INDIA AND NEPAL

India and Nepal

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Delhi Accommodation: Hotel

Upon arrival you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.The drive from the airport to the hotel is around 45 minutes. Most flights arrive in Delhi in the late evening, so there is nothing arranged for this day. If you arrive early, you can avail yourself to many sightseeing options. Humayun's Tomb and Safdarjang's Tomb are other great examples of Mughal architecture and design. The narrow streets of Old Delhi are worth exploring, with the highlights being Red Fort and the impressive Jama Masjid (Great Mosque). Raj Ghat is a monument that marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Hauz Khas Village is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown - a chic artistic enclave set right next to the remnants of a historical site.

Day 2: Delihi Accommodation: Overnight Train (B)

(Train journey: approx 12 hours) Around breakfast time you have a briefing to outline your holiday itinerary and also cover many aspects of traveling in India. Please bring your passport and travel insurance documents to this meeting. You then enjoy an orientation drive around the city that takes you to India Gate and past the President's House (Rashtrapati Bhavan) and Parliament House (Sansad Bhavan), a well as the bustling Janpath Bazaar. In the evening you are transferred to the railway station for your overnight train journey to Varanasi.

Day 3: Varanasi Accommodation: Hotel (B)

As the sacred Ganges River flows from the snow-clad Himalaya into the vast plains, half way between Delhi and Calcutta it curves into a gentle crescent and therein lies Varanasi. Also known as Benares, this spiritual place is the oldest and the holiest of all pilgrim places of India and undoubtedly the venerated city of Hinduism. You arrive in Varanasi in the afternoon, where you check into your hotel and freshen up. You then visit the ruined monasteries of Sarnath, the place where Buddha preached his first sermon. This is a holy spot and a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists from all around the world. A bodhi tree is present and represents the fact that Buddha did some of his preaching from beneath this particular type of tree. Spotted deer are kept in an enclosure, reflecting the presence of this animal in the story of the original Lord Buddha - Siddhârtha Gautama.

Days 4 & 5: Varanasi Accommodation: Overnight Train (B x 2)

(Train journey: approx 13 hours) You get up before dawn and make your way down to the river. You then partake in a boat ride at sunrise on the Ganges and watch Hindu rituals being enacted along the banks of the river as people pray, wash and cremate their dead. Your tour leader also takes you through the back lanes of the Old City where you experience the peculiar lifestyle that this ancient city is famous for. Enjoy a further free day to explore this spiritual place before catching another overnight train, this time to Agra.

Day 6: Agra Accommodation: Hotel (B)

After your overnight train journey you arrive in the city of Agra to visit India's most famous sight - the majestic Taj Mahal. This amazing 17th century marble mausoleum was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his second wife, who died giving birth. Started in 1631 the project was completed in 1648 and employed a workforce of over 20,000 people. Construction materials were brought from all over India with the marble from Rajasthan transported by over 1000 elephants. The rest of your time in Agra is free, but you have the option to visit the nearby Agra Fort - a huge complex built of red sandstone by Akbar in 1565 and partially converted into a palace during the time of Shah Jahan.

Day 7: Karauli Accommodation: Palace Hotel (B)

(Driving time: approx 4 hours) From Agra you make your first stop at the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. This magnificent ghost town was capital of the Mughal Empire between 1571 and 1585. Built during the reign of Emperor Akbhar it was abandoned shortly after his death due to a lack of available water. Our final destination today is Karauli, a 600-year-old city founded by Yaduvanshi Rajput kings - descendents of Lord Krishna. The main temple of Karauli is dedicated to Lord Krishna. You stay for two nights at a sprawling palace belonging to the family that once ruled Karauli. Bhanwar Vilas Palace was built as a royal residence in 1938 by Maharaja Ganesh Pal Deo Bahadur when he was the ruler of Karauli. The palace is designed in a colonial style and the interiors are furnished in Art Deco period furniture. Your stay here is sure to be a memorable one.

