DELHI

Arrive Delhi by early morning flight. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel.

Delhi, one of India's fastest growing cities, has spread far beyond the "seven cities" created between the 13th and the 17th centuries. It has sprawled over the west bank of the Yamuna and now straddles the river. Remnants of the past survive cheek -by-jowl with skyscrapers, residential colonies and bustling commercial complexes. Delhi has some of the finest museums in the country. Its boutiques and shopping arcades offer access to a wealth of traditional and contemporary crafts from all over the country.

After breakfast proceed for the sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi.

Old Delhi, drive past Red Fort an imposing fort in red sand stone. Take a bicycle rickshaw ride from Red Fort to Jama Masjid enroute by passing Chandni Chowk bazaar the main shopping area for residents of Old Delhi area. Visit the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques of India, Visit Raj Ghat- the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi.

New Delhi: visit the Qutub Minar – gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of 234 ft, Laxmi Narayan Temple, India Gate (memorial to the Indian army soldiers who died in World War 1), A photo stop at Rashtrapati Bhawan (formerly the viceroy’s residence) ,Parliament house and Government buildings. Also visit Humayun’s Tomb. Also visit Bahai Temple.

• Overnight at the hotel.

DELHI JAIPUR (260 KM, 6-7 HOURS)

After breakfast depart Delhi for Jaipur.

On arrival check – in at hotel.

The Rose Pink City founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743), is the capital of Rajasthan. Jaipur & its surroundings are rather like an endless museum. The city also offers an endless variety of crafts. Jewelers here still fashion the beautiful enamel-on-gold pendants, studded on the reverse with precious stones or pearls & turquoise that one sees in miniature paintings. Jaipur's lacquer bangles are famous all over the world. This is a city to be visited

Balance day at leisure.

• Overnight hotel.

JAIPUR

Breakfast at the hotel

Morning excursion to Amer Fort by jeep ride - At a short distance of 11 km from Jaipur, the Amer Fort complex stands amidst wooded hills. One of the finest examples of Rajput architecture, it was the ancient capital of Jaipur. The original palace was built by Raja Man Singh and additions were made later by Sawai Jai Singh.

Within the palace are the Diwan-e-Aam or the "Hall of Public Audience", the Diwan-e-Khas or the "Hall of Private Audience" and the Sukh Niws, the private chambers of the queens with windows having latticed screens so that the ladies could watch the proceedings of the royal court in privacy. There is also the Jai Mandir or the "Temple of Victory", with its famed Sheesh Mahal, the scintillating "Hall of Mirrors".

Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur city visiting City Palace, Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar(Observatory).

The City Palace, now converted into a museum, except a small portion that is still used by the royal family of Jaipur. Built in the fortified campus style, the palace covers almost one-seventh part of the city. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion that is devoted to the arms and ammunition used by the royal family. Other important attractions are the Textile and Costume Museum, Art Gallery, Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, and Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Am.

Visit the Observatory. This largest stone observatory in the world built by Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of five observatories in India including this one, was a great admirer of developments in science and technology, especially astronomy. Situated near the gate of the City Palace, the observatory has 18 large instruments, many of them still in working condition.

Drive past Hawa Mahal - Strange though it may seem, this most famous landmark of Jaipur is not actually a palace but a series of sandstone screens. This pink structure was constructed so that the ladies of the palace could watch the royal processions without being seen by any outsider. This sandstone edifice was named Palace of Winds after the many brass wind vanes that adorned it until 1960s.

• Overnight Stay at Hotel.

JAIPUR AGRA (255 KM, 6-7 HOURS)

After breakfast depart Jaipur by coach for Agra en route visiting Fatehpur Sikri. Thirty-nine kilometres from

Agra stands Fatehpur Sikri, the red sandstone city of yesteryears. The city was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in AD 1564 in honour of the Muslim saint Sheikh Salim Chisti. Fatehpur Sikri was intended to be the capital city but the shortage of water and unrest in the north-west made Akbar abandon it. One of the major attractions of this city is the marble tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti. Other places of interest include Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai’s Palace and Birbal Bhavan.

On arrival check- in at hotel.

Agra was the capital of the Mughals in the 16th and 17th centuries, and many of its monuments were built during their reign. The city is on the banks of river Yamuna that meanders down from the equally ancient towns of Mathura and Brindavan so closely associated with Lord Krishna.

