North India Family Vacation

Day 2 : DELHI HOLIDAYS
Full day guide tour of Delhi

Delhi , the capital of the country , and one of the India's fastest growing cities. Post breakfast , the day shall begin with the sightseeing of Old Delhi.

Old Delhi owes it's origins to moghul emperor Shah Jahan. It offers monuments , narrowded streets within it's granite walls and bustling bazaars. The main structure is the Red fort built of red sandstone; it houses the famous Diwan-e-khas, the beautiful audience chamber where the moghul emperor Shah Jahan held court seated on the peacock throne.

On Board the Rickshaw Ride, for a unique experience through the Chandni Chowk or the silver street, experiencing the sights and sounds of this busy avenue heading west from the Red fort.. Opposite the fort is the largest mosque in India - the Jama Masjid and as you walk down its steps, you walk into the teeming market place famous for brocades, braids, silver, manuscripts etc.

Continuing the tour of Old delhi, visit Raj Ghat (Where the Father of Nation, Mahatma Ghandi was cremated) .

Vacation Review "The North India is endowed with unbelievable beauty of desert, Ganges and hills. The erotica sculpts at Khajuraho are some proofs of Indian sculptures at once." » Maori Kiri, Korea

Post lunch , commenced the City tour of New Delhi . Drive past the state Government buildings designed by Lutyens, visiting Rajpath leading up from the war memorial arch India gate, up to the imposing presidential palace - the Rashtrapati bhawan - built on Raisina hill and flanked by the secretariat buildings. Landscaped parks and formal gardens surround old monuments all over the city- mausoleum of Humayun.

End the tour at the tower Minaret of Qutab Minar . The earliest Muslim city of India is 15 kms from Rashtrapati bhawan which is dominated by the Qutab Minar, which is an amazing 2000 yrs old pure iron pillar erected in 4 AD which has never rusted.

Overnight at the hotel

Day 3 : DELHI - JAIPUR
Proceed to Jaipur after breakfast. Reach by noon.

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 - 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.

Roam in the old city and explore Jaipur. Overnight at Jaipur.

Day 4 : JAIPUR HOLIDAYS
Jaipur - The Soul of Splendid Rajasthan - Full day guided tour of The Pink City Morning at 0800Hrs. The guide shall meet you at the hotel to take you onto the city tour of the Pink city . Visit the impressive Amber Fort ( 12 Kms. from Jaipur) . At the foot of the hill , mount on to the Elephant for the slow but steady climb upto the main gate .

Amer Fort: Set in a picturesque location, Amer is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh, it sprawls on the hillside. Built in red sandstone and white marble, the palace complex has some very interesting apartments, the likes of which are not to be found anywhere else in the country. Jai Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Sukh Niwas and Ganesh Pole are the prominent areas of interest.

Afternoon sightseeing tour of the city - Your tour includes the imposing Maharajah's City palace, still home for the maharaja although several of the rooms are open to public. Many antiques and artifacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here.

Visit the Hawa Mahal (the ornamental facade of this "palace of winds" is a landmark in Jaipur. Its five storey structure of pink sandstone encrusted with fine trellis work and balconies has 953 niches and windows.), Open air Jantar Mantar - Royal observatory (built in the 17th century by Jai Singh - with a sundial 90 ft. High; Albert museum (the museum amidst the Ram Niwas palace gardens founded in 1876 with a large collection of antiques),

Enjoy a stroll through the colourful Johari bazaar (the main bazaar in the old city, for jewellery and saris).

Village visit and dinner at the Chowki Dhani. Overnight at the hotel

Day 5 : JAIPUR - AGRA
Leisurely wake up and enjoy the buffet Breakfast at the hotel. Continue your journey to the next destination - The land of Immortal TAJ - AGRA . Enroute visit the Fatehpur Sikri( The Deserted city of Emperor Akbar literally means the city of Victory)".

Reach Agra and check in at hotel. Relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Agra.

Day 6 : AGRA
Full day guided tour of Agra. After Breakfast we will drive to Taj Ganges parking place. From there we will take the battery operated Bus to World famous Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal - One of the Seven Wonders of the World was built by Shah Jahan in 1631 AD and was completed in 1651AD. Taj Mahal - The symbol of Love was built in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal (Shah Jahan' s second Wife).

