NV-PR4 BEST OF NORTH INDIA

Assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Morning tour of New Delhi begins with a visit of the grateful mausoleum of the Moghul Emperor Humayun. Continue to the 13th century Qutub Minar, a dramatic 234 foot high fluted minaret. Proceed along the majestic promenade past the imposing India Gate War memorial, Secretariat Buildings, Parliament House and Raj Bhavan, official residence of the President. Discover Old Delhi this afternoon with a visit of Raj Ghat, the tranquil final resting place of Mahatma Gandhi. Then, view the massive walls and ramparts of the magnificent Red Fort, symbol of Moghul power and elegance. On the 17th century Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, the gateway to Chandni Chowk , the busting and colorful market place of the Old city. Overnight at your hotel.

Post breakfast drive for Mandawa. Check-into the hotel. Late in afternoon a short trip to Mandawa to explore the various painted havelis and frescoes of the Shekhawati. Often called the open-air gallery of Rajasthan, this region has many frescoes painted on cenotaphs, walls, forts and temples dating back to the 17th century . The themes encompass traditional mythology, local legend and folklore. Overnight at Mandawa.

After breakfast proceed for a city tour of Bikaner at about 1500hrs, - 500 years ago, a desert chieftain established his kingdom here, and over the centuries, it has grown into an impressive town. Its central fort offered the occupants safety from invaders, while inside, the rulers designed some beautiful apartments that carried echoes of opulence and in rain starved Bikaner, the images of monsoon clouds. Visit Junagarh fort, which has several exquisite Palaces and is carved out of red sandstone, also visit camel breeding farm. Overnight in Bikaner.

After breakfast at 0700hrs drive to drive to Jodhpur en-route visiting
Deshnoke
. Arrive Jodhpur by lunch time. Among Rajasthan’s many princely settlements, Jodhpur is one of the most distinctive. This 500-year-old settlement was the headquarters of the Rathore Rajput’s celebrations for their tales of valour. Located in the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is known for its impressive fortified bastions, especially those of Mehrangarh, which have been witness to many battles and were associated closely with the history of the regions. Post lunch sightseeing of Jodhpur including Mehrangarh Fort,
Jaswanthada and clock tower.
Overnight Jodhpur.
Note: Entry to Mehrangadh fort close at 1600hrs suggest to grab a quick bite on the way to save time on this day

Early Breakfast and drive to
Pushkar
(about 5-6hrs drive) - One of the Pilgrimages for Hindus. The only Brahma Temple in the world is built at Pushkar. Lunch break at Pushkar. Later in the afternoon continue to Jaipur - the city capital in the tone of an autumnal. Sunset, literally blushed pink when Prince Albert, the consort of queen Victoria, stepped on its soil in 1833. Interspersing the plan of red and pink were white borders and motifs, painstakingly outlining the architectural highlights of Jaipur’s buildings. This is the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe through nine rectangular sectors subdividing it. The palaces and the forts of yesteryears that were witness to royal processions and splendor are now living monuments, accepted quite naturally into the lifestyles of the people of the Pink City. Overnight at hotel.

Morning tour of Amber fort on elephants back. You ride up on elephants to the former capital of the royals set to the backdrop of wooded hills. Post lunch tour of the City Palace of Winds and the observatory. Overnight in Jaipur.

Breakfast at hotel. Later check out and drive to Agra en-route stopping to see the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. Arrive by late afternoon. Check into your hotel. Agra, in terms of ambience is still associated with the Mughal period. With it’s laid back lifestyle & it’s immense wealth of architecture, handicrafts & jewellery, is amongst the most remarkable cities. Rest of the time at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
(TAJMAHAL IS CLOSED ON FRIDAYS)

After breakfast city tour of Agra covering the mausoleum built by Shah Jehan for his beloved Wife-Empress Mumtaj – The Taj Mahal. Also the fort on the sands of the river Yamuna. Various styles of architecture are evident within the fort. After noon is free for shopping or
side trips
(extra cost) Overnight at Agra.

