Big Cats & the Golden Triangle 13 days

International flights are not included as part of your package but can be arranged and added with ease. This morning you will arrive independently to Mumbai airport and take a morning flight to Rajkot. Upon arrival in Rajkot you will be transferred by private car to Sasan Gir, an approximately 4-hour drive. After checking in at the Gir Lion safari Camp the rest of the evening will be at your leisure.

3 nights accommodation at Gir Lion Safari Camp on a full board basis including breakfast, lunches, dinners and game drives.

Morning and afternoon jeep safaris into the park looking especially for the rare Asiatic lions, but also for leopards, other mammals and spectacular birdlife in the park.

Full board accommodation at Gir Lions Safari Camp

A further morning jeep safari into Gir National Park followed by an early afternoon drive of about 3 hours back to Rajkot airport for the 17.40 flight to Mumbai. Upon arrival in Mumbai you will check in to the Waterstones boutique hotel for an overnight stay with breakfast included.

Early morning transfer by private vehicle to the airport for 11.35 flight to Jaipur. Upon arrival in Jaipur a private transfer will take you to Ranthambore where you will check in to Ranthambore Kothi. The rest of the evening will be at your leisure.

3 nights’ accommodation at Ranthambore Kothi on full board basis including breakfast, lunches, dinners and shared game drive.

Morning and afternoon jeep safaris into the national park, looking not only for tigers but also enjoying sightings of other wildlife and birds and the picturesque ruins of palaces and temples in this varied landscape.

Once the hunter grounds of the maharajahs of Jaipur and later the British, Ranthambhore National Park (Sawai Madhopur) was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955. The wildlife, including the tiger population is thankfully flourishing so the Indian government have decided to increase the national park to encompass a range of hills close to Ranthambhore to ensure the Tiger populations have the space to grow.

Expect to see tiger, sloth bear, mongoose, samber, cheetal, langur monkeys and if you are lucky also leopard, hyena, jackal and march crocodile. 

Excellent birding opportunities including paradise flycatcher, serpent eagle, jacana, painted stork, Bonellis eagle, horned owl, grey partridge, white necked stork, king vulture, ring dove, golden backed woodpecker and many more.

Do not miss the opportunity to visit the fort which is a wonderful backdrop to the majestic landscape and its many lakes.

Full board accommodation at Ranthambore Kothi.

A last jeep safari in the park this morning, and lunch at the hotel before departing by road to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Jaipur is sometimes called the 'Pink City', a colour representing hospitality in Rajasthan, so named to celebrate a visit by the Prince of Wales in 1876. Tonight's accommodation will be at the charming Shapura House, a converted former home of a local royal family, featuring a fusion of Indian and Mughal architecture.

2 nights' accommodation at Shahpura House with breakfast included.

This morning enjoy a tour of Jaipur city, including the ornate City Palace and Hawa Mahal facade, and the fascinating Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory with its enormous stone sundial and other instruments for interpreting the heavens. In the afternoon head out of town to Amber Fort, one of the many ancient forts surrounding Jaipur and the former centre of the kingdom before it was moved to Jaipur. Please note that we don't include an elephant ride up to the fort for ethical reasons. 

This morning take a private transfer by road to Bharatpur (approximately 4.5 hour drive). In the afternoon a tour inside Keoladeo National Park is included.

Overnight at the Laxmi Vilas Place, a heritage hotel, with dinner and breakfast included.

After a leisurely breakfast this morning, take the short drive to Agra stopping at the ancient, abandoned Mughal capital of Fatehpur Sikri. This afternoon visit the famous Red Fort of Agra.

Overnight at the Mansingh Palace Hotel with breakfast included.

Early morning guided excursion to the Taj Mahal to watch the sun rise over this magical monument to love. Later, travel by road to Delhi International Airport for a convenient final night before your departure tomorrow.

Overnight at the Red Fox Delhi International Airport.

On day 13 after breakfast you will be transferred to the airport terminal for your homeward flight.