Live the life of Maharajahs at these glorious Indian Palace Hotels with these travel tips. Plan your own enchanting escape to these ancient jewels for your holiday in India.
History of North India
For centuries, North India has seen empires rise and fall, starting with the grand Indus Valley civilization, which was among the first three civilizations in the world!
History of North India: From the ancient to the modern
Aryan migration from Central Asia forced the original Dravidian inhabitants to move southwards although North India resisted several invasions from the West, including that of Macedonian Alexander the Great.
In the 4th century BCE, Chandragupta Maurya extended his kingdom to include the whole of North India. His descendant Ashoka helped spread Buddhism throughout India and Asia.
In the Middle Ages, Muslim armies began to invade North India, starting with Muhammad of Ghazni in the 11th century CE, which paved the way for Babur – the first Mughal Emperor of India. The Mughals brought an age of enlightenment and prosperity to North India. Akbar, was known as a wise and just Mughal ruler and Shah Jahan is credited with building the Taj Mahal in memory of his beloved wife. Several powerful groups opposed Mughal rule from time to time, including the fierce Rajputs of Rajasthan and the Marathas led by Shivaji, but were eventually subdued.
European presence in India dates back to the 15th century with the arrival of the Portuguese in the south-western coast. The British proved to be the dominant colonial power in India by the 19th century, abolishing several draconian practices, building railways and espousing education, yet their colonial rule caused some of the worst famines and genocides in Indian history. After much struggle and strife, India achieved independence in 1947 but had to pay a heavy price in the form of the partition.
North India was divided to form the Islamic nation of Pakistan and millions of Hindus migrated to for fear of persecution. Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, did much to bring stability and peace to the country. When Nehru’s daughter, Indira Gandhi ascended the throne, she faced a nation grappling with severe economic and social problems. Police brutality, unrest and upheavals continued in North India for several decades.
Delhi, the seat of the Indian government and the heart of the country, has indeed seen it all! Today, the united North is a perfect representation of diverse religions, cultures and traditions that make up India.
Did you know?
The Vedas – sacred Hindu scriptures, were penned around 1200 BCE and the Hindu social system was firmly established around this time. Even today, the rigid caste system prevails in rural areas and you will find the upper castes maintaining their distance from the lower untouchable castes.
Our destination experts are happy to plan your tailor-made vacation of historic North India to match your interests and preferences. Get in touch with us today!
From the Blog
India lures with its diversity. Explore India’s glorious heritage with a luxurious stay at one of its regal, colonial residences.
Indian cuisine is delectably diverse. Travel in the north to discover rich, spicy thalis. Head south for subtler coconut-based flavors. At the coast you can feast on fresh fish curries. India is a foodie paradise. Let us take you on a journey of our favorite cuisines.
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Top Five Things to do on Your South India Vacation
There’s plenty to see and do in South India. Here’s an overview to help you plan the best India tours to suit your interests and preferences.
Read PostPopular Trips to North India
10 Days
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$3,590 USD
/ person
This customizable tour blends the historical and cultural exploration of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, with the spiritual charms of Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities. Marvel at the colonial architecture of Lutyens’ Delhi and discover the charms of Old Delhi on a walking tour through its winding alleys. Enjoy a boat ride…
21 Days
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$6,790 USD
/ person
Come be immersed in the sights and sounds of North India and then relax in the backwaters of Kerala. This 20-day tour takes you through the icons of Indian culture and history with stops at the Taj Mahal, Delhi’s Red Fort, Jaipur’s Palace of the Winds and Ranthambore Fort. Enjoy a float down the Ganges,…
9 Days
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$7,690 USD
/ person
The ideal tour for those who want to experience the best of this region’s incredible history, culture and beauty. Explore historic landmarks such as the 17th century Leh Palace and Hemis Monastery, and participate in the Morning Prayer rituals at Thiksey Monastery. Soak in the breathtaking landscapes of the Nubra Valley while in your luxury…
13 Days
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$10,790 USD
/ person
Discover North India and parts of the country’s western coast on this immersive 13-day tour. The highlight is a three-day journey onboard the opulent Maharajas’ Express train, with stops at Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Jaipur and Ranthambore. Take in the magnificence of forts, palaces and monuments across the region, and if you’re lucky, you might spot…
