Day 1:  Arrive Delhi

New Delhi, India’s national capital, is a relatively modern confection of imposing government buildings including Parliament, museums and wide leafy boulevards loosely centred on circular Connaught Place (officially now called Rajiv Chowk). To its north lies the formerly walled city of Old Delhi, or Shahjahanabad, built in the 17th-century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Though long merged into one metropolis, the two have very different characters. New Delhi has space, parks, distinct neighbourhoods and a clutch of important monuments and architecture that reflect its ancient history. Old Delhi’s crowded streets, lanes and bazaars reflect its colourful medieval character and they cradle some of the city’s most memorable sights.

On arrival in Delhi: Having cleared immigration, collected your luggage and passed through customs, please make your way towards the exit of the terminal building where you will see a bank of people waiting for you.  Amongst them will be Travel Counsellors Representative who will be waiting to greet you with a paging board with your name on.

You will be transferred to your hotel and assisted with check in. (Standard check in time at hotel is 1400 hrs).

Day 2: In Delhi

Begin the day with the walk in Old Delhi with an English-speaking guide from Salaam Balaak Trust (A NGO supporting Street children) including rickshaw ride in Old Delhi followed by a tour of New Delhi visiting the UNESCO world heritage sites.

Established in 1988, the Salaam Baalak Trust is a Delhi-based NGO committed to supporting ‘street children’ across the city.  The name roughly translates as ‘salute a child’ and its mission is to secure the futures of children who for a variety of social and family reasons have ended up living precariously if not dangerously on the margins of society, either in slums or on the streets.

The Trust’s programmes encompass various outreach projects, health & nutrition, education & skill building and rehabilitation. One facet of this are guided walks led by former street children who have shrugged off adversity, gone on to study and forged independent lives within mainstream society. On foot and by rickshaw, this guided tour takes an immersive look at the atmospheric lanes, markets and bazaars of Old Delhi. Between the great Jami Masjid mosque and the famous thoroughfare of Chandni Chowk, you’ll see everyday life in one of Delhi’s most characterful neighbourhoods – spice markets, wedding paraphernalia, street food and hidden havelis, or merchants’ mansions.

Qutub Minar

In the southern reaches of Delhi’s Mehrauli neighbourhood, this extraordinary 72-metre high sandstone minar, or tower, was erected in stages between 1199 and 1369 by some of the earliest Muslim dynasties to reach India. With alternating rounded and angular flutings along with mainly koranic inscriptions, it’s the most striking part of a large ensemble of buildings – a tomb, a madrasa (or religious school) and various gateways – that combine Muslim and Hindu architecture.  Here too stands an enigmatic 4th-century iron pillar that doesn’t rust; it’s common to see visitors encircling it with their arms attempting to touch fingers in the belief that any wish will then be granted.

Humayun’s Tomb

Completed in 1572 this was the first so-called ‘garden tomb’ to be built in the Indian subcontinent. Humayun was the second Mughal emperor and his widow commissioned a posse of Persian and Indian craftsmen to build the Mughal empire’s most magnificent mausoleum over a period of seven years.  The striking use of red sandstone inlaid with marble, a pioneering double-dome and 30-acre gardens with channels and a quadrilateral layout – all enclosed by walls and lofty gateways – marked a new monumental scale of tomb building. Its innovations ultimately culminated in the construction of the Taj Mahal.

Drive past India Gate

Also known as the Delhi Memorial or the All India War Memorial, the India Gate was built in commemoration of the roughly 80 000 Indian soliders who died representing their country in World War One and on various other battlefields, and whose names are inscribed on the structure. Unveiled in 1931, its distinctive arch is reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and the Gateway of India in Bombay, and is one of the trademark sights of New Delhi.

Day 3: Delhi – Agra

Home of the world-famous Taj Mahal, Agra is one of India’s prime tourist destinations for specifically this reason, though its attractions also extend to an array of other impressive historical sights. These include the red-hued Agra Fort, the sacred Jama Masjid mosque and Itmad-ud-Daulah’s tomb, with its white marble facade embellished with intricate inlaid designs and semi-precious gems. The Taj, however, is in a league of its own and is a must-see for any visitor to the city. Commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 15th century as a memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, it is an architectural masterpiece of exquisite artisanship and perfect proportions.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to railway station to board the train to Agra.

