North India Group Tour with Nepal

The 16-days tour to North India and Nepal begins at Delhi. You would be welcomed at the airport by our representative and would be transferred to hotel for check-in at 1200 hours.

Delhi has been a capital of many kingdoms from time to time. On your arrival, you would be transferred to your hotel. Inhabited since the 6th century BC, the city has been destroyed and built many times and is called the “city of cities”.

Delhi has been influenced by different cultures as ruled by different rulers which is portrayed in the amazingly constructed monuments, forts, minarets and also displayed in the variety of cuisine served and festivals celebrated. The Mughal rulers influenced the food habits of the residents since several decades and Delhi is hence the hub for Mughlai cuisine.

While the old city is a maze of small lanes and narrow streets with old construction and busy markets, the new city is a metropolitan with broad and organized roads with high rises and other modern amenities. New Delhi is the capital of India and a major political hub. Stay overnight in Delhi.

Have your breakfast in the hotel, spend the day at leisure. You may take a round nearby for collecting some mementos or to try some local delicacies. You would be then transferred to the airport to board flight to Kathmandu.

On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to the hotel. Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and is the largest metropolis in the country. Kathmandu is and has been for many years the centre of Nepal's history, art, culture and economy. It has a multiethnic population within a Hindu and Buddhist majority. It is also the home of the Newars. Religious and cultural festivities form a major part of the lives of people residing in Kathmandu.

Tourism is an important part of the country’s economy. The city ranks among the top ten upcoming travel destinations in the world.

You may spend the afternoon in shopping and at leisure. Overnight stay at Kathmandu.

You will be served American breakfast this morning. Once done, you would be taken for a morning visit to Patan, the ancient royal capital which contains ancient Royal residences which is also known as Lalitpur. It is the third largest city of Nepal after Kathmandu and Pokhara.

It is best known for its rich cultural heritage, particularly its tradition of arts and crafts. It is called city of festival and feast, fine ancient art, making of metallic and stone carving statue. The city was initially designed in the shape of the Buddhist Dharma-Chakra (Wheel of Righteousness). The four thurs or mounds on the perimeter of Patan are ascribed around, one at each corner of its cardinal points, which are popularly known as Asoka Stupas.

The most important monument of the city is Patan Durbar Square, which has been listed by UNESCO as one of seven Monument Zones that make up the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site.

Hanuman Dhoka is a complex of structures with the Royal Palace of the Malla kings and also of the Shah dynasty in the Durbar Square of central Kathmandu, Nepal. It is spread over five acres. The Hanuman Dhoka Palace gets its name from the stone image of Hanuman, the Hindu deity, that sits near the main entryway (dhoka means door or gate in Nepali). Temples of Mahadev and Parvati are among other attractions to visit. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Have your breakfast in the morning and get driven to Patan to visit a dozen of temples and pagodas of all styles. After that, you would be taken to Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most holy temples of Nepal. The sacred temple complex is located on the banks of the Bagmati River, approximately 5 kilometres north-east of Kathmandu in the eastern part of Kathmandu Valley.

The temple serves as the seat of Nepal’s national deity, Lord Pashupatinath. This temple complex was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites's list in 1979. This "extensive Hindu temple precinct" is a "sprawling collection of temples, ashrams, images and inscriptions raised over the centuries along the banks of the sacred Bagmati river" and is included as one of the seven monument groups in UNESCO's designation of Kathmandu Valley as a cultural heritage site. One of the major Festivals of the temple is Maha Shivaratri on which day over 1 million devotees visit here.

This afternoon is free for roaming nearby or for an optional excursion to Bhaaktapur or Bhadgaon and Boudhnath - the biggest stupa in the word.Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Once done with your breakfast, you will be taken to Lumbini by road. Lumbini is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered among the holiest places for the Buddhists. This is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Lumbini has two zones – the eastern zone with the Theravadin monasteries and the western zone with Mahayana and Vajrayana monasteries. The places to visit in Lumbini is the ruins of ancient monasteries, a sacred Bodhi Tree, an ancient bathing pond, the Ashoka pillar and the Mayadevi temple where Buddha was born. Since Buddha is also considered as the incarnation of Lord Vishnu by the Hindus, Mayadevi is also worshipped as Rupa devi, the mother goddess of Lumbini.

Dinner and overnight stay in Lumbini hotel.

