North India Cultural Tour

Arrive Delhi and check into hotel. This afternoon we include a city tour of the sights of New Delhi. The Indian capital has long been a phoenix rising again and again out of its own ruins. New Delhi was the creation of the British Raj of the 30’s and includes the Lok Sabha (Parliament), India Gate, the Rajpath, Qutb Minar and, Humayun’s Tomb.

Overnight Standard Hotel

Compared to New Delhi the Old City is much closer to the image conjured up by Rudyard Kipling. This morning we include a guided visit to Old Delhi by metro and on foot with its hub at Chandni Chowk Bazaar, a jamboree of deafening barter. A short cycle rickshaw ride then takes us to the Jami Masjid mosque and we pass by the Red Fort also. There will be an opportunity for some free time in Old Delhi before our afternoon drive to Agra (approximately 5 hours).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We visit the Taj Mahal, the world’s most perfect and poetic building, at sunrise. Over 300 years have elapsed since its construction, yet it stands today unscarred by age, its beauty and symmetry seemingly beyond man, time and space. Created by Shah Jahan as a funerary monument to his favourite wife, Mumtaz, it took 22 years to build (1630-52). The Great Moghul lies beside his beloved under the white marble dome. Inlaid with precious gems, the building cost a fortune and later Shah Jahan moved his capital to Delhi before being overthrown by his son, Aurangzeb. We’ll also visit the Agra Fort, built by Akbar the Great, which contains the incomparable Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque). Rest of the day is free in Agra and you may choose to visit the “Babt Taj” on the east bank of the river or re-visit the Taj (optional).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We continue our journey west and soon come upon the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. Founded in 1569 and abandoned scarcely 16 years later, it is a perfectly intact example of Akbar’s imperial court. Among the many noteworthy buildings is the 5-storied Panch Mahal, probably a pleasure pavilion for the ladies of the harem. In the centre of the courtyard is the Pachisi Board where the emperor played a game like chess with dancing slave girls as pieces. Perhaps the finest structure of all is the lotus shaped carved central pillar of the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), its extraordinary capital supporting a vaulted roof. Later in the afternoon we reach the Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur. Formerly a royal duck-shooting reserve and now an ornithologist’s paradise, the park is best visited either at dusk or dawn. Covering 12 square miles, some 7000 acres are under water: the lakes and marshlands offer a safe habitat for large numbers of breeding waterbirds and migrants. More than 300 species have been sighted, among them herons, storks, geese and the huge and rare Siberian crane.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Bharatpur we continue to Karauli via Mahuwa and Hindaun. Karauli is a holy town famous for the pale red sandstone wall which surrounds it. Earlier called Kalyanpuri, after the local deity Kalyanji, Karauli was founded in 1348 AD and was strongly fortified by its rulers. Legend has it that the ruling family were descendants of Lord Krishna, one of the most loved gods of Hindu mythology. After arriving and checking into our hotel, we hope to be able to ride on carts drawn by camels from our hotel to the 600 year old fort which forms the imposing highlight of this town. Used as a residence by the royal family until 1950, the fort has now been abandoned by them. There are a good number of monkeys and geese in the fort. It is said that geese have been here since the days when they were used as a warning system against any intruders. We will visit the fort and, if time allows, we may also be able to explore other points of interest in the town such as the Madan Mohanji Temple. Karauli plays host to a large cattle fair in February and 2 famous religious festivals – one at the beginning of April and the other at the beginning of October.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we will make an early start and head to Jaipur via Gangapur and Dausa. Sometimes called the Pink City, Jaipur was first painted terracotta pink by Maharajah Sawai Ram Singh to celebrate the visit of Prince Albert in 1853. On arrival, we’ll take a sightseeing tour including a visit to the lavish and well preserved City Palace with its fine collection of textiles, costumes and armoury. Jai Singh, the great Maharajah-astronomer, built his extraordinary (and very accurate) star-gazing Observatory (Jantra) here and we will also have time to visit it this afternoon. The Old City has several fine gates set into the pink walls, and there are many chances for photos and shopping.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we will visit the Palace of the Winds, a 5-storied facade (built about 1760) which has been the subject of countless Indian posters. Afterwards, we will drive to the Amber Fort. This impressive hilltop fortress possesses what must be the world’s finest Chamber of Mirrors and affords glorious views of the surrounding.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today, we take the train back to Delhi the rest of the day is free to relax.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We leave Delhi and the Indian plains early in the morning to fly into the remote Himalayan region of Ladakh, and its old capital Leh, once a staging post on the Silk Road from China. Our day is left free to allow us to acclimatise, with only a gentle orientation walk of the town planned.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we join the locals in attending the largest and most famous of festivals in Ladakh. The Hemis Monastery festival is dedicated to Guru Rinpoche, a representative reincarnation of Buddha who made it his duty to improve the spiritual condition of all living beings. The festival takes place in the central courtyard of the monastery where we can witness the early morning sacred ceremonies followed by traditional masked dances, where monks tell stories through dance accompanied by drumming. The costumes are made of shimmering brocade and the masks range from the comical to the intimidating. This festival is the highlight of the year for locals and the chance to gather and meet friends is almost as important as the religion. People wear their best dress and make the most of the carnival atmosphere.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we have the opportunity to do some white water rafting (optional) on the Indus River before driving on to Alchi village. In the afternoon we visit historic Alchi Gompa. Alchi is renowned for its magnificent Kashmiri Buddhist artwork which dates from an earlier period and is quite different from the other frescos in Ladakh.Whilst life jackets are provided for the rafting we recommend that you are confident swimming at least 25 metres unaided if you wish to take part.

