Highlights:

Day 1: Arrive at Delhi. Welcome to India! On your arrival, after you collect your luggage you will be greeted by our travel facilitator at the airport. You will then be taken in a chauffeur-driven vehicle to your hotel and assisted with your check-in. After making you comfortable, our travel facilitator will hand over your travel documents and briefly go over the next day’s program.

Day 2: Delhi. Your exploration of India will commence at Old Delhi, which was the citadel of the Mughal Empire between the 17th and 19th centuries. You will visit the impressive Red Fort built in 1648, which was the seat of the Mughal Empire. You will be amazed at the imposing 1.24-mile long red sandstone walls of the fort. Next will be a thrilling experience of a cycle rickshaw ride through the vibrant alleys of Chandni Chowk, past sacred temples, and old houses with fascinating architecture. This will provide you with an insight into the real India. You will also visit India's largest mosque built by Shah Jahan in 1658, the Jama Masjid, an architectural delight as much as a holy place. Later visit Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi which is situated on the banks of the river Yamuna. A humble black marble amid lush green lawns marks the cremation spot.

Afternoon: After the Old Delhi tour, you will be driven to New Delhi, which was built by the British as a regal capital. The difference between Old & New Delhi is the division actually between the two capitals – Mughal & British. You will visit the Qutub Minar – the 234 feet high sandstone Victory Tower built in 1193. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate, the 138 feet high stone arch of triumph which bears the names of 90,000 Indian Army soldiers who laid down their lives in various wars across the world. It has an eternal flame in honor of the Unknown Soldier. Visit Humayun’s Tomb, a beautiful Mughal red sandstone structure. After this, you will drive through Lutyen’s New Delhi which includes the Diplomatic enclave, various spectacular Government buildings that originated in the Victorian era, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara (a magnificent temple for people of the Sikh religion), and the impressive and ornate Hindu Birla Temple. Finish your tour of New Delhi at Connaught Place, which is New Delhi’s main shopping, business, and tourist center.

Day 3: Delhi – Agra. Checkout from your hotel after breakfast and then you are driven to Agra (about 4 hours) on North India’s newest highway. Arrive at Agra and check in to your hotel.

Afternoon: You will visit the massive red sandstone Agra Fort which was built by the famous Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, primarily as a military structure. During Shah Jahan’s reign, it was converted into a palace. It finally became a prison for Shah Jahan after his son came to power in 1658. The fort has numerous courtyards, private chambers, and a marble mosque. On the opposite side of the Yamuna River is the exquisite Itmad-ud-Daulah built in 1628 by Mughal Emperor’s queen, Nur Jahan, in memory of her father. The tomb is the first monument that was constructed entirely of marble inlaid in Pietra Dura.

Late afternoon: Sunset visit at the spectacular white marble mausoleum and one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. Tourists come from all over the world throughout the year to gaze at the extravagant monument dedicated to love. This wonder was built by Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal in 1653 AD. It took 22 years and 22,000 craftsmen to build the Taj. The white marble is inlaid with semi-precious stones in beautiful patterns in a process called pietra dura. A minaret at each corner of the Taj gives it a perfectly symmetrical look. The Taj houses in its basement the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.

Day 4: Agra – Jaipur. Check out of your hotel by noon and drive to Jaipur. Enroute, stop to visit the Chand Baori stepwell at Abhaneri. The Chand Baori is one of the oldest, deepest, and largest baoris (stepwells) in Rajasthan. The oldest parts of the structure date back to the 8th century. This colossal stepwell has a depth of 20 meters, with 13 levels. Despite being so huge, the well still has delicate and intricate carvings which are a visual treat. Arrive at Jaipur and check in to your hotel. Jaipur is the vibrant capital of Rajasthan also known as the ‘Pink city.’

Day 5: Jaipur. After breakfast, drive 7 miles north of Jaipur to visit the Amber Fort and Palace. This was the ancient capital of Jaipur state. Mount your caparisoned elephant to ascend up (an option to use a jeep is available) to the main gate of the splendid Amber Fort situated on a hillock overlooking a lake. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Rajput rulers, a clan which was famous for its military heroism. In sharp contrast to the rugged exteriors of the soaring fort is the opulent ambience of the interiors, especially the Sheesh Mahal or the Hall of Mirrors which is a result of the intricate and delicate use of mirrors.

