Best of North India Tour

Tour Duration : 13 Days Tour
Destinations : Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Orchha, Agra, Ranthambore, Jaipur, Pushkar & Udaipur.

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Tour Description : An ideal tour for a traveler covering the most important tourist spots in North of India. The tour offers rich and vast cultural experience India can offer. Starting from New Delhi which has charm of both British and Mughal India , visit magical Varanasi, the exquisite Murals of Khajuraho, The Monument of love Taj Mahal, Magnificent fort of Agra, The Abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri. Jeep Safari in a National Park, Feel like a king in Jaipur with an Elephant ride at the Amber Fort, Visit the sacred site of Pushkar known for the famous Brahma (The god of Creation) Temple which is only one in the world. The tour finally end's at the most romantic city in India. The City of Lakes and Palaces, Udaipur.

Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Namaste! We are warmly welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together. After immigration and custom formalities, we are transferred to our Hotel. Rest of the day is free. Overnight: Maidens Hotel (2 Nights)
Lotus Temple - Delhi

Day 2: Delhi
The capital of India is a true reflection of the old and new of India. We start our morning tour with New Delhi and visit Birla House - The Former Residence of Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi spent his later years at Birla House before he was assassinated by Nathu Ram Godse on January 30, 1948. Later we visit the famous India Gate followed by the Houses of Parliament, Connaught Place, Humayun's Tomb and the Qutub Minar - a perfect minaret towering 72.5 meters / 80.5 yards into the sky and there are 379 stairs inside the tower. New Delhi is a blend of Mughal India, Hindu India, British India and certainly of modern independent India. Later we visit Old Delhi, starting with the famous Red Fort. Built by Shah Jehan, this was once the most opulent fort of the Mughal Empire. Next we visit another Mughal majesty, the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque. We end our tour with a bazaar experience at Chandni Chowk, the street of silver and goldsmiths. In the evening we enjoy Welcome Dinner at Garam Masala Restaurant.(Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3: Delhi - Varanasi: By Flight
Varanasi Ghats
Today we are transferred to airport for our flight to Varanasi. Varanasi is the spiritual centre of Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims alike. This is also the pilgrim centre for the Hindus who come daily to dip themselves in the holy water of the Ganges. Late afternoon, we start our experience of Varanasi by visiting the Bharat Mata Temple which houses a big relief map of India made from marble. Varanasi is famous for its many temples and we visit the Durga temple, the Tulsi Manas Mandir, the Banaras Hindu University and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb. The city is famous also for its Banarasi silk sarees and we visit some of the houses where such silk sarees are still being weaved. Evening is free to enjoy this 5000 years old city and experience sunset at the Ganges. Every evening at sunset, on the banks of the river Ganges, the devotional ceremony of Aarti is performed. Thousands of Hindus and tourists flock to the Ghats, particularly in the pilgrimage town of Varanasi. In the evening we witness the Aarti ceremony on the Ghats of Ganges. Overnight: The Gateway Hotel Ganges (1 Night) (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4: Varanasi - Khajuraho: By Flight
Early morning a serene experience begins as we take a sunrise cruise on the River Ganges. One of the cardinal principles of Hinduism is the belief in the holiness of the Ganges. Every morning scores of pilgrim and priests fill the riverbanks performing the holy dip and various other rituals. Khajuraho TemplesThis is a site that has to be seen and experienced as it is so different from anything else what may have seen anywhere in the world. Later we leave for Sarnath the site of Lord Buddha's first sermon after attaining enlightenment. At Sarnath we meet many Buddhist monks and followers before visiting local Homes to see in-Home silk weaving and soak up some local customs, culture and hospitality. Later we are transferred to airport for our flight to Khajuraho. On arrival we are transferred to our Hotel. Our Khajuraho visit starts with the temples that have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples were built during the apogee of the Chandela dynasty between 950 and 1050 AD. Today only 20 temples remain and they fall into three distinct groups and belong to two different religions - Hinduism and Jainism. These beautiful temples strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. The Kandariya is decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art. The most important ones include the Mahadev Temple, Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple with a lovely image of 11 headed Vishnu, Vishvanath and Nandi Temples, Lakshmana Temple, Visha Temple that was dedicated to Shiva, which is the largest and most typical of temples. Overnight: Taj Chandela (1 Night) (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5: Khajuraho - Jhansi - Agra: (Drive & Train#2001-Shatabadi, Dep: 17:55 Hrs, Arr: 20:25 Hrs)
Today we drive to Jhansi en-route visiting Orchha, an amazing medieval fortress-city located on the shores of the Betwa River. After our visit to Orchha we proceed to the Railway Station in Jhansi to embark on the luxury first class train to Agra. This is a very comfortable train journey lasting just over 2 hours with four brief stops en route. It offers air-conditioned "business class airline" seating with meal services on board. We are welcomed in Agra and transferred to our Hotel. Overnight: The Gateway Hotel (2 Nights) (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6: Agra
Taj Mahal - Agra
We visit one of the most well known wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. Built by Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj is built of white marble, beautifully carved and inlaid with semi-precious stones. Next we visit Agra Fort, where Shah Jehan, in the later years of his life, was imprisoned by his son to prevent him from spending the family fortunes on a black echo of the Taj Mahal. Later we drive to Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful capital built in 1640 by the Mughal King, Akbar the Great. The city was later abandoned for lack of water. A superb example of Mughal architecture, it stands perfectly preserved in the desert. We also visit the artistically designed mausoleum of Salim Chisty who is reputed to have prayed for a son for Akbar leading to the birth of Salim Jehangir (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7: Agra - Ranthambore (Drive: 280 Km /5.5 Hrs)
