Luxury Travel
» Best of North India & Rajasthan Tour
Best of North India & Rajasthan Tour
Duration: 14 Nights / 15 Days
Destinations: Delhi - Varanasi - Khajuraho
- Agra - Jaipur - Pushkar - Nimaj - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Delhi
Day 01 Arrive at Delhi:
Company representatives will receive you on in Delhi. Transfer to your hotel.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with
a fascinating blend of the past and the present. Delhi is a perfect introduction
to the composite culture of an ancient land and a window to the kaleidoscope
- that is India.
Relax.
Stay with friend.
Day 02 Delhi:
After breakfast we will meet at the lobby and proceed for a 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. Drive by the fort ramparts and proceed for the rickshaw ride.
Enjoy the rickshaw ride at Old Delhi.
Lunch will be at the famous CHOR BIZIARRE.
NEW DELHI - An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit
to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, 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.
Overnight will be in Delhi.
Day 03 Delhi - Varanasi:
By flight
Flight Number : 9W 333
Airline : Jet Airways
Departure : 1040 Hrs
Arrival : 1150 Hrs
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Proceed to the airport for flight to Varanasi.
Varanasi is the World's most ancient living city. 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. It is also called CITY OF TEMPLES.
Rest of the day will be at leisure. In the evening proceed for the AARTI BY
EVENING AT GANGES.
Overnight stay will be at Varanasi.
Day 04 Varanasi:
Morning 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. 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.
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Proceed for day guided tour of Varanasi.
Visit Bharat Mata Temple, which features a big relief map of Mother India engraved
in marble. Also visit the 18th century Durga Temple, commonly known as the Monkey
Temple due to the huge population of the monkeys. Proceed to the Tulsi manas
Temple, crafted from white marble which features the entire Ramayana inscribed
on its walls. Also visit the BHU considered as the biggest residential university
in Asia. The University Campus houses an Art Gallery and the Mosque of Mughal
Emperor Aurangzeb.
Overnight stay will be at hotel.
Day 05 Varanasi - Khajuraho:
Flight : 9W 333
Airline : Jet Airways
Departure : 1220 hr
Arrival : 1300 hr
Breakfast will be at hotel. 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 B.C. Witness of the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist
monastery and then visit a Fine Museum which House an Excellent Collection of
Buddhist Art & Sculptures.
Take flight to Khajuraho.
Situated in the northernmost part of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is famous for
its enchanting temples and its legendary Khajuraho dance festival. The name
Khajuraho is derived from the Khajur tree (the date palm tree) which is grown
abundantly in the region. The Khajuraho Temples are dedicated to a celebration
of womanhood, her myriad moods and facets. Famous for its erotic architecture,
the carvings include, women writing a letter, applying eye makeup, combing her
tresses, dancing & playing with her child. Her innocent, blushed, charming,
seductive, ardent beauty, all depicted in exquisitely sculptured details. These
temples have been designed and carved to lead the eyes from ground level upward
till you seem to be looking at heaven.
After lunch visit the EASTERN TEMPLES and JAIN TEMPLES.
In the evening proceed for the SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW and retire for the night.
Overnight will be at Khajuraho.
Day 06 Khajuraho - Agra:
By Road to Jhansi 175 km / 4 hr
By Shatabdi Express to Agra in 2 hr
Early breakfast will be at hotel.
Visit the WESTERN SET OF TEMPLES.
Transfer to JHANSI station after early lunch for SUPERFAST SHATABDI EXPRESS
to Agra. Reach Agra at 2000 hr.
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.
Reach and check in at hotel. Overnight will be in Agra.
Day 07 Agra:
Proceed for sightseeing of Agra 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.
Visit 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).
Relax in the evening at the hotel. Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 08 Agra - Jaipur:
By Road
221 km in 5 hr
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed for Jaipur.
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 its grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in
the world.
Reach
and check in at the 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 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.
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 will be in Jaipur.
Day 09 Jaipur:
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for the excursion to Amber fort in the outskirts of Jaipur. Elephant
ride at Amer 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 the sight seeing tour 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.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 10 Jaipur - Pushkar - Nimaj:
By Road
180 km in 4 hr
Drive
to Pushkar (3 hr) to experience the fair after breakfast.
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.
Enjoy the fair and drive to Nimaj.
The fort of Nimaj was built in 1733 by the valiant ruler- Thakur Jagram Singh.
Situated in the heart of the town, it is a massive structure built in traditional
Rajput style with courtyards and separate wings for men & women. The little
township is surrounded by places of historical interest, like the 9th century
temple Magar Mandi, 3 kms away. Visit nearby villages to see local craftsmen
at work & a little further see blackbucks, blue bulls etc.
Lakes in the desert region are a rarity having their own charm. Chhatra Sagar,
4 kms from the fort is a beautiful water body nestled between two hillocks.
Built as a summer retreat, the lush green lawn, flowering trees and clear waters
are like an oasis in the otherwise dry region. Boating and angling is possible.
It is surrounded by lush green fields and vast grazing pastures. Chhatra Sagar,
a hundred-year old reservoir with a periphery of about 10 kilometers, is an
ideal destination for nature lovers and a perfect getaway from the chaotic city
life.
As a hunting preserve of the Nimaj Estate, Chhatra Sagar has witnessed many
exciting shikar camps and leisure parties. Today, the campsite, situated on
the dam, offers breathtaking views of the sunrise, sunset and the Aravalli ranges
on the horizon. The old shooting box - Aodhi has been put to good use as it
provides a closer view of the water fowl and birds of prey.
Watch the birds, go for nature walks, soak in the fresh air, sit around the
bonfire and listen to old folk lore - or be more adventurous and take one of
the many safaris on offer. Experience the warm hospitality, and enjoy some truly
delicious Indian and traditional Rajasthani meals cooked with farm fresh vegetables
in the family kitchen.
Relax in the tastefully designed and well-appointed tented accommodation. Each
tent has an attached bath with running hot and cold water, and its own private
sit out overlooking the lake.
Spend time with the family.
Overnight will be at the camp.
Day 11 Nimaj - Udaipur:
By Road
190
km in 4 hr
Breakfast will be at hotel. Start for Udaipur at leisure.
Reach Udaipur and check in to 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.
Check in at DEVIGARH - Rajasthan's folklore is full of love stories-and
romance fits beautifully into the elegant and tranquil surroundings of Devi
Garh. Clinging to the rocky hill like a fairy tale fortress, the Palace casts
an enchanting spell with its innumerable bay windows, canopies, terraces, and
balconies. Dine by candlelit warmth where the silence of the stars is broken
only by the sounds of distant music floating through the night sky. The magic
of romance at Devi Garh is sublime, the effect staggering.
Overnight stay will be at Devigarh.
Day 12 Udaipur:
Breakfast will be at the palace.
Proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur, 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 the 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 and spend some time.
Overnight stay will be at Devigarh.
Day 13 Udaipur - Jodhpur:
By Road
260 km in 6 hr
Breakfast will be at the palace. Proceed for 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.
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.
Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 14 Jodhpur:
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Proceed for morning 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.
In the afternoon 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.
Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 15 Jodhpur - Delhi:
By Air
Flight : CD 7472 (Indian Airlines)
Aircraft : Boeing 737
Stopover : One
Departure : 0840 hr
Arrival : 1030 hr
Proceed to the airport to take the flight to Delhi.
Reach and check in at a hotel RADISSON or INTERCONTINENTAL EROS for the day.
Enjoy the day in the hotel relaxing or do some last minute shopping. Late evening
check out as per flight timing and proceed to the airport for flight home.
TOUR ENDS
Best of North India & Rajasthan Tour
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