Festivals and Cultural Tours India
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Festivals and Cultural Tours India
Customize Your Tour Plan
Popular Indian Festivals
¤ Pushkar Festival
¤ Desert Festival
¤ Gangaur Festival
¤ Lord Jagannath Rathyatra
¤ Pongal Festival
¤ Elephant Festival
¤ Boat Race
¤ Goa Carnival
¤ Khajuraho Dance Festival
¤ Holi Festival
¤ Durga Puja
¤ Hemis Festival
¤ Kullu Festival
more...

Suggested Cultural Travel
¤ Golden Triangle Trip
¤ Best of Northern India
¤ Indian Wildlife Safari
¤ Royal Raja (King) Tour
¤ Fort Palaces Tour to Rajasthan
¤ Rustic Rajasthan Tours
¤ Glimpse of Western India
¤ Imperial Rajasthan Tour
¤ Best of Kerala Trip
¤ Spa & Health Tour India
more...

Destination India
We invite you to consider the destinations listed below to choose the tour that includes your particular favored destinations.

Pushkar Fair
Kathakali Dance
Qutub Minar
Hawa Mahal
Commendations
-----Original Message-----
Guest Name(s): MS Dawn Kingsbury Attean
Country: Virginia, USA
Email: DAttean@netscape.net
Tour Taken: India Nepal Highlights
Year: 2003, September
(Referral Letter)

Hi Candice!

I'm glad you wrote. I had such a phenomenal experience in India that I love every opportunity I can get to talk about it! (And let me say, I'm a bit jealous that you are just starting out on your journey. Mine is now over and I will have to wait a year or so before I can return.)

I, too, traveled to India alone and placed my care and safety into the hands of complete strangers. It is a decision I will never regret. Durjay and his people made me feel completely at ease at all times, and I can honestly say I met some great friends I plan to keep for a lifetime. The guides are knowledgeable and friendly and, most importantly, attentive to your every need. After the first few days, I felt like I was traveling with friends I had known for much, much longer. They truly took whatever steps were necessary to assure my comfort and happiness. I felt safe and protected one hundred percent of the time. I never felt harassed and if the beggars and hawkers threatened to get overly aggressive, my guides stepped in before I even had to say a word. One question: do you happen to know the names of any of the guides with whom you will be traveling? If I had the same escorts, I could give you even more personalized information about them.

In my experience, Durjay and Compass delivered even more than what was promised. I had many fascinating and memorable experiences that went way beyond the confines of my itinerary. I asked for some last-minute itinerary changes that Durjay handled without a glitch. My advice is, if there is something extra that you learn about that you want to see, ask about it. I am confident that Durjay and his team will do everything within their power to accommodate any request you make.

The train - now that was an experience! If you are traveling solo to India, you must already have a sense of adventure. My advice (and this goes for the whole trip): stay as open-minded as possible about anything and everything. This is not as hard as it might sound because you are in a foreign country completely outside your comfort zone and removed from your family and friends. I went into it with an "anything goes" type of attitude. It helped me to laugh at many things that might have annoyed me or grossed me out if I encountered them in the U.S. I saw some weird stuff, and loved it. Back to the train: are you taking only day trains, or will there be an overnight trip, too? The day trains are nothing. I took two day trips - one was about 2 hours and the other 6 hours. Very easy, very comfortable. Don't freak out about the bathrooms, just use the handles to hold on. The food was decent, and though the on-board employees spoke no English, everyone else on the train (i.e., businessmen) did. The night train was a bit different. Tell me if you are taking a night train and I will elaborate in my next e-mail.

Sorry this mail is getting a little long. But there's one more piece of advice I need to pass along. Actually two - The first is, no matter what anyone else tells you, opt to dress on the conservative side. I left my shorts and tank tops at home and was glad I did. You will get stared at no matter what, but there is no sense attracting even MORE unwanted attention. I saw a group of European girls in skimpy clothes at the Taj Mahal who looked very uncomfortable with leers they were getting. (Ogling is a fact of life for westerners in India. Just ignore it. With your guides you will be completely safe and protected at all times.) The second piece of advice is about food: you already know only to drink bottled water. But don't forget about raw vegetables and fruits, which are washed in the local water. I made this mistake and ate a raw cucumber sandwich. This mistake I will not repeat!

OK, I hope I was able to help even a little. If you have more questions or concerns, I would love to write more so let me know.

Have a GREAT trip!
-Dawn
Home :: Suggested Cultural Tours ::Best of Northern India Travel
Best of Northern India
Duration: 8 Nights / 9 Days
Places to Visit: Delhi - Alwar - Jaipur - Agra - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi


Day 01: Delhi Sight-Seeing
India Gate, DelhiYou will be picked up from your hotel and proceed for a full-day tour of Old & New Delhi. (Start at 0900 hrs).

OLD DELHI - A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire.

Cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.

NEW DELHI - An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.

After the sightseeing, check in at THE PARK in Connaught Place. Relax in the evening or roam the Connaught Place market.

Proceed for LIGHT AND SOUND SHOW and then for dinner. Overnight at Delhi.

Day 02: Delhi - Alwar
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for ALWAR and reach by noon.

150 Km from Jaipur and 170 Km from Delhi - ALWAR nest between a cluster of small hills of the ARAVALLI range. Perched on the most prominent of these hills is a massive ancient fort that whispers tales of the rich history of the city.
City Palace, Alwar
Apart from its long history, the city has a rich natural heritage with some beautiful lakes and picturesque valley thickly wooded in parts.

