The Classical Tour of India and Nepal op2
Delhi-Jaipur-Agra-Khajuraho-Varanasi-Kathmandu-Chitwan-Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu
Day 1: Delhi
Arrive and transfer to Hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2: Delhi
Morning half-day city tour of Old Delhi visiting <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'RGH','DEL','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Raj Ghat</a> the Mausoleum of Mahatma Gandhi. Jama Masjid and drive past <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'A7J','DEL','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Red Fort</a>. you may take a tricycle tour of Chandini Chowk. Afternoon half day city tour of New Delhi visiting drive past President House, <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'PTH','DEL','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Parliament House</a> (House of Representatives) and <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'A7M','DEL','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">India Gate</a> - War Memorial (stop for photography). Visit the <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'A7K','DEL','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Qutub Minar</a> , 72.55 meters, high Victory Tower and proceed onto <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'BHT','DEL','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Bahai Temple</a> (lotus temple). Also visit the <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'A7L','DEL','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Humayun's Tomb</a> built of red sandstone, the first substantial example of the Mughal architecture and Laxmi Narayan Temple - a modern Hindu temple built by the Birlas, leading Indian industrialists. Overnight at Hotel.
After breakfast drive to Jaipur (05 hrs. drive) - the pink city of India. The capital of Rajasthan was given a colour coat of pink, a century ago in the honour of a visiting Prince, ever since it has retained the pink colour. Enroute visit Amber Fort-remarkable for the majestic grandeur of its surroundings as for its sturdy battlements and beautiful palaces. Climb up to the fort on the back of an Elephant or by jeep. Afternoon city tour visiting <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AN2','JAI','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">City Palace</a> - where the former Maharaja still resides in a part of it, but rest now serves as a Museum. Also visit <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AW2','JAI','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Jantar Mantar</a>, an observatory built by a great astronomer Sawai Jai Singh onto drive past through <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AU2','JAI','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Hawa Mahal</a> (Palace of winds). Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Jaipur
After breakfast proceed to Agra (5 hrs. drive).Enroute visit Fatehpur - Sikri (40 kms. from Agra) - once the capital of Mughal Empire and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. Its fortifications and Palaces are in a wonderful state of preservation. Upon arrival at Agra check-in at Hotel.Afternoon half day city tour visiting the World famous <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'A09','AGR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Taj Mahal</a> built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in the year 1652 as a memorial for his beloved wife MumtazMahal. The grandeur called the Taj is perhaps the most photographed, filmed, described and sketched building of the world. <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'A09','AGR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Taj Mahal</a> is where fantasy coincides with reality in perfect harmony. An inspiration for innumerous artists over the centuries, the Taj is an ode to love. It took 22 years to create this jewel. Agra Fort built and renovated over the centuries, this massive fort gained recognition only during the Mughal reign. Tomb of Itmad-ud-daullah- built by Empress Noorjehan in the memory of her father.Overnight at hotel.
Morning leave by air for Khajuraho.Upon arrival at Khajuraho transfer to Hotel. Khajuraho - a small dusty and an isolated village in the interior plains of Madhya Pradesh, far away from the hustle bustle of the towns and cities, holds a unique manifestation of art on its temples. The temples of Khajuraho are perhaps the most visited tourist sites after the <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'A09','AGR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Taj Mahal</a> in India. Today famous for its erotic sculptures, the temples of Khajuraho tell something more than the eroticism it portrays.Morning visit the world famous Chandela Temples. Out of the total 85 temples only 22 remain, but offer a beautiful and extravagant ode to human life. Built in 10th and 11th centuries, these temples are dedicated to a particular deity and the on the outer walls are carved various themes, but actually it is an ode to woman hood, an ode to fertility, the form of birth and an ode to greatest form of life. Evening enjoy cultural show. Overnight at Khajuraho.
