From the Taj Mahal to the Himalayas

Arrive at your UK/Ireland departure airport ready to check-in for a flight to India. Night on board.*If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Arrive in the capital of India and transfer to the hotel for check-in*. Delhi is a city with an impressive architectural legacy that boasts a spectacular historical centre. The rest of the day is free to rest or to get to know this lively, fascinating city. Overnight stay in Delhi**.*You will have the option to add early check-in on arrival in the next step of the booking process. To guarantee optional services, we recommend that you add them to your current booking, as they are subject to availability.**Upgrade to half-board by adding 6 dinners in the next step of the booking process.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, visit Old Delhi including the Jama Masjid Royal Mosque and the lively Chandni Chowk Street. Ride a rickshaw around the Red Fort, the former residence of the Imperial Family.Admire the Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. In the afternoon, explore New Delhi, passing through the India Gate, the Mausoleum of Emperor Humayun, the majestic government buildings and the Presidential Palace. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave by road to Jaipur, known as the Pink City. Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, was built in 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Its architecture is a magnificent confluence of Hindu, Jain and Mughal architectural styles.Arrive and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to get to know this vibrant city. In the evening light, the pink-coloured buildings exude a magical glow, complemented by the camel-drawn carts that are characteristic of the streets. Overnight stay in Jaipur.Estimated transfer distance: 165 miles / 265 km. Approximate duration: 5 hours.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for the Hawa Mahal, Palace of the Winds, on your way to the Amber Fort. Explore the majestic Amber Fort with a Jeep transfer. In the interior, cross the premises of the palace Jag Mandir and the famous Sheesh Mahal, a room embedded with beautifully bright pieces of mirror.Continue with a city tour of Jaipur including a visit to the Palace of the Maharaja, former royal residence, where a part of it has been converted into a museum. Also experience the wonder of the Jantar Mantar, the largest observatory in the world, made of marble. Overnight stay in Jaipur.

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave for Agra and along the way visit Fatehpur Sikri, an impressive historic town. Next, pass by Buland Darwaza, the largest gate in the world.Arrive in Agra and enjoy a world of contrasting colours of red sandstone and white marble with an irresistible charm that made this the favourite city of the Mughals. Transfer to the hotel and check-in.Afterwards visit the Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Inside the fort, discover the picturesque Pearl Mosque. Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Agra.Estimated transfer distance: 147 miles / 235 km. Approximate duration: 5 hours and 30 minutes.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, experience the legendary splendour of the Taj Mahal, the ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna river and a universal symbol of love.This UNESCO World Heritage Site was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his beloved wife. Afterwards, enjoy an afternoon drive back to Delhi. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Delhi.Estimated transfer distance: 130 miles / 210 km. Approximate duration: 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, you will be transferred to the airport to board the flight to Kathmandu. Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel*. The largest urban area in Nepal, Kathmandu has a population of 2.5 million inhabitants. The capital is situated at 1,400 meters above sea level in a picturesque, bowl-shaped valley in central Nepal. Spend the day exploring the city at your leisure. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.***You will have the option to add early check-in on arrival in the next step of the booking process. To guarantee optional services, we recommend that you add them to your current booking, as they are subject to availability.**You have the possibility to upgrade to half-board in Nepal by adding 7 dinners in the next step of the booking process.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, visit Bhaktapur, known as the City of the Devotees, to admire the great architectural beauty of this royal city of the Kathmandu Valley. Also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bhaktapur is the best-preserved historical centre in the valley. The Royal Palace stands out, whose entrance door is a masterpiece in embossed art, as does the Nyatapola Temple, known as the Temple of the Five Roofs, which is a pagoda of five magnificently sculpted floors and one of the highest in the country.Later, continue to the oldest temple in the Kathmandu Valley, the Changu Narayan Temple located in the Changu village and dedicated to the god Vishnu. From here there is a beautiful view of the surroundings. Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Kathmandu.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, consider joining our optional flight-seeing excursion to Mount Everest* for a breathtaking aerial view. Then, head out to explore the medieval streets of Kathmandu and immerse yourself in the rich and vibrant culture of the Newari people. Begin with a visit to the Ason market, the city’s oldest shopping area, renowned for its vibrant vegetable and spice stalls. This lively intersection connects to various streets where you can experience traditional culture and admire the distinctive local architecture.Continue to explore through jammed bazaars and visit the Kumari Temple which houses the living Goddess Kumari and is a great example of Nepal’s magnificent architecture with its intricate wood carvings of gods and various symbols. Enjoy an external view of the Taleju Temple followed by a visit to Kal Bhairab.In the afternoon, we step into the Temple of Swayambhunath - a stupa on the top of hill - which is one of the most prominent Buddhist pilgrimage sites, for an overlook the scenery of Kathmandu Valley. Later proceed to Patan city (about 15 minutes driving) to visit the Patan Durbar Square - the oldest of the three cities in the Kathmandu Valley and one of the oldest Buddhist City in the world. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.*Optional Mount Everest Flight-seeing Excursion: Enjoy one-hour long sightseeing on a fixed-wing aircraft for an experience of a lifetime. All the spectacular glaciers, snow-capped peaks and gorges glide below as you fly towards Mt. Everest. Includes a flight certificate awarded at the end of the excursion. Return to Kathmandu to begin the rest of the day sightseeing.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off by road* to Chitwan, passing by scenic landscapes. Arrive and get settled at the hotel. In the afternoon, set off on a 1-hour nature walk to explore the beautiful surrounding area, scattered with cabins inhabited by the indigenous Tharu tribe, who have lived in the forests surrounding Chitwan for hundreds of years. After a delicious dinner, enjoy a Tharu Stick Dance Show, performed by local farmers, for an insight into Chitwan’s cultural roots. Overnight stay in Chitwan.Important note: due to ongoing construction on Prithvi Highway (the road leading to Chitwan and Pokhara) delays in transfer times are to be expected.*The drive from Kathmandu to Chitwan will now take approx. 7 hours. Completion of road construction is scheduled for late 2024. To considerably reduce travel time, you will have the possibility to add the flight from Kathmandu to Chitwan to your package for an additional cost in the next step of the booking process.

