North India Travel Packages

North India & Nepal Tours

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Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days
Places to See: Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Kathmandu - Delhi

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Day 01 - Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi by international flight. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Check-in time is 12 Noon. Overnight at the hotel

Day 02 - Delhi - Sightseeing
Full day sightseeing tour of New Delhi and Old Delhi New Delhi visit includes Qutab Minar, one of the earliest remains of Imperial Delhi (13th century AD ) Humayun's Tomb-the fine monument believed to be forerunner of Taj Mehal, India Gata, the 42 metre high arch was raised as a memorial to soldiers, drives past Parliament House, President's House, Secretariat Building, Laxminarayan Temple and The Connaught Place.

Day 03 - Delhi - Jaipur
By Surface: 240 Km 5 Hrs.
After breakfast drive to beautiful Pink City - Jaipur.

Reach and check in at hotel.

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 it's character and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. 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.

Overnight at Jaipur.

Day 04 - Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel.

Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts of Jaipur. 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. It’s forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds it's ultimate expression.

Proceed for sightseeing of the city.

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. Its five-storey structure 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.

Visit a rug factory and see the ladies at the intricate work or a gem factory and see the gem cutting and polishing process.

Overnight at Jaipur.

Day 05 - Jaipur - Agra
By Road
270 km/5 hr
Proceed for Agra after breakfast.

Stop at 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 it’s grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.

Reach Agra in the Late afternoon.

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 at Hotel.

Day 06 - Agra
After Breakfast proceed for sightseeing.

Enjoy battery van ride to the Taj.

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 it’s 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. Proceed for sightseeing to the AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.

Visit Itmadullah’s Tomb built by Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory of her father (The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj).

Overnight at Agra.

Day 07 - Agra - Jhansi - Orcha - Khajuraho:
By Train - Shatabdi Express
Dep time: 0758 hrs Arr Time: 1035 Hrs
Morning after breakfast transfer to railways station for train to Jhansi.
Upon arrival in Jhansi you will be received by our representative. Continue your journey towards Khajuraho.

Jhansi - Orchha - Khajuraho
By road 180 kms 4 hrs
Enroute visit Orchha, now a small hamlet in the state of Madhya Pradesh but once the capital of the formidable Bundela kings in medieval times. Attractions include Raj Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, Rai Parveen Mahal, Ram Raja Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple, and Laxmi Narayan Temple. On arrival at Khajuraho check into hotel. Spend rest of the day on leisure.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 08 - Khajuraho
After breakfast explore the Temple complex Proceed for the city tour in the Morning. Khajuraho is famous world over for the erotic temples built in the medieval times by the mighty kingdom of Chandelas with inspiration taken from Kamsutra - the celebrated Indian treatise on sex. The temples are divided into three groups Eastern, Western, and Southern. Kandariya Mahadeo is the most celebrated of all temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and famous for erotic sculpture on its walls.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 09 - Khajuraho - Varanasi:
Flight Number: 9W - 334
Dep: 1330 Hrs Arr: 1410 Hrs
In the afternoon our company representative will give you transfer to airport for the flight to Varanasi. Before departure do the sightseeing of Khajurahoi.

On arrival check in the hotel. Afternoon on leisure. Evening visit the Temple and explore the Pooja Ceremony.

Overnight at hotel.

