The Best of North India
The Best of North India
Itineraries
Day 01: New
Delhi » Traditional
welcome - Atithi Devo Bhava (Guest is god) on arrival with garlanding at Delhi
international airport by Holiday India Travel’s executive. Transferred in your
exclusive air-conditioned deluxe car to your hotel. After that take tour of
historic city of Delhi. The city where one can experience the influence of the
many rulers who ruled this region, a city built and destroyed and re-built over
seven times. The guided tour takes you to the monuments that depict the
different eras. The tour includes visit to a Hindu temple of Goddess of wealth,
Laxmi, the magnificent Red Fort (exterior), the Jama Masjid - one of the Asia's
largest mosque, Rajghat - the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi - the "Father of
the Nation". Afternoon tour of New Delhi to include Humanyun's Tomb, Qutab
Minar, India Gate, President's House and drive through Connaught Place.
Day 02: Delhi – Mandawa (Shekhawati
Region)- 5 Hrs Drive » Breakfast at hotel. Later drive south west of
Delhi to the town of Mandawa. Mandawa was founded in the mid-18th century and
has well decorated Havelis (Mansions). Upon arrival check in heritage hotel.
Post lunch, you may like to walk to the many painted havelies of some of the
leading business families of the country. Some of the better known Havelies of
Mandawa are Chowkhani Haveli, Goenka Haveli, Saraf Haveli and Ladia Haveli etc.
Overnight at stay in a heritage haveli.
Day 03: Mandawa – Bikaner - 3 Hrs Drive» Breakfast at
hotel and then driven 190 Kms west to Bikaner city. Founded in 1486 this fourth
largest city of Rajasthan is famous for its spicy snack besides its palaces,
handicrafts & leather articles. Wash n change at hotel. Then proceed for
half-day guided sightseeing of Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace and Laxmi Nath
Temple. Later visit famoud Rat Temple in Deshnoke.
Day 04: Bikaner – Jaisalmer - 5 Hrs Drive
» Breakfast at hotel and then proceed to Jaisalmer.
Enjoy the drive viewing the lovely life of the deserted land, passing through
villages. On the way visit Ramdeora Temple. Arrive Jaisalmer by early evening. Evening,
enjoy camel ride & sunset view from Sam Sand Dunes (40 Kms west of
Jaisalmer). Optional dinner on sand dunes with folk dance. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Day
05: Jaisalmer » Breakfast
followed by a guided tour of the city to visit the Jaisalmer Fort, Jain Temple,
Gadsisar Tank, Folk Museum and various havelies such as Patwan Ki Haveli, Salim
Singh ki Haveli, Diwan Nathmal ki Haveli, Badal Vilas Palace and evening walk
through narrow cobbled streets. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Jaisalmer – Jodhpur - 5 Hrs Drive
» Breakfast at hotel. Driven to Jodhpur - the city
founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha. It is the second largest city in Rajasthan after
Jaipur. On arrival transferred to hotel for check-in, followed by a guided city
sightseeing tour including Mehrangarh Fort - one of the largest forts in India,
Umaid Bhawan Palace (now a grand heritage hotel) an architectural wonder,
Jaswant Thada - a 19th century royal cenotaph , Mandore Gardens - The beautiful
gardens with high rock terraces make it a popular picnic spot. The garden has a
gate known as the Ajitpol, which is decorated with paintings of the gods and
goddesses of Indian mythology & walk through the Clock Tower - In the old
city, clock tower is a prominent land mark. But main attraction is the Sadar
Market. The market has kept alive the old 'haat bazaar' culture. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 07: Jodhpur – Ranakpur – 3 Hrs Drive » On the way to Ranakpur, visit Bishnoi village to
see the hand pottery, Bishnoi huts and local handicrafts. Bishnois are the
famous community which is the protector of the wildlife. Overnight at hotel. In afternoon Visit Unparallel Jain Temples of
Ranakpur (the temple here is the largest Jain temple in the world having 1444
carved pillars with no two pillars looking alike! It opens 12 to 5 pm). Overnight
at the hotel in Ranakpur.
Day 08: Ranakpur – Udaipur – 2-3 Hrs Drive
» Breakfast
at hotel and driven to Udaipur via visit of Kumbhalgarh Fort - compared to the
Great Wall of China for its immense stone boundary covering the village of
Kumbhalgarh over a hilltop.
Further driven to Udaipur via guided visit to
Eklingji - the famous temple of Lord Shiva in the state of Rajasthan. This is
the only visited Shiva temple by the present Maharaja of Udaipur. Arrive
Udaipur, the city of dawn, surrounded by the ancient Aravali Mountains and set
on the edge of three lakes, is a brilliant kaleidoscope of narrow lanes flanked
by bright stalls, gardens, lakes, palaces and temples. Enjoy a sunset boat ride
on Lake Pichola to have lovely views of the Jagmandir Palace (also known as the
Lake Garden Palace, is an exquisite palace placed in an estuary Island in
Pichola Lake in Udaipur, the Lake Palace hotel, City Palace, Shiw Niwas &
Fateh Prakash Palace hotel buildings.
Day 09: Udaipur » Relaxed
breakfast at hotel followed by a guided visit to the city's popular Jagdish
Temple with it's richly sculptured walls, further walk towards the City Palace
compound gates through the narrow street. Visit the City Palace museum. It is
located on the east bank of the Lake Pichola and has several palaces built
within its complex. Udaipur was the historic capital of the former kingdom of
Mewar in the Rajputana Agency and its last capital.The City Palace in Udaipur
was built in a flamboyant style and is considered the largest of its type in
Rajasthan, a fusion of the Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles, and was
built on a hill top that gives a panoramic view of the city and its
surrounding, including several historic monuments such as the Lake Palace in
Lake Pichola, the Jag Mandir on another island in the lake, the Jagdish Temple
close to the palace, the Monsoon Palace on top of an overlooking hillock nearby
and the Neemach Mata temple. You may like to enjoy a tea break or a quick
sandwich lunch at the City Palace cafe and further visit the Sahelion-ki-Bari -
The 'garden of the maids of honour' brings to mind the lifestyle of the ladies
of the court. The delightful gardens appear discreet and in impeccable taste.
You may also like to visit the Crystal Gallery which is a fine collection of
crystals of every type & shape from the royal families of Udaipur over
generations.
Day
10: Udaipur – Pushkar - 5 Hrs Drive » On the way to
Pushkar, Take an excursion to Chittorgarh Fort. On the way to Pushkar, In Ajmer
visit Nasiya Golden Jain Temple, Chisti’s Mosque, Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra.
Afternoon visit Brahma Temples, Surya Temple and Take a Heritage walk to the
Ghats of this spiritual city. Later you can move around the beautiful markets
having lot of things for you to buy. In the evening, enjoy Sunset near the
hotel Pushkar Palace having great views to the holy lake.
Day 11: Pushkar
- Jaipur - 3 Hrs Drive » Proceed
for a short drive to Jaipur - the Pink city of India. Upon arrival in Jaipur
transfer to your hotel for wash 'n' change. Later introduced with your guide
for a city tour of Jaipur covering Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), City Palace,
Jantar Mantar (Royal Astronomical Observatory).
Day 12: Jaipur » Breakfast at the hotel followed by excursion to the majestic Amber Fort
on elephant back - the erstwhile capital of the Kachwaha Rajputs before they
moved to their newly built capital in Jaipur. This is the only fort where one
can still go by the elephant back even today like a Maharaja. Then visit
Jaigarh Fort & Tiger Fort. Then on the way visit Water Palace. Time at
leisure to do shopping in this famous city of gems & jewels or at leisure
to enjoy a walk in the local colourful bazaar. In the evening go to Birla
Temple. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13: Jaipur – Agra - 5 Hrs Drive» Breakfast at the hotel. Driven to Agra - the city of world famous 'Taj
Mahal' - One of the Seven Wonders of the World. En-route visit of Fatehpur
Sikri, The erstwhile capital of the Mughal Empire built by Emperor Akbar in
1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See Darbar-e-Aam,
Palaces, Panch Mahal and Taansen Seat. Continue to Agra & check into hotel
for check in. Later meet you guide in Agra in the hotel lobby for visiting Red
Fort - built in red sandstone by Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan. Visit the halls of
private and public; Itimad-Ud-Daulah (Baby Taj) described as a 'Jewel Box' and
often regarded as a draft of the Taj Mahal. It was built between 1622 and 1628
and also visits to a local marble factory to witness the inlay work of precious
stones also known as Pietra dura. It's the same art of stone work which is
illustrated on the Taj Mahal & Baby Taj. It's a learning experience and a
treat to eyes to see the art.
Day 14: Agra
– Orccha – 4 Hrs Drive »
Dawn-view visit of Taj Mahal to witness the wonder marble seems to change
colours due to the rising sunlight. A UNESCO World Heritage Site which was
built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal is best
viewed & enjoyed in the non-chaotic and less crowded time of the day. Taj
Mahal is closed on every Friday. Return to hotel for breakfast. Later drive to
Orchha. Afternoon city tour. Orchha's grandeur has been captured in stone,
frozen in time & a rich legacy to the ages. For, on this medieval city, the
hand of time has rested lightly: the palaces and the temples built by its
Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th century retain much of their pristine glory.
Jahangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatris has a spectacular
view of soaring temple spires & cenotaphs. Overnight Orchha.
Day 15: Orchha-Khajuraho--4 Hrs Drive » Morning
drive to Khajuraho. Afternoon city tour. The world famous Khajuraho temples
were built by the Chandela kings between 950 AD and 1050 AD. The most important
are the Chaunset Yogini Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, The Mahadev Temple,
Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple with a lovely image of 11 headed Vishnu,
Vishvanath and Nandi Temples, Lakshmana Temple, Visha Temple of Shiva, which is
the largest & most typical of temples. Visit the Eastern group of temples
that consist of the Parasvanath Temple - the only Jain Temple surviving at
Khajuraho and has excellent sculptures on the outer walls of the Sanctum, the
Javeri Temple dedicated to Vishnu. The other temples in this group are those
dedicated to Brahma, Yamuna and Adinath. Overnight Khajuraho.
Day 16: Khajuraho – Flight - Varanasi » Transfer to airport to board
flight for Varanasi. At Varanasi Airport you will be received by the driver and
escorted to the hotel in Varanasi. In the evening take a boat ride at the holy
river Ganges. Also in the evening attend the Aarti Ceremony at the Ghats of
Varanasi.
Day 17: Varanasi
» Morning boat excursion on the river Ganges. People bathe
early in the morning to offer the prayers to the rising sun. The two cremation
ghats are Manikarnika & Harishchandra where funeral pyre burns Day and
night. Every pious Hindu believes that to die in Kashi and to be cremated on
banks of the Ganges is to attain release from the cycle of birth and death. Then
visit Sarnath & Ramnagar. Overnight at
hotel in Varanasi.
Day 18: Varanasi – Flight - Delhi » In the morning take a flight to Delhi. You will be received by the driver at Airport in Delhi. According to your flight timing you can spend some time in Delhi. Later Check-in for international flights commences 3 hours prior to flight departure time for economy class and 2 hrs prior for business/first class.