India and Nepal 18 days.
Price per person from: $ 2 200 :-
This is a classic tour that takes you from the plains of India to the mountains of Nepal. We visit the fort in Jaipur, the magical Taj Mahal in Agra and marvel over the temples in Khajuraho before we observe a sacred ceremony in the Ganges river. Our journey then takes us to the mountain kingdom of Nepal where we visit the capital of Kathmandu, the city Pokhara and the village of Nagarkot. This journey is the perfect trip for those who want to experience the very best these two countries has to offer.
This is included:
Local flight Varanasi – Kathmandu/ Kathmandu – Delhi.
17 nights in a double room on bed and breakfast basis.
Air-conditioned transportation.
English speaking guide on all sightseeing tours.
Entrance fees at all World Heritage monuments listed in the itinerary (for one visit only), road taxes, parking fee, fuel charges and interstate taxes.
Elephant ride in Jaipur (if there is space)
Boat ride along the river Ganges in Varanasi.
1 Rickshaw tour in Varanasi.
1 Rickshaw tour in Kathmandu.
1 boat tour on the Phewa lake in Nepal.
Ac Chair Car train tickets for the sector Agra – Jhansi
Travel guarantee via Swedish Kammarkollegiet.
Day to day presentation:
(B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
Day 1: Arrive Delhi.
On arrival in Delhi you will be met by the local representatives and will be transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day is free to experience this fascinating city on your own.
Day 2: Delhi.
The tour of New Delhi begins with a visit of the grateful mausoleum of the Moghul Emperor Humayun, known as Humayun Tomb. Continue to the 13th century Qutub Minar, a dramatic 234 foot high fluted minaret. Proceed along the majestic promenade past the imposing India Gate War memorial, Secretariat Buildings, Parliament House and Raj Bhavan, official residence of the President.
Discover Old Delhi this afternoon with a visit of Raj Ghat, the tranquil final resting place of Mahatma Gandhi. We also visit Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque build in the 1600’s, with room for 25 000 visitor. (B)
Day 3: Delhi – Jaipur.
Post breakfast continue to Jaipur (about 7 hours) Arrive Jaipur and check into hotel. Afternoon is at leisure. (B)
Day 4: Jaipur.
After breakfast, you will be driven just outside Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century.
Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Moat Lake. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravalli hills and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area. An elephant (alternatively by jeeps) will spare you the trouble of reaching up to the fortress. Once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many mirrors, lighting up the room.
On return from Amber fort make a small photo stop at Hawa Mahal. It is really an elaborate facade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below. It is extremely intricate in its pink sandstone carving. The cool wind blows through its facade of windows and latticed screens through which the queens of the court once viewed the streets of the city.
Continue for sightseeing tour of Jaipur city. Among the highlights to be seen while touring Jaipur include the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armory, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. Walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur, built in 1726 and is one of the five such astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions even to this day. You will also have the opportunity to wander about the local markets. Return to hotel after the sightseeing. (B)
Day 5: Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra.
After an early breakfast (around 0700 Hrs.) at the hotel, you will be driven to Agra (240 Kms / 6 Hrs.)
En-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. It was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago. It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed. Now it is an extraordinary place to wander around with its buildings in near perfect condition. After the visit drive countinue to Agra. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. (B)
Dag 6: Agra.
Today, the extraordinary experience of visiting one of the most fabled monuments in the world- The Taj Mahal . This 17th century mausoleum in white marble was built by Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his queen Mumtaj Mahal. It is an architectural marvel, remarkable for its perfect symmetry of design and construction.
Then visit the Agra Fort, a cluster of palaces and mosque built on the bank of the river Yamuna. Afternoon is free to explore the local bazaars on your own. (B)
Please note that Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
Dag 7: Agra – Orchha.
After breakfast we are transferred to the rail road station to take a train to Jhansi. At the arrival to Jhansi we get transfer to Orchha. The rest of the day is free to spend on your own. (B)
Dag 8: Orchha – Khajuraho.
After breakfast, enjoy the quiet town of Orchha bordered by the River Betwa, with a complex of palaces & temples. The impressive temples, date back to the 17th Century, and are still worshiped in. The most noteworthy temples are the Ram Raja Temple with its soaring spires, and the Lakshmi Narayan Temple for its well-preserved murals. Visit the Palace built by Emperor Jahangir way back in the 17th century, Visit Rajmahal and Rai Parveen Mahal, the 14 Chatris of the rulers.
After the visit we take a drive to Khajuraho, about 4 hours. (B)
Day 9: Khajuraho – Varanasi.
