DAY 01 : ARRIVE MUMBAI – SIGHTSEEING
Namaste! Welcome to India.

Upon arrival in Mumbai, India’s most cosmopolitan city, you will be welcomed at the airport and transferred to your hotel., where a room has been reserved for your immediate occupancy.

Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the capital of Maharashtra, and the commercial hub of India. It is the country’s most cosmopolitan city, an ancient port and trading center. This palm-fringed shore of the Arabian Sea was the British Empire’s entrance to its proudest “Crown Jewel.” A city of paradoxes, Mumbai is renowned as the country’s financial nerve center, and also an important center of theater, art, music, and classical dance. Although steeped in tradition is the premier city in India.

DAY 02 : MUMBAI SIGHTSEEING
This afternoon your tour of Mumbai includes the City of Bombay, a blend of East and West. Your survey of the city will include the British built arch “Gateway of India”, Bombay’s landmark, built in commemoration of the visit of King George the Vth and Queen Mary for the Delhi Durbar in 1911. See the Hanging Gardens, located on the crest of Malabar Hill, a welcome oasis of green and almost entirely concrete and cement. Visit the Prince of Wales Museum built between 1904 and 1914 which was used during World War I as a hospital. The huge structure can be spotted from a distance as sunshine sparkles on the massive marble dome. The museum houses a priceless collection of art considered one of the best in all India, including a rich display of miniature paintings, ancients sculptures, jade, china and much more. Also visit the affluent
community of Malabar Hills, Dhobi Ghat, Marine Drive, the Gandhi Memorial Museum and Jain Temple.

DAY 03 : ELEPHANTA CAVES – UDAIPUR
Early this morning cruise across the harbor to the island of Elephanta. The island rises near its centre into two conical hills. Rock temples were hewn out of the hill sometimes toward the end of the Buddhist period in India, probably in the eighth century. Explore the caves consist of several interesting sculptures including some depicting the marriage of Shiva and Parvati, Ravana the demon king, and lesser male and female divinities.

This afternoon you will be transferred to the airport for yur flight to Udaipur.

On arrival in Udaipur, you are welcomed to the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Udaipur is one of the most beautiful cities in India. Here are lakes that, in sandy Rajasthan, come as a surprise, and forested hills where wildlife still abounds. Udaipur was founded in 1599 by Maharana Udai Singh, and this extraordinarily beautiful city has come to be celebrated for its association with Queen Padmini, and Meera Bai, royal princesses who are linked with the fortunes of the Sisodia family. Developed scientifically, the old city was surrounded by fortified bastions with entry through eleven gates. Ruins of these ancient fortifications are still in evidence, and the more recent palaces can still be visited.

DAY 04 : UDAIPUR SIGHTSEEING
This morning we will tour the ‘City of Lakes,” including the City Palace, the white and majestic royal palace standing on a hill, surrounded by crenellated walls and overlooks an immense esplanade edged by arcades; its main entrance leads to a series o-courtyards,overlapping pavilions, terraces corridors and hanging gardens-a harmonious profusion hard to describe.

Visit Sahelion-Ki-Bari, the “Gardens of the Maids” bring to mind the unique lifestyle of the ladies of court. Your final stop is Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandala, a museum of folk art, displaying
a rich collection of folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, folk musical instruments and paintings. At the folklore museum, watch a presentation of the world-renowned puppeteers of Udaipur, custodians of an ancient tradition. This evening enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola.

DAY 05 : UDAIPUR – RANAKPUR – JODHPUR
This morning depart for Jodhpur. Stop en route and tour the beautifully sculpted Jain temples of Ranakpur. The intricately carved white marble is so well preserved it belies the temple’s 500 years. Continue your journey, to Jodhpur and on arrival check into your hotel.

DAY 06 : JODHPUR SIGHTSEEING
Morning is at leisure. This afternoon visit the invincible MehrangarhFort, the magnificent palaces within, containing marvelously carved panels, latticed windows, and housing a fabulous collection of Rajput art. Visit the Jaswant Thada, a graceful marble cenotaph built in 1899 for Maharajah Jaswant Singh II, and monuments to other Maharajahs of Jodhpur.

DAY 07 : JODHPUR – JAIPUR
This morning you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Jaipur, the capital city of
Rajasthan also known as the “Pink City.”

On arrival in Jaipur, you are met and trransferred to your hotel. Tour the city of Jaipur this afternoon. In the old city, still encircled by a crenellated wall, visit the Hawa Mahal or “Palace of Winds,” Jaipur’s central landmark, an extraordinary façade of multiple airy windows used by the court ladies to watch the outside activities without beeing seen. Explore City Palace, characterized by balconies, tiny windows, cupolas, courtyards and arched entrances. It now houses an excellent collection of Rajasthani costumes, miniatures and an armory of weapons. The observatory, originally built in the city’s early years, first appears as a collection of abstract sculptures, but is in fact a collection of the huge masonry instruments for studying the movement of constellations and stars in the sky.

