Classic India and Nepal

Your journey with "Best Travel Agents in India" begins today. Upon arrival, one of our representatives will welcome you at New Delhi International Airport and transfer you to your pre-booked hotel for an overnight stay.

A city tour of New Delhi and Old Delhi is planned. The main difference between the two cities is that New Delhi was established by the British, while Old Delhi has older origins. This gives New Delhi a British identity and a systematic layout, unlike Old Delhi. During the city tour, you will visit the National Museum, Qutub Minar, Red Fort, India Gate, Rajghat (Mahatma Gandhi's memorial), and Emperor Humayun's Tomb. If the time is permitted, explore Old Delhi by rickshaw ride.

Overnight at the hotel.

You will continue your journey to Jaipur, which is approximately a six-hour drive. After arriving, you can relax for the rest of the day. You can visit the Art Museum, the Govinda Dev Ji Temple, or shopping in Johari Bazaar (a hub of cotton and jewelry, among other things). Discover inspiring India! Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan and is also known as the "Pink City" because of the pink color of its buildings.

You can visit the Amer Fort. A jeep will be waiting below the fort to take you up. You will have plenty of time to wander around and explore the various magnificent halls. You will clearly see the grandeur of the past. The Sheesh Mahal is particularly spectacular. From the viewpoint, you can see the thick protective walls stretching for miles on the hills. In the afternoon, you will tour the city of Jaipur. You will see the City Palace, Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), and the Observatory. Be sure to visit the small Textile Museum in the City Palace. Here you'll see clothes worn by the former Maharajas of Jaipur, one of which weighed nearly 250 kg!

Note: We deliberately chose to travel to Amer by jeep, not elephant.

With your private driver, you'll reach Agra in about five hours. On the way, you'll visit Fatehpur Sikri, the "abandoned city" of Emperor Akbar. Due to a lack of water, this former capital of the Mughal Empire was abandoned. You can spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing in Agra. Agra has a beautiful city center with numerous shops.

Early in the morning, you'll visit the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). The rising sun's light is beautiful. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal for his late wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It took approximately 20 years to build. You will be amazed by the monument's beautiful details and perfect symmetry. Shah Jahan intended to build a similar monument for himself, but in black. However, it was never built. He now rests next to his wife in a mausoleum inside the Taj Mahal. His tomb is the only thing that breaks the symmetry of the entire structure. In the afternoon, you will visit the magnificent Red Fort, Shah Jahan's former home.

Tip: Only essential items are allowed inside the Taj Mahal. Leave any bags in the car. Your guide will inform you in advance. It's also good to know that the Taj Mahal tour can take a maximum of three hours. This is a new rule to prevent overcrowding.

You will be taken to the Agra train station for the train journey to Jhansi (time: approximately 3.5 hours). This is a great way to travel, and you'll find it easy to connect with your fellow passengers on the train. Most Indians are accustomed to speaking English, and you'll be seeing a variety of things before you even realize it! In Jhansi, a private driver will be waiting to take you to Orchha, where you'll spend the night (about a half-hour drive). In the afternoon, you'll visit Orchha, where you'll see three palaces that form a large complex. You'll also visit the Ram Raja Temple and the Chaturbhuj Temple.

The journey continues to Khajuraho (about a four-hour drive). Here, in the afternoon, you'll visit local temples with their erotic imagery. This temple city has become famous worldwide for its sandstone temples. You'll visit both the Eastern and Western temples.

After breakfast, you'll be taken to the airport for your domestic flight to Varanasi. You will then be taken to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will visit Sarnath (closed on Fridays). Sarnath is a must-see pilgrimage site for Buddhists, as it is here that Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. In the evening, you can attend the Aarti ceremony on the banks of the sacred Ganges River. This ceremony takes place every day at sunrise and sunset. The chanting of mantras and the numerous lamps that accompany the ceremony create a unique, mystical atmosphere.

Early in the morning, you will be taken to the banks of the Ganges River. During a boat trip on this river, you will experience the river's special significance. People meditating and bathing make the boat trip a heart-warming experience. Daily funerals take place on the "ghats," or cremation platforms, built along the riverbank. A magnificent ceremony. Next, you will tour the city of Varanasi, a magnificent city that never fails to impress anyone. You will visit the Bharat Mata Temple, among other things.

You will be transferred to Varanasi Airport for your flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, our local representative in Nepal will welcome you. They will then transfer you to your hotel in the city, after which you can spend the rest of the day relaxing. For example, you can explore the city on your own.

