DAY 1, Thursday, March 20 – Depart the USA for India

DAY 2, Friday, March 21 – Arrive in Delhi
Arrival in Delhi, Balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Delhi

DAY 3, Saturday March 22 – Old & New Delhi City Tour
This morning starts with an orientation meeting with our tour manager. Later, enjoying a tour of Old Delhi, an ancient historical city with more than 60,000 identifiable monuments. Visiting the Memorial of Mahatma Gandhi and the Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, and enjoying a brief photo stop to view the famous Red Fort. Enjoying a rickshaw ride around Old Delhi. Tour continues to explore New Delhi with a visit to the 17th-century Birla Temple. Drive past India Gate, the President’s House and the Indian Parliament House. Later, visit the Mausoleum of Humayun, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Overnight: Delhi

DAY 4, Sunday, March 23 – Travel to Jaipur
This morning, en route to Jaipur taking a brief stop for a photo opportunity at the UNESCO World Heritage Qutab Minar, the world’s tallest brick minaret. Continue to travel to Jaipur, the famed Pink City of India. The entire city was painted its unique pink color in 1876 to celebrate the visiting Prince of Wales. Several legends exist to explain why the color pink was chosen, but no matter the reason, it has come to represent the welcoming hospitality of Jaipur. Later, enjoying a visit at a Jewelry Shop and a local market
Overnight: Jaipur

DAY 5, Monday, March 24 – Elephant Ride to Amber Fort & Jaipur City Tour
This morning’s excursion takes us to the 16th century Amber Fort. Ascending the hill to the fort by jeep or on the back of an elephant if available and admire views of Jaipur’s original city walls and the Maotha Lake below. At the conclusion of the morning’s tour, browse a local Rajasthan textile and handicrafts market. In the afternoon, tour Jaipur, including visits to the observatory of Maharaja Jaisingh and the museum at the Maharaja City Palace. Drive past the 18th -century Hawa Mahal (“Palace of Winds”), which has a streetside facade of 953 small windows designed to circulate wind throughout the palace, thus giving the palace its name
Optional: Dinner at a Local Jaipur Restaurant with Show
Overnight: Jaipur

DAY 6, Tuesday, March 25 – Travel to Agra via Abhaneri
Travel to the medieval city of Agra, stopping in Abhaneri to visit the Chand Baori (stepwell). Created by King Chandra of the Nikumbha Dynasty, this stepwell is among the oldest in India dating from his reign during the 8th and 9th centuries. It is located adjacent to a temple dedicated to Harshat Mata, goddess of joy and happiness. In the past, locals would rely on stepwells to contain rainwater for their use. Also, if time permits there may be a visit to a local school. Upon arrival in Agra, the remainder of our day is at leisure
Overnight: Agra

DAY 7, Wednesday, March 26 – Taj Mahal & Agra Fort
Visiting the Taj Mahal, built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved Queen Mumtaj Mahal. This monumental construction, which took 22 years to complete (1631-53), is most famous for its imposing white-marble dome, and is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture in the world. Afterward, visit a local Marble Shop which offers incredible marble art and craft. In the afternoon, visit the Agra Fort, begun by Emperor Akbar the Great in the 16th century. Viewing the palaces, mosques, and Halls of Public and Private Audiences of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterward, seeing the beautifully embellished mausoleum of Itimad-Ud-Daulah (the Lord Treasurer), final resting place of vizier Mirza Ghiyas Beg, with walls of white marble set with semi-precious stone decoration
Optional: Dinner at a Local Agra Restaurant with Show
Overnight: Agra

DAY 8, Thursday, March 27 – Sightseeing En Route to Khajuraho
Boarding the Shatabdi Express train for Jhansi. Continue via motor coach to Khajuraho, stopping at Orchha on the River Betwa to view some of the most noteworthy Hindu architecture in India
Overnight: Khajuraho

