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Custom Itineraries |
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| SOUTHERN
VISTA - Traditional
images of Southern India are best seen in the
living people, thronging the great temples, bathing
in sacred rivers, renewing the continuity of the
old Dravidian culture which escaped the invasions
of the north. Traveling by train, small bus and
riverboat, our journey explores the glorious temple
complexes and meanders through the lush Malabar
backwaters.
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MUGHAL and RAJPUT HIGHLIGHT
- First we explore New
Delhi which is creation of British Raj and Old Delhi
creation of Mughal dynasty. At Agra beside other monument,
we explore Taj Mahal - the world’s most perfect
and poetic building. Created by Shah Jahan (1630 –52)
as a funerary monument to his favorite wife Mumtaz
Mahal. Bharatpur is a magnificent park, one of the
world's greatest and most important heronries. About
a third of its 29 Sq Km. is a shallow, fresh water
marsh formed by retaining water after monsoons. Over
12000 nests produce over 30,000 chicks, it is a birds
paradise. Ranthambore established as a sanctuary in
1955 and one of the original areas under Project Tiger,
has an impressive range of animal species including
Sambar, Chital, Wil Boar, Leopard and Tiger. Before
returning to Delhi, we discover the Pink City - Jaipur,
which has been the capital of Rajasthan since 1728,
here the visit includes City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar
Mantar and Amber Fort.
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| HISTORICAL
SOUTH - We explore
the historical site of South India beside relaxing
on some beaches. First visit some of the highlight
of Chennai, then we move to Mahabalipurm to admire
the Shore Temple, as well as other monolithic
monuments and relax on beach. Pondicherry was
ruled by French since middle of 18th century,
and it returned to India in 1954. The town was
originally divided into two by a canal, one side
used to be the Ville Blanc (white town) and the
other the Ville Noir (black town) for the Indian
Population. We have time here to explore and feel
the French culture, which still exist in the form
of architecture and the population who still speak
French. In Trichy we will visit unique Rock Fort
temple and move to Madurai to explore Madurai
temple dedicated to Meenakshi Sundarama, is a
large temple - town complex of walls, corridors,
concentric streets, tanks shops and finally, the
main shrine, with sculptured pillars, and the
figures on the Gopurams. The temple has an interesting
museum located in its 1000 - pillared hall. After
exploring sites of South India, we spend some
time relaxing at one of the excellent beach -
Kovalam. It is a short distance of 16 Km. south
of Trivandrum.
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EXTENSIVE RAJASTHAN -After
exploring the capital of the country Delhi,
we head towards Shekhawati region of Rajasthan,
where we will visit Havelies (fresco painted
houses) abandoned by wealthy merchants. On our
way to Jaisalmer we will spend a night in Bikaner
which is situated on the ancient camel caravan
routes that came from Africa and West Asia,
here we visit the fort built by Raja Rai Singh
(1571 - 1611). In Jaisalmer we will spend two
full days to discover intricately carved havelies
(houses of rich merchants), Jaisalmer Fort,
cenotaphs of royal family and other interesting
sites. In Jodhpur we have time to visit Jodhpur
fort which commands panoramic view of the town,
Umaid Bhawan Palace and Old capital - the Mandore.
Mount Abu is the hill station of this desert
country, its major attraction is the Jain temples
beautifully carved. We will spend a night in
Ghanerao with the royal family at their castle,
converted into hotel. finally we come to Lake
city of Udaipur via Ranakpur Jain temples. In
Udaipur we have number of sites to visit that
includes Fort / Palace, Lake Palace, Eklingji
Nagda temples and the fascinating market.
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GOLDEN TRIANGLE-This
diminutive but exciting holiday takes us to some of
the famous highlights of India, first we explore New
Delhi which is creation of British Raj and Old Delhi
creation of Mughals dynasty. At Agra beside other
monument, we explore Taj Mahal - the world’s
most perfect and poetic building. Created by Shah
Jahan (1630 –52) as a funerary monument to his
favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal. Before returning to Delhi
or taking an add on tour, we discover the Pink City
- Jaipur, which is the best representation of Rajput
culture and highlights that reflect in the monuments
including City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and
Amber Fort.
