Embark on a mesmerizing journey through time and culture with our Classical India Nepal tour. Explore the vibrant tapestry of two ancient civilizations, each brimming with rich history, architectural marvels, and spiritual wonders.
Begin your adventure in India’s capital, Delhi, where the past and present converge in a whirlwind of colors, flavors, and traditions. Discover the city’s iconic landmarks, from the majestic Red Fort to the serene Lotus Temple, each narrating tales of India’s storied past.
Travel back in time as you wander through the narrow lanes of Old Delhi, immersing yourself in the bustling markets and centuries-old monuments of this historic quarter. Feel the spiritual pulse of the city as you visit sacred sites like Jama Masjid and the Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy lives on.
Continue your journey to Agra, home to the timeless symbol of love, the Taj Mahal. Marvel at the exquisite beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site, as the marble masterpiece shimmers in the light of the rising sun, casting its spell on all who behold it.
From Agra, cross the border into Nepal, a land of ancient temples, towering mountains, and serene valleys. Explore the medieval city of Kathmandu, where intricately carved pagodas and sacred shrines dot the landscape, creating a spiritual haven amidst the urban bustle.
Journey into the tranquil valleys of Pokhara, nestled beneath the snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna range. Cruise across the tranquil waters of Phewa Lake, with the majestic Himalayas mirrored in its crystal-clear surface, creating a picture-perfect backdrop for your adventures.
Experience the warmth of Nepalese hospitality as you interact with locals in traditional villages, gaining insight into their customs, traditions, and way of life. From the ancient temples of Kathmandu to the natural wonders of Pokhara, our Classical India Nepal tour promises an unforgettable journey through two of South Asia’s most captivating destinations.
Destination
Departure
Delhi
1
Day 01 – Arrive Delhi
Upon arrival, after clearing immigration and customs, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight at hotel
2
Day 02 – Delhi
Following breakfast, full day city tour of Old Delhi & New Delhi.
Old Delhi: An ancient walled city. Here you will drive past Red Fort, the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire: Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; and Chandni Chowk, the bustling and colourful market of the old city. (Red Fort Closed on Mondays)
New Delhi. Our tour of New Delhi includes visits to such sights as Humayun’s Tomb (1586) and Safdarjung’s Tomb (1753) the Qutab Minar 72 meters high and one of the most perfect towers in the Persian world. The Iron Pillar which has survived the vagaries of weather for over 1500 years. Continue with a drive through Embassy area, the Government buildings (1921-1930)
Overnight at hotel
3
Day 03 – Delhi / Jaipur (260 kms / 6 hrs approx)
Following breakfast, drive to Jaipur.
Upon arrival, check-in into your hotel.
Rest of the day free.
Overnight at hotel
4
Day 04 – Jaipur
Following breakfast, visit Amber Fort, ascent to the fort on Elephant / Jeep ride the former capital of the royal Rajputs. Few fail to be moved by the dramatic Rajputs grandeur of this hilltop fortress-palace 11-km north of Jaipur. Set on the dry wrinkled Aravali Hills, and surrounded by fortified battlements, the palace straddles two sepia-hued tundra hills overlooking Maota Lake, and its sprawling crenellated walls lattice the surrounding hills. We will ride up to this hilltop palace on a caparisoned, painted elephant, passing through the ancient main gate where Maharajas of Jaipur have entered for four hundred years. Our guide will elaborate on the history of this architectural masterpiece with its mirror-studded alcoves, dazzling mosaics and water-cooled swings that delight today’s visitors as they did their former royal residents.
Afternoon, visit Jaipur City: Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, a five-storied structure of pink sandstone with semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows overlooking the main street of the old city. It was built in 1799 so that veiled royal woman could peer down unseen by the world through its 593 stone screens. We proceed for a guided tour of the City Palace & Observatory. The City Palace in the heart of the old city is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The center of the palace is a seven storied building called Chandra Palace, with fine views over the gardens and the city. Next top the City Palace is the Solar Observatory – an astronomical treasure house, with solar device that gives accurate predictions till date.