Tiger at Ranthambore National Park
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Ranthambore, the former hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur, the Ranthambore National Park is situated in Eastern Rajasthan at the confluence of the Aravali hill ranges and the Vindhyan plateau. Two rivers flow through the Ranthambore National Park - the Chambal River in the South and the Banas River in the North. Six man-made lakes and many perennial streams pass through the entire national park. The Ranthambore National Park is nestled between the Aravali and Vindhya mountain ranges. The rugged terrain and the dense deciduous forests are major features of this national park, which has among the largest and most diverse collection of wildlife species in India. On arrival in Ranthambore, we check in our Hotel. In the afternoon we take a jeep safari through the National Park. On our journey we will see various indigenous animals such as: Nilgai, Chausingha, Chital, Chinkara, wild Boar and TIGER! Other habitants of the Park include the Muntjac, jungle cat, Ratel, Hyena, porcupine, the Rhesus Macaque and the black-faced Langur. About 150 species of bird are also found here including migratory birds, like the Steppe Eagle, that arrive in winter. Overnight: Tiger Den Resort (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8: Ranthambore - Jaipur (Drive: 180 Km /3 Hrs)
Hawamahal - Jaipur
Ranthambore is famous for the famous Royal Bengal Tigers and spotting the big cat in her natural habitat will be of great experience. Relying on our luck and how much lucky we are today, we take another jeep safari in morning through the National Park. If we are lucky enough we may be able to spot the BIG CAT in her natural environment. After morning safari, we drive to Jaipur, the rose pink capital of Rajasthan. In the evening we enjoy Dinner at Spice Court Restaurant with Rajasthan Cultural Dance performance. Overnight: Hotel Ramada(2 Nights) (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 9: Jaipur
A royal experience awaits us as we take an elephant ride uphill to the intriguing Amber Palace, a distinguished example of 17th Century Rajput architecture. After the tour and enjoying a panoramic view, we return to Jaipur to visit the old astronomical observatory built by the founder of the city, Jai Singh. We also visit the majestic Palace, which houses a rare collection of Indian art, and the colourful bazaar. Jaipur is noted for its craftsmen, skilled in brass inlay, lacquer work and stone setting. Most of the buildings in the old city are made of pink sandstone and one of the most beautiful is Hawa Mahal, Palace of Winds, where the ladies of the royal harem used to watch the city from behind the intricately carved facade. Evening is free to enjoy both shopping and a cultural experience in the bazaars of Jaipur. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 10: Jaipur - Pushkar (Drive: 140 Km/ 3 Hrs)
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Pushkar. Pushkar is bewitching but touristy little town, like a beautiful mirage on the edge of the desert, with temples, bathing Ghats, onion domes and chalk colored buildings clustering around its holy lake , which is said to have appeared when Brahma dropped a lotus flower. It's an important pilgrimage centre and you'll see plenty of Sadhus (Spiritual men), as well as countless chilled-out travelers experimenting variously with spirituality, Bhang and the facial hair. Pushkar boasts temples, though few are as ancient as you might expect at such an important pilgrimage site, since many were desecrated by Aurangzeb and subsequently rebuilt. We visit the most famous temple of Lord Brahma Temple, said to be one of the few temples in the world dedicated to this deity. It's marked by red spire, and over the entrance gateway is the Hans, or goose symbol, of Brahma, who is said to have personally chosen Pushkar as its site.
Overnight: Hotel Pushkar Palace (1 Night) (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 11: Pushkar - Udaipur (Drive: 280 Km/ 5.5 Hrs) Lake Palace - Udaipur
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Udaipur. No city in Rajasthan is quite as romantic as Udaipur. Misty ochre-shadowed hills and pale, intricate buildings encircle the mirror glass of Lake Pichola. If Jaipur is a study in pink then Udaipur is a vision in white. The City of Dawn, surrounded by the ancient Aravali Mountains and set on the edge of three lakes, is a brilliant kaleidoscope of narrow lanes flanked by bright stalls, gardens, lakes, palaces and temples. Eight marble porticos mark the spot where the Mewar sovereigns were weighed in gold, the equivalent value of which was then distributed to the poor. Within the City Palace are several architectural and artistic highlights such as the MOR Chowk, known for its stunning peacock mosaics and the Bhim Vilas Palace with its series of lovely wall paintings. The most memorable parts of Udaipur are its lake palaces, shimmering like jewels on Lake Pichola. Jag Mandir, the other island palace with a marble dome, is a marvel in red sandstone. It was a refuge for the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan when he was in exile following a quarrel with his father, Emperor Jehangir. On arrival we check in our Hotel. Rest of the day is free.
Overnight: Hotel Udai Kothi (2 Nights) (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 12: Udaipur City Palace - Udaipur
We start our experience of Udaipur by visiting the City Palace. The palace has several architectural and artistic highlights such as the Mor Chowk, known for its stunning peacock mosaics and the Bhim Vilas Palace with its series of lovely wall paintings. From City Palace we can see the most memorable part of Udaipur lake palace, shimmering like jewels on Lake Pichola. Later we visit Jagdish Temple, Fateh Sagar lake and Saheliyon Ki Bari or the Garden of Maids. We end our tour of Udaipur with a boat ride at Lake Pichola and visit Jag Mandir, the other island palace with a marble dome, is a marvel in red sandstone. It was a refuge for the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan when he was in exile following a quarrel with his father, Emperor Jahangir. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 13: Udaipur - Delhi - Home: By Flight
Today we are transferred to airport for our flight to Delhi. In Delhi we enjoy our Farewell Dinner, after Dinner we are transferred to International airport for our flight to onward destination. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Please Note: Ranthambore National Park remains closed from 01 July to 30 September. Departures during this period will be provided an additional night in New Delhi instead of Ranthambore.

