India with Nepal

Arrival in Delhi. Meet and assist at the airport and transfer to the hotel. (Check-in time: 2:00 p.m.)

Check-in and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Later, departure to visit the sights of Old Delhi, highlighting the Jama Majid Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Asia and built in Hindu and Mughal architecture. Next, visit 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 (exterior). Before lunch (not included), visit Raj Ghat, a monument to Mahatma Ghandi. In the afternoon, visit New Delhi, which well reflects the British heritage in the Indian capital. Panoramic visit of India Gate, the Parliament Building and Rastrapathi Bhawan, the Presidential Palace. Continue the tour to South Delhi to visit the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. Next, visit 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 market of Connaught. The day ends with a visit to the Sikh temple, Guruduwara Bangla Sahib. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, departure for the magnificent city of Jaipur, capital of the state of Rajasthan. On the way, visit the 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. Accommodation.

After breakfast, visit Amber Fort, built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh I. Ride up the Fort on an elephant or alternatively by jeep. Next, visit 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 doorways. The palace houses several structures including Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal and Diwan-I-Khas. Next, visit the Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory with the world’s largest stone sundial and where observations can still be made today. Pass by the Baldev ji Temple where you can observe local traditions and culture and stop at the restaurant at Nahargarh Fort, which is situated on the Araveli Hills and from where you can have a magnificent view of the city of Jaipur. Rest of the afternoon to explore the local markets. Overnight.

After breakfast, departure for 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 still has, for the most part, its palaces and mosques very well preserved, just as they were 400 years ago. After lunch (not included), continue towards Agra. In the late afternoon visit to Mehtab Bagh. The Mehtab or Moonlight Garden was an extension of the Taj Mahal Garden on the other side of the river and was used at night to observe the reflection of the Taj Mahal in the octagonal lake and river. Accommodation.

Early morning visit to 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. Next, visit of ancient Agra, a prosperous trading city 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), free afternoon for optional visits or shopping. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, board the train to 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), continue by road to Khajuraho. After reaching Khajuraho, departure to visit the group of temples on the east and west side. This morning's Khajuraho tour focuses on visiting the famous erotic temples of the Chandela dynasty. We will also visit Kandariya Mahadeva, Chatrabhui, Parswanath and the Ghantai temple. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening enjoy the “Sound and Light” show. Accommodation. Overnight.

After breakfast, departure to Varanasi (approx. 08 hours of journey). Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day to rest. Accommodation.

Early morning, departure for a boat ride on the Ganges River, to witness the Hindu rituals of purification and the sacred baths of the pilgrims in the Gaths. Returning to the hotel for breakfast, visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, built in white marble and 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 for Sarnath, where Buddha is said to have given his first sermon. Visit the ruins and the museum. In the afternoon, departure for a rickshaw ride through the city. Possibility of attending the Ganga Aarti ceremony, on the banks of the Ganges, where, amid prayers and chants, offerings are made to the river gods. Accommodation.

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 to the Boudhanath Stupa located about 11 km from the city center. Its enormous mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal and the world. Accommodation at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a former royal palace complex located in Bhaktapur, Nepal. It housed the Malla kings of Nepal from the 14th to the 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 courtyards 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 Kathmandu Kingdom and is one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. In the afternoon, visit the Swayambhunath Stupa, a golden tower crowning a conical hill covered with forests. The Swayambhunath Stupa is the oldest and most enigmatic sacred sanctuary in the Kathmandu Valley. Overnight at hotel.