Met upon arrival and directly drive towards Rishikesh - is a very important Hindu pilgrimage site. This is also a cluster of a number of Ashrams and temples giving the entire place a spiritual feeling. The ceaseless flow of the river, regarded as Goddess Ganga adds to the beauty and the purity of the place. Along the river, the area is filled with thick green forests in the all-mountainous region. The entire area falls on the Garhwal region of Northern India. Hordes of sadhus (sages) come to this place every year in search of salvation. Rishikesh is famous for its yoga sessions that are taught here by many yoga experts. There are wonderful scenery and the numerous pilgrimage sites. Rishikesh also makes some of the most popular adventure sport destinations of India. On arrival transfer you to the hotel. Remain day free for leisure. Over night stays in the hotel.
Have breakfast & enjoy full day in Rishikesh. Visit Ashrams, Ghats, Laxman Jhoola, Ram Jhoola, and evening aarti at Parmarth Ashram and later proceed back to the Hotel for over night stays.
Leave after breakfast for Shimla. Enroute visit small villages & see the beauty of both cities. Take a short break in a drive for lunch. You reach Shimla in the afternoon and upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Relax for sometime. Evening enjoy visiting - The Mall :: Main shopping center of Shimla with restaurants. The Gaiety Theatre is a center for cultural activities. Lakkar Bazaar (Wooden Market) adjacent to the Ridge is popular for its woodcrafts and souvenirs. Over night stay in the hotel.
Have breakfast & enjoy full day city tour of Shimla, Visiting - Christ Church & St. Michaels Cathedral :: This famous landmark church of Shimla was built over a span of 11 years(1846-1857) and it is the second largest Church in Northern India. The beauty of the church is enhanced by the stained glass in its windows. The building looks all the more beautiful at night when its grand architecture glows with clever lighting. Another important church in Shimla is the Church of St. Michaels Cathedral. Jakho Temple :: An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman is perched on a 2438 meters high hill, which goes with the same name. It is the highest point in Shimlas, and makes a towering impact. The popularity of the temple can be judged from the fact that no one leaves Shimla without paying a visit to the Jakho temple. Chadwick Falls :: These are the 67 m high water falls, which come streaming down from the Summer Hills. The falls are set admits thick forest at a height of 1586m. You can explore the tracks in the forest on your own. There are also some old temples closes by. Tara Devi :: Located on Tara Parvat about 15kms from Shimla. The view from the temple is very beautiful. The forested hills around lend tranquility to the area. A road meanders uphill through the pine forest. Himachal State Museum and Library - Situated around 3kms from Scandal Point. Museum displays a collection of historical sculptures, paintings, coins and photos relating to the history of entire state. The museum itself is housed in a colonial building perched over hilltop. There are dozens of Mughal and Rajasthani miniature paintings. Over night stay in the hotel.
Leave after breakfast for Dharamshala. Enroute visit small villages & see the beauty of both cities. After reaching Dharamshala, check into your pre booked hotel. Rest of the day free - enjoy the nature - if you wish you could go for small trek in the surrounding area. Later return back to the Hotel for over night stays.
Have breakfast & proceed for the city tour of Dharamshala & visit: - The Shrine of Bhagasunath :: famous for its ancient temple. Slate quarries are found here. There is a tank and spring which are considered sacred by the Hindus. Mcleod Gunj :: Tibet has lent importance to Mcleod Gunj. The Buddha Temple is situated opposite the present abode of His holiness, the Dalai Lama. This place is well worth a visit and around it is situated monasteries and nunnery. A number of residential buildings, restaurants, antique and curio shops are present. War Memorial :: Very beautiful place to visit in afternoon. It was built to commemorate the memory of those who fought in defense of the motherland People offer prayers at this memorial Place. Dal Lake :: This is a artificial lake and surrounded by fir trees. There is an annual fair in Sept and largelt attended by hill men. Remain day at leisure - over night stay in the hotel.
Have breakfast & drive towards Jammu airport to board a flight for Sri Nagar. Upon arrival transfer you to your pre booked Houseboat & rest of the day free for Individual activities. Over night stays in Deluxe Houseboats.
