North India with Nepal

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi
On arrival in Delhi, you will be greeted and assisted by an Indo Asia Tours representative and transferred to your hotel.

Delhi, where the present capital of India stands, has seen the rise of seven cities in its 3000 years of existence. Here you’ll encounter a fascinating blend of the ancient and the contemporary, where government buildings, medieval palaces, and bazaars exist beside a modern metropolis. Delhi is a city waiting to be explored.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Delhi
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day city tour of Delhi, which includes the following:

Red Fort: The Red Fort, Shah Jahan’s elegant citadel in red sandstone, was built on the western bank of the river Yamuna. Shah Jahan started the construction of this massive fort in 1638, when he shifted the capital from Agra to Delhi. The red sandstone walls of the massive Red Fort rise 33 meters above the clamor of Old Delhi as a reminder of the magnificent power and pomp of the Mughals. Inside is a veritable treasure trove of buildings, including the Drum House, the Hall of Public and Private Audiences, the Pearl Mosque, the Royal Baths, and the Palace of Colour. (Closed on Mondays.)

Jama Masjid: Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) is made of red sandstone and white marble. It is India’s largest mosque, where more than 20,000 people can kneel in prayer at one time. The interior of the prayer hall is divided into aisles by arches. The walls and floors are constructed of marble inlay panels.

Raj Ghat: Situated on the banks of the river Yamuna, Raj Ghat is Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial. The memorial is located at the site where Gandhi was cremated following his assassination in January of 1948, and lies in the midst of landscaped gardens, a simple square platform of black marble inscribed with his last words: “Hey Ram.” An eternal flame burns here 24 hours a day.

India Gate (photo stop): At the center of New Delhi stands the 42-meter-high India Gate, an archway in the middle of a crossroad, which resembles the Arc de Triomphe in France. The India Gate commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during World War I, and there is a memorial with the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919. Under the arch, a structure called the Amar Jawan Jyoti commemorates the losses of Indian armed forces in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.

Government Buildings (drive past): New Delhi houses several government buildings and official residences reminiscent of British colonial architecture. Today you will be taken past a few of them, such as The Parliament House, designed by Baker, and the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Residence), which was designed by Lutyens and combines eastern and western styles.

Humayun’s Tomb: Probably one of the most innovative and experimental monuments of its time, this magnificent garden tomb is the first substantial example of Mughaarchitecture in India, incorporating Indo-Islamic architectural styles. It was built in 1565, nine years after the death of Humayun, by his senior widow Bega Begam. Inside the walled enclosure, the most notable features are the garden squares (Charbagh) with pathways and water channels and a centrally-located mausoleum topped by a double dome.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Delhi – Jaipur
Maharaja Jai Singh II built Jaipur in the 18th century; it is a planned city built with ancient Hindu rules, the colonial capital of a richly colorful state. In 1853, the whole city was painted pink to welcome the visit of Prince Albert. Jaipur is the biggest manufacturing center for marble statues of Hindu and Jain deities. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for overnight.

Day 4: Jaipur
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day visit of Jaipur City including the following:

Amber Fort by Elephant/Jeep (one way): The Amber Fort was built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, and was completed in the 18th century. It was once the capital of the Mina tribes, believed to be the original inhabitants of this region. One of the finest examples of Rajput architecture, it gives extensive views over a deep, narrow valley and the wider plains beyond. The site sprawls along Maotha Lake, boasting a massive complex of gateways, courts, stairways, and pillared pavilions, and palaces which recall the glory and wealth of Amber’s association with the Mughals.

Hawa Mahal Palace (drive past): Visit the Palace of Wind (Hawa Mahal), with its 953 windows and niches which were made to enable the ladies of the royal family to see the procession of events in the city without being visible to the people outside.

City Palace: City Palace occupies the center of Jaipur. It now houses the Royal residence and museums, with collections of textiles and costumes, armory, manuscripts, paintings, and more.

Jantar Mantar: The Jantar Mantar, or Royal Observatory, was built between 1728 and 1734 by king astrologer Jai Singh II. The instruments are built of stone with marble facing on the important planes, for measuring the harmony of the heavens. Each instrument serves a particular function and each gives an accurate reading.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Jaipur – Agra
After breakfast, drive to Agra, stopping along the way to visit Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful and deserted medieval city built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century to serve as the capital of his vast empire. The complex consists of religious, residential, and administrative buildings. The Mosque here is considered a copy of the Mosque at Mecca and is extremely elegant, containing elements of Hindu and Persian design. Housed here is the Shrine of Sheikh Salim Chisti, one of the greatest Sufi saints of the Muslim world.

After sightseeing, drive to Agra and transfer to your hotel. Agra stands on the right bank of the river Yamuna and was once the seat of the Mughal rulers, the zenith of art, and the site of an enshrined romance. A town famous for its beautiful medieval monuments, the passion of the Mughals for building endowed it with some of the loveliest buildings in the world.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Agra
After breakfast, enjoy sightseeing in Agra.

The Taj Mahal, or Crown of Palaces, is a white marble mausoleum built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. A world-renowned wonder, the Taj Mahal looks the same from all four sides and is recognized by UNESCO as “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.” The Taj Mahal is phenomenal not only in its beauty but also in the deep planning and design that went into its making. This enchanting mausoleum started in 1631 and it took 22 years to complete with the help of an estimated 20,000 workers. (Closed on Fridays.)

Also visit the Agra Fort, situated on the west bank of the river Jamuna. The fort was constructed by the Mughal King Akbar in the 16th century and completed by his grandson Shah Jahan, who was imprisoned by his own son in this fort for 8 years before his death.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: Agra – Jhansi (train) – Khajuraho
This morning, transfer to the railway station to board the 8:15 am Bhopal Shatabdi Express train to Jhansi. On arrival in Jhansi, drive to Khajuraho, visiting Orchha along the way. Orchha is a highly picturesque town set on an island in a bend of the Betwa River. Here you will see the beautiful old fort palace raised on a rocky promontory above the wooded countryside. Orchha was founded in the early 16th century by Rajput chieftain Radra Pratap and remained the capital of the powerful Rajput Kingdom from 1583 until 1783. Orchha’s golden age was during the first half of the 17th century. When Jehangir visited the city in 1606, a special palace, the Jehangir Mahal, was built especially for him. Later, both Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb raided the city.

On arrival in Khajuraho, transfer to your hotel for overnight.

Day 8: Khanuraho – Varanasi (Flight)
In the morning, visit the Eastern Group of temples, mainly dedicated to the Jain teachers (tirthankaras): the Parsvanatha Temple, the Adinatha Temple, and the Santinatha Temple. These temples are ornately carved on the outside with beautiful figures of Hindu gods and goddesses. Also visit the Western Group of temples, which consists of a group of artistic temples built in sandstone. The sculptures of Hindu deities, dancers, and musicians appear to be so natural that it seems they could come to life at any time.

Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Varanasi, a town which derives its name from the two streams at its flanks, Varuna in the north and Assi in the south. On arrival, check in at your hotel.

In the afternoon, take an excursion to Sarnath. A major Buddhist center, Sarnath lies 10 kilometers northeast of Varanasi. It was here that Buddha preached his message of the “middle way” to nirvana after achieving enlightenment at Bodhgaya. Around 234 BC, Emperor Ashoka, a great follower of Buddhism, erected a stupa here; several more Buddhist structures were added between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD. Most of Sarnath’s monuments are set in large gardens making it quite pleasant for a visitor to spend some time here.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Varanasi – Kathmandu (Flight)
(Flight operates on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday)

Early this morning, you will experience the life of the ancient city of Varanasi. See the beauty of the rising sun on a Ganges Boat Ride. Experience the early-morning Hindu rituals being performed as thousands of people bathe in the holy river, believing they will be freed from the circle of rebirth. It is interesting to see the pilgrims offering sweets, flowers, and holy water to the Sun God.

Later, return back to hotel for breakfast, after which you will be transferred to the airport to meet your afternoon flight to Kathmandu.

On arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel.

Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and its largest city. Its glorious history dates back two thousand years. Located in the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley, the city is the cultural hub of the country. Tour the city in the late afternoon, visiting Durbar Square, a concentrated area of at least 48 buildings of unique architecture, palaces, monuments, and temples. Continue on to the Kumari Bhal, or Temple of the Living Goddess. Overlooking Durbar Square is the Hanuman Dhoka Palace (Gate of the Monkey God) which was built by King Pratap Mall in the 17th century. At the entrance there is a huge statue of the monkey god, Hanuman, from the Ramayan epic. Also visit Shiva-Parvati Temple, a three-story temple which is famous for its erotic stone carvings.

Overnight in the hotel.

Day 10: Kathmandu
After breakfast, visit the stupa of Swayambunath. It is said to be 2000 years old and is situated 70 meters above the level of valley. Often referred to as the Monkey Temple, this temple is believed to be famous in the tantric cult.

Visit the town of Patan, also known as Lalitpur (City of Beauty and Fine Art). Patan is an ancient city filled with exotic pagodas, intricate gateways, fabulous deities, and endless carvings.