About Varanasi
Standing on the western bank of India's holiest rever Ganges, Varanasi is the oldest surviving city of the world and the cultural capital of India. It is in the heart of this city that there stands in its fullest majesty the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in which is enshrined the Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha. Here gravitate the teeming millions of India to seek benediction and spiritual peace by the darshan of this Jyotirlinga which confers liberation from the bondages of maya and the inexorable entanglements of the world. A simple glimpse of the Jyotirlinga is a soul-cleansing experience that transforms life and puts it on the path of knowledge and bhakti. Vishweshwara jyotirlinga has a very special and unique significance in the spiritual history of India. Tradition has it that the merits earned by the darshan of other jyotirlinga scattered in various parts of India accrue to devotee by a single visit to Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Deeply and intimately implanted in the Hindu mind, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple has been a living embodinent of our timeless cultural traditions and highest spiritual values. The Temple has been visited by all great saints- Adi Shankaracharya, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekanand, Goswami Tulsidas, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, Gurunanak and several other spiritual personalities. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple attracts visitors not only from India but abroad as well and thereby symbolises man's desire to live in peace snd harmony with one another. Vishwanath being a supreme repository of this spiritual truth thus strengthens the bonds of universal brotherhood and fellow feeling at the national as wll as global levels. On January 28, 1983 the Temple was taken over by the Govt. of Uttar Pradesh and it's management eversince stands entrusted to a Trust with Dr. Vibhuti Narayan Singh. Former Kashi Naresh, as president and an Executive Committee with Divisional Commissioner as Chairman. The Temple in the present shape was built way back in 1780 by Late Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore. In the year 1785 a Naubatkhan was built up infront of the Temple by the then collector Mohd. Ibrahim Khan at the instance of Governor General Warren Hastings. In 1839, Two domes of the Temple were covered by gold donated by Punjab Kesari Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. Third dome but was remained uncovered, Ministry of cultures & Religious affairs of U.P. Govt. took keen interest for gold plating of third dome of Temple.
Ghats.

Varanasi, Kashi or Banaras, is older than traditions. The divine grace of this city lies is unique combination of physical, metaphysical and supernatural elements. Ghats of Varanasi are natural supplement to the concept of divinity. It is a city witch liberate soul from human body to ultimate. The much quoted Sanskrit Skloka Proclame ' Kasyam maranam mukti' (death in Kashi is Liberation). In fact the extension of this belief could be visualised in early concept of ' Pancha Trirtha' symbolically identified with the human body it is explicitly equated with the fire elements (Panch Tattva) of witch body is composed interesting people now defining as all the Ghats are points on the divine cosmic road ( 12th Zodiacs X 7cakras of body thus 98 ) represents its manifest transcendential dimension. That is how this frame shows a cosmic order and harmonic relationship between micro cosmos (divine order) and micro cosmos (human order)through the interlink of mesocosmos ( the physical order of ghats). The Gahadvala inscriptions ( c.12th cent) mention only five ghats . A mid 17th cent.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 10 - Varanasi
After breakfast drive to Sarnath and explore the sarnath.

Sarnath
LOCATION
Sarnath renowned for ancient remains of Bhuddhist stupas, monasteries and temples, is situated at a distance of 6 kms. to the north of Varanasi city witch is well connected by road, rail & air.

HISTORY
Sarnath is one of the four most important Bhuddhist pilgrimage centres of India. Bhudda, the great sage, after. attaining enlightenment (Bhudda-hood) at Bodh gaya came to Sarnath and delivered his first sermon to five disciples (i.e. Kaundinya, Bashpa, Bhadrika, Mahanaman and Ashvajit) for redeeming humanity. It is this place where foundation of a new order of monks (Sangha) and a new order of religious doctrine (Dhamma) was laid. Sarnath is also sacred to the Jains because they look upon it as the site of asceticism and death of Shreyamshanath, the 11th Trithankara.
In ancient Bhuddhist literature the place finds mention as Rishipatna and Mrigdava or Mrigadaya. The place was called Rishipatna , as it was here the bodies of five hundred Pratyeka Bhuddhas or Rishis(Sages) fell after their attainment of nirvana (Salvation). According to the Jataka, in one of his previous births Bhudha as aleader of a herd of deer,for saving life of a doe, appeared before the king of Benaras who relished on the flesh of a deer everyday. On being moved by his sacrifical zeal the king made the place a free roaming ground, thus it was known as mrigadava (deerpark). The inscriptions of early medieval period found from Sarnath referred to this place as Dharamchakra or Sadhamacharka pravartana vihar. The mordern name Sarnath seems to be a contraction of Saranganath (Lord of deer) still borne by the Lord Shiva enshrined in a temple nearby.

