Rapid North India
 Duration
: 17 Nights / 18 Days
Destinations Covered : Delhi - Srinagar -
Gulmarg - Kargil - Leh - Alchi - Jammu - Amritsar - Delhi -
Jaipur - Agra - Delhi
 Day
01: Arrive Delhi
Begin your Tour.
Arrive into Delhi
Welcome to Vardhman's "Rapid North India Tour" !
On arrival in Delhi, you will be met and transferred by Vardhman's
representative to your hotel. Relax for a while and later proceed
on a city tour of New Delhi.
Visit Qutab Minar, Humayun's tomb, Lakshminarayan Temple, a
modern Hindu Temple, Parliament House, Government Secretarial
Building and Connaught place, the shopping centre of New Delhi.
Visit Red Fort, built in 1648 by Mughal Emperor Shahjehan, Jama
Masjid, one of the largest Mosque of India, Raj Ghat and Shanti
Vana, the cremation sites of Mahatama Gandhi and Jawaharlal
Nehru. Also drive past Chandni Chowk, shopping centre of Old
Delhi.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 02: Delhi - Srinagar
Morning - transfer to airport for flight to Srinagar. On arrival
transfer to Deluxe Houseboat. Evening Boat trip to floating
gardens.
On arrival at Srinagar Airport, you will be met and transfered
by our representative to the House boat. Relax for a while
and later proceed for Shikara ride at Dal Lake.
Dal Lake : Dal Lake is a scenic picnic spot surrounded by
forests of pine. It is a good base for trekkers. A colorful
annual fair is held here every September.
Shikara Ride : Shikara is a Gondola type light rowing boat.
The one hour boat ride takes tourists on a relaxing sightseeing
tour of interior parts of the calm and placid waters of Dal
Lake, to see the market and the floating Gardens.
Overnight : Houseboat
Day 03: In Srinagar
Early in the morning visit Shankaracharya Temple. Return to
the hotel for breakfast and later in the afternoon visit Moghul
Gardens. Relax for the remaining part of the day.
Mughal Gardens : Visit the Mughal Gardens, the Chashme Shahi
(Royal Spring), Nishat Bagh(Pleasure Garden) and Shalimar
Bagh(The Abode of Love).
Shankaracharya Temple : 5 km from Tourist Reception Center.
Located on a hill one thousand feet above the city, it is
also known as Takht-i-Sulaiman. Most authorities agree that
the first edifice on this site was built by Jaluka, the son
of Emperor Ashoka, around 200 BC. The low enclosing wall and
the plinth of the existing temple is what has remained of
the old temple. The philosopher sage Shankaracharya had stayed
at this site when he had visited to Kashmir ten centuries
ago to revive Sanatan Dharma. The present structure is said
to have been built by an unknown Hindu devotee during the
reign of Emperor Jehangir. The temple offers a magnificent
view of the valley and the snowy peaks of the Pir Panjal range
Overnight : Houseboat
Day 04: Srinagar-Gulmarg-Srinagar
This morning, enjoy day trip to Gulmarg, enjoy the beauty
of Himalayan peaks and the cable car ride. Later in the evening
return to Srinagar to stay overnight on the houseboat.
Gulmarg : The large meadow of Gulmarg is 52 km South-west
of Srinagar at 2730 metres. The name means meadow of Flowers
and in spring it is just that. This is also an excellent trekking
base. Gulmarg Walks :- Outer Circular Walk : A circular road,
11 km in length, runs right round Gulmarg through pleasant
pine forest with excellent views over the Kashmir Valleys.
Khilanmarg : This smaller valley is about a 6 km walk from
the Gulmarg bus stop and car park. The meadow, carpeted with
flowers in the spring, is the site for Gulmarg's winter ski
runs and offers a fine view of the surrounding peaks and the
Kashmir Valley. Alpather : It is beyond Khilanmarg, 13 km
from Gulmarg. Ningle Nallah : Flowing from the melting snow
and ice on Apharwat Peak and Alpather Lake, this pretty mountain
stream is 10 km from Gulmarg. Ferozpure Nallah : Reached from
the Tangmarg road, or from the outer circular walk, this mountain
stream meets the Bahan River at a popular picnic spot known
as Waters Meet. Ziarat of Baba Reshi : This Muslim shrine
is on the slope below Gulmarg and can be reached from either
Gulmarg or Tangmarg. The Ziarat, or tomb, is of a well known
Muslim saint.
Overnight : Houseboat
Day 05: Srinagar -Sonmarg- Kargil
Early morning drive to Kargil. Enroute visit Sonmarg. Arrive
Kargil in the evening. Check in to hotel for overnight stay.
