Cultural Splendid North Tour

Arrive in India, for your grand Cultural Splendours of North India Tour

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•  Arrive Delhi
•  Welcome at airport
•  Transfer to hotel

Discover the first city of your Cultural Splendours of North India Tour, pacing through Delhi, the city which is as historic as modern, like 2 sides of the same coin!

AM: Sightseeing tour of Old Delhi, includes a visit to

• Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India
• Chandani Chownk, ‘silver street’, one of the largest trading centres of India
• Drive past Red Fort, the place that marked the announcement of India’s freedom from the British Raj
• Raj Ghat, cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi

PM: Sightseeing tour of New Delhi, includes a visit to

• Qutab Minar, a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture and the worlds tallest minaret
• Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the largest Sikh temple of Delhi, with a gold tomb, still in active worship
• Photo stop at India Gate, the war memorial arch built in honour of the soldiers who died in the second world war
• Drive past President's House, Parliament House and other Government Secretariat Buildings, the most imposing features of Lutyen’s Delhi

Proceed to the palatial beauty of your Cultural Splendours of North India Tour, with a visit to Jaipur in Rajasthan

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• Drive to Jaipur, check in at your hotel and freshen up.

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• Enjoy a heritage walk in the old city of Jaipur, seeing life along the small alleys and by-lanes. Interact with the local artisans enamelling jewels with local ‘meenakari’ work, along with goldsmiths and silversmiths of the region
• Visit gems, jewels and carpet weaving factories – watch artisans creating unique masterpieces and enjoy haggling for souvenirs in colourful bazaars of Jaipur

Cherish the splendour of your Cultural Splendours of North India Tour, with a tour of this princely city of Jaipur, which is built in 9 rectangular sectors symbolising 9 divisions of the universe, as per Indian cosmology

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• Visit the splendid Amber fort, which was built in the 16th century.  An elephant ride (subject to availability) will help you ascend to this hilltop fort. Alternatively, you could choose to walk or drive up to the fort.

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• Photo stop at Hawa Mahal, the palace of winds. This palace consists of long corridors and a decorated facade with its innumerable windows and screened balconies, especially built for the royal women to view processions along the cities main street.
• Visit the City Palace complex, reflecting the architectural exuberance of Jaipur. The complex consists of a variety of museums and a part of the palace is still the royal residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur
• Visit Jantar Mantar, the ancient astronomical observatory

Encounter the historic marvel of your Cultural Splendours of North India Tour, discovering the Mughal city of Agra, home to the beautiful wonder of the world, the Taj Mahal

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• Drive to Agra, en route enjoying a spectacular view of 7th – 8th century Abhaneri Stepwells
• Stop en route to visit Fatehpur Sikri, the crowning glory of Emperor Akbar's architectural legacy. Built in red sandstone, its numerous palaces, halls, and structures exemplify the creativity of erstwhile Mughal emperors.

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• Optional: watch a fantastic show “Mohabbat the Taj – The saga of love”, staging the largest replica of the Taj Mahal, and presenting the Taj in its various shades and seasons.

Enjoy the epitome of your Cultural Splendours of North India Tour, with a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal

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• Rise early to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the eternal symbol of love, the Taj Mahal. Often referred to as a poem in white marble, Taj Mahal displays the saga of love between Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.
• Visit Agra fort, which is built in red sandstone and has magnificent palaces, halls of public and private audience and beautiful gardens

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Visit marble inlay workshops – watch artisans creating magical beauty with marble and indulge in exquisite shopping in this historic city of Agra

See the Indian heritage on your Cultural Splendours of North India Tour, visiting the fort of Gwalior and the medieval city of Orchha

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• Drive to Orchha, a medieval riverside town known for its shrines and temples.
• En route to Orchha, visit Gwalior, the city of warrior kings, poets, musicians and saints. A historic city, Gwalior is known for its magnificent fort which houses a number of ruined palaces and interesting temples.

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Continue drive to Orchha. On arrival, check in at your hotel.

Continue to the architectural splendours of your Cultural Splendours of North India Tour, with a visit to Khajuraho, a UNESCO world heritage site in central India

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• Enjoy a short tour of Orchha, seeing the temples, fascinating little shrines and memorials.

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• Continue drive to Khajuraho, the ancient city famous for its erotic sculptured temples.
• En route stop for a special lunch at Alipura Palace
• This evening, enjoy the famous cultural dance show of Khajuraho

Proceed to the spiritual hub of your Cultural Splendours of North India Tour, visiting Varanasi, the oldest living city of the world

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• Visit the enchanting temples of Khajuraho, with sculptures that draw their inspiration from the ancient art of Kama sutra. Khajuraho Temples were built by the Chandela kings between 950 AD and 1050 AD.
• Catch your flight to Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India (also known as Kashi and Benaras).

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• Arrive Varanasi, check in at your hotel and freshen up

This evening, enjoy a rikshaw ride to the ghats to see the grand ‘Aarti’ ceremony conducted everyday at sunset by white-robed priests. The young priests sway in seemingly choreographed movements, worshiping the river goddess with incense, flowers and earthen lamps.

Bid goodbye to India, as you reach the finale of your Cultural Splendours of North India Tour

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• Enjoy a boat cruise at dawn on the Holy River Ganges. See the ‘bathing ghats’ where thousands of pilgrims pay homage to the Sun God by immersing themselves in the holy water of River Ganges, and the ‘burning ghats’ where cremations are conducted.
• Visit Sarnath, the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from 6th century BC to 12th century AD. The Ashoka pillar of Sarnath is the national emblem of India. Visit the ruins, stupa, Buddhist temple and the Sarnath Museum.

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• Catch your flight to onward destination (Delhi or Kathmandu)