You will discover powerful forts, ancient temples , holy Ganges , spellbinding streets and friendly faces on your journey through historic culture of India and Nepal. Imagine the vibrant life along the riverbanks of the Ganges River , the elegant angles of the Taj Mahal have always inspired . Visiting the honeycomb texture of the Palace of Winds takes you back into classical Rajasthani history. The spirit of Kathmandu emanates from the countless temples that hide in the narrow alleyways.
Travel Route
Delhi-Jaipur-Agra-Orchha-Khajuraho-Varanasi-Katmandu
- A contrast of Old & New part of the capital city New Delhi is a photographer’s delight
- Visit Sikh Temple and enjoy a meal to experience their community kitchen which runs 24 hrs at the temple to feed all
- Visit an architectural marvel of Eastern and Western group of Khajuraho temples famous for its erotic sculptures.
- At Sarnath , Buddha gave his first sermon to the five monks was his first sermon
- Cruise down the River Ganges to experience the daily rituals of the holy city of Varanasi
- Inspiring Aarti ceremony at the ghats of Ganges
- Discover the spiritual ambience of Kathmandu in the various temples around Kathmandu valley.
Day 01 Arrive Delhi
Your journey begins before you land in India. Your thoughts are focused on the soon to have imagined the culture and the architecture, the food and the landscape and, as the plane lands in the capital city of Delhi, you are ready to experience it all.
Welcome to Delhi, a city that brings together its historic architecture and modern culture. You are met at the airport and escorted to your hotel by a private transfer.
Explore and discover the city’s ancient walls you can find in Chandni Chowk, the old market that continues to brim with life, filled with the enticing smoky aromatics of grilled kebab , street food and Spices
From the old market to the Raj Ghat, the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, you venture through the new streets that eventually bring you to the Qutub Minar. You find the mystique of the seasoned structures alluring; the minaret climbs over 217 feet into the air, constructed almost a millennia ago.
Drive pass India Gate and Parliament , before you settle back into your hotel for the evening.
Overnight at hotel
Day 02 Delhi – Jaipur by road ( 256 kms / 6 hrs Approx.)
The day comes to life once again in the morning hours of Delhi. The aromatics of paratha, pan-fried bread, bring deliciousness to the morning air and are accompanied by the spice of chai tea.
Drive to the famous Pink City of Jaipur. You arrive in the afternoon and will settle yourself in the comforts of your hotel before you make your way through the city on a guided tour. The city was founded in the 18th century. The precious pink coloration stems from the use of sandstone to construct much of the Mughal city which was repainted in the 19th century.
In the evening you will delight in a traditional home-cooked meal with a local family where the essential flavors and aromas of Jaipur will be savored.
Overnight at hotel
Day 03 Jaipur – Agra by road ( 237 kms /5 hrs Approx)
The day is yours to drift through the Pink City and experience the majesty of sandstone buildings that date back centuries. Witness the lavish interior of the powerful Amer Fort. Within the walls you find the palace of the Rajput Maharajas that dates back to the 15th century. The first impression of the exterior walls is pure strength but when you step inside you discover the lavish adornments that bring elegance and beauty to the interior.
As you continue through the fort and along the immaculate décor, including the Mirror Palace that was built to make a candle flame twinkle like endless starlight, you will return to the pink walls of City Palace to find a richer sense of the past.
Morning drive to Agra enroute stop at Fatehpur Sikri. Check-in at hotel in the evening.
Overnight at hotel
Day 04 Agra
The exquisite architecture of the Taj Mahal is situated at the edges of a lush courtyard like a crowning jewel. The complex dates back to the 17th century and was built as a tomb for the wife of emperor Shah Jahan. The entire structure is made of marble, which accounts for the way the opulent walls and Moorish dome catch the changing light throughout the day. Standing at the entrance of the complex gives the structure an entirely new look.
The garden is lush with manicured trees and bushes and lined with walkways and placid ponds. The water reflects the image of the Taj Mahal when the fountains aren’t trickling. The minarets rise over 120 feet tall with a backdrop of open sky. The central structure contains pieces of semi-precious stones that bring different colors to the floral carvings.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 Agra – Jhansi – Orchha by train , To Khajuraho by road (183 kms/ 5 hrs Approx.)
Experience a short train travel between Agra to Jhansi by an airconditioned chair car. On arrival drive to Khajuraho enroute stop at Orchha (meaning Hidden place) the picturesque city of Orchha situated on the banks of the River Betwa, was founded in 16th century A.D. by Rudra Pratap Singh who was one of the Rajput rulers belonging to the Bundela Dynasty.. It’s one of the most scenic places in Madhya Pradesh. The river water of Betwa forms one of the main sources of water for the wildlife living within.
Afternoon drive to Khajuraho.
Overnight at hotel
Day 06 Khajuraho
Khajuraho, a quiet village in Madhya Pradesh which is fast metamorphosing into a tourist town. The place has been drawing a number of foreign tourists to it since the last two decades. The village of Khajuraho became famous amongst the international tourist circuit after its sculptures were discovered in 1838. Some believe them to be physical embodiments of the greatest thesis on love- The Kama Sutra. The name Khajuraho is derived from the Khajur (Date Palm) trees that line the borders of the village.
