North India And Nepal

Arrive in Delhi, after clearing immigration and customs formalities; you will be met by your driver representative for a traditional welcome ‘Swagat’ and transfer you to your hotel. By the time your check-in is organized, our representative would introduce the tour file to you and handover the tour documents.

(Delhi This city has seen the rise and fall of many empires and each dynasty of Kings has left behind monuments and memories to commemorate the grandeur of bygone days. Very few cities in the world offer such diversity in architectural styles as Delhi. The Old city of Delhi today stands as an epitome of the whole history of Indo-Islamic architecture.)

Check-in hotel in Delhi.

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Compared to New Delhi, the Old City is much closer to the image conjured up by Rudyard Kipling. This morning, a local guide will show us around Old Delhi by metro and on foot, culminating with a jamboree of deafening barter at Chandni Chowk Bazaar. A short cycle rickshaw ride then takes us to the Jama Masjid mosque.

Later, take a guided walk through the narrow streets of Nizamuddin, the Sufi area in Delhi to uncover the traditions, monuments, flavors, and history of this neighborhood, which is a vibrant mix of old, and new, upscale residences and ancient tombs. Travelers and pilgrims flock to the Nizamuddin Dargah, the saint’s tomb, to hear qawwalis, Sufi devotional songs, eat kebabs, and shop in the lively market area.

Return to your hotel in Delhi.

After the breakfast, your driver will meet you at your hotel and we will drive to Jaipur.

Jaipur, designed by a young Bengali architect in 1727, is the only city in the world symbolising the nine divisions of the universe. Jaipur is also known as the Pink City of India. Palaces, Forts, sublime architecture with a strong influence of Hindu, Jain and Mughal styles make Jaipur most interesting. Colourful bazaars and warm people are the pride of Jaipur.

Check-in to your hotel in Jaipur.

Morning after early breakfast we set out for an excursion to Amer Fort passing by Jaipur’s most distinctive landmark ‘Hawa Mahal commonly known as (Palace of Winds).

Later, we will visit local school in Jaipur, Famous for its massive Amber Fort, Amer was the ancient capital of Kachhawaha dynasty for 6 centuries. Hawa Mahal- a five-storied facade of pink sandstone. It was built in the year 1799 to allow royal ladies to watch processions and festivities on the road through its 953 ‘jharokas’ or small windows, without being seen by the public. Jantar Mantar, a Solar Observatory built in the 18th century; an astronomical treasure house that measures time according to the movement of the Sun to an error of just 2 seconds with solar devices that give accurate astrological predictions as well till date. Among the various forts and palaces of Jaipur, City Palace stands apart, with its outstanding art and architecture. The Maharajah still lives in the Palace. You will also witness a collection of weapons belonging to the family)

Next we visit City Palace, a perfect blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Followed by our visit to Jantar Mantar, which is an astronomical observatory built by Jai Singh II. It is one of the largest and the best preserved observatories in the country.

If time permits, we will also meet the local women artisans in Jaipur. With the help of local artisan women, we will learn the art of block printing, one of the oldest printing techniques in India. Here, we will make our own handkerchief using Rajasthani wood blocks. Here you'll have a chance to chat with the women and learn about their lives.

Return to your hotel in Jaipur.

Morning, we will drive to Agra. Arrival and check in into the hotel.

We would proceed on a tour of Fatehpur Sikri about 37 km from Agra, was one of the capital cities of Emperor Akbar, and derives its name from the fact that Akbar marched from here and conquered Gujrat in 1652. Agra Grew in prominence under the rule of the Mughal Empire in 1526, reaching its zenith between 1556 and 1658, under the successive rules of Akbar, Shah Jehan and Jehangir. Akbar's reign was memorable in the city's history when it became a leading centre of art, science, commerce and culture, drawing intellectuals and artists to its Darbars and Havelis. After this, we would continue our drive to Agra.

Check-in to your hotel in Agra.

At sunrise we visit one of the India’s incredible monuments - Taj Mahal. A dawn visit the legendary Taj Mahal to experience the colour changing effects of the rising Sun on this incredible while marble monument. The Grandeur and beauty of the building exceeds all human imaginations.

At sunrise we visit one of the India’s incredible monuments - Taj Mahal. A dawn visit the legendary Taj Mahal to experience the colour changing effects of the rising Sun on this incredible while marble monument. The Grandeur and beauty of the building exceeds all human imaginations. Later, we ride to the massive Agra Fort, a blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Evening, transfer to the train station to board your overnight train to Varanasi.

The Red Fort or Agra Fort, on the banks of the River Yamuna, is situated in the centre of the town. Various styles of architecture are evident within the Fort and demonstrate the boldness of Akbar's period, the refinement of Jehangir's time, and the subtleness of Shah Jehan' rule. The other attractions here include The Diwan-i-Am, the Diwan-i-Khaas and Jodhabai's Palace. Taj Mahal - essentially one man's monumental testimony to Love, has become synonymous not only with this city but with India as a whole. The mausoleum was built by Shah Jehan for his Empress Mumtaz Mahal. The construction is believed to have taken 22 years to complete with over 20,000 craftsmen working round the clock. The design and construction is said to be that of the legendary archi- tect, Ustad Ahamad Lahori. The 17th century Taj Mahal is a marble mausoleum built by Shah Jehan for his Empress Mumtaz Mahal. The construction is believed to have taken 22 years to complete with over 20,000 craftsmen working round the clock. However many images you may have seen of the Taj Mahal, the reality is still breathtaking, its scale stupendous and its surface ever changing with the light.

