Luxury North India Nepal Tour - 14N/15D

Upon arrival our representative will receive you and escort you to your vehicle. Drive to your designated hotel. Our representative will assist you with the check-in formalities and inform you of your next day's program.

Since the flights arrive late in the night the morning is to relax and unwind. Later in the day you will begin your sightseeing of the important sites in the city. Some of the monuments worth visiting are the Red Fort, Jama Masid (Mosque), Gandhi Memorial, India Gate, Humayun's Tomb & the Qutab Minar. It is also recommended that one drives around Lutyen's Delhi and walk in Connaught Place. NOTE: Red Fort is closed on Mondays.

After a leisurely breakfast drive to Jaipur. You will pass through some small towns and countryside, which will give you an opportunity to make some interesting photos. The Pink City of Jaipur was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the 18th century. It is a planned city built on "Vastu Shastra" ancient Hindu architectural principles as the colonial capital of a richly colorful state. The whole city was painted in Terracotta to welcome Prince Albert in 1853 and this Terracotta color has become a unique feature of the Old City.

The Old Capital, Amber Fort the seat of the Maharajas of Jaipur before the city of Jaipur was founded is situated in the north and today morning you will visit this medieval Fort, which has been restored to its old glory. In the afternoon visit the City Palace Museum & the Jantar Mantar, the stone Observatory in the heart of the Old City.

After breakfast drive to Agra. Enroute visit a beautiful and deserted medieval city Fatehpur Sikri built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century. It is believed that AkbaHawa Mahal Jaipurr abandoned this beautiful red sand stone city due to lack of water. Up on arrival in Agra check-in at the Hotel and our representative will receive you at the hotel and discuss the next day's program with you.

Though Taj Mahal can be visited at any time of the day but visiting it in the early morning just before sunrise and watch it glow with the sunlight is an experience that can only be witnessed in person. Emperor Shajhan built this poem in white marble for his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal who died after giving birth to their 14th child. Agra Fort is next on the agenda and the majestic Fort built by Emperor Akbar in Red Sand Stone is another World Heritage Monument, which is worth visiting. It also gives a fantastic view of the Taj Mahal with the riverbed in the backdrop. NOTE: Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.

The train journey is a highlight of the travel today. Our representative will escort you to the Train Station and ensure smooth boarding on Bhopal Shatabdi (Agra Dep - 0817 / Jhansi Arr - 1043 hrs) to Jhansi. Up on arrival in Jhansi you will be received & your guide will escort you to visit Orchha, a ruined city of medieval times located on the river banks of Betwa River. After the visit enjoy a nice lunch at the local restaurant before embarking on a longish drive to Khajuraho. In the evening enjoy a Sound and Light Show.

Kahjuraho was the capital of the Chandela Rulers in the early 10th & 11th Cent. During this period some 84 temples were built in the vicinity. Most of these temples were destroyed by repeated Islamic invasions but some of them have survived the onslaught. Though the temples are today known for the erotic sculptures but they are only 20 % of the total sculptures on the exterior & interior of the temples.You will visit these temples divide in Eastern & Western Group of temples and your guide will explain the philosophy behind these sculptures. Later in the day you have a flight connection to fly to Varanasi, the oldest city on planet Earth according to the Hindu belief. Flight Schedule - 9W724 1330/1410 HRS Our representatives in the respective cities will perform all departure & arrival transfers.

To experience the Holy Rituals on the Ghats of the Ganges you have to be there well before sunrise. For the practicing Hindus the day starts with the Sunrise and ends with Sunset. All rituals are performed at Dawn or at Twilight on these Ghats. The best way to watch these rituals being performed, as the Sun rises, on the Ghats is to take a Boat Ride on the river. It is a life time experience to watch the contrast in life style of the people India and the Hindu philosophy. Since the morning visit is very early you come back to your hotel and have Breakfast. After a short break you will go for an excursion to Sarnath were Buddha preached his first sermons to his five disciples. The ruins of Sarnath, the New Buddha Temple and the archeology museum are worth visiting.

The morning is free to enjoy the Swimming pool or go shopping, Varanasi is famous for Silk and Brocade. Later you will be escorted to the airport to board flight to Kathmandu. Up on arrival in Kathmandu you will be escorted to your designated Hotel and will be assisted in the Check-in by our representative. Later visit Kathmandu City, which looks like a living museum. Visit the Durbar Square, the Temple of the Living Goddess, the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Shiva-Parvati Temple, a three-story temple famous for its erotic stone carvings. Flight Schedule - IC751 1210/1320 HRS

Since the Kathmandu valley is culturally & architecturally very rich you will get an opportunity to visit some of these beautifully carved Palaces & Temples. Places of interest are Bhaktapur, Patan, Bodhnath, Pasupatinath & the Monkey Temple situated on top of the hill. In the evening a special Nepalese dinner in an old Nepalese house is arranged for you where you will also see some glimpses of Nepalese dances.

The drive to Chitwan is long but full of breathtaking views of the valley, river and mountains. All lodges are outside the park area and we have selected a very nice Jungle Lodge for your sojourn. The Chitwan National Park is pride of Nepal and has lush Jungles and thick Forest. The best mode of travel into these Jungles are the Elephants, in some parts one can also use the dinghy boats. Your Lodge naturalist will give you briefs on the rules of the Jungle and will also escort you on your elephant rides in to the Jungle. Some of the animals you will see are Single Horned Rhino, Antelopes & Wild Boar.

You spend the day going on Jungle Safaris and or with activities such as ritual bathing and feeding of elephants, jungle walks etc.

After having enjoyed the Jungle and Nature it is time to say good by and fly back to Kathmandu to connect flight to Delhi. Flight Connections - BHR / KTM ---- BHA 354 1055/1115 HRS. KTM / DEL - 9W 261 dep. 1545 / 1715 HRS. Upon arrival in Delhi you will be escorted to your hotel where you can relax and prepare for your flight back home.

After breakfast transfer to the airport to connect flight for your onward journey.