16 or 18 DAYS Mumbai, Udaipur,
Ranakpur, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Fatepur Sikri, Agra,
Khajuraho, Varanasi, Delhi
Day 1 Thu: Depart North America
Depart North America on your exciting journey to
experience the Best of India & Nepal. Day rooms are
provided in Singapore at the AMBASSADOR TRANSIT
HOTEL. East Coast passengers connect through London.
Day 2 Fri: Arrive Mumbai (Bombay)
Arrive tonight in Mumbai (formerly Bombay),
India’s most cosmopolitan city. You are greeted with
a traditional Indian welcome and escorted to the
famous colonial TAJ MAHAL PALACE & TOWER..
Day 3 Sat: Mumbai Sightseeing
After a leisurely morning, embark on a tour of
Mumbai. Visit the Gateway of India, the Hanging
Gardens, Malabar Hills—where Mumbai’s rich and
famous live—the Prince of Wales Museum, Dhobi Ghat,
Marine Drive, the Gandhi Memorial Museum and Jain
Temple. (BD)
Day 4 Sun: Elephanta Caves / Udaipur
Cruise across the harbor to the Elephanta Caves,
filled with carvings and sculptures dating to AD
550. In the evening, fly to Udaipur and check in at
the world-famous TAJ LAKE PALACE, once a royal
island retreat and now a
luxurious hotel that seems to float upon the waters
of Lake Pichola. (BD)
Day 5 Mon: Udaipur Sightseeing
Tour Udaipur, the “City of Lakes,” known as one of
the most picturesque and romantic cities in India.
Visit City Palace, Saheliyon ki Bari or Garden of
Maids and the folklore museum where you can see a
presentation of the string puppets typical to this
area. Afternoon is at leisure. (BD)
Day 6 Tue: Udaipur / Ranakpur / Jodhpur
Drive to Jodhpur, stopping en-route to visit the
beautifully sculpted Jain temples of Ranakpur. Stop
for lunch at Maharani Bagh, a mango grove and the
private gardens of the Maharajah of Jodhpur. UMAID
BHAWAN PALACE (BD)
Day 7 Wed: Jodhpur Sightseeing
Visit the invincible Mehrangarh Fort, followed by
a visit to the Jaswant Thada, a graceful marble
cenotaph built in 1899 for Maharajah Jaswant Singh
II. Also visit cenotaphs of other Maharajahs of
Jodhpur. Afternoon is at leisure.
(BD)
Day 8 Thu: Jodhpur / Jaipur
Travel to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, also
known as the “Pink City.” Check in at the
Maharajah’s former residence, the magnificent
RAMBAGH PALACE. This afternoon visit the Hawa Mahal
or “Palace of Winds,” City Palace and the ancient
observatory. (BLD)
Day 9 Fri: Amber Fort Excursion
You are transported back in time today, riding
royally atop elegantly draped and painted elephants,
to the mountain fortress of Amber. Afternoon is at
leisure. This evening enjoy a performance of
Rajasthani folk dancing. (BD)
Day 10 Sat: Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra
Drive to Agra, stopping en route to visit the
abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri. This nearly intact
Mughal city is a masterpiece of Muslim, Hindu and
Jain architecture, unique to India. Your afternoon
tour of Agra, the last capital of
the Mughal Empire in India, includes a visit to the
16th-century Agra Fort before experiencing the
magnificent Taj Mahal, a monument to the memory of
love. Your romantic encounter is further enhanced by
the opportunity to
view this beautiful edifice in the warm glow of
sunset. TAJ VIEW HOTEL (Taj Facing Rooms) (BD)
Day 11 Sun: Agra / Khajuraho
This morning, experience a train ride to Jhansi, a
major junction for both road and rail. Continue by
road to Khajuraho, stopping en route to visit Orchha,
a medieval city frozen in time and space, existing
to this day as it must
have in the 17th century. HOTEL CHANDELA (BD)
Day 12 Mon: Khajuraho / Varanasi
Visit the Western & Eastern groups of temples
before flying to Varanasi (also known as Benares),
India’s holiest city. Visit the stupas, ruins and
museum at Sarnath, the site of Buddha’s first
sermon. This evening meet with an
expert astrologer who will read your palm, if you so
desire. TAJ GANGES (BD)
Day 13 Tue: Varanasi / Delhi
A sunrise boat ride on the Ganges presents an
incredible tableau, as multitudes of devotees pay
homage to the Sun God. Cruise past the bathing ghats
and crematoriums, followed by a walking tour of the
old city. Later fly to India’s bustling capital city
of Delhi, where you are met and transferred to the
THE TAJ MAHAL. (BD)
Day 14 Wed: Delhi Sightseeing
This morning’s tour of Old Delhi includes the Red
Fort, Raj Ghat—a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi—Ashoka
Pillar and the mile-long Chandni Chowk bazaar. This
afternoon, embark on a tour of New Delhi. Drive
along Rajpath, the
capital’s broadest avenue, for a view of the
Parliament House, the President’s House and India
Gate. Visit Humayun’s Tomb, Qutab Minar and Birla
Temple. (BD)
Day 15 Thu: Akshardham Temple Sightseeing
This morning visit the beautiful Akshardham
Temple. Built without steel, it consists of 234
ornately carved pillars, 9 ornate domes, 20
quadrangled shikhars, a spectacular Gajendra Pith
(plinth of stone elephants) and 20,000
statues of India’s great sadhus (holy men),
devotees, acharyas (saints) and divine
personalities. Afternoon is at leisure. Late this
evening you are transferred to the international
airport for your flight back home. (BD)
Day 16 Fri: Arrive North America
Arrive home today, filled with warm memories of
your journey through the Best of India & Nepal.
KATHMANDU EXTENSION
Day 15 Thu: Delhi / Kathmandu
Fly this evening to Kathmandu, capital of Nepal.
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to
SOALTEE CROWNE PLAZA. (BD)
Day 16 Fri: Mt. Everest Flight-Seeing / Patan & Bhadgaon Excursion
Experience a one-hour mountain flight over the
mighty Himalayas to see Mt. Everest. Your morning
tour includes the charming towns of Bhaktapur,
Pashupathinath and Bodhnath, followed later in the
afternoon by Patan and the
Tibetan handicraft center. This evening enjoy a
presentation of Nepalese folk dances. (BD)
Day 17 Sat: Kathmandu / Delhi
This afternoon, visit Durbar Square, Temple of the
Living Goddess and Swayambhunath. This afternoon fly
to Delhi. You will be met and transferred to
RADISSON HOTEL, where rooms will be provided so you
can wash up and
change. This evening, transfer to the international
airport for your flight back home. (BD)
Day 18 Sun: Arrive North America
Arrive home today, filled with warm memories of
your journey through incredible India and Nepal.
Other Suggested Extension
Visit Royal Chitwan National Park.
