Taj Mahal with North India
Places to See : Delhi / Jodhpur / Jaisalmer / Jodhpur / Udaipur / Jaipur
/ Agra / Varanasi / Delhi
Duration: 14 Nights - 15 Days
Day 01: Arrival at Delhi
Company
representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport in
Delhi late in the evening. 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
Breakfast will be at Delhi. Proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi.
OLD DELHI - A sight-seeing 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 Mughal Empire.
Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
NEW DELHI - An extensive sight-seeing 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.
Enjoy the DANCES OF INDIA in the evening. Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 03: Delhi - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer
Early morning transfer for flight to Jodhpur. Reach and proceed to Jaisalmer
by surface.
Rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage is the city of
Jaisalmer. A commanding fort etched in yellow sandstone stands, with its awesome
splendor, dominating the amber-hued city.
The city has an interesting legend associated with it, according to which, Lord
Krishna-the head of the Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent
of the Yadav Clan would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy
was fulfilled in 1156 AD when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan and
a Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital - Jaisalmer,
perched on the Trikuta Hill.
Reach and check in at hotel. Overnight will be at Jaisalmer.
Day 04: Jaisalmer
After a relaxed breakfast proceed for full day sight-seeing tour of The Golden
City - Jaisalmer. It is in the heart of the Great Indian Desert. Its temple,
fort and palaces are all built of yellow stone. The city is a mass of intricately
carved buildings, facades and elaborate balconies. Visit the JAISALMER FORT
- The oldest living Fort in the world. (This is the highlight of the tour)
See the Patwaon-Ki-Havelies, Salim-Singh-Ki-Haveli and Gandhi Sagar Tank. Also
visit Barabagh Hill.
In the afternoon, proceed to the SAM SAND DUNES
for visiting the typical Rajasthani Desert Village. View the sunset from the
dunes, as the sky is set on fire. Return to the village for dinner amidst Rajasthani
musicians playing haunting tunes.
Stay overnight at Jaisalmer.
Day 05: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
Proceed in the morning after a leisurely breakfast and reach Jodhpur.
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.
Relax in the hotel and visit the museum of UMAID BHAWAN PALACE. Overnight will
be at Jodhpur.
Day 06: Jodhpur - Udaipur
Transfer to airport in the morning 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.
Relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 07: Udaipur - Jaipur
Proceed for sight-seeing tour of Udaipur after breakfast, 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.
Transfer in the evening for flight to 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 its character and history
- A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. It is a 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.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 08: Jaipur
Breakfast will be at 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 sight-seeing of the city.
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. It is a 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 09: Jaipur - Agra
Proceed for Agra after breakfast.
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 Buland Darwaza, the largest gateway in
the world.
Reach Agra and check in at hotel.
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.
Relax in the evening. Proceed for sight-seeing 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.
Visit Itmadullah's Tomb built by Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory of her father
(The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj).
Spend the night at Agra.
Day 10: Agra - Varanasi
Proceed for sight-seeing of TAJ MAHAL after breakfast.
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.
Transfer to the 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.
Overnight will be at Varanasi.
Day 11: Varanasi - Delhi
Drive very early morning to The Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred
river Ganges. 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 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. Then 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. Visit the Kashi Vishwanath
Temple while returning to the hotel.
Return for breakfast to the hotel. Proceed for day guided tour of Varanasi including
the Gyanvapi Mosque and Benaras Hindu University.
Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. Proceed for the FAREWELL DINNER before
reaching the airport for flight home with sweet memories of India.
Trip to the Bandhavgarh Fort: The oldest fort in India - considered to
be more than 2500 years. One-hour trek up the fort is worth the effort. The
charm of this trek lies in discovering these monuments in the jungle, unspoiled
and unexplored. Some of the statues lie off the main path and so it is best
to take a guide. Apart from the avatars, well worth seeing are three small temples
of around the 12th century. These temples are deserted but the fort is still
used as a place of worship. Kabir Das, the celebrated 16th century saint, once
lived and preached here. The natural ramparts of the fort give breathtaking
view of the surrounding countryside. The fort still belongs to the Maharaja
of Rewa and permission is required to visit it. However permission is available
locally and no trip to Bandhavgarh is complete without making an effort to climb
up the fort. The staff of the resort carries your lunch while you are busy negotiating
the trek to the fort.
Overnight will be at the resort.
Day 11: Bandhavgarh - Kanha
By Road 255 km in 6 hr
After
breakfast drive to Kanha.
This is the place that has been described by RUDYARD KIPLING in his great book
"The Jungle Book". Located in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh,
Kanha National Park is a tiger reserve that extends over an area of over 940
square km. A horseshoe shaped valley bounded by the spurs of the Mekal presents
an interesting topography. Steep rocky escarpments along the edges offer breathtaking
views of the valley. Realizing the danger on the Tiger population in the country,
the Government started the "Project Tiger" at Kanha and in 1974 the
area was declared a Tiger reserve. The park is also the habitat of the high
ground Barasingha.
In 1930s, the Kanha area was divided into two sanctuaries - Hallon and Banjar
of 250kms to 300kms each. Though one of these was subsequently disbanded .The
area remained a protected one until 1947. Depletion of the tiger population
in the year that followed led to the area being made an absolute sanctuary in
1952.
Patient watching should reward the visitor, with a sight of Indian Fox, Sloth
bear, Striped hyena, Jungle cut, Lepord, Mouse Deer, Chausingha or four horned
antelope, Nilgai, Ratel and Porcupine Kanha has some 200 species of birds. Watchers
should station themselves in the hills, where the mixed and bamboo forests harbour
many species and in the grassy forest clearings. Water birds can be seen near
the park's many rivulets and at Sarvantal, a pool that is frequented by water
birds and the area in front of the museum.
Excursion to Kawardha just east of the Maikala Range (up to 1100m) to the south
east of Kanha National Park, Kawardha is a small town in Chhattisgarh (34 forts)
region of M.P. In this remote area Maharaja Viswaraj Singh has recently opened
his palace to visitors. It provides a delightfully quite unspoiled contrast
with India's big cities and with the much busier tourist circuit of Rajasthan's
'palace circuit'. This town is in the center of the Baiga tribe, who live in
forest surrounding the town, and these are several eleventh century temples
in the immediate region.
Reach in the afternoon and relax at the resort.
Overnight will be at the Kanha Resort.
Day 12: Kanha
Breakfast will be at the resort.
Proceed for full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris with lunch
break in-between)
Overnight will be at the resort.
Day
13: Kanha - Nagpur
By Road 240 km in 5 hr
Proceed for the morning safari into forest.
Proceed to NAGPUR after lunch. Reach and relax at the hotel. Overnight will
be at Nagpur.
Day 14: Nagpur - Delhi
By Air
Flight Number : CD 7470/7469
Aircraft : Boeing 737
Departure : 0900/1010/1015 (Depending on the day)
Stopover : Nil
Arrival : 1025/1135/1140
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. Spend day relaxing at the hotel or
spending time at local markets. Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 15: Delhi - Home
Proceed for a day tour of Delhi after breakfast.
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 and the President's
Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Transfer to airport in time for flight home.
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