North India Travel Guide

Agra

Agra is the quintessential Mughal City, where the world marvels at the epitome of love, beauty and sacrifice - The Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world. So overwhelming is the magic monument, that Agra has been immortalized ,as the City of the Taj. As visitors walk down the narrow bustling streets, they can not help but wonder, if the man contentedly smoking a hookah, is a direct descendent of some bygone Mughal.

Ajmer
Situated in the green oasis, wrapped in the barren hills, Ajmer has been a witness to an interesting past. Today, Ajmer is a popular pilgrimage center, for the Hindus, as well as Muslims. Especially famous is the Dargah Sharif - tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, which is equally revered by the Hindus and Muslims. It is essentially a perfect base to visit nearby Pushkar.

Amritsar
Amritsar (The Pool of the Nectar of Immortality) is named after the sacred pool in the Golden Temple, the holiest of Sikh sites. The religious and cultural capital of the land of five rivers (Punjab), it is a city always drenched in a festive mood. The fragrance from mother earth, carries drums and dances on its wings and is ever eager to extend to its visitors a warm welcome. Excluding an atmosphere of energetic industry, the people are mostly prosperous here.

Bharatpur
The eastern gateway to Rajasthan and a popular halting place on the Golden Triangle, Bharatpur is renowned for its World Heritage listed bird sanctuary. Once the hunting estate of the Maharajas, with daily shoots, recorded upto 4,000 birds, the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, is one of the finest bird sanctuaries, with over 360 species, which even non ornitholoists visit.

Bikaner
A citadel of culture and camels, this royal fortified city has a timeless appeal. Dotted with many sand dunes, Bikaner is an oasis. The rocky outcrop in a barren landscape, provides a dramatic setting for the Junagarh Fort, one of the finest in Rajasthan. The old walled city, also retains the medieval splendour, that pervades the lifestyle of the city.

Corbett
Named after Jim Corbett, the legendary hunter naturalist, the Corbett National Park, is believed to be one of the finest habitats of the tiger in India. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, the park extends over a tract of 520 sq. km. A large valley with forested ridges, the Ramganga river winds through its entire length and dense sal and deciduous forests cover the park area.

Dalhousie
Dalhousie ,named after Lord Dalhousie, is an enchanting little town, with a colonial hangover. Thick forests, wildlife, tranquil ambience and refreshing views of the far mountains draped in snow, attract nature-lovers and tourists alike. Set on five hills and facing the Pir Panjal range, one can catch spectacular views of the Ravi, Beas and Chenab rivers, from certain vantage points.

Delhi
This is the capital city of India, and can be called as a major gateway to India. Delhi is one of the most important metropolis in India,as it is the city of power. It has a very good combination of both modern, as well as ancient culture. It is also known as the Headquarters of Indian politics, as most of the heads of the Indian government and other political parties, reside here, including the Prime Minister, and President of the country.

Fatehpur Sikri
The deserted city, lies along the top of a ridge. This new capital of Akbar, had to be abandoned only 14 years after it was created, due to lack of water. But the splendid palaces and mosques remain as a vanquished dream. However, this ghost city is worth a view as the buildings in Fatehpur Sikri can be classified into religious and secular.

Haridwar
India is most fortunately beautified by the holy city of Haridwar. Associated with both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, Haridwar is among the seven sacred cities of India. The Door of Gods (Hari-dwar) and the Gateway to paradise, it marks the entry of the holy river Ganges into the plains.

Jaipur
The picturesque capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is also known as the Pink city. The colour pink is associated with culture. There is a timeless appeal in the colourful bazaars of Jaipur ,where one can shop for Rajasthani handlooms and trinklets. Beautifully laid out gardens and parks, attractive monuments and marvellous heritage hotels,which were once the residence of Maharajas, are worthy of admiration.

Jaisalmer
Rising from the heart of the Thar Desert, like a golden mirage, is the magical city of Jaisalmer. A commanding fort etched in yellow sandstone, stands with all its awesome splendour, dominating the amber - hued city. With the crenellated golden sandstone town walls and narrow, streets, lined with exquisitely carved buildings, through which camel carts trundle leisurely, it has an extraordinarily medieval feel and an incredible atmosphere.

Jodhpur
The Blue City of Rajasthan, Jodhpur is the second biggest city and is on the edge of Thar Desert. It was established by Rao Jodha, in the 15th century and has become the largest and the most progressive of the Rajput states. In Jodhpur, the genuis of the sculptors comes to life, in its exquisite palaces, forts, temples and havelis which stand as a testimony to the imperial grandeur.

