During the North India with Puri and Bhubaneshwar we get to know the best of North
India. The glory of Rajput dynasty, highlights of Mughal architecture, magnificent
forts and Hindu Temple will not only leave an unforgettable impression on us but also
the scenic beauty of the villages and colourful dresses of the people of North
India will accompany us during our whole journey. One of the highlight of this
tour would be in Varanasi where you will have a Boat ride on the holy river of Ganges
and observe the rituals performed by Hindu devotees in the early morning. This
tour is an ideal one to have impression of the brilliant past and lively
present of India. In this tour you will visit Delhi, Jaipur, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Khajuraho, Allahabad,
Varanasi, Puri and Bhubaneshwar.
Day 01. Flight to 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
site 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.
Humayuns Tomb Delhi
Amber
Fort Jaipur
Day 05. Jaipur
- Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (about 260 km)
Today we leave
Rajasthan, the biggest state in India and drive through a series of
fields, small towns and villages in direction of 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 06. 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.
Fatehpur Sikri
Taj
Mahal, Agra
Day 07. Agra - Gwalior (about
120 km)
After the breakfast we drive to Gwalior. Gwalior's strategic position between
North and South India has made it's Fort an important possession and it was captured by several ruling houses. Some left almost as soon as they came, while others stayed on to build and beautify the citadel. We visit the fort of Gwalior today
itself. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 08. Gwalior - Orcha
- Khajuraho (about 330 km)
Today early morning we leave Gwalior and proceed to Khajuraho. On the way to Khajuraho we visit
Orchha. Orchha's grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time, a rich legacy to the ages. In this medieval city, the hand of time has rested lightly and the palaces and temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their pristine
perfection. After the visit of Orchha we proceed for Khajuraho. Arrival in Khajuraho in the late evening.
Gwalior Fort
Orchha
Day 09. 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. 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 expressions among others of the celebration
of all human activities displaying different aspects of Hinduism.
Day 10. Khajuraho - Allahabad
After having breakfast we drive from Khajuraho to Allahabad. Allahabad is
situated at
the confluence of two most important rivers – the Ganges and the Yamuna. The meeting point of the rivers, the Sangam, is believed to have great soul cleansing powers and is a major
pilgrimage site. It is even more holy because the invisible Saraswati
river is supposed to join the Ganga and Yamuna at this point.
During the month of Magha (Mid Jan to Mid Feb) hundreds of thousands
of pilgrims come to the bath at this holy confluence for the festival
known as Magh Mela. The most propitious time of all happens every
12 years when the massive Kumbh Mela takes place. The rest
of the day at leisure.
Day 11. Allahabad - Varanasi
In the morning
we proceed to
Varanasi. 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.
Day 12. Varanasi - Puri (by
train)
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. In the noon we visit the city of Varanasi. In the evening we drive to Railway
Station for the train from Varanasi
to Puri.
Optional: A drive can be organised to
Sarnath (10 km).
Sarnath is the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon at deer
park.
Laxaman Temple, Khajuraho
Ganga
Aarti Varanasi
Day 13. Puri
Late evening
arrival in Puri. Check in the Hotel. rest of the day at leisure.
Day
14. Puri
Puri is one of
the four most important pilgrimage centres for Hindus. The temple
of Jagannath (God Vishnu), who is considered the preserver of the
world in Hinduism, attracts thousands on feast every day, particularly
at the time of 'Rath Yatra' (the car festival). The Jagannath temple
is also referred as the white Pagoda and it accommodates 5000 priests
in its premises. It's an experience to observe the activities of the
pilgrims visiting this unique temple. In the afternoon we drive to
Puri where we have a break and relax. The beaches of Puri are considered
among the best in India.
Day 15. Puri - Bhubaneshwar
Today we drive
through the tropical coastal area to the famous Temples of Konark.
Konark was once the centre of Buddhism in India is today famous for
the Hindu temples. The world famous Surya Temple which was dedicated
to God Surya (sun) was build in the 13th century. Surya temple of
Konark represents the complete development of Orissian style and architecture
which is only one time example in India being the most beautiful without
any counter piece. In the afternoon we drive to Bhubaneshwar. Bhubaneshwar
is considered the most sacred city in Orissa. Rest of the day at leisure.
Konark Temple, Orissa
Udaygiri, Bhubaneshwar
Day 16. Bhubaneshwar - Delhi Bhubaneshwar
(The Lord of the universe) is now the modern capital city of the
Indian State Orissa. Bhubaneshwar had once 7000 temples which were
built between 8th and 13th centuries. In the morning we visit some
of the finest examples of the classical temple architecture including Lingraj-, Rajrani and Mukteshhwar temples. In the afternoon we drive
to the airport for the flight from
Bhubaneshwar to Delhi. In Delhi we have rest of the day at leisure. Rooms are available to get fresh and change before
we depart for the Airport with Indo Vacations representative.
Day 17. Flight Back Home
Around midnight flight back to home destination.
Tour Reservation
To get more
information or to book this tour please submit the
Query Form
or send us an
e-mail ! Your
booking will be activated only after we get a reconfirmation from
your side.
About Hotels:
We provide you
the accommodation as per your budget mentioned above in the table of hotels
category for any of the booked tour. Hotels provided by us are from budget to
luxury class hotels. Luxury hotels are all five stars
or of above standard. Deluxe would be a combination of 3 and 4 star Hotels and
standard would be a combination of 2 and 3 star or similar hotels. The criteria for
selecting hotels by us remains the best value of your money. We also provide you
wherever possible accommodation in heritage hotels. Heritage Hotels are old
Palaces, Forts and Grand mansions of Maharajas which have been later renovated
and converted into Hotels. Rooms are decorated all individually. Rooms are
comfortable, romantic and present the flair of olden Maharaja days.
Our
Services Include :
Accommodation in double rooms on twin sharing basis with bath and WC
in the
chosen category. Rooms
on the departure day.
American/continental Breakfast. Rickshaw
Drive in Delhi. Elephant ride in
Amber (Jaipur).
One Dinner will be with a presentation of Indian music and
dance in Jaipur.
Services of qualified local guides (English speaking
or languages of your choice)
at every place of sightseeing.
All
Transfers and departures on arrival and departure by Indo
Vacations
representative.
All Transfers and Sightseeing throughout the tour by an
air-conditioned Car with
driver. For groups an individual air-conditioned bus (Except
Standard Hotels) will be
provided.
Exclusions:
Any Kind of Personal Expenses such as Tips, Laundry, Telephone Bills
and Alcoholic
beverages. Camera Fees (Still
or Movie). Any Flight Charges. Monument Entrances.
Unspecified Meals etc.
We always look
forward for any changes in the itinerary as wished by you for your
individual trip.
If you are willing to travel in a group - the
Group
Departure dates are available
!
Check
our
Festival calendar
to know about the dates of various festivals of North
India during your travel !
Visit
North
India Tours for more Tours &
information on North India !
If you are a
group over 15 people please
e-mail us with the number of participants
and the wished
dates to enable us to workout the tour
cost !
Please have a
look at our
References
to read the testimonials of tourists & guests
who have traveled with us.
Please
also check our
FAQ
page to get more information.
Accommodation in double rooms on twin sharing basis with bath and WC
in the
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