Overnight at hotel
5
Day 05 – Jaipur / Agra (235 Kms / 05 hrs & 30 min approx)
Following breakfast, drive to Agra en-route visit Fatehpur Sikri: (ghost capital) for a tour of these magnificent and world heritage buildings, which are still in a state of perfect preservation. The city is divided into religious and secular sections. The profusion of sculpture is breathtaking. Also, the white marble mosque in the secular section is incredible. It is a very sacred mosque and pilgrims from far and near arrives here to pay their respects.
After visit, continue your drive to Agra.
Upon arrival, check-in into your hotel.
Evening visit Taj Mahal: “the epitome of love”, “a monument of immeasurable beauty”. The beauty of this magnificent monument is such that it is beyond the scope of words. The thoughts that come into the mind while watching the Taj Mahal of Agra is not just its phenomenal beauty, but the immense love which was the reason behind its construction. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan got this monument constructed in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, with whom he fell in love at the first sight. The very first sight of the Taj Mahal, the epitome of love and romance leaves one mesmerized. (Taj Mahal Closed on Fridays)
Overnight at hotel
6
Day 06 – Agra
Following breakfast, visit Agra Fort:
Agra City: Agra is not only famous for Taj Mahal but the impressive Mughal Red Fort known as the Agra Fort. This impressive red sandstone fort was built by Akbar between 1565-1573 A.D. Replete with gateways, pillared halls, mosques, marble trellises and geometric gardens; the Fort represents Mughal architecture at its peak.
Overnight at hotel
7
Day 07 – Agra / Jhansi (Train)
Jhansi / Orchha (16 Kms / 45 min approx)
Following breakfast, transfer to railway station to connect train to Jhansi.
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Afternoon, visit Orchha: The Bundela chief Raja Rudra Pratap (1501-31) chose an easily defended and beautiful site for his capital. Set on the island on a bend in the Betwa River, it is elevated above the surrounding wooded countryside. Once capital of its own state, Orchha contains three palaces – The Raj Mahal, Rai Parveen Mahal, Jahangir Mahal – each built by succeeding Maharajas in a similar style and combining to form a complex as imposing as that at Udaipur. Also visit Ram Raja Temple & Chaturbhuj Temple.
Overnight at hotel
8
Day 08 – Orchha / Khajuraho (180 Kms / 04 hrs approx)
Following breakfast, drive to Khajuraho.
Upon arrival, check-in into your hotel.
Afternoon, visit Khajuraho City: The Eastern and Western Group Temples Founded in the 9th and 10th Century by the rulers of Chandela Dynasty, influenced by tantrism, in eroticism becomes a theme of philosophical interest and the aim is submlimation of sexual relationship in the sexual act or “Maithun”, women being regarded as the incarnation of the divine energy or “Shakti”. Itis also possible thatthe Khajuraho were influenced by “Kama Sutra”. Among the temples to visit is the Kandariya Mahadeo, Chaunsat Yogini, Chitragupta temple, adinath Temples ,Vishwanath temple, andvarious other temples.
Overnight at hotel
9
Day 09 – Khajuraho / Varanasi (Flight)
Following breakfast, transfer to airport for your flight to Varanasi
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel En-route visit Sarnath : 10 kms from the centre of the city, Sarnath symbolises the birth of Buddhism. It was here that Lord Buddha revealed his doctrine and founded his monastic community. The Museum at Sarnath is amongst the most important in India and contains carvings representing a whole range of styles – Archaic, the covering work of sculptors from 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. (Sarnath remain closed on Fridays).
Overnight at hotel
10
Day 10 – Varanasi
Early morning, boat ride on holy river Ganges. – An early morning boat ride to see the ritual bathing and cremation is worth the effort of waking up before sunrise, a direct contact with life on the banks of the Ganges. Hindu pilgrims come to bath in the sacred Ganga, facing the rising sun, or at dusk, when leaf-boat lamps are floated down the river.