Afternoon sightseeing tour of Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.

Taj Mahal - Perhaps no other symbol epitomizes India as Taj Mahal. Situated on the banks of the river Yamuna, the Taj Mahal is an epitome of love, a poem in marble by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan for his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is entirely made of white marble and its walls are decorated with exquisite pietra dura (stone inlay) work. It is said that different types of precious and semi-precious stones were used in the intricate inlay work done on the interiors. This magnificent monument is set around a Charbagh or 'four garden' plan, which is split by watercourses-a reflection of the Persian style.

Agra Fort - Built by Emperor Akbar on the west bank of the river Yamuna and beautified with palaces and gardens by Jehangir, Agra Fort today dominates the centre of the city. Diwan-i-Aam (hall of public audience) and Diwan-i-Khas (hall of private audience) were built by Shahjahan for receiving audiences. Other places to see within the fort include the Khas Mahal, Sheesh Mahal (the mirror palace) and the Anguri Bagh (the Grape Garden).

• Overnight at the hotel

AGRA JAHNSI KHAJURAHO (175 KM, 5 HOURS)

After early breakfast in time transfer to railway station to connect train Shatabdi Express for Jhansi.

Depart Agra at – 0810 Hrs Arrival at Jhansi - 1040 Hrs

Assistance on arrival at Jhansi station and meet the coach. Depart Jhansi by coach for Khajuraho en route visiting Orcha.

Orchha's grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time, a rich legacy of the ages. For this medieval city, the hand of time has rested and the palaces and the temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th century retain much of their pristine perfection. Jehangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful Chhatries, commands a spectacular view of soaring temple-spires and cenotaphs.

On arrival check- in at hotel

Khajuraho - There is nothing in this world that could compare with the erotic images of Khajuraho. The sense of imagination have given form to human emotions in the form of spiritual and physical love. Every facadewall, window, pillar, and ceiling of Khajuraho is carved with figures of mythical and historical origins, and while many of these full-breasted, girdle-waisted women in forms of innocent play, they depict carnal love. Spread through the high forest plateaus of the region, these temples were rediscovered only a few It was this isolation and the encroachment by jungles that had led the temples of Khajuraho to destruction. Khajuraho temple plans, from the simplest to the most sublime, follow the same pattern and all of them are elaborately carved.

• Overnight at the hotel

KHAJURAHO VARNASI ( 9W 334 1330-1340)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning sightseeing tour visiting to the Western group of temples of which the most famous is the Kandariya Mahadev temple, 31 metres high. It has a fantastic range of sculptures including sensuous themes. The Chaunsat Yogini is a granite temple and the Deve Jagdambe, a temple dedicated a Surya, the Sune god. Also visit other important temples like Vishwanath, Varaha etc. Also visit the Eastern group of temples that consist of the Parasvanath temple, which is the only Jain temple surviving at Khajuraho and has excellent sculptures on the outer walls of the sanctum. The Javeri Temple dedicated to Vishnu. The other temples in this group are those dedicated to Brahma, Yamuna and Adinath.

In time transfer to airport to connect flight 9W 334 1330- 1410 hours for Varanasi.

Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel

Varanasi, the 'eternal city' is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India for the Hindus. Also known as Kashi, the city has been a centre of learning and civilisation for over 2000 years. It is a famous for its long string of bathing ghats on the steps of the river Ganges.

Afternoon half day city tour of Varanasi, situated on the banks of the Ganges, the city of Learning and Burning (because of the almost continuous cremations of the dead) from time immemorial has been the religious centre of Hindus. All Hindus want to be here at least once in their life time. Visit some of the important temples. Bharat Mata Mandir - a unique temple inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi houses one of the most perfect relief maps of India and is dedicated to Mother India. Durga Temple dedicated to Goddess Durga consort of Lord Shiva. Drive past the beautiful Tulsi Manas Temple. Later drive through the largest Residential University of Asia - Banaras Hindu University founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. Visit the New Vishwanath temple in the University Campus.

• Overnight at the hotel

VARANASI KATHMANDU

Early morning boat excursion on the Holy River Ganges to see the bathing Ghats and cremation site. Return to the hotel walking through the narrow lanes and bazaars and visiting enroute the mosque built by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb built on the site of an ancient Hindu Temple and also see from outside the Vishwanath Temple.

