Bird watching at Bharatpur, Keladeo national Park,bird watching in Chambal,Indian birds.

Day 1: Arrive - Delhi
After clearing customs and immigration formalities you are met in the arrival hall and transferred to our centrally located hotel.

Day 2: New Delhi
This morning is free to rest and relax following your flights to India. In the afternoon we begin to explore the sights of New Delhi, a city that is a blend of ancient and pre independence India. These include the Qutab Minar, the tapering monument begun in 1199 that was built to symbolize the supremacy of Islam, and Himayun�s tomb, built by his senior wife and the mother of Emperor Akbar. It is the believed that it was this mausoleum that inspired Shah Jahan to build the Taj Mahal. We�ll also see the elegant government buildings designed by Lutyen and Baker, where the architecture is a blend of Indian and European styles in celebration of the British rule in India. The most outstanding of this collection is the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace. We�ll finish the afternoon with a stroll in the lovely Lodi Gardens. The gardens are a favorite meeting place for illicit lovers, joggers and a picnic spot for families. Housed in the gardens are the tombs of the Sayd and Lodi rulers, predecessors of the Mughals. Overnight in New Delhi

Day 3: Delhi/Varanasi
This morning we fly to the famous city of Varanasi (or Benares). Dating back to the days of Nineveh and Thebes, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world. One of India�s most sacred cities, a devout Hindu believes to die and be cremated in Varanasi is to gain �moksha� or release from the eternal cycle of rebirth. A visit to the old city is a fascinating insight into the rituals of Hinduism, where every temple is well attended and every street corner has roadside shrines and vendors selling garlands, incense sticks and other items used in worship. We walk through the narrow alleys where we share space with cows, scooters, cycle rickshaws, shops and people to the banks of the Ganges. Here we board a boat, which takes us mid stream to witness the evening �aarti� ceremony. This is the evening service performed by a priest on the banks of the river. Accompanied by the hypnotic beat of drums and bells and the chanting of prayers, the whole ceremony is mesmerizing ending with the release of hundreds of lamps into the waters of the river. Overnight in Varanasi.

Day 4: Varanasi/Agra
Varanasi reveals the spiritual heart of India, and the best way to experience this is to tour the Ganges in a country boat at sunrise. Pilgrims, yogis and mystics flock to the ghats (steps) which lie along the banks of the Ganges, to take a cleansing dip in India�s holiest river, practice yoga, meditate, or to complete mundane earthly chores such as washing clothes and vessels. Early morning life in this city revolves around the ghats. Varanasi is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, and Sarnath, a short distance from the city, is the spot where the Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment in 500 BC. The place is marked by the Dhamekha Stupa, and while visiting the archeological site at Sarnath you can stop at the Stupa and walk the path the Buddha followed during his meditations. Close to the sight is a temple where a Japanese artist has painted the significant events in the Life of the Buddha on the walls and there is also a museum with many relics excavated from the site.
From Sarnath we transfer to the airport for the flight to Agra. Overnight in Agra.