Train                                    Gatimaan Express (daily except on Fridays)

Departs Delhi                    0810 Hrs

Arrives Agra                      0950 Hrs 

Upon arrival at Agra, you will be assisted & transferred and taken directly to Agra Fort for the visit followed by check-in at the hotel. (Standard check in time at the hotel is 1400 Hrs)

Agra Fort

Known as the Red Fort of Agra, this walled imperial city was founded in 1565 by the Emperor Akbar (1556-1605) and is a well-deserving UNESCO World Heritage site, located just 2.5 kilometres from the famous Taj Mahal. Its palaces, grand mosques and elaborate public hall are crafted from pink-red sandstone and are testament to an era when Indo-Muslim art, strongly marked by influences from Persia, was at its height. Emperor Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal for his deceased wife, was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb in Agra Fort. He is said to have died in the Musamman Burj, a marble tower he himself built, with one of the most alluring views of the Taj Mahal.

Later in the evening, visit Taj Mahal at sunset.

Taj Mahal

Standing at the head of formal gardens beside the Yamuna River, the Taj Mahal is one of the world’s most extraordinary buildings. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1653 to entomb his wife Mumtaz, its construction took two decades, utilised over 20,000 labourers and a thousand elephants.  The finest craftsmen from India and Persia utilised Indian marble, Chinese jade, Tibetan turquoise and Afghan lapus lazuli. In all almost thirty types of precious and semi-precious stones were inlaid into the milky-white marble. It cost an absolute fortune even by the standards of the day; nothing on this scale had been attempted before or since. It still has a powerful ethereal beauty – the delicate onion dome rising above dainty kiosks, slender taping minarets, marble whose ever-changing hue reflects the ambient light and symmetrical gardens with water channels and fountains. Widely regarded as the height of Mughal architecture, the Taj has come to symbolise India itself.

Day 4: Agra – Jaipur

Founded in the early 1700s by Maharaja Jai Singh II as his new capital, the original ‘Pink City’ (so-called because almost all buildings were painted terracotta pink to honour the 1876 visit of the future King Edward VII) was laid out in a traditional grid with colonnaded streets and uniform façades. That layout remains intact and the city, now state capital of Rajasthan, has evolved and expanded into a modern metropolis with its own metro system. Yet its key sights and attractions lie within a relatively compact area. From vibrant bazaars and craft shops to grand palaces and huge forts, an extraordinary outdoor observatory and even one of the country’s most famous cinemas, Jaipur ticks every cultural, architectural and shopping box.

After breakfast, leave with the private chauffeur driven vehicle Jaipur (approx. 235 kms/ 06 hours’ drive) with a stop at Fatehpur Sikri.

Fatehpur Sikri

Built atop a low ridge in the late 1500s by Emperor Akbar, the so-called ‘City of Victory’ was the Mughal dynasty’s first planned city. Monumental in design and scale, it was distinguished by extensive use of rust-red sandstone and its huge gateway, vast courtyards, lofty audience halls, royal apartments, stables and treasury provide a spectacular perspective on the wealth and ambition of the Mughal court at that time. But by 1610 it was completely abandoned for reasons unclear though a lack of water is often cited as its downfall.

Arrive Jaipur in the afternoon and check-in at the hotel.

Day 5: In Jaipur

Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning visit Amber Fort and then proceed for the tour of the city.

Activities

Amer Fort

Cresting a stark rocky ridge on the hilly northern fringes of Jaipur, 16th-century Amber (or Amer) Fort is one of the finest examples of a Rajput fort-palace. Overlooking a lake and enclosed by kilometres of wide crenellated walls that wriggle across the enclosing hills, this huge complex of audience halls, pavilions and royal apartments is a compelling blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Although its once lavish interiors are now diminished, sufficient part-marble interiors, decorative frescoes, coloured glass and mirror-mosaics still reveal some of the grandeur of life in a maharaja’s court in what was one of Rajasthan’s most powerful princely states

Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) –from outside

One of Jaipur’s most recognised buildings, the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) is known for its iconic façade. Small windows, decorated with intricate latticework create a honeycomb-like appearance. The original intention of the lattice was to allow the royal ladies to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen. The cooling effect, provided by the breeze passing through the small windows, gave the palace its name. Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the unique construction was originally designed to look like the crown of Krishna. A panoramic view of Jaipur can be had from the top of the building.

Jaipur City Palace

Up until India’s Independence in 1947, Jaipur’s City Palace was the ceremonial and bureaucratic seat of power of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Standing in the heart of the Old City founded by his ancestor, the 18th-century palace remains one of the city’s key sights.  It’s a huge complex of courtyards, opulent audience halls, royal apartments, temples and pretty pavilions, some of which are still occupied by the royal family. It’s also home to a large museum with galleries devoted to textiles, armaments and painting.

