Delhi

DELHI

Best Viewed at 800 X 600, Site Designed, Hosted and Maintained by Inter-Graph Technologies

(13 nights / 14 days)

Day 01

Welcome to India. On arrival in New Delhi, you will be greeted by our local representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02

After breakfast, proceed on a sightseeing tour of New Delhi.
Drive along the Ceremonial Avenue for a captivating view of the city's modern treasures including Parliament House, Rashtrapathi Bhavan, Teen Murti Bhavan, Rakabganj Gurdawara, and view from outside the Qutab Minar. Visit the 4th Century AD Ashoka Pillar nearby, a metallurgical masterpiece that has withstood 1600 years without rusting even a bit!

Afternoon sightseeing of Old Delhi.
Visit the Juma Masjid, Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi's memorial), Shanti Vana and the magnificent Red Fort. The Red Fort, built by Emperor Aurangzeb, was surrounded by a 9m deep moat (now empty) fed by Yamuna river. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03

After breakfast, drive to Agra (232 km, about five hours drive) visiting en route Fatehpur Sikri - a testimony to the remarkable character of Emperor Akbar. This abandoned and deserted city is over 400 years old yet, and perfectly preserved. Visit the Royal Palace, Jama Masjid and Buland Darwaza (41 m high gate).

On arrival, check into your hotel. Afternoon, visit the Taj Mahal, eternal and extravagant monument expressing enduring love of the Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Ethereal and resplendent, the Taj is a reflection of the joy of love and the pain of parting, changing its character as the light changes during the day Constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, it took 22 years to be built by 20000 workers from India and central Asia. Also visit the Agra Fort. Overnight.

Day 04

After breakfast, we will take an excursion to Amber Fort, situated on the top of a hill, and overlooks the Maoti lake. Ascend the hill on a richly caparisoned elephant. Once at the top, you can admire the myriad of palaces within the fort complex. Of particular interest are the Sheesh Mahal, faced with mirrors and seen to full effect when lit by a match and Sukh Niwas - a pleasure place with a marble watercourse to cool the air around.

Afternoon, a tour of Jaipur visiting the City Palace, Hawa Mahal and the Astronomical Observatory (Jantar-Mantar). Stop at the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds from where the ladies of the Royal household could watch the everyday life of the city. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Jaipur (258 km, about five hours). On arrival, check in to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to explore Jaipur on your own or to go shopping in the colourful bazaars. Overnight.

Day 06

Early morning, transfer to the railway station to take the Shatabdi Express to Jhansi.

Shatabdi Express
(II-A/C Chair Car) (Frequency: Daily)	- Dep : Agra 0755 Hrs
	- Arr : Jhansi 1025 Hrs

On arrival, we shall transfer to Khajuraho (165 km, about four hours) via Orchha. On arrival, transfer and check into the hotel for overnight stay. The Khajuraho Temples are famous for their erotic architecture. Dating back 1000 years, during the Chandela Dynasty, these temples are superb examples of Aryan architecture and still remain as one of India's major attractions.

Day 07

After early breakfast, visit the famous Khajuraho Temple Complex. Visit the Eastern Group of temples, which can be subdivided into 2 groups. The first one is made up of interesting Jain Temples (Parasvanath, Adinath, Shanti Nath). The second group comprises the Ghantai Temple, Javari Temple, Vamana Temple and Brahma Temple. The Western Group are the main temples in the Khajuraho complex, in the peaceful setting of a park. Later, transfer to the airport to take your flight to Varanasi.

Khajuraho - Varanasi
CD 7407 (Frequency: Tue/Thu/Sat)	- Dep : Khajuraho 1345 Hrs
	- Arr : Varanasi 1425 Hrs
CD 7407 (Frequency:Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun)	- Dep : Khajuraho 1445 Hrs
	- Arr : Varanasi 1525 Hrs

Varanasi, the "eternal city" is perhaps the oldest living city in the world. It is one of India's most important places of pilgrimage and has been a center of learning and civilization for over 2000 years. For the very religious Hindus, Varanasi is considered an auspicious place to die.

Day 08

Early this morning, drive to the Ghats to take a boat-ride on the river Ganges. The Ghats are Varanasi's principal attraction where the pilgrims make their soul cleansing dip in the river. You can also see pilgrims performing yoga and priests offering blessings. Each Ghat has its own history and healing capabilities. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Later proceed for a city tour visiting the Durga Temple (Monkey Temple) built in the 18th century; the recent Tulsi Manas temple whose walls are engraved with verses and scenes from the Mahabharatha. Proceed to the Benares Hindu University built in the early 20th century and was founded as a centre of education in Indian art, culture and music and for the study of Sanskrit. Visit the Bharat Mata Temple dedicated to "Mother India" which has a marble relief map of India instead of the usual images of gods. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09

Breakfast at the hotel.

Varanasi - Katmandu
CD 7407 (Frequency: Daily)	- Dep : Varanasi 1255 Hrs
	- Arr : Katmandu 1405 Hrs

Later, transfer to the airport to take your flight to Katmandu Arrive in Katmandu, ancient capital of Nepal the abode of the Gods. Transfer and check in at your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10

After breakfast, leave for a full day tour covering a visit to Swayambhunath Stupa and Katmandu city.

The Swyambhunath Stupa is said to be 2000 years old. Painted on the four sides of the spire bases are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. The Hanuman Dhoka Durbar square of Katmandu City features an abundance of pagoda-shaped temples, many bazaars and the Royal Palace. See the Temple of the Living Goddess, Kumari Temple - a young girl is worshipped as a deity by all devout Nepalese
Afternoon, proceed for an excursion to Patan City and the Tibetan Refugee Camp.
Patan City, also known as Lalitpur or the city of Fine Arts, features hundreds of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments. The main places of visit are Patan Durbar Square, Krishna Temple, Mahabouddha, Golden Monastery and Kumbeshwar Temple.

Visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp for a rare chance to observe the skilled artisans and craftsmen weaving carpets and engaging in distinctively Tibetan handicrafts. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11

After breakfast, drive west towards Pokhara (155 km, about four hours), a beautiful valley surrounded by hills, lakes, forests and rivers. On arrival, check-in to your hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight.

Day 12

After breakfast, drive to Royal Chitwan National Park (150 km, about four hours). Check-in at your jungle lodge. In the afternoon, jungle activities inside the park, which is one of Nepal's largest forest regions. Dinner and Overnight.

Day 13

After breakfast, full day for jungle activities. View the wildlife of Chitwan - nearly 400 species of birds, a variety of animals such as deer, wild boar, crocodile, leopard, one-horned rhinoceros and the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger.

Day 14

Early morning, return to Katmandu airport (200 km, about four hours)to connect flight to Delhi.

Katmandu-Delhi
IC 814 (Frequency: Daily)	- Dep : Katmandu 1350 Hrs
	- Arr : Delhi 1510 Hrs
RA 217 (Frequency: Mon/Tue/Thu/Sat)	- Dep : Katmandu 1800 Hrs
	- Arr : Delhi 1915 Hrs
RA 217 (Frequency: Wed/Fri/Sun)	- Dep : Katmandu 1915 Hrs
	- Arr : Delhi 2030 Hrs

Then on to your next destination. Leave Delhi with fond memories of your trip to the Indian Subcontinent.