The North India, strategically, most important part of India has shaped the course of India's historical and cultural evolution over the last 3500 years. The three main religions - Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism; the origin of sacred river Ganga, Yamuna and sources of many other important rivers are in northern India. The mighty Himalayas from Himachal Pradesh to Arunachal Pradesh safeguarding the country are also part of the northern India. Delhi, the capital of India has seen the battle between many emperors and has been ruled by them from time to time. Some of the outstanding monuments like Qutab Minar, Jama Mosque, Humayun's Tomb were built by Mughal Emperors during their regime. Rajasthan, one of the most colourful and vibrant state of India is proudly associated with northern India. Most famous for its Forts and Palaces; Rajasthan's Thar Desert and Cattle Fairs are no less interesting. Uttar Pradesh, the most populated state in the country has beautiful monuments like Taj Mahal; wildlife sanctuaries and is associated with river Ganges as her source of origin from Gaumukh in the Himalayas. Brief Program Day 01: Arrive Delhi Day 02: In Delhi Day 03: Delhi-Agra Day 04: Agra-Jaipur Day 05: In Jaipur Day 06: Jaipur-Delhi Touring Rajasthan is quite simply one of the most spectacular and romantic travel experiences that the world has on offer. Most of Rajasthan comprises the magnificent Thar Desert region where the Rajputs, a proud and mysterious people built forts, palaces and temples. Camel Safari , Rajasthan Camel Safari is one of the unique way to explore small villages in Rajasthan. Camel Safaris at the top of this ship of the desert is most exciting and soft adventure. Riding a camel is not easy as people consider. It is neither a great test for endurance. It is a great experience to explore The Thar - a vibrantly, living, desert, very colourful and hospitable.

Suggested Itinerary :
Day 01 -  ARRIVE DELHI
Meeting and greetings on arrival at Delhi’s international airport and transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 02 -  AT DELHI
Morning after relaxed breakfast at around 8 AM met your licensed guide and car at hotel lobby and proceed for combined tour of Old and New Delhi.

OLD DELHI : An ancient walled city. Here you will see Red Fort, the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire: Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; and Chandni Chowk, the bustling and colourful market of the old city.  NEW DELHI : This city was designed and built by the British in the 1920's - a city of wide boulevards impressive Government buildings, green parks and gardens. First you will visit two monuments from Delhi's past Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar. Then your drive takes you along the ceremonial avenue, Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate and Parliament House.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 – Delhi to Jaipur
Morning after buffet breakfast at the hotel proceed to Jaiur by car in around 5 hours time.  Arrive Jaipur and check in at the HOTEL.  Rest of the afternoon free to relax. Evening proceed to Chokhi Dhani Ethnic Village to see artificial local life and traditional dinner from Rajasthan state. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 - AT JAIPUR
Morning after breakfast at the hotel excursion to AMBER FORT - 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.  Drive pass 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.

Afternoon tour of Jaipur city where you will visit 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 and 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.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05 – JAIPUR DRIVE TO AGRA (Drive time 5 hrs. approx.)
Morning after breakfast at the hotel drive to Agra enroute visiting FATEHPUR SIKRI : A fascinating ghost town, lies a little beyond Agra the deserted Red sandstone city that was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital. It was a veritable fairy tale city and its ruins are still in a pristine condition. Set like a jewel in a courtyard of pink sandstone is the marble tomb of the Saint Salim Chisti, enclosed by delicately carved marble screens.

Arrive and check in at HOTEL. Later visit to Taj Mahal - visit to the world famous ‘Taj Mahal’ by ‘decorated tongas’. The inimitable poem in white marble, built over a period of 22 years by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Also visit Red Fort built by three generations of  Mughal Emperors starting from Akbar the Great in 1565 AD, which is a masterpiece of design and construction.  It housed both the residential Palaces of the Royal family, and the military quarters.
Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 06 – PROCEED TO DELHI
After relaxed buffet breakfast at the hotel depart by car for Delhi in around 4 hours time.  Arrive and check in at Hotel.  Rest of the time free to relax or explore more of Delhi.  Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07 – Delhi to Mussoorie – drive 6-7 hours

Morning after breakfast at the hotel drive to Mussoorie to reach in around 6 to 7 hours time.  Arrive and check in at the hotel.  Rest of the day free to realx.

Mussoorie is known as the queen of hill stations. In 1820 Captain Young from the British army was influenced by the beauty of this place and made this place his residence. This marked the foundation of a hill station called Mussoorie. The name, Mussoorie, is derived from plants of 'Mussoorie' which were found in abundance here. After its discovery, this hill station gradually developed as a center of education, business, tourism and beauty.

Mussoorie is located at a height of 2,500 meters in the green Himalayan range. Due to its location and beauty Mussoorie is considered as the best hill station in the northern region. The modern bungalows, malls and well laid gardens which are located on the small hills around the area are enough to attract any tourist.  Visit Kempty Fall, Lall Tiba and the mall road.

