DAY 1: ARRIVE DELHI

Arrive New Delhi  International Airprt, Where you will be met by Oceantics Holidays representative,  and escorted to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Delhi

DAY 2: DISCOVER DELHI

After breakfast, the tour guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you for a guided sightseeing of Old and New Delhi.

This tour includes the following places:

Jama Masjid: Jama Masjid is one of the country’s major mosques where hundreds and thousands of Muslims offer their prayers even today. Jama Masjid was constructed by Shah Jahan as an architectural extravaganza in 1658. The wonders of construction in Jama Masjid are seen in the long stretches of stairs and the hefty courtyard.

Chandni Chowk (Silver Street): Chandni Chowk is well-known for its flamboyant streets with the famous shopping spots of Old Delhi. It also has the country’s best known extensive market for textiles, electronic goods, and watches. Entire Chandni Chowk was designed by Jahanara Begum, Shah Jahan’s beloved daughter and was then populated by the well-to-do families of that time. The famous Paranthawale Gali, known for its mouthwatering paranthas is also positioned in Chandni Chowk. The famous gold market, Dariba Kalan is also situated here.

Raj Ghat: An elementary square platform of black marble on the banks of Yamuna River, symbolizes the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated after his assassination in 1948. A dedicatory ritual takes place each Friday, in his memory.

India Gate: India Gate is free-standing, 42 metre high arch. It was built in 1931 and was formerly called the All India War Memorial in the memory of the 90,000 soldiers of the Indian Army who died in World War I. The names of the warriors are engraved all along the walls of the arch. The eternal flame was lit here to honor the Amar Jawan (Immortal Soldier), in 1971.

Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s House): Rashtrapati Bhavan is the authorized residence of the President of the country. It was designed by Lutyens and was the official residence of the Viceroy when the British ruled India.

Qutub Minar: This outstanding building in the Southern part of the capital was built by the Muslim King; Qutab–ud–din Aibak in 1199 A.D. The Minar (tower) is 72.5 meters tall and its base is a mosque.

Gurudwara Banga Sahib a Sikh temple still in active worship.

Overnight stay in Delhi.  

DAY 3: DRIVE DELHI - JAIPUR (250 KMS / 5 HRS)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be checked-out then start your tour to Jaipur, the Pink city.

Jaipur: It is the capital of Rajasthan, and is known as the “Pink City” because of the pink tinted constructions in the old city. It is situated on a dry lake bed, bordered by barren hills vanquished by forts and broken walls. The city was found in 1727 by Maharaja Jai Singh II, who wanted to be in the good books of the then ruling Mughals. He positioned the city with rectangular blocks according to early Hindu architecture. It is a great city for shopping.

Upon arrival in Jaipur, check in at your hotel. Overnight stay in Jaipur.

DAY 4: DISCOVER JAIPUR

After breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel and will be taken sightseeing tour of Jaipur. 

Amber Fort: The Amber Fort is located 11 km away from Jaipur. Amber was once the ancient capital of Jaipur. The Fort is an excellent illustration of Rajput architecture, impressively situated on a hillside facing a lake, which reflects its walkways and walls. Here you mount an Elephant, to get to the top of the Fort.            

Hawa Mahal (Palace of winds): Constructed by Maharaja Sawaj Pratap Singh in 1799, the Hawa Mahal is one of the Jaipur’s main landmarks; the front of the Mahal has pink windows and latticework screens. This Mahal was initially constructed for the ladies of the imperial household to watch the ordinary life and parades of the city.

 City Palace: The City Palace is still the dwelling of the former royalty H.H Bhawani Singh Ji of Jaipur. This Palace still has an extensive collection of art, carpets and old weapons.

Jantar Mantar (Observatory): It was built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728. Jantar Mantar appears to be an inquisitive collection of sculptures but in fact, each construction has a detailed purpose such as measuring the positions of stars, altitudes, and azimuths, and calculating eclipses. The most striking instrument is the sundial which is 27-meter tall gnomon. The shadow this casts moves up to 4 meters an hour.

 Overnight stay in Jaipur.

DAY 5: DRIVE DELHI - AGRA  (220 KM / 4 HRS)

After breakfast you will be checked out, our representative will assist you with the check-out formalities. After that, you will start your trail to Agra, the city of love.

 Agra: Agra is situated on the bank of Yamuna River. It is the dwelling place to India’s famous monument, the Taj Mahal. Agra was the capital of Mughal Empire in the 16th & 17th centuries.

En-route stopping at Fatehpur Sikri , of this ancient capital.

