North India Cultural Tour
Duration : 12 Nights / 13 Days
Destinations : Delhi - Udaipur - Ranakpur - Jodhpur - Pushkar -
Jaipur - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi
Day
01: Delhi
Arrival at Delhi. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis
with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect
introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the
kaleidoscope - that is India. Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 02 : Delhi - Udaipur
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to
Udaipur. Reach and check in at hotel.
The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure lake, hemmed
in by the lush hills of the Aravallis. A vision in white drenched in
romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and
experiences and inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and
writers.
Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and
narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic past,
epitomizing valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of
the Lake Pichola is an enticing sight.
Udaipur is the jewel of Mewar -a kingdom ruled by the
Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years.
Proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur in the afternoon, stopping first
at City Palace. Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and
ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies and the
Peacock Courtyard.
Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and
the local folk Museum.
Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake
Pichola. From he boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it
rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert.
Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace in the middle
of the lake. Spend some time at the Jag Mandir Palace. Overnight will be
at Udaipur.
Day 03 : Udaipur - Jodhpur
En-route,
visit the Ranakpur Temples, dating back to the 15th century. 200 pillars,
none of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds with
intricate friezes and sculptures. Includes visits to two more Jain temples
and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
Set at the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes
with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital
of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the
Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic
hero of the Ramayana. The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on
the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above the plains. The city is
encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable
bastions.
Check in at Jodhpur. Relax in the hotel and visit the museum of Umaid
Bhawan Palace. Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 04 : Jodhpur
Jaswant Thada, JodhpurMorning go for a village safari in the jeep and
have a rare glimpse into the rich culture and true essence of India.
Abundant wildlife (game) and memorable moments of the great desert
landscape fascinates one while driving along the countryside.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jodhpur - gateway to the desert beyond,
home of the Rathors of Marwar, visit the Mehrangarh Fort, rising up a
hilly scarp, built on the advice of a hermit, overlooking the city in the
image of a long sentinel. Inside the Fort are a number of palaces added by
successive rulers. In this palace you would see different miniature
paintings & cradle room. After this you would visit Jaswant Thada
Memorial. Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 05 : Jodhpur - Pushkar
Proceed for Pushkar after breakfast. Reach Pushkar by noon and relax.
» Pushkar :
Amongst the grandeur of Rajasthan, discover a unique gem - Pushkar. Lord
Brahma - The creator of the world in a search for his abode on earth,
performed the supremely spiritual Vedic Yagna at Pushkar. It is thus the
site of the only Brahma Temple in the world. Blessed with cultural blends,
it is the venue for the famous Pushkar Fair, with people coming from all
over Asia to buy and sell cattle of breeds from across the world. The
consecrated mausoleum of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti at Ajmer attracts
pilgrims from all over the world. A city of Pilgrimage from time
immemorial with over 500 temples and Ghats Pushkar begets a legacy of
timeless architectural heritage. Pushkar radiates an ambience of peace and
spirituality that casts a lure to visit again and again. The Pushkar fair
is amongst the largest cattle fairs in the world and amongst the oldest
cities in India, with references in mythology and the Mahabharat. There
are 52 bathing Ghats, which are linked to the lunar calendar, enclose the
lake. Each Ghat has its own miraculous qualities and powers of healing and
this city of temples has over 500 temples built over different eras with
varied architectural styles. The rose garden of Rajasthan - the essence of
the famous Pushkar rose is exported the world over. Pushkar has the most
varied terrain in Rajasthan with sand, rock, hills, and proximity to a
number of heritage properties in the area and a number of fairs and
festivals - especially on the new and full moon days.
Visit the mausoleum, Anasagar and Akbar's Palace. Overnight will be at
Pushkar.
Day 06 : Pushkar - Jaipur
Pushkar Camel FairAfter breakfast drive to beautiful Pink City - Jaipur.
Reach and check in at hotel.
» Jaipur :
The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the
eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the
Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana.
In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains it's
character and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and
modernity. Popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use
of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the
visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with
its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush
gardens.
Explore the city markets. Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 07 : Jaipur
Breakfast to be served at the hotel. Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort
in the outskirts of Jaipur. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.
» Amber Fort Palace :
Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction
was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai
Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a
beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.
Proceed for sightseeing of the city.
» Jaipur City Palace :
A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the
City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It
houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace
Museum.
» Jantar Mantar :
This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories
built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory
consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
» Hawa Mahal :
The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent
landmark in Jaipur. Its five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink
encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has
953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a
royal grandstand for the palace women.
