Gems of Nepal and North India - Package Detail
Gems of Nepal and North India
Route : Kathmandu Varanasi Khajuraho Agra Jaipur Delhi
12 Days / 11 Nights
Route Map
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Kathmandu
Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met by our representative at the airport. After a warm welcome you will be escorted to your hotel. This evening, enjoy time at leisure at your hotel and acclimatize to the high altitude of Kathmandu.
Day 2
Day in Kathmandu
Today, visit Boudhanath Stupa, meaning the ‘Lord of Wisdom’. This Tibetan Buddhist monument is the largest stupa in Nepal and one of the largest in the world.
Also visit Pashupatinath Temple, a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world. Although only Hindus are allowed inside the temple, visitors can clearly see the temple and the activities performed inside, from the eastern bank of Bagmati River.
Later this afternoon, visit the Patan Durbar Square. Patan is known for its museum, temples and superb craftsmanship of its artisans. Patan Durbar Square has been acclaimed as one of the finest urban streetscapes in the world.
Day 3
Day in Kathmandu
After breakfast, visit Swayambhunath Stupa, one of the world’s oldest Buddhist chaityas, acclaimed to be more than 2500 years old. Situated on a hillock, 3 kms west of Kathmandu this is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal.
This afternoon visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, the historic seat of Nepalese royalty built between the 12 - 18 centuries. The Durbar square is famous for its exquisite architecture, museums, temples and artistic embellishments. You also get an opportunity to buy some interesting souvenirs here.
Day 4
FLY Kathmandu - Varanasi
Enjoy a morning at leisure in Kathmandu.
Later this morning, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India (also known as Kashi and Benaras).
Upon arrival in Varanasi this afternoon, visit Sarnath, the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from 6th century BC to 12th century AD. The Ashoka pillar of Sarnath is the national emblem of India. Visit the ruins, stupa, Buddhist temple and the Sarnath Museum.
Day 5
Day in Varanasi
Enjoy an early morning boat ride on the Holy River Ganges. See the ‘bathing ghats’ where thousands of pilgrims pay homage to the Sun God by immersing themselves in the holy water of River Ganges, and the ‘burning ghats’ where cremations are conducted.
Return to hotel for breakfast and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Experience an evening rikshaw ride to the ghats to enjoy the grand ‘Aarti’ ceremony conducted everyday at sunset by white-robed priests. The young priests sway in seemingly choreographed movements, worshiping the river goddess with incense, flowers and earthen lamps.
Day 6
FLY Varanasi - Khajuraho
After a leisurely breakfast, drive to the airport to catch your flight to Khajuraho – a UNESCO world heritage site in central India, famous for its erotic sculptured temples.
Upon arrival in Khajuraho, check in at your hotel and freshen up. Today visit the enchanting temples of Khajuraho with sculptures that draw their inspiration from the ancient art of Kama sutra. Khajuraho Temples were built by the Chandela kings between 950 AD and 1050 AD.
Enjoy an evening at leisure in Khajuraho.
Day 7
Drive Khajuraho to Jhansi via Orchha [195 Kms/4.5Hrs]
TRAIN Jhansi to Agra
After breakfast, embark on a short drive to Orchha, a medieval riverside town known for its palaces and temples. Apart from the famous landmarks like Jahangir Mahal and Laxmi Narayan Temple, the town is peppered with fascinating little shrines and memorials. Enjoy an afternoon tour of Orchha.
Later, drive to Jhansi Railway Station to board your train to Agra, city of the world famous Taj Mahal. Upon arrival in Agra, you will be transferred to your hotel for 2 nights stay.
Day 8
Day in Agra
This morning witness the surreal views of the Taj Mahal by sunrise. Step inside this eternal symbol of love and appreciate the intricate designs and symmetries that rhyme as a poem written in marble. Taj Mahal is an extravagant display of love, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Later visit the splendid Agra fort, built in red sandstone, encapsulating magnificent palaces, halls of public and private audience and beautiful gardens
Enjoy the evening at leisure in Agra.
Day 9
Agra – Jaipur [240 Kms/5 Hrs]
After breakfast, embark on a leisurely drive to Jaipur - land of the Rajputs. Jaipur is an exuberance of colour, dance and traditional arts and crafts. Known, as the 'Pink City', Jaipur is home to ancient forts and palaces and is one of India's most well planned cities.
En route to Jaipur, visit Fatehpur Sikri, the capital city of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century. Upon arrival check in at your hotel for 02 nights stay. Enjoy an evening at leisure in Jaipur.
Day 10
Day in Jaipur
This morning, visit the Amber fort, which was built in the 16th century. An elephant ride will help you ascend to this hilltop fort (elephants are subject to availability). Alternatively, you could choose to walk or drive up to the fort.
This afternoon, visit the City Palace complex with its museums and Jantar Mantar, the ancient astronomical observatory, and the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), built in the 18th century. This palace with its innumerable windows and screened balconies was especially built for the royal women to view the city and processions from behind their purdahs.
Later explore the many facets of Jaipuri crafts such as semi precious jewels, pottery, colourful embroidered fabrics with mirror work, woven carpets etc – watch artisans at work and enjoy souvenir shopping in this colourful city of Jaipur.
Day 11
Jaipur to Delhi [260 Kms/6 Hrs]
After breakfast, drive to Delhi, the capital city of India. Upon arrival in Delhi, transfer to your hotel and freshen up.
This afternoon, visit Qutab Minar, a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture. Enjoy the evening at leisure in Delhi
Day 12
Day in Delhi (DEPARTURE)
After breakfast, drive to the old part of the Delhi, walking through the busy streets of Chandni Chowk, to visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Also drive past the splendid Red Fort, and take photo stop at India Gate, President's House, Parliament House and other Government Secretariat Buildings of Lutyens Delhi. Then visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a sikh temple with a golden dome, still in active worship.
Later, you will be transferred to the International Airport to catch your flight back home. Travelite (India) services terminate at Delhi.