CLASSICAL INDIA & NEPAL
Duration: 13 Days
Destinations: Delhi - JAIPUR - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Gwalior - Orcha Khajuraho - Varanasi - Kathmandu - Delhi
Arrive late night at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at New Delhi. Upon arrival, the guests will be met by our representative outside the customs gate and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel
DAY 2 NEW DELHI
The capital of India has a fascinating history and a stimulating present. Delhi has been the seat of power of a number of dynasties - the Rajputs, the Afghans, the Turks and the Mughals, who continued their imperial line until the British.
Morning, sightseeing tour of Old Delhi, which has some dramatic remnants of the Mughal Empire. Visit the Red Fort, built in 1648, the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, both built by Emperor Shah Jahan. Also visit Rajghat, the site of Mahatma Gandhi's cremation.
Afternoon, drive through the majestic boulevards of New Delhi designed by the British architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1920. Lutyens' Delhi includes the grand government buildings and parliament house, the India gate and "Rashtrapati Bhawan" - the presidential palace. Also visit the 234-foot high Qutab Minar and Humayun's tomb, built in the 16th century by the second Mughal emperor, and is an early example of Mughal architecture.
Overnight in Delhi
DAY 3 NEW DELHI - JAIPUR
Morning, drive to Jaipur covering a distance of 135 kms in approximately 3 hours.
Arrive Jaipur and check-in at hotel.
Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of the state of Rajasthan. It has long been established on tourist itineraries as the third corner of India's Golden Triangle, just 260 kilometers southwest of Delhi, and 200 kilometers west of Agra. The old city of Jaipur is partially encircled with seven gates - the major gates are Chandpol, Sanganeri, and Ajmeri. The 'pink city' label, applies specifically, to the old walled quarter of the Rajasthani capital, while in the northeast of the town, glorious palaces and temples, in an assortment of styles, spanning centuries, are scattered throughout the predominantly urban area. Jaipur is a tourist's delight. It is an extremely colorful city, and in the evening light, the pink and the orange buildings exude a magical glow, which is complemented by the vibrantly attired Rajasthanis. Camel drawn carts are characteristic of Jaipur's passing street scene.
This afternoon’s sightseeing would include a visit to the City Palace. In the heart of the old city is the former Royal residence built in a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal style. Gray-white marble columns ornate support the carved arches with floral motifs in gold and colored stones, while two carved elephants in marble guard the entrance. The palace houses a Museum with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armory of Mughals and Rajputs including swords of different shapes and sizes with ornamental handles, some of them inlaid with enamel and embellished with jewels and encased in magnificent scabbards. The palace also has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works. Adjacent to the City palace is Jantar Mantar, the largest of Jai Singh’s five remarkable observatories. Its complex instruments, whose setting and shapes are scientifically designed, represent the high points of medieval Indian astronomy. The most striking of these are the Ram Yantras used for gauging altitudes. Also visit the Hawa Mahal. Built in 1799, the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds is one of the major landmarks of Jaipur. This five-storey building, which looks out over the main street of the old city, is a stunning example of Rajput artistry, with its pink semi octagonal and delicately honeycombed sandstone windows. It was originally built to enable ladies of the royal household, to watch the everyday life and processions of the city.
Overnight in Jaipur
DAY 4 JAIPUR
This morning, excursion to Amber Fort situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur city. At the foot of the hill you will mount your caparisoned elephant for the slow but steady climb up to the main gate, making your entrance in the time honoured fashion. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families. Within the fort lies Jai “Mandir” (Temple) with its world renowned Sheesh Mahal, a hall full of mirrors. The walls and the ceiling of the Mahal are covered with a beautiful array of mirrors, which reflects any streak of light, so as to illuminate the entire room. The architecture shows distinct Mughal influence.
This afternoon, enjoy a rickshaw ride in the colorful bazaar of the old city.
Overnight in Jaipur
DAY 5 JAIPUR - FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA
This morning drive from Jaipur to Agra covering a distance of 240 kms, including stop at Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned, Red Sandstone City built in the 16th century by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, one of India's greatest rulers. Remarkably broadminded for his time, this Muslim king married a Rajput princess in order to win over his Hindu subjects. The architecture of Fatehpur Sikri is a combination of Hindu and Muslim styles, expressing Akbar's vision of synthesizing the cultures. Mughal Emperor Akbar made this a capital once but deserted it later due to paucity of drinking water. This structure also houses Salim-Chishti's Dargah. This is a white marble canopy set in the courtyard of the royal mosque to honour a Sufi saint who reportedly blessed Akbar’s wife with a son.