Sonmarg : Sonmarg is 80 km north-east of Srinagar and at an
altitude of 2743 m. Popularly known as the 'Meadow of Gold'
this place is strewn with the loveliest of alpine flowers
and surrounded by mountains mantled in fir and pine. Glaciers
pour down from the Himalayas almost on to the site of camping
at Sonamarg.This golden meadow, one of the smallest resorts
in Kashmir gets its name 'Son' meaning golden, from the bloom
of yellow crocuses that fill this valley in the Spring. A
gushing river is the highlight of this meadow, flowing down
from snowy heights into the dense woodlands of firs and silver
birches. Glaciers pour down this stream from the Himalayas
on to the many camping sites in Sonmarg.
Overnight : Hotel
 Day
06: Kargil - Leh
Visit Kargil in the morning and then drive towards Leh. Upon
arrival in Leh, check into your hotel for an overnight stay.
Kargil, situated at a height of 2704 m, is located 234 km to
the east of Leh. It is the second largest city of the region
and the headquarters of the district with the same name. Encircled
by the Himalayas, lying in the heart of the region. It is an
important start off point for the numerous adventure tours to
the Himalayas, along with being the base station to the Zanskar
Valley due to its strategic location. Suru basin is another
important feature of the landscape of Kargil. The Drass and
Wakha streams of Suru River meet here, providing enough water
for cultivation of barley, wheat, peas and a number of other
vegetables and cereals.
Overnight : Hotel
Day 07: Leh
On the day 7 of your tour proceed on a sightseeing tour of
Leh. Visit Leh Bazaar, Leh Palace and Sankar gompa, the women's
vegetable market in the afternoon. In the evening visiy the
Sankar monastery, Leh Gompa, Phiyang, and Shanti Stupa. Later
in the evening drive back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Sankar Gompa & Village : A relatively modern monastery,
it is closely associated with the Spituk monastery and served
as the residence of the late head priest-Kushak Bakula. A
number of gold icons are to be found here.
Phiyang Gompa : 17 Kms from Leh on the Leh-Kargil road, it
looks like a huge palace from afar, build by Tashi Namgyal
in the later half of the 16th century AD, it belongs to the
Red Cap sect of Buddhists. Hundreds of icon of Buddha and
other gods are kept on wooden shelves.
Shanti Stupa (Japanese Peace Pagoda) : Shanti Stupa/Japanese
peace pagoda is build by a Japanese religious organization
headed by Head monk Nakamura with the help from the organization
and local people. It is situated at a hill top in Cahngspa
village providing a bird eye view of the Leh town and the
surrounding mountain peaks. Architecturally it has the Japanese
touch with small clean rooms on the side for meditators and
the main Japanese shrine at the entrance. Overnight : Hotel
Day 08: Leh-Hemis-Shey Palace-Thiksey-Leh
Today visit Hemis Gompa, Shey Palace & Gompa Thiksey Gompa.
Hemis Gompa: Ladakh's largest monastery. It contains a number
of gold statues and Stupas decorated with precious stones
and a superb collection of Thankas, including one that is
the largest in existence. Hemis gompa is believed to have
been established in 1630 by Lama Tagstang Raspa and built
by Palden Sara under the patronage of King Sengge Namgyal
on a site previously sanctified by the construction of a cave
hermitage dating from the 12th century. This monastery is
the oldest one in the area belonging to the Kargyu school.
The Gompa is a unique example of a monastic complex of this
period which manifests in its structure the geomantic principles
which underlie religious constructions of this type.
Shey Palace And Gompa : Shey palace with its remarkable statue
of Buddha and panoramic views of Indus valley. Situated on
a hillock 15 Kms upstream from Leh, it was once the residence
of the royal family. According to tradition, it was the seat
of power of the pre-Tibetan kinds. A 7.5 mts high copper statue
of Buddha, plated with gold and the largest of its kind, is
installed here.
Thiksey Gompa : 19 Kms from Leh, spectacularly sited, Thiksey
is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive
Gompas. There are several temples in this Gompas, containing
images, stupas and wall paintings of Buddha, which are exquisite.
Overnight : Hotel
Day 09: Leh - Alchi
Morning visit to local Immambarah and Turkish inspired architectural
structures from the Silk route days, when this used too be
a major stop for Central Asian trade route. Later drive to
Leh. Enroute visit Mulbekh Monastery, perched on a mountain
over the village of the same name, known for the huge image
of Buddha carved from a giant rock. After Mulbekh, continue
on to Alchi and Likir Monasteries. These monasteries house
Buddha and renowned 1000-year-old religious wall paintings.
