Introduction
This tour features some of India's vast cultural treasures in combination with the best of Nepal. Starting from Madras in the south, travel north through a kaleidoscope of landscapes, of ancient art and architecture, finally emerging at the foot of the majestic Himalayas and the Kingdom of Nepal. Known for their artisans, some of the world's greatest stone, wood & metal sculptures can be found here. In the Kathmandu valley, see ancient temples that date back to the fifth century amidst some amazing natural scenery.
ITINERARY:
Day 01 - Bangalore/Bombay In the morning transfer by road to Bangalore for flight connection to Bombay.
On arrival check into hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 02 - Bombay/Aurangabad AM Sightsee Bombay's major landmarks.
PM Fly to Aurangabad.
Day 03 - Aurangabad/Ajanta Take an early morning excursion to the renowned caves and frescoes at Ajanta with a stop at View Point.
Day 04 - Ellora/Udaipur In the morning visit the stupendous cave temples of Ellora. Fly to Udaipur via Bombay.
Day 05 - Udaipur AM Sightsee Udaipur with a visit to the Maharana’s palace, largest of its kind in Rajasthan. Spend the afternoon at leisure.
Day 06 - Jodhpur AM Drive to Jodhpur via Kumbalgarh Fort and the superbly preserved Jain temples of Ranakpur.
Day 07 - Jodhpur/Jaipur Sight see Jodhpur with a visit to The Fort 6 kms south of Mandore. This citadel is strategically located on a sheer rocky hill overlooking the town and is considered one of the best museum palaces in Rajasthan. Fly to Jaipur in the evening.
Day 08 - Jaipur A full days sightseeing of Jaipur begins with a visit to the “Palace of Winds”, the City Palace, the Astronomical Observatory, and Amber, former capital of Jaipur. An exciting elephant ride will be provided here.
Day 09 - Delhi Take a morning flight to Delhi. On arrival check into hotel.
PM Spend the afternoon sightseeing New Delhi. Visit Humayun’s tomb built in 1565 AD, the Qutab Minar and the imposing Parliament House & Secretariat buildings.
Day 10 - Delhi Spend the morning in Old Delhi.
Visit Rajghat - a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the famous Jama Masjid and Red Fort with its high walls of red sandstone. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 11 - Agra AM Transfer early to the railway station for train to Agra. On arrival check into hotel.
Visit Agra’s famous landmarks including the magnificent Taj Mahal, the Fort of Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri, the Jama Masjid, and the Diwan-i-Am or Hall of Public Audience.
Day 12 - Agra/Khajuraho AM View the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Transfer to airport for flight to Khajuraho.
PM Visit Khajuraho’s famous temples where fine artistic stone work reveal reflective, playful and amorous gods in cosmic evolution.
Day 13 - Varanasi Transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi.
On arrival check into hotel.
PM Visit the ancient city of Sarnath where at “Deer Park”, Buddha preached his message of enlightenment twenty five centuries ago.
Day 14 - Varanasi/Kathmandu Take a boat ride at sunrise on the Ganges for an intimate view of the river bank where devotees make their soul cleansing dips. Take a late afternoon flight to Kathmandu.
Day 15 - Kathmandu AM Begin with a visit to the old Royal Palace, then visit Kathmandu’s “living Goddess”. Stop briefly at Kasthamandap temple, then head west to Swayambunath. PM Visit the sister city of Patan.
Day 16 -Kathmandu AM Visit Pashupatinath, Nepal’s holiest Hindu pilgrimage site, then continue to the Buddhist stupa at Bodhnath.
PM Tour Bhaktapur, Nepal’s most perfectly preserved city, famed for its wood carving and architecture.
Day 17 - End of tour Transfer to airport for onward flight or extension.
Rates
Hotel
2 Persons
3 or more
Air Fare
Deluxe
$3022
$2978
$2240
Tourist / Economy
$2178
$2108
$2240
Hotels In order to make the travel experience more convenient and confortable, we have selected the following hotels in the various stops.
Cities
Deluxe
Economy
Agra
Taj View
Hotel Trident
Aurangabad
Taj Residency
same
Bombay
Taj Mahal
Ambassador
Bandhavgarh
Nature Camp
Tiger Trails
Cochin
Malabar
Taj Residency
Delhi
Taj Mahal
Ambassador/Hans Plaza
Daspan
Castle
same
Jaipur
Ram-Bagh Palace
Trident Hotel
Jaisalmer
Gorbandh
same
Jodhpur
Umaid Bhawan
Bal Samand
Khajuraho
Jass Oberoi
Holiday Inn
Kumarakom
Coconut Lagoon
Taj Retreat
Kumarakom
Coconut Lagoon
Taj Retreat
Madras
Taj Coromandal
Hotel Savera
Madurai
Taj Garden
same
Mysore
Lalitha Mahal Palace
same
Nagarhole
Jungle Lodge
same
Periyar
Spice Village
Taj Gardens
Rantambhor
Sawai Madho Lodge
same
Rohet
Castle Rohert
same
Udaipur
Lake Palace
Laxmi Vilas
Varanasi
Taj Ganges
Clarks
Cost includes Accommodation on twin sharing basis with breakfast. All transfers between airport-hotel-airport. Sightseeing & English speaking guides.
Cost does not include Expenses of a private nature ie, laundry, drinks, telephone calls, meals (unless specified), insurance, airport taxes, excess baggage charges and all manner of gratuities.
Optional Tours Based on minimum of two persons- Costs are per person
Bhutan
4 nights/5 days
$1360
Glimpses of the Himalayas ( Darjeeling/Sikkim )
4 nights/5 days
$995
Chitwan Jungle Safari
3 nights/4 days
$385
Mountain Flight ( closeup views of the Himalayas )
$135
Tibet
4 nights/5 days
$675
NOTE: Airfares quoted are estimates only and are based on West Coast departures (Los Angeles or San Francisco). A High season surcharge of $200 will be charched for departure during the following months:
June-July-August & December 1- January 15.
