World Heritage Sites on this Visit:

Kathmandu Valley

Agra Fort
 
 Fatehpur Sikri
 
 Humayun's Tomb, Delhi
 
 Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi
 
 Red Fort Complex
 
 Taj Mahal

This 'Visit' gives you some of the best highlights of North India.

It is available either as one of our monthly small group departures or as a customizable visit.

Dates, hotel and travel information, as well as inclusions are given below the detailed itinerary.

Day 1: Depart from the United States (you can ask us to include international flights if you choose).

Day 2: Arrive at Delhi (most flights arrive either in the evening or at night). You are greeted at the airport by an ETI travel facilitator or your Tour Director, and then ushered to a chauffeur driven vehicle. You are then driven to your hotel where you are assisted with your check in. The next day’s plans are briefly reviewed and the travel facilitator or Tour Director hands over travel documents such as your air tickets and hotel vouchers to you.

Day 3: Delhi. Start your exploration of India with a city tour of Old Delhi that includes visits to the Jama Masjid (1650 AD) which is the largest mosque in India, and the amazing Red Fort (1639-48) which was the seat of the Moghul Empire for more than 250 years. Enjoy a rickshaw ride along the alleys of the ancient bazaar at Chandni Chowk. You also visit the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi (Raj Ghat). 
There is a break for lunch.
Afternoon – enjoy a city tour of New Delhi that begins with a drive past Safdarjang’s Tomb (1753 AD) while driving to the Qutab Minar (1193 A.D.) which is a striking medieval tower of victory of Persian architectural style and is 73 m high. Within the Qutab complex, amidst the ruins of Quwat-ul-Islam mosque, stands the Iron pillar which has stood the vagaries of weather and has not rusted over 1500 years. Later, visit the Tomb Moghul Emperor Humayun and then drive through Lutyens New Delhi which includes the Embassy area (Diplomatic enclave), Government buildings, India Gate, a golden domed Sikh Temple (Bangla Sahib Gurudwara), Birla Temple and Connaught Place, which is New Delhi’s main shopping area.

Day 4: Delhi – Agra. Board the early morning (6 am) Express train - two hour journey - to Agra. Half day tour of Agra – The tour includes a visit to Itmad -Ud –Daulah’s tomb, built by the Mughal Emperor Jehangir’s queen as a memorial to her father. It has beautiful ornamentation with ‘Pietra Dura’ inlay and lattice marble screens. The mausoleum rests in a walled garden with a view of the river Yamuna. Constructed in the year 1628, most historians believe that its design provided the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. You then visit the original red sandstone fort in North India, the Agra Fort. It was built in 1565 by Emperor Akbar, the greatest Mughal ruler of India. Its maze of courtyards, marble mosque, and private chambers all serve as reminders of the grandeur of the Mughal Empire.
There is a break for lunch.
Afternoon - Visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the incomparable Taj Mahal. The world’s greatest monument dedicated to love, the Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1653 AD as a memorial to his beloved queen, Mumtaz Mahal. This pure white marble mausoleum took 22 years and 22,000 craftsmen to build.
Tour the amazing monument and its surroundings till it is time to admire the sun’s rays setting on the Taj Mahal’s façade.
Agra is famous for its marble art & manufacturing of the same.

Day 5: Agra – Ranthambore. You have the option (no charge) of a sunrise visit to Mehtab Bagh, which is a 500 year old Mughal garden located across from the Taj Mahal on the other side of the Yamuna River. If you do that, you will return to your hotel to freshen up after the visit.
Check out of your hotel and proceed for the drive to Bharatpur. Stop at Fatehpur Sikri for a tour. This deserted, red sandstone city, built by Emperor Akbar, between 1570 and 1585.  Visit the towering Bulund Darwaza (The Gate of Victory), which is set in the south wall. In the northern part of the courtyard is the superb white marble tomb of Shaik Salim Chishti, built in 1570.
Lunch is included this afternoon at Bharatpur.
After lunch - board the Express train for Ranthambore – a two and a half hour journey to Ranthambore.
Arrive at Ranthambore in the evening and check in at your resort.

Day 6: Ranthambore. Covering an area of 410 sq. km, Ranthambore runs along the eastern spur of the Aravalli mountain range till they meet with the Vindhya ranges.  Ranthambore used to be the private hunting ground for the Royal family of Jaipur. In 1972 it was declared a Sanctuary and was brought under the Project Tiger Conservation platform.
Dry deciduous forest covers open valleys with lush vegetation around the lakes in this park, and there are open grasslands on the higher slopes.  This varied flora supports a large number of animals including a variety of deer, the sloth bear, the shy caracal, leopards and of course, the tiger.   
Enjoy wildlife safaris’ into the park in the morning and evening.
In between safaris’ you can visit the jungle fort at Ranthambore.  This is one of the finest examples of the ancient Hindu concept of “vana-durg”, or a fort protected by a jungle.  The history of this Fort (first built in AD 944) is a chronicle full of tales of blood and valor. Occupied by the Muslims, Rajputs and Mughals, the insides of the fort today lie in ruins, but there are superb views of the park to be had from the ramparts.

