Taste of India and Nepal
Duration: 14 Days
Places to Visit: Delh - Jaipur - Agra - Gwalior - Orcha
- Khajuraho - Varanasi - Kathmandu
Day 01: Abroad-Delhi
Arrive Delhi
Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer from airport to hotel. Overnight
at the hotel.
Day 02: Delhi
Morning, sightseeing tour of Old Delhi visiting the Raj Ghat, the site where
Mahatma Gandhi was cremated Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the
Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi visiting the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub
Minar. Drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India
Gate, Parliament House and the President's Residence and end the tour with a
drive through Diplomatic Enclave.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03: Delhi-Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur. (258 kms, 6 hrs).
On arrival check-in at hotel.
Walk through the city.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04: Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort. Make your ascent to the palace fortress on
the gaily caparisoned elephant back. Tour the chambers and hallways of the palace
which are famous for the excellence of their design and decoration.
Afternoon tour of Jaipur, known as "The Pink City of Rajasthan". Visit
the unique Jantar Mantar Observatory, which was built in the 1700's, still looks
futuristic or almost surrealistic. Also visit the City Palace and its Museum,
the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05: Jaipur-Agra
Early morning drive to Agra enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri (221 kms/6 hrs.).
Fatehpur Sikri the deserted, red sandstone city that was built by Emperor Akbar
as his capital and palace in the 16th century. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza
the largest gateway in the world.
Continue your drive to Agra and upon arrival check-in at hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06: Agra
Taj Mahal - Full days sightseeing tours of Agra. The mausoleum of Empress Mumtaz
Mahal, the beloved spouse of Shah Jahan, who died in 1630. The Taj complex comprises
a forecourt, a lofty entrance, and a charming formal Mughal garden with canals
and a central tank with a series of fountains, the tomb proper, and an attached
mosque on the west and its symmetrical counterpart on the east.
The
Taj is remarkable for its perfect proportions and rich pietra dura, with minute
details executed with great skill. The building, often styled "a dream
in marble" is said to have taken at least 22 years (1631-1653) to build.
(Closed on Fridays)
Agra Fort - lies on the bend of the River Yamuna, almost in the heart of the
town. It was built by Akbar as his citadel over the years 1565-73 in the finest
architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a
moat.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Agra-Gwalior-Orcha
After breakfast transfer from hotel to the railway station.
Leave Agra at 0815 hrs by Shatabdi
Exp.
Ar: Gwalior at 0935 hrs
Meeting and assistance upon arrival and start the sightseeing of Gwalior straight
from the railway station.
Morning, city sightseeing tour of Gwalior includes visit to the Great Fort,
one of the oldest in India, situated on an isolated hill of sandstone, 300 ft
above the plain Man Mandir, a six towered palace which forms the Eastern wall
of the Fort and is one of the classic sights of India Gujari Mahal, a turreted
palace of stone and now the home of an archaeological museum. A few kilometers
away is the tomb of Mohammed Ghaus, a Muslim saint worshipped by the Mughals,
as well as the tomb of the famous musician Tansen.
Thereafter drive to Orcha (125 kms / 2 and ½ hours)
On arrival check in at hotel.
Late afternoon tour of Orchha, overlooked by the modern era, this beautiful
medieval town, was once the capital of Bundela Kings. Built along the banks
of the river Betwa, flowing through a rugged country century side, it still
retains the captivating air of a bygone era. Amongst the various imposing edifices,
of particular interest are the Jehangiri Mahal, built by Raja Bir Singh Deo
to commemorate the visit of Moghul Emperor Jehangir, the Raj Mahal and the Laxminarayan
Temple, both noted for their fine Frescoes and Mural paintings.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08: Orcha-Khajuraho
After breakfast drive to Khajuraho (170 kms/ 4 hrs).
On arrival check in at hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of temples at Khajuraho.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 09: Khajuraho-Varanasi
Morning, sightseeing tour of the famous Chandela Dynasty Temples which are set
in a lovely grassy park. The Temples are quite amazing - rising in many peaks
and spirals, intricately carved and designed with statues and friezes, some
of which are the renowned erotic carvings.
Transfer from hotel to the airport for Khajuraho/Varanasi flight (1245/1325
hrs.).
Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer from airport to hotel.
Afternoon, visit the buried Buddhist city of Sarnath, just outside Varanasi
- it's as holy to the Buddhists as Varanasi is to the Hindus. Here you will
witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a
fine museum which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculpture
(Sarnath Museum Closed on Fridays).
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Varanasi-Kathmandu
Early morning, drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred river
Ganges. Continue by boat to see burning and bathing Ghats. Followed by sightseeing
tour of the holy city of Varanasi. Visit some of the many Hindu Temples that
line the river Ganges. Stroll along the narrow lanes and bazaars full of shops
selling, among other things, the world-famous Benaras Silks.
Transfer from hotel to the airport for Varanasi/Kathmandu flight (1255/1405
hrs.).
Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer from airport to hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11: Kathmandu
Full day excursion to Patan, Bhatgaon, Pashupatinath.
A drive through the Nepalese country side and a visit to Patan, known as the
"City of Grace and Fine Arts", where you will witness interesting
and beautiful pieces of art and architecture. Enroute, a stopover a particularly
interesting sales room of the Tibetan Refugee Craft Center. Bhatgaon (Bhaktapur-
the City of Devotees) is a centre of medieval art and architecture. The legendary
city was founded by King Ananda Deva in 889 AD and is shaped like a conch-shell.
Pottery and weaving are its traditional industries. Visit Durbar Square and
Nyatapala Temple - a 5 storied pagoda style temple.
Day 12: Kathmandu
Pashupatinath - dedicated to Lord Shiva this Pagoda style temple is situated
on the bank of the sacred Bagmati river. It has a gilt roof and richly carved
silver doors and is one of the holiest temples in the entire Hindu world. Pashupatinath
is the centre of an annual pilgrimage on the day of Shivratri. Only Hindus are
allowed to go inside the courtyard of the temple. Tourists can view the temple
from the eastern side of the Bagmati river.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13: Kathmandu
Morning take a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu, the unique and fascinating capital
of the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal. First visit the imposing 2000 year old stupa
at Swayambhunath, majestically set high on a hill overlooking the valley. Then
drive to the central Durbar Square to see fine examples of Nepalese architecture
in Kathmandu's palaces and pagodas. Also visit Ason Tole, a typical Nepalese
market place.
Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 14: Kathmandu-Abroad
Transfer from hotel to the airport.
Lv: Kathmandu.
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