13 Apr
Vancouver Tours Blog

Discovering the Tourist Destinations of North India

A traveler's introduction to North India

North India is a region of bountiful landscapes, cultures, religions, heritage, historic stories, architecture and wildlife. The region does not have one single definition. The Government of India defines it as consisting of the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the territories of Chandigarh and Delhi. Delhi, which includes the national capital city of New Delhi, is also called the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

Best time to travel around North India

The climate varies drastically, due to the extremely varied topography of the region. In fact, it is one of the most climatically diverse regions in the world. On one hand, the bone-chilling winter in the Himalayas can witness temperatures of -40 degree Celsius, while the arid desert of Rajasthan can heat up to 50 degree Celsius. Extreme weathers in winter and summer leave autumn and spring as the ideal seasons to travel around India. The monsoon season, which marks an end to summer, is not the best time for trips, as landslides and flooding are unfortunately common phenomenon during this time.

The heritage of North India

This region is a melting pot of cultures and heritage. This region was the seat of the throne of many dynasties that conquered India. The Maurias, Guptas, Rajputs, Mughals and the British Empire among many, have left indelible marks of their reign that are scattered across this region. Royal palaces, impregnable fortresses, intricate tombs, remembrance monuments, administrative homes that look like museums, mosques, temples, churches, etc. are some of the remnants left left by erstwhile rulers that have shaped the cities and people of this region over the years. North India festivals have also been inspired by both religion and cultures – visiting India during the festive season will be an experience to remember.

A traveler's delight

The region has some of the most popular destinations for trips in the world. New Delhi, the capital of the country, is usually the entry point for most international travelers, and most holiday packages start with a tour of Delhi. With ancient fossils and tombs, relics and palaces standing side by side with world class cells and rapid transit systems, Delhi is a land of intriguing contrads. Travel in North India can not be complete without a visit to one of the Wonders of the World – the iconic Taj Mahal. To complete the accused Golden Triangle, a Rajasthan tour is mandatory. Travel to Rajasthan will include trips to magical cities such as Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Udaipur, which exude romance, beauty, and royalty.

Source by Rakesh Kr.

06 May
Vancouver Tours Blog

North India Tours: 5 Most Visited Destinations

The Northern part of India is one of the most visited tourism zones of the country for it is also the most captivating of them all. Diverse terrain ranging from snowy peaks to flat plains, a horde of cultures, astonishing historical heritage and more, and the region is highly intriguing to a variety of travelers. While on North India tours one can explore a world full of charming historic heritage and awe inspiring cultures and geographical treasures. There is a variety of sites to choose from for tours to North India each with a distinguishing character which adds charm to these North India tour packages.

Amongst the best below are mentioned 5 of the most visited destinations on North India tours:

Delhi: Delhi is the national capital of India and that is an important political center of the country. With a long history of mighty kings and prosperous dynasties, Delhi today flaunts its historical monuments. At the same time with technological advancement the city has also evolved as a glitzy metropolis with new hotel, infrastructure, restaurants, pubs, educational institutions, IT companies etc. Its popular markets are slowly picked up by sprawling dogs, but people still love to gorge upon food at street side vendors. Thus a mix of paradoxes, Delhi is intriguing in its own unique way.

Varanasi: Charismatic and spiritual bathing ghats of Varanasi are lining the banks of holy River Ganges. One of the holiest places in India, Varanasi is where Hindu pilgrims come to take a dip in the Ganges to wash away their sins and to cremate their loved ones. This magical land where intimate ceremonies of life or death take place are best looked up from a boat ride on the river.

Agra: One of the must visit places for all those on North India tours, Agra acquired world fame for its terrific architecture. The city is most renamed for housing one of the Seven World Wonders, Taj Mahal and other UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.

Shimla: Located amidst the mighty peaks of Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh, Shimla in all its ways is a quintessential hill station. Both domestic and international travelers flank the soothing hilly retreat to have a breath of fresh air and to escape summers in the mid of a charming English ambiance with towering Victorian style edifices at the backdrop.

Ladakh: Made of mountains and sheer walls of rock, Ladakh is a barren land located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Narrow strips of greenery are where its populace resides while rest of the mountains and glaciers and barren landscape has been home to one of the last undisturbed Buddhist populations. Ladakh gives way to some of the most breathtaking and challenging trekking routes and is also particularly famous among biker groups who love to travel the indefinable Ladakh.

Each of the above mentioned regions comprises of a unique character which identifies it from the rest. These diverse facades of North India tours are both bewildering and inspiring in their own ways and thus are loved by a horde of travelers visiting the region each year.

Source by Surya Prakash Mishra

26 Mar
Vancouver Tours Blog

Rajasthan Tours – The Essence of India Tours

The largest state of India, Rajasthan is one of the most popular tourist destinations of India. Drenched it cultural richness and royal past the state is well known for its rich culture and traditional warmth & excellent hospitality that attracts tourists to the state from all over the world. The exotic culture and tradition is the most predominant feature of the state that can be seen in everyday life and fairs and festivals of the state. Rajasthani people are very friendly and make your tours more and more pleasant. There are a lot of tourism options available in the vibrant and colorful state of Rajasthan, India.