Sarnath pased into oblivion in the 13th cent. and veil was lifted in 1798 when Mr. Duncan , the resident of Benaras gave an account of a casket of green marble inside a stone box exposed by the workmen of Jagat Singh, Dewan of Raja Chet Singh of Benaras while dismantling the Dharmaralika stupa in order to procure building materials. This discovery had created wide interest about Sarnath.

Later on excanvations were conducted at the site by Sir Alexander Cunningham (1835-36), Major Kittoe (1851-52), Mr.C. Horne (1865), Mr. F.O. Oertal (1904-5), Sir john Marshall (1907), Mr. H. Hargreaves(1914-15), and Mr. Daya Ram Sahni (1927-32).

Archaeological excavations have brought to light about a dozen carved railing pillars ascribable to the Shunga period (2nd - lst cent. B.C.).

With the advent of the Kushana (1st - 2nd cent. A.D.) in north India Bhuddhism witnessed a new phase of Religious and artistic activities. Trough Mathura was the centre of this renaissance, but sarnath also flourished and new monuments were raised. The colossal image of Bodhisattva imported form Mathura in the 3rd regnal year of Kanishka is now exhibited in the museum.

During the Gupta period (4th-6th century A.D.). Sarnath became a main centre of structural and artistic activities. Several structures including Mulgandhakuti, the chief shrine of the Buddha were erected during this period. The Dhamekh stupa is the best preserved and most impressive edifice at Sarnath. It is a cylindrical tower 28.50 mts. In diameter at base and 33.53 mts. In height. Fa-Hien the Chinese pilgrim visited Sarnath at the time of Chandragupta ll (376-414 A.D.) and saw here four stupas and two monastteries.

The reign stupas and Harshavardhan (606-47 A.D.) must have initiated fresh religious activity and restorations of the earlier building at Sarnath. Hiuen-Tsang visited Sarnath during the time and left a vivid descriptinued of its monuments.

This place continued to flourish during the reign of the pala kings. But the monuments of Sarnath experienced a reverse, when Benaras suffered under the spearhead of Mahmud Ghajni's invasion which is inferred from a record of the time of Mahilala, datable to 1026 A.D.

Kumardevi, wife of Givindchandra (1114-1154 A.D.) of the Gahadavala dynasty built a large monastery at Sarnath which is probably the last impressive monuments raised here and after which the architectural and artistic activitivs came to a halt. The glorious heritage remained hidden for a larger period and waite for the archaeological spade to uncover it.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 11 - Varanasi - Kathmandu:
By flight: Cosmic Air:
Enjoy boating on the river Ganges in the dawn. Explore the city of Varanasi - the Spiritual capital of India after breakfast. Visit Ghats, Kashi Vishwanath Temple and other places.

In the afternoon company representative will give you transfer to the airport for the flight to Kathmandu. Meet and Transfer to the Hotel.Evening cultural dinner with Dance at Nepali Chulo Restaurant.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 12 - Kathmandu
Morning city sightseeing tour to visit Machhendra Nath Temple, a two tiered bronze roof pagoda, Hanuman Dhoka - the historic seat of Royalty, Durbar Square which houses Teleju temple built in 1549 AD, figure of Kal Bhairav - God of Destruction, statue of King Pratap Malla, Temple House of Kumari - the residence of living Goddess.

Day 13 - Kathmandu
Morning visit Bhadgaon (Bhaktapur) means the city of devotees, situated at an altitude of 4600 ft., 13 kms east of Kathmandu. Durbar Square - the main Square of the city contains the Lion Gate with the lovely stone figures of Hanuman. Boudhnath - the colossal Stupa, one of the biggest in the world, has the all seeing eyes of the Buddha.

Day 14 - Kathmandu - Delhi:
Flight: Cosmic Air:
After breakfast our company representative will give you transfer to the Airport for the flight Delhi.

Transfer to the airport for flight to Delhi Assistance on arrival and connect flight for onward destination.




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