With a history going back more than 3,000 years, the capital of India – Delhi , is a seamless blend of tradition and modernity, where ancient monuments co-exist with ultra-modern high-rise buildings and commercial plazas. With its glorious history, Delhi offers many tourist attractions with a harmonious blend of Mughal and British colonial architecture. A stroll on Rajpath to see the famous Rashtrapati Bhavan and war memorial, India gate or a visit to the Lal Qila, Qutub Minar, Humayun's tomb and Jama Masjid will be unforgettable. Of the new marvels, the Lotus temple and Akshardham are worth a visit.
North India Temple Tour
(Delhi – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Kathmandu, 7N/8D)
Delhi With a history going back more than 3,000 years, the capital of India – Delhi , is a seamless blend of tradition and modernity, where ancient monuments co-exist with ultra-modern high-rise buildings and commercial plazas. With its glorious history, Delhi offers many tourist attractions with a harmonious blend of Mughal and British colonial architecture. A stroll on Rajpath to see the famous Rashtrapati Bhavan and war memorial, India gate or a visit to the Lal Qila, Qutub Minar, Humayun's tomb and Jama Masjid will be unforgettable. Of the new marvels, the Lotus temple and Akshardham are worth a visit. The rich handicrafts of India are best showcased at the State emporia, Cottage emporium and Dilli Haat. Delhi is not complete without tingling your gastronomical senses at specialty gourmet restaurants or it’s lip-smacking street food.
Khajuraho The 9th to 12th century temples of Khajuraho are the evidence of the architectural genius during the times of Chandela dynasty. Situated in Madhya Pradesh India, Khajuraho oozes with passion, eroticism, dance and music and other finesse of creative arts depicted in the sculpture and images of the temples. The 85 temples were built in the North Indian 'Nagara' style of architecture, though only 20 of them have survived the rough weather conditions over long years of time. The two richer distinctive groups of temples are the Western and Eastern group of temples.
This temple town of Khajuraho is much different from any other temple city of India. It is not about religion and worshipping and deities. The temples of Khajuraho are instead famous for the eroticism etched on its walls in the form of sculptures. Khajuraho temples got lost into obscurity and were only discovered by chance but they quickly became India's second most favored tourist destination after Taj Mahal. This temple complex is perhaps the largest group of medieval temples. Other than eroticism, these sculptures also depict other refined courtly accomplishments such as music and dance.
Varanasi One of the most important pilgrimage spots for Jains, Buddhists and especially Hindus, Varanasi is situated on the banks of Holy Ganges, which plays an important role in day-to-day lives of the people of Varanasi. Being the oldest living city, Varanasi has been a mute witness to many great historic upheavals and events. Mythology reins the city and there are many religious places and institutions and places of worship throughout the city which people visit everyday, especially in the mornings and the evenings. On closer look, one can still find the primitive worship cults that are still in practice in the city. The religiosity of the region is evident from the fact that Buddha, Jain Tirthankars, several Shaiva and Vaishnava saints, Kabir and Tulsi were either born here or were associated with the place in a significant way and have spent a long time here.
Kathmandu Situated slightly southeast of Nepal’s center, Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and the largest city in the country. For centuries, the city has been a center of religious art and architecture of both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. The Centre for Buddhist Studies is located in Boudhanath in the Kathmandu valley about a half hour drive from Kathmandu. Boudhanath is regarded as one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in South Asia because it contains one of the world’s largest and holiest reliquary mounds (the Jarung Kashor Stupa, also refered to as “the Boudha Stupa”) where Buddhists from all over Asia come to offer ritual reverence. Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche’s monastery, where the Centre for Buddhist Studies is located, is a major training facility for Tibetan monks and nuns, surrounded by both Tibetan refugee and Nepali communities. It is a place where Buddhist students have the opportunity to truly immerse themselves in the cultures of living Tibetan Buddhism and Nepali life. The city is renowned for the beauty of its ancient temples and city squares.
Itinerary
Day 1- Arrive Delhi:
Check in hotel, rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2- To Khajuraho Intime transfer to Railway Station to board Shatabdi Express for Jhansi. Arrive Jhansi and drive to Khajuraho visiting Orchha enroute. The Chaturbhuj Temple and Laxmi Narayan Temple are two important religious attractions in Orchha. Arrive Khajuraho by late afternoon and check – in at hotel.
Day 3- To Varanasi Morning sightseeing tour of Khajurhao Temples. The Chaunsath Yogini, Lalguan Mahadev, Parvati, Varaha, Matangesvara, Lakshmana, Vishvanath and Nandi, Chitragupta, Devi Jagdamba and Kandariya Mahadeo temples belong to this group. Later transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi - the oldest city in India. Arrive Varanasi and transfer to hotel enroute visiting Sarnath. It was here that Buddha preached his message of the ‘middle way’ in order to achieve nirvana
Day 4- To Kathmandu Enjoy a boat ride on river Ganges. There are about hundred ghats in the city Also visit The Vishwanath Temple, built by the Birlas, was planned by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. The Bharat Mata Temple houses, instead of gods and goddesses, a huge relief map in marble of the whole of Indian subcontinent. The Tulsi Manas Temple, built in 1964, is dedicated to Lord Rama. Intime transfer to airport to board flight for Kathmandu. Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to hotel. Day free for independent activities.
Day 5- In Kathmandu Given clear sky you can enjoy a mountain flight for an hour for a close view of various Himalayan peaks. Morning visit Hanuman Dhoka, the name of the old royal palace has been derived from the statue of Hanuman (the monkey god of Hindu mythology) Also visit the hilltop Stupa of Swayambhunath, considered 2,000 years old.
Day 6- In Kathmandu Morning visit The Pashupatinath Temple, situated on the banks of River Baghmati around 8 km from the city, is one of the holiest Hindu shrines. Also visit Boudnath is one of the largest stupas in the world
Day 7- To Delhi Intime transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon proceed on a tour of the capital city. The important places in Old Delhi includes the majestic Red Fort, the historical Chandni Chowk, besides Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana, In New Delhi visit the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys; the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war; the Laxminarayan Temple, built by the Birlas, one of India’s leading industrial families; Qutab Minar, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty; and the lotus-shaped Baha’i Temple.
Day 8- Leave Delhi You will be accompanied by an Smaraniya Holidays representative to airport to board flight for onward destination.
Delhi
Khajuraho
Varanasi
Kathmandu
Day 2- To Khajuraho Intime transfer to Railway Station to board Shatabdi Express for Jhansi. Arrive Jhansi and drive to Khajuraho visiting Orchha enroute. The Chaturbhuj Temple and Laxmi Narayan Temple are two important religious attractions in Orchha. Arrive Khajuraho by late afternoon and check – in at hotel.
Day 5- In Kathmandu Given clear sky you can enjoy a mountain flight for an hour for a close view of various Himalayan peaks. Morning visit Hanuman Dhoka, the name of the old royal palace has been derived from the statue of Hanuman (the monkey god of Hindu mythology) Also visit the hilltop Stupa of Swayambhunath, considered 2,000 years old.