Duration: 12 nights & 13 days
 

Best season: November May

Destinations: Delhi Jaipur Agra Nainital Corbett National Park & Rishikesh

Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrive Delhi (room only)
Arrival in New Delhi before or after midnight. Overnight at the hotel.
 

Day 02: Delhi (breakfast)
Your guide will meet you at the hotel. After breakfast, guided tour of historic city of Delhi. The city where one can experience the influence of the many rulers who ruled this region, a city built and destroyed and rebuilt over seven times. The tour includes the magnificent Red Fort, the Jama Masjid, Asia's largest mosque, Rajghat the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi the "Father of the Nation". Afternoon tour of New Delhi to include Humanyun Tomb, Birla Mandir, Bahai Temple, Qutab Minar, India Gate, President'' House and drive through Connaught Place. Evening, see SonetLumerie at Red Fort (optional). Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Delhi/Jaipur (breakfast)
Drive to Jaipur (4 hr.) in the morning. Afternoon guided tour of Jaipur City covering City Palace, Hawa Mahal (Palace of winds) & Jantar Mantar (Observatory). Overnight in a colonial hotel.

Day 04: Jaipur/Agra (breakfast)
Morning tour of Amber Fort on the elephant back. Drive to Agra (6 hr.) at noon visiting Fatehpur Sikri en route. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 05: Agra/Pangot (Nainital) (breakfast)
Full day guided tour of Agra visiting Taj Mahal (Friday closed), Red Fort and Sikandra. Drive to Mathura (1 hour) to connect train in the evening to Lal Kuan (railhead for Nainital) at 2320 hours. Overnight in an airconditioned sleeper train.

Day 06: Pangot (lunch, dinner)
Arrive Lal Kuan station at 0845 hours and transfer to Nainital (2½ hr.) through the Himalayan roads. Leisurely walks towards China peak to see the panoramic Himalayan views, boating in Naini lake, birding at Kilbury. Overnight at Jungle Lore Birding Lodge.

Day 07: Pangot (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Layover day or bird watch. One can opt for short treks or hikes in the oak & rhododendron forest or learn Indian cooking. Jungle Lore Birding Lodge.

Day 08: Pangot/Corbett National Park (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Drive in the morning to Corbett National Park (3hr.) stopping en route for wildlife viewing and birding. Afternoon drive in the park for tiger tracking. Overnight in a cottage at Tiger Camp.

Day 09: Corbett National Park (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Morning elephant ride through the jungle for animal viewing. Afternoon jeep safari to another section of Corbett Tiger Reserve (optional) or nature walk with a guide along the river. Overnight in a cottage at Tiger Camp.

Day 10: Corbett National Park/Dehradun (breakfast, dinner)
Drive to Dehradun visiting Haridwar & Rishikesh en route. Option of visiting the banks of the Ganges. Visit Laxman Jhoola, ashrams, temples etc. In the evening witness the fascinating prayer on the HarkiPaudi (holy bathing banks on the Ganges) in Haridwar on the banks of river Ganga. Overnight in Shaheen Bagh.

Day 11: Dehradun (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day free to relax in the pristine surroundings of Shaheen Bagh to enjoy yoga & ayurvedic massage or visit a small hill town, Mussoorie. Nestled in the Doon Valley on the banks of the Tons River is Shaheen Bagh, the country home of an avid ornithologist and a graphic designer. This private estate in the hills is now open to select visitors who desire a getaway in the midst of nature. The house, with an adjoining cottage, is located on a 7acre estate verdant with fruit orchards, many species of exotic and rare plants and trees. The landscaped gardens, spread across five levels, are a visual delight with their watercourses, lily pools and picturesque pathways. Overnight in Shaheen Bagh.

Day 12: Dehradun Rafting trip / Delhi (breakfast, lunch)
Drive to the put in point for rafting on river Ganga staring from Kaudiyala and terminating at Rishikesh. Drive back to Delhi (6 hours). Overnight in the hotel.

Day 13: Delhi onward journey (breakfast)
Day at leisure. Check out at noon. The car will be at your disposal. Connect flight to onward destination in the evening.