persian and Islamic architecture and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. Walk around inside the inner citadel of the city with your guide and see some of its finest monuments including Panch Mahal, Buland Darwaza and Jama Masjid — one of Indias largest mosques. Lunch at Sher-e-Punjab restaurant for the authentic Punjabi food. Head to Bharatpur and on arrival check in at Hotel and spend the rest of the evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Total cost of the day:620, Total distance travelled for the day: 64 km

Day 5: BHARATPUR
After an early breakfast take a tour around the Keoladeo bird sanctuary which is just opposite to the hotel. Exotic migratory birds from Central Asia, Afghanistan and Tibet along with Siberian cranes from the Arctic make this park their home during the winters. Make sure you have your binoculars with you and go for the soft soled sneakers. You have to be as quiet as possible. You either go around the Sanctuary in a Pedal Rickshaw which is driven by persons who have by experience become experts in the local bird life or can take the services of Guides who are accredited by the Forest Department. You can also hire bicycles to go around. Once you are done visiting this park, have something to eat from the restaurants present outside the park. The next destination would be the Lohagarh Fort. As the name suggests, this fort was constructed of iron by the Jat ruler Maharaja Suraj Mal to withstand the onslaughts of the British in the 18th century. The fort surrounded by a moat consists of three palaces within its premises and two towers. The massive fort also houses a State Archaeological Museum which has historical and cultural artefacts, sculptures, paintings, religious statues, etc. The monument remains open till 4.30 pm every day except Monday. After that, en route hotel pay a visit to the Ganga Mandir, one of the finest temples in the area. The structure is famous for its art-work which is exquisitely done on red stone. End the day with multi cuisine delicacies at the hotel restaurant and overnight stay at the hotel.
Total cost of the day: Rs 850 , Total distance travelled for the day:6km

DAY 6 : BHARATPUR-JAIPUR
After early breakfast catch the morning train to Jaipur. Check in to the hotel on arrival. After lunch at the hotel, head out for some fabulous places that stock unique and high quality items. Precious and semi-precious gems are most sought after, along with blue pottery and textiles. Dont miss to pick up some pretty costume jewellery from Johari Bazaar and Chameliwala Market on M I Road. Choose from vast varieties from KFC to Surya Mahal Restaurants for a luscious meal. Overnight stay at hotel.

Total cost of the day: Rs 800, Total distance travelled for the day: 195 km

Day 7: JAIPUR
After breakfast proceed towards the Jantar Mantar which is considered to be one of the largest observatories ever built. Combining religion, science and art, the Jantar Mantar is the name given to a series of five, magnificent structures built in Jaipur, New Delhi, Ujjan, Varanasi and Mathura. Jaipur was the seat of Maharaja Jai Singh II during the 1720’s when this magnificent structure was built here. It is considered to be the largest of the five observatories and also houses the world’s largest sundial and various architectural and astrological instruments that have caught the interests of astronomers, historians and architects around the world. Lunch at Rainbow Restaurant and head to nearby tourist attractions such as the Jaipur City Palace. Upon visiting the magnificent City Palace, it’s easy to see that the royal family of Jaipur was one of the richest in India. The huge complex of courtyards, gardens, and buildings blend both Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Marvel at The Peacock Gate which is simply exquisite, and contains an alluring display of detailed workmanship featuring bright peacocks. Also inside the City Palace complex is a museum, art gallery, and interesting displays of royal costumes and old Indian weapons. Next head out for Galta Monkey Temple a holy Hindi temple, nestled in peaceful surroundings between two granite cliffs. The temple is part of a larger temple complex, which also has three sacred pools of water. One of the pools has been taken over by thousands of monkeys that congregate there to swim and bathe. They’re generally friendly and love to be fed. Visit near sunset, when the monkeys flock to the temple. Head back to hotel for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Total cost for the day: Rs 850, Total distance travelled for the day: 13km

Day 8:JAIPUR
Post breakfast head off to explore The Amer Fort/Palace, a beautiful structure that was built by Raja Man Sing in the 16th century. It is set on a hill top overlooking Maota Lake. It was the original home of Rajput royalty until Jaipur city was constructed, and contains a number of breathtaking palaces, halls, gardens, and temples. It is beautiful on the inside and boasts of various buildings of prominence like the ‘Diwan-i-Aam’, the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ and even the ‘Sukh Mahal’ which adds to its grandeur. The fort entrance is reached by walking up the hill, going in a jeep, or taking a lurching elephant ride. Don’t miss the royal elephant ride while you are at it as it is till 11:30am! Indulge in the senses of the great Rajasthani and North Indian food at 1135 AD or sip through a cup of coffee at café coffee day. Next head to the massive Jaigarh Fort which was built in 1726 and holds great appeal for military lovers. Flanked by towering gateways and watchtowers, it contains the world’s largest cannon on wheels. Infact, it’s one of the best-preserved military structures of medieval India. Jaigarh doesn’t have the delicate interiors of Amber Fort, and therefore appears as a real fortress. Climb the Diwa Burj watchtower to get an excellent view over the plains. While on the way back to the hotel, dont skip the magnificent and breathtaking view of the Jal Mahal whose two levels of the building are submerged under water. Gala night dinner and night stay at the hotel.
Total cost of the day : Rs 1250, Total distance travelled for the day: 24 km

