The Fabled Cities of North India Tour (14 Days Tour)

Delhi  – Ancient and Modern History

You wake up and find the beauty of Delhi already bright in the morning sun. The old and new neighborhoods bustle with shops and restaurants. Rickshaws are painted vibrant yellows and greens, colors that often represent prosperity and luck. Your guide meets you after breakfast. You step out into the city ready to experience its depth and wonder. Humayun’s Tomb was constructed in the 16th century and was the first large-scale structure to be built using sandstone.

The red coloration captures the sunlight and glistens against the soft blue sky.

You look at the central entrance and find the high archway topped with cupolas. Small minarets surround the white marble dome. The entire complex is magnificent, from the geometric patterns that decorate the exterior walls to the impressive floor plan of the interior chambers. Stone latticework covers the slightly recessed upper windows. There are 124 vaulted chambers throughout the grounds.

The atmosphere is tranquil. The grounds are gorgeous from the architecture to the gardens. The image of Humayun’s Tomb continues to play in your head as you continue your tour through Delhi.

What’s Included: breakfast, tour, accommodation.

Varansi to Kajruaho – A Holy Sunrise and Ancient Empires

Today you will witness the morning wash over one of the holiest cities in India. Your guide meets you at your hotel and escorts you to the ghats along the Ganges. The sun begins to hover over the horizon. A deep red shifts to an open yellow that pushes against the remaining night. You notice the distinct beauty between the shades of sky that reflect in the water creating silhouettes of the boatmen in the distance and the shimmering buildings of the city behind you.

You spend the morning strolling through the riverside temples and shops. Pilgrims cup their hands, dip them in the river, and bring the water to their lips. In the afternoon you are taken to the airport and find yourself in the city of Khajuraho to visit the exceptional ancient temples. The temple complex dates back to the 10th century and once had 85 temples spread over 12 square miles. 

Today around 20 temples remain. The structures follow the quintessential Hindu geometric design. The Parshvanath temple is dedicated to Jainism and is one of the earliest constructed temples in the complex. You can find a famous magic square carved into the interior wall.  The carvings are breathtaking.

You can see the intricate detail in every image whether person, animal, or deity. The stupas climb one above another.  It is impossible not to marvel at the construction, the artistry, and the preservation. In the evening you will view the sensational light and sound show that takes place over the western temples’ rising stupas. 

What’s Included: breakfast, tour, transfer, accommodation.

Agra – The Continued Marvels of Mughal Empires

You are awake before dawn and met by your guide. You find yourself walking through the entrance gates to the Taj Mahal and discover the magnificent structure at the far end of the 980 square foot garden. In the midnight blue sky the marble mausoleum continues to shine an immaculate white. You stroll through the long stretch of manicured trees and pristine grass. When you come to the steps of the platform you notice the marble’s coloration shifting. As the sun rises the stone catches the light. The white turns to red and then orange.

When the sun is fully over the horizon you see a lingering rosy hue draped over the famous large curved dome. The complex was built in the 17th century for the Shah Jahan’s third wife. The graceful design and delicate features represent a mixture of Persian, Islamic, and Hindu elements. You can find some of the lattice screens bordered by painted flowers and plant motifs.

Persian poems are written in calligraphy around the doorways. The magnificence of the Taj Mahal is in its elegant construction but also in the impeccable tiny details. At dusk you will enjoy the view of the Taj Mahal from the Mehtab Bagh, the garden located cross the Yamuna River. The water reflects the opulent structure in the light of the setting sun. 

What’s Included: breakfast, tour, accommodation.

Jaipur – The Vibrancy of Pink

Beneath the towering pink walls of the City Palace, rickshaws share the streets with strolling camels. You find the iconic images of Jaipur in the heart of the city, known for its ancient sandstone buildings and honeycomb architecture. After breakfast you embark on a tour of the city and find the Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of Winds.

The honeycomb structure was built in the 18th century. The lattice windows allowed the women of the royal family to watch the processions of the city, from daily markets to parades, without jeopardizing their virtue.

When you step deeper into the City Palace you will come to the unique paintings and mirror work of Chandra Mahal. The seven-story structure is commanding in its beauty from both the outside and the inside. Much of this palace continues to be the residence of the descendants of Jaipur’s former royalty.

The ground floor displays manuscripts and many personal belongings of the historic royal family. It isn’t just the opulence of the palace that is striking. You find wonder in the astrological park and Amer Fort, the people and the market. The city is filled with historic marvels and lively magnetic culture. 

What’s Included: breakfast, tour, transfer, accommodation.

Nimaj – Village Life to Blue City Life

The morning sun casts an orange light across the Rajasthan desert. After breakfast you make your way to the village of Nimaj. Some of the surrounding temples date back to the 9th century and were built by the Pratihara Empire.

On the outskirts of town you come to Magarmandi Mata, one of the temples constructed by to the Gurjar Pratihar. The brick platform holds up elegant reliefs along the temple’s flanks. The stones are carved with geometric shapes and intricate depictions of dancing women and warriors.

In the streets of Nimaj women carry clay pots on their head.

They fill the gourd at the local well and carry it home to use for cooking. In the morning hours it often looks like a daily procession. Before your arrival in the Blue City, you come to a Bishnoi Village. The villagers are known for their strict stance against harming animals and trees. You join the locals for a tasty meal and come to Jodhpur in the late afternoon.

What’s Included: breakfast, lunch, transfer, accommodation.

Udaipur – With Trains and Temples

Your train departs from Jojawar in the morning. You step into the comfortable cabin and are ready to go. The scenery outside becomes plush with forest. The scent of sandalwood brings a pleasant spice to the air. At Ranakpur you exit the train and venture for a look at the Chaumukha Temple’s exquisite architecture. The sanctuary’s magnificent artistry is apparent immediately.

Domes, turrets, and cupolas stand tall over the sloping hill. The marble structure glints in the mid-morning light. The temple is known for having over 1,444 marble pillars, each one detailed with unique figures. One fabulous piece of decoration was carved from a single rock and shows 108 different snakeheads and numerous tails.

A marble elephant stands beneath the central dome. You can’t help but think how much the temple looks more like an immaculate palace. You step aboard the train and continue your journey to Udaipur.

What’s Included: breakfast, dinner, transfer, tour, accommodation.

Delhi – The Lake and the Delhi

The morning light glistens off of the sapphire water. You can see the City Palace walls imitated in the lake’s crystal surface. The alluring spices of chai emanate from the local tea stand. You have grown accustomed to the luscious and soothing aroma. Your private transfer will take you from your hotel to the airport where you will catch your return flight to Delhi.

Your time in the northern cities of India brought you lakes and temples, palaces and deserts. Soon you may have to pinch yourself to know that you amazing trip was real. But you have no doubt that it was.

What’s Included: breakfast, airport transfer