Overnight Standard Guest House Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we have a number of day walks planned. The first takes us back across the river to Saspol, then up to the nearby Saspol caves with glorious views across the Indus Valley. This afternoon we plan a slightly longer and very scenic walk (optional) back along the Indus Valley after a visit to Rizong Gompa.

Overnight Standard Guest House Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The predominant faith of the local residents here is the Lamaistic form of Buddhism of Tibet. This is seen clearly in the monastery (gompa) architecture and by the extraordinary number of gods and demons that order the daily life of the community. Today we plan a full day of sightseeing to visit the gompas of Thiksey, Taktak and Hemis. Hemis Gompa, situated some 48km outside Leh, is the largest and most important monastery in Ladakh, a treasure house of golden statues, gem-studded stupas, rare books and fine paintings of the Buddha.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We transfer to 4WD vehicles for the long drive to Sarchu. The drive includes the Taglang La Pass at 5328m, the highest point of our journey. We descend onto the highest plateau on earth (4511m) and then go down the Gata loops, an amazing series of 21 hairpin bends to our tented camp at Sarchu. The fixed tents are provided with all facilities including bedding and en-suite toilets.

Overnight Simple Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Climbing to the Baralacha pass (4891m) we are once again treated to spellbinding views of the Himalayan range, before threading our way down the mountain side towards our nightstop at Jespa, a small settlement in an area known as Lahaul. The air starts to feel ‘thicker’ here as the oxygen content increases, with increased vegetation on the mountain slopes and small cultivated areas, marking a return to a more hospitable landscape.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

We drive over the Rohtang Pass (3977m) today, the last of the high passes before descending down to the Kulu Valley and the picturesque town of Manali, surrounded by forests and mountains.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

The day is free to explore the hill town of Manali. Your tour leader will organise an optional half day walk to some of the traditional villages in the valley to the north of Manali. Alternatively you can also visit the Hadimba Devi Temple, Vashisht village or visit the local Tibetan bazaar and bargain for colourful souvenirs.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we follow the Beas River south through the Kulu Valley. A slight detour takes us up to the quirky Naggar Castle which overlooks the valley. We then continue on to Mandi, once an important town on the salt route to Tibet, now a small temple town held sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Leaving Mandi, our morning’s drive takes us back into the mountains as we make our way up to the old British hill station of Dharamsala, since 1959 home of Tibet’s exiled Dalai Lama. McLeodganj is the upper part of the town situated 500m above Lower Dharamsala and is the area with the greatest Tibetan influence. On arrival an orientation walk is organised which will include the Buddhist Namgyal Monastery known locally as Little Lhasa, and the Kalachakra Temple.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We spend the morning in McLeodganj. If the Dalai Lama is giving one of his occasional public audiences, we may be lucky enough to be granted permission to attend. The afternoon is left free for further personal exploration with the opportunity to walk out to one of the temples in the surrounding hills – the closest being the Bhagsunath Temple with it’s small pool, attractive waterfall and spectacular views.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning’s drive sees us descending to the plains and crossing into the Punjab. We arrive in Amritsar, the Sikh’s holiest city and visit the stunning Golden Temple. The atmosphere is one of incredible calm with devotees taking their turn to pass through the main shrine where there is a continuous and melodic recital (known as the Akhand Path) from the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book. We’ll also visit the Jalianwala Bagh, site of the notorious massacre under General Dyer in 1919 when 379 Sikhs were shot from point blank range by British troops.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Our tour comes to an end here in Amritsar.

Included meals: Breakfast