You will be served an American breakfast, after that transferred to Varanasi via Sunauli. The town area of Sunauli is located on the Indo-Nepal Border and is the most famous transit point between India and Nepal.

While crossing Sunauli, the first stop is the Indian immigration office where you need to complete the custom and immigration facilities before heading towards Varanasi. You may also have a look of the place where it’s India at one side and Nepal few steps away! Once done with the formalities, move ahead to Varanasi. The next few hours are spent in drive. Reach Varanasi and spend overnight in hotel.

Much before breakfast is served, you will be taken for an early morning boat ride in the two holy banks of the River Ganges – Ghats Manikarnika and Harishchandra. Thousands of devotees come down to Varanas ghats for taking holy dips and for cremation purposes. Hindus believe that those who breathe their last in Varanasi and are cremated in these banks get released from the birth cycle.

Return to hotel and have your breakfast. The next few hours are free for leisure and shopping. In the evening, there would be a Yoga presentation that you are free to attend. The trip to Varanasi isn’t complete without watching the religious practices (evening aarti) at the Ghats. If you are lucky to be here on a Tuesday or on some religious festivals, you would be delighted to catch the special aarti near the Ghats.

Come back to hotel, have you dinner and retire for the night.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the railway station to board train to Satna at 1130 hours. Arrive Satna at 1815 hours. You will be driven to Khajuraho in the next few hours.

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a group of Hindu and Jain temples in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, India, about 175 kilometres (109 mi) southeast of Jhansi. They are one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. The temples are famous for their nagara-style architectural symbolism and their erotic sculptures. Most of the temples were built between 950 and 1050 by the Chandela dynasty.

Only about 20 temples remain; they fall into three distinct groups and belong to two different religions – Hinduism and Jainism. They strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. The Temple of Kandariya is decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art.

Dinner and overnight at Khajuraho.

Have your breakfast and head towards visiting the ancient temple complex of the Chandela dynasty, with mesmerizing relics and the famous erotic sculptures. Historical records note that the Khajuraho temple site had 85 temples by the 12th century, spread over 20 square kilometers Of these, only about 25 temples have survived, spread over 6 square kilometers. Of the various surviving temples, the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is decorated with a profusion of sculptures with intricate details, symbolism and expressiveness of ancient Indian art.

The temples in Khajuraho are broadly divided into three parts : the Eastern group, the Southern Group and the Western group of temples of which the Western group alone has the facility of an Audio guided tour wherein the tourists are guided through the seven eight temples.

The Khajuraho temple complex offers a light and sound show every evening. The temples are believed to celebrate the marriage of Shiva and Parvathi.

In the afternoon, you will be taken to the Ayurvedic centre to see the natural and herbal medicines and their unique uses for health and body. An Ayurvedic massage by professionals will be offered to you, which is included in the package.

Dine at a local restaurant in Khajuraho.

Have breakfast, after which you will be taken to Orchha enroute Jhansi railway station to board the train to Agra. Ochhra is a town in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh. Orchha was founded in 1531 (the 16th century AD) by the Bundela Rajput chief, Rudra Pratap Singh, who became the first King of Orchha, and also built the Fort of Orchha. On a seasonal island on the bank of the Betwa River, which has been surrounded by a battlement wall, stands a huge palace-fort. The fort consists of several connected buildings erected at different times, the most noteworthy of which is the Raja Mahal.

The Ram Raja Temple is built on a square base and has an almost entirely plain exterior, relieved by projecting windows and a line of delicate domes along the summit. The Jahangir Mahal is built on a rectangular base and is relieved by a circular tower at each corner surmounted by a dome, while two lines of graceful balconies supported on brackets mark the central storeys. The Chaturbhuj Temple was built during the reign of Emperor Akbar, by the Queen of Orchha Ganesh Kunwar, while Raj Mandir was built by 'Madhukar Shah' during his reign, 1554 to 1591.

Later that day, you will be transferred to the railway station to board your train (Shatabdi Express) to Agra at 1756 hours. Reach Agra at 2025 hours. Get transferred to the hotel, have dinner and stay overnight in Agra.

Right after having your breakfast, start the city sightseeing with the visit to the majestic Taj Mahal as the first rays of sun enhances its beauty further. Taj Mahal – one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is a magnificent construction that was built in white marble by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between the years 1631 to 1648 in the memory of his beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal. Standing majestically on banks of Yamuna River, this breathtaking, immensely beautiful monument is a synonymous to romance and love. Plan your trip in way that the 11th day doesn’t fall on a Friday, as Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.