DAY 08 : AMBER FORT EXCURSION
This day’s excursion will take us to Amber Fort. Amber was once the capital of the Mina tribes believed to be the original inhabitants of this area. History recalls the glory and wealth of Amber’s association with the Mughals. Raja Man Singh was the Commander-in-Chief of Akbar’s army and Mirza Raja Jai Singh was a powerful ally of Jahangir. You will have a unique experience of riding a caprisoned elephant heralded by musicians from the foothill to the ramparts of the ancient fort. Once inside we explore the Palace of Mirrors, inlaid with millions of tiny glistening mirrors, the hall of Public Audience and the beautiful manicured gardens. Afternoon is at leisure.

DAY 09 : JAIPUR – AGRA
This morning you will be driven to Agra, the last capital of the Mughal Empire. Proceed upon arrival to Fatehpur Sikri. This amazing ancient city was built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century, and was mysteriously abandoned 13 years later. The legend relates that Emperor Akbar was without a male heir and made a pilgrimage to this spot to see the saint Shaikh Salim Chisti. He foretold the birth of Akbar’s son, later the Emperor Jehangir, and in gratitude Akbar named his son Salim. Furthermore Akbar transferred his capital to Sikri and built a splendid city. Later,
however, the city was simply abandoned due to difficulties with the water supply. Today Fatehpur Sikri is a perfectly preserved Mughal city built at the height of the empire’s splendor.
Continue overland to Agra, home of the one and only Taj Mahal. Your afternoon tour of Agra, the last capital of the Mughal Empire includes a visit to 16th-century Agra Fort, the huge red-sandstone construction built by the famous Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565 AD. It houses the beautiful Pearl Mosque and many noteworthy structures.
Arrive at the magnificent monument to the memory of love, the Taj Mahal. Built by Shah Jahan as a memorial to his queen Mumtaz Mahal, the monument made of white marble is a fine example of symmetry, balance of design and traditional inlay work. Enjoy the changing hues of the Taj bathed in the warm glow of sunset. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 10 : AGRA – ORCHA – KHAJURAHO
This morning take the train to Jhansi. Continue on by road to Khajuraho, en route visiting Orchha. A medieval city founded by Bundela rulers with palaces and temples of the 16th and 17th century which have remarkably withstood the onslaught of time. The city is picturequely flanked by the river Betwa. A number of beautiful temples and “Chhatris” are built on the bank of this serene river and whether in the crimson light of dawn or in the dusky twilight, it is great to see their reflection in the river water. There are altogether 14 chhatris arrayed on the banks of this historical river and their images in the river – best viewed from a nearby bridge – imprint a lingering impact on every visitor. Most of the ‘chhatris’ bear a Mughal style of architecture except for the famous Chhatri of Madhukar Shah.

Khajuraho was the religious and political capital of the Chandela Dynasty during the 9th to 13th centuries. Although once a splendid city, today Khajuraho is best known for its amazing Tantric temples built in the graceful Nagara style of architecture and enveloped with erotic sculptures – the oldest site of its kind in the world. Visit the Western Group of temples, containing the largest
and loveliest temples. Of this group, the Kandariya Mahadev temple dedicated to Shiva is the most perfect, and with its elaborate 31 meter high spire and bands of beautiful carving, it represents Chandela art at its best. It shares a high terrace with the older and simpler Devi Jagadamba temple. The less ornate Eastern Group reflects the austerity of the Jains. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 11 : KHAJURAHO – VARANASI – SARNATH
Morning at at leisure. Later, you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Varanasi (Benares), the holy city of India located on the sacred Ganges River.
Upon arrival in Varanasi, you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Later a short drive takes you to Sarnath – scene of Buddha’s first sermon. Visit the museum – one of the most important in India, house of many stupas and Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, built by the Mahabodhi Society, containing a life-size golden image of the Buddha and colourful murals and frescoes painted by a Japanese artist. Among the ruins of Nalanda you can still hear a distant echo of the chants of scholars of ancient times..

DAY 12 : VARANASI – DELHI & ONWARD FLIGHT
Early this morning embark on a boat cruise on the river Ganga. The river front, as seen from a boat, early in the morning, at sunrise, is a spiritually uplifting sight. Hinduism, deep and mystical, is everywhere. In a decorated doorway… in a glimpse of a glittering temple …in the sound of a sacred bell …the chant of the priests and in the fragrance of flower oblations. This religious city is crowded with temples and its labyrinth of streets swelled with throngs of people. Multitudes of devotees come to the river to pay homage to the Sun God. Pass the bathing ghats where thousands of pilgrims immerse themselves in the holy water of the Ganges River, and the burning ghats where cremations are conducted.

This afternoon you are tranferred to the airport for your flight to Delhi and onward connection.
Arrive Delhi and in transit for your onward flight.

