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In the heart of Delhi, where the city’s vibrant past collides with the dynamic present, a cheerful and conversational guide eagerly takes the helm to lead curious tourists on a captivating journey. Honored to be part of Shikhar Travels India, this seasoned guide is delighted to share tales of a special tour meticulously organized for those eager to explore the historical tapestry of Old Delhi.   The day unfolds with a burst of energy as the guide, having spent considerable time navigating the city’s labyrinthine streets, embarks on a full-day Old Delhi heritage tour. Delhi, with its quintessential old-world charm, promises an experience for every palate, and Shikhar Travels seamlessly brings this charm face-to-face with the modern traveler.   Guiding a group through the bustling lanes of Old Delhi, the guide becomes a storyteller, unraveling the generational, architectural, and culinary legacy woven into the city’s fabric. The journey kicks off at the legendary Chandni Chowk, a lively marketplace renowned for its vibrancy. From the tantalizing street food stalls to historic landmarks like Sheesh Ganj Gurudwara, Red Fort, and Jama Masjid, the day promises a kaleidoscope of experiences.   The first stop is the historic Sheesh Ganj Gurudwara, nestled just outside Chandni Chowk Metro Station. Here, amidst the hustle and bustle, the guide shares the Gurudwara’s historical significance, its nomenclature, and the poignant tale of the battle between Sikhs and Mughals. As the group meanders through the iconic market around the Gurudwara, the guide responds to queries, revealing that this site marks where the ninth Sikh guru met his tragic end at the hands of Aurangzeb.   The tour progresses, with the Red Fort standing as a majestic testament to the Mughal Era’s architectural prowess. The awe-inspiring structure prompts eager inquiries from the tourists about its history and its connection to the Agra Fort. As the group explores the fort’s various sections, including Diwan-i-am, Diwan-i-Khas, Rang Mahal, and The Pearl Mosque, a second leg of the journey unfolds—a Traditional Rickshaw Tour through the congested lanes around Jama Masjid.   Unearthing the colorful secrets of Old Delhi, the tourists marvel at the ingenuity of shopkeepers who expertly accommodate their offerings despite space constraints. Paying respects to the iconic Jama Masjid and wandering through its corridors, the group then ventures to Kinari Bazar and Khari Baoli. Each locale pulsates with vibrancy, from wedding attire showrooms to the aromatic narrow alleys of Asia’s largest spice market—Khari Baoli. The guide enlightens the tourists about the culinary and therapeutic uses of various spices before granting them time to explore the market independently.   As the day winds down, the group indulges in the most famous street food preparations of Old Delhi. From Dahi Bhallas to Rabdi Falooda, Kudemal ki Kulfi, and the mesmerizing Daulat ki Chaat, each dish is savored and appreciated for its unique flavors. With a final stroll through the area, the guide provides insights into each narrow lane, the architecture, and the remarkable construction of the metro system in such a congested space.   The tour concludes with heartfelt farewells at the hotel. The tourists, thoroughly immersed in the historical, cultural, and culinary significance of Chandni Chowk and the surrounding area of Old Delhi, depart with memories that will linger as enduring souvenirs of a day well spent.

‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, is an Indian phrase in Sanskrit that translates typically to ‘Guest is God’. So, go anywhere in India and you are bound to be treated like God.   India is a beautiful country, with so much to offer when it comes to travel and tourism that a lot of its mesmerizing territory remains undiscovered. Be it the Himalayan foothills or the Kerala backwaters or even the Desert of Jaisalmer & Barmer; any part of India that you travel to will make you feel like you want to explore more.   Major attractions in India include the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Mughal monuments in Delhi, the palaces of Rajasthan, the lakes of Udaipur, backwaters in Kerala and beautiful hills in the north. All of these and more is what any person looking to explore India as a whole would want to see and get a firsthand experience at.   Discover a Vibrant India India travel can be quite exhausting due to the unfavourable weather conditions and different languages & ethnicities that change every 10 kilometres. Despite that, a lot of people book tours to India and look for Indian travel packages to explore the culture, vibrancy and beauty of it.   If you are planning to come visit India, Hotels in India are known for the best of the hospitality measures and being good hosts so you are bound to have a great time. In fact, the travel and tourism department of India ensures that all guests in India are treated with dignity and respect; hotels just extend these measures. With that in hindsight, the tour packages in India are pretty cheap and can go as high as a person wants them to the, based on the kind of luxury they like. If you are travelling to a part of India, ensure that you get hotel & travel packages at attractive costs which might help you save money.   