Splendours Of India and Nepal

Day 1- Arrive Delhi
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel Taj Palace. Welcome drink (non-alcoholic) on arrival at the Hotel. New Delhi is the capital of India and its third largest city. The city actually consists of two parts. Delhi or `Old Delhi' was the capital of Muslim India between the 12th and 13th centuries. In Old Delhi you will find many mosques, monuments and forts relating to India's Muslim history. The other part of Delhi is `New Delhi', the Imperial city created as the capital of India by the British. It is a spacious, open city and contains many embassies and Government buildings.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2- In Delhi
Morning, after breakfast, half day sightseeing of Old Delhi visiting Red Fort, built in 1648 by Mughal Emperor Shahjehan, Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India, Raj Ghat and Shantivana-the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. Also drive past Chandni Chowk, the shopping centre of Old Delhi.
Afternoon, half day sightseeing tour of New Delhi visiting Qutub Minar built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate (War Memorial Arch), Lakshminarayan Temple-a modern Hindu Temple. Also drive past President's House, Parliament House, Government Secretariat Buildings and Connaught Place, the shopping centre of New Delhi. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3- To Sariska
(180Kms or 5 hrs drive approx.)

Morning after breakfast, leave by coach for Sariska National Park and on arrival, check in at hotel Sariska Palace. Sariska National Park holds dry deciduous forest - 27,380 hectares in area. Afternoon, half-day Jeep Safari at Sariska National Park to view wild life. Overnight stay at Sariska Palace.

Day 4- To Jaipur
(111 kms or 3 hrs drive approx.)

Morning, after breakfast, leave by coach for Jaipur and on arrival, transfer to Hotel Jai Mahal Palace.

Jaipur-The capital city of the state of Rajasthan is popularly known as the Pink City, from the pink coloured sandstone with which the buildings in its old, walled city are constructed. The town is in a desert-like landscape, surrounded by barren hills. Jaipur owes its name, its foundation and its careful planning to the great warrior-astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II (1699-1744). His predecessors had enjoyed good relations with the Moghuls but in 1727, with Moghul power on the wane, Jai Singh decided the time was ripe to move down from his hillside fortress at nearby Amber to a new site on the plains. He laid out the city with its surrounding walls and six rectangular blocks after the principles of town planning set forth in the Shilpa Shastra, an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture. Afternoon, exclusive lunch* at City Palace, which offers a fantastic ambience and is certainly worth a visit. After lunch, take a tour of the Palace and then proceed to the observatory. Drive past Hawa Mahal or the palace of Winds and take a cycle rickshaw ride to the colourful Bazaar passing through the rose-pink residential and business area of Jaipur.
Overnight at hotel.

* (Lunch at City Palace subject to a participation of a minimum of 8 members in a group.)

Day 5- To Agra
Morning, after breakfast, half-day excursion to Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the state until 1728. Visit the Jagmandir or the hall of victory glittering with mirrors, the Jai Mahal and the Temple of Kali. Ascend, the hill on which the fort is situated, on Elephant back.
Jaipur-Agra (221 kms.) Afternoon, depart Jaipur for Agra, enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri (40 kms.), built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chishti, Panch Mahal and other palaces.
On arrival check in at Hotel Taj View.
Agra was the capital of India at the time of Moghuls in the 16th and 17th centuries and its superb monuments date from that era. Situated on the banks of the Yamuna River, Agra has a magnificent fort and that building, solely for which, many people have been visiting India - the Taj Mahal. This most famous Moghul monument was constructed by Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, `The lady of the Taj'.
Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 6- In Agra
Morning, after breakfast, half day city tour visiting the Agra Fort, an impressive cluster of Palace and Fortresses. Later visit the world's greatest love tribute: The Taj Mahal built by the Moghul Emperor Shahjehan, in 1630, to enshrine his queen Mumtaz Mahal's mortal remains.

(TAJ MAHAL IS CLOSED ON FRIDAYS)

Enjoy Tonga Ride (Horse - pulled Cart) from Taj parking to entrance gate.
Afternoon free or optional shopping tour and Overnight at hotel.

Day 7- To Khajuraho
Morning, after breakfast in time transfer to railway station to connect the train for Jhansi
Depart Agra by Train No. 2001 At 0815 Hrs.

Arrive Jhansi (Shatabdi Express) At 1040 Hrs.

Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer from Jhansi to Khajuraho by road (181 kms.), enroute visiting Orchha. Orchha - Set in a medieval city teeming with Palaces, temples and cenotaphs dating back to the Bundela Dynasty, the former capital of this region is now just a village, but the old fort still stands and contains Bir Singh Deo's fine palace and another palace built for, but never used by, Emperor Jehangir. The Fort is on an island in the Betwa river.
On arrival in Khajuraho, check in at Hotel Chandela.
Rest of the day at leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 8- In Khajuraho
Khajuraho has always remained tucked away from the main stream events of history. This is probably why the famed temples escaped the ravages of invaders. The origin of these temples as well as the history of the Chandela dynasty, during whose era they were built, are not fully documented. However, it is generally agreed that they were built between 950 A.D. and 1050 A.D. and that they numbered no fewer than 85. Today only 22 Temples in a good state of preservation, survive. Morning, after breakfast, half day tour visiting the western group of temples of which the most important are the Chaunset Yogini temple dedicated to Goddess Kali and the Kandariya Mahadev Temple, 31 meters high, which has a fantastic range of sculptures including sensuous themes. The Chitragupta temple is dedicated to Surya-the sun God. Also visit other important temples like Vshwanath and Nandi Temples, Lakshmana Temple and the Visha Temple, dedicated to Shiva, and the largest and most typical of temples.
Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 9- To Varanasi
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure.
Afternoon, transfer to airport to connect the flight for Varanasi.
Depart Khajuraho at 1545Hrs by Flight
No. CD407 (Alliance Airline)
Arrive Varanasi at 1625 Hrs

Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel Taj Ganges.
Varanasi - one of the holiest cities of Hindus and a fascinating city of the east. With an array of shrines, temples and palaces rising in several tiers from the water's edge, it is also a city of fairs and festivals, celebrating about 400 of them during the year.
Rest of the day at leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 10- In Varanasi
Early morning, boat excursion on the holy river Ganges to see the bathing ghats and cremation site. Watching people bathing and worshipping at the Ghats is one of the most extraordinary experience of a visit to India. After breakfast at the hotel, half day sightseeing tour of the city visiting the Bharat Mata Temple with a big relief map of India in marble, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Banaras Hindu University which has an Art Gallery and the Mosque of Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb.
Afternoon at leisure or optional excursion to Sarnath, the buried Buddhist city where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from the 6th century B.C to 12th century A.D.
Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 11- To Kathmandu
After breakfast, in time transfer to airport to connect the flight for Kathmandu.
Depart Varanasi At 1250Hrs by Flight No. IC752 (Indian Airlines)
Arrive Kathmandu At 1400 Hrs.
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel De L'annapurna
Kathmandu - Unique and fascinating capital of the Royal Kingdom of Nepal, it is a deeply spiritual land isolated by the high Himalayas.
Rest of the day at leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 12- In Kathmandu
Morning, after breakfast, half day city sightseeing tour visiting the Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka, the ancient residential quarters and temples. Then visit Swayambhunath, a 2500 years old site where, it is believed, the radiant Lotus, according to valley mythology, settled when the water was drained by Manjushri, the Goddess. The 5 Dhyani Buddhas attended by their consorts are enshrined at the base of the stupa.
Afternoon, half day excursion to Patan visiting the Old Newar city, the historic Durbar Square, the Golden Gate, the sky piercing temple of Teleju, and balconies of wood, curio shops and bazaars.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 13- In Kathmandu
Morning, after breakfast, half day excursion to Bhadgaon - Another Newar city founded in the 9th century. Visit the ancient gateway, Durbar Square the Royal Residential quarter of Bhupindra Malla, famous five storeyed temple of Nyatapola in Pagoda style and other temples. Later, visit Bodhnath, the 2500 years old Buddhist stupa; a holy place for Buddhist pilgrims from Tibet. Also visit Pashupatinath temple area.
Afternoon, excursion to Dhulikhel, a small township 30 kms. from Kathmandu, along the Chinese-built road which leads to the border. It is at an altitude of 6000ft. and offers superb views of Cho Oyu in the east to Himalchuli in the west. On the way stop at a small village Thimi, known for its pottery and for the manufacture of masks. Also visit Bhadgaon, a Newar city of the 9th century. See the ancient gateway, Durbar Square, etc.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 14- To Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel, Morning at leisure.
Hotel check-out time 12" Noon
Afternoon, in time transfer to airport to connect the flight for New Delhi:
Depart Kathmandu at 1350 Hrs by Flight No.IC814 (Indian Airlines)
Arrive New Delhi at 1510Hrs. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to a five star Hotel Taj Mahal for dinner only (a room for wash and change purpose shall be provided on sharing basis.)

Dine at the famous Haveli Restaurant, which is modeled on the remains of an old Haveli or Fort. The decor derives its inspiration from the forts of the Nawabs of Moghul era, which is amply depicted on the wall paintings. Haveli offers the North West Frontier cuisine with a few Punjabi, Lucknawi and Hyderabadi dishes. In the surroundings of an authentic Haveli, one gets to be a captive audience to the live Ghazal and dance performances that the restaurant hosts.

After dinner, transfer to the international airport to connect the onward BA flight leaving early morning on Day 15.

Day 15- Depart Delhi
Check-in and Check-out time at all Hotels will be 12 Noon)

Rates

(All above rates are in US Dollars)

Departure Dates

Terms And Conditions

Hotels
• Accommodation will be provided at the Taj Group of hotels or similar categories.
• Check- in and check-out time at all hotels will be 12 noon. No hotel accommodation is envisages on the 14th (last) day of “Splendours Of India and Nepal ” your.

Transport Services
• 2 or 3 persons – One air – conditioned medium car
• 4 to 6 persons – One air – conditioned mini micro van
• 7 to 14 persons - One air – conditioned mini coach
• 15 and above - One air – conditioned large coach

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