Best of North India

Welcome to India! Arrive in Delhi T3 terminal by International Flight.

After immigration, you will be met by our Customer service executive in the welcome area of the airport.

Assisted transfer to the hotel and on arrival, check in for your stay (check in time 1400 hours).

Due to flight schedules, you will probably arrive at the hotel after midnight local time. You may want to travel a day early to ease the effects of jet lag and relax a bit before your India tour begins.

Delhi is not one city. Within it lie several cities, each with its own distinctive allure. Historically speaking, what we see today is the composite of seven older cities that were built, looted, destroyed, and then rebuilt over a period encompassing several centuries. The thriving metropolis that you see today is testament to the spirit of Delhi a city that is unapologetically kitsch under its cultured veneer.

Start your guided exploration of Delhi, India’s capital city that sports a rich history spanning over 2,000 years. Arrive Old Delhi and ride in a cycle rickshaw (pedi-cabs) through the narrow lanes. The Old City walls wrap around Chandi Chowk, the ancient market that continues to thrive. The energy in the streets is palpable. Local men sit and sip their tea at chai stands.

You will continue to Raj Ghat, the memorial of Gandhi, built at the site of his cremation on the banks of the Yamuna River.

Later visit the Sikh temple, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, second most important Sikh shrine in India and learn about the history of this religion. Sikhism is known for their focus on humanitarian works and this visit will be incomplete if you don’t visit their community kitchen (Langar) where thousands of worshippers are fed round the clock. Every day they serve chapati (bread) and lentil (dal), supplemented with vegetables to the devotees/ community. While at the Sikh temple, visit the Community Kitchen where food is being prepared keeping all hygiene and safety measures in mind and served free of cost all day and night to thousands of people!! You may also volunteer to make a chapatti or curry for the devotees.

Afternoon, acquaint yourself with the major landmarks of Delhi with an orientation tour of New Delhi. Drive past the imperial structures erected by the British including the present-day President’s residence, post-independence Indo-Saracenic creations, the India Gate – a memorial to martyrs of different wars, and visit UNESCO World Heritage Site Humayun’s Tomb, which is the first garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent. Built by the widow of Humayun, Haji Begum, this red sandstone tomb picked out with marble synthesised Persian and Indian architectural characteristics in a degree not seen before.

Post breakfast, check-out and drive to Mandawa - an erstwhile feudal outpost in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. The place is best known for its magnificent havelis. It often referred to as the world's largest open-air art gallery.

Arrive Mandawa and check in for your stay.

Spend the afternoon exploring the magnificent mansions with their colourful murals and frescos commissioned in the 18th and 19th century in and around Mandawa. Explore the Mandawa Fort with its many painted archways and its quaint medieval charm.

Morning after breakfast, drive to Bikaner.

Founded by Rao Bikaji, a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Bikaner is a lesser-explored gem of Rajasthan. Also known as, the camel country, the desert town was once an important point on the great caravan routes. The beautiful Junagarh Fort, exciting camel safaris, and a unique temple with holy rats make Bikaner a delightful destination.

Explore the city of Bikaner that is renowned for its majestic red sandstone forts, ornate palace and havelis, medieval markets, and sand dunes with camel safaris. You will visit the massive Junagarh Fort that is one of the most interesting forts in Rajasthan and boasts of lavishly decorated interiors. Visit the palaces and museums located inside the fort complex and explore its rugged sandstone bastions, graceful pavilions, and intricately carved balconies built on the desert plains. Learn what sets this fort apart from the others in Rajasthan. You will then visit the Camel Breeding Farm, a unique institute located amidst rolling dunes.

You can learn the different researches happening here to help breed superior strains of camel for both domestic and military use.

After breakfast, drive to Jaisalmer.

Situated amid the vast expanse of the Thar Desert on the far western border of India’s Rajasthan state, the city of Jaisalmer is home to the world's only inhabited medieval living fort. The fory is home to 5000 residents who live, rent-free. They are mostly descendants of families who once lived here.

Upon arrival at Jaisalmer, check-into your hotel.

Rest of the day is free at leisure.

Throbbing in the heart of the Thar Desert, Jaisalmer is an intricately molded wonderland.
In the morning, proceed for a guided sightseeing tour. The city tour begins with the visit to the Jaisalmer Fort built by Rawal Jaisal atop the 80 m high Trikuta Hill, where a fourth of the population still lives. It is also known as Sonar Qila (the Golden Fort). Within the fort, there are beautifully carved Jain temples of the 12th to the 15th centuries. Built with yellow sandstone, which is abundantly available in the desert, the Jaisalmer Fort has endured sandstorms, earthquakes, and enemy attacks for nearly a thousand years.