Day 8: Karauli Accommodation: Palace Hotel (B)

Today you explore the City Palace, which dates back 500 years. The fort and the palace was the official residence of the royal family of Karauli till 1938. This amazing structure features impressive archways and interconnecting rooms, many of them colourfully painted with frescoes. Many of the buildings in Karauli feature distinctive pale red sandstone in their construction. Then enjoy a camel cart ride to the step well, the old city and surrounding countryside. Along the way you are sure to be greeted by hordes of local kids, waving at us as we ride by. You also explore an organic dairy, various farms and a campus school being run by the former royal family. It is a memorable experience being in a part of the country that sees very few tourists. Everything seems to have an air of authenticity about it as you join in with the local people as they go by with their everyday life.

Days 9 & 10: Accommodation: Hotel (B x 2)

(Driving time: approx 4 hours) After breakfast you travel by road to Jaipur - the colourful capital of the state of Rajasthan as well as being a vibrant and exciting town on its own right. Here, traditionally dressed Rajput men wearing colourful turbans and sporting magnificent moustaches make their way through crowded streets packed with cars, camel carts, rickshaws, trucks and bicycles. The City Palace is an amazing complex with various courtyards and connecting buildings as well as fascinating museums displaying royal costumes and weaponry. Part of the palace is closed to visitors as it is still the residence of the royal family. The most memorable features of your visit are sure to include the impressively colourful gates the courtyard known as Pitan Niwas Chowk and the incredible moustaches worn by the palace guards. Your guide will also take you to the Old Bazaar and Hawa Mahal, better known as the Palace of the Wind. This five-storey façade with its pink, honeycombed sandstone windows is one of Jaipur's best-known landmarks. In the evening you can dine at one of the many fine restaurants in the city (optional). On your second day in Jaipur you travel 11 kilometres out to the stunning medieval Amber Fort. This fort was built in 1592 by Maharajah Man Singh and is a superb example of Rajput architecture. Several hours are needed to explore this huge fortification.

Day 11: Sawarda Accommodation: Hotel (B)

(Driving time: approx 1 hour) You continue your journey and drive for one hour to Sawarda, a small fort that is still residence to the nobles of Sawarda, who belong to the Khangarot clan - an offshoot of the Jaipur royal family. The fort houses two small temples, gardens and interesting frescoed rooms. In the evening you have the opportunity to participate in an 'aarti' (prayer session) in the family temple. The expression ‘hidden gem’ has become a cliché in the world of travel today but it is very much true of Sawarda. Very few people visit Sawarda. There is an ancient step well, a Sikh temple with an extremely rare scripture and many other highlights. After the aarti, it’s wonderful to wander through the alley ways and soak up the ambience.

Day 12: Accommodation: Haveli - Hotel (B)

(Driving time: approx 4 hours) In the morning you take walk into the village and visit the homes of 'Gujjars' (traditionally a shepherd tribe), as well as an interesting old Sikh temple where one of the manuscripts of Gurbani, written by the founder of the Sikh religion, is still kept. You also stop at a beautiful Jain temple and a Hindu temple in the village, before visiting the families of village workers such as potters and ironsmiths. At a local home-based oil mill, you get to observe the way in which an ordinary Indian village can be economically self-sufficient. You also get to meet members of the 'village panchayat' (governing body) and understand the way they run things, as well as visit the local schools and health centre. After lunch you drive to Mandawa. Mandawa lies in the semi-arid region in the northern part of Rajasthan known as Shekhawati - a region known as an 'open-air art gallery' with forts, palaces and ornate traditional merchant houses known as 'havelis', which are often decorated with colourful frescoes. You stay in one of the 'havelis' built by the renowned business community of this region. Some of the frescoes on the walls and ceilings here date back 150 years. Spend the evening in a wonderfully atmospheric luxury desert camp.

Day 13: Delhi Accommodation: Hotel (B)

(Driving time: approx 5 hours) After breakfast you are driven back to Delhi, where you arrive around lunch time. Enjoy an orientation drive around the city that takes you to India Gate and past the President's House (Rashtrapati Bhavan) and Parliament House (Sansad Bhavan), before heading off to do some last-minute shopping at colourful Janpath Bazaar. You then have the chance to enjoy pre-dinner drinks before heading out to one of Delhi's great restaurants for dinner (optional).

