India Nepal Tour - Taj Mahal to Everest - 10 days

Upon your arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport our representative will meet you at the terminal and escort you to your hotel. Check-in and take a rest. There are no activities planned for today. Overnight in Delhi. 

Spend your day touring the historical and architectural treasures of this historic city. The city has been the capital of many powerful empires that ruled over India. While Old Delhi is dotted with historical buildings and monuments built by the Mughal rulers, New Delhi is rich in colonial. Explore Jama Masjid and the impressive Red Fort. At New Delhi, you get to discover the colonial architecture of the British era – Parliament House and India Gate. Visits to Raj Ghat and Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site are also included in your itinerary. 

You can spend your evening by yourself, shopping in the old bazaars of Delhi. Overnight in Delhi.

Take a four-hour drive to Agra and start your sightseeing tour with a visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the 7 Wonders of the World. This ivory marble mausoleum was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Later explore the magnificent Agra Fort, which had been a stronghold of Muslim as well as Hindu rulers. Overnight in Agra. 

Note: Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.

After breakfast, you take the road to the old city of Fatehpur Sikri built by Akbar, the Mughal emperor. This grand city is decorated with ancient Mughal buildings commissioned by Akbar. Fatehpur Sikri was supposed to be the capital of the Mughal Empire but was abandoned due to a shortage of water. 

After exploring the sites, proceed towards Jaipur, India’s ‘Pink City’. Once you arrive in Jaipur, you will get to discover the incredible Hawa Mahal and City Palace. Overnight in Jaipur.

Head to Amber Fort early in the morning. This magnificent fort was built by Maharaja Man Sigh and remained the stronghold of Rajput rulers. The fort’s architecture has a wonderful blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture. You also visit Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observation site built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1734.  Later in the day, you leave Jaipur for Delhi. Overnight in Delhi. 

Take a scenic flight to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Before you land at Tribhuvan International Airport you are greeted with wonderful sights of mountains and hills. Our representative will greet you at the airport and drive you to the medieval city of Bhaktapur. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city was built by Malla kings who ruled over Kathmandu Valley in the medieval period. Explore the Bhaktapur Durbar Square dotted with pagoda roofed palaces and temples. Later you will be driven to your hotel which lies close to Durbar Square. Check-in and take a rest. Overnight in Bhaktapur. 

Discover one of the oldest Hindu temples in Nepal. Changu Narayan Temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu is a protected UNESCO World Heritage site. Richly carved wooden struts and stone sculptures adorn the temple. Next, head to the medieval kingdom of Patan and explore Patan Durbar Square. Also known as Lalitpur or the ‘City of Artisans’, Patan has some of the best examples of Newari art and architecture. End your day with a climb to the hilltop shrine of Swayambhunath. Revered by both Hindus and Buddhists the stupa of Swayambhunath is linked to the origin of Kathmandu. Enjoy a panoramic 360-degree view of the entire city from the top. Overnight in Kathmandu. 

You need to wake up early today to catch your Mount Everest flight. Once you reach the airport, board your flight and enjoy mesmerizing views of Himalayan peaks from the aircraft. As the flight approaches Mount Everest, the stewardess will help you identify the Himalayan giants. It is an incredible feeling to glimpse the summit of Mount Everest and other 8000 meter peaks with your own eyes. After your Everest adventure, you get to discover more of Kathmandu’s cultural jewels. 

 Head to Pashupatinath Temple, one of the holiest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple. You will get to view the temple from the eastern bank of Bagmati River which flows beside the temple. The Hindu cremation site of Arya Ghat lies below the temple and you will get to witness Hindu cremation rites. Later visit Boudhanath Stupa, Nepal’s biggest Buddhist stupa. The white domed stupa topped with a golden tower and covered with prayer flags, is an important center of Tibetan Buddhism. Overnight in Kathmandu. 

Today you explore the heritage sites in central Kathmandu. You start by visiting the medieval royal palace square of Basantapur. The House of the Kumari, the Living Goddess, Hanuman Dhoka Palace and several pagoda roofed temples decorate the square. Afterward, walk on a little alley to Jhochhen or Old Freak Street. This street used to be a favorite haunt of hippies during the sixties and seventies. Stroll down the street lined with shops selling souvenir items and cafes and make your way out of the Durbar square to Indra Chowk. The street between Indra Chowk and Ason is Nepal’s oldest business hub. Here you will find temples, old houses and shops selling traditional goods (utensils, jewelry, clothes, tea, incense, etc.). Make your way past the crowds into Ason Chowk and then to Thamel. 

End this wonderful trip with a farewell dinner at an authentic Nepalese restaurant. You get to sample Nepalese cuisine and enjoy a cultural program. Overnight in Kathmandu. 

Our representative will drive you to the airport 3 hours ahead of your flight departure. If you feel like extending your holiday to explore more of the country or Bhutan and Tibet, then let us know. We will help you plan another exciting adventure in the Himalayas.