Grand Tour of Northern India

Stay - New Delhi

On the day of arrival at the New Delhi airport, Alkof Holidays representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city's bustling streets or wander its wide tree-lined boulevards to get your first taste of India. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - New Delhi

Embark on a full day of sightseeing beginning in Old Delhi with a visit to the stunning Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in Asia, and the Raj Ghat, a moving memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Take a short rickshaw ride at the Chandni Chowk (A huge market of spices and clothes), also visit Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb, and Qutub Minar. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Amritsar

After brekfast at the hotel, we will transfer you to New Delhi railway station to board an Express train to Amritsar. Upon arrival at Amritsar railway station, Alkof Holidays representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel. Rest and relax at the hotel, later in the afternoon visit Indo-Pak Wagha Border to watch Flag Retreat Ceremony, after that drive back to the hotel for night stay.

Stay - Dharamshala

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a full day guided tour of Amritsar, visit Golden Temple - central religious place of the Sikhs, and a symbol of human brotherhood and equality. Also visit Jallianwala Bagh, and Durgiana Temple. Later in the afternoon, leave for Dharamshala. While driving get mesmerized by the enchanting views of the Kangra Valley. Upon arrival at Dharamshala, check-in at the hotel for night stay

Stay - Dharamshala

In the morning, after the hearty breakfast, proceed for a full day tour of Dharamshala including Dalai Lama's village, Mcleodganj region, Bhagsunath Temple, St. John's Church, Dal Lake and Talnoo - highest point in Dharamshala that gives best view of the Dhauladhar range. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay – Manali

After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Manali. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day is free to give your body much needed rest and do your own activity. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay – Manali

Enjoy spectacular drive toward Rohtang Snow point at an altitude of 3,980 mts. and enjoy in the snow (Rohtang Pass is closed on Tuesday). Also visit Gulaba, Marhi, Buddhist Monastery, Hadimba Devi temple (A small temple situated in the dense forest is very interesting), and Vashisht - an extremely picturesque little place clinging to the steep hill side, famous for its hot baths where a natural sulphar spring is piped into a modern bath-house. Evening is free at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Note: Rohtang Snow Point remains closed from November to Mid-May Snowfall.

Stay – Shimla

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Manali through Beas river, Sutlej river, Kullu Valley (surrounded by Shivalik Ranges of Himalayas is famous for Apple Trees). Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure, spend the rest of the day at Mall Road, a famous shopping destination in Shimla. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay – Shimla

After breakfast at the hotel, get ready for the full day sightseeing tour of Shimla. Visit several prominent attractions like the Jakhoo Hill, St. Michael's Cathedral and Naldhera (the nine hole golf course), Indian Institute of Advanced Study (also known as the Viceroy's hall - this is the place where British conducted their meetings during the summer season in India), Kufri where you can rejuvenate yourself amidst the dense forests, snow-capped mountains and exotic flora and fauna. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay – New Delhi

After breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer you to Kalka Railway Station to board an express train to New Delhi. Upon arrival at New Delhi railway station, our representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel for night stay.

Stay – Varanasi

After breakfast at the hotel, take a flight to Varanasi from New Delhi airport. Upon arrival at Varanasi airport, our representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel in Varanasi. Rest and relax at the hotel, later explore the city of Varanasi at your own with a local guide. In the evening attend Aarti on the bank of River Ganges. Overnight stay at the hotel.

In Varanasi, you can indulge yourself in many activities what the locals do, also you have enough free time to explore Varanasi at your own and since this is a guided trip so an English speaking guide will be there to suggest, assist you and explain you about all the sightseeing, sacred temples, history and myths of the oldest city of India - Varanasi. In this way you can explore the real life of Varanasi.

Stay – New Delhi

Early in the morning, enjoy a boat ride on the River Ganges, followed by a visit to Akhara and see the traditional form of martial arts practiced there. Morning city tour of Varanasi, this includes a walk through the various sacred Ghats. Visit the sacred shrine of Kashi- Vishwanath (also known as the Golden Temple), and Bharat Mata Mandir, a simple temple dedicated to 'Mother India'. Later proceed to Sarnath, an important site for the Buddhists, visit the Dhamekha Stupa, the Archeological museum and the Chaukhandi Stupa. Later in the evening take a flight to New Delhi from Varanasi. our representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel for night stay.

Stay – Agra

After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Agra “City of Taj Mahal”. Upon arrival at Agra, check-in at your hotel. Take some rest at the hotel, later in the afternoon visit Itmad-ud-Daulah, and Agra Fort. Rest of the day at leisure, overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay – Ranthambore

Early morning before sunrise our tour guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you for a guided sightseeing tour of the Taj Mahal along with Mehtab Bagh. Return to the hotel for breakfast after sightseeing. Later check out of hotel, and proceed for Ranthambore National Park via Fatehpur Sikri. On the way visit Akhbar Tomb at Sikandra and later visit Fatehpur Sikri, the oldest deserted town built by Mughal Kingdom in 1571 in honor of Saint Salim Chisti. After finishing your sightseeing tour at Fatehpur Sikri, proceed to Ranthambore for overnight stay.

