Best of India Nepal Tour

Incredible India welcomes you on arrival at New Delhi – the Capital City of Indian Republic. Along with Delhi and Agra, you will have a wonderful opportunity to explore some of the most romantic cities of Rajasthan. Upon arrival at New Delhi International Airport, a representative of Optima Travels will transfer you to the pre-booked hotel in New Delhi. Our representative will ensure smooth check in at the hotel. As most of the international flights land in India at late night, so have sound sleep in Delhi hotel to get relaxed for the sightseeing tour of Delhi next day.

Having breakfast, proceed on for guided exploration of the city of Delhi, a marvelous mix of traditional charm, cultural heritage and modernity. The Old & New Delhi tour encompasses visit of Red Fort (national monument-remains closed on Monday), Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Akshardham Temple (remains closed on Monday), India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Qutub Minar, Sansad Bhavan (Parliament of India) and Humayun’s Tomb. Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb are three UNESCO World Heritage sites. It will be relaxed and leisurely tour and help you understand ‘exoticism’ of India. After visiting famous monuments of Delhi, later in the evening, return to hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Delhi airport to catch flight for Udaipur, one of the most romantic cities of India. On arrival at Maharana Pratap airport of Udaipur, you will be received and transferred to Udaipur hotel to have smooth check in. Udaipur in Rajasthan is often described as the ‘City of Lakes’ or the ‘Venice of the East’ or the ‘Kashmir of Rajasthan’. It is a vision in white. Hence, it is also called the ‘White City of India’. Spend the evening in leisure and spend night in Udaipur hotel.

After breakfast, embark on guided Udaipur city tour. Visit the City Palace Complex, Jag Mandir, Saheliyon Ki Bari and other picturesque spots of tourist interests. Late afternoon, Udaipur tour guide will take you on a boat cruise in Lake Pichola to view old city of Udaipur and famous Lake Palace of Udaipur (Jug Niwas). After having enjoyed leisurely sightseeing of Udaipur , spend rest of the day at leisure or relax. Return to Udaipur hotel for overnight stay.

Having enjoyed scrumptious breakfast, depart for Jodhpur. On the way to Jodhpur, about 95 kms from Udaipur, have a stop-over at Ranakpur, one of the most famous Jain temple towns of Rajasthan, India. Visit Ranakpur temple, located in pleasant idyllic set up. After visiting Ranakpur temple, proceed for Jodhpur which is almost 160 kms away from here. On arrival at Jodhpur, you will be transferred to Jodhpur hotel to spend evening in leisure and have overnight stay.

After breakfast, guided Jodhpur tour is on the chart. Mehrangarh Fort, Ummed Bhawan and Jaswant Thada are prominent monuments to be viewed. After enjoying the royal past in monuments, explore local Sadar Market for handicraft goods and ethnic articles. Hereinafter, post lunch, depart for Jaisalmer. On arrival at Jaisalmer, check in at the hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast, move on for visiting Jaisalmer Fort, popularly known as Sonar Qila or Golden Fort. The Fort houses famous Jain Temples, ancient library, museum and palaces. After exploring fort, leisurely visit havelis of Jaisalmer. The prominent havelis are Nathmalji-ki-Haveli, Patwon -ki-Haveli and Salim Singh ki Haveli. Manak Chowk, main marketplace outside the fort, leads to the narrow lanes dotted with famous havelis. After enjoying relaxed but vivid sightseeing of Jaisalmer, excursion to Sam dunes will take place. The excursion will be a camel ride/ safari in the sand dunes of Thar Desert. Discover desert traditions, folk culture and desert ways during your Jaisalmer camel safari. Your overnight stay has been scheduled in a desert camp.

Have breakfast in the tents on the sand dunes and move towards Khimsar, en route visiting famous deserted village of Brahmins - Osian, known for its exquisite Hindu and Jain Temples. Upon arrival at Khimsar, you will be transferred to the heritage hotel of Khimsar. Either relax in the hotel or move on to enjoy sunset safari by jeep to Panchla sand dunes. See the romantic sunset over the dunes. On time return to Khimsar hotel for dinner and comforting overnight stay.