(B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner
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Dates and Prices

We accept payment in GBP / EURO or equivalent USD (for clients from North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honor that rate. For Clients making payment in USD, please visit http://www.xe.com to check the conversion rate. The conversion rate on the payment due date will be applicable. For Complete payment procedures please visit http://www.travelling-in-india.com/payinfo.html

PRICES OF THE ABOVE TOUR -
(All Prices on Per Person Basis in GBP / EURO)


Departure Dates
Price in GBP
Price in EURO
Tour Start Date Tour End Date Per Person Cost on Twin Sharing Single Room Supplement Per Person Cost on Twin Sharing Single Room Supplement
12-Sep-2011 24-Sep-2011 GBP 967 GBP 289 EURO 1125 EURO 335
10-Oct-2011 22-Oct-2011 GBP 1175 GBP 402 EURO 1368 EURO 468
31-Oct-2011 12-Nov-2011 GBP 1210 GBP 435 EURO 1398 EURO 498
05-Dec-2011 17-Dec-2011 GBP 1175 GBP 402 EURO 1368 EURO 468
09-Jan-2012 21-Jan-2012 GBP 1175 GBP 402 EURO 1368 EURO 468
13-Feb-2012 25-Feb-2012 GBP 1175 GBP 402 EURO 1368 EURO 468
12-Mar-2012 24-Mar-2012 GBP 1175 GBP 402 EURO 1368 EURO 468

Accommodation

City Hotel Name Category of room No.of nights
Delhi Maidens Hotel Superior Room 02
Varanasi The Gateway Hotel Ganges Standard Room 01
Khajuraho Taj Chandela Superior Garden View 01
Agra The Gateway Hotel Standard Room 02
Ranthambore Tiger Moon Resort Cottage 01
Jaipur Four Points by Sheraton Comfort Room 02
Pushkar Hotel Pushkar Palace / Royal Desert Camp for Pushkar Fair Deluxe Room/ Swiss Tent for Pushkar Fair 01
Udaipur Hotel Udai Kothi Standard Room 02

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions Exclusions
Accommodation on twin share basis in the mentioned hotels for 12 Nights with daily buffet Breakfast as per the itinerary. Any personal expenses such as laundry bills, telephone bills, alcoholic / Non Alcoholic beverages
(Total 25 Meals) 12 Breakfast, 12 Dinners & 1 Lunch as per the itinerary Tips and other such cost which is to be paid to the drivers, guides, porters etc.
Transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary by air-conditioned Vehicle. Visa fees or International flight tickets and insurance.
All entrances to Monuments of visit as per the itinerary, excluding camera / Video Camera Charges. Any other services not mentioned in the cost inclusions.
Road tax, Toll Charges, parking fees and driver's overnight wages.  
Services of an English speaking tour Manager.  
Elephant Ride at Amber Fort (Subject to availability)  
Boat Ride (Common) at Lake Pichola in Udaipur.  
2 Safaris through Ranthambore National Park (October to June Departures)  
Demonstration of Marble craftsmanship in Agra  
2 Jeep Safaris through Ranthambore National Park (October to June Departures) (Subject to availability)  
Demonstration of Marble craftsmanship in Agra  
Pooja ceremony on Ghat with Hindu Priest in Pushkar  
Sunrise Boat Ride on Ghats of Varanasi  
Airfare in Economy Class from Delhi to Varanasi, Varanasi to Khajuraho and Udaipur to Delhi  
Train Fare in Executive Class from Jhansi to Agra  
Rickshaw Ride in Old Delhi  
All presently applicable taxes.  

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