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Delhi is the ideal
place to start your exploration of northern India. The capital of India
and a city of fascinating contrasts, Delhi's monuments and structures take
you through the centuries past seven older cities that existed here.
So go sight seeing - Qutub
Minar, the tall victory tower built in 1199, the splendid Red Fort and
the majestic Jama Masjid with its striped domes and tall minarets. Other
architectural delights include the Humayun's Tomb, the Jantar Mantar, the
Purana Qila and the magnificent government complex on Raisina Hill
the Rashtrapati Bhavan framed by the Secretariats and the circular Parliament
House.
Delhi is a marvellous place
for shopping. So visit its hustling bazaars and don't forget to have a taste
of the best of Indian cuisine at its fine restaurants.
Take off then on the golden
triangle trail on to Agra and Jaipur for glimpse of historic India At Agra,
view the pristine poetry of the Taj Mahal - a memorial to immortal love
and the imposing Red Fort. Meander through the amazing ghost town of Fatehpur
Sikri, perfectly preserved, built by the Emperor Akbar in red sandstone.
Jaipur imprints itself
on your memory in the most vivid of colours. You could stay in one of its
many palaces or mansions for a royal experience and wander off on elephantback
to view the Amber Fort majestically located up on a hill. Do not miss the
Hawa Mahal, the tall facade with delicately filigreed red sandstone.
Beyond Jaipur, in Rajasthan
are fabulous towns with magnificent forts and palaces that still reflect
a feudal spirit Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Udaipur.
Off the beaten track, discover the beauty of the desert on a camel safari.
Wander past colourful villages in the desert and sleep under a brilliant
starlit sky.
Feel like heading for the
hills? There is an entire panorama of magical retreats for you along the
Himalayan ranges. Beautiful resorts in Himachal Pradesh include Shimla,
Kullu, Manali, Dharamsala, Dalhousie, Sarahan and a whole range
of scenic spots Kufri, Naldehra, Chail and Narkanda
around Shimla and Manikaran, Naggar, and Brighu Lake near
Kullu and Manali.
The heart of India, Madhya
Pradesh, has an entire range of new experiences for you - medieval cities
like Gwalior, Orchha, Mandu, marvellously carved temples at Khajuraho,
little hill stations and the forests that Kipling so faithfully described
in his 'Jungle Book'.
Lucknow, the
tine capital of Uttar Pradesh and an entire pilgrimage trail along the
holy river Ganga - Gangotri, Yamunotri, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Allahabad,
Varanasi, complete your circuit of northern India.
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