| Mumbai (Bombay) • Aurangabad • Udaipur • Jodhpur • Jaipur • Delhi • Agra • Khajuraho• Varanasi• Kathmandu • Wildlife Safari / Tiger Tops • Kolkata (Calcutta) • Bhubaneswar • Sun Temple • Chennai (Madras) • Bangalore • Mysore • Hasan • Belure and Halibed Temples • Cochin • Backwaters
DAY 1 - Departure
Your Exotic Journey to Incredible India and Nepal begins as you depart from New York / Newark / Chicago or Los Angeles aboard your Air India flight for Mumbai from Los Angeles, Chicago, New York or Newark by Air India.
If you prefer to travel from any other city or by any other airline, we will provide arrangements according to your requirements
DAY 2 - Mumbai (Bombay)
Arrive Bombay late in the evening. Meeting and transfer to hotel.
DAY 3 - Mumbai (Bombay)
Morning at leisure. Afternoon city tour visiting Hanging Gardens, Kamla Nehru Park, Gateway of India, National Museum and Crawford Market.
DAY 4 - Mumbai - Aurangabad
Morning boat excursion to Elephanta Caves, the 7th century cave-temples carved out of a hill rising from the Arabian Sea.
Fly to Aurangabad in the evening.
DAY 5 - Aurangabad / Ajanta Caves
Full day excursion to the thirty caves at Ajanta that is either chapels or monasteries. The murals and paintings date back to 2nd century BC and 8th century AD and illustrate the life of Buddha in previous births. Many of the frescoes still glow in their original colors. On the outer walls are brilliantly executed sculptures.
DAY 6 - Aurangabad / Ellora Caves - Mumbai
Morning excursion to Ellora Caves. The three groups of temples here relate the story of evolution of Asia's main religions Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.
Fly to Bombay in the evening.
(At the moment the flights between Aurangabad and Udaipur are suspended. In order to travel to Udaipur, one has to travel through Mumbai. Whenever the flights are restored, you will fly to Udaipur directly from Aurangabad on day 7).
DAY 7 - Udaipur
Fly to Udaipur and city tour. Udaipur is interspersed with shimmering lakes, marble palaces and fountains. The Maharana’s Palace is the largest of its kind. It is remarkable for octagonal towers, brilliant multicolor mosaics of inlaid tiles, inlaid mirror work and exquisite paintings. Sahelion ki Bari is a fascinating garden, adorned by Lotus pool, a marble throne and finely sculptured cenotaphs.
DAY 8 - Udaipur / Ranakpur
The cluster of temples at Ranakpur, made of intricately sculpted white marble, come across as a marvelous feat of architecture. It may surprise visitors that these temples were built in 1460 but are so well preserved and the marble still sparkles. The main temple is supported by 1444 pillars, none of which are similarly carved. These temples house statues of Mahavira and other Jain saints.
DAY 9 - Jodhpur
Travel to Jodhpur; the fortified city is surrounded by massive walls and is famous for the impregnable Mehrangarh Fort. Within the fort, the luxurious palaces, Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and Phool Mahal are architecturally remarkable so is Umaid Bhavan Palace, now a hotel. Close to the fort, Jaswant Thada is a collection of royal cenotaphs built in white marble. City tour and camel ride.
DAY 10 - Jaipur
Travel to Jaipur and city tour. Popularly known as Pink City, Jaipur's colorful bazaars, Jantar Mantar, sandstone pink buildings, magnificent City Palace and Palace of Winds reflect the past glory of this remarkable town.
DAY 11 - Jaipur
Amber Fort and its sandstone palaces are perched atop a hill near Jaipur. Within its precincts are Sheesh Mahal or chamber of mirrors reputedly the best in the world, Victory Hall and Pleasure Palace. Reaching the fort on elephant back is a delightful experience. Visit Amber Fort with elephant ride in the morning. Afternoon at leisure.
DAY 12 - Delhi
Fly to Delhi, a city of immense past. It is dotted with hundreds of landmarks and has accumulated a tremendous heritage of art, architecture and culture.
DAY 13 - Delhi
Here you will visit the Presidential Palace, Parliament House, Red Fort, Jama Masjid; the largest mosque in Asia, Jantar Mantar - the medieval observatory, the l6th century tomb of Mughal emperor Humayun, Raj Ghat and Shantivana the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, India Gate and Qutub Minar.
DAY 14 - Agra / Taj Mahal
Today you will travel to the city of world's most famous love story; Taj Mahal. City tour includes Agra Fort, Taj Mahal and Itamad-ud Daula.