Late afternoon, drive to Sand Dunes for a camel back ride into the desert to watch the sun set on this golden desert city, emitting a lustrous glow off the desert sand. Camel Safari is one of the unique ways to explore small villages in Rajasthan. Atop this ship of the desert embark on an exciting soft adventure.

This morning, drive to Jodhpur by surface through the beautiful country side of India.

Also known as, the Blue City of Rajasthan, Jodhpur is famous for the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort, the bustling Sadar Bazaar and, the blue houses of the priestly class. It is the gateway to the Great Indian Thar Desert with scorching temperatures for most part of the year and was once the capital of the state of Marwar (meaning the land of the dead) of princely Rajasthan or Rajputana

Upon arrival in Jodhpur, check-in at your hotel.

In the afternoon, you may explore the local bazaar of Jodhpur known for a variety of handicrafts and textile products.

Post breakfast, embark on a guided tour of the most magnificent building in Jodhpur, Mehrangarh Fort, constructed in 1459. The fort is situated on a lofty height of 400 feet above the city and is enclosed by imposing thick walls. Inside its territorial boundaries, there are several palaces, which are known for their intricate carvings and sprawling courtyards.

Later drive to Udaipur.

Udaipur is the last capital of the former kingdom of Mewar of princely Rajasthan or Rajputana. The Mewar royals have never considered themselves as Kings, but custodians of the land they ruled on behalf of their clan deity, Sri Eklingji. Mewar’s history is riddled with bloody wars, defeats, victories, successions, and adoptions. British historian, Col. James Tod had compared the battles between Mewar and the Mughals with the Greeko Persian conflict.

Today Set off on a privately guided tour of the majestic white City Palace built in granite and marble. The palace complex is surrounded by crenellated fort walls, and overlooks Pichola Lake. The Garden of the Maids of Honor is well laid out with extensive lawns and shady walks. Constructed for forty eight young ladies-in-waiting sent to the royal house as part of the dowry, the garden has many fountains in its four delightful pools, chiseled kiosks and marble elephants.

Continue your exploration to the 16th-century Jagdish Temple in the heart of the old town followed by a stroll on the Gangaur Ghat. Later visit Saheliyon-ki-Bari, the former pleasure garden of the royal ladies of Udaipur.

Later, enjoy a boat ride at Lake Pichola at sunset.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board a flight to Jaipur.

On arrival, check in for your stay. (Check-in at 1400hrs)

The Pink City of Jaipur is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. It is also amongst the most favoured destinations for shopping of locals and foreign tourists alike. The buildings in the old city were painted with an auspicious rose pink shade under the orders of Maharaja Ram Singh to welcome the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria on their visit to India in 1876. This earned the city its famous epithet, as it quite literally blushed pink with the pleasure of welcoming its guests.

Evening enjoy Hi-Tea with a local family of Jaipur.

Morning: proceed for a guided excursion to the Amber Fort with a jeep ride to the top of the Fort. The Amber Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its amazing architecture that combines Mughal and Hindu styles, the fort is a sight to watch and walk through with its high ramparts, many gates, cobbled paths, and splendid view.

On your way down, visit Anokhi Textile Museum.

Next brief photo stop at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). Its beehive-like structure is interplay of red and pink sand stone, painstakingly outlined with white borders and motifs. Behind this elaborate latticed facade, the cloistered ladies of the court could watch the daily goings-on in the street below.

Also enjoy Tea Tasting at a local shop.

Evening, explore the markets of Jaipur. Your chauffeur driven car will be at your disposal.

Return to your hotel in the evening

Morning after breakfast, drive to Agra. Upon arrival in Agra, check-in at hotel.

Agra is situated on the banks of the Yamuna River, this city is home to some of the finest examples of Mughal architecture including its pinnacle Taj Mahal. Agra served as the capital of the Mughal Empire until Shahjahan shifted it to Delhi.

Rest of the day will be at your leisure or to pursue independent activities.

Early this morning proceed for Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. This UNESCO World Heritage site (Closed on Fridays) is a marvel in marble and it is known for its exquisite symmetry. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and lovingly referred to as a “teardrop on the cheek of eternity”.
Note: Timing subject to change based on the local sunrise timing

Return to hotel for breakfast.

After sightseeing, proceed to drive to Delhi airport to board the flight for your onward destination.