Day 5: Agra/Jaipur
You may like to rise early today to visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise.
Once the capital of the great Mughal Empire, Agra is home to some of their finest architectural creations. The Agra Fort reveals the Mughal talent for combining defensive architecture with beauty and design. This fort palace was begun by Akbar as a purely defensive citadel and was subsequently completed by two successive generations who added the delicate mosaic and magnificent marble palaces. The fort is the history of Mughal life in Agra and offers a magical view of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal itself has been described as �a tear on the face of eternity� and built by a grieving Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, exists as an enduring monument to love. Constructed from glistening marble, and fabulously decorated in a mosaic of semi precious stones, the �Taj� is a stunning mausoleum. This afternoon we drive to Rajasthan, stopping on the way at the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. This one of the world�s most perfect ghost cities and a marvel of design and construction. It was built in the 16th century by Emperor Akbar, and is a synthesis of the flourishing styles of the Persian courts and the prevailing Hindu Islamic trends. Today its pristine red sandstone buildings are as perfect as when they were first chiseled, and none is more impressive than the Jewel House of the Diwan-I-Khas. Architecturally extraordinary, the four doorways lead into a single storey room where a huge, richly carved central pillar, supports a seat reached by mid air walkways. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 6: Jaipur
Hill forts were always important to the Rajput rulers. Belonging to the Hindu �Kshatriya� or warrior class, they believed that �a fort is the strength of a king�. And so they built a number of such forts all over the state of Rajasthan, some made for purely defensive purposes, but most built as fort palaces. In the morning we visit Amber, one of the finest examples of a fort palace in all Rajasthan.
In the afternoon we stop at the city palace, a series of open courtyards, simple stables and buildings leading to the richly decorated royal rooms of the Chandra Mahal. The museum within the palace house a fabulous collection of textiles, carpets, manuscripts and costumes from the personal collection of the royal family. We also visit the ancient observatory, the Jantar Mantar, literally meaning �Instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens�. We end our day at the colorful market dominated by the elegant tapering Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds. Nine stories high, decorated with delicately carved niches and balconies, this pink sandstone fa�ade served as a concrete �purdah� or screen for ladies of the royal harem, who would watch the activities of the city from a position of privacy. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 7: Jaipur/Ranthambore National Park
Following breakfast, we depart on a three hour drive to Ranthambore National Park. This 420 sq km park was at one time the hunting grounds for the Maharaja of Jaipur and his court, before being declared a reserve forest within Project Tiger. Dominated by the massive ramparts of Ranthambore Fort, the varied vegetation of the park is the home to a wide variety of wild life and birds, and is regarded as the best spot in India to catch a glimpse of the elusive tiger. (Even Bill Clinton managed to see a tiger when he visited Ranthambore a few years ago!) We will arrive in time for an evening visit to the park.

Day 8: Ranthambore National Park/Jodhpur
Rising early, we visit the park at sunrise, returning to the lodge in time for breakfast. Later, a visit to the Ranthambore Fort offers marvelous views of the reserve forest. Then, following an early lunch we drive to Jaipur in time to board our train to Jodhpur that departs in the late afternoon. We arrive in Jodhpur later this evening and transfer to our hotel for the night.

Day 9: Jodhpur/Jaisalmer
Our drive to the desert citadel of Jaisalmer is a photographer�s delight. On the way we pass camel carts, vibrant and colorful Rajasthani women carrying produce to the market, and men sporting brightly colored turbans usually sitting groups just passing the time of the day. Before reaching Jaisalmer, we�ll stop at the sand dunes of Samm, a spot of an awesome beauty with spectacular sunsets. (Camel rides are also available here for the adventurous.) Overnight in Jaisalmer.

Day 10: Jaisalmer
Almost 900 years old, Jaisalmer was a major post on the trade route across the forbidding Thar Desert, and still today, one�s first glimpse of the honey colored walls of the fort, rising out of the hot and barren desert is magical. Untouched by time, Jaisalmer, with its golden crenellated walls and narrow streets lined with exquisite havelies, has a medieval ambience. The fort encloses palaces decorated with delicate jali or lattice worked screens, carved doors and flora carvings, and elaborately carved 12th to 16th century Jain temples. The havelies in both the fort and the town are exceptional. Similar in style to the homes of Venetian merchants, the havelies were the mansions of wealthy traders. The houses are decorated with beautifully carved facades, jali screens and oriel windows, each with an inner courtyard surrounded by richly decorated apartments.
Outside the walls of the fortified town is the small oasis of Gadi Sagar, which led Prince Jaisal to found his city. Many shrines surround the oasis, and it is a favorite spot for many migratory birds. Beautiful sunsets can be seen from the Chattris or royal memorials, where you may be besieged by children chattering in different languages � Spanish, Italian, German and English - all overlaid with an American accent. Overnight in Jaisalmer.

Day 11: Jaisalmer/Jodhpur
After breakfast we return to explore the city of Jodhpur.
The best way to trace the history of Jodhpur is to visit the majestic Meherangarh Fort, which dominates the skyline. The main gates bear the evocative handprints of the �Sati� queens - the women of the royal harem, who took their own lives when their men were defeated in battle. The fort has a series of spectacular palaces, each decorated with exquisite engravings, lattice and mirror work. We also have a chance to browse in the bazaars of the old city for Jodhpur�s famous glass bangles, rugged �mojri� slippers and vivid tie and dye fabric. The area around the bazaars is a wonderful example of 19th century town planning, blending Rajasthani concepts with more contemporary styles. Overnight in Jodhpur.

