South Asia Tour: Taj Mahal & Himalaya

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Tour Code: ODY-IN-001

Destination:India, Nepal

About This Trip

Explore the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal and incredible India on this 11-day tour. In Nepal, you will visit the well-known Kathmandu Valley to get a glimpse of the country’s vibrant culture and history, as well as Nagarkot for a breathtaking view of the Himalayas. In India, in addition to the busy and chaotic Delhi city, you will also visit Jaipur and Agra, where you will be able to marvel at the country’s most famous cultural sites, such as the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Hawa Mahal, among others.

Itinerary

Day 1: International Arrival, Delhi at Leisure

Welcome to India! Upon arrival, your Odyssey representative will greet you at the airport and escort you to the hotel. Then the rest of the day is for you to recover from jet lag and have a good rest.

Day 2: Delhi Sightseeing

Today, move to Old Delhi to pay a visit to the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque and have a glimpse of the Chandni Chowk by a rickshaw. The bustling marketplace is home to hundreds of stalls where locals sell aromatic spices and handmade items. Stop at the Red Fort, an iconic landmark in the city, and continue to New Delhi where you'll first get to see Qutub Minar, the highest stone tower in India, and Raj Ghat, a memorial place of Mahatma Gandhi. After that, take a city landmark tour passing through India Gate, President's House, Parliament House, Government Secretariat and Buildings. You can take photos on the way. Lastly, get to the beautiful Laxmi Narayan Temple where you can learn about the Hindu religion and spirituality.

Tips: Female tourists must wear robes before entering the Jama Masjid.

Day 3: Delhi - Kathmandu

Fly to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, your Odyssey representative will pick you up and take you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free time.

Day 4: Kathmandu - Patan (Lalitpur) - Kathmandu

In the morning, loiter around Ason Tole Vegetable and Spice Market which is jammed with vendors selling everything of daily uses. Then, proceed to Kathmandu Durbar Square, one of the best places in all of Nepal to connect with history, faith, and heritage. Continue to see Kumari Temple which houses the immortal "living goddess" of Nepal. Then get to explore Taleju Temple and Kal Bhairav.

In the afternoon, transfer to Patan city (about 15 minutes' drive) and visit Patan Durbar Square, which is known for its rich tradition of arts and handicrafts, stone carvings, metal statues and also the birthplace of the great artists. Later, perched atop a hill on the western edge of the Kathmandu Valley, view the ancient Swayambunath which is Kathmandu's most important Buddhist shrine.

Optional: If weather permits, you can take a flight trip and have a paranoiac view of Mt. Everest and the Himalayas in the morning (about 1hour, USD200 pp). All seats are window guaranteed.

Day 5: Kathmandu - Bhaktapur - Nagarkot

In the morning, explore the Pashupatinath Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu, and Boudhanath Stupa, the largest stupa in Nepal. In the afternoon, proceed to Bhaktapur city where you'll see Bhaktapur Durbar Square, which contains a royal palace that took center stage as one of three royal capitals during the 15th century in the Kathmandu Valley. After that, transfer to Nagarkot and check in to the hotel. If weather permits, you can enjoy the incredible sunset at your hotel.

Day 6: Nagarkot - Kathmandu - Delhi

In the early morning, when the sun begins to peak on the horizon and gradually illuminates the surrounding mountains, enjoy the beautiful sunrise highlighting the first bit of white, snow-covered beauty of the Himalayas at your hotel. Then you are free at leisure before heading to the magnificent and historic Changu Narayan Temple, which comprises carvings from the 4th to the 9th century. This living museum is a UNESCO World Heritage given the genuine works of art for the temple itself and the statues surrounding it. After that, back to Kathmandu city and fly to Delhi. Upon arrival, your Odyssey representative will pick you up and escort you to the hotel.

Day 7: Delhi - Agra

In the morning, your private driver will take you to Agra by driving a private vehicle (about 4-5 hours). You can drink coffee and take photos on the way. Upon arrival, check in to Hotel Khema. After freshening up, taste high tea at the hotel while witnessing the changing colors of the majestic Taj Mahal with every passing hour.

Day 8: Timeless Taj Mahal

In the early morning, visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise. The first rays of sun reflecting off the glistening white marble of the monument are truly something special. Then have breakfast at the hotel and take a break. In the afternoon, view Agra Fort, one of the largest forts in India. Later, proceed to the scenic Mehtab Bagh, literally 'The Moon Garden', which is the ultimate Taj Mahal viewing spot.

Day 9: Agra - Jaipur

In the morning, check out and visit Fatehpur Sikri, which was once the capital of Mughal Emperor Akbar. It's surrounded by walls on three sides and a lake on the fourth side. The architecture of the buildings was based on Mughal and Indian architecture. Continue your way to Jaipur. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and have a good rest.

Day 10: Jaipur City Highlights

Today, you'll explore Amber Fort and Jaipur City. Take a jeep ride and veer to the entrance of the Hillside Amer Fort. Inside the fort, visit Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors). Its mirror-work includes large, regular pieces, rather than an intricate mosaic of tiny fragments; another variation is the superimposition over the mirror-work of brightly painted religious figures made of plaster.

Back to Jaipur city and proceed to Maharaja City Palace, which has a sequence of gardens, buildings and courtyards, temple and museum to give it a grand view that reflects its historical importance and magnificent royal grace, as well as Jantar Mantar, a royal observatory built in the early 18th century. Later on, have a glimpse of Hawa Mahal, which is a popular photo stop all over the world for its magnificent architecture. After that, walk around Rose Garden, a place of eternal beauty and joyful experience.

Day 11: Jaipur - Delhi, Departure

Today, transfer to Delhi (about 4.5-5 hours' drive). Upon arrival, you have some time hunt for gifts for your family and friends. Your Odyssey representative will escort you to the airport to take your return flight.