Through the pages of history…..
The Red Fort stands as the result of the decision of Shahjahan in 1639, to shift his capital to New Delhi from Agra. Within eight years, Shahjahanabad was completed with the Red Fort-Qila-i-Mubarak (fortunate citadel)-New Delhi’s seventh fort.

Specimen of artisitic brilliance- red fort:
The Red Fort stands witness to the glorious Indian history and architecture. This fort built behind red sandstone walls gives the fort its name. The Red Fort or Lal Qila reiterates the period of Moghul magnificence. This famous citadel comprises of massive audience halls and marble palaces. The architecture was accentuated with precious stones when constructed.

The two main gateways are the Lahore Gate and the Delhi Gate.

The Red Fort is to be entered by the Delhi Gate, that leads to the Hathi Pol or Elephant Gate.

The Diwan-e-am and the Diwan-e-khas are pavilions from where the king addressed the common people and the elite respectively.

The Rang Mahal is a water-cooled apartment for the royal ladies and in the basement of the fort there is a market where one can buy traditional Indian goods at very competitive rates.

The Khas Mahal and Sheesh Mahal are exquisitely decorated halls, that radiate the brilliance and splendor of Mughal royalty.

The Lahore Gate opens to Chatta Chowk which as once a royal market . The arcade was also known as Meena bazar.

Moti Masjid (pearl mosque) was a private mosque built by by Aurangzeb (Shahjahan’s son) for his personal use.

Spotlight on red fort:

It was here that he first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, unfurled the Indian flag on 15 August 1947 commemorating the end of the British colonial rule.

Every year on Independence day, the Prime minister addresses a huge crowd assembled in the Maidan (ground) overlooking the fort, from its Lahore gate.

» Every evening a sound and light show recreates the Red fort’s history. There are shows in English and Hindi, and tickets are available from the Fort. The show is highly recommended.
Trip Time:
One day is convenient to look around Red Fort. If desired, the trip can be extended to discover other monuments of Delhi.

Delhi Weather:
Summer: During summer temperature shoot to about 47 C once in a while, though the average maximum temperature is about 42 C.The days are extremely hot and often accompanied by dust storms. Winter: Winters are very pleasant. The mornings are very foggy, the nights cold. The maximum temperature on a very cold Delhi afternoon would be about 12 C and the minimum would fall to about 2 C.
Transport Accessibility:
» Air : All the major National and International Air Lines have their flights operating from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
» Rail : The Indian Railway with their modern and organised network connects Delhi to all major and minor destinations in India. There are three important Railway Stations in Delhi namely New Delhi Rly. Station, Old Delhi Rly. Station and Hazarat Nizamuddin Rly. Station.
» Bus elhi is well connected by road to all major destinations in North India. The Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) are located at Kashmiri Gate, Sarai Kale-Khan and Anand Vihar. Delhi Transport Corporations of the neighbouring states provide frequent bus services.

Nainital is a beautiful hill district situated in the Central Himalayas. Situated in the Kumaon hills, Nainital is popularly known as ‘chatka’ or a city of 60 lakes. Nainital is known as India’s ‘Lake District’ because numerous lakes are spread across it’s boundaries. It is situated at an altitude of 1,938 m. and it is spread over an area of 11.73 sq km. The plush greenary and the majestic mountains enhance the beauty of the hill resort. An English traveller discovered this alluring hill resort in 1839. Encircled by seven hills, this resort was the erstwhile summer capital of the Uttar Pradesh government. Nature’s delightful beauty and the charm of the exotic locales besides the cool weather make Nainital the ideal place to be in during the summers.

Overview of nainital:
One of the most sought-after summer destinations of India, the picturesque locale of Nainital encompasses tree covered hillsides, enchanting lakes, quiant cottages and rich pastureland. Nainital is divided into two segments, Tallital and Mallital, at the lower and upper ends of the lake, respectively. The North Mall running along one side of the lake, and the South Mall along the other, connect the two parts. The famous temple of Nanda Devi is situated on the shores of the lake. Another popular landmark in the area is the Church of St John – in – the – Wilderness, which is one of the earliest structures of Nainital.

