DAY 1 - DEPARTURE Take your overnight flight to Delhi.
DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN NEW DELHI Arriving late morning, you stay one night at the five-star Leela Ambience Hotel, with breakfast. After a rest you begin a guided tour of New Delhi, which clearly reflects the legacy of the British Raj. Surprisingly green, it is divided by tree-lined avenues with the Presidential Palace (formerly the Viceroy’s residence) at its centre. You see the imposing Rajpath, India Gate and the Parliament building. You’ll also visit the 12th century Qutub Minaret – the tallest stone-built tower in India and Humayun’s tomb, upon which the Taj Mahal is modelled.
DAY 3 - OLD DELHI Our tour of Old Delhi takes you to the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, the Raj Ghat. Then there’s the Red Fort, one of India’s great fortifications with huge walls nearly two miles long. This afternoon we drive to Agra to stay two nights at the four-star Taj Gateway, with breakfast.
DAY 4 - TAJ MAHAL Wake early to catch the sunrise over the Taj Mahal – undisputedly one of the world’s most beautiful buildings. Built from dazzling marble, its colour changes from white to yellow, cream and to almost orange. Next you visit the immense Agra Fort, the magnificent seat of the vast Moghul Empire. This evening there’s the option to revisit the Taj Mahal at sunset.
DAY 5 - KHAJURAHO Leaving Agra by train in comfortable air-conditioned ‘chair-class’ to Jhansi, we continue by coach to nearby Orchha. Surrounded by jungles, this remarkable medieval town is an architectural gem. Discover the 14 chhatris, or cenotaphs, built as memorials to its rulers and soak up the magical atmosphere. After lunch we continue to Khajuraho, staying at the four- star Taj Chandela, with breakfast.
DAY 6 - VARANASI Today we visit some of Khajuraho’s world-famous temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Their carved figures illustrate sensuous poses of such high quality that you can distinguish jewellery and manicured nails. You then take the flight to Varanasi, which Hindus believe to be the centre of their universe. Nestling on the holy River Ganges, Varanasi’s old city is a labyrinth of alleyways and shops, through which we take an exciting rickshaw ride to the river. Buzzing with pilgrims, the faithful wash themselves in the holy waters while Brahmin priests practise yoga and meditation. Boarding a small boat you witness the Aarti, a popular Hindu ceremony, as large crowds chant and pray, setting small candles adrift on the water in memory of loved ones. You may also see several of Varanasi’s famous funeral pyres, where the whole riverbank glows with a flickering yellow as the deceased receive instant enlightenment. We stay two nights with breakfast at the four-star Taj Gateway.
DAY 7 - VARANASI After a morning boat ride, you walk through Varanasi’s narrow lanes and enchanting array of shops selling carpets, intricate brassware and fine silks. This afternoon we drive to nearby Sarnath where, after gaining enlightenment himself, the Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. We visit the 1,700-year old Dhamekh Stupa, said to mark the spot where Buddha revealed his Eightfold Path leading to Nirvana.
DAY 8 - KATHMANDU Fly to Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital. Set in a valley 4,500ft above sea level, Nepal’s cultural heart
is surrounded by breathtaking snow-capped mountains. We visit the famous Boudhanath Stupa, Tibetan in origin and one of the holiest of Buddhist
sites. The gentle sound of chanting fills the air, while traders sell all sorts of fascinating goods in a whirl of colour and noise. We stay two nights at the sumptuous five-star Hyatt Regency, with breakfast.
DAY 9 - MOUNT EVEREST FLIGHT Today you experience a flight to the Himalayas to see majestic Mount Everest. Twice the size of
the Alps, their sheer immensity is mind-blowing. The 45-minute flight offers an incredible panorama and you can take a photograph of the world’s highest mountain from the cockpit. If conditions are unsuitable we have two more
opportunities during the holiday. This afternoon you explore Patan’s Durbar Square, a glorious example of traditional Nepalese architecture.
DAY 10 - CHITWAN Take the scenic drive to Chitwan National Park, Nepal’s most famous wildlife reserve. Overlooking the lush forested valley and the Rapti River, the Narayani Safari Lodge, where we stay for two nights with full- board, is comfortable but simple, without telephones or televisions – a real opportunity to savour the natural environment. We visit a local village by ox cart to learn how local people live in harmony with their beautiful surroundings. After dinner, a slide show brings the reserve’s huge variety of flora and fauna to life.
DAY 11 - ELEPHANT BACK SAFARI Rising early and accompanied by a dawn chorus, we cross into the reserve in the traditional manner, on elephant back. These gentle giants quietly brush through the undergrowth to ensure wildlife viewing at its best. Your naturalist guide should help you spot rhino, sloth bears, wild boar, and if you’re very lucky, a Royal Bengal tiger. We return for breakfast and to watch the elephants bathing in the river. After lunch, we have the option of a trip by dugout canoe to a crocodile farm, returning on foot along the riverbank.
DAY 12 - POKHARA We drive north towards the small town of Pokhara in central Nepal. This afternoon, we take a boat ride across Lake Phewa for unbeatable views of the Annapurna mountain range. Watch reflections of their dazzling white peaks sparkle in the mirror-like water. We stay two nights at the four-star Pokhara Grande, with breakfast.
DAY 13 - FREE DAY A relaxing day to potter about this charming lakeside town, with plenty of opportunities to bargain for handicrafts, try some of the many restaurants and enjoy the amazing views.
DAY 14 -KATHMANDU Wake up early and catch the sunrise over the Annapurna range, a truly magical experience. Watch the mountain peaks turn from soft pink to shimmering gold as the sun climbs higher in the clear blue sky. There are twelve peaks in the world higher than 25,000 feet and from this spot, on clear days, you can see three of them. In the afternoon, we fly to Kathmandu for our final night at the Hyatt Regency.
DAY 15 - RETURN FLIGHT Fly home via Delhi arriving later the same day.
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