Duration: 15 Nights / 16 Days
Destination Covered: Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Gwalior - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Kathmandu - Delhi
Tour Highlights
DELHI: Red Fort, Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, India Gate, President's House, Humayun's Tomb & Qutub Minar
JAIPUR: Elephant ride to Amber Fort Palace , City Palace, Jantar Mantar (Observatory) & Hawa
Mahal (Palace of Winds)
FATEHPUR SIKRI: Akbar's Residential complex, Mosque & Tomb of Salim Chisti
AGRA: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Sikandara
GWALIOR: Gwalior Fort, Gavials Palace
ORCHHA: Orchha Fort, Jahangir Mahal, Raj Mahal, Ram Raja temple
KHAJURAHO: Temple Complex - Kandariya Mahadeo, Chaunsat Yogini & others
VARANASI: Excursion to Sarnath, Boat Ride & Explore ghats
KATHMANDU: Swayambhunath, Boudhnath, Patan City
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 Arrive Delhi
Arrive by International flight, after traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our representative would assist you at airport & transfer to hotel for check in.
Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds the ancient with modern.Its strategic location was the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. In fact, more mythological cities are believed to be here, like the city of Indraprastha from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, founded around 5000 BC. Numerous monuments were built over several centuries by different rulers like Qutub-ud-din Aibek, Alauddin Khilji, Tughlaks, Humayun & Shah Jahan, who built the Walled City Shah Jahanabad.
Later in first half of 20th century much of New Delhi was planned by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who laid out a grandiose central administrative area as a testament to British rule in India. The division in walled city & New Delhi also marks the division in life styles.
Overnight Hotel – Delhi (B)
Day 02 Delhi
Today we take a guided tour of Old Delhi, the 17th century walled city of Shah Jahanabad, visiting the great Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the largest & best known mosque in India. Later we walk down or take a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, the old marketplace of Shah Jahanabad now a picturesque bazaar to reach Red Fort, built in the year 1648 by Shah Jehan.
In New Delhi, we visit Raj Ghat, memorial to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January 1948. Further we drive past India Gate, memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls. Then we visit President's House, the official residence of the President of India, built in the year 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House & served as the residence of the Governor-General of British India. We will also visit Humayun's Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year 1562. The complex is a World Heritage Site & the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. We also visit Qutub Minar, built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. Qutub Minar & its monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight Hotel – Delhi (B)
Day 03 Delhi – Jaipur (260 Km / 5 Hrs)
Today we drive to Jaipur, popularly known as Pink City, the flamboyant & colourful capital of Rajasthan. With its rich & colourful past, resplendent with tales of valour & bravery, it is now one of the most important heritage cities in India. The city was founded in the year 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. It remains the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors.
Overnight Hotel – Jaipur (B)
Day 04 Jaipur
Today we take an excursion to Amber Fort, the palace complex which stands to this date was commenced under the reign of Raja Man Singh. We take an Elephant ride (subject to availability) to reach the Fort situated on the hill, an overwhelming experience.
Later we visit the City Palace , a perfect blend of Rajasthani & Mughal architecture. The center of the palace is a seven-storied building called Chandra Palace, with fine views over the gardens & the city. Further we visit Jantar Mantar (Solar Observatory), an astronomical treasure house, with solar devices that give accurate predictions till date. We also visit Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a five-storied structure of pink sandstone. It was built in the year 1799 so that veiled royal women could peer down the busy street market unseen by the world through its 593 stone Jharokas (mini windows).
Overnight Hotel – Jaipur (B)
Day 05 Jaipur – Agra via Fatehpur Sikri (240 Km / 5 Hrs)
Today we drive to Agra, en route we will visit Fatehpur Sikri (Ghost Capital), the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign, from the year 1571 until 1585, when it was abandoned, ostensibly due to lack of water. We visit Emperor Akbar's Residential complex, Mosque & Tomb of Salim Chisti.