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NEPAL EXTENSION- After
exploring the Indian Sub-continent, we enter into
Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal via Sanauli border and
spent a night at Behrwa. From here we will travel
to Chitwan which was shooting reserve for Nepal rulers,
later it was established as a small rhinoceros sanctuary,
now a it is offers a vide variety of species that
include one horned rhinocero, which can be easy seen
from an elephant back, The tiger, the leopard, gaur
and many more. After game viewing in Chitwan, we move
to capital of Nepal, the Katmandu where we will spend
few days exploring the interesting sites and two main
cultures Hinduism and Buddhism intermingling with
each other.
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GLIMPSES OF INDIA-This
itinerary provides a chance to have glimpses of divers
cultures, people, achitecture and much more from west
to south. From metropolitan of Mumbai to Mughal town
of Aurangabad with nearby Ellora and Ajanta cave temples
representing Hindu and Buddhist religion. From 16th
century Qutab Shahi town of Hyderabad to Chalukyas
settlement at Badami. Mysore the city of fragrance
with its unparallel monuments and former Portuguese
colony - Goa.
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TASTE THE SOUTH-This
short tour of explores few highlights to tastes south
Indian culture and admire the architectural heritage
sites. To begin with we have orientation tour of Chennai,
then move to Bangalore modern capital of Karnataka
state, whose beginning goes back to 1537 when a petty
chieftain, Kempe Gowda, built a mud fort on a hill.
Today, it is a sprawling city, one of the fastes growing
in India, covering 130 Sq Km. and attracting industry
and commerce. We spend a night in Hassan which will
provide us enough time to explore 17th century Belure
and Halebid. We return to Chennai for onward journey.
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RAJPUTANA HIGHLIGHTS-This
itinerary covers almost half of Rajasthan besides
Delhi and Agra. First we explore New Delhi which is
creation of British Raj and Old Delhi creation of
Mughal dynasty. At Agra beside other monument, we
explore Taj Mahal - the world’s most perfect
and poetic building. Created by Shah Jahan (1630 –52)
as a funerary monument to his favorite wife Mumtaz
Mahal. Continuing our journey, we enter into Rajasthan
and first we discover the Pink City - Jaipur, which
has been the capital of Rajasthan since 1728, here
the visit includes City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar
Mantar and Amber Fort. In Jodhpur we have time to
visit Jodhpur fort which commands panoramic view of
the town, Umaid Bhawan Palace (converted into hotel)
and Old capital - the Mandore. Finally we come to
Lake city of Udaipur via Ranakpur Jain temples. In
Udaipur we have number of sites to visit that includes
Fort / Palace, Lake Palace, Eklingji Nagda temples
and the fascinating market.
Read
More...
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NORTHERN HIGHLIGHTS-First
we explore New Delhi (creation of British Raj) and
Old Delhi creation of Mughal dynasty. Then we discover
the Pink City - Jaipur, which has been the capital
of Rajasthan since 1728, here the visit includes City
Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and Amber Fort.
At Agra beside other monument, we explore Taj Mahal
- the world’s most perfect and poetic building.
Created by Shah Jahan (1630 –52) as a funerary
monument to his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal. In Khajuraho
Chandela rulers built 85 temples to the glory of God,
between the years 950 to 1050 A.D. Today 22 of them
survive and has no parallel architecturally. The eternal
city of Varanasi's antiquity can be traced back at
least the middle of first millennium B.C. It has not
served merely as a holy center of pilgrimage but also
as a great seat of traditional of Hindu learning and
culture.
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SOUTHERN HIGHLIGHTS-
This journey discover the highlights
of South India. First we discover the metropolitan
Chennai with its ancient temples, Cathedral and beaches,
then we drive along the coast to Mahabalipuram to
admire the shore temple and other monolithic sites,
it was chief harbor for Pallavas kingdom some 1200
years ago. The next halt will be at favorite hill
station of British Raj period at Ooty situated at
2440 Mt. from where we will move to Madumalai to have
glimpses of some wildlife for change. Before going
back to Chennai via Bangalore, we will explore the
city of fragrance 'Mysore' with its wonderful ancient
palaces.