Day 9 :JAIPUR
Post Breakfast visit Hawa mahal, the renowned ‘Palace Of The Winds’ is one of the prominent tourist attractions in Jaipur city. Hawa Mahal is famous for its windows or ‘Jharokhas’ which enable free circulation of air within the structure. Its entrance is a door which leads to a spacious courtyard surrounded by two-storey buildings on three sides. From Hawa Mahal, you can have an excellent view of the city. The monument also has an archaeological museum. Satisfy your taste buds at Royal Treat restaurant or at Palace Café. Proceed to north west of Jaipur to reach Nahargarh fort by bus. Nahargarh Fort, also known as Tiger Fort, is perched high on the rugged Aravali Hills overlooking Jaipur city. The fort was built 1734 to help defend the city. Many scenes from the movie Rang De Basanti were filmed there. Nahargarh Fort offers spectacular views, which are best seen at sunset. It also makes a great place for a picnic as there’s a cafe on the premises, which serves beer and snacks until 10 p.m. The fort looks particularly attractive at night when it’s lit up. Head back and relax at hotel.
Total cost of the day: Rs 685, Total distance travelled for the day: 11.5km

DAY 10: RAMGARH,JAIPUR
After breakfast subsequently head towards Ramgarh, an ideal picnic spot for the visitors. Known for its artificial lake, Ramgarh is situated at a distance of approximately 35 km from Jaipur city. The lake has once been a major source of water for Jaipur city. It is a manmade water body created by forming an embankment on the forested hills. During monsoons, the lake presents the most alluring scenic beauty for visitors. It is also an interesting place for bird watchers as they get to see flocks of birds including migratory birds around this artificial lake. Ever since Ramgarh was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary by the Government of India in 1982, the place also offers wildlife safaris for the tourists. There are also polo grounds, Jamwa Mata temple, Old Fort, museum and hunting lodge to see at Ramgarh. Try different varieties foods at nearby restaurants such as Cocoa house, Café 99 and Tapri or bring in your own food amidst the scenic beauty of the lake. Head back to hotel.
Total cost for the day: Rs 800, Total distance travelled for the day: 71km

DAY 11: TONK-RANTHAMBORE
Have an early breakfast and advance towards to Tonk by bus provided by the Rajasthan tourism. A small town near the city of Jaipur, Tonk is one of the most interesting places in Rajasthan and is renowned for its old ‘havelis’ and mosques. Rich in cultural heritage and magnificent structures it is famous for its fabulous hall called, the Sunehri Kothi. Sunehri Kothi, declared as a historical monument, is also known as the Golden Mansion or the Mansion of Gold and is the main centre of attraction at Tonk. The interiors are greatly ornamented by mirrors, gilt, stucco and stained glass. The Arabian and Persian Research Institute has rare collections of Arabic and Persian books. The Jama Masjid, one of the biggest mosques in India, is also another attraction in Tonk. After exploring the city of Tonk proceed to the next destination- Ranthambore. En route Ranthambore stop at some dhaba to relieve your hunger pangs. Check in at the hotel on arrival. Rest back and spend leisure time at the hotel with a sumptuous meal.
Total cost for the day: Rs 1100, Total distance travelled for the day: 227 km

Day 12: RANTHAMBORE
After breakfast head for the jungle safari at Ranthambore National Park. Spread across an area of 392 sq kms, it is situated in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan. It is one of the largest and famous National Parks in India. Once known as the hunting base for Maharajas of Jaipur, is very famous for its tiger population. Tigers are often seen during the day. This national park is flanked by two sanctuaries namely Kaila Devi Sanctuary and the Mansingh Sanctuary. The park is also considered as a heritage site and has been home to many species of plants, reptiles and birds. It is also a place where some of the largest banyan trees in India are found. This national park has several lakes within its premises. The park draws lot of wildlife enthusiasts and photographers from all over the world. Lunch at Indian Spice Family Restaurant for some Indian spicy food. Head to Ranthambore fort located on hilltop. It was constructed in the year 944 AD. From this fort, you could have a breathtaking view of Ranthambore National Park and is considered one among the oldest forts in India. It had remained a powerful fort that was hard to conquer owing to its topographical advantage. The fort displays awe-inspiring craftsmanship and the interiors are equally spellbinding. It is suggested not to forget your binoculars when you set off to visit the fort. From the fort, if you look down through your binoculars, you will be able to spot tigers in action. Head back to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Total cost of the day : Rs 750, Total distance travelled for the day: 8 km

DAY 13: RANTHAMBORE
Post breakfast head to Kachida Valley. It is located on the border of Ranthambore National Park. One can fall in love at first sight with the valley and will find panthers in plenty here. Leopards avoid the thick inner forest owing to the domination of tigers. One could have a great time going Jeep Safari and viewing various wild animals including dear, wild boar and sloth bear. After lunch head back to the hotel. Rest and relax at the hotel and subsequently head out to the Dining Room restaurant for authentic Rajasthani dinner accompanied by folk dances of Rajasthan. Head back to the hotel
Total cost for the day: Rs 600, Total distance travelled for the day: 6 km

DAY 14: RANTHAMBORE
After breakfast head to Raj Bagh Ruins, Ranthambore. This place takes you to the past and back to prehistoric period with its collections of prehistoric monuments. The stone structures belonging to ancient period include palace outhouses, arches and domes. It is one of the prime heritage sites of Ranthambore which not only stands as a reminder of the bygone era but it offers the best scenic beauty owing to its location surrounded by jungles and picturesque landscapes. After lunch, en route hotel visit the Ranthambore Ganesh Mandir. Spend the rest of the evening at the hotel. Have a relaxing dinner at Zaffran restaurant. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Total cost for the day: Rs 750, Total distance travelled for the day: 6km