The Classical North India Cultural Tour

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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 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 the Golden city of Udaipur, before returning to Delhi in time for some last minute shopping or in time for your flight home.

The Hotels used in this programme 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 Connaught 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) / Hotel Country Inn. 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 – Rishikesh – Haridwar ( Day excursion )
Early morning 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. Witness another spectacle of Aarti today in Rishikesh. Come back to hotel for overnight in Haridwar.

Day 05, Haridwar – Delhi ( Train 4 hrs )
Day free in Haridwar to explore on your own. Or you can use the Spa facility at the hotel for your relaxation. Transfer to railway station to take the evening train back to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06, Delhi – Varanasi ( flight 1 hr )
Morning flight to Varanasi. On arrival transfer to hotel Clarks Varanasi. In the afternoon half day city tour. The city of Varanasi or Kashi is India`s oldest inhabited city. It is a city full of temples , ghats and of course the lifeline of India , the River Ganges.

Day 07, Varanasi
Full day city tour of Varanasi: Day begins with a dawn boat ride on the River Ganges and visit the various Ghats with people ritually cleansing their sins. 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. From there on proceed to the Banaras Hindu University constructed at the beginning of the century by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. The university also houses a Bharat kala Bhawan with a fairly notable collection of miniature paintings and sculptures from the 1st to the 15th Centuries.

Day 08, Varanasi – Delhi (flight)
Leave for Delhi by flight and on arrival Check in at hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day09, Delhi - Agra: (220 kms--4 hours)
Morning after breakfast leave for Agra by surface. On arrival check in at hotel.Afternoon, half day seeing 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, 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 merchant’s 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-11, 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-12, 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 privilege 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-13, 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-14,Drive Jodhpur – Jaisalmer : (250 kms--6 hours)  Early morning drive to Jaisalmer and on arrival check in hotel fort Rajwada. The hotel is located nicely in the heart of the town and provides all good amenities with great heritage style ambience. In the afternoon half day city tour of Jaisalmer town visiting places of interest. Overnight at hotel.

This desert city is unlike any city in India. It is also called the Golden City because of the colour imparted to its stone ramparts by the setting sun.

Your tour of Jaisalmer starts with a visit to the Jaisalmer Fort built in 1156 by Rawal Jaisal and is situated on the 80m high Trikuta Hill. The fort has a maze of winding alleys, all of which are paved in stone. Within the fort walls you will also see a group of beautifully carved Jain temples .

Proceed on to see two of Jaisalmer's most famous Havelis Salim Singh ki Haveli , once the residence of the prime minister of the former princely state of Jaisalmer. Also visit Patwon ki Haveli, another of Jaisalmer` s elaborate residences.

Day 15, Jaisalmer Today we have half day free on our own to explore the town and then in the afternoon we leave for the sand dunes at SAM ( 45 kms ) near Jaisalmer to witness the spectacle of sunset. Come back to hotel for your last night in Rajasthan.

Day 16, Jaisalmer - Jodhpur Drive back to Jodhpur in the morning and then take the evening flight back to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi transfer direct to the international airport for your onward flight.

Tour Ends.

Tour Cost (Standard Package)

* 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.

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