b"RED FORT ULTIMATE RAJASTHAN AND THE PALACE ON WHEELS UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCESINDIAN SUBCONTINENTYOUR ITINERARY a five-storey faade of balconies and windows display some of theEnjoy a five-night journey Days 1-3To Delhi finest masonry in Jaisalmer. In the afternoon, we enjoy 4x4 Jeepaboard the Palace on Wheels. We fly overnight to Delhi, arriving on Day 2 for two-night stay. We beginride, traversing the sandy desert before stopping to admire theVisit the incredible Taj Mahal exploring with our local guide on Day 3, setting out on a tour that startssetting sun over the sand dunes. Dinner is accompanied by a culturaland Agra Fort. with a rickshaw ride through the streets of Old Delhi. Passing by theperformance at a local hotel before we re-board the Palace on historic bazaar, we catch the scent of fragrant spices and the soundsWheels. Pulling into the Blue City of Jodhpur on Day 12, we enjoy anTravel on the charming Toy of locals haggling for a bargain before visiting Jama Masjid, also knownimmersive tour that includes the grand Mehrangarh Fort, JaswantTrain to Shimla. as the World-reflecting Mosque. We continue to New Delhi, a spaciousThada - an ornate group of royal cenotaphs made of white marble toEnjoy a talk from Shimla local, area of the city with modern buildings and wide, tree-lined boulevards,honour Rajput king - and the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum. Raaja Bhasin, about the history of passing by the Presidents House and Parliament House on our wayDays 13-14Agra, the Taj Mahal and homethe region.to Gandhi Smriti, a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. We also discover Connaught Place on a walking tour.The Palace on Wheels stops at Bharatpur, where you can visit theVisit the Amber Fort, perched famous bird sanctuary. Continuing to Agra, we disembark for thehigh on a hilltop. SHIMLA Days 4-6The Toy Train to Shimla final time to visit Agra Fort, a majestic red sandstone citadel, andDiscover the Thar Desert. We transfer to the train station to board the Shatabdi Express to Kalka.the captivating Taj Mahal, an iconic white marble masterpiece. From here, we embark on a scenic journey aboard the UNESCO-listed,Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1632 for hisGo tiger-spotting in narrow-gauge Toy Train to Shimla, travelling from the Shivalik foothillsfavourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is considered to be theRanthambore National Park. through 102 tunnels, over 864 bridges and around 919 horse-shoeworlds finest example of Mughal and Persian architecture and isExplore the dynamic cities of curves. During our ascent, we have time to soak up panoramic views ofconsidered the jewel of Muslim art in India, as well as being one ofDelhi, Jaipur and Jodhpur on the Himalayas, making stops at stations such as Dharampur, Kandaghatthe New Seven Wonders of the World. We return to Delhi by coach and Summerhill on the way. Day 5 is free and Day 6 includes anfor the night. Transferring to the airport on Day 14, we fly back to thefascinating guided tours. informative talk from guest speaker Raaja Bhasin, whose spellbindingUK where our holiday draws to a close. WHAT'S INCLUDEDstories of his home town bring to life the history of Shimla. Later, we explore by car, seeing the Viceregal Lodge, a striking 19th-century Elizabethan-style mansion, and the Sankat Mochan temple. After lunch,UK Tour Manager throughoutwe take a stroll along the mall to the towns Gaiety Theatre, the Victorian- RANTHAMBORE Return flights from London Gothic Christ Church and Scandal Point - so called because it was whereNATIONAL PARKHeathrow to Delhipeople would traditionally meet to gossip.All internal flights, rail and PALACE OF THE WINDS Days 7-8Jaipur and the Palace on wheels India is home to over half of thecoach transfersWe make the journey back down the mountains through stunningworlds tiger population, and withComplimentary luggage scenery to Chandigarh. Transferring to the airport, we fly to Jaipur for the49 tiger reserves it is an excellenttransfersnight, the capital of Rajasthan. Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Jai Singhdestination for big cat lovers. II, the city is often referred to as the Pink City after the buildings wereRanthambore National Park is7 nights 5-Star hotel re-painted in the 19th century to celebrate a visit from Prince Albert.renowned as one of the bestaccommodation and 5 nights on Taking a tour of the city on Day 8, we see the incredible Amber Fort, theplaces in the world to spot wildboard the Palace on Wheelsbeautiful faade of the Palace of the Winds, which shielded courtly ladiestigers and was declared as one of from the streets below, and the ancient City Palace, before transferringthe Project Tiger reserves in 1973.31 meals including 12 breakfasts, to our hotel-train - the Palace on Wheels. After a vibrant welcomeLucky visitors have the chance to7 lunches and 12 dinners ceremony at the station, we settle into our comfortable cabins, enjoyingspot the elusive Bengal tiger inAll tour excursionsdinner together in the restaurant car in the evening.its natural habitat, basking in the sun or sauntering through the Days 9-10Ranthambore National Park and Udaipur wilderness.During the night, our train sets off for Ranthambore, arriving at theREGIONAL DEPARTURES AVAILABLErenowned national park early in the morning. One of the largest of itsfrom Manchester from 50 per person.kind in India, this is perhaps the best place to see the Bengal Tiger in its AGRA FORT natural habitat thanks to the conservation efforts of Project Tiger. WeShimlahead out on a morning game drive in the hope of spotting this majestic3 2022 TOUR DATEScreature, as well as a plethora of other native wildlife such as slothChandigarhbears, hyenas, macaques, wild boar and even leopards. Afterwards, we2 +1 Delhi Oct 6, 27 5,195 Nov 10 5,095re-board the train and travel to Chittorgarh, where we see the majestic hilltop fort, the Tower of Victory and the intricate Tower of Fame. TheJaipur 1 Agra 2023 TOUR DATESPalace on Wheels reaches Udaipur on Day 10, set on the shores ofJaisalmerpristine Lake Pichola and encircled by the Aravalli Ranges of Rajasthan.Jodhpur Sawai Madhopur Feb 2 5,295 Apr 6 4,795We enjoy a coach tour here ahead of a lake cruise.5 Mar 9 5,095 Oct 5 5,295Days 11-12 - Jaisalmer and Jodhpur Tour Code: INJ| per person based on 2 We arrive in Jaisalmer, a historic walled town in the Thar Desert whoseUdaipur sharing. Deposit from 750 per person. INDIA Supplement for solo travellers from 2,195. splendid sandstone architecture has earned it the moniker of thePlease note the itinerary for 2022 departures Golden City. Embarking on a guided tour, we explore the main chowk,may differ, please call for more details. For the or square, which is dominated by the Palace of the Maharawal. Here,Nights in hotel Nights on train Rail Coach Fly latest guidance on entry requirements, please visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice94 INDIAN SUBCONTINENT Call us on 01904 527194 or visit GreatRail.com for more details 95"