North India Vacations

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Duration: 17 Nights / 18 Days
Places Covered: Delhi - Srinagar - Gulmarg - Kargil - Leh - Alchi - Jammu - Amritsar - Delhi - Jaipur - Delhi

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Day 01: Arrive Delhi
On arrival transfer to Hotel Afternoon - sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi. Delhi is just not a city but it is a book-- a book which narrates the history of India. The city was built and destroyed seven times and has been witness to the various events which has brought India through the history books. Seven times this city went through the pain of being built and rebuilt. Today as the capital of India Delhi is the seat of administration and the monuments which tell the saga of a bygone era stand there. These icons are testimony to the grandeur of past and also an attraction for the tourists. With an area of 1483 sq. Kms, Delhi is all set to acquire full statehood. The charm of Delhi has attracted Emperors, Conquerors and poor in equally. It is correctly said that Delhi is a land of 'Dilwalas' or for people with heart. This phrase acquires a true colour when one goes around the lanes of Delhi.

Day 02: Delhi - Srinagar
Morning - transfer to airport for flight to Srinagar. On arrival transfer to Deluxe Houseboat. Evening Boat trip to floating gardens.

Srinagar is located in the heart of the Kashmir valley at an altitude of 1,730 m above sea level, spread on both sides of the river Jhelum. The Dal and Nagin lakes enhance its picturesque setting, while the changing play of the seasons and the salubrious climate ensures that the city is equally attractive to visitors around the year.

Day 03: Srinagar
Day tour of Srinagar

Day 04: Srinagar - Gulmarg - Srinagar
Break fast at hotelDay excursion to Gulmarg British discovered the hill resort of Gulmarg in 1927 during their colonial rule in India. Originally called 'Gaurimarg' by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes emblazoned with wild flowers. Gulmarg was a favourite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who once collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. Today Gulmarg is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty- it also has the highest green golf course in the world, and is the country's premier ski resort in the winter.

Day 05: Srinagar - Kargil
Morning drive to Kargil. On arrival check in at hotel.

Kargil: About 15,000 sq. kms. in area, Kargil district has an agrarian population of approximately 120,000 people, who cultivate the land, along the course of the drainage system, wherever artificial irrigation from mountain streams is possible. About 85 % are Muslims, mainly of the Shia sect, Islam having been introduced to the original Buddhist population around the middle of the 16th century by missionaries from Kashmir and Central Asia. Their descendants, locally titled Agha, are mostly religious scholars who continue to hold sway over the population, even as the age-old traditions of Buddhist and animistic origin are discernible in the culture. Many elements of the ancient supernatural belief systems, especially many traditions connected with agricultural practices, are still followed with subdued reverence.

Day 06: Kargil - Leh
Morning - drive to Leh - on arrival check in at hotel. Leh, the capital of Ladakh is a fascinating destination. Age-old monasteries, quaint lanes, colorful markets and stunning views of the Himalayas make Leh an exotic destination. Leh is where your adventure in Ladakh begins. You can go trekking through the mountainous terrain of Ladakh, enjoy a game of polo in a high altitude arena or watch an archery contest where local residents compete in a contest that remains unchanged by time. Mountaineering, white water rafting and wildlife tours are other adventurous attractions of Leh Ladakh India. Though the weather can be freezing cold, the smiles on the faces of the Ladakhi people are sure to warm your heart. Feel on top of the world in Ladakh, on tours to Ladakh with Leh Ladakh India

Day 07: Leh
Day at leisure, so you could get used to altitude, evening - visit to Market and Leh Palace.

Day 08: Around Leh
sightseeing tour of surrounding areas. Overnight at hotel in Leh.

Day 09: Leh - Alchi
Morning drive to Alchi. On arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon - sightseeing tour of Alchi and surrounding areas. The Alchi Gompa is situated on the bank of the River Indus and is easily accessible since it is the only Gompa in Ladakh, which is located on flat ground. Founded by Ringchen Zangpo, the Great Translator, the Alchi Gompa displays a Kashmiri influence in its art and architecture. Within the monastery you can see many beautiful images of Buddha. Photography is not permitted within the Alchi Monastery.

Day 10: Alchi - Leh
Morning free - afternoon drive to Leh. On arrival check in at hotel.

Day 11: Leh - Jammu
In early morning move to Jammu, after arrival cheek-in in hotel. Rest day is for tour of city. Jammu district derives its name from the city of Jammu which besides being the winter capital of the state, is known as the city of temples. It is believed that the city was originally founded by Raja Jamboo Lochan who lived in fourteenth century B.C. The Raja had gone out one day for hunting when he happened to witness a tiger and a goat drinking water from one and the same pond. This extraordinary phenomenon set him thinking and he decided to build a city at this site so that the strong and weak could live together in peace and mutual tolerance. Eventually, he founded the city which came to be known as "Jamboo" after his own name. With the passage of time and due to its frequent use the pronunciation of the name got slightly distorted and the city, came to be known as 'Jammu' as it is called now.

Day 12: Amritsar
Morning transfer to airport for flight Amritsar, on arrival in Amritsar check in at hotel. Evening - visit to Golden temple to witness the Pooja Ceremony. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Amritsar - Delhi
Morning: transfer to railway station for train for Delhi. On arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the day free.

Day 14: Delhi - Jaipur
Morning - drive to Jaipur, on arrival in Jaipur check in at hotel. Stay overnight at Hotel. Jaipur, the vibrant capital of Rajasthan, is popularly known as the ' Pink City ' because of the pink-coloured buildings in its old city. It sits on a dry lake bed in a somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by forts and crenellated walls. This buzzing metropolis is certainly a place of wild contrasts and a feast for the eyes. All through, Jaipur has retained its strong Rajputana flavour tempered by several influences - the mughal being the most prominent. The region's strong cultural heritage is distinctly evident even today. The city is a visitor's delight. From the intricate, delicate looking Hawa Mahal to the graphic forms of the Jantar Mantar - an open air observatory of outsized astronomical instruments, the Badi Chaupar lined with shopsand business establishments on both sides to the majestic fort-palace at Amber; from the colorful fountains of life to the sublime Birla Temple; from the architectural delight of the City Palace to the serene Jal Mahal.

Day 15 In Jaipur
Morning Excursion to Amer fort followed by sightseeing tour of Jaipur city. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 16: Jaipur - Agra
Morning drive to Agra visiting enroute Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri, the birth story of this beautiful city is interesting. There, in a grotto in Sikri, lived a Muslim Saint , Sheikh Salim Chishti by name. Akbar hearing of his renown, asked of the blessings of a son, and when a son was born, not only was the child named Salim, the site for a mighty and ambitious project - a city - was chosen near the residence of the saint erected in k1569.

Day 17: Agra
Early morning wake up call. Transfer to Taj Mahal, after watching Taj during sunrise transfer to hotel for breakfast and wash and change, followed by sightseeing tour of Agra city, afternoon drive to Delhi.

Taj Mahal
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful mausoleum took 22 years to complete with a work force of 20,000 craftsmen and master builders, who came from all over Asia to join in this great work from Baghdad, Shiraz, Delhi, Samarkand and Turkey. The marble, India s finest; was quarried at Makrana near Jodhpur. Precious and semi precious stones were imported from distant lands : Jasper from Punjab, Jade & Crystal from China, Turquoise from Tibet, Lapis from Afghanistan and Ceylon, Chrysolite from Egypt, Amethyst from Persia, Agate from Yemen, Malachite from Russia, Diamonds from Golconda and Mother of Pearl from the Indian Ocean. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 18: Delhi
Day free for shopping in Delhi - evening transfer to International airport for flight to onwards journey.