Duration: 22 Nights / 23 Days
Destinations: Delhi – Jaipur – Ranthambhore National Park – Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary – Agra – Jhansi – Khajuraho Group of Monuments – Bandhavgarh National Park – Varanasi – Kathmandu – Chitwan National Park – Kathmandu – Delhi
Day 01: Arrival in Delhi
Welcome to New Delhi, the capital of India. On arrival at New Delhi International Airport, a representative from Shantanu Cultural Trails will receive you with a warm welcome. Then you will get the assisted transfer to your pre-booked hotel. Freshen up and relax. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 02: Delhi Sightseeing
Have a delicious breakfast served at the hotel restaurants. Thereafter, embark on a guide city tour of Delhi. First, explore the attractions of Old Delhi covering the Raj Ghat (the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi), Red Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India), and Chandani Chowk Market. Later in the afternoon, explore the attractions of New Delhi. Major attractions in New Delhi include India Gate (a War Memorial Monument), President House, Parliament House, Humayun’s Tomb (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Laxmi Narayan Temple (Birla Temple), and Qutub Minar Complex (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). After sightseeing in Delhi, return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 03: Delhi – Jaipur
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at hotel. Check out from the hotel and drive to Jaipur, the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. On arrival in Jaipur, you will be transferred to your pre-booked hotel. Freshen up and have some rest. In the evening, you can explore the local markets of the city. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 04: Jaipur Sightseeing
After an early, take an excursion to Amer Fort that is located atop a hill on the outskirts of the city. Enjoy an elephant ride to ascend the fort. The fort is known for its spectacular architecture. The fort overlooks the wonderful views below. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a part of the group of Hill Forts of Rajasthan. Return to the hotel for breakfast en route visiting the Jal Mahal Palace located in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake. After some rest at the hotel, embark on a guided city tour of Jaipur, lovingly known as the Pink City of India. The city is itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts numerous historical monuments and places of cultural interest. Sightseeing in Jaipur includes City Palace, Govind Devji Temple, Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall Museum, Jantar Mantar Observatory (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and Birla Mandir. On time return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 05: Jaipur – Ranthambore
Have a very hearty breakfast at the hotel and then drive to Ranthambore National Park. Check in your hotel on arrival there. Spend rest of the day at the leisure. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 06: Ranthambore National Park
Have a very hearty breakfast the hotel and then ready to explore the wildlife attractions at Ranthambore National Park.
Ranthambore National Park is one of the finest national park and tiger reserves in India. It is one of the best places in the country where you can spot tigers in their natural habitats even during the day time. Wildlife attractions at the park include Bengal tigers, leopards, elephants, wild water buffalos, wild boars, spotted deer, striped hyenas, wolves, antelopes, bison, sambars, four-horned antelopes, flying foxes, jungle cats, golden jackals, etc. The national park is also home to a wide variety of trees, plants, birds, and reptiles. In addition, the park is also noted for having one of the largest banyan trees in India. Another attraction in the national park is the Ranthambore Fort, built in the 10th century.
Enjoy jeep safari or elephant jungle safari to see the wild animals at their natural habitats. On time return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 07: Ranthambore National Park
After breakfast, enjoy a jeep safari to the park for wildlife viewing and birdwatching. Explore the rich flora and fauna. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 08: Ranthambore – Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Have a very hearty breakfast at the hotel and then drive to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. On arrival in Bharatpur, you will get assisted transfer to your hotel. Freshen up and relax at the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 09: Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Have a very hearty breakfast at the hotel. Later, visit the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Explore the rich flora and fauna. Take a boat ride to the nesting colonies of the birds and enjoy birdwatching. You can also enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride in the park to explore the sanctuary. The park is home to more than 350 species of birds. It is one of the finest avifauna sanctuaries in India to watch migrant birds including the rare Siberian cranes. The park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On time return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10: Bharatpur – Agra
After an early morning breakfast, check out from the hotel in Bharatpur and drive towards Agra en route stopping at Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy sightseeing at Fatehpur Sikri visiting attractions—Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai Palace, Tomb of Salim Chisti, and Jama Masjid. Continue your drive to Agra. On arrival in Agra, you will get assisted transfer to the hotel. After some rest, proceed to explore Agra’s attractions. Visit the world-famous Taj Mahal, the symbol of love. Known for its incomparable architectural beauty, the Taj Mahal is India’s star attractions and one of the most beautiful structures in the world. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, visit to another UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the Agra Fort. Agra Fort is also known for their spectacular architecture and historical importance. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 11: Agra – Jhansi – Khajuraho
This morning, a representative from Shantanu Cultural Trails will pick up you from the hotel in Agra and transfer you to the Agra Railway Station. You will board train to Jhansi which is the nearest railway station for Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. On arrival at Jhansi Railway Station, our representative will meet you and drive to Khajuraho. On arrival in Khajuraho, get assisted check-in at the hotel. Freshen up and relax. Later, enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Khajuraho visiting the eastern and western group of temples. Khajuraho temples are world-famous for their erotic art and sculptures. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 12: Khajuraho – Bandhavgarh
Have a very hearty breakfast at the hotel and then drive towards Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the most visited national parks in India. It has rich flora and fauna, and known for spotting tigers in their natural habitats. The park is also home to other animals such as Sloth Bear, Indian fox, Jackal, Wolf, Ratel, Striped Hyenas, Jungle Cat or Indian Pangolin.
