Discover India & Nepal

A cultural voyage to Nepal and India that sees you take in some of the region's most important religious and historical sights. From Himalayan Kathmandu to the exotic, sacred banks of the Ganges; and from the erotic temples of Khajuraho to the icon of love – The Taj Mahal. An invigorating, inspiring and unforgettable journey. A perfect choice for those seeking to experience the highlights of these two magical nations.

Guide

The Discover India and Nepal tour is escorted from Varanasi on Day 5 to departure on Day 14 by a local English-speaking guide. You will be met and assisted on arrival in Nepal and accompanied for all sightseeing in Nepal by local English-speaking guides.

MEAL PLAN
Prices include:
•   Breakfast daily
•   Dinner on Day 13
•   Extensions include breakfast daily.
•   Lunch and dinner is included on the Ranthambore extension on Days 11-13 and 16
•   Dinner is included on Day 13 on the Amritsar and Shimla extensions.

ACCOMMODATION
•   Prices include four and five star hotels.

GROUP SIZE
•   Maximum 14 passengers.

MINIMUM NUMBERS
•   This tour is subject to a minimum number of passengers (please call for details).

GRATUITIES
•   Tipping is a way of life in India however is not compulsory is Nepal.
•   Porterage and tips for meals are included in your tour price.
•   For your driver and guide we recommend you tip at the end of your holiday.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
•   The Festival of Colours, Holi will be celebrated all over India on Mar08 2012. People spray each other with different coloured dyes.
•   Driving times are approximate and do not include time taken for sightseeing, meals and comfort stops.
•   Local conditions may necessitate slight variations to the timings of the itinerary.
•   Check-in at hotels in India is only after 12pm noon.
•   Children under 16 are not accepted on this tour.

DAY 1 - LONDON TO KATHMANDU
Fly Jet Airways from Heathrow via Delhi, arriving in Kathmandu the next day.

DAY 2 - KATHMANDU
On arrival in Kathmandu, capital of the world's newest republic – Nepal, transfer to the Shangri-La Kathmandu for a three night stay. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore the city at your leisure.

DAY 3 - KATHMANDU
This morning enjoy a city tour including fascinating sights such as the temple of Pashupatinath, one of the world's most important Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the Bodhnath stupa, a sacred religious site of the nation's Buddhists. Afternoon at leisure.

DAY 4 - KATHMANDU
After breakfast visit Patan, which is renowned for its skilled metal workers and the impressive complex of temples at the Swyambhunath stupa, also known as Monkey Temple and an important Buddhist pilgrimage site. The rest of the day, your final afternoon in Nepal, is spent at leisure.

DAY 5 - KATHMANDU TO VARANSI
Transfer back to the airport for your Air India flight down from the Himalayas to the exquisitely exotic city of Varanasi on the banks of the sacred river Ganges. On arrival, transfer to The Gateway Hotel Ganges for a two night stay. Varanasi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world and has been a religious and cultural centre for thousands of years, and to this day attracts more than a million Hindu pilgrims every year.

DAY 6 - VARANASI
Early this morning you will visit the fascinating Ghats – steps down to the holy waters of the Ganges – to witness the ceremonial bathing, followed by a cruise on the mighty river itself. Later enjoy the chance to converse with a Hindu scholar.

DAY 7 - VARANASI TO KHAJURAHO
This morning transfer back to the airport for your Jet Airways flight west to Khajuraho, a city renowned for its exquisite collection of medieval Hindu and Jain temples that are particularly noted for their intricately carved and often quite erotic stone exteriors and sculptures. Upon arrival, transfer for an overnight stay at the Taj Chandela and then enjoy a tour of these fascinating temples built by Chandela emperors.

DAY 8 - KHAJURAHO TO AGRA
Leave Khajuraho to visit historic, riverside Orchha with its huge palace-fort. Continue on to Jhansi (approx. 4 hours) and transfer to the Shatabadhi Express Train to Agra (approx. 2½ hours) for a two night stay at The ITC Mughal Agra.

DAY 9 - AGRA
Following breakfast explore India's most iconic landmark, and perhaps the greatest monument to love ever built, the Taj Mahal. Follow that with a trip to Agra Fort, a building less famous than the Taj Mahal, but no less impressive. Your afternoon is free to relax or explore further at your leisure.