Stay – Ranthambore

Enjoy 2 jeep safari's today inside the Ranthambore National Park, one early in the morning and 2nd later in the afternoon. Get a chance to watch elusive tigers, also watch deer, birds, leopards, monkeys, and other animals in the lust forest. After jungle safari at the national park, drive back to your hotel for night stay. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay – Jaipur

After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Jaipur. On the way visit Abhaneri and explore the most famous Abhaneri Stepwell Chand Baori. Chand Baori is the one of the largest and deepest step-well in the world. There are three ways to reach the water using the steps, which are divided into stories. This colossal, delicately carved well is located in front of the Harshat Mata Temple. It was a ritual to wash the hands and feet at the well before visiting the adjoining temple. Later continue your drive to Jaipur, upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay – Jaipur

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a full day guided tour of Jaipur, visit City Palace, The Hawa Mahal (palace of winds), Jantar Mantar, Amer Fort, Jal Mahal (Water Palace) and enjoy evening sunset at Surya Mandir, if time permits you can visit some other interesting places as well. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay – Pushkar

Today morning after breakfast, check-out from the hotel and drive to Pushkar. On the way, visit Ajmer Shareef Dargah “shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti” and Adhey-Din-Ka Jhonpara - a mosque. Later continue drive to Pushkar. Upon arrival at Pushkar, check-in at the hotel. Rest and relax at the hotel, later in the evening, enjoy a Camel ride to nearby village and desert. Enjoy cultural event including local Folk dances at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay – Udaipur

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for sightseeing of Pushkar - located on the shores of Pushkar lake. You first visit famous Pushkar lake - which is supposed to be the only worship place of God Brahma Ji in the world. Pushkar Lake is surrounded by 52 bathing ghats (a series of steps leading to the lake), where pilgrims throng in large numbers to take a sacred bath, especially around Kartik Poornima (October–November) when the Pushkar Fair is held. Take a dip in the holy Pushkar Lake and later visit Jagatpita Brahma Mandir (Brahma Temple) of the 14th century - the only temple of God Brahma in the world. From outside you can see the beautiful marble and stone construction and see distinct shikara (red pinnacle). Then you enter the temple along with a beautiful view all side. There you see the image of Lord Brahma with four faces and four hands, each facing in different directions. There you can also do traditional Prayers. After sightseeing of Pushkar, leave for Udaipur. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel for night stay.

Stay – Udaipur

After breakfast, start your sightseeing tour with a visit to Sahelion-Ki-Bari. Then proceed to visit the Museum of folk art, which has a rich collection of folk dresses, puppets, dolls, masks, ornaments, folk musical instruments and paintings on display. Afterwards visit the City Palace, the biggest palace complex in India, where four generations of Maharajas added mansions and palaces. You also visit the museum of the palace, which includes the beautiful peacock mosaic and miniature wall paintings of Indian mythology. In the evening take a boat ride on the lake Pichola. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay – Jodhpur

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Jodhpur - the blue city of India. En-route visit Ranakpur Jain Temples, built in 12 Century – popular for its magnificent carving on 1444 non-replicable marble pillars, each one has been designed to represent its own different theme. Later continue your drive to Jodhpur for 2 nights stay.

Stay – Jodhpur

After breakfast, proceed for a sightseeing of Jodhpur, visit massive Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhawan Palace (Now converted into luxury hotel), Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, Clock Tower, Mandore Temple and Mandore Gardens. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay – Jaisalmer

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Jaisalmer. Upon arrival check-in to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure or for own activities. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay – Jaisalmer

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a full day guided tour of Jaisalmer, visit the stunning Jain temples inside the Sonar Quila, the palace museum inside the Jaisalmer Fort, which exhibits a rich collection of imperial dresses and artifacts belonging to the royal family of Jaisalmer and havelis with convoluted designs and latticed windows such as Patwaon-ki-Haveli and the Gadisar Lake form the main attractions of the city. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay – Bikaner

After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Bikaner. En-route visit the Kheechan village – known for a large number of demoiselle cranes that visit it every winter. Later continue your drive to Bikaner. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel for overnight stay.

Stay – Bikaner

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for the sightseeing of Bikaner, visit Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace, Jain Haveli, Bhandeswari Jain Temple, and the Karni Mata Temple. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay – Mandawa

After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Mandawa. Upon arrival, check–in at the hotel. Rest and relax at the hotel, later take a waking tour to explore the most colorful painted havelis (Palaces) of Mandawa. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, Alkof Holidays representative will transfer you to the IGI Airport in New Delhi to board the flight to your home or onward destination.