Ultimate Tour of India: North and South India Tour
Spirit of India’s North and South India Tour is expertly crafted and comprehensive. Experience the significant historic sites, cultural traditions and stunning environments of both North and South India.
North India
Our Ultimate Tour of India begins in North India. This region contains some of the most well-known monuments and temples. North India is the original source of various painting styles, sculpture and textiles.
Experience Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities in the world and a sacred Hindu pilgrimage.
Just 20 minutes drive from Varanasi, we visit Sarnath, the spiritual center of Buddhism. You can stand on the very spot where the Buddha gave his first sermon. Walk the path to see the ruins of the small brick monastery where Buddha lived during his visits.
Of course we visit the famous and fabulous Taj Mahal!
Additionally, explore Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Tour Jaipur’s amazing opulent palace. In the evening attend a traditional puja at Ganesh Temple.
Besides Jaipur, we visit lovely Udaipur, the desert town Jodhpur and Narlai, an enchanting village. The small holy village of Pushkar comes alive during the Pushkar Camel Fair each Fall.
Visit the magnificent Ranakpur Jain Temples built in 1439. The temples are adorned with carved ceilings and arches decorated with friezes depicting scenes from the lives of the Jain saints.
Onward to Udaipur, a pleasant city that surrounds two lakes. Tour the City Palace, a blend of stern Rajput military architecture on the outside and lavish Mughal-inspired decorative art on the inside.
Enjoy a traditional music and dance performance at a gorgeous 18th century haveli that has been converted into a museum showcasing Mewar art and architecture.
Mumbai
Next up is Mumbai. Pulsating, Alive, On the Move, Vibrant, Fun — this is Mumbai, or as it is still frequently referred to– Bombay.
The most modern city in India, it captures the spirit of the changing pace set by liberalization and modernization. Once a cluster of seven islands, Mumbai was presented to King Charles II in 1661 as part of the dowry when he married Princess Catherine de Braganza of Portugal.
Since independence, Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra state, has transformed itself with many different communities, reflecting a cosmopolitan and trendy atmosphere.
Mumbai represents the ever-changing face of today’s India — the old scenes, steeped in Indian customs and values, coupled with the dynamic new scenes of the city.
Besides the usual museums and markets, in Mumbai we have the unique opportunity to witness real-life in action at lunch time. Observe up-close as the dabba walas deliver thousands of lunch boxes to the corporate offices using an ancient and elaborate coding system. It’s amazing!
More info: http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170114-the-125-year-old-network-that-keeps-mumbaigoing
I highly recommend seeing the movie The Lunch Box about the Dabbawalas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENgWVvQYCxg
A visit to Mumbai would not be complete without a tour of bollywood!
South India
South India is known for its exquisite beauty, a slower paced lifestyle and the Dravidian temples mostly found in Tamil Nadu.
Our first stop is Cochin. One of the finest natural harbors on the Arabian Sea Coast of India, Cochin, an ancient harbor town now renamed Kochi. It has been a port of call for foreign traders from very early times.
Embark on a cruise of backwaters of Kerala. We stay overnight at the wonderful Philip Kutty’s Farm, a small homestead on an island in the midst of the Kerala backwaters.
And yet another highlight of South India–attending the evening puja at Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. This is an exciting affair with much fanfare including musicians, temple singers, elephants and priests.
Travel to beautiful Mahabalipuram also known as Mamallapuram by the Bay of Bengal. Enjoy the famous Shore Temple (Dravidian style of architecture), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The comprehensive nature of our Ultimate India itinerary allows ample time for extensive exploration of each city and a true appreciation of the history and majesty of India.
Fall tour includes Pushkar Camel Fair.
Travel to India with Spirit of India for the richly rewarding, unique travel experience of our Ultimate India tour or speak to our travel specialists to create your own custom tour experience.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Experience the cultural highlights of both North India and South India.
- Explore well-known highlights such as Taj Mahal and the majestic cities of Rajasthan
- Visit gems like the temples at Khajuraho and the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri.
- Visit Varanasi, holy pilgrimage site for Hindus
- Interact with local villagers and enjoy farm fresh meals in the serene Kerala backwaters
- Attend the sacred ceremony at Meenakshi Temple in Madurai
- Tour Kanchipuram, known as the Golden City of a Thousand Temples
- Attend the Pushkar Camel Faire on the November tour
