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North India Tour Packages
North India and Nepal Tour
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Duration
19 Days / 18 Nights
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Places Covered
Delhi - Jaipur - Ranthambore - Bharatpur - Fatehpur
Sikri - Agra - Gwalior - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi
- Kathmandu - Royal Chitwan - Kathmandu - Delhi. |
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North India and Nepal tour is an ideal combination
to experience two different cultures having many similarities
within themselves. In the first part of this tour we experience
India from its most beautiful side as travellers are fascinated
by the glory of Rajputs of Rajasthan, highlights of Mughal architecture
in Agra, magnificent palaces and most famous Hindu temples in
Khajuraho as well as by scenic villages with colourful dressed
people of North India. One of the highlights of our tour in
North India would be in Varanasi where we have a Boat ride on
the holy river Ganges and observe the rituals performed by Hindu
devotees in the early morning. In the second part of the tour
we explore Nepal with complete dedication. Nepal is the only
Hindu kingdom where middle age traditions and culture are still
alive. The Kathmandu Valley, which is the cultural and political
centre of Nepal, is magnificent for its wealth of unique temple.
Day 01. Flight to India (Delhi)
Around Midnight arrival in Delhi. The cosmopolitan City and
capital Delhi is the main gateway for travellers. You are met
by an Indo Vacations representative and transferred to your
Hotel.
Day 02. Old - New Delhi
This morning is at leisure. Afternoon sightseeing in Old Delhi.
We take a Rickshaw Ride parallel to the Red Fort through the
old city and famous Silk Road and Silver Bazaar. Sightseeing
of Old Delhi includes "Rajghat", the place where Mahatma
Gandhi was cremated and Jama Masjid, the great mosque of old
Delhi. Today we also visit the famous "Humayun Tomb"
which is the first substantial example of Mughal architecture
in India. Before we proceed to the Hotel we drive through the
embassy area in New Delhi where we visit the India Gate and
see some impressive Government Buildings.
Day 03. Delhi - Jaipur (about 270 km)
Today we drive to the Pink City, Jaipur. This city owes its
name, foundations and careful planning to the great warrior
and astronomer, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Jaipur is the capital
of Rajasthan and famous for its handicrafts and precious and
semiprecious stones. In the afternoon we visit the City palace
which is still the formal residence of the royal family, built
in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. In the
museum of the city palace we visit the private collection of
the Jaipur Maharajas. We continue to Jantar Mantar, a stone
observatory, the largest of Jai Singh's five remarkable observatories.
Its complex instruments reveals us the secrets of medieval Indian
astronomy.
Day 04. Jaipur
After breakfast we drive to the ancient capital of Amber, laying
11 km. away from Jaipur. Amber was the ancient capital of Kachhawaha
dynasty for 6 centuries before it was moved to newly created
Jaipur. We will ascend to the Palace Fortress on the back of
an Elephant. Enroute to Amber we visit the Hawa Mahal (Palace
of the Winds), built in 1799 AD, it contains 953 small casements
with each having its own balcony. The windows enabled cool air
to circulate and the ladies to watch processions below without
being seen. In the afternoon we have a walk through the colourful
Bazaar of Jaipur and visit a factory to see the famous block
printing work being done since centuries in Jaipur. In the evening
we drive through the new city of Jaipur and visit "Laxmi
Narayan Mandir", a Hindu temple made out of white marble.
We might have an opportunity here to observe a prayer ceremony.
Today we have dinner with a presentation of Indian music and
dance.
Day 05. Jaipur - Ranthambore (about 200 km)
Today we leave the pink city Jaipur and drive to Ranthambore.
After a break and refreshment in Ranthambore we will explore
the Ranthambore National Park on jeep. Ranthambore National
Park is surrounded by the Vindhyas and the Aravali mountains
and covers an area of 392 square km. The Tiger is the main attraction
of the Ranthambore National Park.
Day 06. Ranthambore - Bharatpur (about 250 km)
In the early morning we again explore the park on jeeps. After
the Jeep Safari and perhaps with the memories of our encounter
with tiger we leave the Ranthambore National Park and proceed
to Bharatpur. Bharatpur has its fame due to Keoladeo Birds National
Park. Bharatpur was earlier a duck shooting resort of the Maharaja.
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary or Keoladeo Birds National Park with
its 375 species is one of the best water bird sanctuary in the
world. In winter there are many migratory birds from the northern
hemisphere including the rare Siberian crane.
Day 07. Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (about 70 km)
Today we leave Rajasthan, the biggest state in India and drive
through a series of fields, small towns and villages to Agra.
Enroute we make a stop and visit Fatehpur Sikri, which was once
an imperial capital frozen in time, constructed by Akbar the
Great in the 16th century. This wonderful city constructed by
red sand stones was abandoned as abruptly as it had been built.
It has been generally stated that it was due to failing in the
water supply. Late evening arrival in Agra. Rest of the day
at leisure.
Day 08. Agra
We start today our sightseeing by a visit to the Agra Fort,
built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors. The construction
of this massive structure began in 1565 under Akbar's reign
and continued till the time of his grandson's reign, Shah Jahan
who built the impressive imperial quarters and mosque. After
the visit of Agra Fort we proceed to visit the most beautiful
monument of India, the Taj Mahal, an enduring monument to love,
with a continually fulfilling beauty. It was built by the Mughal
Emperor Shah Jahan between 1631-52, as a tomb and memorial to
his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace), who died
at the age of 39 giving birth to her 14th child. We spend enough
time at Taj Mahal to take this impressive memory home. After
the visit of Taj Mahal we have a look at the famous fine marble
inlay work which is still being done in Agra by the descendants
of the families of builders and artists of the Taj Mahal.