Kumbhalgarh
The formidable medieval citadel, Kumbhalgarh stands a wary sentinel to the past glory. Rising from a prominent ridge, 1914 meters high from the sea level, this mountain fortress in the wilderness, is the principal fortification after Chittaurgarh. This massive fort encompasses a 36 km long wall, has seven majestic gates and seven ramparts one within the other.

Ladakh
Whatever the description, there is just no place on earth quite like this ethereal cold desert. Starting from its landscape, sky, shooting stars, silence, wizened faces, rosy cheeks, dragons and Zen ,Ladakh seldom fails to baffle or surprise. It is like a jazz crescendo on the lose. The stark and rugged landscape, situated amidst multiple-hued mountains, some smooth enough, others scraggly; the town has an overwhelmingly Buddhist character, dotted with gompas and marketplaces swarming with monks.

Leh
Leh is a lovely town. Nestled along the Indus River, the town lies in a fertile valley surrounded by barren mountains. An important town in the region and the major hub for travelers coming into Ladakh, this high altitude desert is dominated by the imposing Leh Palace and the Namgyal Tsemo. Lying in the Himalayas watershed, the labyrinthine lanes and pathways of Leh snake around the parti-coloured streets of Leh Bazaar and wind on to meet the pretty Sankar and Changspa Villages that fringe the outskirts of Leh.

Manli
One of the most popular hill stations up north, Manali is famous for its apple orchards, snowy peaks and pretty slate houses. Named after the great sage Manu, it is a bustling town along the Beas river, with snow-capped peaks providing the perfect backdrop to its fruit orchards and hillsides covered with dark green pine trees.

Mount Abu
The only hill resort of Rajasthan, Mount Abu is a pleasant retreat, set amidst the lush forested hills. A green oasis in the barren desert scape, the hill retreat, owes its cool climate to its rich flora, covering the entire hillside that includes coniferous trees and flowering shrubs. The road leading to Mount Abu, is a curved one characterised by arid region, dotted with huge rocks,in weird shapes and high velocity winds.

Nainital
Located at a height of 1940 mt. above sea level and placed, around the beautiful lake, Naini Tal, is the charming hill resort of Nainital. Surrounded by seven hills, this attractive hill station, was once the summer capital of Uttar Pradesh and is expected to become the future capital of the new state of Uttaranchal. The most sought after hill resort in India, its quaint cottages, colourful markets, the lush landscape and the beautiful lake,

Pushkar
On the edge of the desert lies the tiny tranquil town of Pushkar, along the bank of the picturesque Pushkar Lake, in a narrow dry valley, overshadowed by impressive rocky hills, which offer spectacular views of the desert at sunset. The lake is almost magically beautiful in the early morning or late evening light, is one of the most sacred lakes of India and an important pilgrimage spot for the Hindus.

Ranakpur
The tranquil pilgrimage town of the Jains, Ranakpur is also known as the Khajuraho of Rajasthan. Renowned for some marvelously carved Jain temples in amber stone, Ranakpur is one of the five holy places of the Jain community. These temples are enclosed within a wall. Sprawling over 48,000 sq. feet, the central Chaumukha or four faced temple....

Ranthambhor
The park is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country, under the Project Tiger. Ranthambhor sanctuary has a large numbers of sambar, chittal, nilgai, chinkara, langurs, wild boar and peafowl. While deer congregate here to drink water, fresh water crocodiles, can be seen basking in the winter sun to regulate their body temperature. The lake also attracts a large number of migratory and local birds.

Rishikesh
A small pilgrim town, with scores of ashrams and yoga centres, Rishikesh is also famous for its adventure sports, along the Ganges, and trekking in the lower Himalayas. The gateway and the start off point for journeys, to the 4 famous pilgrims centres of Garhwal - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamnotri, the little town of Rishikesh is the destination for the young and the restless

Udaipur
The city of Dawn, Udaipur is an enchanting city. Also known as The Venice of the East, it is a vision in white, drenched in romance and beauty. From the azure water lakes in the midst of sandy terrain, hemmed in by the lush hills of the Aravalis, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sounds and experience.

Varanasi
The cultural and religious capital of India, Varanasi is situated on the banks of the holiest of all Indian rivers, the Ganga. It is one of the most ancient city of world and probably the oldest living city in India. Varanasi is also called Kashi, or the city of spiritual light. Hence for the devout Hindu, this besides being a pilgrimage centre, is considered especially auspicious to die here, ensuring an instant route to heaven.

Zanskar
Zanskar is a lonely place. Heavy snowfall for eight months in the year, makes it hostile territory. But come summer, the very ridges and uneven terrain, that made the place so unapproachable ,during the season of ice and snow ,now becomes challenging trekking routes. These treks can be very rewarding. for not only are they challenging, but also offer spectacular views.