After the visit, continue you drive to Agra. Arrive in Agra late afternoon and check-in at hotel.
Overnight in Agra
DAY 6 AGRA
Agra, is globally renowned as the city of the Taj Mahal. But this royal Mughal city has, in addition to the legendary Taj, many monuments that epitomize the high point of Mughal architecture. In the Mughal period, in the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of India. It was here that the founder of the dynasty, Babar, laid out the first formal Persian garden on the banks of the river Yamuna. Here, Akbar, his grandson raised the towering ramparts of the great Red Fort. Within its walls, Jehangir built rose-red palaces, courts and gardens, and Shahjahan embellished it with marble mosques, palaces and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble. The crowning glory of the city is obviously the Taj, a monument of love and imagination that represents India to the world.
This morning visit the
Taj Mahal. With its incredible lacy white grandeur and loveliness
is perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world. Emperor
Shahjahan constructed this most famous and incomparable Moghul monument in
memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is the most extravagant monument
ever built for love. The Taj Mahal is amazingly graceful from almost any angle
and it is the close up detail, 
which is really astounding.
Please note: The Taj Mahal remains closed on Friday.
Later visit the Agra Fort, situated two kilometers west of the Taj Mahal on the banks of the river Yamuna. It was built by the third Mughal Emperor, Akbar, and added to by his son Jehangir and grandson Shahjahan. Agra Fort is an imposing structure with walls of red sandstone, almost 3 kilometers (two miles) long. The eastern part of the fort (the only part open to visitors) contains palaces, audience halls and mosques built by all the three emperors. The fort presents a good sampling of their favored architectural styles. Akbar drew on Islamic and Hindu traditions and the result is eclectic. By Shahjahan time, the style had become so homogenized that it is impossible to separate the Hindu and Muslim strands. The Diwan-i-am (public audience hall) once housed the fabled peacock throne, which incorporated virtually all the important gems of the imperial treasury. The beautiful Diwan-i-khas (private audience hall) and the magnificent Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) are other attractions within the fort.
Overnight in Agra
DAY 7 AGRA - GWALIOR - ORCHA
Early morning, transfer to the railway station to board ‘Shatabdi Express’ train to Gwalior (Dep. at 0820 hrs / arr. at 0940 hrs)
Upon arrival in Gwalior, proceed directly for a
sightseeing tour. Visit the enormous 19th century
Jai Vilas Palace,
famous for its ornate chandeliers & crystal. A few of the rooms have in
converted into a museum filled with the Scindia dynasties memorabilia.
Later visit the huge
Gwalior Fort
- where a sun temple is believed to have been constructed within the area of
the fort. Also visit
Man Mandir
which is a six towered palace & which forms the eastern wall of the fort. The
fort has monuments dating back to 8th century A.D. onwards and is one of the
largest forts in India. Also visit the
Gujri Mahal,
a turreted palace of stone now houses the archaeological museum.
Lunch in Gwalior and drive to Orchha. Highly picturesque, in the middle of nowhere, abandoned and somewhat neglected, Orchha pays rich rewards to the visitor and is an ideal stop between Gwalior and Khajuraho.
Upon arrival, visit Jahangir Mahal, built in the 17th century by Raja Bir Singh Deo to commemorate the Emperor’s visit, synthesizes Hindu and Muslim styles as a tribute to his benefactor.
Overnight in Orchha
DAY 8 ORCHA - KHAJURAHO
Morning, drive to Khajuraho covering a distance of 180 kms in approximately 4 hours.
Khajuraho, home to what are now perhaps the most famous of India’s temples on account of their remarkable erotic sculptures, lies in a rich, well-watered plain.
Afternoon, visit the temples of Khajuraho, built mostly of a fine sandstone from Panna and Ajaigarh, although granite was used in a few, can be conveniently divided into two groups - western and eastern. The western group, which dominates the village are the most impressive and the gardens the best kept. The temples are India’s unique gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life to love, to joy; perfect in execution and sublime in expression. Life, in every conceivable form has been captured and immortalized in stone. Architecturally they are unique, being very different from the temple prototype of their period.
Overnight in Khajuraho
DAY 9 KHAJURAHO - VARANASI
Late morning transfer to the airport to board your afternoon flight to Varanasi.
