Best of India & Nepal Vacation

Upon arrival in Delhi, India's bustling Capital City, you are met and transferred to your hotel. 

Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its fold – the ancient with the modern. Amidst the tall and modern skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region’s ancient legacy.

Overnight stay at the hotel. After breakfast at hotel, our representative meets you at the hotel and will brief you on your entire itinerary / tour; and later will accompany you for a full day sightseeing tour of New & Old Delhi.

Begin the tour with visit of the Qutab Minar Complex, dominated by the 234-foot Victory Tower, followed by the spectacular Rajpath, passing the triumphant House of Parliament, Diplomatic Enclave, President’s House and the India gate and the famous Birla Mandir.

In the afternoon, you enter into the second leg of the full day tour; Old Delhi.

Visit the great Red Fort which was the opulent residence of Shah Jehan, builder of the Taj Mahal and the magnificent Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) which dominates the skyline.  Visit the Raj Ghat-- cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, later walk through Chandi Chowk, the old marketplace of Shahajahanabad, now a picturesque bazaar.

Later in the day, we take you to the main shopping areas in Delhi, and then drop you back to the hotel for your overnight stay. After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel you drive to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, located 260 kms and will take apprx 6 hrs.

Jaipur is the capital city of Rajasthan. The city was painted in the tones of an autumnal sunset, literally blushed pink when Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria, stepped on its soil in 1863.  Jaipur , also known as the pink City is a well planned city named after one of the gretest of the Rajput rulers, Maharaja Jai Singh II . It takes its name from the pink paint on its buildings.

Upon arrival check into your hotel for overnight stay. Today early morning our representative will accompany you on an excursion to Amber Fort. 

A unique experience of riding a caprisoned elephant from the foothill to the ramparts of the ancient fort.  Once inside explore the Palace of Mirrors, inlaid with millions of tiny glistening mirrors, the hall of Public Audience and the beautiful manicured gardens.

Drive back to your hotel for breakfast and relaxation. Later in the afternoon, our representative will pick you up from your hotel and escort you for a tour of the old city of Jaipur.

Visit the Hawa Mahal or "Palace of Winds," Jaipur's central landmark, an extraordinary façade of multiple airy windows used by the court ladies to watch the outside activities without beeing seen. Explore the City Palace, characterized by balconies, tiny windows, cupolas, courtyards and arched entrances.  It now houses an excellent collection of Rajasthani costumes, miniatures and an armory of weapons.

Drive back to your hotel for your overnight stay.
After breakfast you drive to Agra this morning located at a distance of 202 kms and will take apprx 4 hrs, en route visiting Fatehpur Sikri.

It comprises the remains of the new capital that Mughal Emperor Akbar built for himself in year 1570, though deserted it after 15 Years due to scarcity of water in the area.  Predominantly red sandstone buildings, reminds one of the the great emperor’s vision to include both Hindu and Muslim styles into all architecture.

Upon arrival at Agra, check in at your hotel. 

This afternoon, with our representative you tour Agra includes a visit to 16th century Agra Fort & Taj Mahal.

Explore the 16th century Agra Fort, seat of the Mughal dynasty in the 16th century. It lies on the bend of the River Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the year 1565-73 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls red sandstone and a moat. 

Followed by a visit to the magnificent Taj Mahal, this incredible lacy white grandeur built by Emperor Shahjehan in memory of his loving 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 his wife Mumtaz died. The Taj Mahal has recently been immortalized by the inclusion as one of the “Seven Wonders of the World”.

You drive back to your hotel for your overnight stay.
After an early morning breakfast, you will be transferred to the railway station to board Shatabdi Express for Jhansi. After a 2 hour journey you reach Jhansi, where you will be met and escorted to Khajuraho, a distance of apprx 170 kms and will take 4 hrs. Enroute you will visit Orchha.