DAY 12 : VARANASI – DELHI & ONWARD FLIGHT
Early this morning embark on a boat cruise on the river Ganga. The river front, as seen from a boat, early in the morning, at sunrise, is a spiritually uplifting sight. Hinduism, deep and mystical, is everywhere. In a decorated doorway… in a glimpse of a glittering temple …in the sound of a sacred bell …the chant of the priests and in the fragrance of flower oblations. This religious city is crowded with temples and its labyrinth of streets swelled with throngs of people. Multitudes of devotees come to the river to pay homage to the Sun God. Pass the bathing ghats where thousands of pilgrims immerse themselves in the holy water of the Ganges River, and the burning ghats where cremations are conducted.

This afternoon you are tranferred to the airport for your flight to Katmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, capital of the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal, nestled in the cradle of the highest mountains on earth, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Tour the city in the afternoon visiting the Durbar Square, the highest concentration of palaces and temples are found here. Overlooking the Durbar Square is the Hanuman Dhoka palace which means the “gate of the Monkey god”. Nearby is the Temple of Kumari, the abode of the Living Goddess. The central courtyard of the temple is open to visitors, and at times the Kumari (the Living Goddess) makes fleeting appearances at one of the many windows of the temple. Swayambhunath, the great stupa (Eye of the Buddha) which stands atop a green hillock at a point where the legendary patriarch Manjushri discovered the lotus of the ancient valley lake. This Buddhist stupa is said to be 2000 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 on the spire are the all seeing eyes of Lord
Buddha. The whole area around the Stupa is an array of small stupas and temples. This is one of the best places to view the Kathmandu city as it is situated on a small hillock.

DAY 13 : PATAN & BHADGAON EXCURSION
The adjacent town of Patan, also known as Lalitpur is our destination this afternoon. The “City of Beauty and Fine Art,” its origins are lost in the misty haze of history, but as center of Newari architecture and arts, this city dates back to 289 and 299 AD. It is located 6 Kms southeast of Kathmandu’s city center, on a low rising embankment on the southern flank of the sacred Bagmati river. Hundreds of temple edifices are dedicated to the Hindu and Buddhist deities abound in the city. The facades of the ancient temples have ornate carvings and most of the temples have been built in an exquisite architectural style. Later visit the Tibetan refugee camp where the residents produce traditional crafts including the hand-loomed Tibetan carpets and molding of metals statues respectively.

This afternoon, you will tour Bhadgaon founded in 889 AD by King Ananda Deva. It was known in the days of the yore as Bhaktapur (city of Devotees). The city was constructed in the shape of a conch shell-an object of religious significance to Hindus and Buddhists. Apart from the usual temples and palaces, the added attractions are the Big Bell, the bell of the Barking Dog, the Lion Gate, the Picture Gallery, the famous Golden gate. Pasupatinath, the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva the Destroyer and Creator, and is one of the four most important pilgrimage sites in Asia. Situated 5 km east of Kathmandu on the bank of sacred Bagmati river, the temple of lord Shiva-Pashupatinath with two tiered golden roof and silver doors is famous for its superb architecture. Continue to Bodhnath to see the largest stupa in all of Nepal sitting on flat land as a crown above pastel painted facades of shops and houses. Its great size and huge red, white and blue painted eyes are even more remarkable and striking than Swayambhunath and Pasupatinath.

DAY 14 : MT. EVEREST FLIGHTSEEING / DELHI
Experience a one-hour flight-seeing tour of Mt. Everest (weather permitting) and soar just above these mighty mountains at the “roof of the world.” Extraordinary views and spectacular close-ups of the snow-covered peaks, including the highest peak on earth – 29,029 feet Mt. Everest, straddling the Tibet/Nepal border, afford an unforgettable experience.Later you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Delhi.
Upon arrival India’s bustling capital city of Delhi, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. It was from here that Hindu, Muslim and Mughal dynasties, as wsell as the British, ruled. The rest of the day is at leisure.

DAY 15 : DELHI SIGHTSEEING
Today, visit Old Delhi , the 17th century walled city of royal Shahjehanabad. The great Red Fort, was the opulent residence of Shah Jehan, builder of the Taj Mahal and the magnificent Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) which dominates the skyline. We also visit the Raj Ghat– cremation site
of Mahatma Gandhi, Ashoka Pillar and later walk through Chandi Chowk, the old marketplace of Shahajahanabad, now a picturesque bazaar. Enjoy a tricycle ride on the narrow lanes of Old Delhi.

An afternoon tour of New Delhi, the modern city striving to move into the new era with the best of modern cities. We visit stop at the Qutab Minar Complex, dominated by the 234-foot Victory Tower. We are driven down the spectacular Rajpath passing the triumphant House of Parliament, Diplomatic Enclave, President’s House and India gate. Visit Birla Mandir, a modern and colorful temple we enjoy a brief respite from the otherwise bustling city. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 16 : DELHI / ONWARD FLIGHT
This morning you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.