Afternoon, visit Varanasi City : The consists of visiting the city temples – the Durga temple, better known as the Monkey temple on account of the large number of monkeys residing there and the temple of Vishwanath (or Vesheshwar “Lord of the Universe”) are the most sacred spots in the city..
Evening Aarti ceremony at ghat
Overnight at hotel
11
Day 11 – Varanasi / Sonauli border (300 Kms / 06 hrs approx) Sonauli border/Lumbini (25 Kms / 30 min approx)
Early morning, drive to Sonauli border.
Another car from Nepal will pick up from Sonauli border and drive to Lumbini Nepal.
Evening visit Lumbinī is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi District of Nepal. It is the place where, according to Buddhist tradition, Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama in 563 BCE.[1][2] Gautama, who achieved Enlightenment some time around 528 BCE,[3][4] became the Gautama Buddha and founded Buddhism.[5][6][7] Lumbini is one of many magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in places pivotal to the life of Gautama Buddha.
Lumbini has a number of temples, including the Mayadevi Temple and several others which are still under construction. Many monuments, monasteries and a museum — the Lumbini International Research Institute — are also located within the holy site. Also located there is the Puskarini or Holy Pond where the Buddha’s mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he, too, had his first bath. At other sites near Lumbini, earlier Buddhas were, according to tradition, born, achieved ultimate Enlightenment and finally relinquished their earthly forms.
Lumbini was granted World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1997.
Overnight at hotel
12
Day 12 – Lumbini/ Pokhara (200 Kms / 05 hrs approx.)
Following breakfast, Drive to Pokhara En-route visit Tansen, a typical Newari town
Tansen was the capital of the Magar kingdom Tanahun, one of the most powerful regional principalities before the rise of the Shah dynasty. It even came close to conquering Kathmandu in the 16th century under the leadership of Mukunda Sen. Local Magar kings lost influence in the 18th century and Tansen became a Newari bazaar on the important trade route between India and Tibet via the Kaligandaki River and Mustang. Because it was a district administrative center of the Kingdom of Nepal, Maoists targeted Tansen several times during the Nepalese Civil War, including a major assault on the historic Durbar (palace) compound in 2006.
Upon arrival, check in to your hotel.
Evening: Boat ride on Phewa Lake
Overnight at hotel
13
Day 13 – Pokhara
Following breakfast, visit Pokhara: Pokhara, the most popular tourist spot in the country, is a place to view beautiful snow-capped mountains, and to start off your major trekking expeditions to the Himalayas. Crisp clean air, Shangri la and Vista makes Pokhara the unmatched city of Nepal, it will greet you with memories for a life time. You will remember the Himalayan breeze on your cheeks, happy little kids on the streets, and the glories mornings, for-ever.
Morning Excursion to Saronkot that offers great view of Mt. Fish Tail and other Annapurna range of mountains (Subject to clear weather)
Afternoon sightseeing in Pokhara visiting Davi’s falls, Tibetan camp and local market
Overnight at hotel
14
Day 14 – Pokhara/ Bandipur/Chitwan (165 Kms / 04 hrs and 30 min approx.)
Following breakfast, drive to Chitwan. En-route visit Bandipur
Bandipur, ancient hilly town, is a treasure waiting to be discovered by travelers. Situated at an altitude of 1,005 meters, this ancient trading post lies cradled in the saddle of some of the country’s most peculiar-shaped hills.
Upon arrival, check in to your hotel.
Overnight at hotel
15
Day 15 – Chitwan
Following breakfast, full day jungle activity in Chitwan National Park: to Of all the world’s remaining jungles, one of the most enchanting is Royal Chitwan National Park in the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal. Here at Chitwan Jungle Lodge, you will discover a lost world of towering trees with twisting vines, pre-historic rhino, lumbering elephants, crocodiles, pythons, deer, brilliantly colored birds and if you are fortunate – the superb Royal Bengal Tiger.