Afternoon: Continue your tour of Jaipur city; visit the City Palace Complex, a fine blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture consisting of courtyards, gardens, and buildings. The royal family of Jaipur still resides in a part of the Palace. You will then visit the Jantar Mantar, the astronomical observatory. Enjoy your visit to the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds. Located in the heart of the old city’s bustling marketplace, the Hawa Mahal is a pink sandstone five-storey building that has a fascinating façade of numerous intricately designed and embellished windows. It was originally built to enable the royal ladies to look at the bustling city without being seen.

Day 6: Jaipur – Delhi – Kathmandu – Nagarkot. Check out from the hotel and you will be driven to Jaipur airport to board your flight to Delhi. Arrive at Delhi and connect with your flight to Kathmandu. You will be met on arrival at Kathmandu airport by our travel facilitator and chauffeur and then driven to Nagarkot, just a few kilometers east of Kathmandu.

Nagarkot is at an elevation level of 7135 feet and offers panoramic views of Mount Everest and other Himalayan ranges. From here you can enjoy the spectacular Himalayan vistas during sunrise and sunset.

Check in at your hotel.

Day 7: Nagarkot – Kathmandu. Awaken before sunrise to view the Himalayan peaks at dawn – they are a magnificent sight to behold. Check out from your resort after breakfast. You will then be driven to Kathmandu and assisted with your check-in at your hotel.

Afternoon: Start your guided tour with a visit to Boudhanath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the largest stupa in Nepal and a major pilgrimage destination for Buddhists. Next, you will visit the Pashupatinath Temple, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, which dates back to 400 A.D. and is one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world. Continue your exploration of Kathmandu city with a visit to the Durbar Square, yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site. View stunning structural design that vividly showcases the skilled Newar craftsmanship. Several buildings in the Square were damaged due to a major earthquake in 2015, but much of it remains intact.

Day 8: Kathmandu. You have the option of experiencing the Everest flight this morning to view the spectacular beauty of the mountains. Your hotel travel desk can arrange this. If you decide to take this flight, on your return you will freshen up and have breakfast. Experience a tour of Patan City which is a sub-metropolitan city and one of the three queen cities of the valley. Patan is a city of fine arts and rich cultural heritage. Visit the museum to view the impressive collection of bronzes and ancient religious objects. You will also visit the 17th-century Krishna Mandir and Mahavihar, and the 12th-century Golden Temple of Lord Buddha.

Late afternoon: Visit the ancient religious complex of Swayambhunath Temple and Stupa, atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley. The complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines, and temples, some dating back 2500 years. These religious monuments are visible from most of Kathmandu Valley, and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 9: Kathmandu – International Flight. After breakfast, or at any time before noon on this day, as your flight requires, you are driven to Kathmandu airport in time for your outbound flight.

Our services end at Kathmandu airport.

Luxury Level Lodging

• Delhi – The Oberoi New Delhi - Premier Plus Room
• Agra – Oberoi Amarvilas – Premier Room
• Jaipur – Oberoi Rajvilas – Premier Room
• Nagarkot – Mystic Mountain – Super Deluxe Room
• Kathmandu – The Dwarika – Heritage Deluxe Room
  
  

Deluxe Level Lodging

• Delhi – Taj Palace – Superior Room / Lalit – View Room
• Agra – Taj Gateway - Taj View Room / The Trident - Garden View Room
• Jaipur – The Trident - Lake View Room / Rajputana Sheraton – COE
• Nagarkot – Club Himalaya – Deluxe Room
• Kathmandu – Hyatt Regency – Club Room
  
  

Inclusions

• 8 nights stay at the hotels on the entire trip
• Breakfast at all the hotels
• All transfers and sightseeing by your personal A/C SUV
• Hotel check-in time is 2 pm and checkout is at noon for almost all the hotels
• One cycle-rickshaw ride to explore the famous Chandni Chowk market in Delhi
• One elephant ride (per couple) at Amber Fort, Jaipur
• Entrance fees to the monuments as per the itinerary
• Services of the English-speaking local guide in Nepal
• Services of an accompanying Tour Director from Delhi till Jaipur
• Representative for assistance on all arrivals and departures transfers
• Bottled water during sightseeing/excursions and long drives
• All currently applicable taxes
  
  

Not Included

• Any personal expenses such as tips, laundry, and drinks
• Any meals other than those specified above
• Personal Travel Insurance, visa, etc.
• Camera fees (both still and video)
• International flight tickets
• Miscellaneous