Jantar Mantar Jaipur

The Jantar Mantar (which translates as ‘calculating instrument’) is an ensemble of nineteen astronomical instruments built by the city’s founder, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, in 1734. Jai Singh was almost obsessed by astronomy and mathematics and this complex is one of several he constructed in various cities. Superficially resembling a rather whimsical playground, these instruments are surprisingly sophisticated and capable of, for example, measuring sunrise and sunset, azimuth, the coordinates of stars and planets, and time. The ensemble includes a giant sundial – at 27m tall one of the world’s largest – with a visibly moving shadow.

Day 6: Jaipur – Delhi

Breakfast at hotel.

Check out at 1200 Hrs and drive to Delhi (around 05-06 Hrs)

On arrival check in at a hotel near airport.

Day 7: Delhi – Kathmandu

After breakfast at appropriate time you will be assisted and transfer to airport, board your flight to Kathmandu.

Flight                              TBA

Departs Delhi                TBA Hrs.

Arrive Kathmandu        TBA Hrs.

On arrival in Kathmandu: Having cleared immigration, collected your luggage and passed through customs, please make your way towards the exit of the terminal building where you will see a bank of people waiting for you.  Amongst them will be Travel Counsellors Representative who will be waiting to greet you with a paging board with your name on.

You will be transferred to your hotel and assisted with check in. (Standard check in time at hotel is 1400 hrs)

Rest of day at leisure.

Day 8: Kathmandu

Breakfast at hotel.

Proceed for local sightseeing to visit Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath.

Kathmandu Durbar Square:  Listed as one of the eight Cultural World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Kathmandu Durbar Square is cluster of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards and streets that date back to the 12^th and 18^th centuries. The visit of Durbar Square includes the emple of Living Goddesses, who acknowledges the greetings of the devotees from the balcony of her temple residence, the Hanuman Dhoka Royal Palace, the historic seat of the Royalty; the magnificent Taleju Temple towering 40 meters. The capital takes its name from the giant pagoda of Kasthamandap, which is said to have been built of a single tree. The Kasthamandap has been destroyed in recent massive earthquake and now almost completed renovation work. It has been the main focal point of the city’s social, religious  and political from the Malla kings.

Swayambhunath:  Located approximately 4 km west of Kathmandu, Buddhist stupa this is said to be 2500 years old, The stupa which forms the main structure is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on the four sided base of the spire are the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. This hill is a mosaic of small Chaityas and Pagodas temples. It is one of the holiest Buddhist Chaityas in Nepal and oldest of its kind.

Afternoon visit Patan

Patan: 5 km from Kathmandu Patan also known as Lalitpur is the city of fine arts, enclosed withing 4 stupas said to be built in 3^rd century AD, by Emperoro Ashoka. The city retains much of the old charm with its narrow streets, brick houses and multitude of well-preserved Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries (vihars) and monuments. Here you will visit the Shikahara style Krishna Temple built by King Siddhi Narshing Malla, Hiranya Varna Mahavihar – dating from the 12th century, the three-storied shrine, also known as the Golden Temple.

Day 9: In Kathmandu

Breakfast at hotel.

Proceed for local sightseeing of Kathmandu and afternoon visit Bhaktapur

Pashupatinath: Situated 5 Kilometers east of Kathmandu city, Pashupatinath temple is one of the holiest/sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati river, the temple built in pagoda style has gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. Visitors will be permitted to view the temple from the east bank of Rivers Bagmati, entrance in the temple being strickly forbidden to all non-Hindus. Pashupatinath is the center of annual pilgrimage on the day of Shivaratri which falls in the month of February / March. Behind the temples are the cremation grounds. Chronicles indicate the temple existed before 400 A.D.

Boudhanath: This stupa, eight kilometers east of Kathmandu City is one of the biggest in the world of its kind and one of the most imposing landmarks in Kathmandu. It stands with four pairs of eyes in the four cardinal direction keeping watch for righteous behavior and human prosperity. This Buddhist stupa was built by King Man Dev at the advice of Goddess Mani Jjogini. It is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels. The shrine is ringed by houses of Lamas or Buddhist priests. This is also the center of Tibetan Buddhism.

Bhaktapur: Perched on a hill at an altitude of 1,401 m, Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon literally city of Devotees, is a major tourist destination. It is 14 km east of Kathmandu on the Arniko Highway that leads to the Chinese border still untouched by rapid urbanization and has managed to retain its brick paved roads, charming red brick houses and way of life that goes back to medieval times. Here you will visit Nyatapola dedicated to tantric goddess, Bhairabh Temple dedicated to Bhariav-the god of terror, Pottery square, The 15^th Century Palace of 55 carved windows, Golden Gate etc.

Day 10: Depart Kathmandu

At an appropriate time, a Travel Counsellors Representative will assist and provide you the necessary transfer to the international airport to board your flight back home.

Standard check out at 1200 Hrs.

Flight                             TBA

Depart Kathmandu     TBA Hrs.