DAY 1. DELHI
Assistance , reception at the airport and transfer
to hotel.
DAY 2. DELHI
The group is taken over by Lt. Gen Gaur who
takes you on a fascinating tour of New Delhi,
starting by a visit to India Gate. This war
memorial designed by Lutyens, commemorates more
than 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in World
War I, with their names engraved on the arch
and foundations. Next, visit the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official
residence of the President of India. The memorial
combines western and eastern styles and is a
masterpiece of symmetry, discipline, silhouette
and harmony. Northeast of the Viceroy's House
is the Council House, now Sansad Bhawan. You
are then taken to the Birla temple which is
one of the most popular Hindu shrines in the
city and one of Delhi's few striking examples
of Hindu architecture. Dedicated to Lakshmi,
the goddess of well-being, it is commonly referred
to Orissan style with tall curved towers (sikharas)
capped by large amalakas. Next follows a visit
to the Qutab Minar considered to be the most
glorious tower of victory in the world and the
prototype of all minars (towers) in India. The
inscriptions carved in kufi script tell that
the tower was erected to cast the shadow of
God over both east and west. The the Qutab Minar
is 73m high and consists of five storeys. Next
follows a visit to the Bahai temple, an architecturally
remarkable building. Constructed in 1980-81,
the latest of seven Bahai temples in different
parts of the world, it is built out of white
marble and in the characteristic Bahai temple
shape of a lotus flower. Internally, it creates
a feeling of light and space. It is a simple
design, brilliantly executed and very elegant
in form. Drive back to your hotel for a continental
buffet lunch at the coffee shop . Commence with
the post lunch tour of the old city from the
memorial ghats (a series of memorials to India's
leaders), the most prominent one being that
of Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat. Visit the Red
fort towering massively above the flat banks
of the Yamuna on which it was built, the dominating
impression of which is still immensely powerful.
In front of the fort is a massive Maidan (open
space) which has been used for political rallies ever
since the time of the Independence movement.
Next follows a visit to the Jama Masjid, the
largest mosque in India and the last great architectural
work of Shah Jahan, intended to dwarf all mosques
that had gone before it. It also has the distinction
of being one of the few mosques, either in India
or elsewhere that was designed to produce a
pleasing external effect. Drive back to the
hotel in time for a brief rest and then gear
up for the evening siesta of a Nepalese Food
Festival specially created for you in the sprawling lawns of
the hotel. Relish the traditional Nepalese food
such as Tama (a dried bamboo shoot soup),momos
(the Tibetan equivalent of ravioli), masko dal,
dal bhat tarkari (comprising of lentil soup,
rice and curried vegetables), sikarni (a sweet
dessert made from curd ) and raksi (a local
rice based brew of Nepal).
DAY 3. DELHI / AGRA
Morning board the superfast Shatabadi Express
train to Agra. One of the great Mughal cities
of South Asia. With minor interruptions, Agra
alternated with Delhi as the capital of their
empire.Check into the hotel and commence the
city tour with the imposing Taj Mahal, built
in memory of Shah Jehan's wife Mumtaz Mahal
who died after 1 7 yr. of marriage. It is a
monument which has drawn upon the creativity
and skills of engineers and craftsmen from many
parts of the world. It is said that besides
great craftsmen and workers from India, artisans
came from Central Asia and even Europe. The
Taj stands on the Yamuna river, and it is a
monument that needs to be experienced and observed
at different times of the day from far and near
to get the feeling of sheer beauty that it evokes.
Next,visit the Agra fort, started by emperor
Akbar in 1565 and completed by his grandson
Shah Jahan. It was conceived as a military structure
when started but, by Shah Jahan's time it had
become a palace. The fort is on the banks of
the Yamuna river, and only one of its gates,
the Amar Singh Gate, is open. There are a number
of important buildings within the fort which
are worth exploring. Later visit the Itmad-ud-Daulah's
tomb built by Noor Jahan in memory of her father
Ghias-ud-din Beg. Drive back to your hotel for
a brief rest after which enjoy the delicacies
of "Dum Pukht" cuisine in a sit down
dinner at the hotel restaurant with the backdrop
of the famous "Qawali" music involving
group performers in traditional attire singing
Urdu hymns an accordance with the fast beats
of the tabla, harmonium and an array of other
local musical instruments. Over. night Agra
DAY 4. AGRA / CORBETT
Drive to Corbett, India's first national park
and one of its finest. It is renowned not only
for its rich and varied wildlife and birdlife
but also for its scenic charm and magnificent
sub-mountain and riverine views. The park comprises
the broad valley of the Ramganga river backing
onto the forest covered slopes of the Himalayan
foothills. Check into the deluxe Tiger Tops
Lodge. In the evening enjoy the environs of
this riverside resort. Later dinner is served
in the open amidst the jungle atmosphere and
around a splendid bon4ire. Overnight at the
Lodge.
DAY 5. CORBETT
Morning and evening visit the jungle on jeep
and elephant back to view the varied flora,
fauna and avifaura life in the evergreen forests
of Corbett including the elusive tiger. Evening
enjoy a tribal dance performance over a bon
- fire while you relax with your "chhota
pegs" and succulent bar- be- que
specialities. Overnight stay in the Lodge.
DAY 6. CORBETT / GANGA BANKS
(5 hrs)
Drive to Rishikesh, the town which nestles around
the Ganges as it swiftly runs through the last
hills of the Himalayas. An. evening boat ride
on the Ganges to observe the way of life in
the Garhwal Himalayas. Evening beach party on,the
banks of the Ganga complete with bon - fire
and live band in attendance. Overnight at the
picturesque Ganga Banks Resort (20 kms upstream
from Rishikesh ) built blending into the landscape,
in synthesis with the environment with modern
comforts and country style hues that reflect
the colours and tints of the wilderness beyond.
It is classified as India's most eco-friendly
resort using solar heaters and other eco-friendly
means.Overnight Ganga Banks.
DAY 7. GANGA BANKS
Full day tour of the ashrams, meditational centres
and ancient temples. In the evening view sunset
"aarti" at Haridwar.
Gala theme dinner in which we take you back
in time to a typical jungle hunting camp on
the sprawling beach of the Ganges where you
are welcomed by a tribal chieftain. The call
of the wild and the sound of the jungle are
complemented by folk singers and dancers. Torches
and oil lamps lend a rustic charm to the tents
pitched on the site. The food is cooked on pits
over a camp4ire. An elaborate pyrotechnic display
is mounted in front of the camp. A fire-cracker
banner with the words SAVE WILDLIFE rounds off
a magnificent evening. Overnight at Ganga Banks.
DAY 8. GANGA BANKS / WATERBANKS
/ DELHI
Drive to Waterbanks for a gala farewell dinner.
Evening at leisure for nature walks, birding,
horse riding and boating etc. Evening relish
your exotic cocktails and a lakeside bar-be-que
while a western band entertains you.Dancing
to the b eats of the music on a unique lakeside
dance floor ends with an extravagant fireworks
display to round off a spectacular evening.
Later departure transfer in time to connect
the flight to international destination.
Options and Extensions
1) Overnight at Mussourie, known as the Queen
of the Hills, just 2 hrs away from the Ganga
Banks.
India
Tour Packages