Holiday Like a King! India is one of the best destinations in the world for luxury holidays. If you are the one who does not shy away from splurging when you are on a holiday; then India is the best place to be. With palaces now open for tourists where kings once lived; India has a lot to offer in terms of luxury. Be it a seven-star dining experience or a Maharaja foodie trail, you are spoilt for choice when luxury and food comes to together. Talking of luxury and food, there are some trains in India that run across some of the best tourist destinations and are a Mecca of luxury.   One of the best luxurious hotels in the world includes the Umaid Bhawan Palace, which is India. Hotels like these are adept with all luxury facilities and will keep you engaged for a very long time. When it comes to luxury, not mentioning The Imperial in Delhi would be a sin. This is one of the first hotels that were established in the British Raj and remains one of the best hotels in India.   Luxury holidays in India are well received as a concept in Rajasthan and places that were once ruled by kings. With palaces being converted to hotel properties, you actually get to experience how living like a king would have been!   Luxury and holidays are synonymous with India and any wish that the guest has can be turned into a reality. There is no luxury in the world that is not available in India and you will have a great time exploring the country in some of the finest properties.   You will end up with a beautiful experience that you would be taking home forever!   For more information about Incredible India email us: info@indiatravel.com

As our plane descended towards Srinagar we were welcomed by beautiful mustard yellow fields and snow capped mountains. The feeling of purity and calmness sets in and the base is made for what will be an amazing journey.   This was my fourth trip to Srinagar. We were staying on the Dal Lake. The drive from Srinagar airport to Dal Lake takes less than one hour. As you approach the boulevard road, you are amazed by the unique and eventful life on the Dal Lake and the famous houseboats of Srinagar.   Our houseboat was in the ‘open lake’… the shikara was waiting for us as we arrived at Ghat No 17 of the Dal Lake. A short shikara ride on the lake brought us to our houseboat. We stepped onto the deck and then onto the porch of the houseboat, where following Kashimir traditions we removed our shoes before we entered the living hall of our houseboat. The houseboat had three ensuite bedrooms, living areas and dinning room and a small pantry. Most houseboats have three rooms, a few have four and even fewer have two. If you are visiting in a group , you can book your stay at a ‘group’ of houseboats, which normally is a collaboration between a few neighboring houseboats.   It is recommend to prebook your dinner at the houseboat. Your houseboat incharge will often consult you before finalising your dinner menu. You can request your food to be spicy to mild; from Kashmiri to Continental …though I highly recommend sticking to Kashmiri food while in Kashmir. Some of my favourite dishes are Gustaba (pounded meat balls in a yogurt gravy), Rishta (pounded meat balls in a onion and tomato gravy), Rogan josh (mutton on the bones cooked in a tomato and onion gravy), Nihari (lotus stem cooked in a yogurt gravy), Palak saag( Mutton cooked with spinach). All of these are best eaten with boiled rice. You can also try the traditional Kashmiri bread. It is softer and fluffier version of the naan bread, similar to the afghani bread. On the houseboat you will be able to get rice and chapati (traditional indian bread made on a iron pan) as most houseboats will not have a tandoor( clay oven) in which the Kashmiri naan bread is made. To finish a meal you must try the famous Firni ( rice cooked in sweetened saffron milk flavoured with cardamons).It is best eaten cold and often served in a earthen bowl.   The Sikaara ride is a fun experience. As you travel on the waters of Dal Lake, you are welcomed by local vendors. You can enjoy a fresh fruit salad, hot Kehva, or even freshly barbecued Kebabs. As you travel through the back lanes of the Dal lake, you cross the floating market where you can buy carpets, cloths and wood carved items .You will also go past homes of locals. There are also shops on boat where you can purchase a range of souvenirs to take back.   Srinagar is home to the famous beautiful Mugal Gardens, Jama Majid , Dargha Hazratbal and Shankachariya temple. There are three gardens, Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh and Chasma Shahi. The best ones is Shalimar Bagh followed closely by Nishat Bagh .The Shankachariya temple is on top of a hill. One you drive up to the top, you need to walk up 100 steps to reach the temple. The steps are small and very easy to walk up on. You don’t feel any strain on your knees or legs while walking up. The Hazratbal Dargha is a fascinating experience. Pigeons are seen in large numbers outside the Dargha . There are local eateries around the Dargha serving some lovely Kebabs and super large naan bread. You can also find vendors selling flowers and other offerings for the Dargha. The Jama Majid in Srinagar, is a unique piece of architecture. It is a good mix of arabic, Persian and Kashmiri architecture.   Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam are the three prominent tourist destinations in Kashmir after Srinagar. You can go for a day trip or overnight excursion to these places from Srinagar.   