16 Days
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$22,990 USD
/ person
This is the ultimate luxury tour of North India with the best quality tested chauffeurs and vehicles, premium accommodation, and superior VIP service delivered by a team of local travel experts. Experience the life of Maharajahs as you travel between regal cities in northern India. From the Mughal-era masterpieces of Delhi, travel to remote Jaisalmer…
15 Days
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$5,590 USD
/ person
Let your India vacation take you on a spiritual journey to holy cities and sublime works of art. From pristine Rishikesh to the Aarti light ceremony of Haridwar, holy Varanasi to the love temples of Khajuraho and the Taj Mahal, fascinating encounters await. Customize this North India and Varanasi trip to match your exact interests and preferences. Contact our experts for…
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Our Awards
At Enchanting Travels, our private, custom tours are built on extensive knowledge of our destinations, an outstanding team of professionals, and personalized top-notch service. Our work is consistently recognized by prestigious organizations across the travel industry. In 2023, we received the Travel Weekly Magellan Gold Award for World’s Leading Tour Operator- Overall, the LUXLife Magazine Award for Best Global Custom Travel Company, a World Travel Award for North America’s Leading Tour Operator, and a World Luxury Travel Award for Bespoke Experience Travel Agency (Global Winner). You can see all our past awards and current accreditations here.
What Our Guests Say
Our week-long visit to Delhi and Rajasthan planned in a short period of time was exceptional. Everything except our dinners was arranged for and included in the itinerary. Our personal guides in each city were engaging and enhanced our experience tremendously. Our chauffeur (far more than a driver) was brilliant. He was also our trip coordinator and provided local guidance as we travelled. The whole visit was executed perfectly and Enchanting staff made it so from planning through to the final wave goodbye. We are so pleased to have found this company and will definitely select them again for future visits elsewhere in the world.
Michael Patrick Proctor
USA
I have been using Enchanting Travels from their very beginning and I will continue to use them in the future. Although I use them mainly for India, they did arrange a very nice trip to Vienna when I went there to attend a wedding. They are reliable, efficient, trustworthy and knowledgeable and just plain excellent.
Marianne Oort-Lissy
Netherlands
Enchanting Travels were very proactive in helping us put together our trip and their support during our trip was amazing. We travelled from Delhi to the Amritsar by train to see the Golden Temple and the Pakistan border flag ceremony. We flew to Udaipur and travelled by car via Deogarh, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Agra back to Delhi with an onwards flight to Jabalpur, followed by a car ride to the Bandhavgarh National Tiger Park. The holiday included a train trip and three internal flights, and everything went according to plan and without a hitch. There were too many highlights, but a special mention goes to the Diwali celebration with a local family, the Taj Mahal and the visit to the Bandhavgarh National Park where we saw tigers in the wild. We can say, hand on heart, that our holiday in India exceeded our expectations.
Harry Warries
Australia
Enchanting Travels is a very professional, knowledgeable group with an excellent team. They are with you making sure everything goes smoothly from the day you start to put together your itinerary until you are checked in to your flight home. This is more than first class service. This service is piece of mind and the perfect way to have a safe, memorable, and peaceful trip full of
Maria Isabel Salgar
USA
The personal approach from Enchanting reassures us that our trips are tailored to suit our preferences. And it is good to know they are on hand if something unexpected crops up. I love the way they support me in planning my holiday rather than imposing their own ideas. Already looking forward to planning our next trip together.
Susanna McGibbon and Patrick Spencer
UK
I would highly recommend Enchanting Travels because of their commitment to customizing your travel experiences so that you gain what you are most seeking during the journey. It goes beyond providing the typical tourist experiences so that you are able to immerse yourself in the local culture. The on-the-ground staff were professional and attentive to details so that traveling from city to city via car or plane was seamless with no wasted time because everything was well coordinated. This coordination of the itineary is present from the beginning of the trip with the assistance of the Travel Consultant to the end of the trip with support provided by the Trip Coordinator who was always accessible, providing daily updates and recommendations to enrich the journey!
Sharolyn Pollard-Durodola
USA
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Things To Do
Discover the top ten things to do in North India from our destination experts. From Indian safaris to authentic food and fabulous monuments, we’ll plan the best India tours for you.