Splendour of North India

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Splendour of North India

This wonderful wide-ranging tour visits some of North India’s finest sights: Delhi, the Taj Mahal, Agra and the extraordinary temples of Khajuraho; its holiest city, Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges; and the less frequented area of Bundelkhand with its stunning riverside temples in the small town of Orchha. A spectacular flight across the Himalayas then brings you to the mountain Kingdom of Nepal where there is plenty of time to explore the capital and its surroundings before moving on to search for rhino and elusive tigers in the world-famous Chitwan National Park. A final, peaceful day in the beautiful Pokhara Valley allows time to reflect on all that this journey has revealed.

Day 1

Upon your arrival in Delhi, you will be met in the arrival hall after clearing immigration and customs. Porters are arranged to be responsible for your baggage, a practice that will continue through your Indian journey. You are then escorted to your hotel, The Park Hotel, a boutique hotel located in the heart of Dehli.

Day 2

Your morning activity begins with the historical part of the city also known as Old Delhi starting with 'Shah Jehanabad' which has some dramatic remnants of the Mughal Empire in the imposing Red Fort and Jama Masjid India's largest mosque. You ride rickshaws through its principal street, Chandni Chowk.

Culminate the Old Delhi tour with a photo stop at Raj Ghat the site of Mahatma Gandhi's cremation. Continue on to explore the capital and drive through the boulevards of New Delhi and pass India gate.

Lunch will be arranged in a beautiful setting next to the Lodi Garden at a restaurant which epitomizes Delhi's current fashionable restaurant culture. After lunch proceed to visit Qutab Minar.

As the afternoon sun recedes, visit the Tomb of the second Mughal Emperor Humayun, which was commissioned by his senior wife Haji Begum, in the 16th century.

Tonight a welcome to India dinner is hosted in a private home. The group will meet with guests from the local community who have excelled in various occupations and businesses.

Day 3

Following breakfast, transfer to the airport to Varanasi. Upon arrival you will transfer to your hotel, a beautiful park like setting of quiet and green, a contrast to the city around you.

En-route to the hotel visit the buried city of Sarnath, where the Buddha, arrived after attaining Sambodhi (enlightenment) and preached his first sermon, all is Sorrow.

After visiting Sarnath, continue on to the Taj Ganges. Later in the afternoon, we head towards the river seated in trishaws. Our convoy pedals through the heart of the city and its colorful markets as we make our way to the most sacred of rivers, the Ganges. You will be accompanied by Krishna a noted scholar on Hinduism, who will explain its rituals, traditions and customs associated with this ancient religion.

Arriving at the banks of the river at dusk, we are in time to witness the ancient Hindu ceremonial ritual called 'Aarti' conducted by the Hindu Brahmin priest class.

Our 'Bajra' boat (reserved in the past for rituals) sails up the river coming alongside the beautifully restored Peshwa Haveli mansion. We are surrounded by floating oil lamps, like a cloak of luminous gold. Vedic flower decorations are everywhere and 'diyas' fill its pathways as we enter to partake in a Hindu vegetarian 'thali' dinner, greeted by the chanting of auspicious Vedic prayers or shlokas by Brahmin boys of this priestly caste.

Day 4

Early morning return to the river at sunrise. The banks are alive with the multitude of worshippers who come to immerse themselves as they face the rising sun.

Later this morning, check out and transfer to the airport to Khajuraho. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel, providing you an opportunity to refresh yourself before embarking on your tour of Khajuraho.

Khajuraho - the Temples of Khajuraho are dedicated to life, love, joy and are perfection in craftsmanship. The temples were built in the short span of a hundred years, from 950 to 1050 AD. Of the 85 original temples, 22 have survived till today to constitute one of the world's great artistic wonders.

After lunch, proceed to visit the Eastern & Western Group of Temples.

Later in the evening, optional visit to witness the son-et-lumiere show at the Western group temple complex, which tells the history of Khajuraho temples with sound and light or enjoy Indian folk dances at Kandaria Gram.