DAY 15 - Khajuraho / Chandela Temples
Visit Fatehpur Sikri and fly / travel to the Temple City. The Chandela temples represent the finest creative examples of temple architecture. Visit the temples.
DAY 16 - Varanasi
Fly to Varanasi. Activities include visits to Sarnath, Aurangzeb Mosque, various temples, Well of Knowledge and sunrise cruise on Ganges to witness burning and bathing ghats.
DAY 17 - Kathmandu
This afternoon fly in to the capital of Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. City tour includes City Palace, Hanuman Dhoka, Temple of Living Goddess, Machendranath and Swayambhunath.
DAY 18 - Kathmandu
You will continue sightseeing around the valley by visiting the medieval capital, Bhadgaon and the city of artists, Patan.
DAY 19 - Chitwan National Park or Pokhra
Today you will fly to Tiger Tops if you prefer wildlife or to Pokhra if you prefer nature and cultural tour. You will be met and transferred to Chitwan Jungle Lodge or hotel in Pokhra.
Chitwan : Orientation, nature walks and jungle excursion accompanied by a naturalist. Wildlife at Chitwan National Park includes one-horned rhinoceros, spotted deer, hog and samber deer, leopards and ever-elusive Royal Bengal tigers.
Pokhra is a perfect work of art by nature. Annapurna and the perfectly shaped peak of Macchepuchare dominate the skyline. The mountains appear clearer and one feels closer to nature. City tour is conducted by walking through the local bazaars and Phewa Lake.
DAY 20 - Chitwan National Park or Pokhra
Chitwan: Visit the elephant camp and wildlife safari by elephant. Raft down the river and see the crocodile preserve. You will spend the night in a tented camp, which has a central dining area, and bar, large safari tents with comfortable beds, shower and jungle toilets.
Pokhra Valley is the most picturesque spot in Nepal. Besides the uninterrupted view of Annapurna range it also offers clear and magnificent views of Dhaulagiri and Manaslu mountains. The day is at leisure to enjoy the beauty of nature.
DAY 21 - Kolkata (Calcutta)
We return to Kathmandu and change flights for Calcutta. Meeting and transfer to hotel.
DAY 22- Konark Sun Temple / Puri
City tour of Calcutta includes Victoria Memorial, Kali Temple and Governor's residence. Fly to Bhubaneswar and transfer to Puri.
DAY 23 - Chennai (Madras)
Morning city tour and afternoon excursion to Konark and visit the Sun temple also called the Black Pagoda.
DAY 24 - Chennai
Sightseeing tour of St. Mary's Church, Fort St. George, San Thome Cathedral and the rock-cut temples of Mahabalipuram.
DAY 25 - Bangalore
Bangalore is a pretty town with lakes and tree-lined avenues. Visit the gardens of Lal Bagh, Cubbon Park and impressive monolith Nandi Bull Temple.
DAY 26 - Mysore
A drive through the picturesque land of evergreen hills and beautiful natural landscaped plains takes you to the palace filled Mysore. En route visit summer palace of Tipu Sultan. In the evening visit the Brindavan Gardens with its magnificent fountains.
DAY 27 -Hasan / Belure and Halebid Temples
Morning excursion to Hasan and visit Belure and Halibed temples. Lord Fergusson, an authority on Indian architecture, observes 'There are many buildings in India which are unsurpassed for delicacy of detail by any in the world, but the temple of Belure surpasses even these for freedom of handling and richness of fancy'. The virtuosity of Indian sculptors reached its peak at the temples of Belure and Halebid.
DAY 28 - Cochin
Take a special boat ride through the enchanting backwaters to the dream island resort of Coconut Lagoon/Taj Gardens Retreat. Visit the bird sanctuary and the nearby villages in the enchanting backwaters of Kerala. The typical countryside offers a variety of interests. Enjoy the sunset cruise.
DAY 29 - Cochin
Fly to Cochin, the palm fringed coastal town that is laced with inland waterways and tropical lagoons. The Arabs, Chinese, Dutch and British came through to trade with India through Cochin and left their imprints behind in various buildings and monuments. The attractions include a Synagogue built in 587, the St. Francis Church built in 1510 and Santa Cruz Cathedral built in 1904, the Dutch Palace and the oldest Mosque in India. Sightseeing tour and cruise the backwaters.
DAY 30 - Mumbai (Bombay)
Morning at leisure. Late afternoon fly to Mumbai.
DAY 31 - Homebound
Depart for USA in the morning by Air India and arrive same day.
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Itineraries are designed with current flight schedules and remain subject to adjustment / change. |