Overnight train to Varanasi.

Your driver will meet you at the train station and transfer to your hotel, after refresh and enjoy leisure time at the hotel.

Varanasi is the holiest Hindu City sprawling along the banks of river Ganga. With its array of shrines, temples and palaces rising in several tiers from the water's edge, Varanasi is one of the most fascinating cities of the world in the East. It is a city of fairs and festivals (celebrating about 400 of them in a calendar year). Most of the Indians will make a pilgrimage to Varanasi in their lifetime.

Afternoon, explore this holy city and its winding streets, Ghats and mystical temples. Drive to Banaras Hindu University, and visit the Indian art museum Bharat Kala Bhawan and New Kashi Vishwnath Temple. Other important points to see in city include the Durga Temple (monkey temple), Tulasi Manas Temple, Bharat Mata Temple (Mother India Temple). Also explore Kashi Vishwnath Temple area, also known as the Golden Temple. (Entry inside the temple is allowed to Hindus only).

Evening Aarti Ceremony at Ghats: At dusk we leave to witness the Aarti ceremony where a crowd of pilgrims gather on ghats. Religious songs, meditations, lighted lamps and offerings in the Ganges fuel this exceptional evening. This is a mesmerizing experience and the ambience is spectacular.

Just before dawn we take a boat out on the Ganges to witness the amazing stream of events on the Ghats, the steps leading down to the river. The boat ride takes us past several Ghats of Varanasi, offering a glimpse of the city at its religious best. Every day thousands of Hindu pilgrims and devotees visit this city to offer prayers, to meditate and to purify themselves by taking a dip in the holy river. It is at the Ganga Ghats where you can see life and death together. There are numbers of Ghat alongside Ganges river in Varanasi where you can see Hindu cremation as well. Some of the prominent and popular Ghats at Varanasi are the Dasaswamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Harischandra Ghat and Assi Ghat. Following the boat ride we set off on foot to explore the inner city. This walk offers a gaze into the life of people and surroundings that is unchanged for centuries.

Later, drive to Sarnath, one of the holy places of Buddhism, where Buddha had preached his first message/speech. Here, Emperor Ashoka had built monasteries, stupas, one of which was 100m high. Visit the museum of Buddhist objects and sculptures found on the site. (Sarnath Museum is closed on Fridays)

After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya the Buddha went to Sarnath; and it was here that he preached his first discourse in the deer park to set in motion the 'Wheel of the Dharma'. It is one of the most holy sites as in this place the stream of the Buddha's teaching first flowed.

Check-in to your hotel in Sarnath.

Drive to Lumbini (cross Nepalese border at Sonauli)

Drive to Nepal Border. We walk through customs and immigration into Nepal and meet our Nepalese bus which will transfer us to Lumbini where we spend the night.

Check-in hotel in Lumbini (Nepal).

Explore Buddha's birthplace of Lumbini then drive to Chitwan National Park.

We start our day with rickshaw sightseeing tour of Lumbini accompanied by a local guide. We will have the opportunity to visit the birth place of the Buddha, the Peace lamp and the monastery of peace pagoda. From here we drive (approximately 5 hours) through the Terai, the narrow forested lowland Explore Buddha's birthplace of Lumbini then drive to Chitwan National Park.

We start our day with rickshaw sightseeing tour of Lumbini accompanied by a local guide. We will have the opportunity to visit the birth place of the Buddha, the Peace lamp and the monastery of peace pagoda. From here we drive (approximately 5 hours) through the Terai, the narrow forested lowland strip that stretches the full width of the southern border of Nepal. We will stop in Butwal en route so we can pick up some lunch and then aim to arrive at Chitwan in the late afternoon. The oldest and best known of the national parks in Nepal, Chitwan consists of swamp, tall elephant grass and dense forest, and is a natural habitat for tiger, the rare one-horned Indian rhino, leopard and sloth bear to name but a few. Once we arrive at the park we'll take a short afternoon village walk close to the park to orientate ourselves.

Return to your hotel in Lumbini.

Search for wild rhino in Chitwan National Park.

Teeming with wildlife including the rare one-horned rhinoceros, leopard, Freshwater dolphin, crocodile and the iconic Royal Bengal Tiger, Chitwan National Park is one of Asia’s best. Chitwan translates as ‘Heart of the Jungle’ – take an early morning nature walk through the forest and enjoy optional activities such as a canoe trip or jungle trek. A trained naturalist will help you get the best enjoyment and interest from these excursions.

Return to your hotel in Lumbini.

This morning we drive to Kathmandu (approximately 6 hours). Relax or explore at your own pace to get a sense of the city’s character.

Take a walking tour in Kathmandu & Culture Show

This morning, we have arranged a walking tour of this fascinating historic city, visiting the bazaar and temples of old Kathmandu, accompanied by a guide. Take a full-day tour of Kathmandu. Visit the world’s largest Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath Temple. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple is situated on the banks of the Bagmati River. Next, visit the enormous Boudhanath stupa, one of the world’s largest Buddhist shrines and a religious centre for Nepal’s large Tibetan population. Finally, wander around Durbar Square and admire its Malla and Shah palaces. We will also visit Local School in Kathmandu. Evening fare well dinner at Bhojan Griha with Nepalese cultural dance.

Check-in to your hotel in Kathmandu.

After breakfast, enjoy your leisure time at the hotel, until check-out your driver will meet you at your hotel's lobby and transfer you to the airport for your may next destination.