Day 5

After breakfast, check out and drive to Orcha, a scenic, 3 ½ hour drive. Orcha (hidden place) is now a village, set among a wonderful complex of well preserved palaces and temples. The main palaces were protected inside fortified walls on an island in the Betwa River.

Following lunch, you visit the beautiful 17th century palaces which includes the Impressive Jahangir Mahal and Raj Mahal Palace. Also visit the 16th century Ram Raja temple with its soaring spires, originally a palace.

Later transfer to the Jhansi railway station, approximately 45 minutes away, to board India's flag ship train, the Shatabdi express to Agra. A light snack is served on board.

On arrival in Agra, transfer to your beautiful hotel, the Oberoi Amarvilas, where dinner will be enjoyed amidst a setting of splendor.

Day 6

Following breakfast, visit the Taj Mahal, perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world.

Continue on to pursue Emperor Akbar visiting the Agra Fort. The palaces, mosque and audience halls contained within its massive wall of red sandstone are perfect examples of blending Islamic and Hindu traditions.

You return to your hotel for lunch. For the afternoon, you have the option of enjoying the Amarvilas spa, an attraction in itself, or you could visit Kohinoor, the erstwhile jewelers to the Mughal Court featured in National Geographic and one of the marble inlay factories steeped in this decorative art culture.

our evening is free to relax in the salubrious surroundings of The Oberoi - Amarvilas and its pool.

Late evening enjoy the Taj at sunset sitting in the balcony of your room which has a spectacular view of the Taj. The monument appears to change its hue as it is tinted by the glow of the setting sun.

This evening, we will have a guest speaker to talk about "The Great Moghuls".

Day 7

Following breakfast, you depart your hotel and drive approximately 1 ½ hours to the red sandstone of Fatehpur Sikri, the former capital of the Mughal Empire.

Lunch will be arranged at the 'Bagh' at Bharatpur, some 30 minutes drive from Fatehpur Sikri. After lunch continue on to Jaipur, a drive of approximately 4 hours, through scenic India countryside. Upon your arrival to Jaipur, you check into your hotel, the Rambagh Palace.

Jaipur is where the enduring charisma of the past blends with the throbbing vitality of today. Where a kaleidoscope of characters from printers and porters to artist and antique dealers present a colorful tableau of this exhilarating city. Today, Jaipur has spread far beyond the pink crenellated walls that once defined its boundaries. It presents a fascinating picture of a city where growth, evolution and change are sustained by tradition.

Day 8

This morning, you ascend the Amber Fort. Ascending the fortress seated in jeeps, wander around the beautiful palaces and visit the Shiladevi temple (which continues to be the private temple of the Royal family ) with its exquisite marble carving and silver door. Lunch will be arranged at The Raj Palace. Following lunch, explore the pink city, and stop by Hawa Mahal, Palace of Winds.

Continue on to visit The City Palace located in the center of town, covers one seventh of its area, and is surrounded by a high wall. The royal family occupies a portion of this palace, while other areas have been converted into museums.

In addition to the monuments, Jaipur has a variety of attractions and some of these such as the markets are probably best explored individually. Transportion will be arranged to take you through the hustle and bustle with shopping ranging from blue pottery to jewelry and textiles.

Prior to dinner, a discussion on Jaipur and its importance and relevance in today's India with a few locals and your Tour Director.

Day 9

Early morning you will check out and transfer to the airport to Udaipur. Upon arrival in Udaipur, transfer to Devigarh, Devigarh Fort & Palace. Your morning is at leisure. For those who wish, one can arrange to ride horses into the near by country side or visit the quaint and charming village of Dilwara. Post lunch proceed to visit the ancient temple at Eklingji and Nagda.

This small pilgrimage town of Eklingji is set in a deep ravine that contains Eklingji Lake. The white - marble temple of Eklinga has a two-story mandapa to Lord Shiva.

Continue on to visit Nagda. It offers a cluster of Temples that have intricate stone carvings and are in close proximity to a lotus pond.

