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Day 1 Delhi
Arrive in Delhi and transfer to the Hotel.
Day 2 Delhi
Tour of Old and New Delhi. Old Delhi built by the Emperor
Shahjahan is a bustling city of crowded markets and winding
alleys teeming with life. New Delhi, designed by British
architects Lutyens and Herbert Baker, with wide avenues,
landscaped gardens and stately monuments. Visit the Red
Fort, Jama Masjid Mosque, Chandni chowk market. India Gate,
Humayun’s tomb, Qutb Minar and drive past President’s Palace
and the diplomatic enclave.
Day 3 Delhi to Udaipur
Morning flight to Udaipur. Described as the most romantic
city, Udaipur is interspersed with shimmering lakes, marble
palaces and beautifully laid gardens. Afternoon city tour
includes visit to the City Palace complex, a marvel of
marble and granite with ornate windows and craftsmanship in
glass, overlooking lake Pichola. The museum inside has an
extensive collection. Also visit Jagdish Temple built in
1651 and the Saheliyon-ki- Bari (Garden of the Maids of
honour), once used for enjoyment by the royal ladies.
Overnight at the Hotel
Day 4 Udaipur
Morning drive outside of the city to visit
Eklingji, a complex of 108 temples chiseled out of sandstone
and marble and enclosed by high walls. Built in 725 A.D,
this temple is devoted to the family deity of the rulers of
Mewar. Visit nearby Nagda which has ancient Jain temples,
including the Saas Bahu temple (Mother and Daughter in law)
with interesting architecture and carvings. Afternoon at
leisure.
Day 5 Udaipur to Jaipur
Morning flight to Jaipur also known as the, Pink city,
Jaipur is the capital and the largest city of Rajasthan.
Built in 1722 according to the Shilpa Shastra, the ancient
Hindu treatise on architecture and sculpture. The city is
divided into seven rectangular blocks with seven gates.
Afternoon city tour visiting the City Palace, Museum, Hawa
Mahal (Palace of the winds) from where the royal ladies
could watch the life on the streets without being seen and
Jantar Mantar Observatory. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 6 Jaipur
After breakfast drive outside of the city to visit Amber
Fort and Palace. A decorated elephant will take you up to
the fort. Here you will see the marble Palace, temple of
victory, hall of mirrors, which are excellent examples of
ancient Rajput architecture. The afternoon is at leisure.
Evening cultural program and dinner in a traditional setting
(Optional).
Day 7 Jaipur to Agra
Leave Jaipur in the morning. Lunch at the Bharatpur bird
sanctuary. Continue on to Agra visiting en route the
deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. Built by the Mughal King
Akbar only to be abandoned 14 years later due to the
shortage of water. Now a world heritage site, this is
perhaps the best-preserved Mughal city of all. Visit the Taj
Mahal at Sunset. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 8 Agra
Morning city tour visiting the Taj Mahal built by the Mughal
king Sheh Jahan in the loving memory of his wife, the
elegant Fort and the tomb of Itmad-ud-daula. Afternoon at
leisure.
Day 9 Agra to Khajuraho
Fly to Khajuraho. Afternoon visit the famous Chandela rock
cut temples built between 950 to 1050 A.D, depicting erotic
themes. These magnificent temples were discovered by Captain
T S Burt in 1838. You will visit some of the most prominent
temples including the Kandariya Mahadev, Chaunsat Yogini,
Devi Jagadamba, and Laxmana temples. These temples are in
cluster built from east to west. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 10 Khajuraho to Varanasi
Fly to Varanasi, one of the worlds most ancient cities and
the oldest living city in India. Also known as Benaras and
Kashi, Varanasi is the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage.
Afternoon tour of this great city visiting the narrow
streets winding between carved and painted buildings with
overhanging galleries. Also visit the temples in the Old
city and the Aurangzeb mosque. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day
11 Varanasi
Early morning boat ride on the Ganges to see the
Sunrise and the rituals on the Ghats (waterside steps),
where pilgrims bath in the holy waters. Later visit Sarnath
where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining
enlightenment. Here Dhameka Satupa (28.5 meters in diameter
and 33.5 meters in height) contains the mortal remains of
Lord Buddha. Remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 12 Varanasi to Kathmandu
Morning flight to Kathmandu via Delhi, the
capital of the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal. It is a city of
temples, shrines and living Gods, where worship of Gods and
Goddesses is a part of public life. Afternoon city tour
visiting the Durbar Square noted for its temples, shrines
and palaces including the Khasta Mandap, the wooden temple
which gave Kathmandu it’s name, and the temple of Living
Goddess or Kumari. You will see much evidence of Pagoda
style of architecture that Nepalese claim to have been
originated. Nearby on a hill, visit Syambunath Stupa with
all seeing eyes of Buddha overlooking the valley. Overnight
at the Hotel
Day 13 Kathmandu to Nagarkot
After breakfast visit Bodhnath, one of the world’s largest
stupa and the most important Tibetan Buddhist monument
outside Tibet. Pashupatinath, a pagoda style temple, on the
banks of sacred Baghmati River. Also visit the medieval city
of Bhadgaon, one of the ancient cities of Nepal, noted for
wooden carved buildings. The main city square contains many
temples including the five-storied Nyatapole Pagoda and
Golden Gate. Continue on to Nagarkot (7200ft), which offers
a complete panoramic view of the mighty Himalayas from Mount
Everest in the east to Dhaulagiri in the west. Remainder of
the day at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 14 Nagarkot to Kathmandu
Early in the morning view the Sunrise over the
Himalayas. On a clear day you can see Mount Everest from
here. Return to Kathmandu visiting en route the city of
Patan, one of the three ancient cities. Visit the Durbar
Square, built by Malla King in 1917 where most of the
buildings have intricate woodwork, and the Tibetan refugee
centre. Remainder of the day at leisure. In the evening a
Farewell dinner in a traditional setting with Nepalese folk
dances. Overnight at the Hotel
Day 15 Depart Kathmandu
Transfer to the airport for your International flight.
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