20 Days North India Tour

Welcome to Incredible India :
Welcome aboard! You are picked up by our executive from the main exit of the airport and transferred to the hotel in your private coach (Our executive will be waiting outside the custom area with a placard of your name). You will be handed over the India travel kit containing all relevant documents of your trip (air/rail tickets, hotel vouchers, transport, guide, sightseeing vouchers, writing pads with other travel related documents).
Note: The normal check in - checks out time of the hotels are 1200 hours.

Activities : Sightseeing

Ruling Impressions: New Delhi is a city that breathes history as well as modernity.

Today you see the Red fort (Lal Qila), built by the same Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal; Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat & the Qutab Minar & drive through the colonial buildings with (photo stops enroute) which still retain its complete charm.

Activities : Sightseeing

Holiest Pilgrimage center: Board flight for Varanasi - the essence of spiritual India. Formerly called Benaras, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Take a short excursion to Sarnath, the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. The most prominent structure here is the Dhameka Stupa.

Activities : Sightseeing

Oldest inhabited city of the world : Enjoy an enlightening boat ride at dawn to see the pilgrims doing their devotions in the River Ganges set against the back drop of the centuries old temples - perhaps one of the most impressive sights in the world. Later visit the Banaras Hindu University(a center of education in Sanskrit, Indian Art, culture & music) and Durga (Goddess of Power) Temple.

Rest of the day at your discretion with vehicle at your disposal. In the evening attend Aarti ceremony at ghat of Ganges.

Activities : Sightseeing

Celebration of life in every form: Fly to Khajuraho - a quaint town famous for 10th century Hindu and Jain temples. After checking in at the hotel visit these temples that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their beautiful and erotic rock carvings.

After the decline of the Chandela dynasty, the temples remained obscure under dense forest cover for many years. It was later discovered by a British army engineer.

Activities : Forts and Palaces

Gibraltar of India: Drive to Gwalior. Visit the massive Gwalior Fort, popularly called Gibraltar of India. The great Mughal Emperor Babur described it as, "The pearl in the necklace of the forts of Hind". Also visit mausoleum of 16th century Sufi saint Ghous Mohammed and tomb of Mian Tansen (one of the ‘Nine Jewels’ of Emperor Akbar’s court) an extraordinary singer who could light lamps with his voice.

Activities : Forts and Palaces

Epitome of love: Drive to “Sikendra” where we visit the mausoleum of Mughul emperor Akbar, the most brilliant medieval Indian ruler. Later drive to Agra, home to one of the Seven Wonders of the world-the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendor of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal emperors.

Visit Taj Mahal – the epitome of love; Agra Fort & in time permits, the tomb of Itmadullah.

Activities : Forts and Palaces

Architectural & Astronomical genius: Visit Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World heritage site. It was a short lived capital of Mughal Empire (for 10 years only) as it later had to be abandoned due to shortage of water.

The beautiful pink city – Jaipur was painted pink to honor the visit of Price Albert in 1876. Rajputs considered it a color of hospitality & ceremony. Enjoy a traditional Rajasthani meal for Dinner at an ethnic resort in the evening.

Activities : Forts and Palaces

Pink City : Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of city including a visit to the Amber fort, which you climb on an elephant's back or by a jeep. The main attractions are the Sukh Mandir (Temple of Contentment – an aptly named pleasure chamber, cooled by a stunning water cascade) and the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror palace) here. Also see the architectural marvels like the Palace of wind, Jantar Mantar (the observatory) & the City Palace complex.

Evening is free for shopping in the colorful bazaars of Jaipur.

Activities : Forts and Palaces

Haven for Tigers : After breakfast drive for Ranthambhore. Go for an afternoon safari and have an overnight stay there.

Activities : Jungle Safari

Haven for Tigers: Day is kept to enjoy one morning and one afternoon safari. Overnight at Ranthambhore.

Activities : Jungle Safari

Holy city of Rajasthan : Driving northwards we reach the holy city of Rajasthan “PUSHKAR”. With one of the very few temples in India dedicated to lord Brahma, the Creator, Pushkar is the venue of an internationally acclaimed annual camel fair. Also visit the various ghats of Pushkar lake.

Activities : Forts and Palaces

Venice of India: We drive towards Udaipur. The city of lakes Udaipur is often referred to as the 'Venice of the east'.

Day at your discretion with vehicle at disposal. In the evening enjoy boat ride tour over lake Pichola with the backdrop of sun set.

Activities : Forts and Palaces

City of Lakes : We visit the city palace complex (the Mor Chowk or the Peacock courtyard in it with its walls covered with a dramatic glass mosaic relief of dancing peacocks catches attention); the Jagdish temple & the garden of the maids (saheliyon ki badi).

Activities : Forts and Palaces

Blue city: Drive to Jodhpur – the Blue City. En route visit the famous Jain temple at Ranakpur.

Climb up the majestic Mehrangarh fort (one of the best preserved fort with modern techniques of audio guides). Also visit the marble cenotaph at Jaswant Thada. Evening free to shop. You may have a dinner atop the fort.

Activities : Forts and Palaces

Golden Oasis : Drive to reach the golden oasis called Jaisalmer. Here it appears as if a master-craftsman took one huge piece of sandstone and patiently carved out the entire city. For the second half of the day we explore the beautiful man made lake Gadsisar (the only source of water Jaisalmer had for years) & the royal cenotaphs at Bada Bagh.

Activities : Forts and Palaces

Rolling Sand Dunes : We visit one of the most exotic forts of Rajasthan in the first half of the day exploring it from every nook and corner and take some delightful pictures. Then drive towards the rolling sand dunes to enjoy camel safari over the dunes.

Activities : Forts and Palaces

The Desert Citadel: Drive to the desert citadel – “Bikaner”

Start the day by visiting the unusual Junagarh Fort. Unusual because, unlike all the major forts of Rajasthan which are on hilltops, this one was built on the desert plains itself. Also visit the camel breeding farm.

Activities : Forts and Palaces

Paintings, Havelis & Frescos: Drive to the famous rat temple at Deshnok and later to Shekhavati Region, a cluster of closely knit small towns and villages. Unlike other places in Rajasthan where the main attraction is generally forts and palaces, Shekhavati is known for its painted walls. The whole region is dotted with elaborately frescoed Havelis (mansions) most of which were raised by ace Indian businessmen who belonged to this place. It appears as if one is moving in an open-air Art Gallery.

Activities : Forts and Palaces

The Tour Ends: Day at your own at your own till drop at Delhi International airport to board flight for your onwards journey.

Activities : Forts and Palaces