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Home :: India Culture Tours :: North India Cultural Tours
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 Tours
Proceed for Pushkar
for pushkar tours 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 Tours - Jaipur Tours
Pushkar Camel
FairAfter breakfast drive to beautiful Pink City - Jaipur. Reach and check in at
hotel. Jaipur :During your tours to Jaipur, you will
find that 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 tours
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 for enjoying the best Khajuraho tours. Transferred to hotel and relax. Evening will be
free. You can go out for a stroll. Overnight will be at
Khajuraho.
Day 10 : Khajuraho tours - 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.
