DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi International aiport. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative & transfer to your hotel.
Delhi is the capital of India, and its third largest city. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 02 : DELHI
After breakfast, start your sightseeing from older part of Delhi which includes a visit to Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; a rickshaw ride through narrow alleys and lanes in Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest and largest trading markets of the country; and drive past Red Fort, the place that marked the announcement of India’s freedom from the British Raj.
Later proceed to visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the largest Sikh temple of Delhi, with a gold dome, still in active worship and Qutab Minar, a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture and the world’s tallest brick minaret and
Drive past President's House, Parliament House and other Government Secretariat Buildings, the most imposing features of Lutyen’s Delhi and take a photo stop at the iconic war memorial arch, the India Gate.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 03 : DELHI – JAIPUR (258 Km / 5.5 hours)
Morning after breakfast, transfer by road to Jaipur.
Jaipur is an exuberance of colour, dance and traditional arts and crafts. Known, as the 'Pink City', Jaipur is home to ancient forts and palaces and is one of India's most well planned cities.
On arrival, check-in at your hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure to explore this ancient city on your feet.
Evening visit the Birla Temple to witness the Aarti Ceremony.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 04 : JAIPUR
This morning, visit Amber fort, a fine amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim architecture and ornamentation, built in the 16th century. To ascend up the fort, you may choose to walk, drive or take an elephant ride.
Visit Anokhi Museum – is a highly successful textile company which, from its beginnings almost 40 years ago, helped resurrect languishing Rajasthani block printing textile Industry. In this beautifully restored Haveli which won a UNESCO prize for restoration, you can admire textile traditions that the company has helped preserve.
Thereafter take a photo stop at the iconic water palace Jal Mahal a palace in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur city; Then take a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal, Palace of the Winds, with its unique layer-cake honeycomb windows designed to enable erstwhile women of the royal court to observe passing life without being seen. Jantar Mantar, the largest astronomical observatory built in stone.
The City Palace of Jaipur which was constructed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. As most structures in Jaipur this palace also reflects the fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture. It also served as a residence for former Maharaja of Jaipur.
Rest of the day free. You can also plan for Bazaar “Local Market" to explore the crafts such as semi-precious jewels, pottery, colourful embroidered fabrics with mirror work, woven carpets etc – watch artisans at work and enjoy souvenir shopping in this colourful city of Jaipur.
Overnight at the hotel
DAY 05 : JAIPUR – FATEHPUR SIKRI – AGRA (240 Km / 7.5 hours including sightseeing)
After breakfast, transfer by road to Agra en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri.
The city itself was founded as the capital of Mughal Empire in 1571 by Emperor Akbar, serving this role from 1571 to 1585, when Akbar abandoned it due to a campaign in Punjab and was later completely abandoned in 1610.
On arrival, check-in at your hotel.
This afternoon visit the splendid Agra Fort, built in red sandstone, encapsulating magnificent palaces, halls of public and private audience and beautiful gardens.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 06 : AGRA – GWALIOR (120 Km / 2.5 hours)
Early morning, witness the surreal views of the Taj Mahal during sunrise. Step inside this eternal symbol of love and appreciate the intricate designs and symmetries that rhyme as a poem written in marble. Taj Mahal is an extravagant display of love, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. You may choose to stay back to see the glistening white marble beauty at sunset.
After breakfast, transfer by road to Gwalior. On arrival, check-in at your hotel.
Later in afternoon visit the fortress, Mansingh Palace with colorful ceramics; the temple of Telia, then the archaeological museum.Visit of the baroque palace still inhabited by the Maharajah and decorated with unusual European objects.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 07 : GWALIOR – ORCHHA – KHAJURAHO (295 Km / 7.5 hours including sightseeing)
After an early breakfast, transfer by road to Orchha.
On arrival, explore the city and visit Palace of Jahangir Mahal, with impressive dimensions and which offers a superb panorama on the surroundings. Its heavy wooden door bristling with long iron spikes protected it from fighting elephants.
The Raj Mahal Palace, containing magnificent frescoes; the Raj Praveen Mahal small palace which stands in a garden.
After sightseeing, continue your drive to Khajuraho - a UNESCO world heritage site in central India, famous for its erotic sculptured temples.
On arrival, check-in at your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 08 : KHAJURAHO – VARANASI (By Flight)
Morning visit the enchanting temples of Khajuraho with sculptures that draw their inspiration from the ancient art of Kama sutra. Khajuraho Temples were built by the Chandela kings between 950 AD and 1050 AD.
