A Soulful Journey to Fatehpur Sikri, the Taj Mahal and the Bear Rescue Facility in Agra. 3 Nights / 4 Days
Day 1: To be met on arrival at Delhi airport and transferred to the hotel.
Day 2: After an early breakfast, pick-up from the hotel and transfer by private car to Fatehpur Sikri. The journey time is approximately 4 hours, including one comfortable highway rest stop. Be met on arrival by your tour guide and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, concentrating on: Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti, Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal and Jodha Bai’s Palace. Fatehpur Sikri is open from sunrise to sunset, approximately between 06:00 and 18:00, and is open all seven days.
Do not attempt to cover every corner of the complex. It is suggested to use the authorised battery-bus service from the parking area. The site involves considerable walking, so allow plenty of time and regular sitting breaks.
Suggested place for lunch: Jodha restaurant (vegetarian friendly, does not accept credit cards).
At approximately 14:00, take a one-hour drive to Agra. Check into the Grand Mercure hotel close to the Taj Mahal. Other options are the Double Tree by Hilton and the Courtyard Hotel.
The rest of the day is at leisure to relax. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 3: 08:00 breakfast at the hotel. 09:00 depart by private car for the Taj Mahal accompanied by a guide. The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna. It was commissioned in 1631 by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan (r. 1628–1658) to house the tomb of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal and is one of the Wonders of the World.
The duration of the visit would be between 2 and 2 – 1/2 hours. The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. Use the battery bus/golf cart facility within. The visit to the main mausoleum is optional, and the additional ticket is about Rs 200.00 per person.
11:45 – 13:00 Pay a visit to the Agra Fort. The Fort is open from sunrise to sunset.
Suggested place for lunch: The Mughal Durbar (vegetarian friendly and accepts credit cards). The fare is Indian, Asian and Grill.
Post lunch, stop at the Itmad-Ud-Daula. This mausoleum was commissioned by Nur Jahan, the wife of Jahangir, for her father, Mirzā Ghiyās Beg, a Persian aristocrat in exile, who had been given the title of I’timād-ud-Daulah (pillar of the state). Mirzā Ghiyās Beg was also the grandfather of Mumtāz Mahāl, the wife of the emperor Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal as a tomb for Mumtāz Mahāl.
Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 4: 08:00 – 09:00 Breakfast. 09:00 Check out of the hotel (the luggage would remain in the private car) and depart for the Wildlife SOS Bear Rescue Facility en route to Delhi.
It is home to around 100 sloth bears that were rescued from the brutal practice of bear dancing. The Kalandar gypsies that depended on exploiting these bears were established in alternative livelihoods by Wildlife SOS to ensure the safety of the bears and a legal way of life for the community. This centre is run entirely from donations raised by Wildlife SOS. The Forest Department charges an admission of Rs 500 for Foreign Nationals and Rs 50 for Indians, but this does not go towards the upkeep of the bears. The 120-minute Conservation Tour will be booked in advance. The slot timings are from 11:00 – 13:00, 13:00 – 15:00 and 15:00 – 17:00. It provides an educational guided experience about rescued sloth bears and their rehabilitation. The facility is the world’s largest sloth-bear rescue facility and provides veterinary, rehabilitation and long-term care for these bears.
Suggested place for lunch: Happy Elephant Cafe & Gift Shop
This café is located at the Elephant Conservation & Care Centre (Wildlife SOS)—a convenient place to grab snacks/quick bites and drinks if you’re visiting the Wildlife SOS facilities and want food without going back into Agra. This conservation centre is about a 15-minute drive away from the bear rescue facility.
Post lunch: Depart for Delhi. The journey time is about 3 ½ – 4 ½ hours depending on the traffic. Upon arrival, check into the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 5: As planned.
