North India Tour with Nepal

Today, proceed for a full-day sightseeing of Delhi. The National Capital of India, Delhi has been in existence since the 6th century BC. Start your sightseeing from the Rajghat, the memorial where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Later, visit the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan. Later, enjoy a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk, the busiest market in Old Delhi. Afterwards, drive past President House, and India Gate in Edwin Lutyen's Delhi. Thereafter, visit Humayun's Tomb, built in 1562, commissioned by Humayun's wife Hamida Banu Begum. Later in the evening visit the Qutab Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world, commissioned by Qutbuddin Aibak. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Post breakfast, leave for Agra - the city of the Taj Mahal. Upon arrival at Agra, check-in at your hotel. Relax at the hotel, later visit Itmad-ud-Daulah, and Agra Fort. Evening is free for shopping of handicrafts as souvenirs from the market of Agra. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Early morning before sunrise our tour guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you for a guided tour of the Taj Mahal and Mehtab Bagh. Later return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Jaipur. On the way visit Fatehpur Sikri - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by Akbar in the late 16th century. After sightseeing at Fatehpur Sikri, proceed to Jaipur for overnight stay.

Today, embark on a full day guided tour of Jaipur. Start you sightseeing with the iconic attraction of Rajasthan "Amber Fort and Palace", A UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by Raja Man Singh in 1592 in red sandstone and marble. The magnificent fort comprises an extensive palace complex, divided into several sections. It stands on top of an easily scalable mountain, which is situated right next to the beautiful Maota Lake. The fort's majestic appearance and its geographical advantages make it a special place to visit. After Amber Fort, visit Jal Mahal (Water Palace), City Palace, Jantar Mantar, The Hawa Mahal (Palace of winds), Albert Hall Museum, and Birla Mandir. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, our representative will transfer you to Jaipur airport to board a flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi airport, our representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel in Varanasi. Rest and relax at the hotel, later explore the city of Varanasi, visit various ghats, sacred temples and the local market of Varanasi. Later in the evening attend Aarti on the bank of River Ganges. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Early in the morning, enjoy a boat ride on the River Ganges, followed by a visit to Akhara and see the traditional form of martial arts practiced there. Morning city tour of Varanasi, this includes a walk through the various sacred Ghats. Visit the sacred shrine of Kashi - Vishwanath (also known as the Golden Temple), and Bharat Mata Mandir, a simple temple dedicated to 'Mother India'. Later proceed to Sarnath, an important site for the Buddhists, visit the Dhamekha Stupa, the Archaeological museum and the Chaukhandi Stupa. In the evening attend aarti on the bank of River Ganges in Varanasi. Overnight stay at the hotel.

In the morning, our representative will transfer you to Varanasi airport to board a flight to Kathmandu via New Delhi. Upon arrival at Kathmandu Airport, our local representative will welcome you at the Main Entrance, and transfer you to the hotel in Kathmandu for overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, commence the sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Durbar square, Swayambhunath stupa and Patan Durbar square.

SWAYAMBHUNATH STUPA: Said to be around 2000 years old, this Buddhist Stupa sits atop a hillock 02 kilometres west of Kathmandu overlooking the valley. The oldest written reference to the stupa dates from the 5th century, but it could have existed much earlier. Moreover, a legend has it that the stupa evolved spontaneously at the time of the Kathmandu valley's creation. Swayambhunath is famously known as as "the Monkey Temple" owing to the presence of a large number of monkeys around the area.

THAMEL: Later, get on a rickshaw (tricycle) for an interesting 20-minute ride to the tourist hub of Thamel. Travelers and the locals consider it a tourist haven. Its filled with narrow streets, all lined with budget hotels, small shops selling everything from food and provisions to clothes, carpets, walking gears, music CDs, DVDs, handicrafts, paintings which make it an ideal place for souvenir shopping. The area also has some very good restaurants when you need to stop for munching.

KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE: The durbar square with its arrays of temples, courtyards, monuments and the ancient palaces of the former Nepali Royals is located in Basantapur in the heart of Kathmandu city, the country's capital. Chief attractions here include Hanuman Dhoka Royal Palace, the magnificent Taleju Temple towering more than 40 meters; Kumari Ghar, the residence of the Living Goddess, Kumari; the temple of Ashok Vinayak dedicated to lord Ganesh (elephant headed deity), and Kal Bhairav, the God of Wrath. There is a giant pagoda of 'Kasthamandap', a structure which is said to have been built out of a single tree. The name of the capital 'Kathmandu' is said to be actually derived from 'Kasthamandap'.

PATAN DURBAR SQUARE: Located 5 km southeast of Kathmandu, the Patan city popularly known as 'the city of artisans' accommodates a magnificent square housing the palace buildings of the then royals, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples - a display of Newari architecture that had reached its pinnacle during the reign of the Malla kings. It is filled with wood and stone carvings, metal statues, and ornate architecture, including dozens of Buddhist and Hindu temples, and over 1200 monuments.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Nagarkot [1 ½ hours under normal road conditioned] en-route visit Boudhanath, and Bhaktapur.

BOUDHANATH: One of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal; Boudhanath is a spherical stupa structure imposing at a height of 36 meters with three massive Mandala style platforms. Located 08 kilometres east of Kathmandu, the stupa with four pairs of eyes at the four cardinal directions is believed to be keeping watch for righteous behaviour and human prosperity. Built on an octagonal base inset with 108 prayer wheels, the shrine is ringed by the settlement especially of the Tibetan refugees who entered Nepal in the 1950s. They have developed the place into a 'Mini-Tibet' ever since.

BHAKTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE (listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO): A former capital of the valley, it was once a flourishing city on the trade route to Tibet. It has preserved its traditional character better than the other two cities, due to its more isolated location. It is regarded today as a classic showcase of medieval Nepalese town life. It is situated in the east of Kathmandu valley about 14 km. away. It today retains much of its beauty in ornate woodcarvings and in the famed Golden Gate.

Special activity - Local hands on pottery experience.

NAGARKOT: A village located about 32 kilometres east of Kathmandu on the north-eastern rim at an elevation close to 6,800 feet above sea level. Nagarkot is famous as one of the most scenic spots in the region, renowned for its sunrise and sunset views of the Himalayas. Visitors often travel to Nagarkot from Kathmandu to spend the night so that they can be there for the breath-taking sunrise view. It also offers an excellent view of the Indrawati river valley to the east. With a panoramic view of the Valley, it is described by visitors as a place whose beauty endures year round. If luck favours, you can even spot Mount Everest out with its snow-topped peaks on a very clear day from an observation tower at the very top of the village's hills.

Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, Our Go Book Tours representative will transfer you to the Kathmandu International Airport to board the flight to your home or onward destination.