NORTH INDIA & NEPAL

(13 NIGHTS/14 DAYS)
Delhi-Jaipur-Fatehpur Sikri-Agra-Khajuraho-Varanasi-Kathmandu-Delhi

Day 1:  Arrive Delhi
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Later in the day proceed for a sightseeing of Old Delhi, visiting the magnificent Red Fort, Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid and drive past Chandni Chowk. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 2:  In Delhi
Today morning proceed for a sightseeing of New Delhi visiting Qutab Minar, Moghul Emperor Humayun's Tomb, modern Lakshminarayan temple and a drive past the India Gate, Parliament House and the Secretariat buildings. Afternoon is at leisure. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 3:  Delhi-Jaipur by surface
(263 kms / 5 – 6 Hrs)
Today you will drive for Jaipur, also known as the "pink city" with its buildings of pink and orange hues and it's a wonderful place to see the color of Rajasthan and its people. Jaipur is well known for its beautiful carpets, enamelled ornaments, precious and semi-precious stones, brass ornaments and many other arts and crafts. On arrival, check in at the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 4:  In Jaipur
This morning you will drive 11kms in the outskirts of the city to visit Amber Fort for a guided tour. The ancient capital of the State until 1728. Visit the Temple of Kali, the Hall of Victory or Jai Mahal and Jagmandir. During your city tour visit the Observatory, the Palace of Winds and the City Palace and Museum. The museum has an interesting textile section, which contains dresses and costumes of the former Maharajas and Maharanis of Jaipur.  Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 5:  Jaipur - Agra via Fatehpur
Sikri by surface
(250 kms/5–6 Hrs)
This morning you will drive to Agra visiting the ancient Moghul capital of FATEHPUR SIKRI en-route for a guided tour. This 16th century capital of Moghul emperor Akbar is a complex of forts, palaces and mosques built in sandstone. The city had to be deserted because of a lack of water. The white marble Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti, Akbar's spiritual adviser, is now observed as a Muslim pilgrimage spot here. Later commence drive to Agra. On arrival, check in at the hotel. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 6:  In Agra
Morning proceed sightseeing tour of city visiting Taj Mahal built by Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Later, visit Agra Fort with magnificent halls of private and public audiences and other palaces.

Afternoon proceed for an excursion to Akbar's Tomb at Sikandra, located in a large walled garden. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 7:  Agra- Jhansi by train
Jhansi – Khajuraho by surface
(187 kms / 4 – 5 Hrs)
In time transfer to the railway station to board train (Shatrabdi Express) for Jhansi Meeting and assistance on arrival and drive to Khajuraho.  Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 8:  Khajuraho - Varanasi by air
Morning proceed for sightseeing tour of Eastern Group & Western Group of Temples including the Ghantai Temple, Vamana Temple, Javari Temple. visit the Western Group of Temples, most important being the Kandariya Mahadeo Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Also see the Chitragupta or Bharat Ji Temple. Later in the day transfer to the airport to board flight for Varanasi. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 9:  In Varanasi
Early morning boat cruise on river Ganges. A boat ride along the Ghats is an unforgettable experience. See the bathing and cremation sites. Later, visit the Vishwanath temple, also called the golden temple because of the gold-plating on its roof. Return to hotel. Later, proceed for half day sightseeing tour of city situated on the banks of the Ganges. Visit some of the important temples. Bharat Mata Mandir, Durga Temple. Drive past the Tulsi Manas Temple, drive through the Banaras Hindu University.

Afternoon proceed for an excursion to Sarnath, 10 kms away from Varanasi is the fabled place, which bears testimony to its great past where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples, expounding the principles of Buddhism. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 10:  Varanasi-Kathmandu by air
In time transfer to the airport to board flight for Kathmandu. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon proceed for a city sightseeing tour visiting Mahadev and Parvati Temple, Machhender Bahl, Temple House of Kumari, the vestal virgin or the living goddess. Later, visit Swyambhunath, a 2,500-year old site. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 11:  In Kathmandu
Morning proceed for a half day excursion to Patan. Visit the old Newar City, the historic Durbar Square, the Golden Gate, the sky piercing temple of Teleju and the statue of Yogendra Malla. Afternoon is at leisure. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 12:  In Kathmandu
Morning proceed for excursion to Bhadgaon, Bodhnath and Pashupatinath. Bhadgaon – visit the ancient Gateway, Durbar Square, the Royal Residential Quarter of Bhupendra Malla, the famous five storey temple of Nytapole in pagoda-style and other temples. Later, visit Bodhnath, the 2,500- year old Buddhist Stupa. Also visit Pashupatinath where Shiva is worshipped in the form of lingam. Afternoon is at leisure. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 13:  Kathmandu - Delhi by air
Morning is at leisure. Later in the day transfer to the airport to board flight for Delhi. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 14:  Departure Delhi
Transfer to airport in time to board onward destination flight.