Gulmarg is a one and a half to two hour drive from Srinagar, while Sonmarg and Pahalgam are both two and half hours drive from Srinagar. You would have to take a local car and guide for sightseeing in these places as vehicles from Srinagar are not allowed for sightseeing. Your vehicle from Srinagar will only be able to drop you till your destination and bring you back to Srinagar. If you are not equipped for the snow, then there are a number of vendors who are lined up to rent out boots and jackets enroute. Your driver will take you to a rental shop he recommends. There is really no difference as all the shops rent out the same things.   Activities available at Gulmarg and Sonmarg include, snow biking, snow sledging and skiing. In Pahalgam, you can walk up or take a pony to Bisaran which is a plateau surrounded by beautiful Pine and Deodar trees. On the way to Pahalgam and Sonmarg, stop by a stream for a hot cup of Kehva. In Gulmarg you can also take a Gondola (cable car) ride. It is a beautiful 10 minute journey. There are two points where the Gondola stops, I have always been until the first point and second point is mostly for skiers.   Do buy yourself some walnut wood souvenirs, hand embroidered scarves, paper mache gift items and some original Kashimiri dry fruits and spices to take back with you. The best place to shop is Srinagar is Polo View. It is a street a small sheet with handicraft, souvenir and dry fruit shops.   Kashmir is a all year destination. It is not possible to visit Sonmarg once it starts snowing as the roads close. Gulmarg has become India’s Ski capital with skiers coming from around the world in January and February. Pehlagam is best

Nestled beside the holy Ganges River in the center of India sits Varanasi, a city with a history that is as ancient as time itself. Varanasi is considered by spirituality to be the home of the gods, making it one of the most sacred locations in India. Traveling to Varanasi is considered a pilgrimage by Hindus, who view it as a necessary desire to bathe in the sacred Ganga and purify their bodies and souls.   Traditionally, Varanasi is also a final destination for Hindus, where last rites and cremations take place. An unusual feature of India is the cremation ghat 24-hour operation, allowing for ceremonies even after sunset. believing the river’s flow will carry the souls to Varanasi.   We left Delhi early in the morning for this historic city, taking advantage of the convenient and reasonably priced overnight rail service. I chose an A/C first-class cabin for myself and my four-year-old daughter, which offered a cozy and safe place. Flights from major cities, including an international airport for travelers from Nepal, link to Varanasi, making it easily reachable by air as well.   When we arrived in Varanasi early in the morning, a representative met us at the railway station and showed us the way to our vehicle and, ultimately, our riverfront hotel in the ancient city. It is recommended to stay in the ancient city because there are many luxurious and affordable lodging options on the river ghat.   Our travels took us to Sarnath, the site of Gautam Buddha’s first sermon. Visits to the Chaukhandi Stupa, Dhamek Stupa, the Statue of Standing Buddha, and the Sarnath Museum were all part of the Sarnath experience. We returned to Varanasi after a short trip, and before exploring the city’s rich silk culture, we had a brief lunch in the cantonment area.   The age-old skill of weaving Banarasi silk is what makes Varanasi, also known as Banaras. The complex process of producing silk was revealed during a visit to a weaver’s colony, where families have been keeping their weaving techniques a secret for generations. Small rooms with doors that led to specialized artisans’ demonstration areas provided a chance to buy real silk goods.   As the temple tour progressed, we visited the famous Vishwanath Temple, Banaras Hindu University, and Bharat Mata ka Mandir. We experienced the vibrant street life, sampled local cuisine, and fully immersed ourselves in the real Banarasi experience as we traveled through the old city’s streets.   The magical evening aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, a captivating display of chants, music, and celebration against the backdrop of the Ganges.   Our journey’s high point was an early-morning boat ride the next morning. Our private boat ride on the Ganges was peaceful as we passed by famous ghats and our guide explained their historical significance. Local customs, such as families taking a morning swim or kids swimming, created a vivid picture of life by the river.   We disembarked at Assi Ghat as the sun rose, exploring the market, watching yoga classes, and sipping cool lemon tea. Seeing a wrestling school gave me an understanding of the disciplined way of life and training that young wrestlers follow.   After a traditional breakfast of hot jalebis and Sabzi Kachori, we said goodbye to Varanasi and headed to the airport. Varanasi retained all of its charm. Even though we were able to see the most of the city in one day, it is best to spread out your exploration over two days. For visitors in the future, October through March is the best time to witness Varanasi’s enchantment, with November through February being the busiest months.