Day 10

Following breakfast, you drive to Udaipur on a day's excursion, some 45 minutes away. The city of Udaipur stands in a valley, amidst green hills on the banks of the wide, steel blue lake Pichola and is regarded as the most romantic spot in India..

Upon arrival in Udaipur, visit the City Palace and its museum across the lake. Also visit the Crystal Gallery at the Shiv Niwas Palace which houses the crystal collection specially commissioned by the House of Mewar.

Lunch will be arranged at the Lake Palace. Following lunch, you explore the colorful narrow lanes of the city, stopping by a local studio of miniature painting artists, who have helped keep alive this fine tradition..

Later in the evening a little before sunset, embark on the Royal Barge cruising around Lake Pichola with it's majestic backdrop of the City Palace and Jag Mandir Island. The barge will be regally decorated, with oarsmen dressed in traditional Rajasthani costumes. Enjoy beautiful views of the forts and palaces of Udaipur which are lit up after dusk. Enjoy cocktails with bar be que snacks while cruising the lake during an informal chat on the Maharajas and their opulence. Musicians playing the 'jal tarang', (Indian xylophone) provide soothing background music. Return to Udaipur for dinner.

Day 11

Following breakfast, you embark on a picturesque drive of approximately 2 hours to Ranakpur, where you visit the Jain temple complex. Situated in the remote and peaceful Aravali valley. Lunch will be arranged at the near by, Maharani Bagh orchard retreat belonging to the Maharaja of Jodhpur. Following your lunch, you drive to Jodhpur, some 3 hours away.

Upon arrival in Jodhpur, transfer to your hotel where your evening is at leisure. For those who wish, you can visit the colorful markets of Jodhpur and the downtown area. Transportation and your guide will be available.

Day 12

After breakfast, proceed to visit the 'impregnable' Meherangarh Fort which remained the royal residence until the Umaid Bhawan was completed in 1943.

Continue on to visit the Jaswant Thada, the graceful cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II (1873 - 95) and those of the other maharajas of Jodhpur who died in this century. Explore the colorful markets of Jodhpur. For the shoppers, there are plenty of stores selling products from handicrafts to antiques. Return to hotel for lunch.

Following lunch, drive west into the desert countryside towards the principality of Manvaar. Kanwar Moti Singh, scion of the fiefdom of Manwar, meets you at Manvaar Resort. Later he drives you around in a jeep to meet some of the tribes and villages most of whom would be curious about you, probably as you would be of them. There are weavers, potters, dyers and shepherd communities and the handsome Bishnoi tribe, famous as the earliest environmentalists. Your jeep safari winds its way to the Royal Jodhpur camp erected atop the Manvaar sand dunes.

Over tea, a brief orientation of the camp and its surroundings is conducted. Later, embark on individual camels and enjoy a short safari as the spectacular desert sunset casts an orange hue over the dunes. Cocktails are served atop a selected dune fenced with desert mashaals or flaming torches. Gypsy dancers and musicians, from this region electrify the atmosphere. Kanwar Moti Singh the local chieftain speaks about life in the desert, its people and their way of life. Dinner and overnight at the Royal Camp in the Thar Desert

Day 13-15

Bed tea and coffee is served at dawn in individual tents. Depart the camp for Khichan in the Thar Desert by jeep. At Khichan there are thousands of wild Demoiselle cranes who arrive in the winter and are fed and protected by the local tribes. Return to the Camp for breakfast en route visiting some beautiful red stand stone Havelis (Merchant Mansions).

Mid morning, check out and drive to Jodhpur, approximately 2 hours, where you fly to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, transfer to your hotel, The Oberoi, with the rest of the day at leisure. You may enjoy the amenities of your hotel, do more independent exploring of Delhi, the choices are yours and your guide and Tunis USA will help provide suggestions.

Your farewell dinner will be in a very nice setting, after which, you check out and transfer to the airport for your flight back home. flight departs Delhi in the early hours.

International flight departs Delhi in the early hours.

Early morning departure for onward destination..