Visit a rug factory and see the ladies at the intricate work or a gem
factory and see the gem cutting and polishing process. Overnight will be
at Jaipur.
Day 08 : Jaipur - Agra
After breakfast drive to Agra.
Stop at Fatehpur Sikri. The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar
built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an
exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins"
are in pristine condition ... it's not hard to imagine what the court life
must have been like in the days of it's grandeur. Also visit the Bulund
Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world. Reach Agra in the afternoon.
» Agra :
Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little
village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire -
giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor
to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone
and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible
charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not
surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most
conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will
introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.
Check in at hotel and proceed for sightseeing of Itmadullah's Tomb built
by Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory of her father (The interiors of which are
considered better than the Taj). Proceed to visit Taj at sunset. Enjoy
battery van ride to the Taj.
» Taj Mahal :
Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always
the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah
Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz
Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and
planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design
balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its
elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work
ever seen. Proceed for sightseeing to the AGRA FORT - Built by the famed
Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red
sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is
a major tourist attraction. Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 09 : Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho
Temple, OrchhaBreakfast will be at hotel. Transfer to the station for
train to Jhansi. Reach Jhansi and transfer to Orchha, 12 km away.
» Orchha :
A medieval city founded by Bundela rulers with Palaces and Temples of the
16th and 17th century - which have remarkably withstood the onslaught of
time. The city is Picturesquely flanked by the river Betwa. Proceed for
sightseeing of ORCHHA sites within the Fort Complex. Enjoy your lunch at
Orchha. Continue drive to Khajuraho.
Situated in the heart of India, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho
is a fascinating village with a quaint, rural ambience and a rich cultural
heritage, honoured by the World as India's unique contribution to human
civilaisation. The Chandela Dynasty built eighty-five temples here. Twenty
remain as embodiments of Indian Architectural and Sculptural Art at its
most evolved state. Even ten centuries after they were constructed, the
temples of Khajuraho reflect an eternal philosophy relevant to all
mankind. The temples of Khajuraho is a World Heritage Site and belong not
just to India but to the World. Khajuraho is one of the few millenium
destinations of the World.
Reach Khajuraho. Transferred to hotel and relax. Evening will be free.
You can go out for a stroll. Overnight will be at Khajuraho.
Day 10 : Khajuraho - Varanasi
Varanasi
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed for a guided tour of the exotic
temples of Khajuraho. Transfer in time to airport for flight to Varanasi.
Varanasi is the World's most ancient living city. Sunrise on the
riverfront, as seen from a boat, can be spiritually uplifting sight.
Crowded with temples, and its labyrinth of streets, the city attracts the
maximum number of tourists. The religious capital of Hinduism, Varanasi is
the carpet manufacturing place of India. It was previously known as Kashi
- the city that illuminates. The present name is derived from the fact
that the city is at the confluence of the rivers Varuna and Asi.
» Visit Sarnath :
5 miles out of Varanasi for a day excursion: One of the holiest Buddhist
sites in the world, where Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 BC.
Witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit
a fine Museum which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and
sculptures found at the site.
Proceed to the hotel. Overnight will be at Varanasi.
Day 11 : Varanasi - Delhi
VaranasiMorning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the
sacred river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living
traditions of one of the world's oldest and most important religions. (To
start at 0500 hrs. for the best lifetime experience) For you to appreciate
this remarkable city, we'll transfer you to the banks of the River Ganges
before the sun rises. Board a boat with your guide and proceed to the
middle of the river, where at sunrise the sight unfolds before you.
Thousands of faithful come daily to the banks to bathe and pray while in
the background, temples and palaces rise in tiers from the water's edge.
Return for a walk through the cobblestone streets along the banks of "Ganga".
As shops are opening, the place now becomes a beehive of activity as the
faithful are coming and going.
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed for a day-guided tour of Varanasi
including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Gyanvapi Mosque, Benaras Hindu
University and other important monuments.
Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. Reach and transfer to hotel.
Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 12 : Delhi
Qutub Minar, DelhiBreakfast at hotel. Proceed for a full day tour of Old &
New Delhi.
» Old Delhi :
A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the
memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest
mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace
of the Moghul Empire.
Take a cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
» New Delhi :
An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the
Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue -
Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's
Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 13 : Delhi - Home
Breakfast will be at hotel. Morning will be free to explore the city and
finish last minute shopping. Transfer to the airport for flight home with
sweet memories of India.