Fatehpur Sikri: The deserted capital of Emperor Akbar roughly 35 km outside Agra. This city was built in the 16th century, and was abandoned for 12 years due to the paucity of water. The entire city is still intact, and a sight of this city is worth remembering. The Buland Darwaza, is the main entrance to this city. It is 54 m tall. This gate was constructed in the honor of Akbar’s victory in Gujarat.

After visiting Fatehpur Sikri, drive to Agra.

Optional (at extra cost): watch a fantastic show “Mohabbat the Taj -  The sage of love”, staging the largest replica of the Taj Mahal, and presenting  the Taj in its various shades and seasons.

Overnight stay in Agra.

DAY 6: DISCOVER  AGRA  

This morning, witness  the surreal view of the Taj Mahal, sparkling in the glittering rays of the Indian sun. Emperor Shah Jahan constructed the Taj Mahal in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal who died during the birth of their child in 1631. The construction of this famous monument is said to have taken 22 years, starting from 1631. Over 20,000 artisans were working day and night for the construction of this landmark. Craftsperson and whizzes were brought from France and Italy. And the chief architect was from Iran. The visit to the Taj Mahal, will long be remembered by you as the highlight of your Agra and Jaipur tour.

After that visit splendid Agra fort, Emperor Akbar started construction of this huge red sandstone Agra Fort on the bank of Yamuna River in 1565. It was mainly constructed for the soldiers until his grandson; Shah Jahan added more opulent accommodations. There are a number of attractive buildings within its porches such as Samman Burj, where Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son, Moti Masjid a white marble mosque, Diwan-e-Am, Diwan-e-Khas, Jhangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal and Shish Mahal.

Afternoon visit marble inlay workshops – watch artisans creating magical beauty with marble and indulge in exquisite shopping in this historic city of Agra.

Overnight stay in Agra.

DAY 7:  AGRA  - KHAJURAHO (AGRA – JHANSI BY TRAIN)

Early morning after breakfast at the hotel, you will be checked-out then board to an express train to Jhansi , then drive to Orchha a medieval riverside town known for its palaces, temples, fascinating little shrines and memorials.

Continue drive to Khajuraho, the ancient city famous for its erotic sculptured temples.

Khajuraho : Khajuraho was once the capital of the Chandela Rajput’s of Bundelkhand. It is the dwelling place of the World’s famous 10th century Khajuraho Temples. These temples have attractive and erotic rock carvings and the carvings symbolize some of the beautiful specimens of the medieval Hindu architecture and sculpture in the country.

 After arrival check in to the hotel. Evening enjoy the famous cultural dance show of Khajuraho.

Overnight stay in Khajuraho.

DAY 8: DISCOVER KHAJURAHO – FLY VARANASI

After breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel and will be taken for sightseeing tour of Khajuraho.

In the morning visit enchanting temples of Khajuraho, with sculptures that draw their inspiration from the ancient art of Kama sutra. Kahjuraho temples were built by the Chandela Kings between 950 AD and 1050 AD.

Eastern & Western Group Of Temples : The Eastern group of temples includes the Lakshmi and the Varaha Temple, the Lakshmana Temple, the Kandariya Mahadev, the Mahadeva Temple, the Devi Jagadamba Temple, the Chitragupta Temple and the Vishwanath Temple. The Eastern Group of temples houses the Parasvanath Temple, the largest and finest Jain temple in the city as well as the Adinath Temple, the Shantinath Temple, the Ghantai Temple, the Javari Temple, the Vamana Temple and the Brahma and Hanuman Temple.

The Western group of temples includes the Matangesvara Temple, the only temple in Khajuraho where the daily rituals still takes place and the Chausath Yogini Temple, the temple which is in ruins now and is believed to be the oldest temple in Khajuraho.

After that catch your flight to Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India.

Varanasi is located on the banks of the sacred river Ganges. Over 2000 years Varanasi has been a center of learning. Apart from being a pilgrimage spot in India, Varanasi is also considered as an auspicious place to die, establishing an instant route to heaven. Varanasi is a special place for the Sanskrit scholars and students from all over India are seen here. The ancient city of Varanasi is located along the West bank of the river Ganges. This city extends back from the riverbank ghats in a twisted collection of passageways. These passageways are too cramped for anything but walking. The city extends from Raj Ghat, near the bridge to AsiGhat near the University.

Arrive Varanasi, check in at your hotel and freshen up.

In the evening, enjoy a rikshaw ride to the ghats to see the grand ‘ Aarti’ ceremony conducted everyday at sunset by white robed priests. The young priests sway in seemingly choreographed moments, worshiping the river goddess with incense, flowers and earthen lamps.

