Essence of North India 10 Days

Just as the name suggests, this tour covers two most dominant aspects of Northern India - history and religion. The tour covers the famed Golden Triangle tourist circuit that offers you a glimpse of royal grandeur of Rajputs at Jaipur to opulence of Mughals at Agra and Delhi and the European legacy of the British Raj Period at New Delhi that sowed the seeds of modern India. It also covers the Desert Triangle circuit where you will enjoy the desert scenes in all their glory. Exotic camel rides, golden sands and massive forts at Bikaner, Jaisalmer, and Jodhpur will introduced to the haunting beauty of Thar Desert that gets enlivened by indomitable human spirit.

Itinerary Details

Destinations Covered : Delhi - Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur - Udaipur - Ranakpur - Jodhpur - Bikaner - Mandawa - Delhi

Day 01: BANGALORE - DELHI - AGRA
On arrival in Delhi airport direct drive to Agra by road,

AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.

Overnight stay at Agra,

Day 02: AGRA - FATEHPUR SIKRI - JAIPUR
Early in the morning proceed to visit sunrise view of Taj Mahal,

TAJ MAHAL: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.

Back to hotel have breakfast after breakfast visit Agra fort,

Proceed for visit to the Agra Fort with English speaking guide. Enjoy battery van ride. Return to hotel and relax in the evening.

Proceed by road to Jaipur, enroute visit Fatehpur sikri ,

Fatehpur Sikri: The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition ... it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur. Also visit the Buland Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.

Continue drive to Jaipur,

JAIPUR: The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. Jaipur is popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.

Proceed to Jaipur and check in at hotel and relax,

Overnight stay at hotel,

Day 03: JAIPUR SIGHTSEEING - UDAIPUR
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.

AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds it's ultimate expression.

Continue sight-seeing.

CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.

JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.

HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Their five-storey structures of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.

Evening transfer to railway station to catch overnight train to Udaipur,

Day 04: ARRIVAL UDAIPUR
On arrival transfer to hotel check in hotel and relax,

UDAIPUR:
The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure lake, hemmed in by the lush Hills of the ARAVALLIS. A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences and inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers.

Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic past, epitomizing valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the LAKE PICHOLA is an enticing sight.

Udaipur is the jewel of MEWAR -a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years.

Proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur, stopping first at City Palace. Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard.

Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the local folk Museum.

Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace in the middle of the lake. Spend some time at the Jag Mandir Palace.

Overnight stay at hotel,

Day 05: UDAIPUR - RANAKPUR - JODHPUR
Morning breakfast at hotel and proceed by road to Jodhpur, enroute visit ranakpur temples,

En-route, visit the RANAKPUR TEMPLES, dating back to the 15th century. 200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds with intricate friezes and sculptures. Includes visits to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.

JODHPUR: Set at the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the Ramayana. The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above the plains. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions.

Evening proceed to visit UMED BHAWAN PALACE. Overnight will be at Jodhpur.

Day 06: JODHPUR
Breakfast will be at the hotel.

Morning sightseeing tour of Jodhpur - gateway to the desert beyond, home of the Rathors of Marwar, visit the Mehrangarh Fort, rising up a hilly scarp, built on the advice of a hermit, overlooking the city in the image of a long sentinel. Inside the Fort are a number of palaces added by successive rulers. In this palace you would see different miniature paintings & cradle room. After this you would visit Jaswant Thada Memorial.

Enjoy a walk of the blue city in the early evening and then proceed for a roof top dinner at a local restaurant with a breathtaking view of the MEHRANGARH FORT.

Evening transfer to railway station to catch overnight train to delhi,

Day 07: JODHPUR - BIKANER
Morning leisurely breakfast at hotel and proceed by road to Bikaner,

BIKANER - The royal fortified city with a timeless appeal. Lying in the north of the Desert State, the city is dotted with many sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval splendorthatpervadesthecity'slifestyle.

More popularly called the camel country, the city is renowned for the best riding camels in the world. The ship of the desert is an inseparable part of life here. Be it pulling heavy carts, transporting grains or working on wells, camels are the prime helpers. The wells of Bikaner - an important source of water are other attractions of the city. These are built on high plinths with slender minareted towers on each of the Four Corners and can be noticed even from a distance.

Relax in the evening. Overnight stay will be at the Hotel.

Overnight stay will be at the Hotel.

Day 08: BIKANER - MANDAWA
After breakfast drive to Mandawa

The medieval Fort of Mandawa gradually rises on the horizon like a mirage. A breathtaking view of the town can be seen from the terrace of Castle Mandawa. Precious collection of arms with jade handles, traditional ceremonial costumes can be seen at the Museum at the Castle. The havelies worth a visit are Chokhani, Saraf, Goenka and Ladia in this town. Built in 1775 by Thakur Nawal Singh, descendant of Rao Shekhaji, who also founded the city of Nawalgarh. The Castle, now a 51 rooms hotel has no two rooms alike. It also houses an interesting collection of paintings, jade, costumes and antiques. The courtyard and the terrace come to live during evenings with candle-lit dinners and fire-dances during the season. A two hundred and forty year old fortess, that has been converted by the family into a fine example of traditional hospitality.

Reach and check in at hotel.

Overnight stay will be at the Hotel.

Day 09: MANDAWA - DELHI
On arrival transfer to hotel check in hotel after wash and change proceed for sightseeing tour of Delhi sightseeing visiting

After breakfast our company guide will meet you at hotel lobby and proceed to sightseeing tour of New and Old Delhi,

Breakfast at Hotel

Start a full-day tour of Old and New Delhi.

OLD DELHI - A sight-seeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire.

Enjoy the cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.

NEW DELHI - An extensive sight-seeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's Residence, and Lotus Temple and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.

Evening Proceed to see the DANCES OF INDIA show in the evening,

Overnight will be at Delhi.

Day 10:DELHI - BANGALORE
Morning leisurely breakfast at hotel and transfer to airport to catch flight for Bangalore with sweet memories of tour to India,

TOUR END