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Exotic India & Nepal
Duration :- 14 Days Tour
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A cultural tour of India & Nepal
This tour offers both continuity and rich diversity and is a very popular combination for tourists who wish to enjoy a cultural tour of two countries. From the majestic Mughal buildings in Northern India to the stunning mountains of Nepal, this is a journey not to be missed. The inclusion of the Sariska Game Park to this tour adds the excitement of seeing the Indian wildlife in their natural habitat.

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands together. Upon arrival at Delhi Airport, after immigration and custom formalities, we are assisted and driven through this bustling city to our hotel.
Overnight: Delhi (2 nights) (D)

Day 02: Delhi
The capital of India is a true reflection of the old and new of India. We start our morning tour with New Delhi and visit first the famous India Gate followed by the Houses of Parliament, Connaught Place and the Qutb Minar - a perfect minaret towering 102 meters / 112 yards into the sky. New Delhi is a blend of Mughal India, Hindu India, British India and, certainly, modern independent India.
Our afternoon concentrates on Old Delhi, starting with the famous Red Fort. Built by Shah Jehan, this was once the most opulent fort of the Mughal Empire. Next we visit another Mughal majesty, the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, followed by the Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. We end our tour with a bazaar experience at Chandni Chawlk, the street of silver and goldsmiths. (B, D)

Day 03: Delhi / Sariska (Drive 239 kms / 148 miles)
An interesting countryside drive conveys us to Sariska. In the afternoon we visit the famous Wildlife Sanctuary, home to cheetah, antelope, sambar, and other wildlife.
Overnight: (1 night) (B, D)

Day 04: Sariska / Jaipur (Drive 111 kms / 69 miles)
From here we continue on a scenic countryside drive to Jaipur, the beautiful rose pink capital of Rajasthan.
Overnight: (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 05: Jaipur
A royal experience awaits us as we take an elephant ride uphill to the intriguing Amber Palace, a distinguished example of 17th Century Rajput architecture. After enjoying the panoramic view, we return to Jaipur to visit the old astronomical observatory built by the founder of the city Jai Singh. We also visit the majestic Palace, home to a rare collection of Indian art, and the colourful bazaar. Jaipur is noted for its craftsmen, skilled in brass inlay, lacquer work and stone setting. Most of the buildings in the old city are made of pink sandstone. One of the most beautiful is Hawa Mahal, Palace of Winds, where the ladies of the royal harem used to watch the city from behind the intricately carved facade. Evening is free to enjoy both shopping and a cultural experience in the bazaars of Jaipur. (B, D)

Day 06: Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra (Drive 230 kms / 143 miles)
Another interesting countryside takes us first to the World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful capital built in 1640 by the Mughal King Akbar the Great, and later abandoned for lack of water. A superb example of Mughal architecture, it stands perfectly preserved in the desert. We also visit the artistically designed mausoleum of Salim Chisty who is reputed to have prayed for a son for Akbar leading to the birth of Salim Jehangir. After our visit here we continue to the city home of the world famous Taj Mahal. Evening free.
Overnight: (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 07: Agra
Morning we start our tour the Taj Mahal probably the best known World Heritage Site. Built by Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj is built of white marble, beautifully carved and inlaid with semi-precious stones. Next we visit Agra Fort, also a World Heritage Site, where Shah Jehan was imprisoned by his son in the later years of his life to prevent him from spending the family fortunes on a black echo of the Taj Mahal. Our afternoon is free for shopping for Taj replicas and leather goods that the descendants of the builders of the Taj are still famous for. (B, D)

Day 08: Agra / Khajuraho (Train and drive 7 hours)
Today we board the famous Shatabdi Express Train to Jhansi and continue by coach to visit Orchha, an amazing medieval fortress-city located on the shores of the Betwa River. After our visit to Orchha we proceed to the city that houses the splendid temples. Continuing drive to Khajuraho.
Overnight: (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 09: Khajuraho
Our Khajuraho visit starts with the temples that have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples were built during the apogee of the Chandella dynasty between 950 and 1050 AD. Today only 20 temples remain and they fall into three distinct groups and belong to two different religions - Hinduism and Jainism. Theses beautiful temples strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. The Kandariya is decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art. Evening you can enjoy an optional Sound & Light Show. (B, D)