Day 14: Kathmandu Accommodation: Hotel (B)

(Flight time: approx 1 hour and 45 minutes) Today you are transferred to New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport to catch a flight from New Delhi to Kathmandu (please note that you will be unescorted on this flight). On arrival, you are met by your Nepalese Tour Leader and transferred to your hotel located not far from the main shopping and cafe area of Thamel. You may also wish to take a walk down to Durbar Square, which is the historical and spiritual heart of the city. Kathmandu is located at 1360 metres above sea level. If you are interested in doing a Mt Everest scenic flight, please ask your Tour Leader. A briefing on your Nepal section of the trip will be held by your leader this afternoon.

Day 15: Kathmandu Accommodation: Hotel (B)

In the morning you explore Kathmandu on an organised sightseeing tour. Visit Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, where you observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the stupa. You also visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here you see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats. The rest of your time in Kathmandu is free for further sightseeing and exploration. After a break for lunch, you head out to Bhaktapur. Traffic-free, this wonderful ancient Newar town is ripe for exploration. Cobblestone streets link a series of temples and squares, and you can see potters and various craftspeople at work. It is listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO and is a must-see for visitors to Nepal. You arrive back at the hotel late in the afternoon.

Days 16 & 17: Pokhara Accommodation: Hotel (B x 2)

(Flight time: approx 1 hour) An early departure from the hotel this morning as you are transferred to the domestic terminal at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport. From here you fly to Pokhara, with a flight time of about 30 minutes and often spectacular views of the main Himalayan chain to the north. On arrival you check in to your hotel, then take a boat ride across the lake to the Peace Pagoda, where you enjoy excellent views of the mountains and across Pokhara. The town of Pokhara is located at 850 metres above sea level. It is certainly worthwhile taking a boat for a row out on the lake (Phewa Tal), which is the second largest in Nepal. In the afternoon, you visit the International Mountaineering Museum. A fascinating collection of equipment from many Himalayan expeditions, plus maps and displays on flora and fauna give you a great insight into mountaineering. The following day has been allocated for further exploration in the peaceful surroundings of Pokhara. Your Tour Leader can advise you of sightseeing opportunities. The lakeside area has good shopping opportunities and internet cafes. Pokhara has an interesting old area as well as an elaborate Hindu temple and a Buddhist monastery.

Day 18: Chitwan National Park Accommodation: Lodge / Hotel (B)

Drive to Chitwan National Park. After arriving and settling in, you are introduced to the camp staff and resident naturalists who will discuss your program at Royal Park Wildlife Resort. There is some flexibility and activities may vary with the time of the year and known wildlife movements and locations. You may visit the elephant camp to see how their handlers, known as phanits, care for these beautiful animals. A late afternoon safari riding on elephants takesyou into the forest and grasslands to observe the varied and exciting wildlife in the park. In the early evening the local Tharu dance troupe may perform a cultural program. Enjoy dinner and afterwards you are free to relax in the bar and discuss the day's sightings or listen to the exotic sounds of the jungle at night.

Day 19: Chitwan National Park Accommodation: Lodge / Hotel (B)

An early morning excursion could include either another elephant safari to different parts of the park in search of the great Indian rhino, deer and exotic bird life or joining one of several other activities including a visit to the elephant breeding centre. Tiger sightings are rare these days, but these magnificent animals do inhabit the park. After breakfast you leave the lodge for a trip by dugout canoe on the Rapti River. This is an exciting trip with chances to view marsh mugger crocodiles and various birds that inhabit the riverbanks. A program is organised for you for the rest of the day that may include further excursions by jeep or a visit to one of the nearby villages.

Day 20: Kathmandu Accommodation: Hotel (B)

(Driving time: approx 5 hours) There is the option of an early morning bird watching safari for those interested - it is well worthwhile. After breakfast you drive on to the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu. The evening is free but usually your guide can help organise an evening meal (optional) at one of Kathmandu's fine Nepali restaurants to commemorate the last night of your journey.

Day 21: Tour end (B)

Your trip ends today after breakfast. If you wish to stay on in Kathmandu, please pre-book your post-tour accommodation before you commence your travels.