Rise early in the morning and enjoy a coffee/tea break before heading off to Chitwan National Park to seize the day and the tranquillity of the natural environment during the quiet hours of the morning. The area surrounding Machan Country Villa is a true paradise for birdwatchers, so keep your eyes peeled for some of the rare species. Enjoy a nature walk with a naturalist expert who can point out the abundant birdlife before returning to the hotel for a well-deserved breakfast. Afterwards you will get to know the behaviours and characteristics of the majestic Asian elephant. Enjoy lunch included. Continue your adventure with a 3-hour jeep safari through the jungle towards the shores of the Narayani River, where a traditional boat awaits to take you on a tranquil cruise. Look out for local wildlife such as crocodiles and water birds before returning to the shore. In the evening, enjoy an informative presentation by a jungle expert to learn more about this unique eco-system. Return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight stay in Chitwan.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, set off for Pokhara.* En route, visit Bandipur Village, a small hilltop settlement and an amazing example of Newar culture. This charming village is home to precious 18th-century architecture, a number of small cafes and shops. Continue to Pokhara, nestled in a quiet, forest-covered valley. Arrive, get settled at the hotel and spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, soaking up the fantastic views of the Himalayas and the five Annapurna peaks. Overnight stay in Pokhara.Important note: due to ongoing construction on Prithvi Highway (the road leading to Chitwan and Pokhara) delays in transfer times are to be expected.*The drive from Chitwan to Pokhara will now take approx. 8 hours. Completion of road construction is scheduled for late 2024. To considerably reduce travel time, you will have the possibility to add the flight from Chitwan to Pokhara to your package for an additional cost in the next step of the booking process. If you opt for the flight, you will not be able to visit Bandipur Village.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off early in the morning to Sarangkot to see the sunrise over the Himalayas, if weather conditions permit. Located at 1592 metres above sea level, it is the most popular spot to enjoy the magnificent views of the Pokhara Valley and the mountains. Afterwards, take a boat ride on Phewa Lake, see the beautiful Devi Waterfall and explore the Sacred Cave of Gupteshwor. Continue to the bustling Old Bazaar of Pokhara, a pleasant traditional place, full of merchants selling fabrics, food and gold, among other authentic Nepalese products. Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Pokhara.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, head back to Kathmandu, enjoying the spectacular scenery along the way.* Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the city at your leisure. Overnight stay in Kathmandu. Important note: due to ongoing construction on Prithvi Highway (the road leading to Chitwan and Pokhara) delays in transfer times are to be expected.*The drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu will now take approx. 12 hours. Completion of road construction is scheduled for late 2024. To considerably reduce travel time, you will have the possibility to add the flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu to your package for an additional cost in the next step of the booking process.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a guided visit to Bouddhanath and Pashupatinath. The Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath, one of the largest in the world and icon of Nepal, sits on an octagonal base and is surrounded by the houses of the Lamas. Afterwards, discover Pashupatinath Hindu Temple from the east bank of the river, the most important and oldest of the Kathmandu Valley, which is dedicated to Shiva and surrounded by an exuberant natural environment. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure to stroll through the city or make some last-minute purchases. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

Breakfast* at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport and check-in for your return flight back to the UK or Ireland. Night on board. (Depending on the choice of flight, you may arrive back in the UK/Ireland today.) *Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.