Nepal
Perched on "the roof of the world," in the shadows of the highest mountains
on earth, the Kathmandu Valley has been the crossroads of a melange
of ethnic groups who have left a rich legacy of architecture, sculpture,
painting, metalwork, literature, music and dance. Due to its remote
location and it being closed to the outside world until the 1950's,
it retains a quaint medieval environment. For the traveler, this veritable
treasure-trove of art and antiquity is seemingly suspended in time.
The land of Everest and the "yeti" is also the birthplace of Buddha
and remains the only Hindu kingdom in the world.
Varanasi, India
Located on the banks of the holy river Ganges, Varanasi has been the
religious capital of the Hindu faith since the dawn of history. Already
an ancient settlement when Buddha came here around 500 B.C., it is unique
as a place of pilgrimage, and perhaps the oldest living city in the
world. Hindus believe that the water of the "Ganga" hold the powers
of salvation and every devout Hindu's ambition is to visit Varanasi
once in a lifetime, and if possible, to die there in old age.
Jaipur,
India
Jaipur The pink capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is among the most picturesque
cities of the world. The city was built in accordance with the Shilpa
Shastra, the ancient Hindu treatise on architecture which divides Jaipur
into seven rectangular sections with 110 foot roadways making a city
of all right angles. Surrounded by rugged hills on three sides, the
entire city is encircled by a fortified wall guarded by seven gates.
Day
1: USA Departure
Depart your hometown, arrive in New York and depart in the evening for
New Delhi, India.
Day 2:
In-flight
On board international flight to India.
Day 3:
New Delhi
Early morning arrival in Delhi, transfer to your hotel. Remainder of
the morning at leisure. Afternoon tour of New Delhi transports you in
minutes to the ancient past. See the 12th century Kutab Minar, hand
carved for its entire 234 feet, and the Iron Pillar which has not rusted
in 1500 years. Visit the mausoleum of Mughal Emperor Humayun, and the
modern Birla Temple. See the India Gate, President's House, Parliament
and Secretariat Buildings, (B,L,D,).
Day 4:
New Delhi and Old Delhi
Afternoon tour of Old Delhi to the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi and to
India's largest mosque the Jama Masjid. Next visit Chandni Chowk and
view the massive walls of the magnificent Red Fort built in 1648. Afternoon
at leisure, (B,L,D,).
Day 5:
New Delhi
A day of free activities. Shop in the open markets, return to Old Delhi,
or enjoy a car ride into the countryside around Delhi, (B,L,D,).
Day 6:
New Delhi to Kathmandu
Morning flight to Kathmandu. Greeting at the airport and transfer to
a central hotel in the old section of Kathmandu city. Afternoon at leisure,
(B,L,D,).
Day 7:
Kathmandu
Morning visit to Durbar Square containing more than 50 important temples
and monuments. Visit the temple of Machhendranath and the Temple House
of Kumari, the living goddess. Afternoon at leisure,
Day 8:
Nagarkot / Kathmandu
Morning mountain drive to Nagarkot at 7500 ft. altitude, offering magnificent
views of Dhaulagiri in the west, Kanchenjuga in the east and possibly
the tip of Everest. Afternoon excursion to Bhaktapur to see "The Golden
Gate," a gilded copper gate erected in 1753 and held to be the single
most precious masterpiece of art in the Kathmandu Valley, (B,L,D,).
Day 9:
Mt. Everest / Kathmandu
Morning mountain flight in a modern jet to view the snow covered mountains
of the Himalayas. Cruising at 28,000 feet, you are treated to an eye
to eye view of Mt. Everest, (B,L,D,).
Day 10:
Kathmandu to Varanasi
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Varanasi on the banks of the
holy river Ganges. Tonight experience a fascinating boat ride visiting
"the burning ghats" along the Ganges riverbank, (B,L,D,).
Day 11:
Varanasi
Pre-dawn boatride on the Ganges as multitudes of pilgrims descend to
the holy waters to perform their ritual immersion and prayers at the
Ghats (pronounced "gots"). Afternoon city tour visiting the Bharat Mata
Temple with its big relief map of India in marble. Special visits to
shops selling the world famous silks and brocades of Varanasi, (B,L,D,).
Day 12:
Varanasi to Agra
Flight to Agra for a first hand look at rural open markets, animal and
pedestrian traffic, and the world renown Taj Mahal. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at your Agra hotel offering unobstructed views of the Taj
Mahal from your room, (B,L,D,).
Day 13:
Agra
To the lover of art and for the travelers seeking the wonders of the
world, today is your visit to the Taj Mahal, (B,L,D,). Day 14: Agra
to Jaipur Morning drive from Agra to Jaipur with a stop at the remarkably
preserved city of Fatehpur Sikri. Late afternoon arrival in Jaipur.
Remainder of the afternoon at leisure, (B,L,D,).
Day 15:
Jaipur
Half day excursion to the Amber Fort, the Temple of Kali, the Hall of
Victory of Jai Mahal, and Jagmandir. You can also travel on elephant-back
to and from the hill where the Amber Fort is situated. Afternoon tour
of Jaipur visits the observatory of Maharaja Jai Singh and the Majaraja's
City Palace before a leisurely drive through the pink-rose colored residential
and business districts, (B,L,D,).
Day 16:
Jaipur to Delhi
Morning flight to Delhi. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon at leisure, (B,L,D,).
Day 17:
Delhi to USA Early morning departure returning to the USA the same day.
Rates and Details
Tour
price:
2 persons: $3095.00
4 persons: $3095.00
6 persons: $2995.00
Rates are per person
Rates may vary depending on season of travel and level of accommodation
Tour
price includes:
