Cultural Tours India
- North India Cultural Tours - Cultural North India
Cultural North India
Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days
Places Covered: Delhi - Udaipur - Ranakpur - Jodhpur - Pushkar - Jaipur - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi
Day
1: 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 2: 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 3: Udaipur - Jodhpur
After breakfast drive to 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
4: Jodhpur
Morning 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 5: Jodhpur - Pushkar
Proceed for Pushkar 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 6: Pushkar - Jaipur
After breakfast drive to beautiful Pink City - 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 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
7: 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.
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 8: 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
9: Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho
Breakfast 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. Transferred to hotel and relax. Evening will be free.
You can go out for a stroll.
Overnight will be at Khajuraho.
Day 10: Khajuraho - 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
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. 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
Breakfast at hotel.
Proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi.
0OLD 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.
Cultural North India, North India Cultural Tours - Cultural Tours
India - Reservation Form
Home 
Copyright
© Cultural Tours
India. All Rights Reserved