Day 6: Agra
Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to the airport to leave by air for Varanasi. Arrive and transfer to Hotel. Afternoon visit to Sarnath- the holy shrine of the Buddhist where LORD BUDDHA preached his first sermon after he had gained Enlightenment.
Early morning boat ride in river Ganges the most fascinating aspect of Varanasi. Watch thousands of worshipers in obeisance before Sun God. Afternoon transfer to airport to leave by air for Kathmandu. Arrive and transfer to Hotel.
Day 8: Khajuraho
Morning OPTIONAL MOUNTAIN FLIGHT (Approx.One Hour Duration) to have an aerial view of the mighty Himalayan Peaks including Mt. Everest. This is the closest one can go to the peaks without having to trek. OR browse through bazaars.Afternoon visit Kathmandu city-known as Kantipur. the capital of the Kingdom of Nepal. Visit the templeof the Living Goddess who acknowledge the greetings of the devotees from the balcony of her temple residence, the Durbar Square are with its array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the ancient place of the Nepalese Royalty and onto Swayambhunath -Buddhist stupa is said to be 2000 yrs. old.Evening try your luck at Casino
Morning half day visit Patan also known as Lalitpur is the city of fine arts. Enclosed within four stupas said to be built in 3rd century AD, by Emperor Ashoka. Also visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp and the Handicraft centre, where you will witness the hand weaving of Tibetan carpets and moulding of metal statues.Afternoon visit Boudhnath. This stupa is one of the biggest in the world of its kind. It stands with four pairs of eyes in the four cardinal direction keeping watch for righteous behaviour and human prosperity and onto Bhadgaon. Also known as Bhaktapur meaning the city of devotees, this place is the home of medieval art and architecture. This place was founded in the 9th century and is shaped like a conch shell. Onto PASHUPATINATH - Situated 5 km east of Kathmandu on the ank of sacred bagmati river the temple of lord Shiva-Pashupatinath with two tiered golden roof and silver doors is famous for its superb architecture, (Entrance into the temple premesis is permitted to the Hindus only).
Day 10: Varanasi
Morning leave by road for Chitwan National Park (5 hrs. drive) is famous for its variety of Wildlife especially the Great Indian one Horned Rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal Tiger. The Terai Plain, where the Royal Chitwan National Park is located, is about 400 feet, 120 meters, lower in altitude than Kathmandu and is consistently warmer than the rest of Nepal.Arrive and stay at Hotel. Afternoon visit the sanctuary on the back on an elephant to view game. Evening participate in Tharu Dance.
Morning visit the sanctuary again and join in the activities like nature walks, canoe trips and jungle treks.
Day 12: Kathmandu
Morning leave by road for Kathmandu (5hrs. drive).
Day 13: Kathmandu
Morning leave by road for Pokhra ( 5 hrs drive )If Kathmandu is the cultural hub of Nepal, Pokhra is its center of adventure. An enchanting city nestled in a tranquil valley. It is the starting point for many of Nepal's most popular trekking and rafting destinations.Pokhara is a place of remarkable natural beauty. The serenity of Fewa Lake and the magnificence of the fishtailed summit of Machhapuchhre (6,977 mts.) rising behind it create an ambience of peace and magic. At an elevation lowerthan Kathmandu, it has a much more tropical feel to it, a fact well appreciated by the beautiful diversity of flowers which prosper in its environs. Indeed, the valley surrounding Pokhara is home to thick forests, gushing rivers, emerald lakes, and of course, the world famous views of the Himalaya. Pokhara was part of a once vibrant trade route extending between India and Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen camped on the out-skirts of the town, bringing goods to trade from remote regions of the Himalaya. This is the land of the Magars and Gurungs, hardworking farmers and valorous warriors who have earned worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers. The Thakalis, another important ethnic group here, are known for their entrepreneurship.Arrive and stay at Hotel.
Day 14: Kathmandu
Day at leisure.
Day 15: Kathmandu - Chitwan
Morning leave by road for Kathmandu.Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to airport to fly back homeonward destination.