Day 12: Jodhpur/Deogarh
Just two hours from Jodhpur is little known Deogarh, a medieval fortress town and the home of Rawat Nahar Singhji, a knowledgeable art connoisseur, and his wife, the Ranisahiba. Here we are their guest as we have the opportunity to stay in a classic Rajasthani castle � the Deogarh Mahal. Built in 1670 AD as a family residence, it is the hub of village activity and towers over the town below. Each of the restored rooms in this castle has been decorated in a unique traditional fashion and original frescoes from the Rajasthani School of miniature paintings adorn the walls. While there, we can explore the town, visiting the market and the craftspeople, and take a boat on Raghosagar Lake cross from the palace, to see the ruins of an old fort on the opposite side. For those who wish, there are also wonderful hikes in the surrounding hills. In the evening we can enjoy the sunset from the magnificent terraces overlooking the countryside. Overnight at Deogarh Mahal.

Day 13: Deogarh/Udaipur
In the morning you may like to take a short ride on the narrow gauge train from the tiny Deogarh station. It is a charming one-hour trip through the countryside, passing villages, lakes and the forested hills of the Aravali Hills. Later we depart for Udaipur stopping on the way at Ranakpur, one of the architectural gems of the area. Surrounded by tangled forests and lots of monkeys playing in the courtyard, Ranakpur is one of the most important pilgrim centers for the Jain community. Built on an incredibly grandiose scale with elaborate ornamentation, it is fascinating to explore the 700 year old temple with its almost 1200 pillars, each carved in detail and distinct from one another. Overnight in Udaipur.

Day 14: Udaipur
Udaipur with its lakes and palaces, cradled in the hills of the Aravali range is a very romantic city and an oasis in the stark surroundings. The name itself �The City of sunrise� evokes a sense of romance. In the old city, immerse yourself in the experience of a walk where you share space with cows, elephants, people and the ubiquitous Indian �two wheeler�. We�ll pass houses displaying wonderful examples of folk art, shops selling clothes, art, utensils, shoes and groceries � if you decide to shop here, bargaining is very much part of the Indian shopping experience. There are numerous cafes with lake views and a cooling lassi or reviving cup of Chai, and if you need even more entertainment, you can always stop and watch the James Bond video, Octupussy. Since a portion of the film was shot here, he has become Udaipur�s favorite son and every street corner advertises the film.
Other sightseeing can include the City Palace, the former home of the Maharanas of Udaipur, that features a feast of marble and vibrant mosaics. Nearby, the Gardens of the Maids of Honor, is a small ornamental pleasure garden decorated with elegant lotus pools, gushing fountains and black marble kiosks. In the evening, we tour Lake Pichola in a private motorboat. In the center of the lake is Jag Mandir Island, which commands a magnificent view of the City Palace. The palace and pavilion is built of yellow sandstone inlaid with marble and dedicated to the Lord of the Universe.

Day 15: Udaipur/Delhi
In the morning we transfer to the airport in Udaipur for our flight to Delhi, and after checking into our hotel, are able to spend the afternoon exploring the �Old Delhi�, the city that came into prominence when Shah Jahan moved his capital from Agra to Delhi.
The Red Fort is the landmark in this part of the city, and from there we reach the 300 year old Chandni Chowk market. A maze of lanes crowded with shops selling an extraordinary variety of items and food, the noise and crowds are a quintessential part of any Indian market. Walking through the market you find lanes each dedicated to a particular item, like a department store. Leather wear, clothes, bridal wear, jewelry, and of course the aromatic popular street food ranging from syrupy deep fried sweet meats to Paranthas � bread stuffed with a variety of vegetables. We end the afternoon in complete contrast to the noise and crowds of Old Delhi, at Raj Ghat, a simple and stunning memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the main architect of India�s independence.

Late in the evening we transfer to the international airport for departing flights.