Mumbai - Udaipur – Jodhpur - Jaipur – Agra – Khajuraho - Varanasi – Kathmandu – Delhi

14 nights / 15 days

Tour Highlight

• Mt. Everest Flight (Optional)
• Motor Lunch to Elephanta Island
• Village Safari by Jeep
• Thrill to the Sound & Light Show at Red Fort
• Elephant ride up to Amber Fort
• Sunset & Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal
• Sunrise Boat Cruise in Varanasi
• “Son et Lumire” show in Delhi
• Heritage & cultural site of Khajuraho and Kathmandu

Day 01    Arrive Mumbai (Bombay)

Today Arrive Mumbai (formerly Bombay) The Capital of Maharastra. You are greeted with a traditional Indian Welcome and escorted transfer to Hotel

Day 02    Mumbai Sightseeing / Elephanta Island

Morning visit Kamla Nehru Park, Hanging Gardens situated on the slopes of Malabar Hill, offering a panoramic view of Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach, Prince of Wales Museum, Mano Bhawan, Dhobi Ghat, Gateway of India and drive through the Crawford Market. Afternoon leave by Motor Launch & travel across the Harbour to the World Famous Elephanta Caves, 1200 yrs. old and dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Day 03               Mumbai - Udaipur

Morning fly to Udaipur. Today sight seeing of Udaipur includes The City Palace, drive around Fateh Sagar lake, Sahelion-ki-Bari (The fountain and flowered garden of Maidens), Partap Smarak: A memorial to the legendary warrior Rana Pratap, Bhartiya Lok Mandal Museum. Remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 04            Udaipur - Jodhpur 260 kms / 4 hrs

Today leave for Jodhpur by surface. Enroute visit to Ranakpur temples of the Jains, built in the 15th century in the lovely valley of Aravallis. It has grand structure & beautiful Sculptures. The 1444 pillars in the temple are different from each other. The magic of light & shade is really awe- inspiring. Jodhpur – the Great Indian Desert, sites on sand stone hill surrounded by a strong wall, approximately 6 miles long with 7 entry gates. Reminder time is at leisure.

Day 05      Jodhpur & Village Safari

Today morning Half day sightseeing of the city includes visit to Meherangarh Fort, drive through the old city and past the Clock Tower near the largest spice bazaar in the sub-continent, visit the Jaswant Thada Cenotaph, the royal cremation site and then proceed to see the most magnificent, modern 20th century Palace, the Umaid Bhavan Palace and its museum – a treasure trove. 

Village Safari: Afternoon enjoy a Village Safari (By Jeep)- A memorable outing in Jeeps visit various traditional villages seeing local handicrafts viz. stone makers, pottery, hand weaving and also men in their traditional attire, women clad with ancestral silver jewellery, etc.

Day 06     Jodhpur - Jaipur Sightseeing

Leave for Jaipur - the “Pink City” by morning flight. Afternoon visit to Maharaja’s City Palace - where you can see an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal Art. The museum is resplendent with its collection of robes of royal princes, carpets, an armory of old weapons, miniature paintings portraying court scenes, battle scenes and processions, Jantar Mantar (an accurate observatory built in 1726 A.D.), Birla White Marble temple and Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) - a five storied wonder with a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes and spires.

Day 07    Amber Fort Excursion

After breakfast visit the 17th century fotress of Amber Fort - marvelous example of Rajput architecture with its terraces and ramparts reflected in the Maota Lake below. Go up the fort ascended on Caparisoned Elephant true to the style of the Maharajas of the past. The interiors of the fort have various royal halls decorated with intricate ivory, mirror and glasswork complemented by exquisite wall paintings. As you move between the rooms of this magnificent structure feel the history and visualize the pomp and grandeur of a kingdom never conquered, whose hilltop location is to view various palaces with rooms of stunning beauty including the world’s finest chamber of mirrors and also visit temple of Kali.

Day 08        Jaipur – Agra 232 kms / 6 hrs

On today’s drive through the Rajasthani countryside we see villages, woman dressed in the brilliantly colored saris of the region, Camels, Elephants, Bears & scenes of rural lives. Our continue drive to Agra via the Ghostly deserted red sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri, built in 1569 by the Great Emperor Akbar.