Today, you will visit various sites in Kathmandu and the surrounding area with your private guide. You'll begin your tour at the Pashupatinath Temple. It's one of the world's holiest Hindu temples. It houses the sacred linga, a symbol of Shiva. Non-Hindus are not permitted inside, but even without visiting the actual temple, you'll still have a wonderful experience of the rituals. At Pashupatinath, you can witness traditional cremation ceremonies along the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. Next, you'll visit Boudhanath (Bodhnath). Standing 35 meters tall, it's the valley's largest stupa. The surrounding area houses several monasteries where young monks are taught, and it's also an important pilgrimage site. Finally, you'll visit Kathmandu Durbar Square (meaning "Palace Square"). It's the beating heart and main attraction of Kathmandu. The square houses numerous religious monuments, all built between the 12th and 18th centuries. You'll also visit Kumari Bahal, home to the living child goddess Kumari.

Tip: Looking for a good restaurant? Have dinner at Thamel House Restaurant in the Thamel District. The restaurant's atmosphere is pleasant and well worth the money. In the evening, traditional shows are held while you dine.

Today, you'll travel to Chitwan National Park in about five hours. This is Nepal's oldest national park, located about 180 km southwest of Kathmandu. It covers an area of ​​approximately 930 km². In 1984, the park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its magnificent flora and fauna. Among other animals, the rare Indian rhinoceros and Bengal tiger can be found here. The park is also home to leopards, wild boars, elephants, snakes, deer, monkeys, anteaters, hyenas, crocodiles, Ganges River dolphins, and approximately 450 different species of birds. You'll spend two nights in a beautiful lodge just outside the park entrance. Upon arrival, a briefing and lunch are planned. Then, you'll embark on your first wildlife safari. You might even spot a rhino! In the evening, during dinner, you can enjoy a traditional dance performance by the local Tharu people. You can also watch a film about Chitwan National Park.

Note: Activities are conducted with a small, international group. Activities may vary daily; you can find the daily plan on the site.

Today, several activities are planned in Chitwan National Park (included). Early in the morning, you'll be woken up for a walking safari with an expert ranger. About an hour later, you'll return to the resort for breakfast. Afterward, you'll board a canoe and slowly float down the Rapti River. From the canoe, you can spot a variety of birds and crocodiles, such as the rare Indian crocodile and the gharial crocodile. With some luck, you might even spot wild animals coming to the water's edge to drink. After lunch, you'll visit the National Park Visitor Center and a local village. Here, you'll learn about the traditions and lifestyle of the Tharu people. In the evening, another common dinner with performances is planned.

Note: Activities are with a small international group. Activities may vary daily; you can find the daily program on site.

After an early breakfast, you have the option of joining the final safari in Chitwan National Park. Afterward, you'll travel to Pokhara, one of Nepal's largest cities, in about six hours. This city is known among tourists as the starting and ending point for trekking in the nearby Annapurna Mountains. In clear weather, the peaks of Dhaulagiri and Manaslu are clearly visible from the city. These three mountains are among the world's highest peaks, with the highest peaks exceeding 8,000 meters. This is a spectacular view, especially since Pokhara itself isn't very high (its lowest point is 800 meters above sea level). You'll spend the night at Lakeside or Damside, the city's most popular and beautiful areas. This is Nepal's second largest lake and the heart of Pokhara.

Tip: Take a yoga class with a Nepali yogi. Ask about options.

Waking up early this morning to catch the sunrise at Sarangkot (included) is rewarding. From an altitude of approximately 1,590 meters, you'll have a spectacular view of Pokhara and the peaks of the Annapurna Mountains.

After a leisurely breakfast, you'll explore Pokhara with a guide. Phewa Lake is, of course, on the agenda. It's Nepal's second largest lake and the heart of Pokhara. A variety of activities are available on and around the lake, including boat trips (one-hour boat rental included), cycling, hiking, or exploring the surrounding villages. The lake also features an island with the sacred Barahi Mandi Temple, which you can visit. After exploring the lake, you'll drive to David Falls (also known as Patale Chango or Devi Falls). The tour ends in Pokhara. In the old part of the city, you'll visit the Bindhyabasini and Bhimsen temples.

Today will be a long travel day; You will be taken to Patan. This royal city is 2 kilometers south of Kathmandu and is now almost merged with Kathmandu. It's less crowded and hectic than Kathmandu, so we decided to end our trip there. If you want to explore Kathmandu, it's just a short taxi ride away. Like Kathmandu, Patan also has Durbar Square. The streets are bustling with activity, and the atmosphere is pleasant and friendly. There are also numerous shops and craft centers, making it a great place to find souvenirs.

Tip: If you want to reduce your travel time, we can also arrange a flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu for you.

This morning, you'll explore Patan's highlights with a guide, especially the sights in Durbar Square. Some temples are completely hidden; A small gate from the road leads to a courtyard containing a variety of temples, often decorated with gold. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing. You can shop for souvenirs or enjoy one last plate of hot momos. If you want to explore Kathmandu, it's just a short taxi ride away.

You will be transferred to Kathmandu Airport in time for your return flight. This is where your trip with “Best Travel Agents in India” ends.

Tip: If time permits, we can arrange a morning flight in a light aircraft over the Himalayas (approximately 1 hour, price upon request). This tour is shared with other travelers. It's a great way to end your tour!