Up next is Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its architectural structure, it was built in the 16th century during the Mughal Empire. There are several fairy-tale palaces like Khas Mahal and Jahangir Palace, and Diwan-e-Aam (public audience hall) and Diwan-e-Khas (private audience hall).

Agra is famous for inlaid marble work and handicrafts. In the afternoon, you will be taken to visit a marble factory to explore the work and effort behind the constructions and sculptures. You can also buy souvenirs, including one of Taj Mahal, to commemorate your trip.

Have dinner at a local restaurant and spend overnight in hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Fatehpur Sikri, 40 kms from Agra. The city was founded as the capital of Mughal Empire in 1571 by Emperor Akbar, serving this role from 1571 to 1585, when Akbar abandoned it due to a campaign in Punjab and was later completely abandoned in 1610.

The dynastic architecture of Fatehpur Sikri was modeled on Timurid forms and styles. The city was built massively and preferably with red sandstone. The city's architecture reflects both the Hindu and Muslim form of domestic architecture popular in India at the time.

It is accessed through gates along the 5 miles (8.0 km) long fort wall, namely, Delhi Gate, the Lal Gate, the Agra Gate and Birbal's Gate, Chandanpal Gate, the Gwalior Gate, the Tehra Gate, the Chor Gate and the Ajmeri Gate. Some of the important buildings of the city are Buland Darwaja, Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Diwan-e- Aam, Diwan-e-Khas, Ibadat Khana, Panch Mahal and Birbal’s House to name a few.

Later, reach Jaipur, have dinner and spend overnight in hotel.

Buffet breakfast will be served this morning. After that, start your city tour with an excursion to Amber Fort situated high on a hill, and is the principal tourist attraction in Jaipur. The Fort is known for its artistic Hindu style elements. With its large ramparts and series of gates and cobbled paths, the fort overlooks Maota Lake, which is the main source of water for the Amer Palace.

The Fort is entirely constructed of red sandstone and marble and is laid out on four levels, each with a courtyard. There is a facility of elephant ride while ascending the hill, or one may choose Jeep ride too. Visit the royal halls, and then return to Jaipur.

In Jaipur, visit the Jantar Mantar (astronomic observatory of Jaisingh II) – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is an equinoctial sundial, consisting of a gigantic triangular gnomon with the hypotenuse parallel to the Earth's axis. On either side of the gnomon is a quadrant of a circle, parallel to the plane of the equator. The instrument is intended to measure the time of day, correct to half a second and declination of the Sun and the other heavenly bodies.

Up next to visit is the City Palace, which includes the Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal palaces. The Chandra Mahal palace now houses a museum, but the greatest part of it is still a royal residence.

Hawa Mahal is the next spot which is a palace constructed of red and pink sandstone. The palace sits on the edge of the City Palace, Jaipur, and extends to the zenana, or women's chambers. The structure was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh being inspired by the unique structure of Khetri Mahal in Jhunjhunu.

Come back to hotel, have dinner and retire for the day.

Have breakfast in hotel. Drive to Delhi. Afternoon is free. You may take a rickshaw and visit the nearby places to pick some mementos or to try out some local delicacies to treat your taste buds. You may also explore the local malls and buildings which are in total contrast if compared between Old Delhi and New Delhi.

Spend overnight in Delhi.

The morning begins with a city tour of Old Delhi, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1639 AD. Places like Raj Ghat – the cremation spot of Mahatma Gandhi, iconic Red Fort, Chandni Chowk – the busiest market, Jama Masjid – built by Shah Jahan and many more would be visited to. You may take a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk to feel the shopper’s paradise.

Take back to back trips to the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - the Qutub Minar – India’s largest minaret and the Humayun’s tomb. The next stop is the India Gate – which was built in the memory of “the Unknown Soldier”. You will be taken to Lakshminarayan Temple and driven past few more places like Parliament House, President’s House and other Government Secretarial Buildings.

Spend your night at Delhi hotel.

Breakfast will be served. You will be transferred to the airport on time to board return or outbound flight of your journey.

The trip comes to an end.

Note - In case group does not operate with strength, we will provide private chauffeur driven car.