Our 13-day Northern India itinerary takes you through the great
northern plains of India, traversed by the Ganges and Yamuna
rivers, have been the cradle of the mighty empires of the last
two millennia, from the Mauryan dynasty that reached its zenith
under Ashoka in the 3rd century BC to the powerful Mughals
whose glorious architectural legacy is evident in the many
forts, palaces and temples that remain. An introduction to the
varied splendors of the subcontinent.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Free and easy tour * Fully escorted by English speaking guide with minimum 07 pax group * Comprehensive sightseeing tours * World heritage sights visits * Shopping and craft visits * Visit to the Tajmahal * Visit to magnificent forts & palaces of Rajasthan * Elephant-back excursion to Amber Fort in Jaipur * Visit to the holiest town of Pushkar * Boat cruise at Lake Pichola in Udaipur * Indian classical dance performance and farewell dinner in Delhi
Day 1 :Delhi / jaipur (250kms – 5hrs)
Met by our representative at your Hotel in Delhi who will assist you in boarding your vehicle and drive to the royal city of Jaipur, also known as ‘The Pink City' due to the predominant colour of its buildings. Throbbing, vibrant capital city of the colourful state of Rajasthan where the regal ambience of yesteryear is still felt throughout the city's numerous carved arches and once-bejewelled fortress walls. This evening, visit the Birla Temple to learn more about the fascinating religious life of Jaipur. The marble structure, built as recently as 1985, houses ornate statues including one of Lakshmi (goddess of Wealth and Beauty) and Narayan dressed in gaudy robes, representing a Hindu vision of heavenly luxury. Carvings in the temple and on pillars supporting the covered walkways include images of the Hindu pantheon, as well as Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Francis of Assisi. Your visit will coincide with the AARTI Ceremony, which involves oil lamps being lit and waved, in order to awake and invoke the deity. Enjoy the experience and spend night at Jaipur. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2 :Jaipur
Morning breakfast followed by a sight-seeing tour of the city visiting the dramatic hilltop fortress at Amber – ascend the imposing fort on a decorated painted elephant. We wander among glittering inlays and the Hall of Mirrors. On the way back we stop to view the elegant Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds this elaborate building, now little more than a façade, is encrusted with delicate screens and carved balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters, could sneak views of the outside world. Post lunch we tour the Maharajah’s City Palace, now partly a museum display a unique fusion of Mughal and Hindu architecture, and house a rare collection of paintings, Rajput armoury and costumes. Albert Hall, Situated in the middle of the garden as a centre attraction was the exquisitely built structure of Albert Hall, which was designed by sir Swinton Jacob, a British architect who designed many palaces in Rajasthan. Combining the elements of English and north Indian architecture known as the pride of the New Jaipur opened in 1887 AD, it is a very well maintained and impressive building displaying a rich collection of Art- de- fact like paintings, carpet, ivory, stone and metal sculptures and colourful crystal works etc. Later we explore the city on our own and indulge in shopping for gemstones, silver jewellery, Paintings, blue pottery and hand printed textiles that Jaipur is renowned for.Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 3 : Jaipur/Ranthambore
After enjoying a hearty breakfast a leisurely drive takes us to Ranthambhore, former hunting preserve of the Maharajas, famous for the wildlife sanctuary, which is said to have the India’s friendliest Tigers and considered to be the best place in the world to photograph the tiger in its natural habitat, a wonderful place for bird watching too. Evening we have the option to visit Mansarovar lake (26 Kms) which offers Best Scenic Vistas and is a Paradise for Bird watchers. We can stay here till sunset. Overnight stay at the Jungle Lodge.
Day 4 : Ranthambore
On morning and late afternoon game excursions in the park, we are likely to see Nilgai (blue bull), barking deer and sloth bear and perhaps the very elusive Royal Bengal tiger. Park visit Timings 7:00am - 10:00am & 2:30pm - 5:30pm. Overnight stay at the Jungle Lodge.
