|
 |
|
ADVENTURE INDIA |
| -»
DAY 1. DELHI : Assistance , reception at the airport
and transfer to hotel. |
|
-»
DAY 2. DELHI :
The group is taken over by Lt. Gen Gaur who takes you on
a fascinating tour of New Delhi, starting by a visit to
India Gate. This war memorial designed by Lutyens, commemorates
more than 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in World War I,
with their names engraved on the arch and foundations. Next,
visit the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of
the President of India. Thememorial combines western and
eastern styles and is a masterpiece of symmetry, discipline,
silhouette and harmony. Northeast of the Viceroy's House
is the Council House, now Sansad Bhawan. You are then taken
to the Birla temple which is one of the most popular Hindu
shrines in the city and one of Delhi's few striking examples
of Hindu architecture. Dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess
of well-being, it is commonly referred to Orissan style
with tall curved towers (sikharas) capped by large amalakas.
Next follows a visit to the Qutab Minar considered to be
the most glorious tower of victory in the world and the
prototype of all minars (towers) in India. The inscriptions
carved in kufi script tell that the tower was erected to
cast the shadow of God over both east and west. The the
Qutab Minar is 73m high and consists of five storeys. Next
follows a visit to the Bahai temple, an architecturally
remarkable building. Constructed in 1980-81, the latest
of seven Bahai temples in different parts of the world,
it is built out of white marble and in the characteristic
Bahai temple shape of a lotus flower. Internally, it creates
a feeling of light and space.
It is a simple design, brilliantly executed
and very elegant
in form. Drive back to your hotel for a continental buffet
lunch at the coffee shop. |
Commence with the post lunch tour of the old city from the
memorial ghats (a series of memorials to India's leaders),
the most prominent one being that of Mahatma Gandhi at Raj
Ghat. Visit the Red fort towering massively above the flat
banks of the Yamuna on which it was built, the dominating
impression of which is still immensely powerful. In front
of the fort is a massive Maidan (open space) which has been
used for political rallies ever since the time of the Independence
movement. Next follows a visit to the Jama Masjid, the largest
mosque in India and the last great architectural work of
Shah Jahan, intended to dwarf all mosques that had gone
before it. It also has the distinction of being one of the
few mosques, either in India or elsewhere that was designed
to produce a pleasing external effect. Drive back to the
hotel in time for a brief rest and then gear up for the
evening siesta of a Nepalese Food Festival specially created
for you in the sprawling lawns of the hotel. Relish the
traditional Nepalese food such as Tama (a dried bamboo shoot
soup),momos (the Tibetan equivalent of ravioli), masko dal,
dal bhat tarkari (comprising of lentil soup, rice and curried
vegetables), sikarni (a sweet dessert made from curd ) and
raksi (a local rice based brew of Nepal) |
 |
-»
DAY 3. DELHI I AGRA :
Morningboard the superfast Shatabadi Express train to Agra.
One of the great Mughalcities of South Asia. With minorinterruptions,
Agra alternated with Delhi as the capital of their empire.Check
into the hotel and commence the city tour with the imposing
Taj Mahal, built in memory of Shah Jehan's wife Mumtaz Mahal
who died after 1 7 yr. of marriage. It is a monument which
has drawn upon the creativity and skills of engineers and
craftsmen from many parts of the world. It is said that
besides great craftsmen and workers from India, artisans
came from Central Asia and even Europe. |
The Taj stands on theYamuna river, and it is a monument
that needs to be experienced and observed at different times
of the day from far and near to get the feeling of sheer
beauty that it evokes. Next,visit the Agra fort, started
by emperor Akbar in 1565 and completed by his grandson Shah
Jahan. It was conceived as a military structure when started
but, by Shah Jahan's time it had become a palace. The fort
is on the banks of the Yamuna river, and only one of its
gates, the Amar Singh Gate, is open. There are a number
of important buildings within the fort which are worth exploring.
Later visit the Itmad-ud-Daulah's tomb built by Noor Jahan
in memory of her father Ghias-ud-din Beg. Drive back to
your hotel for a brief rest after which enjoy the delicacies
of "Dum Pukht" cuisine in a sit down dinner at the hotel
restaurant with the backdrop of the famous "Qawali" music
involving group performers in traditional attire singing
Urdu hymns an accordance with the fast beats of the tabla,
harmonium and an array of other local musical instruments.
Overnight at Agra. |
 |
-»
DAY 4. AGRA I
CORBETT :
Drive to Corbett, India's firstnational park and one of
its finest. It is renowned not only for its rich and varied
wildlife and birdlife but also for its scenic charm and
magnificent sub-mountain and riverine views. The park comprises
the broad valley of the Ramganga river backing onto the
forest covered slopes of the Himalayan foothills. Check
into the deluxe Tiger Tops Lodge. In the evening enjoy the
environs of this riverside resort. Later dinner is served
in the open amidst the jungle atmosphere and around a splendid
bon4ire. Overnight at the Lodge.
-»
DAY 5. CORBETT :
Morning and evening visit the jungle on jeep and elephant
back to view the varied flora, fauna and avifaura life in
the evergreen forests of Corbett including the elusive tiger.
Evening enjoy a tribal dance performance over a bon - fire
while you relax with your "chhota pegs" and succulent bar-
be- que specialities. Overnight stay in the Lodge. |
-»
DAY 6. CORBETT / GANGA BANKS (5 hrs):
Drive to Rishikesh, the town which nestles around the Ganges
as it swiftly runs through the last hills of the Himalayas.
An. evening boat ride on the Ganges to observe the way of
life in the Garhwal Himalayas. Evening beach party on,the
banks of the Ganga complete with bon - fire and live band
in attendance. Overnight at the picturesque Ganga Banks
Resort (20 kms upstream from Rishikesh ) built blending
into the landscape, in synthesis with the environment with
modern comforts and country style hues that reflect the
colours and tints of the wilderness beyond. It is classified
as India's most eco-friendly resort using solar heaters
and other eco-friendly means.Overnight Ganga Banks.
-»
DAY
7. GANGA BANKS :
Full day tour of the ashrams, meditational centres and ancient
temples. In the evening view sunset "aarti" at Haridwar.
Gala theme dinner in which we take you back in time to a
typical jungle hunting camp on
|
 |
the
sprawling beach of the Ganges where you are welcomed by
a tribal chieftain. The call of the wild and the sound of
the jungle are complemented by folk singers and dancers.
Torches and oil lamps lend a rustic charm to the tents pitched
on the site. The food is cooked on pits over a camp4ire.
An elaborate pyrotechnic display is mounted in front of
the camp. A fire-cracker banner with the words SAVE WILDLIFE
rounds off a magnificent evening. Overnight at Ganga Banks.
|
-»
DAY
8. GANGA BANKS I WATERBANKS
/ DELHI :
Drive to Waterbanks for a gala farewell dinner. Evening
at leisure for nature walks, birding, horse riding and boating
etc. Evening relish your exotic cocktails and a lakeside
bar-be-que while a western band entertains you.Dancing to
the b eats of the music on a unique lakeside dance floor
ends with an extravagant fireworks display to round off
a spectacular evening. Later departure transfer in time
to connect the flight to international destination.
Options and Extensions
1) Overnight at Mussourie, known as the Queen of the Hills,
just 2 hrs away from the Ganga Banks.
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