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KASHMIR EXTENSION-
Fly to Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir
state. The vale of Kashmir is surrounded by snow capped
Himalayan mountains, with gushing streams, thick forests
and the world famous Mughal gardens. Beside relaxing
on a floating palace (Houseboat), We will visit Gulmarg
hill station of Raj period with it's Golf course,
horse riding, cable car and various other activities.
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Palaces
As early as the fourteenth
century, stories glorifying the exotic palaces
of Indian rulers began to circulate in the
West, stories which closer acquaintance
only confirmed. Even today, they are magical
places – small towns rather than single
buildings, in which the Hindu and Muslim
rulers of the subcontinent dispensed their
laws and enjoyed their wealth.
Palaces of India Replicating
the legendary past of the Rajas and Maharajas,
who once lived here, these palaces are the
finest example of sheer opulence and comfort.
Built in some of the most beautiful cities
of the country, these palaces are a tourists
delight
These temples of grandeur,
highlight a brilliant range of architectural
style and artistry, and reflect an elegance
of style that could have only been mastered
over years. Cities, towns and villages all
had their forts and protective ramparts.
It was customary to build the palace within
the fort, outside which lay the city, enclosed
within a fortified wall.
The Rajputs were prolific
builders who left behind a legacy of some
of the most imposing and magnificent forts
and palaces in the world. A bid for survival
in the harsh Thar Desert and a history replete
with valor, romance and tragedy: the forts
and palaces of Rajasthan are a microcosm
of the images from the past.
Almost every state of India
have palaces built by either Muslim or Hindu
rulers but the most popular and maximum
are in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnatka
Heritage
Rich architectural
legacy of India dating to ancient past never
ceases to lure the traveler. Out of countless
prestigious heritage sites of India, sixteen
cultural and five natural have already been
declared as World Heritage Sites, by the
General Conference of UNESCO. These sites
are known to have an exceptional interest
and universal value, the protection of which
is the concern of all mankind. The most
famous sites are
AJANTA and ELLORA
- Magnificent rock-cut
Buddhist cave temples. Ajanta wall paintings
pulsing with life, recount the life of the
Buddha, his previous lives, as also the
court life of king and commoner, while the
Ellora is temple of three religions : Hinduism,
Buddhism and Jainism.
AGRA FORT –
was built by emperor
Akbar in 1565 – 73 AD. as his citadel.
Inside are the several palaces and the largest
of pure marble mosques, the moti masjid.
TAJ MAHAL –
the marble wonder was built between 1631
and 48, by Emperor Shah Jehan for his beloved
queen Mumtaz Mahal.
FATEHPUR SIKRI
– The red stone
mansions of Sikri exhibit a robust stability
combined with originality, it was built
by emperor Akbar as his capital but could
rule from here for mere 12 years only.
MAMALLAPURAM
- Shore temple –
in south India was founded by the Palava
kings in 7th & 8th century, carved out
of rock along the coromandel coast. These
monuments are specially known for their
rath mandaps and giant open-air relief.
KONARK Sun temple
– built in 1250
AD., during the reign of the eastern Ganga
king Narsima Dave – I. The design
is the celestial chariot of the Sun God
pulled by seven carved ornamented horses.
KHAJURAHO – are
renowned for their fine blend of sculpture
and architecture. They were built between
950 – 1050 A.D. under the patronage
of the Chandela kings
HAMPI – The glories of medieval Hindu
kingdom. Temples of this city are noted
for their large dimensions, florid ornamentation,
bold and delicate carvings and traditional
depictions which include subjects from the
Ramayan and Mahabharata
PATTADAKAL-
In Karnataka, illstrates
the Chalukyan art which, in the 7th &
8th century AD, under the Chalukya dynasty,
achieved a harmonies blend of architectural
forms from the north and south of India.
ELLEPHANTA
–the glorious
abode of lord Shiva. The caves were excavated
in the 7th & 8th centuries. The center
piece is a massive 18 feet, three headed
bust of lord Shiva, representing his manifestations
as creator, preserver and destroyer.
SANCHI –
known for it’s
master pieces of Buddhist art – Buddhist
stupas, Monasteries, Temples and Pillars
dating from the 3rd century BC. To the 12th
century AD. Some other sites in line are
BRIHADISVARA temple in Tanjore, QUTAB Complex
and HUMAYUN’S TOMB in Delhi.
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