Day 10: Khajuraho / Varanasi (flight)
After further sightseeing of Khajuraho we take a short flight to the holy city of Varanasi - one of the oldest living cities on the Sub Continent. We start our experience with a visit to old Varanasi and the Bharat Mata Temple which houses a huge marble relief map of India. Varanasi is famous for its many temples and we cover the Durga temple, the Tulsi Manas Mandir beside the Banaras Hindu University and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb. The city is famous also for its Banarasi silk sarees and we visit some of the houses where the beautiful silk sarees are woven. Evening is free to enjoy this 5000-year-old city.
Overnight: Varanasi (1 night) (B, D)

Day 11: Varanasi / Kathmandu (Nepal) (flight)
Early morning a serene experience begins as we take a sunrise cruise on the River Ganges. One of the cardinal principles of Hinduism is the belief in the holiness of the Ganges. Every morning scores of pilgrim and priests fill the riverbanks performing the holy dip and various other rituals. This is a site that has to be seen and experienced as it is so different from anything else what may have seen anywhere in the world. Later we tour Sarnath, the site of Lord Buddha's first sermon after attaining enlightenment. At Sarnath we meet many Buddhist monks and followers before visiting local homes to see in-home silk weaving and soak up some local customs, culture and hospitality. Later we fly to Delhi to connect with our flight to Kathmandu - capital of the Kingdom of Nepal and home to the world's highest mountain, Everest. Kathmandu is a very spiritual land isolated by the high Himalayas.
Overnight: (3 nights) (B, D)

Day 12: Kathmandu
In the morning we visit the various towns and sites in the Kathmandu Valley, all designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the famous Gilded Copper Gate in Bhadgeon, the Hindu Temple of Shiva and the Buddhist shrine of Boudhnath. Later we drive through the countryside to Patan to see more beautiful art and architecture. We also visit the Tibetan Refugee Craft Centre and explore the temples, pagodas and palaces of Kathmandu's Durbar Square. Evening is free to loiter through the bazaars and get an opportunity meeting the many different ethnic groups who call Kathmandu, home. (B, D)

Day 13: Kathmandu
Kathmandu is a mountain town that offers an excellent venue for soul searching and this is your day to do just that while exploring this fascinating valley and the Pashupatinath Temple. Alternatively, one can take an optional scenic mountain flight over the breathtaking Himalayas to see Mount Everest. A farewell dinner, Nepali style, will be our goodbye to the Himalayas. (B, D)

Day 14: Kathmandu / Home Bound
We bid farewell to Kathmandu and Himalayan Nepal as we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight back home. (B)


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Kathmandu Stop Over Packages

Kathmandu is the gateway not only to Nepal, but also to Bhutan and Tibet. For those availing one of our tours into the Himalayan region, often a stop in Kathmandu may become necessary. We are therefore offering the following suggested options. You can also tailor make your own stay.

Kathmandu 2 days/1 night (KTM 01)
Two days program to include arrival and departure transfers and one night hotel.

Kathmandu 4 days/3 nights (KTM 02)
This is a four days program which includes arrival and departure transfers, first class hotels, daily breakfasts and one full day of sightseeing of Kathmandu.

Kathmandu 7 days/6 nights (KTM 03)
This is a one week program of Nepal.
Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu
Day 02: Full day tour
Day 03: Drive to Pokra
Day 04: Drive to Chitwan
Day 05: Full day wild life safari
Day 06: Chitwan/Kathmandu
Day 07: Departure transfer
Includes all transfers, sightseeing, accommodation, daily breakfast and domestic flight.