After Taj you will visit Agra Fort- which was built by Akbar In 1525 AD

After Agra Fort we will visit Baby Taj - The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj. Also visit Sikandra. Overnight will be at Agra.

Day 7 : AGRA - KHAJURAHO (By Air)

Post breakfast , you would be transferred to the airport to catch the connecting flight to the land of Erotic temples - Khajuraho . Reach and transfer to hotel.

Khajuraho - situated in the heart of India, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is a fascinating village with a quaint, rural ambience and a rich cultural heritage, honored by the world as India's unique contribution to human civilization.

There are few things in the world which are beyond compare and certain things that inspired human emotions to give an outlet to his spirtual and physical love. The erotic images of Khajuraho are the expresions of these human inner fellings . Every facade-wall, window, pillar, and ceiling of Khajuraho is carved with figures of mythical and historical origins, and while many of these depict the innocent form of love on these walls. Forgotten and unvisited until the mid-1960s, Khajuraho is now, after the Taj , India's biggest single tourist attraction.

Explore the village in the evening. Visit SHILPAGRAM. Overnight will be at Khajuraho.

Day 8 : KHAJURAHO
Day reserved for the Guided tour of the famous temples of Khajuraho. Overnight will be at Khajuraho.

Day 9 : KHAJURAHO - VARANASI (By Air)

Breakfast at hotel.. Transfer in time to airport for flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi, you will be met and transferred to hotel. Varanasi or Banaras is one of the oldest cities of India. This city has found place in the Buddhist scriptures as well the epic of Mahabharata. In Pali language Varanasi was called Banarasi hence it got the name 'Banaras'. Varanasi is also called 'Kashi' or the city of spiritual light. Kashi is the place where Shiva and Parvati stood when the "time started ticking".

This ancient city of India is located on holiest river of India-Ganga. This relation is unique and has attracted thousands of pilgrims. One theory also goes that Varanasi is located on the land between the river Varuna and Assi hence the name Varanasi.

Sunrise on the riveRfront, as seen from a boat, can be spiritually uplifting sight. Crowded with temples, and its labyrinth of streets, the city attracts the maximum number of tourists. The religious capital of Hinduism.

Overnight at Varanasi.

Day 10 : VARANASI
For every visitor Varanasi has different experiences to offer. The shimmering red and golden water of the Ganges when rays of dawn falls on them, the high banks, the temples, the Ashrams, the pavilions all are an experience in themselves.

Chanting of Mantras, the hymns along with the fragrance of incense in fills the air with mysticism which entrails every person. The refreshing dip in the Ganges with the splashing of water along the ghats- in Varanasi discovery and experience takes to the ultimate bliss.

Morning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and most important religions. (To start at 0500 hrs. for the best lifetime experience)

For you to appreciate this remarkable city, we'll transfer you to the banks of the River Ganges before the sun rises. Board a boat with your guide and proceed to the middle of the river, where at sunrise the sight unfolds before you. Then return for a walk through the cobblestone streets along the banks of "Ganga".

As shops are opening, the place now becomes a beehive of activity as the faithful are coming and going. Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple while returning to the hotel.

Return for breakfast to the hotel. Proceed for day guided tour of Varanasi

PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Religious Places The Ghats Of Varanasi, The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Gyanvapi Mosque, St. Mary's Church, Durga Temple, Bharat Mata Temple , Tulsi Manas Temple

Museums- Ram Nagar Durg , Bharat Kala Museum

Overnight at Varanasi.

Day 11 : VARANASI - DELHI (By Air)

Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for sightseeing of SARNATH.

Sarnath - 5 miles out of Varanasi for a day excursion: One of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 BC. Witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a fine Museum which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures found at the site. Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. Reach Delhi and you will be transferred to hotel. Overnight will be at Delhi.

Day 12 : DELHI
Breakfast will be at hotel. Day will be free to see more of Delhi and last minute shopping. In the evening proceed to see the DANCES OF INDIA show. Transfer to airport in time for flight to onward destination.