Day 7: Ranthambore – Jaipur. Enjoy your last safari into Ranthambore in the morning.
Check out of your hotel and proceed on a drive to Jaipur. Arrive at Jaipur and check into your hotel.
There is a break for lunch.
Afternoon - Proceed for a half day city tour of the walled city of Jaipur, including the magnificent City Palace. Visit the unique Jantar Mantar magnificent stone observatory built by Raja Jai Singh in 1728. View the ‘Hawa Mahal’ (Palace of the Wind), the intriguing facade built in 1799 to allow royal ladies to view the city and bazaar from the windows. Continue the tour to visit the City Palace, the former royal residence (a part of it is still occupied by the Royal family and is not accessible to the public), built in a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles. This immense complex also houses a number of museums that offer a large and impressive collection of miniature paintings, costumes, and armory.
Jaipur is famous for its carpets, jewelry, & handicrafts.

Day 8: Jaipur. Start your day with an excursion to Amber Fort & Palace, located 12 kilometers from the center of the City. Arrive at the complex well before 9 a.m. so as to be able to partake in the elephant back ascent. The Fort was originally built by Raja Mansingh and is one of the finest examples of Rajput architecture. Enjoy the ascent to the palace on the back of a brightly caparisoned elephant. Visit the chambers and hallways of the Palace which are famous for their design and decorations.
From here you will proceed on a drive to Samode for sightseeing and a camel back (or camel cart) safari through local villages. Please bear in mind that there are no sand dunes in this area.
Enjoy a Rajasthani lunch (included) at the Samode Palace.
A guided tour of Samode Palace and the other monuments in the area is included.  Drive back to Jaipur in the late afternoon.
Evening – Watch the show at your hotel and then drive to have dinner with a Rajasthani family at their home. Or drive to a cultural show and dinner.

Day 9: Jaipur – Delhi – Kathmandu. Board the morning flight to Delhi – connect with the flight to Kathmandu. Arrive at Kathmandu and connect with the flight to the picturesque valley of Pokhara.
Arrive at Pokhara in the late afternoon/evening and check in to your hotel.

Pokhara is part of a once vibrant trade route extending between India and Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen camped on the outskirts of the town, bringing goods to trade from remote regions of the Himalaya. This is the land of the Magars and Gurungs, hardworking farmers and valorous warriors who have earned worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers.
The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificence of the fish-tailed summit of Machhapuchhre (6,977 m) rising behind it have to be experienced to be understood. At an elevation lower than Kathmandu, it has a much more tropical feel to it, a fact well appreciated by the diversity of beautiful flowers which prosper in the valley. The valley surrounding Pokhara is home to thick forests, gushing rivers, emerald lakes and of course, the world famous views of the Himalaya.

Day 10: Pokhara. Explore the old trading town of Pokhara where decorated pony trains from the Kali Gandaki trade routes jostle with men from the mountains, as they barter in the bazaar. Visit the Bindhyavasini Temple and the fascinating Butterfly Museum located in the grounds of the university.
Afternoon - enjoy a boat cruise on Phewa Lake passing the simple three-story villa where the King of Nepal maintains his winter home. Stop at the small golden temple to the Hindu god Varahi which is nestled in foliage on an island in the centre of the lake. You will see many fishermen and other pilgrims take their long canoes (carved from tree trunks) to the island to visit the shrine.

 
Day 11 : Pokhara – Kathmandu. You are at leisure in the morning. Board the early afternoon flight to Kathmandu.
Late afternoon - Visit the Pashupatinath temple and Boudhanath Stupa, a World Heritage Site. Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world.

Day 12: Kathmandu. You have the option of taking the Everest flight this morning (extra charges apply). Take a tour of Kathmandu city. Visit `KUMARI` the LIVING GODDESS, Kasthamandap, the Big Bell, Kal Bharab etc.
Visit the Swayambhunath temple, Katmandu’s oldest and best known religious monument. With a history that goes back a least 1500 years for the location, this ancient Stupa is world renown and is visible from miles (from all over the Kathmandu Valley).
Afternoon - Take a tour of `Patan City`, one of the three queen cities of the valley. Patan is the city of fine arts, and we visit Durbar Square, Krishna Mandir, and Mahavihar, the Golden Temple of Lord Buddha, built in the 12th century. Also visit the Tibetan centre

Day 13: Kathmandu - Delhi - International Flight. Board the morning flight to Delhi. Arrive at Delhi and you are greeted at the airport by an ETI facilitator and your driver. You are provided with personal vehicles for each single traveler/couple/or larger group.
You can use the remaining few hours (in India) you have to do some last minute sightseeing or dining. Also, some of the best shopping in India is in Delhi. We can make suggestions based on your interests. Your vehicle and driver stay with you till your late evening assisted check in at the airport.
Our services end at the airport.

Day 14: Arrive in the United States

Scroll to the bottom of the page for inclusions & Hotels.

TRAVEL DETAILS:

Delhi Agra Ranthambore Jaipur Delhi  Kathmandu Pokhara Kathmandu Delhi

Domestic Air Travel supplement (including Nepal): $851 & up

RESERVATION INQUIRY FORM:

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