From Delhi to Varanasi and Kathmandu
India and Nepal, 15 Days · Classic tour
From Maharani tales to Nepalese mysticism on a fascinating tour
Experience India with this packed itinerary that will bring you closer to a destination that boasts history, nature, magnetism, mystery, spirituality, tradition and legend. Marvel at the magnificence of Delhi, tour the pink city of Jaipur, fall in love with the symmetry of the Taj Mahal in Agra, surround yourself with silence in Fatehpur Sikri, savour the surprises that await you in Orchha, discover the detail of the erotic sculptures in Khajuraho, and embark upon a sensorial journey in Varanasi, the mystical holy city on the banks of the River Ganges. To finish, you'll get to explore the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu, a city nestled at the foot of the Himalayas where mysticism and art fuse with vibrant streets and unparalleled views.When should we get going?
Archaeological
Cultural
Departure date:Departures from February 2025 till September 2025
Departures from:London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow
Travel details
City of origin - Delhi
Departure with destination Delhi. Arrival, transfer to the hotel and overnight stay.
Delhi
Includes:
Breakfast
Dinner
Breakfast. In the morning, we will visit Old Delhi, stopping at the Jama Masjid, the country's largest mosque, and the Red Fort (one of the opulent forts from the time of the Mughal Empire). We will also take a fascinating rickshaw ride through the old streets of the capital's historic centre. We will continue our tour by going to New Delhi, visiting the Raj Ghat (memorial to Gandhi), as well as important buildings such as the India Gate, the Parliament building, the Presidential Palace and the amazing Qutub Minar, which, at 73 metres, is the highest minaret in the world. And to round the day off, a tour of a fascinating Sikh temple. Dinner and overnight stay.
Delhi - Jaipur
Includes:
Breakfast
Dinner
Breakfast. Morning departure by road to Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, with its famous dark pink buildings, the colour representing hospitality in Rajput tradition. Founded by Raja Jai Singh in the eighteenth century, it's surrounded by hills crowned by forts and palaces that have inspired many a fairy tale. Camels roaming around and locals dressed in bright colours reflect the unique cultural heritage of Jaipur. Meanwhile, the markets are bursting with wonderful handicrafts that reflect the true Rajasthani character. A perfect day in the city of love, legends and traditions. In the afternoon, we will visit a Hindu temple. Dinner and overnight stay. Note: a technical visit to a textile factory is included.
Jaipur - Amber - Jaipur
Includes:
Breakfast
Dinner
Breakfast. Early departure from the hotel to Amber Fort. We'll climb to the top of the hill where we'll find Amber Fort and its ramparts, which command fantastic views over the historic city of the Kings of Amber and over to Maota Lake. In the afternoon, sightseeing tour of Jaipur, stopping at places such as the Maharaja Palace (also known as the city palace). It's a former royal residence converted into a museum, although a small wing is still used by the royal family of Jaipur. The tour continues with a stop at Jantar Mantar, which is the world's largest astronomical observatory, built in stone and marble by Jai Singh between 1728 and 1734. En route there'll be a brief stop for the typical photo of Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Breeze). This five-storey palace was built in 1799 and is one of the best examples of the artistic talent of the Rajputs, who built it so that the ladies of the court could entertain themselves by watching the hustle-and-bustle of the city. Dinner and overnight stay.
Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
Includes:
Breakfast
Dinner
Breakfast. Morning departure by road to Agra. En route we'll visit the Chand Baori stepwell in Abhaneri. Onward journey to the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri and its palace, built by King Akbar in the sixteenth century, where prominent civil buildings include Diwan-i-Am (the Hall of Audience), Diwan-i-Khas (the Hall of Private Audiences), the Jodhabai Palace, Birbal's House, Mariam's House, and the Panch Mahal Palace. Onward journey to Agra. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Agra
Includes:
Breakfast
Dinner
Breakfast. At first thing, we'll head off to the Taj Mahal, a truly jaw-dropping monument to love with architecture in white marble. Shah Jahan ordered its construction as an expression of his love for his beautiful wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Work of Persian architect Ustad Isa, it took twenty-two years to build and has become one of the wonders of the world. Its design is imposing, with a perfect symmetry that is broken only inside the main building. It boasts elegant carved domes and, among other examples of outstanding craftsmanship, the best stone inlay work ever seen. Later we'll visit Agra Fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar between 1565 and 1573 and reflects the Mughal talent for combining defensive architecture with beauty and design. This fort-palace was started by Akbar the Great as a purely defensive citadel and was later completed by two successive generations, who added the delicate marble mosaic work and the magnificent palaces. The fort commands a magical view of the Taj Mahal. Then we'll visit Itmad-ud-Daulah, nicknamed the Baby Taj, an exquisite tomb in honour of Mirza Ghiyas Beg built by his daughter. Dinner and overnight stay. Note: a technical visit to a marble workshop is included.
Agra - Jhansi - Orchha - Khajuraho
Includes:
Breakfast
Dinner
Breakfast. In the morning, transfer to the station to take the train to Jhansi. Upon arrival, departure by road to Khajuraho. En route, we'll stop off at Orcha, an interesting pocket-sized city full of palaces and temples. Arrival in Khajuraho. Dinner and overnight stay.
Khajuraho - Varanasi
Includes:
Breakfast
Dinner
Breakfast. Morning visit to the world-famous kama sutra temples of Khajuraho, built by the Chandela monarchy between 950 and 1050. They're known for their erotic teaching scenes. We'll also visit the temples of Kandariya Mahadev, Chaunsat Yogini, Visvanath, Lakshmana, Varaha and Chitragupta. In the afternoon, onward journey by road to Varanasi. Arrival in Varanasi, transfer to hotel, dinner, and overnight stay. Note: departures up to March 2023 will include a visit to Allahabad en route to Varanasi.
