A luxury india & nepal Tour – Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi, Kathmandu

Day 1: Delhi
Arrive in Delhi and transfer to your hotel for your next 2 nights’ accommodations.

Day 2: Delhi 
Enjoy a morning tour of Old Delhi starting with the Red Fort, the 300-year-old walled city built of red sandstone that dates back to the very peak of the Mughal power.  Opposite the fort are the black and white onion dome and minarets of the Jama Masjid, the largest and most elegant mosque in India. Drive past Kotla Firoze Shah, ruins of an old fort of the 14th century with the 13 meter high Ashoka Pillar, dating back to the 3rd century BC. Visit Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Next, enjoy a stroll or rickshaw ride around Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi lined with stalls of spices, dried fruit, silver jewelry and vivid saris. 

In the afternoon, proceed to New Delhi. Drive past the Presidential Palace, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the secretariat buildings, the impressive Rajpath to the World War I memorial arch, the India Gate, the High Court Building and the Old Fort. Visit Humayun’s Tomb, ruins of Quwat-ul-Eslam (Light of Islam) Mosque and Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD. Finish the day with a visit to Qutab Minar - the 72 meter high ruins of Quwat-ul-Islam Mosque dating back to the 4th century that still stands today. (B) 

Day 3: Delhi / Agra
After breakfast, travel overland to Jaipur by private car (approx. 4 hours). Agra was the capital of the Mughal court during the 16th and 17th centuries and its sublime monuments date from that era. The emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jehan governed their vast empires from here and as prolific builders; artisans of Persia, Central Asia and other parts of India were attracted by their patronage. The resulting luxurious palaces, tombs, forts and gardens dot the picturesque riverside region along the Yamuna River; three of which, the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Upon arriving in Agra, visit the magnificent Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday), built by Emperor Shahjahan in white marble in the early 1600’s for his beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal. With its incredible lacy white grandeur, the Taj Mahal is perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world. Time permitting, proceed to Agra Fort. Situated on the banks of the River Yamuna, Agra Fort is comprised of palaces, mosques and audience halls, all contained within its massive wall of red sandstone. It is a perfect example of blending Islamic and Hindu traditions. Check-in at your hotel and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. (B) 

Day 4: Agra / Jaipur
After breakfast, travel overland to Jaipur by private car (approx. 5 hours) visiting Fatehpur Sikri en-route. Fatehpur Sikri, is an abandoned red sandstone city built in the 16th century with an architecture that combines Hindu and Muslim styles. Continue your overland jouney to Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City built by Raja Jai Singh in the 18th century. It is surrounded by hills topped with rugged fortresses, dotted with fairy-tale palaces. Ambling camels and brightly-dressed peasants, reflect Jaipur’s desert heritage. Check-in to your hotel in Jaipur and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 5: Jaipur
Today, enjoy a full-day tour of Jaipur by Jeep. The day begins with a visit to the Amber Fort, where you’ll wander around the beautiful palace and see the Shiladevi temple. Next, visit Hawa Mahal, a prominent landmark of Jaipur affectionately known as the “Palace of Winds.” It is a five-story structure of plastered pink sandstone, encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. In the afternoon proceed to City Palace, which boasts a delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture and houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum. We end the day with a visit to Jantar Mantar, the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories consisting of outsized astronomical instruments that are still in use today. Return to your hotel for a brief rest and relaxation. This evening, enjoy a visit to a middle-class family's home. Here, you'll have a chance to mingle with the local people and learn about their customs and traditions.  Enjoy a cooking demonstration followed by dinner together with the local family. (B,D)

Day 6: Jaipur / Varanasi
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel. Later this afternoon, observe Ganga Aarti, a ceremony that takes place every evening where devotees pay their homage to the Gods on the banks of the Ganges. Overnight in Varanasi. (B) 

Day 7: Varanasi
Today, enjoy an early morning boat trip on the holy River Ganges. The Ganges is the river of India, which has held India’s heart captive and drawn uncounted millions to her banks since the dawn of history. It has long been considered the holiest of all rivers by Hindus and worshiped as the goddess Ganga in Hinduism, where many former provincial and imperial capitals have been located on its banks throughout India’s history. Your two-hour journey spans three miles down the Ganges, offering an inspiring glimpse of rural life in India. Here, you will witness the daily rituals prevalent throughout India during the Aryan age dating back 3,000 years. Return to Varanasi city for additional sightseeing. Visit Bharat Mata Temple, Emperor Aurangazeb’s Mosque, Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple), and Durga (Goddess of Power) Temple, popularly known as the Monkey Temple. End the day with a visit to  Sarnath, a large complex of ruined monasteries covering the area north of the stupas, belonging to the Kushan and Gupta period, some dating back to 3rd B.C. Overnight in Varanasi. (B)

Day 8: Varanasi / Kathmandu  
Transfer for your morning flight to Kathmandu, connecting in Delhi. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. A stroll around Thamel this evening for dinner, shopping or bar-hopping is highly recommended. (B)

**Note: flight connection is required in Delhi. Adjustments to itinerary may be necessary depending on flight schedules, which are subject to change by the airlines. 

Day 9: Kathmandu
We begin our tour this morning with a visit to Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, with its old temples and sites that epitomize the religious and cultural life of the Napalese people. It is here that Kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnized. Next, visit Swayambhunath, one of the world’s most glorious Buddhist Stupas, dating back over 2000 years and offering excellent views of the Kathmandu Valley. In the afternoon, proceed to Patan Durbar Square, which consists of a cluster of fine pagoda temples and stone statues while also serving as the business hub of the city. Overnight in Kathmandu. (B)

Day 10: Kathmandu
Today’s tour begins with the city of Bhatapur, an ancient city founded in the 9th Century situated approx. 14 Km east of Kathmandu city. At 4000 feet above sea level, this city is renowned for its pottery and weaving industry. Next, visit Pasupatinath Temple, famous for its superb architecture with its two-tiered golden roofs and silver doors. Last but not least, explore the Stupa of Bouddhanath, which contains the relics of Kashyap Buddha, considered to be one of most revered holy sites, especially by Tibetan Buddhists. (B)

Day 11: Depart Kathmandu
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight onward. (B)

• Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
• Low Season (LS): Apr. 16 – Sep.
• High Season (HS): Oct. – Apr. 15
• *Taj Mahal closed on Fridays.
• Price excludes all airfares, lunches and dinners, personal expenses, gratuities to guides and drivers
• Visas are required to enter India and Nepal. NOT included in package. 
  • India eVisa can be applied for here
  • Nepal Visa can be obtained on arrival. 
• All hotels and land services are subject to availability at time of reservation