Enjoy breakfast in Khimsar hotel and drive towards Jaipur, the capital and largest city of Rajasthan state. On the way, stop at Pushkar to watch Brahma Temple, Pushkar Lake and typical Hindu traditions and rituals. After exploring Pushkar, continue your drive to Jaipur. It is one of the most romantic cities in Rajasthan and fondly known as the Pink City of India. Upon arrival at Jaipur, you will be transferred to Jaipur hotel to spend evening in leisure and have overnight stay.

After breakfast at Jaipur hotel, proceed on for Jaipur city tour. Take an excursion to Amber Fort. Enjoy elephant ride at Amber Fort. After visiting Amber Fort, drive for the Jaipur city tour which includes prominent monuments like Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal and City Palace. After visiting these monuments, explore local market of Jaipur. After watching royal monuments & bustling market, return to Jaipur hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast, depart for Agra- a historical Indian city, located in Uttar Pradesh. About 75 kms from Jaipur, is located a historical village of Abhaneri. This village tour will present before you ancient lineage of India in terms of cultural values, architectural gems and traditional rural lifestyle in villages of India. A detour is well merited for its amazing step-well Chand Baori and Harshat Mata Temple.

After visiting Abhaneri village, move for Agra. Again, en route, visit the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. 35 kms from Agra is located deserted medieval town of Fatehpur Sikri. Have a stop-over there and visit monuments-rich Fatehpur Sikri. The famous monuments of Fatehpur Sikri include Buland Darwaja, Jodhabai Palace, Salim Chishti Shrine and Jama Masjid. Buland Darwaja that is counted as one of the tallest gateways in the world is almost entirely made out of the red-sandstone with a generous dose of marble decoration on it.

After visiting Fatehpur Sikri, continue your drive to Agra. On arrival at Agra, you will be directly transferred to Agra hotel to spend evening in leisure and have overnight stay.

In the very early morning, approximately around dawn hours, you will be taken on a guided tour of Taj Mahal. The time of sunrise has been purposefully chosen so that you could see the Taj Mahal when it looks most stunning and beautiful. Visit the world famous Taj Mahal, then come back to hotel for breakfast. Relax, refresh and move on to visit Old Fort and Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula, Akbar's Tomb in Sikandara. Agra Fort is built alongside the Yamuna River and stretches almost 2.5 km. It consists of a wall built in red sandstone and several buildings inside. The wall has 2 gates, the Delhi Gate and the Amar Singh Gate. Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula houses the magnificent mausoleum of Ghias Beg, father of the Mughal Empress Noor Jehan. The main tomb is made of pure white marble, with each façade composed of three arches with beautiful trellis screens, so delicately carved that they appear to be made of ivory. Akbar's Tomb in Sikandara is in a pyramid shape and consists of five storeys. The building is unique in its departure from Islamic architectural tradition, for it has no domed roof. The walled garden enclosure is laid out in the Char Bagh style with the mausoleum at the center.

After sightseeing of famous monuments of Agra, you can either return to hotel or enjoy Mohabbat-e-Taj show by Kalakriti (optional). Overnight stay is planned in Agra hotel.

After breakfast, in-time, you will be transferred to Agra railway station to board train for Jhansi. On arrival at Jhansi railway station, you will be received and driven to Khajuraho. On the way to Khajuraho, only about 15 kms from Jhansi, is a medieval era town of Orchha, erstwhile capital of Bundela kingdom. You will be taken to visit Orchha-Fort-Palace-Temple-Complex. After visiting Orchha, have lunch in a nice restaurant on the banks of river Betwa. Post-lunch, proceed for Khajuraho. On arrival at Khajuraho, you will be transferred to Khajuraho hotel.

After relaxing a bit, in the evening, watch a cultural show which will showcase traditional folk dances and folklores of Baghelkhand region. Instead of cultural show, you can watch Sound & Light Show. Overnight stay is scheduled in Khajuraho hotel.

After breakfast, move for sightseeing of Khajuraho along with Khajuraho tour guide. The guided tour of the famous temples of Khajuraho will mesmerize you, literally. Refined carving, grand temple architecture, explicitly erotic and sexually postured sculpture, historical past and rural ambience take you into the realm of glorious, lively and celebrated past. There are three prominent clusters of temples in Khajuraho- Western Group of Khajuraho Temples, Eastern Group of Khajuraho Temples and Southern Group of Khajuraho Temples. Out of these three clusters, Western Group of Khajuraho Temples is most representative of Khajuraho temples. Having seen Khajuraho temples, drive for Khajuraho airport to board flight for Varanasi. On arrival at Varanasi, you will be received by our representative and taken to pre-booked Varanasi hotel for smooth check in. You will be introduced with Varanasi tour guide in Varanasi hotel. Having relaxed for some time, you will be taken for sightseeing tour of Sarnath.

Sarnath is a famous ancient Buddhist site. It was in Sarnath where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon and started 'Sangh'. From here, a soft socio-religious revolution took place and the whole world started chanting 'Buddham Sharanam Gachchhami, Sangham Sharanam Gachchhami, Dhammam Sharanam Gachchhami. Here, you will happen to see ancient Buddhist monastery in ravaged form, Dhamek & Dharmarajika stupas, Asokan Pillar and a great museum.

Having visited Sarnath, you will be driven to Dashaswamedh Ghat of Varanasi where grand and auspicious

Ganga Aarti (Ganges Worship Ceremony) takes place every evening. Be witness to cultural and traditional rituals of Hindu religion which worships river Ganga as mother. Later in the evening, come back to Varanasi hotel for overnight stay.

The 15th day of Best of India Nepal Tour is special as you will happen to see various aspects of Varanasi. Early in the morning, Varanasi tour guide will accompany you for boat cruise along the ghats of the sacred river the Ganges to see the cremation ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and most important religions.

After having enjoyed boat cruise, return to Varanasi hotel to relax and have breakfast. Thereafter check out from Varanasi hotel and proceed for Varanasi city and temple tour. After Varanasi city tour, return to Varanasi hotel for overnight stay.

Early in the morning, having delicious breakfast in Varanasi hotel, you will be transferred to Varanasi airport to board flight for Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, the only Hindu country in the world. On arrival at Kathmandu, you will be received by our representative and taken to Kathmandu hotel. For smooth and speedy check in, our representative will assist you. Spend the rest of the day in leisure. Overnight stay has been planned in Kathmandu hotel.

Having delicious and fresh breakfast in Kathmandu hotel, proceed to visit historical and religious monuments of Kathmandu with Kathmandu tour guide, waiting for you in the hotel lobby. Kathmandu valley tour that comprises three prominent cities Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktpur, is essentially a cultural and architectural tour. Pashupatinath, Sayambhunath, Boudhnath and Kathmandu Durbar Square are prime tourist attractions of Kathmandu.

Pashupatinath is one of the most revered shrines for the Hindus across the globe. Only Hindus are allowed to enter its premises, offer prayers and perform traditional rituals. Non-Hindus can observe the religious performances from across the eastern bank of Bagmati river.

Other than Hinduism, Buddhism is the most practiced faith in Nepal. Swayambhunath is a Buddhist shrine, situated on the top of a hill west of Kathmandu. Due to large number of monkey in and around temple, Swayambhunath is also known among the foreign tourists as ‘monkey temple’.

World’s biggest stupa of Boudhnath is an ancient & colossal Buddhist shrine, situated amidst the premises of a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. It is located 8 kms east of Kathmandu.

Spend the evening in leisure and return to Kathmandu hotel for overnight stay.