Popular Sites:

Naini Lake:
It is this lake around which the town of Nainital is situated. The lake is shaped like an eye or crescent and is surrounded by hills on all side. The lake is said to be one of the emerald green eyes (Naina) of Siva’s wife which fell at this site and hence the name Naini Tal.

Naina Peak
Situated at an altitude of 2,611 m, is this highest point within Nainital and commands superb views of Nanda Devi mountains and the mountains on the Tibetan order.

» Naina Devi Temple: This temple of Naina devi is situated on the northern end of Naini Lake, after whom the town is named. “Naina” means “eye” and “tal” means “lake”. It is believed that the eye of the goddess Parvati fell into the lake as her spouse Shiva was carrying her back to his dwelling on Mount Kailash. There is festival here during August/September in honour of Nanda Devi, who is patron goddess of Kumaon.

» St John-in-the-Wilderness Church: It is one of the earlieat buildings erected in Nainital and possibly the finest church in any Indian Hill station. The church was named by the bishop of Calcutta who came to Nainital in 1844, when the place was still very much a wilderness

» Snow View : This is a scenic place at an height of 2,270 m. It is accessible by foot, on horse back or by a chairlift (ropeway). Peaks of Nanda Devi peaks can be seen through a powerful binocular telescope fixed here.

» Lakes: There are numerous lakes (tals) that accentuate the charm of this wonderful hill station. Lakes like Bhim tal, Naukuchia Tal, Sat Tal, Khurpa Tal and many more that are worth a visit.
Shopper’s Stop:
Nainital is known for it’s beautiful candles and Bal Mithai sweet. Mallital and Tallital are the main markets of Nainital where Kumaon woolens and locally tweed made shawls are extremely popular. For local handicrafts Gupta Gift Emporium, Bara Bazaar, Mallital can be visited which offers cane sticks, candles, wood craft and many other items.

Climatic Condition:
Winter: Maximum is 15.6 degree and minimum can plunge to 2.8 degree. Summer: Maximum temperature in summer is 26.7 degree Celsius and minimum is 10.6 degree.
Travel Connectivity:
» Airway: The nearest airport is at Pantnagar, 71 km away. It is connected by Vayudoot services with Delhi.
» Railway: The nearest railhead is at Kathgodam, 35 km away. Nainital is connected by rail to Delhi, Agra, Bareilly and Lucknow.
» Roadway: Nainital is connected by good, all-weather roads to Delhi (322 km), Bareilly (141 km), Almora (66 km) and Ranikhet (60 km). Public and private bus companies ply regular bus services between Nainital and Delhi, Lucknow, Bareilly, Hardwar, Dehradun, Almora, Ranikhet, Ramnagar and other important towns in the state.

Amritsar, literally means the Pool of Nectar. Amritsar derieves its name from Amrit Sarovar, the holy tank that surrounds the fabulous Golden Temple. The Sikh cult largely dominate the city. During centuries, this complex of Sikh culture grew from a sacred village pond into a spiritual-temporal center. The passionate pilgrims of the faith of Guru Nanak (15th century), who united Hindu and Muslim elements and initiated a reformation, flocked here generation after generation.

History unfolded:
Guru Arjan Sahib, the Fifth Nanak, conceived the idea of creating a central place of worship for the Sikhs and he himself designed the architecture of Golden temple also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib. Guru Arjan Sahib got its foundation laid by a muslim saint Hazrat Mian Mir ji of Lahore in December 1588. The construction work was directly supervised by Guru Arjan Sahib himself and he was assisted by the prominent Sikh personalities like Baba Budha ji, Bhai Gurdas ji, Bhai Sahlo ji and many other devoted Sikhs.

Front View of Golden Temple

Side View of Golden Temple

Golden Temple- ‘The Shining Splendor’:
The temple is located on a small island in the centre of a pool called the amrit-sar (‘pool of nectar’) and is connected to land by a marble causeway.The golden colour comes from the overlay of gold foil, hence the name. Golden Temple has a unique feature, here the devotees have to step down to offer their homage unlike other temples where the devotees have to climb up to offer their salutation.

