download

Northern Heritage

Northern Heritage


A cultural tour of India

This unique journey uncovers Northern & Eastern India's rich cultural heritage. It evokes unforgettable images from past centuries and leaves a lasting spell lingering in our souls. Covering some 9 of the 27 World Heritage Sites in India, this journey has been carefully tailored to include the best of the sites that represent The Northern Heritage of India. Combine this tour with our India's Southern Heritage tour and you will have journeyed and experienced India, it’s culture and heritage, and come back with the feeling, as we did in putting this together - what would the world have been, without India!

Iterneries

Days 01 :Arrive Delhi
Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together. After immigration and custom formalities, we are assisted and driven through the city to our hotel. Overnight: (2 nights)

Days 02 : Delhi
Spacious and planned, New Delhi was built as the imperial capital of India by the British whilst Old Delhi, capital of Muslim India between 17-19th C’s, has a very rich legacy of mosques, forts and monuments. This magnificent city has been invaded several times. The Persian emperor Nadir Shah sacked the city in 1739 and carted the Kohinoor Diamond (now part of the British royal family's crown jewels) and the famous Peacock Thrown to Iran. The British captured Delhi in 1803, and during the 1857 Indian Uprising, Delhi was the center of resistance. Delhi is a blend of Mughal, Hindu, British and modern independent India. We start our morning tour of New Delhi, with the famous India Gate followed by the Houses of Parliament, Connaught Place, and the two World Heritage Sites - Humanyun's Tomb and the Qutb Minar. Our afternoon concentrates on 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 that is India's largest mosque, followed by the Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. We end our tour with a bazaar experience at the famous Chandni Chowk. (B).

Days 03 : Delhi / Sikandra / Agra (drive 200 kms / 4 hrs)
Today we drive to Agra. En route we visit Sikandra, where lies Akber the great. After visiting his monument and enjoying our time guarding from the smart blank monkeys that inhabit the courtyard, we proceed to Agra. Our afternoon starts with a visit to the world famous monument of true love, The Taj Mahal. Built by Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Taj is built of white marble, beautifully carved and inlaid with semi-precious stones. Then we proceed to Agra Fort, where his son imprisoned Shah Jehan in the later years of his life to prevent him from spending the family fortunes on a black echo of the Taj Mahal. Agra is famous for the craftsmen with their skill in the intriguing inlay work on marble and we see some of them in action. Facing the Taj is the famous Agra Fort where the builder of the Taj was imprisoned by his own son. The Fort, rightfully also a World heritage Site, besides the Taj Mahal is a piece of marvel – for after all forts were the places of residence and entertainment for the Moghuls. Our day’s activity includes visit to two of the World Heritage Sites.
Overnight: (2 nights) (B)

Days 04 : Agra / Bharatpur / Agra (drive 55 kms / 1 hr - one way)
Another highlight day as we visit, once again, two World Heritage Sites in one day. Marvel Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful capital built in 1640 by the Moghul king Akbar the Great. It was later abandoned due to lack of water but still is a superb example of Moghul architecture standing perfectly and well preserved in the desert. We 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, the builder of the Taj Mahal. We then proceed to a different heritage – the Keoladeo National Park, popularly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Marshes packed with more than 300 species of exotically colored birds are found in this small park of 29 sq. km. More than a hundred species of migratory birds from Russia, Europe, China, Mongolia, Southwest Asia, Tibet, Afghanistan and Pakistan rest here after flying some 6000Kms. making this an incredible site. Late evening, we return to Agra for dinner and overnight. If available, we may also have classical Indian recitals/dancing entertainment. (B)

