India & Nepal Uncovered

Welcome to India. Delhi is a monumental city with a vibrant mix of old and new, from lively bazaars and British-era boulevards to Mughal palaces, forts, temples, and tombs. Upon arrival at Delhi International Airport, independently make your way to your hotel.

Delhi - Agra. Today we tour both Old and New Delhi. We visit Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s peaceful cremation site, India Gate and the President’s House from the outside, followed by the Baha’i Lotus Temple, a lotus-shaped marble sanctuary symbolising peace. We then continue to the Qutub Minar, a 240-foot brick minaret surrounded by an Indo-Islamic complex.

Later, we drive to Agra, home to the world-famous Taj Mahal along with a rich array of historical sites. Enjoy your evening at leisure. You may explore the city’s hidden alleyways and spice markets, take a cycle rickshaw ride, or dine at a local restaurant.

We visit the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays), commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. UNESCO describes it as the jewel of Muslim art in India. Witness how the monument’s colours shift with the morning light. Later, we return to the hotel and enjoy a marble craftsmanship demonstration.

Optional: Half Day Tour of Agra:
Available every day, departs at: 11 am (pick-up times may vary). Meeting Point: Hotel lobby.
Begin your tour with a visit to Itmad-Ud-Daulah, known as the Baby Taj. Later, you visit Agra Fort, a UNESCO-listed complex developed between the 16th and 17th centuries. Primarily built as a military structure, it was later transformed into a palace and eventually became the emperor’s gilded prison.

Agra - Jaipur. We drive to Jaipur, stopping en route at Fatehpur Sikri, the short-lived Mughal capital built by Emperor Akbar between 1570 and 1586. Although abandoned due to water shortages, its architecture remains a striking testament to Akbar’s vision.

Later, we enjoy a demonstration of gem-cutting and polishing. On arrival in Jaipur, we check in to the hotel. Known as the Pink City, Jaipur’s distinctive colour will be immediately apparent as you pass through the old city walls.

Optional: Authentic Rajasthani Dinner with a Local Family
Available every day, departs: 6 pm (pick-up times may vary). Meeting Point: Hotel lobby
After a traditional welcome, you learn about Rajasthani culture, cuisine, and festivals. Enjoy a home-cooked meal featuring classic dishes such as naans, lentils, curries, and dal-bati, followed by a local dessert.

We begin the day with an excursion to Amber Fort, built in the 1590s by Maharaja Man Singh. Set on a hillside, the fort’s design reflects both beauty and strategic strength. The complex of courtyards and halls is remarkably well preserved. The afternoon is free for you to relax or join an optional tour.

Optional: Half Day Jaipur City Tour
Available every day, departs: 11 am (pick-up times may vary). Meeting Point: Hotel lobby.
Your tour begins with a stop at the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, built so royal women could discreetly observe street processions.

Continue to the Jantar Mantar, an early 18th-century astronomical observatory housing large-scale instruments of remarkable accuracy. You may also browse Jaipur’s famous markets, including Johari Bazaar, known for jewellery, textiles, and handicrafts.

Jaipur - Pushkar. Before breakfast, you may join an optional sunrise hot-air balloon ride. We then drive to Pushkar, a sacred Hindu city surrounded by hills and desert landscapes. Known for its annual fair held each November, Pushkar transforms briefly into one of the world’s largest camel and cattle markets.

Upon arrival, we check in to the hotel before taking a walking tour of the holy city. We visit Pushkar Lake and the 8th-century Brahma Temple, one of the few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma. Experience a special Pooja ceremony at a lakeside Ghat with a local priest.

Optional: Hot Air Ballooning at Sunrise in Jaipur
Available every day, departs: approximately 5.30 am (pick-up times may vary). Meeting Point: Hotel lobby.
Enjoy a one-hour flight over Jaipur’s forts and palaces, including views of Jal Mahal, Amber Fort, and Shiv Vilas. This experience is subject to availability.

Pushkar - Udaipur. After breakfast, we drive to Udaipur, a lakeside city founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559 and often regarded as Rajasthan’s most romantic destination. Its setting among the Aravalli Mountains and manmade lakes adds to its charm. After checking in, the remainder of the day is free for you to explore or join an optional tour.

Optional: Sunset Cruise on Lake Pichola
Available every day
Every day Enjoy a relaxing cruise past lakeside ghats and palaces before visiting Jag Mandir, a 17th-century island palace that once sheltered Prince Khurram, later Emperor Shah Jahan, and later offered refuge during the 1857 uprising.

Our day begins at the City Palace, overlooking Lake Pichola. Construction started in 1559 and continued under several Maharanas, creating a harmonious blend of courtyards and gardens. The main hall is now a museum featuring royal artefacts and artworks.

We continue to the 17th-century Jagdish Temple, known for its detailed carvings, before exploring the Old City’s lively streets filled with art shops, tailors, and spice vendors.

After breakfast, you transfer to Udaipur Airport for your flight back to Delhi.

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Kathmandu. On arrival, check in to your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

After breakfast, we will drive to Chitwan. On arrival, you can enjoy the rest of the day at leisure or take part in the general activities available at the resort.

Optional: Everest Mountain Flight
Available every day, departs: 4.30 AM, pick-up time may vary depending on the location or pick-up point. Meeting Point: Hotel lobby.
You will be picked up early in the morning for your flight over Mount Everest. Pick-up is usually around 5.45 AM for a flight departing at 6.30 or 7.00 AM, weather permitting. When conditions are clear, this mountain flight offers extraordinary views of the Himalayan range and is a memorable alternative for travellers who do not have time to trek.

During the flight, you will see some of the region’s most impressive peaks. The first is Langtang at 7234 metres, followed by Gosainthan at 8013 metres on the Nepal - Tibetan border, also known as Shishapangma. You will then pass Dorje Lakpa at 6975 metres, a peak considered sacred by Buddhists.

From there, you will see Gauri Shanker at 7134 metres, a twin-peaked mountain revered in Hindu tradition. You will also view Lhotse at 8516 metres, whose name means “South Peak” in the Sherpa language. Finally, you will come to the magnificent Mount Everest at 8848 metres, known in Nepal as Sagarmatha and in Tibet as Chomolungma. Everest was first climbed in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. After the flight, you will return to the hotel.

Today we enjoy a full day of jungle activities in Chitwan National Park. Our Naturalist will guide us through the savannahs and into the dense forest, where you may have good chances to spot local birds and animals in their natural habitat, including the one-horned rhino.

The forest is quiet yet active, and we will take care of your comfort throughout the safari.

Early this morning, you may join our optional flight over Mount Everest if you have not already taken part.

Optional: Afternoon Patan City Tour
Available every day, departs: 12.30 PM. Pick-up time may vary depending on the location or pick-up point. Meeting Point: Hotel lobby
This afternoon’s optional tour takes you to Patan City, also known as Lalitpur, the ‘city of beauty’. Separated from Kathmandu only by the Bagmati River, it is the second-largest town in the valley and renowned for its historic architecture. Patan’s central Durbar Square is packed with temples and is considered an architectural focal point, with a high concentration of shrines in a relatively small area.

Key highlights include Krishna Mandir, built in 1637 by King Siddhinarsingh Malla, and the Golden Temple, a unique 12th-century Buddhist monastery with a large rectangular building, three-tiered roofs and a copper-gilded facade featuring images of Buddha and Avalokitesvara.

The square is further adorned by Bhimsen Temple, Manga Hiti, Vishwanath Temple, Jagannarayan Temple, the Golden Temple and various other historic structures.

After breakfast at the hotel, independently make your way to Kathmandu International Airport for your onward journey.