India & Extension to Nepal Tour

Tour Itinerary

 Arrival Delhi

Meeting assistance upon arrival and transfer to your hotel, The LALIT.

Delhi (B)

AM: Sightseeing tour of New Delhi.

New Delhi: The capital of the country has long been a phoenix rising again and again out of its ruins. Delhi is really seven cities in one, the first dating from the 11th century. See the famous Qutab Minar-12th Century 238 ft. High Stone Tower, indeed a masterpiece of construction, Humayun’s Tomb-Built by widow of the second Mughal King Humayun in 1265. New Delhi was the creation of the British Raj of the 30’s and includes The President’s House, Parliament, India Gate, the Rajpath and downtown Connaught Place. Time to visit National Museum before visiting to Old Delhi.

PM: driving tour of Old Delhi. For something close to Rudyard Kipling, Drive pass by the 17th century Old Delhi; Jama Masjid – The biggest Mosque in India and visit Rajghat Memorial where Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.

Overnight – The LALIT. 

Delhi / Mandawa (B) 

After breakfast drive Delhi/Mandawa (280 kms) & check in Hotel, Castle Mandawa.

PM: Mandawa: The town of Mandawa lies in the heart of the Shekhavati. As you approach it Mandawa emerges from the sand like a mirage. Wander through to streets where the Havelies of rich merchants are adorned with elaborates frescoes and admire their intricately painted courtyards. The rugged fort of Mandawa was built in 1755 by Thakur Naval Singh.

Mandawa / Jaipur (B)

Drive Mandawa/Jaipur (151 kms /4 hrs) visiting Nawalgarh Havelis enroute.

Nawalgarh – founded in the early 18th century, Nawalgarh has two old forts and a palace hotel with gardens and fountains. The Bala Kila has a kiosk where some of the finest frescoes in shekhawati are painted. The prominent Havelis here are of the Poddars, Chhawachharias, Bhagats, Dangaichs and others. A host of temples with interesting architecture and frescoes are also recommended to add to your enjoyment.

On arrival check-in at hotel Clarks Amer.  

Jaipur (B) 

AM:- Amber (palace) fort: the original palace of the local rulers was built in the 17th century high up on a hill overlooking a lake, the towers and domes of the amber palace are reminiscent of scenes from some fairy-tale. Their hall of victory is richly decorated with panels of alabaster with fine inlay work of tender colors. You ascend up the palace on board gaily-caparisoned elephants.

PM: – Jaipur city: this 18th century city (capital of Rajasthan) is famous as “the pink city”, because of the local rose-pink-sandstone used in its construction. The fortifications give it a medieval atmosphere, but its well-planned layout is “modern”. Visit maharaja’s City-Palace, situated in the heart of the city with charming gardens surrounded by high walls; palace of winds, a uniquely designed five -story structure with tiers of overhanging balconies of pink sandstone; Maharaja Jai Singh after whom the city was named, being a keen astronomer built an astronomical observatory which is still in use.

Evening visit local bazaars full with local handicrafts.

Overnight at Clarks Amer.

Jaipur / Agra (B)

After breakfast drive to Agra. Visiting Fatehpur Sikri enroute. On Arrival check-in hotel.

Fatehpur sikri: About 40 km from Agra lies the magnificent deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, the capital of the great and loved emperor Akbar. during his brief stay here, a great complex of forts, palaces and mosques sprang up, but Akbar was finally forced to abandon his dream city due to scarcity of water, and it became a ghost town. This epic poem in sandstone lies straddled across a rocky ridge, surrounded by immense walls with nine gates. The largest of the gates is the Buland Darwaza, and it leads to the Jama Masjid and to the fantastic tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti which lies under an elaborate marble canopy and is lavishly inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Continue drive & check-in at hotel Clarks Shiraz.