Varanasi
Includes:
Breakfast
Dinner
Departure from hotel at dawn for a boat ride on the River Ganges. During the ceremony, we will see pilgrims immersing themselves in the river's waters in order to cleanse their souls. Afterwards, we'll see the crematoria ghats and visit the University of Varanasi, the Kashi Vishwanath temple, the Durga temple and the Bharat Mata temple. Return to hotel for breakfast. Later, we will head out to Sarnath, the place where Buddha gave his first sermon, the Maha-Dharma Chakra Pravartan, known as the Wheel of the Law. In Sarnath, among other structures, we will visit the ruins of the temple representing the Mulagandha Kuti, and other monasteries and stupas, including the Dhamekh Stupa. Sarnath also has a rich collection of Buddhist sculptures featuring numerous images of Buddha and Bodhisattva, which can be seen in the Archaeological Museum. In the evening, we'll attend the aarti religious ceremony dedicated to the River Ganges. Dinner and overnight stay. Note: During the monsoon season, it may not be possible to take boat trips on the Ganges.
Varanasi - Delhi
Includes:
Breakfast
Dinner
Breakfast. Free time. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport to take a domestic flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, transfer to a restaurant to enjoy a farewell dinner. Accommodation.
Delhi - Kathmandu
Includes:
Breakfast
Breakfast. At the prearranged time, transfer to the airport for the flight to Kathmandu, in Nepal. Arrival, transfer to hotel and overnight stay.
Kathmandu
Includes:
Breakfast
Breakfast. Visit to the hilltop Buddhist Temple of Swayambhunath to the west of the city. It's nicknamed the Monkey Temple because of the troop of monkeys that live on the hill. Afterwards, we'll set off on an excursion to Patan, known as the city of fine arts, packed with Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments. Return to the city to visit Durbar Square, the historical seat of royalty. With its ancient temples and palaces, it represents the epitome of the city's religious and cultural life. It's also where Nepalese monarchs are solemnly crowned. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.
Kathmandu
Includes:
Breakfast
Breakfast. Tour of the Boudhanath Stupa, which is located eight kilometres east of Kathmandu. This ancient and colossal stupa is one of the largest in the whole world and is considered the global hub of Tibetan Buddhism. Then we'll visit Pashupatinath, a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. With two floors of gilded roofs and silver doors, this is one of the most sacred sanctuaries for Hindus. After this, we'll head to Bhaktapur, or the City of Devotees, which still retains a medieval charm. The glorious past of the Malla Dynasty continues to be reflected in Durbar Square. Ceramics and textiles are its main and traditional industries. Bhaktapur is famous for wood carvings, the traditional Bhadgaon Topi hat and cottage cheese. Return to hotel. Accommodation.
Kathmandu - City of origin
Includes:
Breakfast
Breakfast and transfer to the airport for the return flight. Flight to City of origin destination. Night on board.
City of origin
Arrival. End of the trip and our services.
Your trip includes
Return flight.
Internal flight.
Overnight stay in the listed hotels, or similar.
Transfers according to the itinerary.
Scheduled tours in India mentioned in the itinerary and not stated as optional, and private tours in Nepal.
English-speaking local guides.
Diet: 13 breakfasts, 9 dinners.
Insolvency protection.
Your trip doesn't include
Electronic Visa to enter in India.
Visa to enter in Nepal.
Any other service not previously mentioned as included.
Expected Hotels (or similar)
In this section you will find a selection of hotels according to the category specified in the itinerary.
Category B
Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida
The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel Delhi
Eros Hotel New Delhi, Nehru Place
Category A
Holiday Inn Hotel New Delhi Noida Mayur Vihar
Park Plaza Delhi Cbd Shahdara
Fortune Park, East Delhi - Member ITC's hotel group
Important remarks
- Triple rooms in India are generally rooms with twin beds or a double, in which a folding bed is installed to accommodate the third person. Due to the inconvenience this causes, we advise against using this option as far the possible.
- The baggage allowance on domestic flights of most airlines in India is usually 15 kg per person, so lower than on international flights. Please take account of this when packing your bags.
- Please check with your international vaccination centre about the recommended healthcare measures in India.
- The tours include cultural stops at local workshops so you can learn about the production of traditional crafts.
- To reconfirm services at the destination, please send us your passport details within 24 hours of booking.
- Check-in time at the hotel on the day of arrival depends on each establishment, but in no case will it be before 3:00 p.m., unless otherwise indicated.
- During the monsoon season, it may not be possible to take boat trips on the Ganges.
- Groups may be multilingual.
- Triple rooms in Nepal are generally rooms with twin beds or a double, in which a folding bed is installed to accommodate the third person. Due to the inconvenience this causes, we advise against using this option as far the possible.
- Please check with your international vaccination centre about the recommended healthcare measures in Nepal.
- The order of the itinerary may be altered for logistical reasons, without prior notice, but no scheduled trips will be cancelled (except in the case that adverse weather conditions prevent its realisation).
- A credit card is considered a guarantee, so sometimes you will need one for check-in at hotels.
- Prices are calculated based on admission fees to the sights as of the date of publication. If there is an increase in these prices, you will be promptly informed.
- If you are a person with reduced mobility, please contact us to confirm the suitability of the trip.
- Consult the necessary documentation to enter the destinations visited and for transit in the countries where air stopovers are made.