To fully experience the jungle, you must live within it – nothing less will do. Chitwan Jungle Lodge lies in the park on the banks of the River Rapti. Only the sounds of nature disturb the peace of the jungle: birdsong, the rustle of deer in the bushes or the trumpeting call of elephants. From the moment you wake at dawn to roam through the jungle on elephant back, to the quiet talk around the camp fire at day’s end, Chitwan Jungle Lodge offers an unforgettable experience.
Overnight at hotel
16
Day 16 – Chitwan /Kathmandu (160 kms / 4Hrs and 30min hrs approx)
Following breakfast, drive to Kathmandu.
Upon arrival, check in to your hotel.
Evening visit Kathmandu Durbar square Hanuman Dhoka, Mahadev and Parvati temple, temple house of Kumari the living goddess
Hanuman Dhoka (Durbar Square):
Built between the 12th and the 18th centuries, this complex of palaces, courtyards and temples is the historic seat of royalty. It used to be the seat of ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. The durbar Square, protected as a UNESCO World heritage site, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. Other than a 17th – century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages, interesting things to see here are: Taleju Temple (Built by King Mahendra Malla in 1549 A.D., Kal Bhairav, the god of Destruction Nautalle Darbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue of king Pratap Malla, the big bell, big drum, the Jagannath Temple and three museums including the numismatic museum and the Tribhuvan Museum. Photography is prohibited inside the museums. Budhanikantha (Bhuijasi) Situated below the shivapuri hills, Buddhanikantha is about eight km north of Kathmandu. The hub of the temple complex is remarkable colossal statue of the hindu god Vishnu reclining on the coils of a cosmic serpent. This great stone figure is one of the masterpiece of stone sculptures of Lichchavi period, and is supposed to have been built in the fifth century.
Overnight at Hotel
17
Day 17 – Kathmandu
Following breakfast half day sightseeing tour of Bhaktapur: is known as the ‘City of Devotees’, the ‘City of Culture’, the ‘Living Heritage’, and ‘Nepal’s Cultural Gem’. It is one of the 3 royal cities in the Kathmandu Valley. The others are Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and Patan. Bhaktapur is filled with monuments, most terra-cotta with carved wood columns, palaces and temples with elaborate carvings, gilded roofs, and open courtyards. The city is dotted with pagodas and religious shrines.
Lying along the ancient trade route between India and Tibet, Bhaktapur is surrounded by mountains and provides a magnificent view of the Himalayas. Bhaktapur Founded in the 12th century by King Ananda Malla (according to various chronicles), Bhaktapur was the capital city of the Greater Malla Kingdom until the 15th century and was an inde pendent kingdom from then until the 18th century. The last three Malla rulers of Bhaktapur were Jitamitra Malla, Bhupatindra Malla, and Ranjit Malla. These rulers played key roles in building the palaces and temples of Durbar Square.
Afternoon visit Pashupatinath and Bodhnath:-
Pashupatinath: Situated five kilometers east of Kathmandu on the bank of sacred Bagmati river, the temple of lord Shiva Pashupatinath with two tiered golden roof and silver doors is famous for its super architecture. It is a centre of annual pilgrimage on the day of Maha Shivratri. Entrance to the temple precinct is permitted to the Hindus only however, visitors can clearly see the temple and activities performed in the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati river.
Bodhnath: The stupa of Bodhnath lies eight kilometers east of Kathmandu. This colossal and ancient stupa, one of the biggest in the world has the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It was built by Lichchhavi king Mana dev in the fifth century A.D. it is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels.
Overnight at hotel
18
Day 18 – Kathmandu / Delhi Flight
Depart Delhi
Following breakfast, transfer to airport for your flight to Delhi.
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred international airport for your flight back home
Picture Gallery