Golden Triangle & Kathmandu Valley

Arrive in the capital of India and transfer to the hotel. Delhi is a city with an impressive architectural legacy of its Islamic conquerors along with a spectacular historical center. The rest of the day is free to rest or to get to know this lively, fascinating city. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, visit Old Delhi including the Jama Masjid Royal Mosque and the lively Chandi Chow Street. Ride a tricycle around the Red Fort, the former residence of the Imperial Family and 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, the Pink City of India. The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur 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 free to get to know this vibrant city. In the evening light, the pink and the orange buildings exude a magical glow, which is complemented by the vibrantly attired Rajasthanis. Camel drawn carts are characteristic of Jaipur's passing street scene. Overnight stay in Jaipur

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 grounds of the palace Jag Mandir and the famous Sheesh Mahal, a room embedded with beautifully bright pieces of mirror. Continue to tour the city of Jaipur including a visit to the Palace of the Maharaja, former royal residence, have converted parts of the palace 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 ghost town. Next, pass by Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world. Arrive in Agra and enjoy a world of contrasting edifices of red sandstone and white marble and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. Transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Agra Fort. Inside the fort, discover the picturesque Pearl Mosque. Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Agra.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, experience the legendary splendor 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. Afterward, enjoy an afternoon drive back to Delhi. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Early in the morning you will be transfered to the airport to board the flight to Kathmandu. Arrival to the capital of Nepal, transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is free. The largest urban agglomeration in Nepal, with 2.5 million inhabitants, consists of the core of the metropolitan city of Kathmandu. Its sister cities are Patan, Kirtipur, Thimi and Bhaktapur, including recently the urban areas of Shankhapur, Karyabinayak, Champapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel and Panauti. The capital of the country is located at 1,400 meters in a bowl-shaped valley in central Nepal.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, visit "the city of the devotees", Bhaktapur, to admire the great architectural beauty of the third of the three royal cities of the Kathmandu Valley. A World Heritage Site and where Durbar Square is the best preserved 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.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we recommend an optional Mount Everest flight-seeing excursion.* Head to the Kathmandu Valley through Asan Tole, the main street of the capital's oldest shopping area, which offers a vivid display of local Nepalese life. Discover the rich Nepalese culture and everyday life through the bustling and narrow streets and courtyards. Visit Durbar Square in Kathmandu, where you can see the Kumari Temple, which houses the living Goddess and the exteriors of the Taleju Temple and Kala Bhairav. In the afternoon, explore Swayambhunath Stupa, located at the top of a hill, to contemplate the beautiful landscape of the Kathmandu Valley. Later, discover the old city of Patan and visit it's Durbar Square, the oldest of the three in the valley. See the Royal Palace, home to beautiful patios and ornate windows and sanctuaries dedicated to Shiva, Ganesh, and Vishnu. Also visit the Temple of the living goddess Kumari, who looks out onto the balcony to receive the greetings of the devotees. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

* Optional Mount Everest Flight-seeing Excursion: 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 days sightseeing.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off by road to Chitwan, passing by scenic landscapes during the approx. 4-hour journey. 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.

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 rarer 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. Lunch included. Continue your adventure with a 3-hour jeep safari through the jungle until arriving at the shores of the Narayani River where a traditional boat awaits to take you on a tranquil boat 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, a journey of around 3.5-hours long. 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.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for Sarangkot to see the sunrise over the Himalayas if weather conditions permit. Located at 1592 meters high, 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 and see the beautiful Devi Waterfall and explore the Sacred Cave of Gupteshwor, almost 1.8 miles long. Continue to the traditional Old Bazaar of Pokhara, a pleasant traditional place, which is full of merchants of diverse ethnicities that sell fabrics, food and gold among many other products. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Head back to Kathmandu and enjoy the scenery along the way. Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free to enjoy the city at your leisure. Overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for Nagarkot, a village nestled in the beautiful mountains which is famed for its amazing views of the Himalayas. Arrive at the hotel and check-in. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Nagarkot.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today enjoy guided walks through the hills surrounding Nagarkot. It is the best way to explore and experience the spectacular natural landscape, countryside and terraced farmland and also understand the lifestyle of local people. Overnight in Nagarkot.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for Kathmandu. Take a guided tour of 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. 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 built-in an exuberant natural environment. Free afternoon to stroll through the city or make last-minute souvenir purchases. Overnight stay.

Breakfast * at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport and check-in for your return flight back to the US overnight flight. (Dependant on the choice of flight, you may arrive back in the US 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.