After breakfast, proceed for a tour of the Chandela Temple Complex. The tour of Khajuraho this morning concentrates on the famous erotic temples, which represent some of the finest examples of temple architecture in Northern India. The remote location of Khajuraho meant that the temples were unharmed by Muslim invaders and as a result, the intricately fine carvings are in very good condition and are said to represent life in heaven.They were built during the mighty Chandela dynasty; the majority were constructed in a sudden burst of creative and religious energy, between the mid-10th and 11th centuries. After ruling for about 500 years the Chandela dynasty fell to the might of Islam and consequently the religious centre of Khajuraho was abandoned. The temples remain as a reminder of a society that believed in the full enjoyment of life, with all the senses being a path to nirvana. Of the eighty-five original temples only 22 remain, but many are in very good condition. You visit the Kandariya Mahadeva, the Chatrabhuj, Parswanath and Ghantai Temples, each remarkable for its beautiful design and architecture.
In the afternoon we take a transfer to the airport to fly to the spiritual capital of India,
Varanasi. At the arrival we check into our hotel. In the evening you can see Aarti on the river Ganges. (B)
Day 10: Varanasi.
Rise before dawn and board a boat on the River Ganges. At sunrise, you will witness one of the world’s most moving acts of faith as Hindu pilgrims come to the river to wash away their sins or pour out the ashes of their ancestors on the river’s current. You will watch some of these rituals as you take a boat ride on the river Ganges. Return to your Hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, proceed for a half day city tour primarily visiting the Kashi-Vishwanath temple, the most sacred of shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, the patron deity of Varanasi. Reconstructed in the 18th century, its gold plating on the ‘shikaras’ was a gift of the one-eyed Sikh king, Maharaja Ranjit Singh; Bharat Mata Mandir, inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi is a unique temple dedicated to Mother India. It houses a relief map of India carved out of marble; and some other important temples.
Afternoon, proceed for excursion to Sarnath. Sarnath (also Mrigadava, Migadaya, Rishipattana, Isipatana) is the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. Sarnath is located 13 kilometres north-east of Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh, India. (B)
Day 11: Varanasi – Kathmandu.
We travel all day to Kathmandu in Nepal. Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and also the biggest region in the country. Kathmandu is located in the heart of the Kathmanduvalley and is a part of a multiplex including the suburbs Lalitpur, Kirtipur, Madhyapur Thimi and Bhaktapur. About 2,5 million people are living in this area.
We check into our hotel. Please note the time difference. Nepal is 15 minutes before India. (B)
Day 12: Kathmandu – Pokhara.
After an early breakfast we drive to Pokhara, about 6 hours. Pokhara is the third largest city in Nepal. It is the starting point for most of the treks in the Annapurna area. Pokhara is a remarkable place of natural beauty, situated at an altitude of 827m from the sea level and 200km west of Kathmandu valley. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful place. This enchanting city has several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panoramic views of Himalayan peaks. The serenity of lakes and the magnificence of the Himalayas rising behind them create an ambience of peace and magic.Pokhara spans 8 km from north to south and 6 km from east to west but, unlike Kathmandu, it is quite loosely built up and still has much green space.
The Seti Gandaki flowing through the city from north to south divides the city roughly in two halves. The city offers a combination of nature and culture and is mostly known as the gateway to the trekking route “Round Annapurna”. (B)
Day 13: Pokhara.
Early morning visit Sarangkot for sunrise. Sarangkot is the most popular tourist destination from where the tourist can enjoy the great view of the Pokhara Valley and the magnificent view of the mountains. Sarangkot is only 5 km from Lake Side, Pokhara. Sarangkot is the highest view point for a sunrise and it is just 1592m high. Sarangkot is 5 degrees cooler than Pokhara. Sarangkot can be reached easily by 45 minutes by a car ride to the top from Pokhara and then 45 minutes hike up to the main view point. We return to Pokhara for breakfast.
After breakfast proceed to half day sightseeing of Pokhara City. We visit the beautiful warterfall Davi’s fall, the limestone cave Gupteswor and the Seti river with it’s valleys and beautiful nature. We then visit the International Mountain Museum that records, documents, exhibits and chronicles the past and the present development of mountains and mountaineering activities in the world. The museum primarily provides information and exhibits everything related to Man, Mountain and Mountain activities from around the world.
Later Proceed to Phewa Lake for Boating with short walk in lakeside area. Phewa Lake is the second largest lake in Pokhara, the lake bordering the forested hill. The view of Fishtail and other mountains reflected in the lake, the little island and the Tal Barahi temple in the middle, the white stupa on the top of the hill. At Phewa Lake, you can choose what type of boats you would like to have, the driven boats (the old fashioned one joined two boats with planks and pedals in the middle), row boats. There is also choice between fibred-body sailboats and wooden ones. You can do boating in Pokhara valley throughout the year except monsoon. (B)
Day 14: Pokhara – Kathmandu.
Today we travel back to Kathmandu. En route you can visit an antic stupa in Boudhanath. The stupa is one of the biggest in Nepal and was included on the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. It’s a popular sight to visit to see the Tibetan people pray. (B)
Day 15: Kathmandu.
After breakfast, visit to Kathmandu City, Swayambhunath and Patan.