Some of the finest variety of birds and animals are spotted here. ALWAR has one of the finest wild life sanctuaries in Rajasthan - SARISKA, which is an excellent tiger country.

Visit the PALACE and complete all sightseeing and stay at SARISKA PALACE for the night.

Day 03: Alwar - Jaipur
Proceed to Jaipur after breakfast. Reach by noon.

JAIPUR - The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains it's character and history - Beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. Popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.

Shopping in the city. Overnight at Jaipur.

Day 04: Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for morning excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.

AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. It's forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds it's ultimate expression.

Continue city sightseeing.

CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.

HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Its five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.

Relax in the evening. Overnight at Jaipur.

Day 05: Jaipur - Agra
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed to Agra.

Visit Fatehpur Sikri en-route.

The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition ... it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.

Reach Agra and check in at hotel.

Badal Singh established the city of Taj in 1475. Agra finds mention in the Mahabharat as Agraban. This city in those days was considered to be the sister-city of Mathura, which was more prominent than Agraban. Agra came into its own when the Lodhi Kings chose this place beside the RIVER YAMUNA to be their capital city. Sikander Lodhi made Agra his capital but Babar defeated the Lodhis to capture not only Agra but also laid the foundation of the Mughal empire.

The coming of Babar heralded a new era, which was to see Agra at its zenith during the reign of Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. It was during Akbar's period that Agra became the center of art, culture and commerce and learning. This trend reached its height when Shah Jahan became the ruler.
Taj Mahal, Agra
In the Mid 16th century and earlier 17th century Agra witnessed a frenzied building activity and it was during this time when the symbol of love Taj Mahal was built. The buildings made during this era were purely in the contemporary Mughal style and of very high quality. The same is still reflected in whatever monuments remain in Agra. The narrow lanes of Agra filled with aroma of Mughlai cuisine, the craftsman who are busy in crating master pieces with their skill all remind of the Mughal royalty which this city had once experienced. Today whatever remains, has become a major tourist attraction which has taken Agra again to the heights of glory but this time as a major tourist destination of India.

Visit the TAJ MAHAL - one of the Seven Wonders of the World was built by Shah Jahan in 1631 AD and was completed in 1651AD. Taj Mahal - The symbol of Love was built in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal (Shah Jahan' s second Wife).

Overnight at Agra.

Day 06: Agra - Khajuraho
Proceed for city sightseeing after breakfast.

Khajuraho Sculptures AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.

After Agra Fort we will visit BABY TAJ - The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj.

Transfer to the airport for flight to Khajuraho. Reach and transfer to hotel.

Situated in the heart of India, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is a fascinating village with a quaint, rural ambience and a rich cultural heritage, honored by the world as India's unique contribution to human civilization. The Chandela dynasty built eighty-five temples here. Only twenty remain as embodiments of Indian architectural and sculptural art at its most evolved state. Even ten centuries after they were constructed, the temples of Khajuraho reflect an eternal philosophy relevant to all mankind. The temple of Khajuraho is a world heritage site and belong not just to India but to the world. The nearby Panna national park is a project tiger park making the area a unique combination of outstanding cultural and natural heritage - one of the few millennium destinations of the world.

Afternoon visit the WESTERN TEMPLES.

Overnight at Khajuraho.
Day 07: Khajuraho - Varanasi
Breakfast at hotel.

Guided tour of EASTERN TEMPLES.

Transfer in time to airport for flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi, you will be met and transferred to hotel.

Varanasi is the World's most ancient living city. Sunrise on the river front, as seen from a boat, can be spiritually uplifting sight. Crowded with temples, and it's labyrinth of streets, the city attracts the maximum number of tourists. The religious capital of Hinduism, Varanasi is the carpet manufacturing place of India. It was previously known as Kashi - the city that illuminates. The present name is derived from the fact that the city is at the confluence of the rivers Varuna and Asi.

Overnight at Varanasi.

Day 08: Varanasi
Ganges Ghats, VaranasiMorning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and most important religions. (To start at 0500 hrs. for the best lifetime experience) For you to appreciate this remarkable city, we'll transfer you to the banks of the River Ganges before the sun rises. Board a boat with your guide and proceed to the middle of the river, where at sunrise the sight unfolds before you. Thousands of faithful come daily to the banks to bathe and pray while in the background, temples and palaces rise in tiers from the water's edge. Then return for a walk through the cobblestone streets along the banks of "Ganga". As shops are opening, the place now becomes a beehive of activity as the faithful are coming and going. Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple while returning to the hotel.

Return for breakfast to the hotel. Proceed for day guided tour of Varanasi including the Gyanvapi Mosque and Benaras Hindu University. Overnight at Varanasi.

Day 09: Varanasi - Delhi
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for sightseeing of SARNATH.

Sarnath ? 5 miles out of Varanasi for a day excursion: One of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 BC. Witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a fine Museum which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures found at the site.

Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi.

Reach Delhi and you will be transferred to your hotel or airport.


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Most Popular Indian Festival Tours
Pushkar Festival :: Desert Festival :: Gangaur Festival :: Lord Jagannath Rathyatra :: Pongal Festival
Elephant Festival :: Boat Race :: Goa Carnival :: Khajuraho Dance Festival
Holi Festival :: Durga Puja :: Hemis Festival :: Kullu Festival

Suggested Cultural Tours of India
Golden Triangle :: Best of Northern India :: Indian Wildlife Safari :: Royal Raja (King) Tour
Royal Rani (Queen) Tour :: Rustic Rajasthan :: Glimpse of Western India
Imperial Rajasthan Tour :: Best of Kerala :: Spa & Health Tour India

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