Early breakfast at hotel, followed by transfer to station to board Shatabdi train for Jhansi
(0815hrs/1010hrs)
Pick up from Jhansi station and transfer to Orchcha (01hrs drive) Sightseeing of Orchha and lunch break at Orchcha. Later continue to Khajuraho (3-4hrs) Arrive by evening and check into hotel.

The creators of Khajuraho claimed descent from the moon. The legend that describes the origin of this great dynasty is a fascinating one: Hemavati, the beautiful young daughter of a Brahmin priest was seduced by the moon god while bathing in the Rati one evening. The child born of this union between a mortal and a god was a son, Chandravarman. Harassed by society, the unwed mother sought refuge in the dense forest of Central India where she was both mother and guru to her young son. The boy grew up to found the great Chandela dynasty. When he was established as a ruler, he had a dream-visitation from his mother, who implored him to build temples that would reveal human passions, and in doing so bring about a realization of the emptiness of human desire. Chandravarman began the construction of the first of the temples, successive rulers added to the fast growing complex.of the world. Half day combined tour of Eastern and Western group temples. Rest of the day free for
side trips
or leisure Overnight Agra.

Post breakfast depart for Allahabad. Arrive by noon and check into hotel. The city of Allahabad is among the largest cities of Uttar Pradesh and situated at the confluence of three rivers- Ganga, Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati. The meeting point is known as Triveni and is especially sacred to Hindus. The earlier setlemets of the Aryans were established in this city, then known as Prayag” Prayagasya Praveshshu Papam Nashwati Tatkshanam. All sins arre cleaned with entry in Prayag ( the ancient name of modern time Allahabad)
PRAYAG
is one of the historic & mythological cities of India with glorious past and present. It continues to enjoy the distinction of being a place of haunting and lasting meories. It is a city of mixed culture of Hindu,Muslims, Jains and Christans. Its sanctity is manifest by references to it in Purans, the Ramayan and the Mahabharata. According to Hindu Mythology, Lord Brahma, the creator God of the Trinity, chose a land on earth (i.e. Prayag) to perform ‘Prakrista Yag’, at the beginning of the creation and he also refereed to it as Tirth raj or the King of all pilgrimage centres’ As per writing of ‘Padam Puran’ – “As the sun is amongst the moon and the moon amongst the stars, likewise ‘Prayag is best amongst all places of pilgrimage” The bathing at Prayag is mentioned in Brahma Purans “ in the month of Magha at the bank of Ganga Yamuna in Prayag bestows results of millions and millions of Ashvmedha Yajna”. Overnight at hotel.

Today we drive folr Varanasi. Arrive and check into hotel. The holy city of Varanasi, known as the city of temples and learning, is a place of great historical and cultural importance. This religious capital of India is situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges and is presided over by Lord Shiva. It is the heart of India and an epitome of the synthesis of cultures, religions and races. The riverfront of the city is decorated by hundreds of well built ghats which is a unique feature. The holy Buddhist place, Sarnath is in its precincts. Varanasi is the premiere most place of oriental learning. Simultaneously it is keeping pace with modern advanced knowledge. It has three universities. One Tibetan Institute and an Institute of Arabic Studies. The city is reputed for silk fabrics, perfumes, artistic brass and copper wares and a variety of handicrafts. It is an important centre of literature, art and culture. It has produced great poets. Writers, musicians and scholars. This vibrant city of joy knowledge and liberation has a magnetic attraction for people all over the world. Post lunch: Visit to Sarnath. After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya the Buddha went to Sarnath; and it was here that he preached his first discourse in the deer park to set in motion the 'Wheel of the Dharma'. It is one of the most holy sites as in this place the stream of the Buddha's teaching first flowed. Return back to Hotel for night stay.

Early morning Boat ride at Varanasi. Return to hotel for breakfast. Later city tour of Varanasi.

Early breakfast, transfer to airport.