Independent India & Nepal: Colorful Cultures & Wondrous Wildlife

Welcome to India! Your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.

• Your private guided sightseeing starts with an orientation for photos at some of the city’s famous sites, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and the Gateway of India.
• Then, witness Mumbai’s fascinating tiffin lunch box delivery system. At Churchgate Station, the dabbawalas (box carriers) transfer the lunch boxes onto a wooden cart on a local train. Board the train for the short ride to Mahalaxmi Station where you’ll disembark and watch the boxes being sorted by color for final delivery.
• Lastly, stop to see a traditional Dhobi Ghat (open-air laundromat) and visit Mani Bhavan, the former residence of Mahatma Gandhi.

• Today, enjoy an excursion to Elephanta Island to visit the Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating back to the mid-5th century.
• Start with a ferry ride to the island where you’ll have ample time to explore the seven caves rock cut caves and the carvings and sculptures within them. One of the highlights is the beautiful Sadashiva, which represents three aspects of Shiva: the creator, the preserver, and the destroyer.

• Today, fly to Udaipur, known as the “City of Lakes.”

• Your private guided sightseeing tour starts with a visit to the City Palace, the largest palace in Rajasthan. Then, visit the Jagdish Temple and the Crystal Gallery.
• After some free time in the middle of the day, embark on a sunset cruise on Lake Pichola.

• Today, fly to Delhi, India’s capital city.

• Your private guided sightseeing tour starts with an orientation drive to see the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, India Gate, and the Presidential Palace.
• Afterward, take a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, a captivating local bazaar. Here, ancient alleyways are lined with quaint shops selling all sorts of goods and souvenirs—from silver and saris to spices and electronics.

• This morning, explore Delhi on a private guided tour. Start at Qutub Minar, the world’s tallest brick minaret.
• Next, visit Humayun’s Tomb and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi’s largest and most prominent Sikh gurudwara (house of worship).
• After lunch, drive to Agra, where much of the city’s impressive past is still evident in the majesty of her buildings.

• Today, drive to Jaipur, often referred to as the “Pink City.”
• After lunch, visit Jantar Mantar and explore the City Palace Museum with its collection of paintings, carpets, weapons, and costumes.
• Lastly, visit Ladli, a training program teaching orphaned and destitute children valuable skills to keep them off the streets. Here learn about the project, interact with the children, and help them practice their English skills.

• Fly to Kathmandu (via Delhi).

• Start your day early with a flightseeing excursion to see Mount Everest. During the 50-minute flight, glimpse some of the highest peaks in the Himalayas including Mount Everest. You’ll also gain a better understanding of Nepal’s extreme geography.
• Later, a private guided tour takes you to Bouddhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world and a focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal.
• Then, continue to Patan, formerly known as Lalitpur (City of Beauty). Here, stop in Durbar Square, the city’s center of business and home to several Buddhist and Hindu sites.

• Your morning private sightseeing tour starts with a visit to Hanuman Dhoka, the historic seat of royalty. Then, visit the Temple of Kumari, residence of the Living Goddess and said to be constructed from the wood of a single tree.
• Later, fly to Bharatpur and transfer to your lodge on the banks of the Rapti River, your base for exploring Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Continue exploring Chitwan National Park on morning and afternoon game activities with an experienced naturalist: choice of game drive, bush walk, or boat excursion.
• You may also choose to visit a nearby village to learn about local life.
• Tonight, enjoy a special bush dinner!

• Today, transfer to Bharatpur airport and fly back to Kathmandu.

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.