Upon arrival at Bandhavgarh National Park, check-in at your pre-booked hotel. Freshen up and relax. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 13: Bandhavgarh National Park
Enjoy an early morning jeep safari into the Bandhavgarh National Park to explore the wildlife attractions. Return to the hotel for breakfast. In the evening, enjoy another game safari in the jungle. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 14: Bandhavgarh National Park
Enjoy an early morning jeep safari into the Bandhavgarh National Park to explore the wildlife attractions. Return to the hotel for breakfast. In the evening, enjoy another game safari in the jungle. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 15: Bandhavgarh – Khajuraho – Varanasi
Check out from the hotel after breakfast. You will then be transferred to Khajuraho Airport to board a flight to Varanasi, a holy city situated in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Upon arrival at Varanasi Airport, our representative will receive you and transfer you to the pre-booked hotel. Freshen up and relax. In the afternoon, embark a guided sightseeing tour of Varanasi. The sightseeing tour includes The Bharat Mata Temple, which has a big relief map of India in marble, the Benares Hindu University with its art gallery, and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb built on the side of an ancient Hindu temple, bathing ghats, the Kashi Vishwanath temple, and the Durgakund.
Day 16: Varanasi – Kathmandu
In the early morning, enjoy a boat ride on the holy river—the Ganges. Return to hotel for breakfast and then check out from the hotel. Then you will be transferred to Varanasi Airport to board a flight for Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.
Kathmandu: Locked between India and Tibet the tiny kingdom of Nepal is a country full of diversity and fascination. It is a hidden Kingdom of great beauty embracing eight of the world’s ten highest mountains including Everest, Annapurna, and Kangchenjunga. The scenery is stupendous, from the highest point on earth (Mount Everest) to the fertile jungle lowland. Although its people are predominantly Hindu, there is considerable overlap with Buddhism, and it is this vibrant mix of religion and culture which characterizes the allure of Nepal and, in particular, its capital Kathmandu. It has an artistic and architectural tradition that rivals anything you will find in the great cities of Europe. Beyond the temples and bustle of the towns of the Kathmandu Valley rise the mountains of the Nepal Himalaya – the ‘Abode of Snows’.
Upon arrival at the Kathmandu Airport, you will meet our representative and get assisted transfer to your pre-booked hotel. Freshen up and relax. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 17: Kathmandu – Chitwan
Have a very hearty breakfast at the hotel. Later, proceed to Chitwan. Check in your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay will be at hotel.
Day 18: Chitwan National Park
In the early morning enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee at the hotel. Then proceed to explore the Chitwan National Park.
Chitwan National Park: It is the first national park of Nepal and one of the finest forests in Asia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and known for its rich flora and fauna. It is home to more than 700 species of wildlife including mammals, birds, and reptiles. The major wildlife attractions of the park are Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, sloth bears, smooth-coated otters, Bengal foxes, wild dogs, striped hyenas, golden jackals, fishing cats, jungle cats, leopard cats, large civets, small civets, honey badgers, spotted linsangs, Asian palm civets, wild boars, hog deer, grey langurs, Indian pangolins, Indian hares, flying squirrels, four-horned antelopes, and Indian rhinoceros. Black-chinned yuhina, Bengal florican, grass warblers, egrets, storks, kingfishers, peafowls, jungle fowls, slender-billed babblers, brahminy ducks, goosanders, bar-headed geese, and cuckoos are bird attractions in the park.
Enjoy the safaris, wildlife viewing and birding at the park. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 19: Chitwan National Park
Have your breakfast at the hotel. Then proceed to explore the Chitwan National Park. Enjoy the safaris, wildlife viewing and birding at the park. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 20: Chitwan – Kathmandu
Have a relaxed breakfast at the hotel. Drive back to Kathmandu and check in at your hotel. Spend rest of the day leisure. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 21: Kathmandu
Have a very hearty breakfast at the hotel. Later, embark on a guide sightseeing tour in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Visit the famous Kathmandu Durbar Square – a number of interesting pagodas and Indian style temples (Sikhara), the House of Kumari (the living Goddess) and the Kasthamandap (or wooden house which is the origin of the word Kathmandu).
Then visit the Swayambhunath monkey temple with its commanding views of Kathmandu and its whitewashed stupas and its unique synthesis of Buddhist and Hindu religions. Also visit the Hanuman Dhoka which is a temple complex in the middle of the old city. The stunning temple complex consists of a number of different monuments & image of Lord Hanuman.
In the afternoon, visit the Patan Durbar Square. It is a cluster of fine pagoda temples and stone statues. The stone temple of Lord Krishna and the Royal Bath (Tushahity) with its intricate stone and bronze carvings are two masterpieces in the same vicinity.
Then, visit the Pashupatinath Temple which is one of the major attractions on Kathmandu sightseeing tour. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage destinations in Nepal. Here you will also see linga images of Lord Shiva along with statues, shrines, and temples dedicated to other deities. On time return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 22: Kathmandu – Delhi
Have a relaxed breakfast at the hotel. Spend the rest of the day in some local sightseeing or shopping. On time you will be transferred to the Kathmandu Airport to board a flight for Delhi, the capital of India. On arrival in Delhi, a representative from Shantanu Cultural Trails will receive you and transfer you to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 23: Delhi – Departure
Have a very hearty breakfast at the hotel. You are free to enjoy your own activities. You can go for shopping or explore the city on your own. After a farewell dinner at the hotel in the evening, a representative from Shantanu Cultural Trails will transfer you to the New Delhi International Airport. Board the flight for your home destination. The tour ends.
