Best Of North India – 13 Days Tour

The capital of India is truly a tantalizing mixture of old and new. We start our morning tour with an exploration of New Delhi and a visit to Birla House*, the last residence of Mahatma Gandhi. Next, take in the famous India Gate, followed by the Houses of Parliament. Experience the stunning ancient minaret of Qutb Minar** before venturing into Old Delhi where we visit the historical Jama Mosque* built by the Moghul Emperor, Shah Jehan. We then embark on a walking tour through the bazaars at Chandni Chowk*, Old Delhi’s oldest and busiest market. We then take drive past to the Red fort*. End the day at Raj Ghat*, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. Evening we enjoy a welcome dinner at a local Indian restaurant. (B, D)

Note: Birla House are closed on Mondays and Chandni Chowk is closed on Sundays

A short flight gets us to Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities in the world. On arrival we are transferred to our hotel. In the afternoon we explore Sarnath*, the site where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Varanasi is also famous for its silk sarees and we visit some of the houses where the beautiful silk sarees are actually woven. In the evening we get to the banks of the Ganges to witness the Aarti* ceremony, a Hindu religious ritual of worship, a part of puja, in which light from wicks soaked inghee or camphor is offered to one or more deities after sunset.

Overnight: (B, D)

Early morning, after morning tea/coffee at the hotel lobby, we take a serene sunrise cruise* on the River Ganges, soaking in the unique scenes along the river bank. One of the cardinal principles of Hinduism is the belief in the holiness of the Ganges. From our boat we will see scores of pilgrims and priests bathe in the river’s holy waters and performing various other rituals. This unique experience will make us feel as if we’re looking through a window to another world. After our boat ride, we explore Old Varanasi*, visiting the Bharat Mata Temple*, which houses a huge marble relief map of India; Durga Temple*, the Tulsi Manas Mandir* besides the Banaras Hindu University* and the Mosque* of Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb. (B, D)

We take a morning flight to New Delhi Airport. From here we take a road transfer to Agra. Agra is amongst the few privileged cities in the world to house 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – The Taj Mahal*, Red Fort* and Fatehpur Sikri*. As we get closer to Agra, our eagerness to see this monument of love will start growing at an unprecedented speed. Evening, free to take a walk and see the Taj glittering (especially on full moon nights).

Overnight: (B, D)

We start our day with a sunrise visit to one of the most well-known wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal*. An immense mausoleum of white marble, built between 1631 and 1648. Built by the Moghul Emperor, Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and a universally admired masterpiece of world heritage. Situated on the right bank of the Yamuna in a vast Moghul garden, this funerary monument combines elements and styles of Persian, Central Asian and Islamic architecture. After visiting the Taj Mahal, we return to our hotel for breakfast. Following some rest time, we visit Agra Fort*. This powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses the spectacular imperial city of the Moghul rulers. Explore fairy-tale palaces, audience halls and two very beautiful mosques.

Afternoon, we visit Fatehpur Sikri*. Built during the second half of the 16th century by the Moghul Emperor Akbar, this stunning complex was once thecapital of the Moghul Empire. Just 10 years after its construction, the city with
its beautiful temples, mosques and monuments were abandoned due to lack of water. Surprisingly, many structures are still in existence and used even today including one of the largest mosques in India and the artistically designed mausoleum of the revered Sufi saint, Salim Chisty. We will learn of a very interesting historical fact associated with Salim Chishty and the Moghuls. Evening is free to explore this small town, Agra, home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. (B, D)

Overnight: Stay in Agra

Our adventure continues as we set off for Ranthambore, the former hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur. Ranthambore National Park boasts one of the largest and most diverse collections of wildlife species in India. It’s rugged terrain and dense deciduous forests also offer stunning panoramas. After lunch at our lodge in Ranthambore, we take an adventurous safari through the park, spotting tiger, nilgai, chausingha, chital, chinkara, wild boar, jungle cat, rattle, hyena, porcupine and the black-faced langur. About 150 bird species
can also be found here, including migratory birds that arrive in winter. The safari lasts for about 3 hours. Evening is fun time with the other guests and Resort team.

