Mystical Mountains and Culture of North India
Duration: 15 Nights / 16 Days
Destinations: Delhi - Haridwar - Rishikesh - Mussoorie - Agra - Jaipur - Jodhpur -
Bikaner
About The Tour
This tour is ideal for a first time visitor to India, visiting some of the best known culturally rich and historically important sights of India. Your journey starts in India's capital - Delhi, a bustling metropolis with a perfect blend of the ancient and the modern. You then travel to Haridwar and Rishikesh two of the most sacred and spiritual towns in north India. After that you move on to Mussoorie also known as Queen of hills for a cool time in mountains. Move back to Delhi and on to Agra, home of the world's most famous monument of love - the Taj Mahal. Your tour then takes you through the desert state of Rajasthan, where you visit the colorful "Pink city" of Jaipur, the "blue city" of Jodhpur and then Bikaner famous for its sand dunes and rich Rajasthani culture. before returning to Delhi in time for some last minute shopping or in time for your flight home.
The Hotels used in this program are a perfect blend of modern First Class Hotels coupled with Heritage palaces, selected with a view of enhancing your total experience of India. All Hotels on this trip are equipped with modern facilities like Air-conditioning, swimming pools, Herbal Spas and of course en suite facilities.
Day-01, Arrive Delhi : You will be met on your arrival at Delhi International airport and transferred to Hotel Regent Continental / Hotel Claremont located in the city center, with easy access to government and commercial districts, shopping area and restaurants. All the rooms offer luxury, style and comfort with contemporary touches. No activity is scheduled today, as most of the International flights arrive into Delhi late night. Overnight at the hotel.
Day-02, In Delhi : At 0830 hours, meet your tour guide and our representative for a short briefing in the Hotel Lobby followed by a full day combined sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi visiting - The mighty Red Fort, Friday Mosque -- Jama Masjid, The silver street of Chandni Chowk, Raj Ghat -- the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, The Hindu temple Birla Mandir, The India Gate -- a 42 m high war memorial, The Rashtrapati Bhawan -- President's House, The tomb of Emperor Humayun, Qutab Minar -- a 73 m high victory tower and The Bahai Temple -- shaped like a lotus flower and a proof of India's secularism. Overnight at the hotel.
Day-03, Delhi – Haridwar ( Train 4 hrs )
Early morning transfer to station for taking the morning train to Haridwar. On arrival transfer to Hotel Hari Ganga Haveli (an Old Heritage house converted into hotel on the banks of the river). In the afternoon half day city tour and visit Chandi Devi temple which provides a panoramic view of this holy town. In the evening visit Har Ki Pauri to witness the spectacular ritual of Ganga Aarti held every evening on the banks to worship the goddess of River Ganges which is believed to have given life to whole of north India. Overnight at hotel.
Day-04, Haridwar
First half relax in the Spa on the banks of the Ganges and take Herbal Massage. In the afternoon we go for Half Day city tour of Haridwar visiting Daksha Temple and Parad Shivlingam. Both these are lord Shiva temples. Daksha temple is connected to a very old mythological story and Parad Shivlingam is actually a solidified Mercury Shivlingam ( said to be done by a saint by his meditation in 19th century ). This day will give you a first hand account of an Indian’s faith and culture in its pure form without any commercialization specially doctored for tourists unlike Rajasthan or Agra which is flocked by western tourists a lot and everything is too much western tourist oriented. Come back to hotel for another exotic Indian dinner. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05, Haridwar – Rishikesh
After breakfast drive up to Rishikesh, the town famous for its yoga centers and ashrams. Then drive on ( 30 min. ) to Kunjapuri the highest point ( 6000 ft ) in the area. On arrival enjoy the grand view of Doon Valley on one side and high Himalayas on the other side. After that go for a day trek and visit the typical Himalayan village and be close to the nature and local culture. Come back to Rishikesh in the evening and check in to River beach camp / Hotel. Witness another spectacle of Aarti today in Rishikesh. This is a more modern version of what you saw in Haridwar, with an eye on attracting western tourist. Come back to camp for overnight.
Day 06, Rishikesh
Day free in Rishikesh to explore on your own. Here you can also do some precious stones shopping as the place is known for yoga and meditation and also for astrologers and its precious stones. Overnight at camp / Hotel.
Day 07, Rishikesh - Mussoorie ( drive 2 – 3 hrs, 75 kms ).
Drive to Mussoorie after breakfast and on arrival check in hotel Hard Rock / Hotel Nand Residency. Spend some more time relaxing in the mountains with some great time on the The Mall in the evening.
Day 08, Mussoorie – Dehradun – Delhi ( Drive 1 hr, Train 5 hrs ).
After late breakfast leave for Dehradun the capitol of state of Uttaranchal and also called school’s capitol of India for it’s over 400 boarding Schools. On arrival visit the famous Forest research Institute museum then transfer to railway station to take the evening train back to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi transfer to hotel Claremont / Regent Continental. Overnight at hotel.
Day 09, Drive Delhi - Agra : ( 220 kms--4 hours )
After breakfast Leave Agra and on arrival check in at hotel Holiday Inn / Hotel deedar – e - Taj. The hotel is a part of the international holiday Inn chain of Hotels, offering excellent facilities including a swimming pool and a multi cuisine restaurant, set in landscaped gardens very close to the Taj Mahal and other tourist attractions.