This wonderful temple of God has been built at the lowest level because it represents the humility of Guru Nanak. The architecture of the temple is considered as the epitome of dexterity and creativity and it represents a unique harmony between the Muslims and the Hindus. Patrolling guards are present all the time to ensure that visitors respect the basic rules when visiting the temple. As long as the rules are respected, visitors of all religions are given a warm welcome. Symbolically, it has entrances on all four sides to show that it is open to worshippers of all castes and creeds.

Around golden temple:
Akal Takht- All commandements affecting the community as a whole were and still are issued from here.
Baba Atal- A nine storeyed tower built in the memory of the Atal Rai, son of Hargobind.
Guru Ka Langar- Cooked food is serviced in the kitchen of the Golden temple24 hours to all visitors irrespective of their caste, creed or nationality. Everyday approximately around 40,000 visitors share their meals here.
Sri Guru Ram Das Niwas- this is a free hostel for the pilgrims maintained by the temple authorities. There are plenty of niwas to make your stay comfortable such as Guru Nanak Niwas, Akal Rest House and more.
Central Sikh Museum- This museum has paintings of Sikh Gurus, saints, Sikh warriors and other prominent leaders who have contributed towards the development of Sikh religion.

Plan Your Trip:
The magnificent Golden temple can be seen in one day, while the stay can be extended if desired.

Climate:
Summer – Max: 34 Min: 15
Winter – Max: 18 Min: 0
Amritsar has extreme climate with very hot summers and very cold winters.

Transport:
» By Air: Amritsar is connected by air with Delhi and Shrinagar.

» By Rail: Amritsar is connected by rail with Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay, Varanasi, Wagah (Attari Border) and some other places in India.

» By Road: Amritsar is connected by bus with Ambala, Chandigarh, Delhi, Ferozepur, Jammu etc. Some of the road distances are as follows:- Jammu 216 kms, Ferozepur 160 kms, Chandigarh 235 kms, Delhi 435 kms and Wagah 29 kms.

An inspiration for art, music and pottery, Kashmir is also a honeymooners’ paradise, a nature lover’s wonderland and a shopper’s dream come true. The sheer beauty and grandeur of the Kashmir Valley cannot be captured in plain words. Set at the foot of the awesome Himalayas, with the splendid Jhelum river meandering through it, this land of raw natural magnificence has enticed people from all over the world, for centuries. Kashmir is home to some of India’s famous sites that leave the onlooker mesmerized. There are few places that must be visited, while in Kashmir.

The Alluring Locales:

Srinagar:
The capital of Jammu and Kashmir stands on the Dal lake, the Dal lake is a maze of intricate airways. The city is renowned for its canals, houseboats and Mughal gardens. The popular sites in Srinagar are the Shah Hamdan Mosque, Pather Masjid and the Jami Masjid that were built by the Mughal emperors.

Mughal Gardens:
The Mughal Gardens will take you back in time. Chashme Shahi (Royal Spring), Nishat Bagh (Pleasure Garden) and Shalimar Bagh (The Abode of Love) are the highlights.

» Sonmarg:
80 km north-east of Srinagar and at an altitude of 2743 metres, this is strewn with alpine flowers, giving it the sobriquet of “Meadow of Gold”.

» Gulmarg: The hill resort with magical meadows and mountains. Gulmarg literally means “the meadow of flowers”. In spring the slopes get a carpet of daisies, buttercups, blue bells and other blooms. The slopes of Gulmarg make it Asia’s only heli-skiing resort.

» Pahalgam: Is at an altitude of 2,133 metres, at the junction of Lidder and Sheshnag streams and amidst lofty deodars, fir, pine, junipers and other conifers. For trekking and mountaineering, and pilgrimage to the holy cave of Amarnath, the spot is an ideal starting point.

» Religious Places: Kashmir has notably several religious shrines. The Hazratbal Mosque in Srinagar is especially sacred to Muslims, because a reputed hair of the prophet Muhammad is held there. Hindu shrines include Amarnath Cave, northeast of Srinagar, and Vaishno Devi, outside Jammu city. Numerous Gompas (Buddhist monasteries) dot the Ladakh region.