Days 05 : Agra / Bhopal (Shatabadi Express Train 08:00AM - 02:05 PM)
India without train journey makes the pilgrimage incomplete. We take a deluxe and an interesting day time comfortable train journey to Bhopal. Train routes always provide a different scenario and so will thus add to our understanding of India. Our afternoon tour of Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh will be an interesting insight. This modern, beautiful, and historical city is located in the same place, where the 11th century Bhojapal city, founded by Raja Bhoja, once stood. Bhopal was re discovered by Dost Mohammad (1708-1740), an Afghan soldier. Bhopal is known as the city of Mosques – most of which were built by the Begums (Queens) of Bhopal, who ruled the city. The Jama Masjid with its Gold spikes crowns the minarets, the Moti Masjid -architecturally akin to Delhi's Jama Masjid, Ta-ul-Masajidi is one of the largest mosques in Asia and is a fascinating example of Islamic architecture with Quibla wall in the prayer hall carved with 11 recessed arches and the mimbar made of black basalt. Our tour gives us a good impression of the majesty of Islamic architecture.
Overnight: (1 night) (B)

Days 06 : Bhopal / Sanchi / Bhopal / Delhi (drive and Train)
Today, after breakfast, we explore one of the most intriguing World Heritage Sites in India, Sanchi. Crowning the hilltop of Sanchi nearly 91 meters in height, is a group of Buddhist monuments commanding a grand view. These are most perfect and well-preserved stupas, offering a wide and academic in the study of Buddhist art and architecture. The establishment of Sanchi is an important center of Buddhism and was probably established by the great Maurya emperor Ashoka (273-236 B.C.) in recognition of his marriage to a lady of Vidisha. After our interesting excursion of Sanchi we are transferred to railway station for our train to Delhi where we are met and transferred to our hotel. Evening there may be time to have an optional Sound & Light Show at the Red Fort.
Overnight: (1 night) (B).

Days 07 : Delhi / Bagdogra (flight) / Bagdogra / Darjeeling (drive 3 hours)
An early morning flight gets us to Bagdogra where we are taken on a scenic drive to an even more scenic hill station, Darjeeling! The name Darjeeling was derived from the ancient Buddhist Monastery, Dorje Ling, which used to be the main monastery. Thanks to it’s cool climate, Darjeeling is one of the most famous hill stations in India. The fantastic backdrop of some of the highest snow-clad peaks of the Himalayas, and the gracious life-style of the local inhabitants, makes Darejeeling a wonderful experience. Evening we take a stroll through this interesting world of its own. Here we get an opportunity of meeting local folks – who show a lot of containment with their non material lifestyle.
Overnight: (2 nights) (B)

Days 08 : Darjeeling
Before sunrise, we get into our 4 x 4’s and proceed to Tiger Hill to view an incredible sun rise from behind the huge lofty mountain peaks. This photo experience and on a clear day we can view also Mts. Everest and Kunchunjung, makes this a photographers dream come true. With bird chirping we return to our hotel for the most awaited breakfast. As if that was not enough for the day, we visit one of the most unusual of the world Heritage Sites – the Toy Train. We not only see the Toy Train, but actually take a ride on it and also visit the Ghoom Monastery. The monastery, built in 1875, houses one of the largest statues of the Maitreya Buddha. Next stop is the Himalayan Zoo, home to Himalayan fauna such as the Red Panda, Black Bear, Yaks and Tigers in their natural habitat. We end the day with a visit to the Natural History Museum, which has a fine collection of preserved butterflies, birds, reptiles and insects of the Himalayas. (B)

Days 09 : Darjeeling / Bagdogra (drive) Bagdogra / Kolkata (Calcutta) – flight
Our journey to the eastern capital of Calcutta takes us first to Bagdogra airport for our flight to Kolkata (Calcutta). Our afternoon is spent exploring Kolkata - A city of love and warmth, sorrow and despair, dreams and hopes, poverty and squalor, grandeur and glory, Calcutta is compelling, effervescent, teeming with life and traditions a medley of moods, styles, cultures, politics, industry and commerce. For 250 years British Calcutta was part of the British Empire. Our tour includes all of the above and The Victoria Memorial, St. Paul's Cathedral, Fort William, Raj Bhawan and the High Court are Highlight's of the tour. We also see the famous tea houses where Bengali academics sit and discuss.
Overnight: (1 night) (B)