Overnight: (B, L, D)

Ranthambore was established as a game sanctuary in 1955 and declared a Project Tiger reserve in 1973. Spotting Ranthambore’s famous Royal Bengal tigers in their natural habitat is an awe-inspiring experience. Early morning, we take another safari through the park with our eye out for these majestic animals. After our morning safari, we drive to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Jaipur is also called the Pink City, since most of the buildings in the old city are made of pink sandstone. In the evening, we enjoy dinner followed by a
unique Rajasthani cultural dance show.

Overnight: (2 nights) (B, D)

This morning, we are treated like the royalty of yesteryear with a journey to the Amber Fort*, located in a picturesque valley among the Kalikho Hills. Known as the gem of Jaipur, this imposing fort dating from the late 16th century was never attacked or invaded. Built from a combination of yellow and pink sandstone and white marble, the fort includes distinguished halls, intricate carvings and ornate gardens. Next we return to Jaipur to visit the Majestic City Palace*, which houses a rare collection of Indian art. We also stop at the stunning Hawa Mahal*, or Palace of Winds, where the ladies of the royal harem used to watch the city from behind the intricately carved
façade, and the Jantar Mantar*, a historic astronomical observation site boasting instruments used to star-gaze with the naked eye. The evening is free to enjoy the one-of-a-kind shopping of the bazaars. Jaipur is noted for its craftsmen, skilled in brass inlay, lacquer work and stone setting. (B, D)

A leisurely drive to Pushkar the bewitching little town on the edge of the desert. Pushkar is famous for its temples, bathing Ghats, onion domes and chalk-coloured buildings clustering around its holy lake, said to have appeared when Brahma dropped a lotus flower. The lake is an important pilgrimage centre and we shall see many pilgrims and Sadhus, (Hindu holy men). We visit the famous Lord Brahma Temple* one of the few temples in the world dedicated to this deity. Evening, we walk through the town and meet local folks. Overnight: (B, D)

Enjoy superb countryside views as we journey through Rajasthan to the city of lakes, Udaipur. Rajasthan literally means “the land of the Rajas” and the region’s royal heritage is still readily apparent. Udaipur was the historic capital of the former kingdom of Mewar and no other city in Rajasthan is quite as romantic. Centred around the shimmering Lake Pichhola, Udaipur offers beautifully intricate buildings set amid misty, rolling hills. It is also famous for the Lake Palace Hotel built as a palace on the lake and later turned into a deluxe hotel. On arrival, we check in to our hotel. Evening free to enjoy a walk and feel the city.

Overnight: (B, D)

Our fascinating exploration of Udaipur starts with a visit to the enchanting City Palace*, which overlooks the Lake Palace located in the blue waters of Lake Pichola. The palace features several architectural and artistic treasures, such as the stunning peacock mosaics in the Mor Chowk and the murals of the Bhim Vilas Palace. At the Jagdish Temple* we view some remarkable friezes dating back to 1651. Next we explore Fateh Sagar Lake and Saheliyon Ki Bari*, the Garden of Maids. Our tour of the romantic city of Udaipur ends with
a boat ride* on Lake Pichola*, sailing past the picturesque Ghats and palaces visiting Jag Mandir, a 17th century palace built on an island in the middle of the glistening lake. The palace was used by the royal family as a summer resort. (B, D)

After an incredible Best of North India tour, we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Delhi. Here we are met and transferred to a hotel near the airport to enjoy a complimentary day room usage till 8:00 PM to take rest before our long haul flight back home. After a farewell dinner, we are transferred to the international terminal for our flight home. We bid farewell to India after a memorable journey into the history, culture, art and architecture of incredible India. Or extend this adventure with an extension to other regions of India or countries nearby.


New Delhi (Day rooms) (B, D)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner