Classical India extension to Nepal!!!
Itinerary
Day 1 : International Arrival, Delhi at Leisure
Welcome to India! Upon arrival at India Gandhi International Airport, you are greeted by our representative. Be transferred to the hotel where our representative helps you check in and briefs you about the following tours. Have some free time on your own to adjust to the new time zone.
Overnight: Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi Sightseeing
Breakfast at hotel, your tour guide will pick you up in hotel lobby then head to Old Delhi for the magnificent Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque; and then a unique glance at local life by an exploration to the bustling local bazaar of Chandni Chowk on rickshaw.
Pass by Red Fort when driving to New Delhi for the tallest stone tower in India, 800-year-old Qutub Minar surrounded by ancient Hindu and Muslim complex. Continue to Raj Ghat - the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi. Drive along the city landmarks including India Gate, President's House, Parliament House & Government Secretariat Buildings. Finish today with an insight into the local religion at a colorful Hindu temple - Laxmi Narayan Temple.
Tips: Female tourists are asked to wear robes before entering Jama Masjid. If you don’t have one, rent from the temple, which costs 50 rupees.
Overnight: Delhi
Meal: Breakfast
Day 3 : Private Cooking Class with Authentic Culinary Experience
After a leisurely breakfast, you will proceed to visit Lotus Temple (Bahai Temple), which is an ideal place for meditation and obtaining peace and tranquility. Followed by a visit to "Dilli Haat" - the Food and Craft Bazzar. The Dilli Haat provides the ambience of a traditional Rural Haat or village market, but one suited for more contemporary needs.
In the afternoon, an Authentic Culinary Experience starts from understanding basic ingredients needed for creating the perfect dish, applying simple nuances to it & finally indulging the tummy and heart with it. It starts off by understanding how the spices and vegetable are picked by visiting a local market. Get a feel of how an Indian would purchase the ingredients to make delicious Indian dishes. Understand the time tested yet simple nuances that need to be kept in mind when preparing Indian cuisine. Relish this experience by enjoying the Indian delicacies cooked by you with some help from us. Share a few laughs along the way!
Overnight: Delhi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 : Drive to Jaipur (By Car, Approx. 4-5 Hrs, 265 Kms)
After breakfast, head to the "Pink City" of Jaipur by private A/C car, stopover for coffee break or photo opportunities is on your request any time en-route. Check into the hotel for some rest, and you will visit tailor’s shop to enjoy the the Turban & Saree trying. If interested, feel free to get petticoat and blouse made as per your body fitting.
Note: The tailor-made petticoat and blouse may take a day or two. We will try to get it done before you leaving Jaipur. The cloth making will be paid on your own.
Overnight: Jaipur
Meal: Breakfast
Day 5 : Jaipur Sightseeing
After breakfast, visit hillside Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the State; inside experience the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors).
Drive back to Jaipur and stop at façade of the famous Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) and find the best angle for a perfect picture helped by your tour guide. Continue to the City Palace Museum & Jantar Mantar - the largest stone observatory in the world that still in service today, check the local time in person by the giant sundial is interesting. Drive through the pink rose residential & business areas before you are escorted back to the hotel.
Tips: There are a lot of venders selling goods around Amber Fort. If you have no interests in their goods, say no to them and do not show any interest at the very beginning.
Overnight: Jaipur
Meal: Breakfast
Day 6 : Jaipur - Agra (By Car, Approx. 5 Hrs, 289 Kms)
After breakfast, head east to Agra, en-route a brief exploration to the former royal city of Fatehpur Sikri (about 1.5 hrs), one of the finest examples of Mughal architectural splendor at its height, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. In the afternoon, proceed with the drive to Agra. Hotel check-in upon arrival and rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: Agra
Meal: Breakfast
Day 7 : Wonders in Agra
In the early morning, visit Taj Mahal (closed on Friday), a white-marble world wonder built by a great emperor in memory of his beloved.
Later, visit the palatial Royal Pavilions at the red sandstone Agra Fort for a glimpse of the royal Mughal lifestyle. In the afternoon, have a local family visit. The family will prepare the welcome dinner at home for you. You can enjoy a simple Indian meal they cook every day and the funny stories of Indian lifestyle and customs.Tips: A strict security check is required before entering Taj Mahal. Foods, plastic bags, chargers are all prohibited to be taken into.
Overnight: Agra
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 : Agra - Jhansi - Khajuraho (By Express Train, 2.5 Hrs; By Car, 4Hrs)
Leave for the railway station and assisted to board your express train to Jhansi. Once arrive in Jhansi, be greeted by your tour guide who will show you around at Orccha Ancient Town nearby. This ‘Hidden Island’ remains relatively undiscovered and sleepy and encircled by thick forest and dozens of aged temples; you will find it so easy to travel back in time when taking a quiet and less crowed walking tour around its Raj Mandir Palace and Jahangir Palace.
Proceed with your journey to Khajuraho. Once the capital of the Chandela Dynasty, this little village is now famous for its temple architecture listed in World Heritage.
Overnight: Khajuraho
Meal: Breakfast
Day 9 Khajuraho Temples & Departure for Varanasi
Today, your guide will accompany you through the renowned Khajuraho Temple Complexesdecorated by unbelievably exquisite sculptures preserved for more than 1,000 years and stayed almost intact. It is said that Khajuraho is extremely mysterious that people can’t even describe it by words. In the afternoon, fly to Varanasi. After settling down in hotel, enjoy the rest of day as your own leisure time.
Overnight: Varanasi
Meal: Breakfast
Day 10 Varanasi Sightseeing, Yoga Class & Evening Aarti
Varanasi presents a unique combination of physical, metaphysical and supernatural elements. Get up early to catch the amazing spectacle of sunrise on Ganges River, which is full of pilgrims flocking in to take a morning dip that absolves themselves from all sins. Have a fascinating exploration on foot about the narrow lanes of Bengali Tola area, one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on earth. Later, participate in an authentic Indian Yoga Class.
In the evening, you can enjoy the daily Aarti Ceremony performed at the Dashashwamedh Ghats. It is a beautiful, resonant, and majestic spectacle with a very precise choreography involving rituals performed by several priests with the sound of bells, drums, cymbals, and Sanskrit mantras.
Overnight: Varanasi
Meal: Breakfast
Day 11 : Varanasi Sightseeing & Fly back to Delhi
Wake up earlier for a sunrise boat cruise on the Ganges River, vivid picture of devoted Hindus bathe in the river offering the prayers against morning sunlight make the journey quite rewarding. Return to the hotel for breakfast followed by a visit to Banaras Hindu University and Bharat Mata Temple with its marble relief map of an undivided India.
Later, head to Sarnath (The Deer Park ) where the Buddha preached his first sermon then Sanarth Museum to appreciate Buddhism art and culture. After the tour, head to airport and fly back to Delhi.
Tips: Take some Mosquito repel when visiting River Ganges.
Overnight: Delhi
Meal: Breakfast
Day 12 :Delhi - Kathmandu (By Air Approx. 1.5 Hrs )
Later this morning, we will escort you to airport for your flight to Kathmandu. On arrival you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to hotel, enjoy the day at leisure to explore the city independently.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Meal: Breakfast
Day 13 : Kathmandu - Patan (Lalitpur) - Kathmandu
After breakfast, firstly drive you to the city for an exploration in the medieval city of Kathmandu to discover the rich culture of the Newari people with bustling narrow streets. You will visit the vegetable & spice market in Ason and many courtyards there that forms the base of living in Kathmandu. And continue to jammed bazaars and Kumari Temple which houses the living Goddess. After that, move to have an external view of Taleju Temple and then visit Kal Bhairab.
Afternoon, step into the temple of Swayambhunath - a stupa on the top of hill - for an overlook the scenery of Kathmandu Valley. Later, proceed to Patan City (about 15mins' driving) to visit the Patan Durbar Square - one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Meal: Breakfast
Day 14 : Kathmandu Sightseeing
Begin your today’s exploration from Pashpatinath Temple - one of the most sacred Hindu temples in the world. After that, move to visit Boudhanath Stupa - the largest Buddhist Stupa in the world.
Afternoon you are escorted to Bhaktapur City (about 40min driving) where you will discover Bhaktapur Durbar Square, one of the seven UNESCO's World Heritage Sites of the Kathmandu Valley. Later, continue to the oldest temple in the Kathmandu Valley, Changu Narayan Temple which boasts a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Meal: Breakfast
Day 15 : Kathmandu - Delhi(By Air Approx. 1.5 Hrs ), Departure
This afternoon, set off to the airport for your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, you'll have some leisure time to relax or go for a last-minute gift shopping before our representative escorts you to the airport for your return flight.