You could also find solace in the sounds of birdsong at Keoladeo Ghana National Park, just over an hour’s drive from Agra. Known popularly by its local name Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, this forest is home to more than 230 species of birds, and comes alive in the winter months with dozens of migratory species visiting from as far away as Australia and Siberia.
The City of Nawabs is known for the centuries-old Awadhi cuisine, which is mostly influenced by the culinary culture of the Mughal era because the Mughal Emperors hired officials for administration of the Awadhi Province. A paradise for foodies in India, Lucknow City is a labyrinthine trail of food from biryanis to kebabs, chaats and paans.
Like any small town in India, the core of old Agra is a warren of lanes, each with a thriving local market. Browse the exquisite zardosi embroidery at Kinari Bazaar and inexpensive leather goods at Sadar Bazaar, to the rich aroma of spices at the Rawatpara spice market and the hustle and bustle of a wholesale vegetable market at Vegetable Market.
This heritage walk gives you a unique glimpse of the traditions of the city handed down through the centuries and still kept alive in various forms especially indigo block printing, unani (traditional) medicine and vark (edible silver foil) making. Walking through the lanes of Lucknow is like time travel, straight to the pages of history.
Along the banks of the sacred river lies the unique city believed was founded by Lord Shiva. A walk around the city gives chance to connect with this place and to understand the intricacies of this city. This walk will take you through the colorful markets, temples and ancient building. You will be able to witness how the city rise together and prepares itself for the day.
A visit to Kotwara House is in itself a revealing experience of sorts. Kotwara House is Lucknow abode of the legendary filmmaker, fashion designer, painter, poet, architect or rather call them ‘A couple with many feathers in their cap of creativity’, Raja Muzaffar & Meera Ali.
One of the most iconic experiences in Varanasi is experiencing the musical side of the holy city. A visit to the sitar player’s (Chordophone Player) house will be totally different and mesmerizing experience for you. You will be soaked in the tunes played by world renowned Sitar player which will complement the aura of the city as well.
Visit the Nawab (Viceroy) of Awadh and enjoy tea with him. The head of this aristocratic family will share his historical knowledge, family traditions and his view on modern Lucknow with you. Talk to him about the changes he has seen over the years in Lucknow, learn a bit about his family and experience the innate etiquettes, mannerism and the art of speech that is mastered by him.
Although Bharatpur is famous for its national park, there are various shops around the city to satiate the shopaholic in you.
The Braj festival in Rajasthan is held every year for two days in the Shukla Paksha of the Phalgun month, a few days prior to Holi. This festival is dedicated to Lord Krishna who is believed to have spent a considerable amount of time in a region called Braj in Rajasthan.
Snow Leopard trek serves as a heaven for animal cravers and lovers. There is a wide range of animals visible on this trek. Trek ranges from Moderate to difficult level. But for actual spotting of Snow Leopard one needs to push to high elevation.
Ladakh, is a stark lunar landscaped land of a high altitude and a cold desert inhabited by Buddhist people following the Lama form of Mahayana Buddhism. Living under the shadows of the surrounding snow covered mountains of both the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges and praying at their monasteries perched on-top of hills, trying to reach out to the gods. With prayer wheels in their hands rotating the prayers in the wind “Om Mani Padme Hum” describing the God Buddha as a jewel sitting in a lotus flower.
Ladakh, is a stark lunar landscaped land of a high altitude and a cold desert inhabited by Buddhist people following the Lama form of Mahayana Buddhism. Living under the shadows of the surrounding snow covered mountains of both the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges and praying at their monasteries perched on-top of hills trying to reach out to the gods. With prayer wheels in their hands rotating the prayers in the wind “Om Mani Padme Hum” describing the God Buddha as a jewel sitting in a lotus flower.
Taj, Tigers, Leopards, Lions of India - The World"s Greatest Land of Big Cats View the rich birdlife of India at the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur. Meet the Royal Bengal Tigers at Ranthambore National Park and the Spotted Leopards at Jawai, with these Big Cats roaming the semi-arid desert lands of Rajasthan. Combining this with a visit to the ancient capital of India - Delhi, the Wonder of the World - The Taj Mahal, The great Palaces and Citadels of Jaipur and Jodhpur.
Flying across the Himalayas, the Great Himalayan Divide and the Pir Panjal ranges of Ladakh with views of the Eastern Karakorams before landing at Leh, experience possibly one of the world’s most spectacular flying experiences. Land at the quaint though now fairly bustling township of Leh and take rest for the day to acclimitise to an altitude of 3,500 meters.
A fairly demanding high altitude trek, starting with first arriving into Leh in Ladakh, driving to Zanskar, then over the Umasi La pass (5,300 meters), this trek takes you into the lesser known Sumchan valley. End the trek in the Kishtwar region located between Jammu and Kashmir after crossing the Great Himalayan Divide Ranges which separate the Himalayas from the Zanskar and further, Karakorams.
View the rich birdlife of India at the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur. Meet the Royal Bengal Tigers at Ranthambhor National Park and the Spotted Leopards at Jawai, with these Big Cats roaming the semi-arid desert lands of Rajasthan. Combining this with a visit to the ancient capital of India - Delhi, the Wonder of the World - The Taj Mahal, The great Palaces and Citadels of Jaipur and Jodhpur. Finally, ending with the Desert Trails in the Thar Desert at Jamba where you stay on-top of a sand dune, meeting the Bishnoi Tribes!
As the paradise on this Earth, the Kashmir Valley becomes the centre of tourism again seeing a great revival of both domestic and international tourism there, we too look forward to relaunching what for many of us used to be a second home in the past. The combination of the Golden Triangle with the Kashmir Valley is possibly offering the greatest and most diverse experiences that are possible within North India and the Himalayan regions together.
This program combines the amazing living jungles of India with the bird sanctuary of Keolado Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur. Going deeper into the wilderness of the Jungle Book of Rudyard Kipling where stories of Mowgli's jungle adventures abound. Mowgli's Trails of the Jungle Book takes you through the Panna National Park, the Bandhavgarh National Park and the Kanha National Park where the fierce Royal Bengal Tiger - Sher Khan roars and Bhalu, the Sloth Bear protects Mughli.
Baijnath Temples are the bunch of ancient temples sprawling at an altitude of 1126 m that are dedicated to Lord Shiva. This holy site by being placed on the banks of the river Gomti surrounded by exquisite scenery invokes peace in the heart and soul.
The Bharat Mata temple at Varanasi is the only temple dedicated to Mother India. It was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936. The statute of Bharat Mata is built in marble and is a model of undivided India, depicting the mountains, plains and oceans.
The architecture of ancient times is seen at its absolute best at the Chota Imambara. Chhota Imambara or Husseinabad Imambara was constructed under 'Food for Work' programme, commissioned by the third Nawab of Awadh in 1838, Nawab Muhammad Ali Shah.
