north india & nepal

Day 01 Arrival Delhi Arrive at Delhi International Airport. You will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. You will receive a traditional welcome garlanded with flowers.
Overnight stay is arranged at the hotel.

Day 02 Delhi After breakfast, leave for the city tour of Old Delhi. You will be pleased to see Old Delhi, which offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Drive past the Red Fort, built in 1648 and board a 'cycle rickshaw' near Red Fort for a ride to "Chandni Chowk" a bustling bazaar, experiencing the sights and sounds of this very busy market. Later visit the Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal, and the Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Guests can continue exploring the city as afternoon descends and later come back to hotel. A delicious dinner awaits you at another ethnic restaurant. This is run by one of the most renowned chefs of India and offers varied Indian and Internantional Cuisines.

New Delhi
Afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi - drive past the stately government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens, including the India Gate & the Presidential Palace. Continue onto the beautiful Humayuns tomb of the Mughal era & predecessor of the world famous Taj Mahal. End the tour at the towering minaret of Qutab Minar. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03 Delhi - Jaipur Early morning drive to Jaipur (260 kms). Upon arrival check-in at hotel. Afternoon tour of the City - "The Pink City" is spectacularly set within surrounding rugged hills, dotted with ancient ruined fortresses. Your tour will include the imposing City Palace, still home to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the public. Many antiques and artefacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here, including a collection of weaponry. You will also visit the Hawa Mahal "Palace of the Winds", and the open-air Jantar Mantar Observatory to see the vast astronomical instruments. Enjoy a stroll through the colourful bazaar before returning to your hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04 Jaipur Morning tour of the impressive Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur City. At the foot of the hill you will mount your caparisoned elephant for the slow but steady climb up to the main gate, making your entrance in the time honoured fashion. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05 Jaipur - Agra Morning drive to Agra (221 km), en route visit Fatehpur Sikri Fatehpur Sikri the deserted, red sandstone city that was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the 16th century. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza the largest gateway in the world. Thereafter continue drive to Agra and check into the hotel. Afternoon visit Red Fort & the famous Taj Mahal. Red Fort - lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. It was built by Akbar as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat. Taj Mahal -This most famous Moghul monument was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal "the lady of the Taj". It has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, for the emperor was heartbroken when Mumtaz died after 17 years of marriage, during the birth of her 14th child.The central structure has four small domes surrounding the huge, central dome. Above the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are false tombs, a common practice in Indian mausoleums. (Taj Mahal is closed on Friday). Overnight at hotel.

Day 06 Agra - Gwalior - Orchha Post breakfast, drive to Orchha (235 kms) enroute stopping at Gwalior. Gwalior tour includes the enormous 19th century Jai Vilas Palace - this Palace is famous for its ornate chandeliers & crystal. A few of the rooms have been converted into a museum filled with the Scindia dynasty memorabilia. Visit the huge Gwalior Fort - where a sun temple is believed to have been constructed within the area of the fort. Visit Man Mandir, which is a six-towered palace and forms the eastern wall of the fort. The fort has monuments dating back to 8th century AD onwards and is one of the largest forts in India. Also visit Gujri Mahal, a turreted palace of stone now houses the archaeological museum. Gwalior also offers the Tomb of Muhammad Ghaus, a saint worshipped by the Mughals & the Tomb of the famous musician Tansen. Thereafter, continue drive to Orchha (124 kms) and check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07 Orchha - Khajuraho Morning sightseeing tour of Orchha, overlooked by the modern era, this beautiful medieval town, was once the capital of Bundela Kings. Built along the banks of the river Betwa, flowing through a rugged country century side, it still retains the captivating air of a bygone era. Amongst the various imposing edifices, of particular interest are the Jehangiri Mahal, built by Raja Bir Singh Deo to commemorate the visit of Moghul Emperor Jehangir, the Raj Mahal and the Laxmi narayan temple, both noted for their fine Frescoes and Mural paintings. Continue drive to Khajuraho (150 kms) and upon arrival checkin at hotel. Thereafter visit the most important and fascinating Western group of temples. The temples of Khajuraho have been declared a 'world heritage' site by UNESCO in order to preserve the rich legacy of architecture, bequeathed to future generations by the Kings of the Chandela dynasty. These temples are famous for their intricate sculptures and erotic carvings that are one of the outstanding achievements of Indian art. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08 Khajuraho - Varanasi Morning, enjoy sight of the Eastern group of temples which consists of 3 Hindu and 3 Jain temples, their proximity attests to the religious tolerance of the times in general and of the Chandela rulers in particular. Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi. On arrival in Varanasi, the guest will be met by our representative and proceed for sightseeing tour of Sarnath. Sarnath - 5 miles out of Varanasi - one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 B.C. Here you will witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a fine Museum which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures found at the site. (Sarnath museum is closed on Friday). Thereafter transfer to the hotel and check-in. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09 Varanasi - Kathmandu Early morning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and most important religions. Visit some of the many Hindu temples that line the river Ganges. Stroll along the narrow lanes and bazaars full of shops selling, among other things, the world famous Benaras Silks. Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, the guests will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10 Kathmandu Morning city tour of Kathmandu - locked in by the towering snow-clad mountains of the Himalyan range, Kathmandu is the capital of the 'Hindu Kingdom of Nepal' - an extraordinary land only now entering the 20th century. Walk through the narrow cobbled lanes of the old Kathmandu city visiting its many ancient temples among which the most unusual is the Temple of Kumari or 'the living Goddess' where a little girl lives in her temple residence showering blessings to her many followers. Visit the Hanuman Dhoka the ancient Royal Palace complex that comprises of a series of 14 courtyards of which Nasal Chowk is still used for Royal ceremonies including coronation. Afternoon visit Patan - the cradle of arts and architecture of the valley with 136 courtyards and 55 major temples. The Patan Durbar Square has been acclaimed as one of the finest urban street scapes in the world. One can see the artisans crafting unbelievably intricate pieces from wood, stone etc. The Patan Museum displays the traditional sacred art of Nepal in an illustrious architectural settings. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11 Kathmandu Morning proceed onto Bodhnath, the largest stupa in the world where from a towering golden pinnacle the painted eyes of the allseeing Buddha gaze across the valley in every direction, then proceed onto the Pashupatinath temple situated on the banks of Bagmati temple which is the most holy temples of the entire Hindu world. As entrance into the temple precinct is permitted to Hindus only, visitors can clearly see the temple and the activities performed in the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati river. A sight of cremation being performed on the banks of the river is very common. Afternoon visit Bhadgaon - home of medieval art and architecture, also known as Bhaktapur or the city of the devotees. Raja Ananda Malla supposedly created Bhaktapur in 889 A.D. designing his kingdom in the shape of Shiva's conch shell or Shiva's drum. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12 Kathmandu Full day at leisure for own activities. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13 Kathmandu - Delhi Be at leisure in the morning. In the afternoon get transfered to airport for flight to Delhi.
Upon arrival in Delhi - you will be met & transferred to the hotel. Later transfer to International airport for flight to back home.

Day 14 Departure Delhi On-board International flight