Visit the famous 11th century temples of Khajuraho. The temples were built during the Chandela period, Around the temples are bands of intricately carved stone work detailing Indian life and style a millennium ago. There are also various acts from the famous Kamasutra depicted on these monolithic temples.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 Khajuraho – Varanasi by flight
Arrive Varanasi, the quintessential Indian holy city where millions of Hindu travels for pilgrimage, to worship, to mourn or to die. It is the holiest of the seven sacred cities. Some Hindus believe that death at Varanasi brings salvation. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Varanasi is also known as the favourite city of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva as it has been mentioned in the Rigveda that this city in older times was known as Kashi or „Shiv ki Nagri“.
Evening witness the Aarti ceremony on the Ghats of Ganges. River Ganga is considered as the most sacred and holy river of India. It is life, purity, and a goddess to the people of India. The river is Ganga Ma, „Mother Ganges.“ It is the story of how she poured herself down from heaven upon the ashes of King Sarga’s sons. Her waters would raise them up again to dwell in peace in heaven. Anyone who touches these purifying waters even today said to be cleansed of all sins.
Every morning thousands of Hindus, whether pilgrims or residents, make their way into the holy water of the Ganges. All of them face the rising sun with folded hands mumering prayers.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 Varanasi
Early morning transfer to the river Ghats for the boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world’s oldest and most important religions. For you to appreciate this remarkable city, we’ll transfer you to the banks of the River Ganges before the sun rises. Board a boat with your guide and proceed to the middle of the river, where at sunrise the sight unfolds before you.
Later visit the Bharat Mata Temple, dedicated to Mother India, which, instead of gods and goddesses, houses a relief map of India carved out of marble. Durga (Goddess of Power) Temple. Emperor Aurangazeb’s Mosque built in the 17th century on the site of a Hindu Temple. The rear of the mosque reveals specimens of the ancient temple art of India. The Sacred Bull, the Well of Knowledge, Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple) erected by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore in 1776. The shikharas of the temple are gold plated. The sanctum is for Hindus but ceremonies can be seen from the entrance. Visit Banaras Hindu University, a great seat of learning. It started as a centre of education in Sanskrit, Indian art, culture and music.
Afternoon, you will proceed for an excursion to Sarnath, a major Buddhist center in the world. After achieving enlightenment at Bodhgaya, Buddha, the ‚Awakened One‘, delivered his first sermon here. It was the sixth century then, when he also set in motion the wheel of law, the Dharmachakra. This dwelling place of the rishis, it was also known as ‚Rishipatana‘ (the place of the Rishis or sages). Buddha gave his first sermon in the Deer Park where he initiated his first five disciples into Buddhist monkshood. Buddhism found its roots in Sarnath, the birthplace of this way of life
Overnight at hotel
Day 09 Varanasi – Kathmandu by flight
Upon arriving Kathmandu , you will be transferred to a hotel.
Afternoon visit the Stupa of Swyambhunath & Kathmandu City.
Swayambhunath, one of world’s most glorious, ancient, and enigmatic and the holiest of Buddhist Chaityas, dates back more than 2000 years. Situated on a hillock Swayambhunath, literally “the Self-Created or Existent”, is a mosaic of small stupas and pagoda temple contributed by and time by the suceession of kings and noblemen. The main structure of is made of a solid hemisphere of brick and clay supporting a loafty conical spire capped by pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on the four sides on the base of the spire are the “All Seeing Eyes” of Lord Buddha. The main features of Swayyambunath in brief are “The Five Buddhas”, “Vasupur and Amithabha”, “Gilded Vajra”, Harati and Sitala Mandir”, “Shantipur and Nagapur”.
Kathmandu city & Rickshaw ride In this tour visit the 17th Century Durbar complex and Hanuman Dhoka, temple of living goddess, Narayan Mandir, Maiju Dewal, and Kasthmandap a wooden temple built from a single tree, Shiva Paravati temple, great Bell and Drum, Seto Bhairav, Kal Bhairav and Taleju Temple, Makhan Tole, Indira Chowk, and Ason tole to experience the architecture and life style of local people.
Then you’ll proceed for a Rickshaw ride .Riding a rickshaw is one of the more interesting and environmentally friendly ways of getting around in the cities. The tour begins from Durbar Square which takes you through the local Bazaars of Maru – Indira Chowk – Ason – Jyatha – Thamel. It gives you a chance to glance at the colorful streets of the place. A rickshaw ride from Kathmandu city to Thamel is very exciting and brings you face to face with wonderfully laid out shops and markets.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10 Kathmandu
Morning sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath & Boudhanath.
Visit to Pashupatinath Temple, a sacred Hindu Temple and principle pilgrimage site for the annual pilgrimage during Shivaratri Festival thousand of devotees of Lord Shiva pay their homage here. Pashupatinath, the reincarnation of Shiva in his most benevolent form as the shepherd of fertility and so there are no animal sacrifices in this temple, only fruits. Flowers and vermilion are offered. It lies on the banks of the Baghmati River and for the Hindus, to be cremated at Pashupatinath means a direct passage to heaven.
Shortly afterwards, we continue on with our drive to Boudhanath Stupa, which is the largest Buddhist Stupa in the world just beyond the Pashupatinath temple. It is built on a flat surface on various levels of terraces, and is painted in pastel adorned with prayer flags.
Day 11 Leave Kathmandu
Extend your tour to explore more of Nepal