Return hotel for the breakfast.

In time transfer to airport to connect flight departure: 1140 hrs- Arrive in Kathmandu: 1250 hours.

KATHMANDU - It is difficult to describe Kathmandu. If on one hand it bears the burden of one of the poorest countries in the world, on the other it has also learnt to grow and accept the Western style of civilization, which, in a way, has led to heavy tourist traffic, giving boost to the industry that is the most important source of income for Nepal. Kathmandu is a small city founded around AD 723 as Manju-Patan. In the days of the Malla Kingdom, it was known as Kantipur and was in the same rank as Patan and Bhaktapur. King Prithvi Narayan Shah was the man who made Kathmandu his capital in the 18th century and it never looked back after that.

Today Kathmandu is a fascinating old city where pagodas, narrow cobbled lanes, old carved windows, and stone shrines are backdrops to the drama of life that continues unhindered. Here the experiences are amazing, views fascinating, and the climate charming.

On arrival transfer to hotel.

• Overnight at the hotel

KATHMANDU

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning city sightseeing tour visiting the Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka, the ancient royal residential Quarter, Mahadev and Parvati temple, Machhender Bahlholy place for the Buddhists and Hindus, Temple house of Kumari, the vestal virhin or the living Goddess. Walk around the local bazaars. Also visit Swayambhunath, the 2500 years old site with 5 Dhyani Buddha’s enshrined at the base of the Stupa. Of the advice inset with prayer wheels.

• Overnight at the hotel

KATHMANDU

After breakfast excursion to Patan city and Swayambhunath.

Half day visit to Patan and Handicrafts Centre. Patan is an old Newar city. See the historic Durbar Square, the statue of Yogendra Malla, other temples and old windows and carved balconies of wood, curio shops and bazaars.

Also visit Swayambunath, a 2500-year old site where, it is believed, the Radiant Lotus of the valleymythology, settled when the water was drained by Manjushri, the god of Wisdom. The 5 Dhyani Buddha's attended by their consorts are enshrined at the base of the stupa.

Afternoon visit Pashupatinath and Boudnath. Pashupatinath is situated on the banks of river Baghmati. Here Shiva is worshipped in the form of lingam. (Only Hindus are allowed inside). In the month of February an annual pilgrimage on the occasion of Shivaratri is organized here every year. Boudnath is an important Buddhist pilgrimage centre. Visit the temple of Boudhnath, the collosal Stupa, one of the largest in the world.

• Overnight at the hotel

KATHMANDU

After breakfast excursion to Changu Narayan Temple and Bhadgaon. Changu Narayan temple, a World Heritage Site is situated on a ridge overlooking the Kathmandu Valley about 12 Kms to the east of the city. It is dedicated to the Hindu God, Vishnu. One of the oldest specimens of pagoda architecture, the temple is embellished with exquisite wood and stone carvings.

Also visit Bhadgaon, - another Newar city founded in the 9th century. Visit the ancient Gateway, Durbar Square the Royal Residential Quarter of Bhupendra Malla, the famous five-storied temple of Nyatapola in pagoda-style and other temples. On return, visit Bodhnath, the 2500-year old Buddhist Stupa-holy place for Buddhist pilgrims from Tibet.

Afternoon half day excursion to Dhulikhel. Dhulikhel is a small township, 30 Kms from Kathmandu, along the Chinese-built road which leads to the border. It is at an altitude of 6000 ft and offers superb views of Cho Oyu in the east to Himalchuli in the west. The little town exudes great charm in the bare-brick houses, carved wooden windows, sloping tile-roofs, pagoda-temples and sacred statues everywhere. Lot of temples and the skyline. Many vantage points offer a panorama of the Himalayan Mountains. Beside bird watching, hiking and mountain-biking are some of the activities that can be undertaken here.

• Overnight at the hotel

KATHMANDU-DELHI

Breakfast at hotel.

In time transfer to airport to connect flight for Delhi. Departure from Kathmandu.

Upon arrival in Delhi transfer to hotel where we shall provide day use room till 2000 hrs. followed by dinner.

After dinner in time transfer to airport to connect flight for onward journey.