11 Nights & 12 days ( Delhi -Jaipur-Agra-khajuraho-varanasi-kathmandu-Delhi)
Day 01. ARRIVAL DELHI
Arrive Delhi. Meet & assistance at the airport and transfer to hotel. (Check-In time 1400 Hrs.)
Check-in & Overnight at hotel.
Day 02. DELHI
Breakfast at the Hotel.
Later, departure for a visit to Old Delhi’s points of interest, highlighting the Jama Majid Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Asia and built in Hindu and Mongolian architecture. Next, visit to the largest market in Asia, Chandni Chowk, including a fascinating “Rickshaw” ride through the narrow streets of Delhi and panoramic view of the Red Fort (outside). Before lunch (not included), visit Raj Ghat, a memorial to Mahatma Ghandi. In the afternoon, visit New Delhi, which well reflects the British heritage in the Indian capital. Sightseeing tour of the Gateway of India, the Parliament Building and Rastrapathi Bhawan, the Presidential Palace. Continue the tour towards south Delhi for a visit to the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. This is followed by a visit to the Agrasen ki Baori, a traditional 14th century well that was built during the Tughalq period of the Delhi Sultanate. Free time to visit the local Connaught market. The day ends with a visit to the temple of the Sikhs, Guruduwara Bangla Sahib. Overnight.
Day 02. DELHI / SAMODE / JAIPUR
After breakfast, departure for the magnificent city of Jaipur, capital of the state of Rajasthan. On the way, visit of Samode Palace, located on an ancient caravan route. Lunch at the palace (included). The palace is fabulously decorated with murals dating back 300 years, most of them alluding to religious motifs. Arrival in Jaipur and participation in an Aarti ceremony at the Birla temple. Overnight.
Day 03. JAIPUR
After breakfast, visit the Amber Fort, built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh I. Climb to the Fort by elephant or, alternatively, by jeep. Then a visit to the Galta ji Temple, home to hundreds of monkeys and dedicated to Ganesh, the elephant god. After lunch (not included), visit the City Palace, an impressive complex of palaces, exquisite gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doors. The palace houses several structures, such as Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal and Diwan-I-Khas. This is followed by the Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory with the largest stone sundial in the world and where observations can still be made today. Pass by the Baldev ji temple where you can observe the local traditions and culture and stop at the Nahargarh fort restaurant, which is situated in the Araveli hills and from where you can have a magnificent view of Jaipur city. Rest of the afternoon to explore the local markets. Accommodation.
Day 04. JAIPUR / FATEHPUR SIKRI / AGRA
After breakfast, departure towards Agra, visiting en route the city of Fatehpur Sikri, built in the 16th century and abandoned shortly afterwards due to lack of water. This city maintains, for the most part, its palaces and mosques very well preserved, as they were 400 years ago. After lunch (not included), continuation to Agra. In the late afternoon visit Mehtab Bagh. The Mehtab or Moonlight Garden was an extension of the Taj Mahal Garden across the river and was used at night to observe the reflection of the Taj Mahal in the octagonal lake and river. Accommodation.
Day 05. AGRA
Early in the morning, visit of the famous Taj Mahal. Built in the 17th century over 22 years by 20,000 men, this magnificent mausoleum, made of white marble and richly decorated with semi-precious stones, was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for Queen Mumtaz. Inside, it displays a splendid harmony based on Hindu and Muslim architecture. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Then, tour of Old Agra, a prosperous commercial town during the late Mughal era and the days of the British Raj. Also visit Agra Fort, built on the banks of the Yamuna River, seat of the Mughal Empire for several generations. After lunch (not included), afternoon free for optional visits or shopping. Overnight.
Day 07. AGRA / JHANSI / ORCHHA / KHAJURAHO
After breakfast, board the train for Jhansi. Assistance on arrival and visit of Orchha, famous for its temples, built by the Bundelas. Highlights include the Raj Mahal palace and the Lakshminarayan Temple, whose interiors are decorated with well-preserved paintings. After lunch (not included), continuation by road to Khajuraho. after reach khajuraho departure to visit the group of temples in the east and west side. This morning’s Khajuraho tour focuses on visiting the famous Erotic Temples of the Chandela dynasty. Also visit Kandariya Mahadeva, the Chatrabhui, Parswanath and the Ghantai temple. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening enjoy the “Sound and light” show. Lodging.Overnight
Day 08. KHAJURAHO / VARANASI BY SURFACE 08 HRS.
After breakfast, departure towards Varanasi (approx. 08 hours drive). Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day for rest. Overnight.
Day 09. VARANASI / SARNATH / VARANASI
Early in the morning, departure for a boat ride on the Ganges River, to witness Hindu rituals of purification and the sacred baths of pilgrims in the Gaths. On the way back to the hotel for breakfast, visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, built in white marble and was planned by Madan Mohan Malviya, the founder of the Banaras Hindu University. The most important feature of the temple is that it is open to people of all castes and religions.
After breakfast at the hotel, departure towards Sarnath, the place where Buddha is said to have given his first sermon. Visit to the ruins and the museum. In the evening, departure for a rickshaw ride through the city. Possibility to attend the Ganga Aarti ceremony, by the banks of the Ganga, where between prayers and chants, offerings are made to the gods of the river. Lodging.
Day 10. VARANASI / KATHMANDU BY FLIGHT U4 162 – 0830/0910 HRS
Breakfast at the hotel. Free morning for recreational activities. Then we will transfer to the airport to board the flight to Kathmandu. Arrival in Kathmandu Upon arrival transfer to the Hotel. In the afternoon visit Boudhanath Stupa located about 11 km from the city center. Its enormous mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal and in the world. Accommodation at the Hotel.
Day 11. KATHMANDU
Breakfast at the Hotel. Morning visit to Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a former royal palace complex located in Bhaktapur, Nepal. It housed the Malla kings of Nepal from the 14th to 15th century and the kings of the Bhaktapur Kingdom from the 15th to the late 18th century until the kingdom was conquered in 1769. During its heyday, Bhaktapur Durbar Square contained 99 courtyards, but Today only 15 of these patios remain. In the afternoon, visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, also known as Basantpur Palace Square, the home of “Kumari Devi” (the world’s only living Goddess). It is one of the most visited places in the capital. Kathmandu Durbar Square is located in front of the Old Royal Palace of the former Kingdom of Kathmandu and is one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. In the afternoon, visit Swayambhunath Stupa, a golden spire crowning a conical forested hill, Swayambhunath Stupa is the oldest and most enigmatic of all the sacred shrines in the Kathmandu Valley. Night at the Hotel
Day 12. KATHMANDU/ DELHI BY FLIGHT 6E1154 – 1405/1545 HRS
Breakfast at the hotel. Free morning for leisure activities. At the appropriate time, transfer to the airport to board the flight to destination