Enjoy the Magnificent Taj Mahal – The Monument of Love in the warm glow of Sunset, which was built in 1630 by Mghal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631, and is believed to have taken 18 years to complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working around the clock. The design and construction is said to be that of the legendary architect, Ustad Ahamad Lahori. What makes the Taj Mahal unique is its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, medium of construction and ornamentation.  Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. It is impossible to visualize the Taj Mahal in any surrounding others than its paradoxical garden. Paradise, in Islam, is visualized as a lush garden where running streams flow. When the Mughals brought this concept to India they elevated it to heights of Incomparable artistry.

Day 09      In Agra

An early morning witness to Taj Mahal at Sunrise. Other Agra attractions on the tour include Agra Fort built by Akbar The Great, Itmad-ud-Daulah built by Empress Noor Jehan in the memory of Her Father and Sikandra. As you drive through the city witness the local life and bazaars (markets) and the hustle bustle of everyday Agra – famous for Marble Items.

Day 10   Agra - Khajuraho

After early breakfast transfer to station to board the Express train for Jhansi. Than drive to Khajuraho 175 kms from Jhansi Later visit to world famous Khajuraho Temples built by the Chandela Kings between 950 and 1050 AD. Eastern Group temples consist of Parasvanath Temple, which is the only Jain temple at Khajuraho and has excellent sculptures on the outer walls of the sanctum. Also visit the Javeri temple dedicated to Vishnu. View the world famous Chandela temples where forthright sculptures celebrate the Joy of life and love for which there is no equivalent in the world.

Day 11    Khajuraho - Varanasi

After a leisurely morning fly to Varanasi. Later return excursion to Sarnath – 10 kms from the holy city of Varanasi, is the blessed locale where more than 2,500 years ago Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon, after attaining Nirvana. Gautam Buddha with his five disciples formed the first Sangha along with Yasa of Varanasi and his 54 friends. The beginning of the celebrated Mantra, “Buddham Sharanam Gachhami” owes its origin to Sarnath. The three jewels “I go for refuge to the Buddha, I go for refuge to the Wheel of Law, I go for refuge to the Sangha” first laid down here, have remained unchanged ever since. Hence rightly, every Buddhist Pilgrim after Bodhgaya endeavors to be blessed with a visit to Sarnath in his life time.

Evening See “aarti” Ceremony on the River Ganges & Stroll along the narrow lanes and bazaars full of shops selling, among other things, the world-famous Banaras Silks.

Day 12    Varanasi - Kathmandu

Enjoy the sunrise Boat excursion on the Holy River Ganges to see the bathing Ghats and crimination sites. Watching people bathing and worshiping at the Ghats is one of the most extraordinary experience of a visit to India. Stroll along the narrow lanes and bazaars full of shops selling, among other things, the world famous Banaras silk. Fly to Kathmandu, The capital of Nepal. This afternoon visit Durbar Square, Temple of Living Goddess and imposing 2000-year-old stupa at Swayambhunath.

Day 13     Kathmandu

This morning Lifetime Experience a one-hour OPTIONAL Mountain Air's fantastic Magic Mountain Flight of the mighty Himalayas to see Mt. Everest. Afternoon visit the beautiful town of Bhaktapur, Pashupatinath and Bodhnat followed by tour of Patan – the second largest city in the valley also known as Lalitpur. Stop at Tibetan Refugee Craft Centre. Prior to returning to your hotel.

Day 14     Depart Kathmandu - Delhi

Today fly to Delhi. Later visit to New Delhi - Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar, Louts Temple, Drive pass through the Raisina Hill, past the imposing India Gate, President House and Parliament House.

Evening return to the Red Fort to watch the “Son et Lumire” show which is an Interplay of colorful lights and sound tracing the history of monument till date.

Day 15   Delhi - Onward Destination

Today visit Old Delhi - was an ancient walled city. Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1650 switched the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi.  Shah Jehan possessing an Exquisite talent, especially in architecture, created the seventh city and in the Process brought about Delhi's glorious renaissance.  Here you will view Red Fort, the most Opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire. Also visit Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; and Chandni Chowk, the bustling and colorful market of the old city. Chandni Chowk was the commercial center of Delhi in the old time and you will see it come alive in the morning as the trading day starts.

Later transfer to International airport to board the flight for onward destination.

Note

• Taj Mahal closed on Friday
• Varanasi to Kathmandu flight operate on Tue, Thu & Sat.