Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu
You'll arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport and get transferred to the Hyatt Kathmandu. After settling in, at 5pm you'll meet your Travel Director. From there, head out on a rickshaw tour through Thamel's busy streets and markets. Later that evening, you'll gather at a local restaurant for the welcome reception with drinks and dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant with welcome reception and drinks)
Included Activities
- Rickshaw ride through Thamel
- Welcome reception, drinks and dinner at a local restaurant
- Day 2
Kathmandu - Patan
Start early and head to Kathmandu City, checking out Swayambhunath Temple with its peaceful setting. Next, you'll travel to Patan and have lunch included there. During the afternoon, a Local Expert takes you through the city's historic sites including the Golden Temple, Durbar Square, and Mul Chowk. By evening, you'll sit down for dinner that features regional dishes.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Patan), Dinner (Dinner with regional flavours)
Included Activities
- Visit to Swayambhunath Temple
- Included lunch in Patan
- Guided exploration of Patan with Local Expert
- Visit to Golden Temple, Durbar Square and Mul Chowk
- Dinner with regional flavours
Landmarks/POIs Swayambhunath Temple Golden Temple Durbar Square Mul Chowk - Day 3
Kathmandu - Bhadgaon
This morning begins with visits to Pashupatinath Temple on the Bagmati River and Boudhanath Stupa, one of Nepal's largest. After that, you'll head to Bhadgaon and watch a craftsperson work at a local pottery workshop showing traditional techniques. Later in the evening, you'll hear from a woman who summited Mount Everest as she talks about her experiences with challenging terrain.
Included Activities
- Visit to Pashupatinath Temple
- Visit to Boudhanath Stupa
- Visit to local pottery workshop with demonstration
- Inspirational talk by Mount Everest summiteer
Landmarks/POIs Pashupatinath Temple Boudhanath Stupa - Day 4
Kathmandu to Delhi
You'll head to the airport for your flight to Delhi. Once you arrive and get settled at your hotel, you'll join the group and Travel Director to visit Akshardham Temple, a spiritual and cultural campus. The rest of your day is free, so you can explore Delhi on your own or use the hotel's spa to relax.
Included Activities
- Flight from Kathmandu to Delhi
- Visit to Akshardham Temple (Swaminarayan Akshardham)
Optional Activities
- Spa at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Akshardham Temple - Day 5
Delhi
Your Travel Director leads a sightseeing tour through Old Delhi and New Delhi. You'll drive past the Red Fort and check out landmarks like India Gate and Parliament House. Later, a passionate local chef takes you on a food tour sharing Delhi's food culture. You'll also visit a Sikh temple with its community kitchen serving free vegetarian meals, and finish with Humayun's Tomb.
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Old Delhi and New Delhi
- Drive past Red Fort
- Food tour of Delhi led by local chef
- Visit to Sikh temple and community kitchen
- Drive past President Palace, India Gate and Parliament House
- Tour of Humayun's Tomb
Landmarks/POIs Red Fort India Gate Parliament House Humayun's Tomb - Day 6
Delhi to Jaipur
You'll travel to Jaipur, called the Pink City because it was painted pink in 1876 for Queen Victoria's visit. There's an optional Bollywood Dance Class if that interests you. Later, your Travel Director takes you to a flower and spice market in the evening.
Included Activities
- Evening visit to flower and spice market
Optional Activities
- Bollywood Dance Class
- Day 7
Jaipur
A jeep takes you up to Amber Fort, built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, where you'll see royal halls with ivory, mirrors, glass, and paintings. You'll experience a special blessing ceremony and visit the City Palace Museum and royal observatory. Then join local women for a rickshaw ride to see Hawa Mahal and the Palace of Winds. Walk through historic lanes with a Local Expert watching artisans at work. End the day with a cooking session and dinner at a local family's home.
- Meals
- Dinner (Cooking session followed by dinner with a family in Jaipur)
Included Activities
- Jeep ascent to Amber Fort
- Special blessing ceremony
- Tour of City Palace Museum
- Visit to royal observatory (Jantar Mantar)
- Pink City Rickshaw Ride with local women
- View of Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds)
- Guided walk through historic lanes with Local Expert
- Cooking session and dinner with local family
Landmarks/POIs Amber Fort City Palace Museum Jantar Mantar Hawa Mahal - Day 8
Jaipur to Agra
You'll depart for Agra in the morning, heading to where the Taj Mahal stands. Along the way, you'll stop for lunch at Laxmi Niwas Palace in Bharatpur. After arriving in Agra, your evening is free to relax and get ready for tomorrow.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at the beautiful Laxmi Niwas Palace in Bharatpur)
Included Activities
- Included lunch at Laxmi Niwas Palace in Bharatpur
Landmarks/POIs Laxmi Niwas Palace - Day 9
Agra
Wake before sunrise to see the Taj Mahal in the best light, a monument built by an emperor for his beloved queen. You'll use fast-track gate access to skip the regular lines. After that, you'll visit Agra Fort and then go to Sheroes Cafe, a business run by female survivors of acid attacks who've been empowered through the organization.
Included Activities
- Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal with fast-track access
- Visit to Agra Fort
- Visit to Sheroes Cafe (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience)
Landmarks/POIs Taj Mahal Agra Fort - Day 10
Agra to Varanasi
In the morning, you'll drive to Delhi then fly to Varanasi, one of Hinduism's holiest cities. Check into the Taj Ganges, a five-star hotel with a pool, fitness centre, spa, and flower garden. In the evening, you'll join an Aarti ceremony on the ghats, a spiritual ritual where hundreds of diyas and flowers float on the River Ganges while people chant 'Har Har Gange!'
Included Activities
- Flight from Agra to Delhi and then to Varanasi
- Participation in Aarti ceremony on the ghats
Landmarks/POIs River Ganges Ghats - Day 11
Varanasi
You'll wake early for a sunrise boat cruise on the River Ganges, then visit an Akhara. Back at your hotel for breakfast, you'll head out on a Varanasi tour. You'll go to Sarnath, a sacred deer park where Buddha first taught the Dharma. Later, have dinner with your Travel Director and fellow travellers at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel), Dinner (Dinner at hotel with fellow travellers and Travel Director)
Included Activities
- Sunrise boat cruise on River Ganges
- Visit to an Akhara
- Breakfast at hotel
- Tour of Varanasi
- Visit to Sarnath
- Dinner at hotel with fellow travellers
Landmarks/POIs Sarnath - Day 12
Varanasi to Delhi
There's an optional early morning yoga session by the Ganges River for those interested. After breakfast and your hotel transfer, you'll head to the airport and fly back to Delhi before your onward flights home.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel)
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Transfer to airport
Optional Activities
- Early morning yoga session by the banks of the Ganges River