Have breakfast & proceed for half day trip to the famous Mughal Garden :: by Shikara (Small Boat) ie.: - Chashmashahi Garden :: is the smallest of the three Mughal gardens of Kashmir. Meaning Royal Spring, this garden measures 108 m by 38 m and is above the Nehru Memorial Park. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan set up the Kashmir Chashma Shahi Mughal Gardens in 1632 AD. The garden is quite famous for spring of energizing digestive mineral water inside it. Chasma Shahi Garden of Kashmir, India, offers a striking view of the scenic Dal Lake and the neighboring mountains. The garden has a number of terraces, with several fountains built right through its center. Apart from the three terraces and fountains, the other attractions of Chashmashahi include an aqueduct and some waterfalls. The water for the fountains comes from the spring. This water then goes through the floor of the pavilion and falls over to the lower terrace, over a polished black stone chute. Also, a number of fruits, flowers and chinar trees grow in the garden, adding to its appeal. Near the garden is a small shrine, the Chasma Sahibi with a fresh water spring. The Chashmashahi garden is amongst the few others that charge an entrance fee. Recently, a number of extensions were made to the garden. Nishat Garden :: is the largest one of the Mughal gardens in Kashmir. It is situated on the banks of the picturesque Dal Lake. Also known as "the garden of bliss", the Nishat gardens have the Zabarwan Mountains forming its backdrop. Asaf Khan, the brother of Nur Jahan, designed the Kashmir Nishat Bagh in 1633 AD. Within the garden are ruins of some of the buildings dating back to the Mughal period. One of them is a double story pavilion enclosed on two sides with latticed windows. There is also a small spring behind the garden, known as Gopi Tirth. It is a source of supply of crystal clear water to the garden. Nishat Bagh of Kashmir, India, offers a splendid view of the Dal Lake as well as the snow capped Pir Panjal mountain range. The garden has terraces, each representing a different Zodiac sign. There is also a beautiful water channel flowing right in the middle of the garden. Other attractions of the Nishat garden of Kashmir include its blooming flowerbeds, trees, fountains, etc. You can also take a shikara ride at the Nehru Park from the garden. A famous picnic spot, Nishat Bagh also offers shopping facilities to its visitors. There are a number of shopping stalls situated opposite the garden. Shalimar Garden :: Emperor Jehangir got the Shalimar Garden built for his wife Nur Jahan in 1616. Covering an area of approximately 539 m by 182 m, the Shalimar garden offers an amazing view over the other gardens, lakes and shallow terraces. Also known as the "garden of love", the Shalimar Mughal Gardens has four terraces, rising one above the other. The fourth terrace of the garden was, at one point of time, reserved for royal ladies. There is also a canal lined with polished stones running through the center of the Shalimar Bagh. The canal is responsible for supplying water to the garden from Harwan. The top terrace of the Shalimar garden was reserved for the Mughal Emperor and the royal ladies of the court. In fact, the top terrace was the most wonderful one out of all the terraces. The terrace has a tank with a black stone pavilion in its middle. Fluted pillars made up of black marble support the pavilion, which once served as a banquet hall. Other attractions of the Shalimar Bagh of Kashmir include a number of fountains, shaded trees and innumerable varieties of flowers that blossom in spring and autumn. Last but not the least, a light and sound show organized in the garden every evening, during the period of May to October, is simply superb. Evening is free for individual activities. Over night stay in Deluxe Houseboats.