PM: Visit the Taj Mahal (CLOSED ON FRIDAY), unquestionably the world’s most magnificent monument to over built in 17th century. A colossal, perfectly proportioned mass of white marble, it is literally a jewel, fashioned over 20 years of hundreds of skilled craftsmen and over 20,000 laborers to float like some fantastic mirage upon the Yamuna.

Agra (B) 

AM: Visit the Agra fort, which was once the flourishing centre of the Mughal Dynasty, and four successive emperors helped to create its massive walls, within which Hindu and Muslim styles merge into a splendid fusion of military might and lavish beauty.

Dayalbagh – The white Marble Dayal Bagh Temple of the Radha Soam Religion has been under construction since 1904 and is not expected to be completed until the next century. If you are lucky, you may get to see the Pietra Dura Inlay Marble work in process. It is an intricate work of art. The Architecture of the building is remarkable.

Enjoy a special sound/light live laser stage show, showcasing the eternal story of Taj Mahal in a show called “Mohabatein the Taj”.

Overnight at Clarks Shiraz.

Agra / Gwalior (B)

Drive to Gwalior (110km/02hrs 30 mins). On arrival check in at Hotel Usha Kiran Palace.

PM: Gwalior City: Visiting, The Fortress Palace built by Raja Man Singh (R.1486-1518) which was greatly admired by the first Mughal Emperor Babur architectural elements From which Akbar incorporated into Fatehpur Sikri Gujari Mahal – A turreted Palace of stone and now the home of an Archeological Museum. Outside the Fort is the tomb of Mohammed Ghaus, a Muslim saint worshipped by the Moghuls as well as the tomb of the famous Musician Tansen. 

Gwalior / Jhansi / Orcha / Khajuraho    (B/L)

After early breakfast transfer to railway station for train to Jhansi.

DEP: GWALIOR     0930 HRS    2002 Shatabdi Express
ARR: JHANSI        1050 HRS    Air Con CHAIR CAR

Meeting, assistance on arrival and drive to Khajuraho visiting Orchha enroute and also visit traditional paper making by local village women. Enjoy lunch at Orcha Resort.

Visit Orcha: Orcha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput chieftain Rudra Pratap who chose this stretch of land along the river Betwa as an ideal site for his capital. Of the succeeding rulers, most notable was raja Bir Singh Ju Deo who built the exquisite Jehangir Mahal, tiered palace crowned by graceful Chhatries. From here the view of soaring temple spires and cenotaphs is spectacular.       

Thereafter drive to Khajuraho (150 kms). Check-in hotel Radisson.

Late evening visit Indian Dance show at Kandhariya. 

Khajuraho  (B)

AM: Sightseeing Tour of Western Group of Temples -Lakshmana Temple, Varaha Temple, Kendariya Mahadeo Temple, Devi Jagadambi Temple, Chitra Gupta Temple, Vishwanath and Nandi Temple.

Eastern Group of Temples: Adinath, Shantinath & Parashwanath Temples, Javri & Bamana Temple. Also time Free to walk around the sleepy village.

Overnight at Hotel Raddison.

Khajuraho / Varanasi  (B)

AM: Free for leisure   Later transfer to Airport. 

DEP: KHAJURAHO     1330 HRS       9W 724  (Jet Airways)
ARR: VARANASI       1410 HRS.

Meeting, assistance on arrival and transfer to Raddison Hotel Varanasi.

Varanasi  (B)

City Tour of Varanasi: also known as “Kashi” or the “City of Light” is said to have been created by Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati when they stood here at the beginning of time. City tour visit Banaras Hindu University set in a large park; Bharat Mata Temple, Durga Temple, King Aurangzeb’s Mosque; Sacred Bull, Shiva Temple, well-of knowledge, Kala Bhawan Art Gallery, Vishwanath Temple, Golden Temple.