DAY 9: FLY VARANASI – KATHMANDU

In the morning enjoy boat cruise at dawn on the Holy River Ganges. See the ‘bathing ghats’ where thousands of pilgrims pay homage to the Sun God by immersing themselves in the holy water of River Ganges, and the ‘burning ghats’ where cremations are conducted. The edge of the river looks amazing from a boat at sunrise and this sight is spiritually uplifting. Hinduism is deep and magical, it is everywhere; in the sight of a sparkling temple; in the sound of a sacred bell; in the prayer chants of the priests and in the smell of the flowers.

After that, visit Sarnath, the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from 6^th century BC to 12^th century AD. The Ashoka pillar of Sarnath is the national emblem of India. Visit the ruins, stupa, Buddhist temple and Sarnath museum.

Afternoon catch your flight to Kathmandu. Arrive Kathmandu. On arrival meet our tour representative at Kathmandu International airport and transfer to the hotel, take some rest and freshen up.

Kathmandu – Locked between India and Tibet, the tiny kingdom of Nepal is a country full of diversity and fascination. It is a hidden Kingdom of great beauty embracing eight of the world's ten highest mountains including Everest, Annapurna and Kangchenjunga. The scenery is stupendous, from the highest point on earth (Mount Everest) to the fertile-jungle lowland. Although its people are predominantly Hindu, there is a considerable overlap with Buddhism, and it is this vibrant mix of religion and culture which characterises the allure of Nepal and, in particular, its capital Kathmandu. It has an artistic and architectural tradition that rivals anything you will find in the great cities of Europe. Beyond the temples and bustle of the towns of the Kathmandu Valley rise the mountains of the Nepal Himalaya - the 'Abode of Snows'.

This afternoon visit:

Boudhnath Stupa - it is among the largest stupas in South Asia, and it has become the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The white mound looms thirty-six meters overhead. The stupa is located on the ancient trade route to Tibet, and Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers here for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many of them decided to live around Bouddhanath. They established many gompas, and the "Little Tibet" of Nepal was born.

Also visit Pashupatinath Temple  - a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and one of the most sacred Shrines in the world, on the banks of Bagmati River. Although only Hindus are allowed inside the temple, visitors can clearly see the temple and activities performed inside, from the eastern bank of Bagmati River.

Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

DAY 10: DISCOVER KATHMANDU

After breakfast, pick up from hotel for sightseeing tour of Kathmandu:

Sawayambhunath - The monkey temple, with its commanding views of Kathmandu, its whitewashed stupas and its unique synthesis of Buddhist and Hindu religions.

Hanuman Dhoka – a temple complex in the middle of the old city. Built during the Malla period, the area consists of a number of different monuments & image of Lord Hanumana.

Later on Kathmandu Durbar Square - a number of interesting pagodas and Indian style temples (Sikhara), the House of Kumari (the living Goddess) and the Kasthamandap (or wooden house which is the origin of the word Kathmandu) and many more things to see.

Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

DAY 11: DISCOVER KATHMANDU AND EXCURSION TO BHAKTAPUR (18 KMS / 30 MINS)

Today excursion to Bhaktapur:

 Bhaktapur - The most attractive tourist spot in this grotesque city is the Durbar Square. The Golden Gate in the square, with its intricately carved deities and monsters is one of the most richly carved gates of its kind in the world. The gate leads to the Palace of 55 windows, which has a balcony with 55 windows wand is a masterpiece of woodcarving. The stone temple of Batsala Devi at the square is a beautiful example of the Shikharal style of architecture. The temple also has a colossal bell on the terrace called the ‘Bell of the Barking Dogs’. A magnificent statue of King Bhupantindra Malla praying has been placed in the column facing the palace. Bhakatapur's second main square is Taumadhi Tole, which is home to Nyatapola, the highest temple in the valley and Til Mahadev Narayan, an important place of pilgrimage. At Taumadhi Tole, you can also find Potters' Square, where thousands of clay pots are made and sold. East of Taumadihi Tole, through narrow snaking streets of the old city centre, lies Tachupal Tole, another square containing temples and monasteries and a number of craft museums.

Driver back to Kathmandu, visit Patan Durbar Square, which is one of the most historically important cities of Kathmandu Valley. Patan is known as the centre of fine arts and for the superb craftsmanship of its artisans. Patan Durbar Square has been acclaimed as one of the finest urban streetscape in the world.

Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

DAY 12: DEPART KATHMANDU

After breakfast, checkout from hotel and transfer to Kathmandu airport to catch your flight for onward destination.