Later in time transfer to Khajuraho airport to board flight for Varanasi.
Varanasi is one of the major pilgrimage spots in India. Varanasi is located on the banks of the sacred river Ganges. Over 2000 years Varanasi has been a center of learning.
On arrival, visit Sarnath. Lord Buddha gave his first sermon here after attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya. The huge Dhamek Stupa marks the spot where Buddha first preached. The Sarnath Museum has a small but extremely impressive collection of Buddhist artefacts including the famous Lion Capital of Ashoka.
Later check-in at your hotel.
Evening witness the grand ‘Aarti’ ceremony at Dasaswamedh Ghat, conducted every day at sunset by white-robed priests. Spiritually enlightening and fantastically photogenic, this evening aarti ceremony is a spectacular show with young priests in traditional Indian clothes swaying in seemingly choreographed movements, worshiping the river goddess with incense, flowers and earthen lamps.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 09 : VARANASI – DELHI (By Flight)
Early morning enjoy a sunrise boat cruise on the Holy River Ganges. See the ‘bathing ghats’ where thousands of pilgrims pay homage to the Sun God by immersing themselves in the holy water of River Ganges, and the ‘burning ghats’ where cremations are conducted. The ghats of River Ganges in Varanasi are believed to be most sacred, engulfing the entire circle of life and death.
Follow the boat cruise with a guided walk through the old city, seeing morning life in the historic and ancient bylanes of Varanasi. You get an opportunity to closely observe some morning rituals at the various small street temples along the way. The most sacred and important temple here is Kashi Vishvanath temple.
Later, city tour of Varanasi covering Durga Temple, Bharat Mata Temple followed by a visit to handloom and witness the artwork of local artisians.
Afternoon transfer to Varanasi Airport to board flight for Delhi
On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Evening at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 10 : DELHI – KATHMANDU (By flight)
Morning in time transfer to Delhi International Airport to board flight for Kathmandu.
Kathmandu is and has been for many years the centre of Nepal's history, art, culture, and economy. It has a multi-ethnic population within a Hindu and Buddhist majority. Religious and cultural festivities form a major part of the lives of people residing in Kathmandu.
On arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 11 : KATHMANDU
After breakfast proceed for Kathmandu city tour followed by Swayambhunath.
Kathmandu: Also Known as Kantipur, Kathmandu is the capital of the Kingdom Nepal. Here you will visit the temple of the Living Goddess. The Kathmandu Durbar Square is with its array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the ancient place ofthe Nepalese Royalty.
Swayambhunath: Located approximately 4 kms, this Buddhist Stupa is said to be 2000 years old. The Stupa which forms the main structure is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on the four sided base of the spire are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. This hill is a mosaic of small Chaityas and Pagoda temples.
Afternoon excursion to Patan City.
Patan: Patan or Lalitpur, (“Yala” as it is known by its inhabitants, the Newars) is one of the three great cities of the Kathmandu Valley, which is the historical center and cultural heart of Nepal. Located 5 km south of Kathmandu valley on the southern side of the Baghmati River is one of the three main cities in Kathmandu Valley. Patan Durbar square is one of the seven Monument Zones that make up the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 12 : KATHMANDU
Morning after breakfast visit Pashupatinath and Boudhnath.
Pashupatinath: Pashupatinath, or Pashupati, is a Hindu temple on the banks of the Bagmati River in Deopatan, a village 3 km northwest of Kathmandu. It is dedicated to a manifestation of Shiva called Pashupati (Lord of Animals). The temple is decorated with wood carvings of members of Shiva's family such as Parvati, Ganesh, Kumar or the Yoginis, as well as Hanuman, Rama, Sita, Lakshman and other gods and goddesses from the Ramayana.
Boudhnath: Boudhanath Stupa is the largest stupa and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Nepal. It is the center of Tibetan culture in Kathmandu and rich in Buddhist symbolism.
Later in the afternoon, half-day excursion to Bhadgaon.
Bhadgaon: Also known as Bhaktapur is an old city which was probably founded in the ninth century. This city is extraordinarily beautiful because of its ancient architecture of pagoda style copper roofs on wooden and mud-brick buildings.
Also visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, The Lion Gate, The Golden Gate & The Palace of Fifty Five windows.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 13 : KATHMANDU
Morning in time transfer to Kathmandu International airport to board flight for onward destination.