Likir Gompa : Founded in the 11th century and rededicated
to a different monastic order in the 15th century, its earlier
Gompa was destroyed in a fire. The present Gompa dated back
to the 18th century. Skilled craftsmen producing excellent
Thankas, earthen pots and carved wooden folding stools, live
here in the village. Majestically situated, Likir commands
a spectacular view. A magnificent giant Jupiter tree, one
of the few survivors of its species, stands in the courtyard.
Alchi Gompa : 70 Kms from Leh, on the banks of the Indus,
is the Alchi Gompa dating a thousand years back. One of its
walls features thousands of miniature sized pictures of the
Buddha. Three large sized images made of clay and painted
brightly are its focal attractions. No longer an active religious
center, it is looked after by monks from the Liker monastery.
This is the only monastery amongst 34 monasteries, which is
not located on a hilltop.
Arrive Leh by the late evening and upon arrival, check into
your hotel for an overnight stay.
Overnight : Hotel
Day 10: Alchi - Leh
This morning after breakfast transfer to the airport to board
flight for Delhi. On arrival at the airport, you will be transferred
to your hotel by our representative. Relax for rest of the
day.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 11: Leh- Jammu-Amritsar
This morning after breakfast transfer to Leh airport to catch
flight for Jammu. On arrival Jammu at airport you will be
met and transfer directly to Amritsar,the city of Golden Temple.
Check into your hotel on arrival in Amritsar check in at hotel.
In the evening visit to Golden temple to witness the Pooja
Ceremony.
Overnight: Hotel
 Day
12: Amritsar
Day tour of city.
Visit the famous Golden temple which is scared to the Sikh nation,
here we will find time to tune into the amazing spiritual centre
and feel the power that inspires the Sikh people worldwide.
We continue our city tour and visit the Jallian walla Bagh Martyrs'
Memmorial built in the shape of eternal flame of liberty is
situated on the outskirts of Golden Temple. Here about 1500
and 2000 persons who were attending a peaceful meeting during
the freedom movement fell under the bullets of the British General
Dyer on 13 April 1919.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 13: Amritsar - Delhi
Early morning transfer to Amritsar railway station to board
train for Delhi. Arrive Delhi railway station and you will
be picked up and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day free
to relax.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 14: Delhi - Jaipur
On the day 14 of your tour drive to beautiful Pink City -
Jaipur. Reach and check in at the hotel. Rest of the day at
leisure.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 15: Jaipur
City tour of Jaipur
This morning you will experience the wonders of this magicial
pink city, as you proceed on a tour of Amber fort. Later visit
the Jagmandir or the Hall of victory glitterning with mirrors,
Maharaja's City Palace and the Observatory. Drive past Hawa
Mahal or the Palace of Winds and through the rose pink residential
and business areas of Jaipur.
Optional: Lunch at a Heritage hotel with Tonga ride or explore
the market & shop for special bargains!
Overnight: Hotel
Day 16: Jaipur -Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary- Agra
Morning drive to Romantic City of Taj Mahal- Agra. En-route
visit to Fatehpur Sikri and Bharatpur Bird sanctuary.
Fatehpur Sikri: Fateshpur Sikiri, once the capital of emperor
Akbar for almost 14 years. Fahehpur Sikri is home to a number
of picturesque palaces, monuments and Dargah of Sufi Saint
Salim Chisti.
Bharatpur Bird sanctuary:This magnificent bird haven in actual
came into being paradoxically as a duck shooting preserve
for Maharaja Suraj Mull of Bharatpur. He transformed the shallow
depression formed by the confluence of River Gambhir and River
Banganga into a reservoir by damming the rainwater in monsoons.
Flooding of water created shallow wetland ecosystem causing
it to be a perfect habitat for an astounding variety of birds.
The park that was a hunting preserve for the Maharaja and
the British continued to be so till 1964, after which the
hunting was banned.
Upon arrival, check in at hotel for an overnigh stay.
Overnight: Hotel
 Day
17: Agra-Delhi
Early in the morning visit Taj Mahal (closed on every Friday)
during Sunrise. Return to the hotel after breakfast and then
proceed on a city tour of Agra.
Visit Red fort & Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula. Later you will
visit a marble gallery - the flagship store in Agra which offers
an excellant range of white marble, fashionable wear & exotic
wooden articles, truly a one stop shop!
Later in the afternoon drive to Delhi. On arrival, check-in
at the hotel for an overnight stay.
Overnight:Hotel
Day 18: Delhi
Day free for shopping in Delhi. Later in the afternoon transfer
to International airport to board flight for your onwards
journey to back home with sweet and unforgettable memories
of your tour escorted by Vardhman Vacations.
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