Evening sightseeing tour of Agra city visiting the world famous Taj Mahal. One of the wonders of the world -- a monument of love created by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal and perhaps the most perfect architectural monument of the world, The Red fort -- a testament to the rise and fall of the Mughal empire built by Emperor Akbar in red sand stone over 400 years ago. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
10, Agra : Full day free
You are free for the day in Agra to explore on your own. A great place for shopping for marble handicraft and also jewels ( but shops are all highly commercial and one has to be very careful and must bargain as much as possible before buying anything). Come back to hotel for overnight.
Day11, Drive Agra - Jaipur : (250 kms--5 hours) Early morning depart for Jaipur, en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted capital of Emperor Akbar approximately 35 kms outside Agra. Built in the 16th century, this city was abandoned 12 years later due to a scarcity of water. The entire city of Red sand stone (sand stone palaces and temples) is virtually intact and a site worth seeing is the 54 m high main entrance. The Buland Darwaza, The gate of victory constructed to commemorate Akbar's victory in Gujarat. On arrival in Jaipur check in at hotel Alsisar Haveli / Hotel Holiday Inn your home for the next two nights. An erstwhile merchants home, the Alsisar Haveli lies tucked away in the heart of pink city, and has been lovingly restored into a charming Hotel, complete with sit out courtyards, a small swimming pool and a bar. Overnight at the hotel
Day-12, In Jaipur:
Full day sightseeing tour of Jaipur -- the pink city takes you to the Hawa Mahal -- The Palace of Winds, the facade of which is all pink windows and filigree screens, The Jantar Mantar -- the largest and best preserved 18th century stone observatory, The City Palace --still the home of the former royalty H.H Bhawani Singh Ji of Jaipur housing an extensive collection of art, carpets and old weapons.
Also visit to Amber Fort, situated 11 kms away from Jaipur, Amber was once the ancient capital of Jaipur state. The fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside & overlooking a lake, which reflects it's terraces & ramparts. The climb to the fort is on gaily-bedecked Elephants. Overnight at the hotel.
Day-13, Drive Jaipur - Jodhpur : (330 kms-7 hours) Early morning depart for Jodhpur and check in at hotel Ajit Bhawan / Karni bhawan your home for the next two nights .The Ajit Bhawan offers you old world elegance, with the modern comforts of a classic heritage hotel and the privilige of being a guest of the Maharaj's family. Every room is unique, with a distinctive feel of the Raj, antiques from various periods and photographs from the family archives create an ambience that suggests a private home rather than a hotel room. Facilities here include a multi-cuisine restaurant, bar and swimming pool. Overnight at the hotel.
Day-14, In Jodhpur : Morning sightseeing tour of Jodhpur city. Your tour of this desert city takes you to one of the most imposing Forts -- The Mehrangarh Fort, with its intricately carved sand stone edifice setting, seemingly impregnable and built a top a 400 ft high rock. Close to the Fort is The Jaswant Thada -- the royal crematorium and a cenotaph of the rulers of Jodhpur built in translucent white marble.
Walk through the local giridkot and The Sardar market, colorful bazaars where one can shop for textiles, handicrafts and clay figurines. Overnight at the hotel.
Day-15, Drive Jodhpur – Bikaner : (250 kms--6 hours) Early morning drive to Bikaner, A typical Rajasthani city located in shekhawati region. On arrival check in Hotel Gajner Palace ( a Heritage hotel ) / Karni Bhawan. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 16, Bikaner: This desert town in the north of Rajasthan is a largely un spoilt and less visited place on the tourist circuit.
The tour of Bikaner starts with a visit to Junagarh Fort with its superb stone carving. The fort has the usual collection of Rajput miniatures and an extensive collection of weapons including two World War biplanes. The other notable place that you will visit is the government camel breeding farm unique in Asia. Check out of hotel in the evening to take the overnight train to Delhi. Overnight in air conditioned sleeper train.
Day 16, Delhi On arrival in Delhi transfer to Hotel / international airport as per your flight time for your onward
journey.
Tour Ends.
Tour Cost (Standard Package)
|
Based on 2 Pax |
Based on 4-6 Pax |
Based on 8 Pax |
|
1010 USD Per Person |
825 USD Per Person |
725
USD Per Person |
* The
above Costs are valid till 30 September 2009.
Cost
Includes:
1. All
accommodation on twin sharing basis.
2. All
accommodation on bed & breakfast basis.
3. All
road transport by private A.C Indigo/Innova/Tempo traveler, as per the group
size.
4.
Services of local English speaking guide.
5.
Luxury taxes on the hotel.
Cost
Excludes:
1. Any
thing of personal nature like phone calls, laundry, mineral water, tips etc.
2. Any
kind of airfare.
3. Entry
fees for the monuments.
4. Any
thing that is not included in the cost.
For bookings and other details please contact Mr.
Sanjay/Sunil at info@adventures-india.com
Mystical Mountains and Culture of North India Reservation Form
Rajasthan at its Best
