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Magical India & Nepal

Magical India & Nepal - 13 nights/14 days

Destinations of Magical India & Nepal – Delhi – Kathmandu – Jaipur – Agra – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Delhi

Popular with first time visitors, this journey is designed to reveal the diversity of the subcontinent. Within India visit the capital city of Delhi, the Pink City of Jaipur, the Taj Mahal, the Chandela temples of Khajuraho and the holy city of Varanasi. A short flight away, the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal offers remarkable architecture, spectacular scenery and a rich cultural and religious past.

Day 01 – Arrive Delhi

You will be met on arrival and transferred to your chosen hotel in Delhi. The country's energetic capital, offers a panorama of fascinating but very conflicting images, from the forts, tombs and ruins in Old Delhi to high-rise buildings and stately homes on wide, tree-lined avenues in New Delhi

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Day 02 – In Delhi

A full day’s sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi visiting the mighty Red Fort; Friday Mosque -Jama Masjid; silver street of Chandni Chowk; Raj Ghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi; The Hindu temple - Birla Mandir; India Gate & Rajpath; Rashtrapati Bhawan – the President's House; Humayun’s Tomb; Qutab Minar - a 73m high victory tower and the Bahai Temple – beautifully shaped to resemble a lotus flower. We will be happy to recommend places for an evening stroll and restaurants for dinner tonight.

Day 03 – Fly Delhi to Kathmandu

Transfer to Delhi Airport for the flight to Kathmandu - land locked between India and Tibet, the tiny kingdom of Nepal is a hidden gem of scenic beauty and embraces eight of the world's ten highest mountains including Mount Everest, Annapurna and Kangchenjunga. On arrival your guide will collect you and transfer you to your chosen hotel.

Day 04 – In Kathmandu

Head out to see the sights of Kathmandu, start at the Durbar Square where your guide will point out a number of interesting pagodas and Indian style temples. Visit the monkey temple, with its commanding views of Kathmandu and Hanuman Dhoka – a temple complex in the middle of the old city consisting of a number of different monuments and an image of Lord Hanumana.

In the afternoon visit Patan’s Durbar Square – a beautiful cluster of fine pagoda temples and stone statues; Bouddhanath Stupa - amongst the largest stupas in South Asia and the Pashupatinath Temple - dedicated to Shiva and the holiest Hindu pilgrimage destination in Nepal. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 05 – In Kathmandu

Morning tour to Bhaktapur, also called Bhadgaon, a storehouse of medieval architecture founded in the 9th century. Visit the Golden Gate at the Palace of 55 windows; the Nyatapole temple, the tallest in the country; the Dattatreya temple and Pujari Math, with its uniquely carved wooden windows. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 06 – Fly Kathmandu to Delhi & drive Delhi to Jaipur (250 kms/05 hrs)

You will transferred to Kathmandu Airport for your flight to Delhi. On arrival your driver will collect you for the driver to Jaipur, painted pink to welcome Prince Albert in 1853, and pink still. On arrival, check in to your selected Jaipur hotel and enjoy a few hours of relaxing or head out to explore the city’s fabulous bazaars. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 07 – In Jaipur

A full day of sightseeing in Jaipur includes the Amber Fort, 11 kms from the city. The Fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture and you can either ride to its lofty heights by jeep or on a gaily-bedecked elephant. Returning to Jaipur, visit the museums, palaces and halls of the City Palace (still a royal residence) and the Palace of the Winds. At the Jantar Mantar Observatory, learn how it was constructed to measure 'the harmony of the heavens', a concept dear to Hindus as they believe their fated souls move to its rhythms. Overnight in Jaipur

Day 08 - Drive Jaipur to Agra (250 kms/05 hrs)

Your drive to Agra takes you via Emperor Akbar's deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, an almost perfectly preserved 400 year-old Mughal capital. Continue on to Agra – City of the Taj Mahal, a great monument to love and one of the world’s most beautiful buildings. On arrival, check in to your selected hotel and pass the afternoon enjoying the facilities or exploring on your own.

Day 09 – In Agra

The day starts early with a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the Wonders of the World, created by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Later visit the Agra Fort, offering gorgeous views from its lofty walls, and the Itmad-ud-Daulah – the exquisite tomb of a Persian adventurer who became chief minister at the Emperor Jehangir's court. His grand-daughter Mumtaz married Shah Jehan and her tomb is, of course, the Taj Mahal. Overnight in Agra.

Day 10 – Train Agra to Jhansi and drive Jhansi to Khajuraho (180 kms/03 hrs)

You will be transferred to Agra Railway Station for the 8am train to Jhansi. Arriving just before 11am you will be collected for the drive to Khajuraho where you spend 1 night at your chosen hotel.

Day 11 – Fly Khajuraho to Varanasi

The day starts with a sightseeing tour of the Eastern and Western Group of temples of Khajuraho includes the Lakshmi and Varaha Temple, the Lakshmana Temple, the Kandariya Mahadev, the Mahadeva Temple; the Devi Jagadamba Temple, the Chitragupta Temple and the Vishwanath Temple. The Western Group also houses the Matangesvara Temple, the only temple where worship continues and the Chausath Yogini Temple, presently in ruins and believed to be the oldest temple in Khajuraho.

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.

After sightseeing you will be transferred to Khajuraho airport in time for the flight to Varanasi where you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

Day 12 – In Varanasi

The day starts early with a morning boat excursion on the holy river Ganges. Watching people bathing and worshipping at the Ghats is one of the most extraordinary experiences of a visit to India. Later explore the religious city of Varanasi visiting the bathing ghats which line the banks of the holy river Ganges, The Kashiviswanath Temple, The Durgakund, The Sankatmochan -- Shrine of Monkey God Hanuman.

Day 13 – Fly Varanasi to Delhi

You will be transferred to Varanasi Airport in time for your flight to Delhi where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 14 – Depart Delhi

You will be transferred to the International Airport in time for your onward flight.

MAGICAL INDIA + NEPAL

* Small supplements may apply for travel between 01st and 15th November'2008 and during the month of February '2009. Chritmas / NYE supplements may apply for travel between 20th December '2008 and 05th January'2009.

Inclusions:-

# Accommodation on twin sharing bed and breakfast basis at the hotels of your choice.

# All arrival-departure transfers and land transportation using an aircon car exactly as per the itinerary.

# Sightseeing tours along with a local English Speaking Guide and including entrance fee to monuments exactly as mentioned above in the Itinerary