Luxury
Holidays » Cultural North India Tour
Cultural
North India Tour
| Duration:
9 Nights / 10 Days
Destinations: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Delhi - Haridwar
& Rishikesh - Delhi |
Day One Arrival at Delhi:
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international
airport in Delhi. 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 Two Delhi: Start a full-day tour of Old and New
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.
Enjoy 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 the Lotus
Temple and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Spend
night at Delhi.
Day Three Delhi - Agra:
By road
201 km in
4 hr Start for Agra early in the morning after breakfast.
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.
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 visit to the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Itmadullah's Tomb with English
speaking guide. Enjoy battery van ride. Return to hotel and relax in the evening.
Overnight will be at Agra.
Day Four Agra - Jaipur:
By road
221 km in 6 hr Drive to Fatehpur Sikri after breakfast.
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.
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. Jaipur 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.
Proceed to Jaipur and check in at hotel.
Overnight will be
at Jaipur.
Day Five Jaipur: Proceed for a morning excursion
to Amber Fort after breakfast. 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.
Continue sightseeing.
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.
Relax in the evening or visit the markets.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day Six Jaipur - Delhi:
By road
260 km in 5 hr After a leisurely breakfast enjoy sightseeing
and relax at the resort.
Proceed for Delhi and reach by late afternoon.
Check in at hotel and spend the day on own shopping at the local markets.
Overnight will be in Delhi.
Day Seven Delhi - Haridwar:
By road
240 km in 5 hr Proceed to Haridwar after breakfast.
Haridwar located in the foothills of the Himalayas, represents the point where
the Ganga reaches the plains. Haridwar is an ancient pilgrimage site, held in
reverence for centuries. The Chinese pilgrim Hyuen Tsang who visited India in
the first millennium CE, describes Haridwar as Mayura, on the eastern banks of
the Ganges. Several temples and ashrams dot this town and a visit to Haridwar
is like stepping into a totally different world. Legend has it that Bhagiratha
brought the Ganges into the earth and into this point where his ancestors were
burnt to ashes by the curse of the sage Kapila. Kapilastaan, a spot in Haridwar
is pointed to as Kapila's hermitage. Haridwar was once known as Gangadwara.
Reach and check into hotel. In the evening visit the GHATS for EVENING AARTI.
Spend time watching scores of people going about offering prayers to the River
Ganges.
Overnight will be in Haridwar.
Day Eight &
Nine Haridwar & Rishikesh: Rishikesh is just 45 minutes from
Haridwar and a well known place for ASHRAMS, YOGA & MEDITATION.
Rishikesh represents the Gateway to the Himalayas in the Tehri-Garhwal region
of Uttar Pradesh. It abounds in natural splendour. The spectacle of the Ganga
rushing through the Himalayan foothills is an awesome sight. Several temples dot
the banks of the Ganga at Rishikesh. Rishikesh is located at a height of about
1360 feet above sea level. It is believed that several yogis and sages lived and
practised penance here. Rishikesh represents the site where Vishnu vanquished
the demon Madhu.
Tapovan on the other bank of the Ganges houses a temple
to Lakshmana. It is believed that Lakshmana carried out penances here. It is also
believed that his brother Bharata meditated here, and there is a temple to Bharata
here. Also seen here are the Swargashram and the Geeta Bhavan temples.
The Lakshman Jhula, a 450 feet long suspension bridge was built in 1939. A newer
bridge the Ram Jhula has been added recently. The Ganga abounds in fish. Offerings
of puffed rice are made to these creatures. The freshness of the air, and sound
of flowing water, the scenic beauty of the region and the distant sound of bell
chimes create an unforgettable experience for those that visit this ancient pilgrimage
town. 12 km away from Rishikesh is located the Nilkanth Mahadeo temple at a height
of about 5000 feet, commanding spectacular views of the region.
Stay
in Rishikesh and visit the ASHRAMS and enjoy the River Ganges. On a pleasant day
you could again come down to Haridwar during the day. Nights will be at Haridwar
/ Rishikesh.
Day Ten Rishikesh - Delhi:
By road
270 km in
6 hr Breakfast will be at the hotel. Proceed at leisure to Delhi
and on reaching drive straight to the airport to take the late flight to the next
destination.
TOUR ENDS South
India Temples Tour Reservation Form 