Shopper’s Gusto:
Kashmir is a handicraft lover’s delight. Beauty and art is exhibited in Kashmiri artifacts: paper mache, lacquered & painted in floral designs, wood carvings & screens, carpets soft & fine in typical oriental designs. Silks, woolen shawls embroidered in traditional paisley & hand work of great beauty. The J&K Handicrafts Corporation has a large display of all handicraft items, carpets, etc. at the Government Arts Emporium, housed in what was once the British resident’s mansion with a big. lovely garden. The prices of all items here are fixed & quality guaranteed.

Climate:
Winter: winter is very cold and lasts from November to March. There are strong winds, snow and rainfall during this period. The monsoons bring a lot of rain. In the higher mountain areas around the valley, there is often snow fall.

Summer: Mild and much shorter than winter. Warmer weather begins in the middle of March and lasts till the end of July.
Transport:
» Airway: Flights operate from Jammu to Delhi, Srinagar, Chandigarh, Leh & Amristar.
» Railway: Trains link Jammu with Delhi, Madras, Bombay, Calcutta, Gorakhpur and Varanasi.
» Roadway: Buses connect Jammu with Srinagar, Delhi, Amristar, Pathankot.

Goa is situated on the western coast of the Indian peninsula. Goa displays colonial heritage that had been patronized by the Portuguese. India’s most popular beach resort lures ardent tourists from all over the globe. Afternoon siesta and evening feista rule the way of life here. Goa is a traveller’s ultimate destination for its scenic splendor, golden beaches, rocking night life and scrumptious food and of course the good old feni. A walk down the city promises to captivate your attention with the beautiful churches and the towering forts that take you back into the Portugese era. Goan culture is a confluence of many cultures. The vibrant life of Goa makes it an irresistable vacation destination.

Hot Spots At Goa:
Goa is truly a traveller’s delight as it offers an array of visual treat in the form of its beaches, forts and churches.

Beaches:
Goan beaches have never failed to charm its tourists. The swaying palms and the cool waves splashing on your face is a unique experience that Goa promises you with its finest beaches. It boasts of some wonderful beaches likeCalangute, Colva, Baga, Anjuna, Vagator, Sinquerim and still many more wait for you to explore them.

Churches:
Old Goa possesses some of the most opulent churches and cathedrals that trace their origin to the Portuguese period. The architecture of these churches exhibit pure Portuguese style. Some of the famous churches are Se Cathedral, Convent & Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Church of St Augustine Ruins and others.

» Dona Paula: The famous Dona Paula is located near the rocky point between the Mandovi and Zuari rivers at the place where these two rivers meet the Arabian Sea. There is a small and peaceful palm fringed beach with casuarina groves. One gets a panaromic view of the Zuari estuary, at this secluded bay. Tourists throng this place to simply chill and sunbathe.

Weather wise:
Goa has a consistent climate throughout the year with just meager fluctuations in the temperature. December and January might require light woolens, but April and May are warm. The period from June to October brings heavy rain, almost up to 320 cm. The temperature during the summers ranges from 24°C to 32.7°C and during the winters it ranges from 21.3°C to 32.2°C.
Climate:
Goa has a moderate temperature showing negligible variations in different seasons. May is the hottest month while January and February are the coldest. There is a prevalence of tropical weather rest of the year. Southwest Monsoon brings rain in Goa between June and September. July is the month that receives maximum rainfall while February gets least amount of rain.
Shopper’s Stop:
Goa is a highlight on the shopper’s map, the place is primarily famous for shells decoratives and cashew nuts. The other attractions include terracotta and brassware. The Anjuna Beach is famous for its Wednesday Flea market. One can also lay their hands on the famous feni and native jute items here.

How to Get There :
» Air :You can fly to Goa from Bombay, Delhi, Bangalore, Cochin and Trivandrum. For overseas travellers Bombay has the best connected airport.
» Rail : Travelling by train, is fairly convenient from Bombay (490 Kms.), Bangalore (430 Kms.) and Delhi (1874 Kms.).
» Road : Driving down by road from Mumbai (582 Kms.) is easy as well as picturesque as Goa is situated right on the main highway.

Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra, one of the most powerful cities in the medieval world. Agra is a part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, in the northern region of India. It is a part of the great northern plains and is situated on the west bank of river the Yamuna. Agra is 204 km south of Delhi.

