Best of India with Nepal

• Day 1: Delhi

  Upon your arrival in Delhi, we will collect you from the airport and transfer you to the overnight accommodation in the city.

• Day 2: Delhi

  We will start our tour by exploring the sights of Delhi. The capital of India has countless places of interest and we will begin at the three hundred year old maze of streets which is Chandni Chowk market. Afterwards, we will visit Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) which is the largest mosque in India. We will also see the Raj Ghat, a monument to Mahatma Gandhi. After this we will then progress to Qutab Minaret and finally to see Humayun's Tomb, the first example of Mughal architecture in India. Laxmi Narayan Temple, also known as Birla Mandir, is one of Delhi's major temples built by the industrialist G.D. Birla in 1938. The temple is dedicated to Laxmi the goddess of prosperity and Narayana the preserver. The temple was inaugurated by Mahatama Gandhi on the condition that people of all castes would be allowed to enter the temple. We will then return to our hotel to spend the night.

• Day 3: Delhi-Jaipur (265km, 5 hours)

  Today we depart by road for the pink city of Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan. Upon our arrival, we will check into the hotel and then begin a tour of the city in the afternoon. This will start at the Palace of the Maharaja of the city, part of which is still used as a residence of the royal family of Jaipur and also has been partially converted into a fascinating museum. Once we have finished here, we will pay a visit to Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble observatory in the world and was built in the 1700s. We will then return to the hotel for the night.

• Day 4: Jaipur

  We start our day by going to the Amber Fort, on the way to which we will stop for photos at the Hawa Mahal (the Palace of the Winds). At the amber Fort you will have the opportunity to ride an elephant and of course explore the incredible building itself. On the way we would stop to look at the small palace - Jal Mahal which stands in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake. From here we would drive to Galta which has a temple dedicated to the sun god and natural spring overlooking the old city of Jaipur also known as the pink city. In the evening we will enjoy bicycle rickshaw rides through the local market before returning to the hotel to spend the night once more.

• Day 5: Jaipur-Fathhpur Sikri-Agra (275km, 6 hours)

  Enroute to Agra, we will stop at Fathepur Sikri, a stunning abandoned city built by Emperor Akbar in 1569. Upon our arrival in Agra we will check into our hotel for the night.

• Day 6: Agra

  Today, we will visit the incredible piece of artwork which is the Taj Mahal. We will make our entrance by the Tonga (horses) to the gates and then marvel at the beauty of the shrine. Later, we will see the Agra Fort which also offers stunning views of the Taj Mahal. We would drive near the tomb of I'timadud – Daula to view the mausoleum from outside. We will then return to the hotel for our overnight stay.

• Day 7 - 8: Agra-Jhansi-Orchha-Khajuraho

  We will catch the Jhansi Shatabadi express train at 08:00 hrs to Jhansi before getting a transfer by road to Orchha. Orchha is located Madhya Pradesh state of India. The town was established by Maharaja Rudra Pratap Singh in 1501, as the seat of an eponymous formerly princely state of central India in the Bundelkhand region. Here we will visit the Ram Raja Temple and its fascinating history. Then explore the Orchha Fort in more detail. Jahangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chatris. Following lunch we will drive to Khajuraho. We will check into our hotel for the night.

• Day 9: Khajuraho

  The day will then be spent visiting the various temples here which are famed for their erotic detailing. Of the 85 original temples – most constructed of hard river sandstone- about 20 are still reasonably well preserved. Both externally and internally the temples are richly carved with excellent sculptures that are frequently sensual and, at times, sexually explicit. The temples are divided into three complexes – the western is the largest and best known, containing the magnificent Shaivite temple Kandariya Mahadev, a 31m high agglomeration of porches and turrets culminating in aspire dedicated to lord Shiva. You will visit the Chaunsat Yogini Jain Temple - dedicated to the 64 "yoginis" or assistants of the goddess Kali. This temple is outside the rest. At the end, we transfer to the eastern part where are the Ghantai Temple, Vamana, devoted to "Vamana" or dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the Javari Temple. There are also three Jain Temples with beautiful carvings and erotic sculptures. Although these are Jain Temples, but also contain numerous deities Vaishnav. There is also the option to see a cultural dance show in the evening. We will then return to the hotel for our overnight stay.

• Day 10: Khajuraho-Varansai

  Early morning, before our flight to Varanasi. There is the option to take part in a jeep safari to the start of the Panna Tiger Reserve where there is the spectacular Ranhefall waterfall. Later, we will transfer to airport to fly to the spiritual hub which is Varanasi. After checking into the hotel we will experience the incredible culture to be found here including attending the Aarti Ceremony (collective prayers) and the oil lamps float down the river Ganges as well as the similar lamps outside the Ghats and Temples which illuminate them at night. We will then return to the hotel.

• Day 11: Varanasi

  We will wake early to enjoy a sunrise boat ride on the river Ganges where we will see numerous Ghats. After breakfast, we will see the sights of the city which include Bharat Mata Mandir, Durga Temple and Beneras Hindu University. In the afternoon visit Sarnath, is the place where Buddha preached his first sermon " Maha-Dharma Chakra Pravartan" after his enlightenment. In the evening we will return to the hotel to spend the night.

• Day 12: Varanasi-Kathmandu

  Today we fly to Nepal (please note these flights are only available Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) and upon arrival we will transfer to the hotel in Kathmandu.

• Day 13: Kathmandu

  This morning we will take part in a guided tour of the Kathmandu Durbar Square. Then visit one of the more curious attractions in Nepal, the Kumari Chowk. This gilded cage contains the Raj Kumari (Princess), a young girl chosen through an ancient and mystical selection process to become the human embodiment of the Hindu mother Goddess, Durga (goddess). We will also visit the Sawayambhunath which offers spectacular views of the Kathmandu valley. In the afternoon we will see the holy sites of Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath before returning to our hotel for the night.

• Day 14: Kathmandu

  We will start our day at Bhadgoan and the Durbar Square which is a conglomerate of temples. Then we shall visit the beautiful door of gold and the Palace of Fifty-Five Windows which is home to unique examples of wood carving. In the afternoon we will take an excursion to the city of Patan which is separated from Kathmandu by the Bagmati River as is fragmented into several areas including Tibetan Refugee quarters (which is the perfect place to buy a Tibetan carpet) and many wonderful temples. We will then return to the hotel for the night.

• Day 15: Kathmandu-Delhi

  You have the morning at your leisure and there is the option to take part in the mountain views flight over the Himalayas with a view of the mighty Mount Everest. After the mountain flight, we will transfer to the airport and return to Delhi where we will then assist you with transfers for your onward travel plans.