Cultural - Mystical Mountains Tour
Duration : 15 Nights / 16 Days
Destinations : Delhi - Haridwar - Rishikesh - Mussoorie - Agra - Jaipur - Jodhpur - Bikaner
Day 1 : Arrive Delhi
You will be met on your arrival at Delhi International airport and transferred to the hotel located in the city center, with easy access to government and commercial districts, shopping area and restaurants. All the rooms offer luxury, style and comfort with contemporary touches. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 : Delhi
At 0830 hours, meet your tour guide and our representative for a short briefing in the Hotel Lobby followed by a full day combined sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi visiting - The mighty Red Fort, Friday Mosque -- Jama Masjid, The silver street of Chandni Chowk, Raj Ghat -- the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, The Hindu temple Birla Mandir, The India Gate -- a 42 m high war memorial, The Rashtrapati Bhawan -- President's House, The tomb of Emperor Humayun, Qutab Minar -- a 73 m high victory tower and The Bahai Temple -- shaped like a lotus flower and a proof of India's secularism. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 : Delhi – Haridwar
Early morning transfer to station for taking the morning train to Haridwar. On arrival transfer to hotel. In the afternoon half day city tour and visit Chandi Devi temple which provides a panoramic view of this holy town. In the evening visit Har Ki Pauri to witness the spectacular ritual of Ganga Aarti held every evening on the banks to worship the goddess of River Ganges which is believed to have given life to whole of north India. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4 : Haridwar
First half relax in the Spa on the banks of the Ganges and take Herbal Massage. In the afternoon we go for Half Day city tour of Haridwar visiting Daksha Temple and Parad Shivlingam. Both these are lord Shiva temples. Daksha temple is connected to a very old mythological story and Parad Shivlingam is actually a solidified Mercury Shivlingam ( said to be done by a saint by his meditation in 19th century ). This day will give you a first hand account of an Indian’s faith and culture in its pure form without any commercialization specially doctored for tourists unlike Rajasthan or Agra which is flocked by western tourists a lot and everything is too much western tourist oriented. Come back to hotel for another exotic Indian dinner. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5 : Haridwar – Rishikesh
After breakfast drive up to Rishikesh, the town famous for its yoga centers and ashrams. Then drive on (30 min) to Kunjapuri the highest point (6000 ft) in the area. On arrival enjoy the grand view of Doon Valley on one side and high Himalayas on the other side. After that go for a day trek and visit the typical Himalayan village and be close to the nature and local culture. Come back to Rishikesh in the evening and check in to River beach camp/Hotel. Witness another spectacle of Aarti today in Rishikesh. This is a more modern version of what you saw in Haridwar, with an eye on attracting western tourist. Come back to camp for overnight.
Day 6 : Rishikesh
Day free in Rishikesh to explore on your own. Here you can also do some precious stones shopping as the place is known for yoga and meditation and also for astrologers and its precious stones. Overnight at camp / Hotel.
Day 7 : Rishikesh - Mussoorie
Drive to Mussoorie after breakfast and on arrival check in hotel. Spend some more time relaxing in the mountains with some great time on the The Mall in the evening.
Day 8 : Mussoorie – Dehradun – Delhi
After late breakfast leave for Dehradun the capitol of state of Uttaranchal and also called school’s capitol of India for it’s over 400 boarding Schools. On arrival visit the famous Forest research Institute museum then transfer to railway station to take the evening train back to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi transfer to. Overnight at hotel.
Day 9 : Drive Delhi - Agra
After breakfast Leave Agra and on arrival check in at hotel. The hotel is a part of the international holiday Inn chain of Hotels, offering excellent facilities including a swimming pool and a multi cuisine restaurant, set in landscaped gardens very close to the Taj Mahal and other tourist attractions.
Evening sightseeing tour of Agra city visiting the world famous Taj Mahal. One of the wonders of the world -- a monument of love created by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal and perhaps the most perfect architectural monument of the world, The Red fort -- a testament to the rise and fall of the Mughal empire built by Emperor Akbar in red sand stone over 400 years ago. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 : Agra : Full day free
You are free for the day in Agra to explore on your own. A great place for shopping for marble handicraft and also jewels ( but shops are all highly commercial and one has to be very careful and must bargain as much as possible before buying anything). Come back to hotel for overnight.
Day 11 : Drive Agra - Jaipur
Early morning depart for Jaipur, en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted capital of Emperor Akbar approximately 35 kms outside Agra. Built in the 16th century, this city was abandoned 12 years later due to a scarcity of water. The entire city of Red sand stone (sand stone palaces and temples) is virtually intact and a site worth seeing is the 54 m high main entrance. The Buland Darwaza, The gate of victory constructed to commemorate Akbar's victory in Gujarat. On arrival in Jaipur check in at hotel, your home for the next two nights. Overnight at the hotel
Day 12 : Jaipur
Full day sightseeing tour of Jaipur -- the pink city takes you to the Hawa Mahal -- The Palace of Winds, the facade of which is all pink windows and filigree screens, The Jantar Mantar -- the largest and best preserved 18th century stone observatory, The City Palace --still the home of the former royalty H.H Bhawani Singh Ji of Jaipur housing an extensive collection of art, carpets and old weapons.
Also visit to Amber Fort, situated 11 kms away from Jaipur, Amber was once the ancient capital of Jaipur state. The fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside & overlooking a lake, which reflects it's terraces & ramparts. The climb to the fort is on gaily-bedecked Elephants. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13 : Jaipur - Jodhpur
Early morning depart for Jodhpur and check in at hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 : Jodhpur
Morning sightseeing tour of Jodhpur city. Your tour of this desert city takes you to one of the most imposing Forts -- The Mehrangarh Fort, with its intricately carved sand stone edifice setting, seemingly impregnable and built a top a 400 ft high rock. Close to the Fort is The Jaswant Thada -- the royal crematorium and a cenotaph of the rulers of Jodhpur built in translucent white marble. Walk through the local giridkot and the Sardar market, colorful bazaars where one can shop for textiles, handicrafts and clay figurines. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 15 : Jodhpur – Bikaner
Early morning drive to Bikaner, A typical Rajasthani city located in shekhawati region. On arrival check in hotel. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 16 : Bikaner
This desert town in the north of Rajasthan is a largely un spoilt and less visited place on the tourist circuit. The tour of Bikaner starts with a visit to Junagarh Fort with its superb stone carving. The fort has the usual collection of Rajput miniatures and an extensive collection of weapons including two World War biplanes. The other notable place that you will visit is the government camel breeding farm unique in Asia. Check out of hotel in the evening to take the overnight train to Delhi. Overnight in air conditioned sleeper train.
On arrival in Delhi transfer to hotel / international airport as per your flight time for your onward journey.