Day 08 – At Mussoorie

Full day visit Mussoorie and its surroundings.  Overnight at the hotel.

18 Aug, 2007 – Mussoorie to Rishikesh – Drive 4 hours via visiting Haridwar

Morning after breakfast at the hotel drive to Rishikesh via visiting Holy Ganges at Haridwar.

Haridwar - An ancient Hindu pilgrimage site at the foothills of Himalayas, Haridwar is one of the venues of the famous Kumbha Mela, which is held here once in every twelve years besides the Ardh Kumbh Mela, held every six years. Besides the innumerable temples of Haridwar, there are five main bathing spots here that are considered sacred and are prime locations for those who visit here for religious purposes. They are Gangadwara, Kankhal, Nila Parvata, Bilwa Theertha and Kusavarta. Hari-ki-Pairi distorted to Har-ki-Pauri. The last one is however the main ghat at Haridwar, which is believed to have a footprint of Lord Vishnu himself on a stone in a wall.

Arrive Rishikesh and check in at the hotel for overnight stay.
 
Rishikesh - 24 km from Haridwar, Rishikesh makes a wonderful entry point to the four major Hindu pilgrimage centres - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. It is also known as 'Yoga Capital of the World' and has a number of yoga and meditation centers to boast of. It has also been increasingly attracting the attention of adventure tourists from all over the world because of the exciting opportunities of trekking and white water rafting. You will visit various Ashrams, temples and yoga and meditation centers during the day and you can even talk to the holy saints who could enlighten you about the subtle points of Hindu philosophy.

Evening attend Ganga Arati at Ganges ghat.  Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09 – At Rishikesh

Morning after breakfast proceed for a short rafting trip in the River Ganges.  Afternoon  explore temples and ashrams of Rishikesh. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 – Rishikesh to Almora – Drive 7-8 hours drive
Morning after breakfast at the hotel drive to Almora (you have a option of staying at Nainital for 1 night if liked).  Arrive Almora and check in at the hotel for overnight stay.
The ancient town of Almora, before it's establishment was under the possession of Katyuri king Baichaldeo. He donated major part of this land to a Gujrati Brahmin Sri Chand Tiwari. Later on when Chand kingdom was founded in Baramandal, the town of Almora was founded at this centrally located place in 1560 by Kalyan Chand. 

In the days of the Chand Kings it was called Rajapur. The name 'Rajpur' is also mentioned over a number of ancient copper plates. The town of Almora is situated over a horse saddle shaped ridge of a mountain. The eastern portion of the ridge is known as Talifat and the western one is known as Selifat. The market is at the top of the ridge where these two, Talifat and Selifat jointly terminate.  Overnight at the hotel.

Morning after leisurely breakfast at the hotel proceed to Ranikhet and check in at the hotel.  Afternoon visit this quite hill station of Ranikhet: Ranikhet basks in its quietude. The noise levels are low and the roads are lined with rhododendron, deodar and elms .. and, therefore, Ranikhet is a popular destination for tourists yearning to breathe fresh, invigorating mountain air. And few who have visited this hideaway have any complaints about its effecacy to destress the tired soul. With museums, temples, orchards full of fruit, and Himalayan views, there is lot to see and explore. Every season is a tourist season, the summers for the colours of the mountains, the monsoons for the colourful wild flowers and the winters for the white blanket of snow.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13 – Ranikhet to Nainital
Morning after breakfast at the hotel proceed to Nainital by car.  Check in at the hotel on arrival. Rest of the time is left free to relax after long drive.  Overnight at the hotel.

This hill resort of Nainital has since long been the refuge of the sun scorched souls of the plains. The British made it there summer headquarter. The British sugar manufacturer of Saharnpur brought Nainital into limelight. Way back in 1841 AD Nainital was frequented. The natural beauty and especially the Lake made Nainital one of the favourite summer destinations. Since then till date the people throng the hill resort of Nainital.

Day 14 – At Nainital
Morning after breakfast at the hotel proceed for one hour boat ride at Naini Lake (direct payment), later visit View point by traveling ropeway trolley from the mall (direct payment), visit Hanumagh temple and zoo, and St. John’s church. Time permitting proceed for an excursion to visit Bhimtal - 23 Km from Nainital. The lake offers opportunities for water sports too. The natural beauty of the place makes it an excellent excursion.  Overnight at the hotel.

Day 15 – Nainital to DELHI

Morning after breakfast at the hotel proceed to Delhi in around 7 hours time and check in at the hotel.  Rest of the day free to relax.  Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 16 – DEPART DELHI
Transfer to the airport in time to board flight for onward destination.

Bon Voyages

Optional 1 or 2 nights can be added at Corbett National park if interested in Wild life.  Park remain close from 15th June to 30 September every year,

Suggested North !NDIA Tours
Best of North India	North India Classical Tour
North India Wildlife Tour	Royal North India Tour
North India Grand Tour