While you will travel in Rajasthan during your India tours, you will have opportunity to enjoy a lot of tourism options. You can visit magnificent monuments, temples, and other architectural structures. You can explore wildlife parks and sanctuaries and see wildlife attractions and bird populations in their natural surroundings. You can enjoy Camel safari to explore golden dunes of the vast Thar Desert (often described as the ocean of sands) and traditional villages of Rajasthan. You can stay at heritage palace hotels and enjoy luxury tours and great traditional hospitality. You can also spend your holidays at Mount Abu – the only hill station of Rajasthan, famous for superb natural beauty, cool climate and Dilwara Jain Temples.

The capital of this exotic state is Jaipur which is fancifully described as the Pink City which provides you opportunity to visit the Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar Observatory, City Palace Complex, Amber Fort & Palace, Samode Palace, Jal Mahal, and other fascinating attractions. Each cities of Rajasthan is dotted with several monumental monuments. City Palace and Lake Palace in Udaipur, Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Junagarh Fort in Bikaner, Golden Fort in Jaisalmer, Kumbhalgarh Fort in Kumbhalgarh, Mandawa Castle in Mandawa, Stunning Havelis in Shekhawati region, etc are also worth visiting. Exploring these forts and palaces provides an excellent Rajasthan travel and tourism experience.

Besides forts & palaces, during your Rajasthan tours as a part of India tours you will also have opportunity to explore some world known national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Ranthambhore National Park, Sariska National Park, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, Desert National Park, Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary, etc are some known wildlife parks and sanctuaries of Rajasthan, India. You can see wild animals and bird populations in there natural surroundings while you will explore these parks and sanctuaries on your tours.

If you want to enjoy tours in luxurious way, there are several palatial heritage palace hotels in this vibrant and colorful state. Samode Palace, Lake Palace, Umaid Bhawan Palace, etc are some world known heritage palace hotels in the state which are equipped with all the modern amenities but have been maintained their old warm charm and great tradition of hospitality. Besides these, there are many more in Rajasthan, you will only observe and enjoy them when you will travel in this royal Indian state – Rajasthan. Exploring Rajasthan provides true essence of India tours. If you too want to enjoy the fascination of tourism, do not be late, and embark on your tours.

Source by Michael Braganza

21 Jun
Vancouver Tours Blog

The Art of India – Early Indian Sculptures – An Affair With Creative Finesse

India is known not only for her rich heritage, history, and culture, but also for some of its oldest and finest sculptures in the world. The first Early Indian sculptures date back to the Indus Valley Civilization that inserted in the second and third millennium. This civilization produced numerous stone, terra cotta, & bronze sculptures that are tour de force. In the third century BC, Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, in an attempt to spread Buddhism in the country, built some 85,000 stupas (dome shaped monuments), with their pillows having Buddhist teachings engraved. "The Great Sanchi Stupa" at Sanchi, is forty-four feet high, with remarkably carved gateways, illustrating Buddhist legends, and "The Ashoka Pillar" at Sarnath in Madhya Pradesh, are flawless models ascertaining the superiority and the finesse of the Early Art Of India since its inception.

By the fourth, fifth, and sixth centuries AD, a new epoch in Early Indian Sculpture surfaced. Sculptures of Hindu deities, such as Lord Vishnu, Shiva, Krishna, the Sun God, and Goddess Durga, were crafted in profuse numbers, as Hinduism became the official religion of India. A huge sculpture of "Lord Shiva" incarnated as a wild boar saving mother earth is carved at "The Udaigiri Caves" in Madhya Pradesh. Sixth century in India, witnessed the mastery in cave architecture. "The Elephanta Caves" in Maharashtra is an exemplary of the competent artisanship. A twenty-foot high sculpture of "Lord Shiva" in these caves, with three heads personing his fiercely, feminine, and meditative facets, is another spectacular piece of Art of India.

Sculptures at Khajuraho Temples, created in tenth to eleventh century AD, went to oblivion, until archeologists rediscovered the lost treasures of this unperturbed town in Madhya Pradesh that housed 85 temples, of which only 22 endured. The sculptures of this period depict Gods, Goddesses, and animals, made primarily of sandstone, with an under theme theme, symbolizing the eternal bond between male and female gender. Khajuraho Sculptures are the most sensuous, erotic, and aesthetic sculptures known to the world.

The famous "Buddhist marvels," created over a span of fourteen centuries, and "The Ajanta & Ellora Temples," are the other relics of fantabulous Art of India. "The Ajanta & Ellora" temples are carved out of live rocks & cliffs, and boast of the colossal sculptures of animals & Gods, paintings depicting the ancient life, and Buddhist fables, with numerous Buddha images. The most magnificent and striking creation at the Ellora is the "Kailasa Temple," a breathtaking depiction of Lord Shiva's abode, flanked by elephants, ornately carved out of big rocks. "The Sun Temple of Konark," "The Arjuna's Penance" at Mammallapuram, and the temples of "Kanchipuram," "Madurai," "Rameshwaram," "Amravati," "Nagarjunakonda," and "Varanasi" .

Source by Annette Labedzki