The India Delight Tour

While virtually every city or town of India may justifiably be described as temple towns, most of those in this tour owe their existence to their temples of extraordinary magnificence and importance, hence the name “Temple towns”. Places like Bhubaneshwar and Aurangabad have temples of unbelievable architecture as reminders of a very rich classical era. The city of Madurai pulsates every bit with endless rituals of its mammoth Meenakshi Sundereshwar Temple. And those at Konark, Mammallapuram, Thanjavur and Karnataka should firmly leave you spell bound due to their sheer magnificence, mammoth conceptualization and unsurpassed artistry. Even an unsuggestive name like Goa has beautiful old temples hidden in dense rain forests.

Detailed Tour Itinerary

• • Day 01- Arrive Delhi
    Welcome to Delhi India. Upon arrival at Delhi International Airport, after clearing your customs &  immigrations you shall proceed to board your private luxurious coach/Van / Car & proceed to check in to the hotel (Check-in time after 1400 hours). Post check in & rest at the hotel. Overnight stay in Hotel at Delhi

Pangong Lake, Leh

• • • Day 02- Depart Delhi – Arrival Leh
      Early morning after breakfast proceed to Delhi Airport to catch flight for Leh. Arrival Leh by morning flight. Meet and greet at the airport and transfer to hotel. Full day at leisure for rest and acclimatization to the high altitude (Leh is located at 11,500 ft / 3500 metres.). In the late afternoon, visit Shanti Stupa and walk around Leh Bazaar for orientation. Overnight stay in
      Hotel at Leh. Lunch & Dinner
    • Day 03- Leh (Local Sightseeing)
      Full day visit of Shey (15 km upstream from Leh .it was once the residence of Royal Family). Thicksey (19kms from Leh, spectacularly most impressive Gompas, Hemis (40kms from Leh.it is the wealthiest best known and biggest Gompa of Ladakh), evening return. Overnight stay in Hotel at Leh. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
      SHEY PALACE AND GOMPA: 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.
    • Day 04- Leh – Nubra via Khardungla Pass (140 Kms / 5 – 6 hrs)
      Early morning drive to Nubra Valley via the World Highest Motorable road (5602 Mts) Khardungla pass. Arrive Nubra and proceed for a visit to the White Sand Dunes at Hunder. You can enjoy the camel ride (On Own). Later if time permits visit Hunder Sand Dunes and Diskit monastery and check in at Deluxe Camp. Evening at leisure and overnight at the camp. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
      Khardungla pass: The road journey to Nubra valley leads through Khardung La pass (The highest Motorable road in the world) 18,390 ft. around 39 Kms. Away from Leh. There are two checkpoints on both sides of the pass. Khardong is the first village of Nubra valley at higher altitude than Deskit and other villages.
      DESKIT village: Deskit is the main village of headquarter of Nubra valley, which has a small market consisting of a row of shops and about 500 years old Gompa on the hilltop. Spectacular view of the valley can be seen from the monastery.
      DESKIT GOMPA: Deskit Gompa was founded by Lama Sherab Zangpo of Stod in about 1420 AD during the reign of King Dragspa. About 100 monks are residing in the Gompa, which is a branch of Thikse Monastery. The monastic festival called Gustor takes place on 20th and 21st days of the 12th month of Tibetan calendar.
      Hundar village: Hundar is a beautiful village to stay with lot of trees and you will really enjoy your stay at Hundar. It has a small monastery and ruined fort above the village. The walk or Camel Safari (Double Hump bacterian camels) from Hundar to Deskit, through sand dunes for two hours is wonderful (on own).
    • Day 05- Nubra – Leh
      After breakfast proceed for Leh, once again driving via Khardungla pass the World Highest Motorable road. Evening explore Leh bazaar for souvenir, visit Leh Jokhang or Leh Mosque by foot. Overnight stay in Hotel at Leh. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
      Jokhang: The Ladakh Buddhist Association in 1957 built the small Gonpa opposite to SBI and known as Jokhang in the main bazaar, which is open throughout the day for visitors. The Gonpa contains statue of Joyo Rinpoche (crowned Buddha).
      LEH MOSQUE: The Jama Masjid of Leh was built in 1666-67 AD under an agreement between Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and Ladakhi ruler Deldan Namgyal. Initially, the architecture of the mosque bore Tibetan, Central Asian and Ladakhi style. In recent years it has been reconstructed and given a new look with minarets and domes.
    • Day 06- Leh – Pangong Lake (140 Km / 5 hrs drive)
      After breakfast drive to Pangong Lake on the Indo China border. Evening check in Camps for dinner and overnight stay at the Camp. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner . The main attraction of this circuit is the Pangong Lake, situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 M). A long narrow basin of inland drainage, hardly six to seven kilometres at its widest point to which foreigners are permitted, is only some seven km along the southern shore from the head of the lake, but it affords spectacular views of the mountains of the Changchenmo range to the north, their reflection shimmering in the ever-changing blues and greens of the lakes brackish water. Above Spangmik are the glacier and snow-capped peaks of the Pangong range.
    • Day 07- Pangong – Leh.
      After breakfast drive back to Leh taking the same route, Arrive Leh and relax at the hotel or free for individual activities. Overnight stay in Hotel at Leh. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
    • Day 08- Leh.
      Day free for leisure & other activities / Rest. Overnight stay in Hotel at Leh. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
    • Day 09- Leh Airport Drop – Delhi
      After breakfast you will be transferred to Leh Airport to board flight for Delhi Later proceed for the city tour of Delhi covering – India Gate (War Memorial Arch), Lakshmi Narayan Temple (a modern Hindu Temple), also drive past President’s House, Parliament Street, and Government Secretariat
      Buildings. Also visit Qutub Minar built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199, evening check in hotel. Overnight stay in Delhi hotel. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
    • Day 10- Delhi – Agra (205 kms/4hr)
      After breakfast drive to Agra. On arrival check in at hotel. Proceed for sightseeing. Agra Fort – This Fort, built by the successive contribution of three Mughal generations – Emperor Akbar, Emperor
      Jahangir, and Emperor Shah Jahan – still fascinates the entire world with its majestic glory. More like a city inside, the fort was built to fulfil the military purpose which spreads on the banks of Yamuna enclosing a humongous area of 3 km radius. The Agra Fort gained its actual elegance,
      lavishness, and royalty of a palace at the time of Emperor Shah Jahan. The Fort also serves as a vantage point to view the Taj Mahal from a distance and it is believed that the Emperor Shah Jahan spent his days in exile watching the Taj from here. If time allows visit colourful bazar sight check in hotel. Overnight stay in Agra hotel. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  