Having relished delicious breakfast in Kathmandu hotel, proceed on for Patan and Bhaktpur cities tour. Just across Bagmati river and about 30 minutes drive from Kathmandu lies second largest city of Kathmandu valley- Patan. In ancient times, this princely state was called Yala. Tremendous Buddhist influence is clearly visible in existence of various Buddhist monuments and sculptural styles of Hindu temples and palaces. Patan offers a tourist several monuments of ancient era with distinct architectural styles. Durbar Square is the most visited place of Patan. Durbar Square, a splendid example of Newari architecture of Nepal, contains two prominent monuments- Royal Place and Jagannarayan Temple. Near Durbar Square are other two monuments- Golden Temple and Kumbheshwar Temple (built in 1392).

After Patan, move for Bhaktapur. Known as city of devotees, Bhaktpur is called by many Nepalese as ‘Bhadgaon or Khwopa. The main attraction of Bhaktpur is high temples in the backdrop of amazing natural beauty. The town is also famous for its artisans and handicraft articles. Bhaktapur is famous for woodcarving, the Bhadgaolen Topi (cap) and curd. Bhaktpur Durbar Square is a marvelous piece of architecture.

Having seen Patan and Bhaktpur, return to Kathmandu. Having experienced several shades of cultural lifestyle of Kathmandu valley people, return to Kathmandu hotel for overnight stay.

Have relaxed breakfast in Kathmandu hotel, check out and proceed for Pokhara, the second most prominent tourist destination of Nepal, after Kathmandu valley. A drive to Pokhara from Kathmandu takes about seven hours. Located 210 kms from Kathmandu and at an altitude of 2352 feet, Pokhara is famous for its stupendous natural beauty of its lakeside location and its proximity to the mountains.

Pokhara, the most densely populated city of Nepal, boasts of having Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I and Manaslu mountains which are among the world’s ten highest mountains. These three mountains are within a periphery of 30 miles. The second most expensive city of Nepal, Pokhara offers another fantastic opportunity to view a quick & sharp rise of the mountains from 1000 meter to 7500 meter within 30 kms, creating conducive circumstances for one of the highest precipitation rates in Nepal.

A drive to Pokhara through scenic hilly terrain is a sheer pleasure, refreshing the mind and soul. Pokhara, due to its beautiful and unique landscape, proximity to high mountains of Himalayas and being home to several falls, lakes and gorges turns out to be base station for some of the most famous treks, plenty of short walks and day trips.

On arrival at Pokhara, check in at pre-booked Pokhara hotel for overnight stay.

2nd day in Pokhara is replete with pleasantly tantalizing full day sightseeing. After breakfast, you will be taken on a trip to Phewa Lake with its silvery transparent and still water surface, reflecting stunning view of the Fish Tail's Peak. The view of snow-capped Annapurna Mountain from the banks of Phewa Lake is mesmerizing. Hereinafter, proceed for visiting Seti River gorge. You will have an opportunity to take a glimpse to the limestone cave of Mahendra Gufa, used to be well-known for its stalactites.

Afternoon, having lunch in a city restaurant, proceed for visiting Bindebasini Temple, one of the oldest temples of Pokhara. The statue of Bindebasini Devi, brought from India, the main deity of the temple and a form of Goddess Durga, was the main deity of Kaski Kingdom of Nepal. The temple is located in the old market area and thus visiting Bindebasini Temple offers an opportunity to have peep into cultural texture of Pokhara.

After a full day sightseeing tour of Pokhara, rest of the day has been kept free for personal activities. Stay overnight in Pokhara hotel.

Having scrumptious breakfast, retracing the same path, start the trip of day with driving back to Kathmandu (07 hours). On arrival at Kathmandu, check in at the pre-booked hotel and spend the day at leisure. One can indulge in shopping or visit the casinos trying their lady luck. Overnight stay has been planned in Kathmandu hotel.

Have breakfast in Kathmandu hotel, check out and proceed for Kathmandu airport to board flight for New Delhi. On arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, get board on the flight bound for your next destination.