Essence of North India & Nepal

Depart Heathrow with an overnight direct flight to Delhi.

Arrive in Delhi, late in the morning. Meet and assist on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Two nights stay in Delhi.

Tour of Old and New Delhi. Old Delhi built by the Emperor Shahjahan is a bustling city of crowded bazaars and winding alleys teeming with life. New Delhi, designed by British architects Lutyens and Herbert Baker, with wide avenues, landscape gardens and stately monuments. Visit the Red Fort, Jama Masjid Mosque, Chandni chowk bazaar. India Gate, Humayun s tomb, Qutb Minar and drive past President’s Palace and the diplomatic enclave.

Morning flight to Udaipur. Described as the most romantic city, Udaipur is interspersed with shimmering lakes, marble palace and beautifully laid gardens. Afternoon city tour includes visit to the City Palace complex, a Marvel of marble and granite with ornate windows and craftsmanship in glass, overlooking Lake Pichola. The museum inside has extensive collection. Also visit Jagdish Temple built in 1651 and the Saheliyon-ki-Bari (Garden of the Maids of honour), once used for the enjoyment by the royal ladies. Two nights stay in Udaipur.

Morning drive outside of the city to visit Eklingji, a complex of 108 temples chiseled out of sandstone and marble and enclosed by high walls. Built in 725 A.D, this temple is devoted to the family deity of the rulers of Mewar. Visit nearby Nagda which has ancient Jain temples, including the Saas- Bahu temple (Mother and Daughter in law) with interesting architecture and carvings. Afternoon at leisure.

Morning flight to Jaipur also known as the, Pink city, Jaipur is the capital and the largest city of Rajasthan. Afternoon city tour visiting the City Palace, Museum, Hawa Mahal(Palace of the winds) from where the royal ladies could watch the life on the streets without being seen and Janter Manter Observatory. Two nights stay in Jaipur.

After breakfast drive outside of the city to visit Amber Fort and Palace. A decorated elephant will take you up to the fort. Here you will see the marble Palace, temple of victory, hall of mirrors, which are excellent examples of ancient Rajput architecture. The afternoon is at leisure. Evening cultural program and dinner in a traditional setting (Optional).

Leave Jaipur in the morning. Lunch at the Bharatpur bird sanctuary. Continue on to Agra visiting en route the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. Built by Mughal king Akbar only to abandon 14 years later due to the shortage of water. Now a world heritage site, this is perhaps the best-preserved Mughal city of all. Visit the Taj Mahal at Sunset. Stay in Agra for two nights.

City tour of Agra visiting the Taj Mahal built by the Mughal king Sheh Jahan in the loving memory of his wife, the elegant Fort and the tomb of Itmad-ud-daula.

Fly to Khajuraho. Afternoon visit the famous Chandela rock cut temples built between 950 to 1050 A.D, depicting erotic themes. These magnificent temples were discovered by Captain T S Burt in 1838. You will visit some of the most prominent temples including the Kandariya Mahadev and Chaunsat Yogini temples. Overnight stay in Khajuraho.

Fly to Varanasi, one of the world s most ancient cities and the oldest living city in India. Also known as Benaras & Kashi, Varanasi is the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage. Afternoon tour of this great city visiting the narrow streets winding between carved and painted buildings with overhanging galleries. Two nights stay in Varanasi.

Early morning boat ride on the Ganges to see the Sunrise and the rituals on the Ghats (waterside steps). Later visit Sarnath where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Here Dhameka Satupa (28.5 meters in diameter and 33.5 meters in height) contains the mortal remains of Lord Buddha.

Fly to Kathmandu, the city of temples, shrines and living Gods, where worship of Gods and Goddesses is a part of public life. Rest of the day at leisure. Two nights stay in Kathmandu

Tour of the city visiting the Durbar Square noted for its temples and palaces including the Khasta Mandap, the wooden temple which gave Kathmandu its name, and the temple of Living Goddess or Kumari. You will see much evidence of Pagoda style of architecture that Nepalese claim to have been originated. Visit Syambunath with all seeing eyes of Buddha overlooking the valley. In the afternoon visit the twin villages of Bungmati & Khokana dating back to 6th century, the ancient city of Patan and the Tibetan Handicrafts Centre.

Today visit the medieval city of Bhadgaon, noted for wooden carved buildings including the five-storied Nyatapole Pagoda and Golden Gate. Bodhnath, one of the world’s largest stupa and the most important Tibetan Buddhist monument outside Tibet. Changunarayan, a lavishly decorated two-tiered temple dated back to 467 A.D. Continue on to Nagarkot (7200ft), offering a complete panoramic view of the mighty Himalayas from Mount Everest in the east to Dhaulagiri in the west. Remainder of the day at leisure to absorb the atmosphere. Overnight stay in Nagarkot.

Early in the morning view the Sunrise over the Himalayas. On a clear day you can see Mount Everest from here. Return to Kathmandu visiting en route Bodhnath, one of the world’s largest stupa and the most important Tibetan Buddhist monument outside Tibet, and Pashupatinath. In the evening a Farewell dinner in a traditional setting with Nepalese folk dances.

Fly from Kathmandu to London via Delhi