Kathmandu Durbar Square is home to palaces, temples and courtyards. The word “durbar” means “palace” and Nepal’s kings used to live here and rule from the Hanuman Dhoka Palace until the construction of the Nararayanhiti Royal Palace. Kathmandu Durbar Square is presently known as Hanuman Dhoka, a name derived from the statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, near the entrance of the palace. Many of the palaces and temples in Durbar Square were built during the reign of the Malla Kings (1200 to 1768) and are beautiful examples of Newari Architecture, Nepal’s most distinctive architectural style. Visitors to the Durbar Square of Kathmandu will be amazed by the architectural wonders spanning several centuries. This important historical attraction has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are more than a dozen buildings and statues of note in this small area. They include: Kasthamandap – the wooden building that is said to have given the city of Kathmandu its name , Taleju Temple -one of the oldest temples in the square, this three-roofed temple with its pyramid shaped bases, is an example of the typical Newari architectural style. Kumari Ghar- home of “the Kumari”, or living goddess, Shiva-Parvati Temple, Kal Bhairab etc.
Experience – Rickshaw ride from Durbar Square to Thamel (a popular tourist hub) through the old and traditional market of Indrachwok and Ason market.
Swoyambhunath: Swayam in Sanskrit mean self, hence Swoyambhunath mean “Self-Created One”. The Tibetan name for Swoyambhunath means ‘Sublime Trees’. It was built over 2,500 years ago. It is also known as monkey temple as there are holy monkeys living in part of the temple. The site is about 70 meters above on the west side hill of Kathmandu and 3 kilometers from City centre. An excellent view of Kathmandu valley can be observed from this UNESCO World heritage cultural site. This Buddhist Stupa holds a special position both among the Buddhists & Hindus. Swoyambhunath is perhaps the best place to observe the religious harmony in Nepal.
Later visit Patan – located about 5 km south of Kathmandu, on the southern side of the Bagmati River and is one of 3 royal cities in the valley. Patan is a center of Buddhist and Hindu culture. The city is full of religious art, temples, and monasteries. It is a city of Buddhist monuments, Hindu temples and fine wood carvings. Lalitpur is the name of this city which ‘means the city of beauty’. The city is known as the paradise of fine arts. Patan also boasts a Durbar Square full of temples. One remarkable monument here is a 17th century temple dedicated to the Hindu God Krishna – Krishna Mandir built entirely of stone with rare stone carvings on its walls depicting the epic wars from Ramayana and Mahabharata. Return to hotel after the visit. (B)
Day 16: Kathmandu – Nagarkot.
After breakfast, check-out and you will be driven to Nagarkot (Approx 02 ½ hrs driving time). En-route visit to Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Bhaktapur is world renowned for its elegant art, fabulous culture and indigenous lifestyle. The ancient city is also variously known as the “City of Culture”, the “Living Heritage” and “Nepal’s Cultural Gem”. Bhaktapur is more like an open museum. Monumental masterpieces in Bhaktapur are innumerable, and each is more attractive than the other. Bhaktapur is 14 Km east of Kathmandu city. Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square is the gem not only of Bhaktapur, but also of the entire nation. The most fascinating structure here are the world-renowned 55 Window palace, golden Gate, Big Bell, Siddhi Laxmi Temple, Shiva Temple. Taumadhi Square has Nyatapola Temple dates back to 1702 AD. The colossal five storied edifice is the country’s tallest pagoda temple. Upon arrival check in to hotel in Nagarkot.
Nagarkot nestled next to the traditional and old town of Bhaktapur; Nagarkot is the perfect blend of scenic beauty and fresh air greenery. The village has various hotels dotted on a ridge facing one of the broadest possible views of the Himalayan range. The morning wakes you up with warm glow of orange sunrise spreading from the peek into the skies. The glistering range of Himalaya spreads across the horizon making it the perfect view to begin the day. The luscious hill rolls down to the Valley joining it with the capital city which is just a drive away. The sunrise viewpoints give a perfect view of the Himalaya and the Valley below on a clear day. Favourite getaway for locals and foreigners alike, Nagarkot is melange of culture, tradition, and nature. (B)
Day 17: Nagarkot – Kathmandu – Delhi.
Weather permitting we watch an early sunrise. Then we travel to Katamandu and the airport. (about 2 ½ h) to take the flight back to Delhi. At the arrival you are met by the local staff and are transferred to your hotel. (B)
Day 18: Departure.
You are transferred to the airport for your onward journey. This concludes our trip.
This is not included:
International flight. (Can be bought on your own or via us)
Fee for tourist visa to India and Nepal.
All meals not mentioned in the program.
Expense of personal nature like tipping, laundry, Portage, telephone/fax calls, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, airfare, airport departure tax etc.
Travel insurance.
Please note:
Hotel Check-in/Check-out time is 1200 noon.
TAJ MAHAL and Sarnath remains closed on Fridays.
Elephant ride is subject to availability as Government of Rajasthan has restricted the number of rides and prior reservation. Clients will have to queue themselves and wait to see if they can get a chance to have the Elephant ride. If there is no space you will be transferred by jeep up to the fort.
The prices are based upon the lowest booking class and season. Prices are calculated per person in shared double room.
We reserve ourselves against changes in currencies and increased flight taxes.