  Taj Mahal, Agra

  • Day 11- Agra- Jaipur (240kms/6hr)
    Early morning visit Taj Mahal – a poem written in white marble; the most extravagant monument ever built for love. Taj Mahal – One of the eight wonders of the world. The Taj Mahal is often described as “the epitome of love” & “a monument of immeasurable beauty”. Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to enshrine the remains of his beloved wife Begum Mumtaz Mahal which manifested the immortal love between the two. The purity of the white marble, the exquisite ornamentation, precious gemstones used and its picturesque location, all make this monument gain a place amongst the most magnificent buildings of the world. You can stay on to view the monument changing its mood with the soft light of the setting sun. The Taj Mahal remains closed on Fridays. Later transfer to the hotel for breakfast and checkout direct drive to Jaipur enroute you will visit Fatehpur Sikri on arrival check in the hotel. Overnight stay in Jaipur hotel. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Day 12- Jaipur
    Morning after breakfast visit Amber Fort and enjoy elephant ride (At your own). Drive past the Hawa Mahal, and Visit world famous Astrological Observatory, City Palace – Museums of precious and semi – precious stones, Typical Rajasthan handicrafts & free for shopping. Overnight stay in Jaipur hotel. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Day 13- Jaipur – Delhi International Airport Drop
    After breakfast you will be transferred from Jaipur to Delhi Airport to catch flight for onward destination with Sweet Holiday Memories.