PM: Sarnath: 10 kms North of Varanasi is Sarnath, where in the “Deer Park, Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon after he became the Enlightened One”. The ruins of Monasteries, built more than 2,000 years ago, the Dhamek Stupa and the main shrine draws Buddhists pilgrims to Sarnath. Here stands the famous Ashoka Pillar of polished sandstone whose lion capital has been adopted as India’s state emblem. (The Museum is closed on Fridays)

Overnight at Raddison Hotel Varanasi.

Extension Tour to Nepal from India (3 Nights / 4 days)

Varanasi – Kathmandu (NEPAL)  (D)

Early AM: Ganges Boat Tour, “Soul of the holy city”.  Drive through the city to the sacred river and then cruise by boat on the River Ganges visiting Dasaswamedh Bathing Ghat, Manikarna Cremation Ghat, Panch Ganga Ghat, Munshi Ghat and return to Dasaswamedh Ghat. Return to Hotel for breakfast and check-out.

Transfer to Varanasi airport for departure to Kathmandu

Depart: 1210 hrs         IC 751 (operates Tue/Thu/Sat/Sun only)
Arrive:  1320 hrs

Upon arrival in Kathmandu you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel Yak & Yeti.

Afternoon we will take you to explore around Thamel which is a popular tourist destination in Kathmandu Valley. Thamel has been the epicenter of the tourist industry in Kathmandu for over two decades Thamel is ideally-sized, ideally-located and ideally-organized to make it the perfect base from which the discovery of Nepal can be planned. Thamel has a vibrant ethnic culture practiced by its core population of the Newar people.

Evening enjoy a Nepali dinner with a cultural dance and Folk show.

Kathmandu (B)

Today you have the full day sightseeing tour of various temples and monasteries, which include:-

Pashupatinath Stupa, the holiest of all Hindu Temples is dedicated to Lord Shiva-the master of all living beings, the temple with two-tiered golden roof and four silver doors on all sides is famous for its superb architecture.

Boudhanath Stupa, a huge Buddhist shrine surrounded by Tibetan shops.  It is a dome-shaped structure with the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha looking out into the four cardinal directions.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Hanuman Dhoka, the traditional seat of royalty in Nepal.  This is the site of the 1974 coronation of His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, the temples in Hanuman Dhoka and the surrounding Durbar Square include some of the finest specimens of Nepalese architecture and many erotic carvings.

Temple of the Living Goddess, the residence of the ling virgin goddess Kumari.

Kastha Mandap, an interesting temple in pagoda style said to have been built from the timber of a single tree.  The name of the city Kathmandu, is derived from this structure.

After the sightseeing tour you will walk through Asan Tole, the old market area of Kathmandu.  A short stroll through this exotic maze of narrow streets in only a prelude to later shopping excursions. 

Overnight at Yak & Yeti Hotel.

Kathmandu (B/D)

Early morning drive to Dhulikhel to view the sunrise over the Himalayas!

Later visit:-

Patan is also known as  “Lalitpur” literally the city of fine arts is perhaps a living museum as she still retains her medieval air of the ancient times and almost half the inner city residents are craftsmen in their own right. Patan was one of the major Buddhist cities in Asia by the 7th century as pilgrims, scholars and monks from India, Tibet and China visited the city. It is said that at one stage the entire population of Patan city was comprised of monks and craftsmen only. The city is full of Hindu Temples, Buddhist monuments and structures with bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful Metal and wood carvings.

Bhaktapur The City of Devotees”, which retains much of its ancient architecture and is by far the best preserved of the valley’s three ancient cities.

Nyatapola Temple, The five-storied pagoda style temple built in 1708 AD. The largest and the most famous example of Nepalese pagoda architecture.

Dattatraya Temple, a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva built in 1427 AD.  Nearby is the monastery with exquisitely carved windows, which now serves as the National Works Museum.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at Yak & Yeti hotel.

Kathmandu- Nepal / Departure  (B)

Room until noon. Later transfer to airport for departure to Delhi or other destination. (Flight to be advised)