| North India Highlight |
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Duration :Tour Duration : 11 nights / 12 day
Places to See :Delhi - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Jaipur - Agra - Varanasi - Delhi
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Day 01 : Arrival at Delhi
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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.
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| Day 02 : Delhi sightseeing. |
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Breakfast in the hotel and then proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi. OLD DELHI - A sight-seeing 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 Mughal Empire. Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk. NEW DELHI - An extensive sight-seeing 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. Enjoy the DANCES OF INDIA in the evening. Overnight will be at Delhi.
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| Day 03 : Delhi to Jodhpur by flight. Drive to Jaisalmer (320 Kms/ 6-7 hrrs). |
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Early morning, get assisted transfer to Delhi Airport to board flight to Jodhpur. On arrival at Jodhpur, our driver will meet you at the airport and then you will be driven to Jaisalmer. Rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage is the city of Jaisalmer. A commanding fort etched in yellow sandstone stands, with its awesome splendor, dominating the amber-hued city. The city has an interesting legend associated with it, according to which, Lord Krishna-the head of the Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent of the Yadav Clan would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy was fulfilled in 1156 AD when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan and a Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital - Jaisalmer, perched on the Trikuta Hill. Reach and check in at hotel. Overnight will be at Jaisalmer.
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Day 04 : Jaisalmer sightseeing.
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After a relaxed breakfast, proceed for full day sight-seeing tour of The Golden City - Jaisalmer. It is in the heart of the Great Indian Desert. Its temple, fort and palaces are all built of yellow stone. Visit the JAISALMER FORT - The oldest living Fort in the world. (This is the highlight of the tour). See the Patwaon-Ki-Havelies, Salim-Singh-Ki-Haveli and Gandhi Sagar Tank. Also visit Barabagh Hill. In the afternoon, proceed to the SAM SAND DUNES for visiting the typical Rajasthani Desert Village. View the sunset from the dunes, as the sky is set on fire. Return to the village for dinner amidst Rajasthani musicians playing haunting tunes. Stay overnight at Jaisalmer.
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Day 05 : Drive back to Jodhpur.
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Proceed in the morning after a leisurely breakfast to 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. Relax in the hotel and visit the museum of UMAID BHAWAN PALACE. Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
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Day 06 : Jodhpur to Udaipur (275 Kms/ 5-6 hrs).
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Transfer to airport in the morning 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. Relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Udaipur.
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Day 07 : Udaipur to Jaipur by flight.
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Morning after breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur. Visit 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. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace in the middle of the lake. Spend some time at the Jag Mandir Palace. Transfer in the evening for flight to Jaipur. Reach Jaipur and get assisted transfer and check in to the hotel. JAIPUR - It is a 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. Overnight will be at Jaipur.
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Day 08 : Jaipur sightseeing.
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Breakfast in the hotel and then 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. Later enjoy local sightseeing tour of Jaipur visit 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 and HAWA MAHAL - It is a five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. 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.
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Day 09 : Udaipur - Jaipur
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Breakfast at hotel and transfer from hotel to the airport for Udaipur /Jaipur flight. On arrival met at the airport and transfer to hotel.
Morning excursion to Amber Fort. In the afternoon tour of Jaipur, known as "The Pink City of Rajasthan". Visit the unique Jantar Mantar Observatory, which was built in the 1700's, yet even today still looks futuristic or almost surrealistic; the City Palace and its Museum, the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds. Dinner at hotel.
O/N stay at Hotel.
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Day 09 : Jaipur to Agra (223 Kms/ 4 hrs).
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Morning after breakfast, drive to Agra. On the way visit 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. 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. Relax in the evening. Spend the night at Agra.
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Day 10 : Agra to Varanasi by overnight train.
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Morning during sunrise, enjoy visit of TAJ MAHAL -- Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-ere 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. Also 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 Itmad-ud-daulah's Tomb built by Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory of her father (The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj). Later evening you will be transferred to Agra railway station from where board your overnight train 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. It was previously known as Kashi - the city that illuminates.
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Day 11 : Arrive Varanasi. Varanasi sightseeing.
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Early morning arrive Varanasi and meet our representative at the railway station. After breakfast proceed on a tour of the temples of Varanasi visiting the Golden Temple dedicated to lord Shiva, The Durga temple dedicated to goddess Durga (Interestingly the Durga Temple is also known as the Monkey Temple due to the large number of monkeys found in the Temple premises). Also visit the Banaras University. Afternoon excursion to Sarnath (10 km from Varanasi, Sarnath is the place where Mahatma Buddha delivered his first sermon to his five disciples, preaching the middle path for attaining 'Nirvana'. Realizing the sanctity of the site, emperor Ashoka, in the 3rd century B.C. built some of the finest monuments and legacies. In the evening enjoy grand arati ceremony at Holy River Ganges. Overnight stay at Varanasi.
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Day 12 : Varanasi to Delhi by flight. Departure from Delhi.
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Early morning Boat ride on River Ganges to witness the early offerings and prayer on the bank of Holy River Ganges. After breakfast, transfer to Varanasi airport to board flight back to Delhi. From Delhi International Terminal, board onward flight back to home.
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Day 14 : Varanasi - Delhi.
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Early morning, drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges. Continue by boat to see burning and bathing Ghats.
Thereafter visit the buried Buddhist city of Sarnath, just outside Varanasi - it's as holy to the Buddhists as Varanasi is to the Hindus. Here you will witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a fine museum which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculpture (Sarnath Museum Closed on Fridays).
Afternoon transfer from hotel to the airport for Varanasi/Delhi flight.
Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer from airport to hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
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Day 15 : Delhi
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Morning, sightseeing tour of Old Delhi visiting the Raj Ghat, the 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.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi visiting the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar. Drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House and the President's Residence and end the tour with a drive through Diplomatic Enclave.
Late evening transfer to airport for onward destination.
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| Tour ends here……… |
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