In the late afternoon, visit Bungamati and Khokana villages for a fascinating glimpse of rural life in the Kathmandu Valley. In both villages, life takes place more on the streets than inside, where villagers can be found spinning, caring for children, gossiping, and processing crops in the sun. Wood carving is a tradition which is alive and strong here and it is possible to see beautiful pieces being produced, including doors and window frames. Bungamati is also one of the two homes of the rain god, Raato Machhendranath. Kokana is particularly renowned as a producer of mustard oil.

In Bungamati and Khokana, the majority of people are Newar, one of Nepal’s major ethnic groups. Their main occupation is to construct and renovate old temples, pagodas, and palaces in Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur. Witness first-hand the skill of artisans working on wood carving in their beautiful village.

Overnight in the hotel.

Day 11: Kathmandu – Pokhara (Flight)
OPTIONAL: Take an early-morning Mountain Flight. Gain a new perspective as you look down upon the towering peaks and glaciers of the mighty Himalayas. With every little gain in altitude, fresh wonders are revealed; from each new vantage point, another gleaming summit appears. Gaze endlessly, as if to etch those glorious summits indelibly onto your memory and make them always your own. As the aircraft heads toward the east, you will see hundreds of white snow-capped peaks, including Shisha Pangma, Dorje Lhakpa, Phurbi-Chyachu, Choba-Bhamase, Gauri-Shanker, Melungstse, Chugimago, Numbur, Karyolung, Cho-Oyu, Pumori, Thamserku, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Everest, known to the Nepalese as Sagarmatha. Thus an hour-long circuit is complete.

After breakfast, visit Bodhnath. One of the oldest and the largest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal, Bodhnath Stupa is an imposing structure which stands some 36 meters tall. The stupa rests on a massive three-level mandala-style platform surrounded by colorful private family houses. This stupa is said to have been built in the 5th century AD.

At the Pashupatinath Temple, view the most sacred of Nepal’s Shiva shrines, located near the holy river Bagmati. This Hindu temple’s twin-roofed pagoda is of gold-gilt-brass; the gateways are silver plated.

Later, transfer to the airport to connect with your flight to Pokhara. On arrival, check in at your hotel.

Overnight in the hotel.

Day 12: Hiking in Pokhara

After an early breakfast, hike to the top of a hill to visit Peace Stupa. The trek takes around 4 hours and passes through ethnic villages, forests, and viewpoints. From Peace Stupa, one can view the Himalayan Range, Pokhara city, and Phewa Lake, if weather permits. The view from this vantage point is much better than the view from Sarangkot. Many Buddhists and Hindus also visit this sacred site because it is dedicated to creating peace all over the world. It was erected in memory of those who died in the Second World War.

After this short trek, you will walk down to Pokhara, crossing Phewa Lake by boat. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in the hotel.

Day 13: Pokhara – Kathmandu (Flight) – Nagarkot
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Kathmandu. On arrival, drive to Nagarkot, visiting Bhaktapur and Changunarayan along the way.

Bhaktapur is the home of medieval art and architecture. Lying 14 kilometers east of Kathmandu city, Bhaktapur was founded in the 9th century and is shaped like a conch shell. The city sits at an elevation of 1400 meters above sea level. In Bhaktapur, you will visit Durbar Square to explore its array of temples. Visit Nyatapola Temple and the Palace of 55 Windows, both of which were built by King Bupatindra Malla. Nyatapola Temple is the best example of the Pagoda style and stands on five terraces, on each of which stands a pair of figures of famous strong men, elephants, lions, griffins, or goddesses. Changunarayan Temple, dedicated to Lord Bishnu, was built by Hara Dutta Varma around the 4th century AD. The entire courtyard of the temple is considered as an open-air museum of ancient stone, metal, and wood crafts. These 1600-year-old arts and artifacts show the cultural development of the ethnic Newar people of Kathmandu Valley, earning the temple a listing as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

After sightseeing, continue your drive to Nagarkot, where you will check in at your hotel. Nagarkot, among all the places for mountain viewing in the Kathmandu Valley, is usually considered to be the best. The views go from Dhaulagiri in the west to Kanchenjunga in the east. On a clear day, you can see Mt. Everest (Sagarmatha), as well as Manaslu (8,463 meters), Ganesh Himal (7,111 meters), and Langtang (7,246 meters). Many people go up to Nagarkot in the afternoon, stay in a hotel in Nagarkot, and then get up at dawn to see the Himalayas lit up by the sunrise.

Overnight in the hotel.

Day 14: Nagarkot – Kathmandu – Delhi (Flight)
Enjoy a free morning at leisure. Later, transfer to the Kathmandu airport and connect with your afternoon flight to Delhi. On arrival, check in at your hotel for overnight.

Day 15: Departure from Delhi
Today you will be transferred to the airport to board your homeward flight.

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