Varanasi, also known as Benares, is often considered to be the oldest living city in the world. It is also renowned for being the birthplace of the Hindu religion and has more than a thousand temples and shrines. Situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges, Varanasi has been a centre of learning and civilization for over 2000 years. It was at Sarnath, only 10 km away from Varanasi, that the Buddha first preached his message of enlightenment, 25 centuries ago. Varanasi derived its present name from the two rivers Varauna, and Asi. Renowned for its silk saris and carpets, Varanasi draws huge crowds of people who throng the shops to buy the famous Benarasi saris.
Arrive Varanasi and visit Sarnath. It was here that the Buddha first preached his message of enlightenment, 25 centuries ago. Also visit Sarnath’s temple and the Archeological Museum, full of Buddha art treasures.
Overnight in Varanasi
DAY 10 VARANASI - KATHMANDU
Rise at dawn for a boat ride to watch the priests chanting sacred verses, pilgrims taking a holy dip and the Hindus performing the last rights for the departed souls.
Later visit the old city of Varanasi; also visit the Bharat Mata Temple and Tulsi Manas
Afternoon transfer to the airport for flight to Kathmandu.
Arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, and transfer to your hotel
Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, Kathmandu is among the major tourist destination in the world. It offers a plethora of tourist attractions including mountain peaks, temples, stupas, pagodas and countless others that are sure to bewitch you.
This afternoon’s sightseeing in Kathmandu includes a visit to Swayambhunath, the ancient and enigmatic of all the holy “stupas” (shrines) in the valley. The massive hilltop temple is overrun with pilgrims and monkeys and is the most profound expression of Buddhist symbolism in Nepal.
Overnight in Kathmandu
DAY 11 KATHMANDU
Morning visit to Patan, situated on a plateau across Bagmati River. Another name of Patan, is Lalitpur. This city is known for its finest traditional crafts and rich artistic heritage. Patan is probably one of the oldest Buddhist City in the world. It is believed that the city was founded in the 3rd century A.D.
Later visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a conglomeration of pagoda and shikhara - style temples grouped around a fifty-five-window palace of brick and wood. The square is one of the most charming valley as it highlights the ancient of the kings perched on top of stone monoliths, the guardian deities looking out from their sanctuaries, the wood carvings in very place - struts, lintels, tympanums, gateways and windows - all seem to form a well orchestrated symphony.
Afternoon, visit Pashupatinath and Bodhnath.
Pashupatinath is an immense Hindu temple complex, dedicated to the Lord Shiva. Situated on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, Pashupatinath is ageless, statues date back to the Third Century and wild devotees, sadhus, emerge in the early morning mist and wander throughout the maze of temples.
Boudhnath, the colossal stupa the biggest in Nepal is situated about 7km east of the capital. The Boudhnath stupa is also known as Khasti Chitya and is considered as one of the oldest stupas in the country. After 1959, many Tibetans came and have settled in Boudhnath area. With a diameter of about 100m and a height of 40m, Boudhnath is among the largest stupas in the world. The stupa looks similar to Swayambhunath but many features in this stupa are pinnacles as well as 108 Buddhist Gods and Goddesses. The most attractive part of the Stupa is the all seeing eyes of the Buddha painted with red, white and blue.
Overnight in Kathmandu
DAY 12 KATHMANDU - DELHI
This morning, time and weather permitting, you could enjoy a scenic flight over the Himalayas. More information would be available on arrival.
After breakfast, we tour the city, a bustling trade center since the medieval times. Drive past the Royal Palace and visit the house of Kumari Devi, the Living Goddess. Both Hindus and Buddhists equally venerate her. For Hindus she is the reincarnation of Hindu Goddess Kali. See amazing examples of Nepalese architecture evident in the styles employed while constructing the palace and pagodas at Durbar Square. Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the major attractions in Kathmandu Valley. The word Durbar Square translated in English as Palace Complex. The Durbar Square, with its old temples and palaces, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. Later visit the temple of Kasthamandap, one of the popular temples locally knows as Maru Sattal. It is believed that the name of Kathmandu City is derived from the name of this temple. Kastha means wood and Mandap means pavilion. And it is said that this temple is built by one single Sal (sorea robusta) tree. At the center of this temple, one can see the statue of a Hindu God Gorakhnath and in the four corners of the temple one can see Ganesh Statues.
Afternoon transfer to the airport to board your flight to Delhi.
On arrival, meet and greet at the airport and transfer to your hotel where rooms would be provided till the final departure.
Late night transfer to the international airport of New Delhi to board your flight in the early hours of day 13.
DAY 13 NEW DELHI - ABROAD
Flight back home