Further we continue our drive to Agra, beautifully situated on the banks of river Yamuna. It achieved prominence as the capital of the Mughal Emperors from the year 1526 to 1628, remains major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era monuments, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Fatehpur Sikri, all three are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Overnight Hotel – Agra (B)
Day 06 Agra
Today we visit Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays), symbol of eternal love, which stands on the banks of River Yamuna. It was built by the 5th Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in the year 1631 in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It was completed in 22 years. Further we visit Agra Fort, taken over from the Lodhis by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century. The Fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city. It was built from red sandstone, often inlaid with white marble & intricate decorations. We will also visit Sikandara, Akbar's tomb. His son Jahangir completed the construction of the tomb in the year 1613.
Overnight Hotel – Agra (B)
Day 07 Agra – Gwalior (By Shatabdi Exp 0815 / 0935 Hrs) Gwalior - Orchha (110 Km / 2 Hrs)
Today we take Shatabdi Express train to Gwalior. We will see the regal charm of Jai Vilas Palace of Schindias and the awe-inspiring Gwalior Fort.
From Gwalior we drive down to Orchha en route we visit Sonagiri to see White Jain temples. The ornate interiors and the magnificent idols of the temples make the place a mosaic of beauty and serenity.
Overnight Hotel – Orchha (B)
Day 08 Orchha – Khajuraho (166 Km / 3.5 Hrs)
Orchha, located at a distance of 16 km from Jhansi, has a medieval town atmosphere attached to it. The Betwa River quietly flows by the town. The 16th century palaces & temples built by its Bundela rulers appear to be suspended in time.
We will visit Orchha Fort complex. Within the Fort complex we visit Jahangir Mahal, built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo in the 17th century to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir to Orchha. Raj Mahal, built in the 17th century by Madhukar Shah, the deeply religious predecessor of Bir Singh Ju Deo. We also visit Ram Raja temple, palace-turned-temple with soaring spires & palatial architecture. Built by King Madhukar Shah it is one of the most unusual temples in India & the only place where Lord Rama is worshipped as a King not as a deity.
Later we continue our drive to Khajuraho, built between 950-1050 AD by the mighty warrior kings of the Chandela dynasty. A truly inspired burst of creativity, it contains stunningly explicit erotic sculptures. They were rediscovered in the 20th century, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight Hotel – Khajuraho (B)
Day 09 Khajuraho – Varanasi (Flight)
Today we visit Khajuraho temples, famous for the magnificent carvings depicting numerous exotic postures of the famous Kamasutra, ancient Indian work on sex. Only 22 temples survive of the 85 originally built. In fact, worship is still done today in the Matangeshwara temple, continuing an unbroken 1000 year tradition.
Later we take a flight to Varanasi , picturesquely situated on the banks of holy river Ganga. The city is the Oldest Living City of the World & traces of its existence are found around 10000 BC. Other than being a very holy city for Hindus, it also holds a very significant association with Buddha's life & Buddhism.
In the evening we visit the Ganges to see the spectacular 'Aarti'.
Overnight Hotel – Varanasi (B)
Day 10 Varanasi
Today we start our day with a boat ride on the river Ganges. Rise before dawn & step gingerly in the boat as the boatman starts rowing the boat. Witness the daily miracle to unfold, as the Sun appears triumphantly over the horizon. The sound of conches & temple bells add to the delicate pink fabric of dawn. The formerly hushed murmuring of ancient Sanskrit Shlokas (hymns) now rise, in one voice, to a crescendo of unparalleled piety & joy. Later we explore the city by foot to get the feel of the world's oldest living city.
Later today we take an excursion to Sarnath, the site of the deer park where Gautama Buddha is said to have given his first sermon about the basic principles of Buddhism. It has been a premier centre for Buddhism & has a rich collection of ancient Buddhist relics & antiques comprising numerous Buddha & Bodhisattva images on display at the Archaeological Museum.
