India School Group Holiday

Today we take the three hour train journey to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal – arguably the world’s most beautiful building, which was built as a testament to love.  We also visit the Friday Mosque and the royal tombs on the opposite bank of the river. Overnight: Hotel Amar Yatri Niwas or Hotel Grand (BLD)

Ranthambore National Park is one of the premier national parks of India a wonderful blend of historical ruins and wildlife, it is the habitat of Bengal tiger, nilgai, sambar and chital (types of antelope), sloth bear and jungle cat, plus crocodile in the lake. We take a couple of game drives in to the park today (morning & late afternoon).Overnight: Hotel Ranthambore Forest Resort or Hotel Tiger Villa (BLD)

Nb. Ranthambore National Park is closed during the summer months. Alternatively, Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary will be visited during this time.

During your stay in Jaipur you visit the City Palace, once the home of the maharaja, before seeing the 18th century Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built by the city’s founder Jai Singh. You’ll also see the famous Palace of the Winds; here royal maidens once watched the streets below through the fabulous jali (lattice screens) which hid them from prying male eyes. Today snake charmers and fortune-tellers ply their trade below the same hideaway. This evening enjoy a puppet show before the supper. Overnight: Hotel Palms or Shanti Bagh (BLD)

The Shekhawati region was home to many rich merchants and their wealth is evident from their finely built havelis (mansions). Surrounded by large walls, with many internal courtyards, the havelis provided security, privacy and shade. They were painted with floral designs of Moghul influence, scenes from Hindu mythology and - since the arrival of Europeans - modern inventions such as trains, bicycles and cars. These paintings document the changes that took place in India during the nineteenth century. Nawalgarh, founded in 1737, is a typical Shekhawati town. The temples and town walls still survive today and the old fort has some fine examples of painted frescoes. Perhaps one of the best examples is the Poddar haveli, with paintings of trains, cars, processions, and a game of chequers. It has now been converted into a school and must surely be the most decorated and ornate one in India! After lunch you leave Shekhawati and begin your journey eastwards by charter bus back to Delhi. To make this journey non-stop would make for a very tiring and arduous day, therefore after just a couple of hours driving you’ll make an overnight stop at another Shekhawati town - Surajgarh. Your hotel is a former fortified palace, and makes for both an unusual and memorable night’s stay. You can explore the surroundings and then in the evening enjoy Rajasthani Folk Performers (who are a local family from the town). Overnight: Surajgarh Fort (BLD)