Highlights of India and Nepal

Day 01 – Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi by International flight. Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02 – Delhi
Morning sightseeing tour of Delhi visiting the Raj Ghat – the memorial at the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, Jama Mosque – the largest Mosque in India and the Red Fort – Once the most opulent fort and palace of the Mughal Empire. Afternoon, sightseeing tour of New Delhi visiting the Humayun’s Tomb, the Qutab Minar, drive along the ceremonial avenue – Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House and President’s Residence and end the tour with a drive through Diplomatic Enclave. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 – Delhi – Jaipur
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur (approx. 260kms / 05hours). This historic city was founded by Maharaja Swai Jai Singh in 1727 AD after shifting his capital from Amer valley to newly formed and planned city of its time after consulting so many maps of the world and finally organized own religious map Shilpa Shastra with the help of a young Bengali architect Vidyadhar Batacharya. Maharaja Swai Jai Singh was a builder, astronomer, astrologer, soldier, philospher. Presently, Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and is world famous as the Pink City.

Upon arrival at Jaipur, check – in at the hotel. Afternoon is free to relaxation or independently explores the crowded and colorful lanes of the pink city’s local bazaars. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 – Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort situated just outside the city is perhaps the most beautiful example of Rajasthani forts and gives a grand view of the city down below. You can have the unique experience of traveling on elephant back to and from the top of the hill on which the fort is situated.

Later visit City Palace in the heart of Jaipur is known for its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Not far away is the Central Museum with its large collection of woodwork, jewellery, costumes, brassware and pottery. Another monument near the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, is the largest of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds was constructed for the royal ladies to watch the royal processions without being seen. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05 – Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra
Morning leave for Agra (approx. 255kms / 05hours) enroute visiting one of the most important place of Mughal era Fatehpur Sikri founded by Akbar in 1569 AD as a ceremonial capital. But unfortunately this magnificent city was abandoned due to scarcity of drinking water and Akbar went back to Agra.

Continue your drive to Agra, arrive and check in at hotel. Evening is free to relaxation or independently explores local bazaars. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06 – Agra
After breakfast, start sightseeing tour of Agra city visiting the impressive Agra Fort, the local bazaar and of course, the most perfect architectural monument in the world – The Taj Mahal (Closed on Fridays) – one of the seven wonders of the world, this beautiful mausoleum in pure white marble, took 22 years and 22,000 craftsmen to build it. This monument was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal.

Evening is free to relaxation or independently explores local bazaars. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07 – Agra – Orchha – Khajuraho
Morning transfer to Agra railway station to board train for Jhansi. Meeting upon arrival at Jhansi railway station and drive to Khajuraho (approx. 175kms / 04 hours) enroute visiting Orchha temples. The medieval city of Orchha, situated on the banks of Betwa River. Founded by Bundela rulers in 16th Century, the palaces and the temples built by its rulers retain much of their pristine perfection. Orchha has three beautiful palaces within the fort complex, Raj Mahal, Rai Praveen Mahal and Jahangir Mahal.

Continue your drive to Khajuraho and upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08 – Khajuraho – Varanasi (By Train)
After breakfast, visit the western & eastern groups of temples which includes Kandariya Mahadeo – the largest and the most typical of Chola architectural, the Chausath Yagini, Chitra Gupta temple etc.

Late afternoon drive to Satna railway station to board train for Varanasi. Overnight on the board.

Day 09 – Arrive Varanasi
Early morning arrival in Varanasi and witness sunrise over Ganges by boat ride when hundreds of people are worshiping and taking bath later transfer to the hotel for check-in. Varanasi situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges, Varanasi has been a centre of pilgrimage and learning for over 2000 years and is considered to be one of the oldest surviving cities in the world.

Post breakfast proceed for a panoramic city sightseeing tour of Varanasi including tour to Sarnath, the site of Lord Buddha’s first sermon after attaining enlightenment. At Sarnath we meet many Buddhist monks and followers before visiting local homes to see in-home silk weaving and soak up some local customs, culture and hospitality. Evening witness Aarti ceremony at Ghats. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 Varanasi – Kathmandu (By Flight)
Morning after breakfast, tour the old city visiting the principles temples including Kashi Hindu University where more than fifty thousand students from all over the world are learning.

Afternoon transfer to the airport to board flight for Kathmandu (Nepal). Meet our representative upon arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is at your leisure. Walking along the street you will see many interesting places. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 – Kathmandu
This morning we have arranged a walking tour visiting the local bazaar and the Durbar Square area, the centre of old Kathmandu. Much of the day to day life of Kathmandu takes place in the bazaar: a fascinating mixture of people selling fruit, vegetables and spices; potters spinning their wheels to produce small household bowls and containers for temple offerings; devotees visiting their favourite gods at temples and small shrines dotted along the sides of alleyways; rickshaw wallahs honking their horns and the ever present sacred cow wandering amongst it all.

In the afternoon we plan to visit the Temple of Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bagmati River, the holiest Hindu shrine in Nepal and also Bodnath, the largest stupa in the country and a destination for Buddhist pilgrims from all over Nepal. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 – Kathmandu – Dhulikhel
Morning proceed for a full day excursion to Bhatgoan (also called Bhaktapur, the City of Devotees) and Patan, “City of Grace and Fine Arts”, it is a center of medieval art and architecture. The legendary city of Bhatgaon was founded by King Ananda Deva in 889 AD and is shaped like a conch-shell. Pottery and weaving are its traditional industries. In Patan you will be able to see Patan’s interesting and beautiful pieces of art and architecture, also visit the Tibetan Refugee Craft Center.

Afternoon drive to Dhulikhel (approx. 30Kms/ 01 hour). Dhulikhel is the best place for stunning Himalayan views, beautiful landscape, green jungle, rural areas with stunning Himalayan views of three different range ( Ganesh Himal, Langtang & Rolwaling Himalayan range). Dhulikhel which has been an important trading center on the ancient commercial route linking Nepal to Tibet. Since time immemorial, people of Nepal travel to Tibet to bring home salt and gold. In the present days Dhulikhel is the administrative center of Kavrepalanchok District. Dhulikhel is 2nd best view center nearby Kathmandu where you will enjoy with different Hindu temple and pure local Newari culture and beautiful Himalayan scenery of Gaurishankar 7145m, Dorje Lakpa 6988m, Langtang Lirung 7246m, Ganesh Himal 7604m, Rolwaling Himalayan region.

Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and evening is at your leisure. Walking along the street you will see many interesting places. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13 – Dhulikhel – Kathmandu
You will be woken up early in the morning to view nature at its finest. You will spend some time exploring the natural surroundings of Dhulikhel and after late breakfast you will drive back to Kathmandu.

Upon arrival check-in at the hotel and rest of the day is at leisure. Walking along the street you will see many interesting places. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 – Depart Kathmandu
Morning after breakfast, day is at leisure. In time transfer to the airport for your departure flight for onward destination.