Day 09. Agra - Gwalior (about 120 km)
Today we leave Agra, the city of Taj Mahal and drive to Gwalior.
After a break in the Hotel in Gwalior we visit the famous Fort
which was built by Raja Man Singh of Tomar dynasty in the 6th
century. The fort of Gwalior is considered to be one of the
most powerful Fort in India having a further advantage of its
unlimited supply of water. Most fascinating in the Fort of Gwalior
are the six huge doors to get in to the Fort. After the visit
of Fort we visit an old Hindu Temple (10th century) dedicated
to god Vishnu.
Day 10. Gwalior - Orchha - Khajuraho (about 300 km)
On the way to Khajuraho we visit the city of Orchha from middle
age, once capital of its own state. Orchha was found by the
Bundela chief Raja Rudra Pratap on a beautiful site as capital
on an island of rock on a blend in the Betwa river. Orchha contains
three palaces, each built by succeeding Maharajas in a similar
style being the Jahangiri Mahal most beautiful. After the visit
of Orchha we drive through the colourful villages and proceed
to Khajuraho. Khajuraho was the capital of the Chandela dynasty.
The Chandela Kings claimed descent from the moon. The temples
of Khajuraho are among the finest examples of temple craftsmanship
in the whole of India.
Day 11. Khajuraho - Varanasi (by air)
Today we visit the temple complex of Eastern Group and Western
group to see the most beautiful temples in India. Most famous
among them is the Laxmana Temple which is dedicated to god Vishnu.
The presence of erotic sculptures in the Temples at Khajuraho
is one of the expression among others of the celebration of
all human activities displaying different aspects of Hinduism.
In the evening flight to Varanasi. The rest of the day at leisure.
Varanasi is without doubt India's most sacred city and thus
visited by over one million people. Varanasi is also called
the city of light. Buddha visited this city in 500 BC. (Optional:
A drive can be organized to Sarnath (10 km). Sarnath is the
place where Buddha delivered his first sermon at deer park).
Day 12. Varanasi - Kathmandu (by air)
In the early morning we take a boat ride on the holy river Ganges
and enjoy sunrise on the boat. Ghats (flight of steps) and the
activities of pilgrims on that are the principal attraction
for visitors to Varanasi. Thousands of pilgrims and devotees
visit this city to make holy prayers, to meditate and to purify
themselves through taking a bath in the holy river Ganges. After
a break in the Hotel we go for the sightseeing of the city of
Varanasi. In the afternoon flight to Kathmandu. Rest of the
day at leisure in Kathmandu.
Day 13. Kathmandu Excursion: Swayambhunath, Bodhnath, Pashupatinath
In the morning we start our sightseeing by visiting Durbar Square.
Durbar Square is the spiritual heart of Kathmandu. The old royal
palace at the centre of the city was surrounded by temples and
other important buildings. This is the most important point
in Kathmandu to observe the culture and religion of Nepal. We
also visit the temple of living goddess Kumari. After Durbar
Square we will visit Swayambhunath. The stupa at Swayambhunath
is the most important and oldest site of Buddhist worship in
Nepal. Swayambhunath Stupa is famous for the eyes of Buddha
which seem to observing the world from all 4 directions. After
Swayambhunath we visit Bodhnath. Bodhnath is the largest Stupa
of Nepal. Around the octagonal base of Stupa there are 108 images
of Buddha where prayer ceremonies of Buddhist Lamas are taking
place since over 2000 years. Now we proceed to the temple city
of Pashupatinath which is Nepal's most important Hindu pilgrim
site on the banks of the Bagmati river. The temple of Pashupatinath
is dedicated to god Shiva.
Day 14. Kathmandu - Royal Chitwan
Today we leave Kathmandu and drive to the south of Nepal to
the Royal Chitwan National park. This National Park is situated
near the Indian Nepal border. The area of the National Park
covers around 950 km2. The Chitwan National park is the natural
habitat of the Tiger, great one-horned Indian rhinoceros, Leopard,
Gaur, Sloth and Wild Bear, Sambar. We have our overnight stay
in a comfortable lodge in the National Park.
Day 15. Royal Chitwan
We take the best possibility to explore the National Park on
the back of elephants. In the early morning there are more than
450 different bird species who make this National Park full
of life. In the afternoon we take a ride in Canoe on the Narayani
river and after that get on to jeeps to explore the park more
intensively in the accompany of a forest officer.
Day 16. Royal Chitwan - Kathmandu
After the breakfast we drive to Kathmandu. Rest of the day at
leisure.
Day 17. Kathmandu Excursion: Patan, Bhaktapur
Today we drive to Patan. Patan was the second largest town in
the valley but it has been absorbed into Kathmandu. Patan was
previously known as Lalitpur (the beautiful city). The famous
King Ashoka built the Stupas at four corners in the 250 BC.
The temple architecture here gave this city fame to be unique
and most beautiful. After Patan we proceed to Bhaktapur, the
third biggest city of the valley. Bhaktapur has preserved it's
medieval character better than Patan. We visit the golden door,
the Palace of 55 windows (15th century) and Pagoda Nyatapola
(18th century).
Day 18. Kathmandu - Delhi (by air) Excursion: Dakshinkali
Today we drive to Dakshinkali. On the way we pass through the
villages and small localities. Today we see the rural area where
most of the people make their living by cultivating their fields.
The temple of Dakshinkali is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus
where animals sacrifices for the goddess Kali are still performed.
In the Afternoon Flight to Delhi.
Day 19. Flight Back Home
Around Midnight flight back to home destination.
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