Legendary Saga:
An immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, Arjumand Banu. The Taj Mahal is one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage and the jewel of Muslim art in India. Taj Mahal was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers. It was completed at a cost of 32 Million Rupees.

Elegy in Marble- Taj Mahal:
Taj Mahal means “Crown Palace” and is in fact the most well preserved and architecturally beautiful tomb in the world. The architecture is stunning and the unique mughal style combines elements of Persian, Central Asian, and Islamic architecture. Most impressive are the black and white chessboard marble floor, the four tall minarets (40 m high) at the corners of the structure, and the majestic dome in the middle. If observed minutely around the archways, the lettering of the Quran verses appears to be uniform, regardless of their height.

The impressive pietra dura artwork includes geometric elements, plants and flowers, mostly common in Islamic architecture. There is a high level of intricacy involved in artwork when one realizes that a 3 cm decorative element contains more than 50 inlaid gemstones.

the Taj Mahal is inspired by love and shaped to perfection, it immortalizes one man’s love for his wife and the splendor of an era.

Highlights Around the Taj Mahal:

Fatehpur Sikri
The imperial city of the Mughal dynasty between 1571 and 1584, Fatehpur Sikri was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar. The architectural grandeur of this city has to be experienced.

Itmad-Ud Daulah
Itmad-ud daulah, one of the most beautiful of Mughal tombs, contains cenotaphs of Mirza Ghiyas and Asmat Begum, parents of the powerful Mughal Empress Nurjahan, queen of Jahangir.

Visit Taj Mahal ! Contact Us
» Agra Fort :-The Agra Fort was bulit by Akbar in Red Sandstone. The fort worked both as a military strategic point as well as the royal residence. The Diwan – i – Am, the Diwan – i – Khas, the Khas Mahal, the Palace of Mirrors, the Pearl mosque, the Nagina Masjid, the Garden of Grapes, and the Fish Pavilion are the other monuments in the fort complex.

» Akbar’s Tomb:
Sikandra/ Akbar’s tomb, 10 km north of Agra lies Akbar’s tomb, in Sikandra. Named after the Afghan ruler Sikander Lodi, Sikandra is the final resting place of Emperor Akbar.

Plan Your Trip:
The wide range of travel options in this region can also be used to travel to some wonderful locations around Agra. These can be visited in a span of 2-3 days.

Climate of Agra:
The climate of Agra is extreme and tropical. Summers are extremely hot and the maximum temperature can be as high as 45 degree Celsius, while winters are cold and foggy. Heavy rains and high humidity mark the monsoon season.

Agra can be visited throughout the year, but one must avoid the extreme hot summers (April-June) and rainy season (July-Sept). The most suitable time to visit Agra is in winters.

Visiting Taj- Transportation:
» Airway: Agra airport is 7 km from the city center and 3 km from Idgah bus stand. Indian airlines operate daily tourist shuttle flights to Agra, Khajuraho, Varanasi and back. It only takes 40 minutes from Delhi to Agra.

» Railway: Agra is well connected by railroad. The main railway station is the Agra Cantonment station. Agra is well connected by rail to Delhi, Varanasi and cities of Rajasthan. Trains like Palace on Wheel, Shatabdi, Rajdhani, and Taj Express are the best choices if you want to reach Agra from Delhi.
» Roadway: Idgah bus stand is the main bus stand of Agra, from where one can catch buses for Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, Fatehpur-Sikri, etc. Buses for Mathura also leave from Agra Fort bus stand.

The Gir National Park evolved as an effort to conserve the Asiatic lion from poaching and hunting. The Gir National Park and Lion Sanctuary is collectively known as the Gir Protected Area. Located in the Junagadh District of Gujarat, the area is stretched over 2,450 hectares. The park offers many excellent drives through scenic areas that promise visual delight to its visitors.

A Walk In The Wild:
The Gir National Park is a globally famous wildlife reserve that attracts a substantial number of visitors. The topography of the park consists of steep rocky hillsides which are covered in mixed deciduous forests. The vegetation comprises of of Teak, Acacia, Jamun, Tendu and Dhak trees. The conservation drive at Gir has increased the number of lions. The Forest Department organizes lion shows every Sunday, where the visitors can watch prides of lions on the hunt.There are guided trips available, to watch these magnificent animals from a very close range.