Days 11 : Bodhgaya / Varanasi (drive 242 kms / 6 hrs)
A scenic rural India experience as we drive to Varanasi – India;’s “where it all began”. En route we stop at villages to meet the local folks. Our arrival at Varanasi will give us a clear feeling of spiritualism as Varanasi is the spiritual centre of Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims alike. This is after all the city where Buddha gave his first sermon and 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 with our experience of Varanasi by starting with a visit to 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 Moghul Emperor, Aurangazeb. 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.
Overnight (1 night) (B)

Day 12 : Varanasi / Khajuraho (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 and every morning scores of pilgrim and priests fill the river banks performing the holy dip and other rituals. This is a site that has to be seen and experienced, as it is so different from anything else in the world. Early afternoon, we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Khajuraho. Khajuraho once the capital of a powerful dynasty of Hindu Kings called the Chandellas (950 A.D.) is today famous for its magnificent temples, considered to be among the most vibrantly original works of Hindu architecture and sculpture. Evening, we have an optional Kandariya dance show.
Overnight: (1 night) (B)

Day 13 : Khajuraho / Delhi (flight)
Our Khajuraho study starts with the temples (designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO) which were built during the apogee of the Chandella dynasty between 950 and 1050 AD. Today only about 20 temples remain and they fall into three distinct groups and belong to two different religions- Hinduism and Jainism. They strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. The Kandariya is decorated with a profusion of sculptures - masterpieces of Indian art. The divine sculptures in these temples are a tribute to Life itself, embodying everything that is sublime and spontaneous. The murals depict the life and times of the Chandellas and celebrate the erotic state of being. They not only testify to the mastery of the craftsman, but also to the extraordinary breadth of vision. Their style of architecture was also rather peculiar to their times. Three main compartments included are the entrance (ardhamandapa), assembly hall (mandapa), and the actual sanctum (garbha griha). Amongst the temples we explore include the Kandariya Mahadeo dedicated to Shiva and is the largest sculpture, the ruined Ghantai, Javari, Ghantai and the Parsvanatha Temple considered to be the finest of them all. Later we take our flight to the capital city of Delhi. Evening we enjoy our farewell dinner and still try to digest the many historical and cultural experiences that we have had in the last two weeks.
Overnight: (1 night) (B)

Day 14 : Delhi - flight home
After breakfast we have time to relax and do our last minute shopping – after all India is the world’s largest shopper’s paradise. Later we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight. (B)

Cost Valid From October 2006 To april 15, 2007*

Price Per Person in USD*
Hotel Category 1 Person 2 Pax (Twin Sharing) 3 Pax (Twin Sharing) 4-5 Pax (Twin Sharing)
Budget 2646 1482 1342 1208
Standard 3360 1852 1713 1578
First Class 3999 2230 2091 1956
Deluxe 4641 2587 2448 2314
Luxury 5927 3190 3051 2916

Domestic Airfare as per itinerary in Economy Class: USD 660

SIngle Room Supplement in USD (TWIN SHARING)
Budget Standard First Class Deluxe Luxury
486 831 1092 1376 2035

*All prices shown are subject to change without prior notice till the tour is booked.

Hotels Suggested
City Budget Standard First Class Deluxe Luxury
Delhi Hotel City Park Maidens Hotel Radisson Hotel Taj Palace Hotel The Oberoi
Agra Howard Park Plaza International Holiday Inn Taj View Hotel Jaypee Palace Hotel Amar Vilas
Bhopal Lake View Ashok Noor-Us-Sabah Palace Noor-Us-Sabah Palace Noor-Us-Sabah Palace Noor-Us-Sabah Palace
Darjeeling Sinclairs Fortune Resort Central-Dajeeling The Elgin Hotel Windamere Hotel Windamere Hotel
Calcutta The Peerless Inn Hindustan International Taj Bengal Taj Bengal The Oberoi Grand
Bodhgaya Lotun Nikko Bodhgaya Lotun Nikko Bodhgaya Lotun Nikko Bodhgaya Lotun Nikko Bodhgaya Lotun Nikko Bodhgaya
Varanasi Hindustan International Clarks Varanasi Ltd Taj Ganges Taj Ganges Taj Ganges
Khajuraho Usha Bundela Holiday Inn Chandela Chandela Chandela


Book now Inquiry Tell a friend


back

OUR PARTNERS