Leave after breakfast to visit: - Floating Vegetable Market :: Every morning just before sunrise, vendors glide along the backwaters to an open area of the lake which for a few hours becomes a chaotic market. Their boats are brimming with freshly picked greens, radishes, turnip, kohlrabi, carrots, tomatoes, onions, fruit, and flowers. They trade, they haggle (sometimes it sounds like they fight?) and then paddle back, delivering produce to the city folks of Sri Nagar. Dal Lake :: Sri Nagar sightseeing loses its meaning if you have not visited the Dal Lake. With the backdrop of mountains on three sides, the view of the Dal Lake looks as if you are watching a photograph. This lake counts amongst the most splendid lakes in the country. One of the major attractions of the Dal Lake is the houseboats that stand lining its edges. Nagin Lake :: Another popular tourist attraction of Sri Nagar is the Nagin Lake. Placid water of the lake, surrounded with manicured flowerbeds and groves of chinar, poplar and willow, is enough to capture your heart. Shankaracharya Temple :: Located on the Takht-e-Suleiman hill, the Shankaracharya Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. If you want to visit the Shankaracharya Temple in Sri Nagar then you have to climb up to a height of 1100 feet above the main city. According to legend, Raja Gopadatya commissioned the building of this temple in 371 BC and at that time it was known by the name Gopadri. When Shankaracharya came to Kashmir with the purpose of reviving traditional Hinduism about 10 ten centuries ago, then it is said, that he stayed at this temple. Henceforth, the temple got the name of Shankaracharya Temple in Sri Nagar. Shiva is the main deity and the temple is regarded as the oldest one in the Kashmir valley. Much renovation work has been carried on for years in this temple. The first repair work is believed to be done during the Lalitadiyta’s reign. Then, when the Shankaracharya Temple of Sri Nagar was damaged by an earthquake, repair work was carried on by Zain- ul- Abideen, under the Governorship of Sheikh Mohi-ud-Din. The stone steps that you find at the passage to the shrine were building during the rule of the Dogra king, Maharaja Gulab Singh. Modernity touched the Shankaracharya Temple of Sri Nagar in 1925, when the electrification of the temple was done. The electrification of the Shankracharya Temple was done in 1925. A visit to the Shankaracharya Temple at Sri Nagar will let you know that it is not only important from religious point of view but it has lots of architectural uniqueness. You will see an octagonal platform supporting the Shankaracharya Temple at Sri Nagar, which can be accessed by a flight of stairs, which approximately is hundred in number. In the side walls of the temple you will find some inscriptions of huge historical importance. You will find a Persian inscription at the temple wall that goes back to Emperor Shah Jahan’s time. The main shrine has a circular cell from where if you look down you can see the magnificent view of the beautiful Sri Nagar valley. The inner chamber of the Shankaracharya Temple of Sri Nagar now after renovation work has a modern ceiling. Over night stay in Deluxe Houseboats.
Have breakfast & drive toward airport to board a flight for Delhi. Met upon arrival & transfer you to the hotel. Evening is free for leisure. Over night stay in the hotel.
Leave after breakfast for Agra - the city of the Taj - Located at a distance of 204 km south of Delhi, Agra is the single most famous tourist destination of India. Situated on the west bank of River Yamuna, Agra is a part of the great Northern Indian plains. The architectural splendor of the city is reflected in the glorious monuments of medieval India built by great Mughals who ruled India for more than 300 years. In the mid 16th century and earlier 17th century Agra witnessed a frenzied building activity and it was during this time when the symbol of love Taj Mahal was built. The buildings made during this era were purely in the contemporary Mughal style and of very high quality which is still reflected in what ever monuments remain in Agra. Upon arrival check in the hotel and after fresh up proceed for the city tour and visit to - Agra Fort :: the fort which took 95 years to complete over looking Taj Mahal , and is on the bank of River Yamuna the Important Palaces are Hall for the Common & Private Audience , Palace for Hide & seek game the Library , the palaces of the Doughter of ShahJahan and the palace where the Shahjahan the greatest builder of Taj Mahal got in Prison by his own son and Amar Singh Gate , and then visit Sikandra Tomb :: the tomb of Third Mughal Ruler "Akbar " during the early 16th centaury , the five storied building is quite Impressive and is an interesting to place to study the gradual evolution in design that culminated in the Taj Mahal and around by late afternoon proceed for Taj Mahal :: means "Crown Palace" and is in fact the most well preserved and architecturally beautiful tomb in the world. It is best described by the English poet, Sir Edwin Arnold, as "Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones." It is a celebration of woman built in marble and that’s the way to appreciate it. Construction began in 1631 and was completed in 22 years. Twenty thousand people were deployed to work on it. The material was brought in from all over India and central Asia and it took a fleet of 1000 elephants to transport it to the site. The Iranian architect Ustad Isa designed it and it is best appreciated when the architecture and its adornments are linked to the passion that inspired it. It is a "symbol of eternal love". Later in the evening drive back to Delhi & upon arrival transfer you to the hotel. Over night stay in the hotel.
Day is free for leisure. As per your international flight timings, leave the hotel and drive towards International Airport to board flight for back home.