Besides the king of the jungle, Gir is also home to a wide variety of birds that flutter and fill the atmosphere with melodious chirping. Birds in the park include the Paradise Flycatcher, Bonelli’s Eagle and Painted Sandgrouse.

Others main wild attractions are Nilgai, Chinkara, Sambhar, Black Bucks, the four horned Antelope, Wild Boar, Indian Flying Foe, Grey Musk Shrew, Indian Hare, Pale Hedgehog, Small Indian Mangoose, Small Indian Civet, Indian Pangolin, Indian Porcupine, Ratel, Indian Fox, and Jackal.

Mode for transportation within the park is restricted to sturdy vehicles. The tracks within the park are suitable to be used by cars too but it is preferable to use jeeps and other 4-wheel drive vehicles. There are provisions for hiring jeeps within the main park, it can be done at the office in Sasan or from the local operators.
Climate:
From the three common seasons of summer, winter and monsoon, summer takes the longest stretch, in which the average minimum and maximum temperature ranges between 10ºC to nearly 45ºC. The hottest months recorded in Gir are April and May. The rains bring some relief from the heat during the monsoons period of, starting from middle of June and September.

Transport Access:
» By Air: Nearest airport is Keshod 90-km via Veraval. One can catch daily flight from Mumbai to Keshod. Drive to Gir from Keshod or Rajkot (166-kms) airports.

» By Rail: Meter gauge rail line of 395-kms from Ahemdabad. There is also a railway station at Sasan Gir (1km).

» By Road: Distance of 400-kms from Ahmedabad via Rajkot, Junagadh and Mendarda. State Transport buses are also available from Junagadh and Veraval between November and June.

Kaziranga National Park in Assam is a world heritage site for wildlife. Spread across an area of 430 sq.km. these lush green flood plains are home to some of the most fascinating wildlife in Asia. The park divided into central, eastern and western sectors. Kaziranga is a major tourist attraction for nature lovers who can watch animals in the wild at close quarters.

A Walk In The Wild:
Kaziranga is the the ideal habitat for the great One-Horned Rhinos. The total number of rhinoceros in the park totals more than thousand which is 70 percent of the total population of this species in the country. Apart from being the home of the one-horned rhino, it is also the natural habitat of wild buffalo, magnificent swamp deer, hog deer, wild boar, Hoolok gibbon, capped langur and ratel (badger). There is also a rich variety of avain population that are real pleasurable to watch. The bird population rises in winters when other migratory birds visit the park. To enjoy your view at the park, there are several watch towers that have been set up for an ariel view of the wildlife park. Pleasant boat rides at the nearby Rhinoland park can also be availed by tourists. Kaziranga National Park stands really unique from the other forest reserves in India, owing to its massive size and kaleidoscopic variety of flora and fauna. The park has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985.

Top Tip:
It is essential for visitors to take a Forest Department guide with them if they are going by car or jeep, so that he can both direct the vehicle and also sight wildlife for the visitors. Film shows on wildlife can be arranged at the tourist lodge, on request.

Climate:
Weather in Kaziranga is pleasant throughout the year. There are no extremities in terms of temperature variation; the winters (November-January) are cool and summers warm (temperature does not exceed 38°C). Monsoon (June-July) season is dominant and lasts for a long time in this area. Mild showers may be experienced throughout the year.

Wheels To Kaziranga:
» Air: The nearest airports are at Jorhat, 97-km and Guwahati, 217-km away from the park. Jorhat has direct flights to Kolkata.

» Rail: The nearest railhead is Furkating, situated 75-km away from the park and Jorhat.

» Road: The main gate for Kaziranga, at Kohora is on the National Highway 37. ASTC and private buses stop here on their way to and from Guwahati, Tezpur and Upper Assam; some private buses retain a seat quota for Kaziranga passengers. The 4hr drive from Guwahati along the Brahmaputra south bank on the NH37 passes Dispur, Nowgong and Bagjan to the park entrances at Kohora and Baguri.