DAY 9, Friday, March 28 – Chandela Dynasty Temples of Khajuraho & Flight to Varanasi
Enjoying an exciting morning tour of the Chandela Dynasty Temples. First visiting the Western Temples including the Kandariya Mahadeo Temple to Lord Shiva and the Chaunsath Yogini Temple, dedicated to the 64 Yoginis of the Goddess Kali. Among the Western Temples we will view the Bharatji Temple, with its 11-headed sculpture of Vishnu. Next, visiting the Eastern Temples including the Ghantai Temple, Javari Temple, and the Vamana Temple, dedicated to the dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for our flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel. Remainder of the afternoon is at leisure
Optional: Evening Sacred Prayer Ceremony at the Ganges River
Overnight: Varanasi

DAY 10, Saturday, March 29 – Ganges Boat Ride, Hindu Temples Visit & Sarnath Sightseeing
In the morning, witnessing dawn on the Ganges, a time when the Ghats along the riverbanks hum with activity, as Hindu devotees perform their ablutions in the river or offer prayers to the rising sun. A boat ride through this serene setting offers us the perfect panoramic vantage for this extraordinary experience. Visiting the Bharat Mata Temple, with its marble relief map of an undivided India, the Durga Temple, the exterior of the golden-spire temple of Vishwanath and Benaras Hindu University. After our early morning tour, returning to our hotel for a breakfast. Enjoying time at leisure to shop for authentic silks and brocades. Later, driving to the city of Sarnath, the ancient deer park where Guatama Buddha gave his first divine sermon of Dharma, and view the ruins, the stupa, and the Buddhist Temple. Tonight, enjoying a farewell dinner at a restaurant
Overnight: Varanasi

DAY 11, Sunday, March 30 – Flight to Kathmandu Nepal
Late in the morning, we will head to the airport for our flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, transferring to our hotel and enjoying the rest of the day at leisure
Optional:Traditional Nepalese Dinner
Haley Arrives from Germany
Overnight: Kathmandu (Haley joins us at the Raddison)

DAY 12, Monday, March 31 – Rural Nepal Excursion
Venture into rural Nepal this morning and enjoy visits to Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath, Bhadgaon and Nagarkot. Located on the banks of the Bagmati River, the Pashupatinath Temple is believed to mark the site where Shiva worshipped in the form of Lingam (only Hindus are permitted entrance). Continue to visit Bouddhanath, an important Buddhist pilgrimage center and home to one of the world’s largest Buddhist stupas. Also visit Bhadgaon (Bhaktapur), a Newar city founded in the 9th-century. Here we will see the royal residential quarter of King Bhupatindra Malla and the Nytapole Temple. The tour concludes with a stop at Nagarkot, where we will see a spectacular view of the Himalayan Mountains and Mt. Everest when the weather is clear
Erin, Julia, and John arrives from DC,
Overnight: Kathmandu (Haley is with us at the Radisson)

DAY 13, Tuesday, April 1 – Kathmandu City Tour
Driving to the UNESCO World Heritage Durbar Square, showcasing some of the finest architecture in Central Asia with more than 50 palaces, pagodas, and temples. The square is home to two important temples, the Kastamandap (Rest House of Wood), considered one of the oldest wooden structures in the world, and the 16th-century Taleju Temple, which honors a form of the Goddess Durga. Visit the temple of Machhendranath and the great stupa of Swayambhunath, with the eyes of Buddha painted on all four sides. See the Royal Palace complex with its gilded doorway and the shrine of Taleju. Enjoying the afternoon exploring the city on our own
We have dinner to the group climbing Mount Everest.
Dever arrives from DC.
Overnight: Kathmandu (Mike and Suzanna at the Raddison, everyone else at the Yak and Yeti)

DAY 14, Wednesday, April 2 – Flight to Delhi
Michael starts his Everest Base Camp Trip, this afternoon, Suzanna transfers to the airport for your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, she transfers to her hotel to freshen up. Late evening transfer to the airport for all flights departing at or just after midnight
Optional: Half Day Patan City Tour
Day use: Gurgaon