This blog may seem to be mostly about the Taj Mahal, but the fact is that Agra is mostly about the Taj Mahal so it is only right to dedicate 80% of the blog to the spectacular and only one of its kind, Taj Mahal. No matter how many times you visit Agra and see the Taj Mahal, it is never enough. The Startling white beauty of the Taj Mahal set against the vibrant blue sky, reflecting into the water pond leading to it is a sight that never fades away.   The Taj Mahal was built by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan in remembrance of his beloved wife Mumtaz. Now standing since 1643, the white marble mausoleum took Eleven years to be built . In the following 10 years other building including a mosque were built in the same complex. In 1983 the Taj Mahal designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for being “ the jewel of Muslim art in India” . In 2007 it was the winner of the new 7 wonder of the world and for good reason.   All tourist and local transport vehicles only go upto the parking on the Taj Mahal. From the parking, you can either walk or take a battery van or a rickshaw until the ticket counter of the Taj Mahal. You can either by a “high value” ticket or a “general public” ticket. Non- Indian national can only purchase the high value ticket. India national are pick between the two. The high value tickets gives you express entry into the Taj Mahal so it is definitely the better option. Once you purchase your ticket and go through security, you come to the outer gates and walls of the Taj Mahal. You can not see the Taj Mahal just yet, but another few steps towards the arch of the gate will give you the best view of the Taj. Look below !!!   Once you go though the gates, you can walk down the paths in between the gardens and the water ponds to the Taj. You must climb a few steps to the enter the Taj Mahal. Once you are on top, do go around the Taj Mahal. You will get to see the river Yamuna following behind the Taj . As the myth goes, Shah Jahan had planed to built a black mausoleum for himself across the Yamuna river but could not complete it as he was put under house arrest by him son. You can also enter the Taj Mahal but the actual cannot see the actual burial sight of Shahjahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz .Their graves are at a lower level, underneath the inner chambers of the Taj Mahal.   The best time to visit the Taj Mahal is early morning . The Taj opens at sunrise and closes at sunset, like most monuments in India. Entry to the Taj normally starts at 7-7:30. It is a good idea to reach early to avoid queues to get in. Early mornings are also less crowed so a good opportunity to get a perfect picture with just you can the Taj Mahal.   The best months to visit the Taj Mahal are November and February when the sky is mostly clear and the temperatures are low. December and January are also good months as the temperature stays low through out the day and on most days it is nice a sunny. Avoid early morning visits during these months as morning tend to be very foggy and views are not very clear. March -April and September – October , are good months for early morning visits and late afternoon visits. May-August are very very hot months , with June- July being the hottest time of the year. Temperature goes up to 45 degree Celsius. I would only recommend visiting the Taj early in the morning . The sun becomes very sharp by about 8-9 pm. The Taj also opens early during the summer months.   If possible , visit Agra on a full moon nights ( or a day before or after) . Only 50 tickets are sold for a 30 minute visit to see the Taj Mahal against the magnificent white shinning moon. It is not a guided tour and a tourist guide cannot accompany you. Well you can take a guide with you, but the guide needs to have him or her own valid ticket to enter. It is a spectacular sight and the Taj Mahal is at it best when soaked in the pure reflection of the Moon light.   On all my three visits into Agra, I have only visited the Taj Mahal. However, there is more to Agra than just the Taj Mahal. Agra Fort- where Shahjahan was kept captive by his son until he died. Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah more commonly know as the Baby Taj or Jewel Box is a miniature version of the Taj Mahal. Mehtab Bagh – gardens across the river Yamuna for a different view of the Taj Mahal. There is also an evening musical on the Taj Mahal and a heritage walk of Agra taking you through the hidden spots of the city.   Agra is located at a convenient 3 -4 hour drive from Delhi. There is also an option taking a super fast train – along with a number of other frequent trains. The train from Delhi will take about 2-3 hours depending on the train you select. Trains from other major cities also stop at Agra. You can also fly into Agra, but flights are not very frequent and on most occasions , once or twice a week only.   We drove from Delhi to Agra in a 12 seat mini van. It took us 4 hours including a hour lunch break. Our driver was very particular about not over speeding on the state of the art – Express way. Unless , you have other stops enroute, insist on taking the express way from Delhi to Agra. It is