Highlights of North India

FROM £ 1150

North India is an incredible place to move around and see the beautiful destinations. This trip gives you an opportunity to see the colourful India, where you can explore its uniqueness. In fact, India’s features are imbibed in its multiple cultures and diverse language and religion. This stunning country reveals its beauty through various prospects such as the Golden Temple, Taj Mahal and the holy River Ganges.

We visit Fatehpur Sikri and the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, home to the wonderful former Maharaja’s Palace and the splendid hilltop Amber Palace. Additionally, for a change in pace, we visit the tranquil Ranthambore National Park. This boasts an abundance of prey animals, monkeys and bird life. North India is sure to live up to your expectations.

It is the client’s responsibility to acquire and Indian visa before departure.

Route Map

Trips Date	Trip Status Trip Status	Price (PP) Excluding Flights	Price (PP) Incl. Flights starts from
Sat 12 Apr, 25 - Sun 20 Apr, 25	Available	£ 1150	£ 1990
Sat 25 Oct, 25 - Sun 02 Nov, 25	Available	£ 1150	£ 1990

Join in Amritsar
Amritsar, literally meaning the 'Pool of the Nectar of Immortality', is one of the major cities of the Punjab state. The city, founded in 1577 by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, is mostly inhabited by Sikhs. The original pool site by which the Golden Temple is built was granted by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. In 1761 Ahmad Shah Durrani sacked the town and destroyed the temple, which was then rebuilt in 1764. Wagah, is the only road border crossing between Pakistan and India, and lies on the Grand Trunk road between the cities of Amritsar in India and Lahore in Pakistan. The border is famous for the colourful 45 minute closing ceremony which is performed every evening at sunset
Drive to Dharamsala
Drive to Dharamsala (200 kms / 5-6 hrs) Morning: Visit the Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib); The Temple is not only a central religious place of the Sikhs, but also a symbol of human brotherhood and equality. Everybody, irrespective of cast, creed or race can seek spiritual solace and religious fulfilment without any hindrance. It is constructed in traditional Sikh architectural style, built at a level lower than the surrounding land, the Gurdwara teaches lessons of egalitarianism and humility. The entrances of this holy shrine from all four directions signify that people belonging to every walk of life are equally welcome. Afternoon drive to Dharamsala.
Take a walking tour of McLeod Ganj
Today we take a walking tour of McLeod Ganj and the surrounding area. The attractions of McLeod Ganj center around Tibetan religious and cultural monuments and institutions: Tsuglag Khang – the Dalai Lama temple complex, is the life-blood of the village. The complex houses the Namgyal Monastery (where monks train for rituals associated with the temple), the main temple and a smaller shrine that houses a huge gilded statue of the Buddha, along with two smaller, but no less impressive statues of Chenresig and Guru Rinpoche.
Drive to Pathankot
Drive to Pathankot (100 kms / 3-4 hrs) & train to Delhi. Morning: We have the option to take a short walk up to Bhagsu Nag temple Water fall. Afternoon drive to Pathankot to board the train for Delhi.
Arrive Delhi
Early morning, we arrive in Delhi and have some time to freshen up and have breakfast. Then we drive to the airport in time to connect with our flight to Varanasi. Varanasi, or Benaras, (also known as Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Mark Twain, who was enthralled by the legend and sanctity of the city, once wrote: “Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” After some time to relax we take Cycle Rickshaws in the late afternoon for a ride through the old parts of the City and on to the Ghats, to witness the evening prayer ceremony on the banks of River Ganges.
Boat ride on the Ganges river
Early morning: Boat ride on the Ganges river to witness the sunrise, followed by a visit to the Ghats and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple) from the outside (non-Hindus are not permitted inside).Afternoon: Excursion to Sarnath. The Buddha came to this hamlet, 10km north-east of Varanasi, to preach his message "Maha-Dharma-Chakra Pravartan" (in Buddhist terminology, 'turned the wheel of the law') after he achieved Enlightenment at Bodhgaya. Later, the great Buddhist Emperor Ashoka built the Dharmarajika Stupa here and near it erected a pillar surmounted by the magnificent capital of four adored lions, which today forms the national emblem of India. Late evening transfer to railway station in time to board the overnight train for Agra.
Arrive Agra
Early morning, we arrive in Agra and transfer to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, we visit the Agra Fort(a UNESCO World Heritage Site) located on the bank of the river Yamuna. Evening visit to the Taj Mahal which means "Crown Palace" and is in fact probably the most well-preserved and architecturally beautiful tomb in the world. It is best described by the English poet, Sir Edwin Arnold, as "Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones." It is a celebration of woman, built in marble and that is the way we should appreciate it.
After breakfast, we drive to Delhi
After breakfast, we drive to Delhi, check-in at the hotel. Afternoon we have a half-day city tour on foot and by rickshaw around Old Delhi. The capital of India blends together a great cultural variety and an unceasing range of activity. In its monuments the city reminds us of the various civilizations that flourished here for more than three thousand years. Indraprastha, according to legends, the city founded by the Pandavas in the times of the epic Mahabharata (circa 1500 B.C.), was located near the Old Fort that stands on a large mound overlooking the river. Today, the city is a charming blend of the traditional and modern, skyscrapers, beautiful gardens and wide tree-lined avenues perpetuate the Mughal passion of landscaping and architectural excellence.
Transfer
Airport Transfer to connect to our departure flight.