Tour | Icons of India: The Taj, Tigers & Beyond with Kathmandu - 2020 | Cosmos

Icons of India: The Taj, Tigers & Beyond with Kathmandu - 2020

Visiting: DELHI. , DELHI–AGRA., AGRA. , AGRA–FATEHPUR SIKRI–RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK. , RANTHAMBORE. , RANTHAMBORE–JAIPUR., JAIPUR. , JAIPUR–DELHI. , DELHI–KATHMANDU, NEPAL., KATHMANDU., KATHMANDU. EXCURSION TO PATAN.

Globus escorted tours

Duration: 0 Nights

Physical rating: Active pace

Tour Operator: Cosmos

Prices From:

Tour Overview

Discover India—a diverse country filled with a long history, a variety of languages, amazing monuments, and a rich cultural heritage—and Nepal, birthplace of Buddha and home to some of the world’s most dramatic scenery. On this India and Nepal tour, you’ll visit some of the region’s most famous sights and get to know the culture through special experiences. You’ll visit the Taj Mahal, built by Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his beloved wife. Built from 1631-1648 AD, he employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen as well as a labor force of 20,000. You’ll get the chance to see this amazing structure at sunrise, plus Agra Fort, the 16th-century red sandstone fortress where Moghul rulers lived. In 1876, Jaipur was painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales, and it has been known as the “Pink City” ever since. Here, visit the Amber Fort, built in 1592 with white marble and red sandstone. Remarkable structures are just part of India’s appeal. You’ll enjoy a rickshaw ride through a colorful local bazaar (a unique adventure included by Globus), a cooking demonstration of Indian food, and a home-hosted dinner with an Indian noble family—an out-of-the-ordinary experience offered by Globus. Another tour highlight is a visit to Ranthambore National Park. Here, three game drives in an open-air safari vehicle give you an opportunity to see native wildlife, including the elusive leopard and Bengal tiger. In Nepal, sightseeing is spread over two leisurely days. Visits include Hanuman Dhoka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Temple of Kumari, residence of the Living Goddess, a child thought to be the reincarnation of a Hindu goddess. You’ll also journey to Patan and Bouddhanath, Nepal’s largest stupa. These are just a few of the many highlights offered on this spectacular India and Nepal tour. If you’re a traveler looking for a new adventure, this is the vacation for you!

Places You'll See

Countries:

India Asia & The Far East

Cities & Attractions:

DELHI. DELHI–AGRA. AGRA. AGRA–FATEHPUR SIKRI–RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK. RANTHAMBORE. RANTHAMBORE–JAIPUR. JAIPUR. JAIPUR–DELHI. DELHI–KATHMANDU, NEPAL. KATHMANDU. KATHMANDU. EXCURSION TO PATAN.

Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN DELHI, INDIA.

Welcome to India’s capital city! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2 DELHI.

Location: DELHI.

Today’s sightseeing starts with an orientation drive to see the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, India Gate, and the Presidential Palace. Afterward, take a LF RICKSHAW RIDE through Chandni Chowk, a captivating local bazaar. Here, ancient alleyways are lined with quaint shops selling all sorts of goods and souvenirs—from silver and saris to spices and electronics. After lunch in a local restaurant, visit QUTUB MINAR, the world’s tallest brick minaret, dating back to the 11th century. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a lavish welcome dinner that includes a COOKING DEMONSTRATION and talk on Indian cuisine with a local chef.

Day 3 DELHI–AGRA.

Location: DELHI–AGRA.

This morning, visit HUMAYUN’S TOMB and GURUDWARA BANGLA SAHIB, Delhi’s largest and most prominent Sikh gurudwara (house of worship). After lunch, drive to Agra and settle in for the evening.

Day 4 AGRA.

Location: AGRA.

Start your day with a sunrise visit to the incomparable TAJ MAHAL, an extravagant marble monument to love. Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan built it as a memorial to his beloved wife, who died during childbirth. Later, travel to AGRA FORT, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by the Moghul Emperor Akbar. This impressive fortress of red sandstone conceals the imperial city of the Moghul rulers and its many palaces.

Day 5 AGRA–FATEHPUR SIKRI–RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK.

Location: AGRA–FATEHPUR SIKRI–RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK.

Today, stop at FATEHPUR SIKRI (the City of Victory), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century it was the capital of the Mughal Empire for only some 10 years before it was completely abandoned due to the lack of adequate water. After lunch in Bharatpur, board a TRAIN bound for RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK, one of the best places in India to spot the elusive Bengal tiger!

Day 6 RANTHAMBORE.

Location: RANTHAMBORE.

Today, explore the park on MORNING & AFTERNOON GAME DRIVES in an open-air safari vehicle. In addition to Bengal tigers, the park is home to leopard, sambar deer, sloth bears, marsh crocodiles, striped hyena, and more. Between game drives, enjoy free time to relax.

Day 7 RANTHAMBORE–JAIPUR.

Location: RANTHAMBORE–JAIPUR.

Rise early this morning for one last GAME DRIVE in this magical land. Then, travel to Jaipur. In 1876, the city was painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales, and it has been known as the “Pink City” ever since. Tonight, enjoy a LF HOME-HOSTED DINNER with an Indian noble family, followed by a SARI- and TURBAN-TYING demonstration.

Day 8 JAIPUR.

Location: JAIPUR.

Today, visit the amazing AMBER FORT, built entirely of white marble and red sandstone. Tour the interior with its intricate mosaics, carvings, paintings, and mirror works. This afternoon, visit the CITY PALACE and the adjoining MUSEUM, which houses a collection of rare manuscripts. Also, stop at JANTAR MANTAR and the famous HAWA MAHAL (Palace of the Winds). Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a festive farewell dinner to celebrate your journey through India.

Day 9 JAIPUR–DELHI.

Location: JAIPUR–DELHI.

Fly back to Delhi. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Day 10 DELHI–KATHMANDU, NEPAL.

Location: DELHI–KATHMANDU, NEPAL.

Today, fly to Kathmandu. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Day 11 KATHMANDU.

Location: KATHMANDU.

Your morning SIGHTSEEING TOUR starts with a visit to HANUMAN DHOKA, the historic seat of royalty. Then, visit the TEMPLE OF KUMARI, residence of the Living Goddess and said to be constructed from the wood of a single tree. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Day 12 KATHMANDU. EXCURSION TO PATAN.

Location: KATHMANDU. EXCURSION TO PATAN.

Today, a GUIDED TOUR takes you to BOUDDHANATH, one of the largest stupas in the world and a focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Then, continue to PATAN, formerly known as Lalitpur (City of Beauty). Here, stop in DURBAR SQUARE, the city’s center of business and home to several Buddhist and Hindu sites.

Day 13 KATHMANDU.