Day 5 :Ranthambore/BHaratpur
After breakfast passing through the images of rural India we drive leisurely to the Bird’s Paradise Bharatpur - lying between the cities of Agra and Jaipur in the north-west is famous for Keoladeo Ghana bird sanctuary, a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE is a home to an astonishing range of flora and fauna. An abundance of birdlife is found here, including the open-bill and painted stork, egret, darter, white ibis, spoonbill, grey heron, Sarus crane, cormorant, migratory geese, duck, rosy pelican and the rare Siberian crane.Evening we set out on a Rickshaw (Tricycle) to explore the local city. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 6 :BHaratpur / Fatehpursekri
Morning we have a completely rewarding experience of seeing an overwhelming range of birds during the rickshaw (tricycle) ride into the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Afternoon we drive towards the home town of Taj Mahal – Agra. Enroute we tour FatehpurSikri - a UNESCO World Heritage Site which has been described as “the world’s most perfectly preserved ghost town”. Built by Akbar in the late 16th century, it was abandoned after only 14 years, and the elegant buildings of this superb walled city remain intact to this day.Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 7 :Agra
After breakfast we leave to explore the monumental heritage of the Great Mughals, including the magnificent Taj Mahal (Closed on Fridays),a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE and one of the Seven Wonders of the World and surely the most extravagant expression of love ever created. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this memorial to Shah Jahan's beloved wife. It's a wealth of white marble and semi-precious stone – « undoubtedly the highlight of the tour ». Post lunch tour of the imposing Agra Fort, a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE this powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques. Afternoon we visit Mother Teresa’s Orphanage. Later we have some free time to explore the local handicrafts and shopping centers of the city where one can look for marble inlay work, fine quality carpets, Zari and embroidery, leather goods etc.Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8 : Agra/Gwalior
Today our drive takes us to Gwalior - Steeped in the splendour of its past, the ancient capital of Gwalior has yet made a successful transition into a modern Indian city, vibrant and bustling. A multitude of reigning dynasties, of the great Rajput clans of the Pratiharas, Kacchwahas and Tomars have left indelible etchings of their rule in this city of palaces, temples and monuments. In Gwalior we visit the Jai Vilas Palace Museum (Monday Closed), A splendour of a different kind exists in the Jai Vilas Palace, current residence of the Scindia family. Some 35 rooms have been made into the Scindia Museum, and in these rooms, so evocative of a regal lifestyle, the past comes alive. Also we visit the Gwalior Fort, Standing on a steep mass of sandstone, Gwalior Fort dominates the city and is its most magnificent monument.Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 9 :Gwalior / Orchha
After breakfast we drive leisurely to Orchha - once the capital of Bundelas, Orchha is a village, set amongst a complex of well-preserved palaces and temples. Though Orcha was founded in 1531, it's golden age was during the first half of 17th century. When Jehangir visiting the city in 1606, a special palace, the Jehangir Mahal was built for him. On arrival we check inn to our Hotel. Post lunch tour of this historical site with magnificent temples and monuments. Some of the Palaces were decorated with painted murals, which represent the finest flowering of the Bundela school of Painting.Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10 :Orchha / khajuraho
After breakfast we our drive towards Khajuraho, the legendary temples of Khajuraho built in the 9th and the 10th century are an incomparable experience. Acknowledged as one of the world’s artistic wonders.Khajuraho has achieved fame for the sensual appeal of its erotic sculptures. On arrival we check inn to our hotel. Evening we witness the fascinating Sound & Light show (if available) evokes the life and times of the great Chandela Kings and traces the story of the unique temples from the 10th Century to the present day. Mounted in the complex of the Western Group of temples. Overnight stay at the hotel
Day 11 :fly khajuraho / varanasi
Morning we visit the exquisite 10th century temples of Khajurahoa UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE. Afternoon fly to Varanasi, said to be the India’s most sacred city situated on the western bank of the holy river Ganga. It is also the oldest living city in the world. As a place for devotion and worship, with hundreds of temples dotting the city, sunrise on the riverfront as seen from a boat can be a spiritually uplifting sight. It has a fascination uniquely its own, a quality of sublime beauty, a timeless eternal appeal. Varanasi is the city, which cannot be described, only experienced. Met on arrival and we transfer to our hotel. Evening we take the rickshaw ride to the holy river Ganges passing through the busy streets of Varanasi, and later we take the boat cruise to view the “Aarti”ceremony on the Ghats. (Praying the holy river). Overnight stay at the hotel
Day 12 :Varanasi
Early morning we take a Boat cruise at the river Ganges to observe the way of life of pilgrims by the Ghats. We rise before dawn and step gingerly onto a rickety old boat as the wizened boatman coasts off. You wait, still, for the daily miracle to unfold. Just then, as if having waited for the audience to settle reverently in their assigned places, the Sun God appears triumphantly over the horizon. The sound of conches and temple bells rent the delicate pink fabric of dawn. The formerly hushed murmuring of ancient Sanskrit Shlokas, now rises, in one voice, to a crescendo of unparalleled piety and joy. We return back to hotel, have breakfast and relax till afternoon. Post lunch we visit Sarnath, an important pilgrimage centre for Buddhist. This is where the Buddha preached his first sermon after getting enlightenment. Sarnath's temples and Archaeological Museum are full of Buddhist art treasures. Later we will visit several temples and the Hindu University at Benares. First stop would be the Bharat Mata (temple of Mother India), Inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi, it features a huge marble map of India on the ground floor. Next up, the Durga Temple, Known for its bright red color and the playful, if sometimes aggressive, monkeys that run amok there, the Durga Temple is one of the most imposing architectural monuments in Varanasi. SankatMochan Temple, Hanuman Temple is one of the sacred temples of Hindu god Hanuman. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 13 :Fly Varanasi / Delhi
Morning at leisure, after we fly to Delhi.Met on arrival and we leave to for farewell dinner and Indian Folk Dances Show at popular Delhi restaurant. Later transfer to the international airport to Board your homeward flight or connect to your onward destination.