DAY 10 - AGRA TO JAIPUR
Your journey continues on to Jaipur, with a stop en route at the historical city of Fatehpur Sikri, built in 1570 by the Mughal emperor Akbar, only to be mysteriously abandoned just fifteen years later. Upon arrival in Jaipur, check in to the Sheraton Rajputana for a two night stay (approx. 163 miles, 6 hours).

DAY 11 - JAIPUR
Enjoy the sites of the ‘Pink City’, so called as the whole city was once painted pink to welcome the then Prince of Wales back in 1853. To this day avenues remain painted pink giving the city a distinctive look.

DAY 12 - JAIPUR TO DELHI
A transfer day will take you across Rajasthan to the mega-city that is Delhi. Upon arrival, check into the Maidens Hotel, Old Delhi for a two night stay (approx. 160 miles, 5 hours).

DAY 13 - DELHI
Today partake in an orientation tour of the city taking in Old and New Delhi, the impressive Red Fort, Jama Masjid and the government district. Finish your tour this evening with a farewell dinner with a local family.

DAY 14 - DELHI TO LONDON
Transfer to the airport for your return flight  with Jet Airways via Delhi to Heathrow, arriving later the same day.

YOUR CHOICE OF EXTENSIONS

RANTHAMBORE
Ranthambore National Park is one of the largest national parks in India and perhaps also one of the most iconic. The park is best known for its population of mighty Bengal tigers.
DAY 12 - JAIPUR TO RANTHAMBORE
Travel by road to Ranthambore and transfer to the Ranthambore Regency for a three night stay.
DAY 13 - RANTHAMBORE
Today enjoy a morning and evening jungle safari keeping your eye out for the elusive Bengal Tiger. You may spot many other species including jaguars, sloths and a number of birds.
DAY 14 - RANTHAMBORE
This morning you will partake in your final safari followed by an afternoon at leisure, perhaps making the most of the facilities of this historic hunting lodge.
DAY 15 - RANTHAMBORE TO DELHI
Return to Delhi by rail and on arrival transfer to Maidens Hotel, New Delhi for two nights.
DAY 17 - DELHI TO LONDON
Fly Jet Airways flight to Heathrow, arriving later the same day.
NB → Ranthambore is closed Jul01-Sep30. Please note the canters are compact.

AMRITSAR
This sacred destination is a spectacular combination of Islamic and Hindu architecture and has an incredibly spiritual meaning for those that make the pilgrimage.
DAY 14 - DELHI TO AMRITSAR
Travel by rail to the holy city of Amritsar aboard the Shatabdi Express and transfer to the Ista on arrival for a two night stay. This afternoon is spent at leisure.
DAY 15 - AMRITSAR
Following breakfast partake in a half day city tour which includes the striking Golden Temple and the sombre gardens of Jaliawala Bagh. This afternoon visit the Wagah Border, located at a road border with Pakistan, to witness the traditional changing of the guards ceremony.
DAY 16 - AMRITSAR TO DELHI
This afternoon return to Delhi by rail for your final night in India, spent at Maidens Hotel, New Delhi.
DAY 17 - DELHI TO LONDON
Fly Jet Airways to Heathrow, arriving later the same day.

SHIMLA
Extend your time in India with a three night stay in Shimla, once the summer capital of the British Raj.
DAY 14 - DELHI TO SHIMLA
Board the Shatabdi Express for Chandigarh, then travel through the foothills of the Himalayas (approx. 4 hours) to Shimla for a three-night stay at the Radisson Shimla.
DAY 15 - SHIMLA
This morning enjoy a morning ride on the toy train to Taradevi before transferring back to Shimla for a visit to the Vice Regal Lodge. The rest of the day is spent at leisure.
DAY 16 - SHIMLA
The full day is spent at leisure providing an opportunity to explore the city, honoured with the title of 'Queen of the Hills' by the British.
DAY 17 - SHIMLA TO DELHI
Transfer by road (approx. 3 hours) to Kalka, before reboarding the Shatabdi Express to Delhi. Upon arrival, transfer to Maidens Hotel, New Delhi for an overnight stay.
DAY 18 - DELHI TO LONDON
Fly Jet Airways to Heathrow, arriving later the same day.