Orrcha - a medieval city founded by Bundela rulers with palaces and temples of the 16th and 17th century which have remarkably withstood the onslaught of time. The city is picturequely flanked by the river Betwa. A number of beautiful temples and “Chhatris” (Cenotaphs) are built on the bank of this serene river

Continue your drive to Khajuraho and upon arrival you will check in at your hotel for overnight. After breakfast our representative will take you on a tour the temples of Khajuraho.

Khajuraho temples were constructed between 950 and 1050 A.D. during the reign of Chandel Empire. Khajuraho derives its name from the Khajur tree (the date palm tree) that can be found in abundance in the area. These temples are considered the "high point" of Indian architectural genius in the medieval period.

Later this afternoon you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Varanasi (Benares), the holy city of India on the banks of Ganges River. 

The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Often referred to as Benares, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world. These few lines by Mark Twain say it all: "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together".

Upon arrival in Varanasi, you are met and transferred to your hotel for overnight stay. Early this morning embark on a boat cruise on the river Ganga. Ganges river is revered to be the holiest river by the Hindus.

The riverfront, as seen from a boat, early in the morning, at sunrise, is a spiritually uplifting sight. Hinduism, deep and mystical, is everywhere. In a decorated doorway... in a glimpse of a glittering temple ...in the sound of a sacred bell ...the chant of the priests and the fragrance of flower oblations.

You return to your hotel for breaskfast followed by a walking tour of the city.  

Varanasi is mainly associated with Hinduism, temples form the main attraction. The Ganga Ghats (river fronts) are the main center of religious activities and rituals and also form one of the main attractions of Varanasi. The Alamgir Mosque, blend of the Hindu and Mughal styles of the architecture, is another important attraction of Varanasi. Some of the most important temples of Varanasi are Durga temple, Vishwanath temple, Sankat Mochan temple, Tulsi Manas temple and the Bharat Mata temple. The Bharat Mata Temple houses a huge relief map of the whole of Indian subcontinent and Tibetan plateau.

Late this afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Katmandu.

Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel. 

This afternoon our representative will accompany you on a city sigfht seeing tour.

Visit the Durbar Square, the highest concentration of palaces and temples are found here.  Overlooking the Durbar Square is the Hanuman Dhoka palace, which means the "gate of the Monkey god".  Nearby is the Temple of Kumari, the abode of the Living Goddess. Swayambhunath, the great stupa (Eye of the Buddha) which stands atop a green hillock at a point where the legendary patriarch Manjushri discovered the lotus of the ancient valley lake. This Buddhist stupa is said to be 2000 years old.  The whole area around the Stupa is an array of small stupas and temples.  This is one of the best places to view the Kathmandu city as it is situated on a small hillock.

Drive back to your hotel for your overnight stay.  After breakfast our representative will take on an excursion to Bhadgaon, Pashupatinath, Boudhnath & Patan.

Bhadgaon was founded in 889 AD by King Ananda Deva. It was known in the days of the yore as Bhaktapur (city of Devotees). The city was constructed in the shape of a conch shell-an object of religious significance to Hindus and Buddhists. 

Pasupatinath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva the Destroyer and Creator, and is one of the four most important pilgrimage sites in Asia. Continue to Bodhnath to see the largest stupa in all of Nepal sitting on flat land as a crown above pastel painted facades of shops and houses.. 

Proceed to the adjacent town of Patan. The "City of Beauty and Fine Art," its origins are lost in the misty haze of history, but as center of Newari architecture and arts, this city dates back to 289 and 299 AD. The facades of the ancient temples have ornate carvings and most of the temples have been built in an exquisite architectural style.

Return to your hotel and later this evening enjoy Nepalese folk dances with dinner.

Overnight is at the hotel. After breakfast, morning is at lesiure, you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Delhi.
Upon arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel for overnight. 

After breakfast your day is free to relax and pursue independent activities.  In the evening you are transferred to the international airport for your homebound flight filled with warm memories of your journey through fascinating India and Nepal.