Overnight Hotel - Varanasi (B)
Day 11 Varanasi – Kathmandu (By Flight)
Today we will transfer you to Varanasi airport to board flight for Kathmandu - Capital of Nepal, situated on the southern slopes of the mighty Himalayas. On arrival we assist you to check in at our Hotel for overnight stay.
Overnight Hotel – Kathmandu (B)
Day 12 Kathmandu
Today you will go for a full day tour visiting Kathmandu City, Swayambhunath & Patan.
Kathmandu City
Known as Kantipur, the capital of the Kingdom of Nepal. Here we visit Temple of the Living Goddess and World's largest Shiva Temple, Pashupatinath. Kashtamandap - the source of the name Kathmandu and supposed to be made from the timber of a single tree and the Durbar Square are with its array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the ancient place of the Nepalese Royalty.
Swayambhunath
Located approximately 4 Km away, this Buddhist Stupa is said to be 2000 years old. The Stupa which forms the main structure is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick & earth supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on the 4-sided base of the spire are the eyes of Lord Buddha. This hill is a mosaic of small Chaityas and Pagoda temples.
Patan
5 Km away from Kathmandu City. Patan also known as Lalitpur, is the city of fine arts, enclosed within 4 stupas said to be built in 3rd century AD, by Emperor Ashoka. You will see the Durbar square; the Krishna Temple built by King Siddhi Narsingh Malla, Hiranya Varna Mahavihar and MahabouddhaTemple. A trip to The Tibetan Refugee Camp and the Handicraft Center will also be done while visiting Patan, where you will witness the hand weaving of Tibetan carpets and moulding of metal statues.
Overnight Hotel – Kathmandu (B)
Day 13 Kathmandu - Pokhara (230 Km / 5? Hrs)
Morning drive to Pokhara, known as the valley city of Nepal, located 200 kms from Kathmandu. It's a blend of rich farmlands, forested hills and half a dozen lakes (famous Phewa Tal Lake). On arrival we assist you to check in at our Hotel followed by a leisurely evening and overnight stay.
Overnight Hotel – Pokhara (B)
Day 14 Pokhara
Post breakfast half day sightseeing of Pokhara valley, the 124 square km spectacle at an average altitude of 900m. It's cut by the Seti Gandaki river, one of the seven Gandaki Rivers that bisects the central hills. The excellent soils make the valley a verdant nursery with the widest assortment of flowers. From here one can view Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhare peaks. For everyone, Pokhara is a wonderful relaxing place.
Overnight Hotel – Pokhara (B)
Day 15 Pokhara - Nagarkot (265 Km / 6 Hrs)
Today we drive down to Nagarkot, a popular hill station situated east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2175 m. above sea level. The panorama of the major peaks of eastern Nepal Himalayas including Mt. Everest can be seen from here, the best point for sunrise view. On arrival we assist you to check in at our Hotel for overnight stay.
Overnight Hotel – Nagarkot (B)
Day 16 Nagarkot - Kathmandu (35 Km / 1 Hr) & Kathmandu - Delhi (Flight)
After breakfast drive back to Kathmandu Airport visiting Bhadgaon enroute.
Bhadgoan
Also known as Bhaktpur meaning the city of devotees, this place is the home of medieval art and architecture. Lying 14 Km of Kathmandu City, this place was founded in the 9th century and is shaped like a conch shell. The city is at the height of 4,600 ft. above sea level. In Bhadgaon you will visit the Durbar Square with its array of temples overlooked by the Palace of 55 Windows built by King Bhupatindra Malla. Here you will also visit the Taleju Temple which is the best example of Pagoda style structure in Nepal and stands on five terraces on each of which stands a pair of figures, two strong men, two elephants, two lions, two griffins and two goddesses.
Upon arrival in Delhi, board international flight for onward destination.
Our tour concludes: Hi-Life Tours assists you to board your onward flight at Delhi Airport, thanks you for your patronage and looks forward to serving you again.
