Itinerary

1. Day1

   Meet at Toronto Pearson airport , check in and flight to Delhi.

    

   
   
2. Day2

   Welcome to Delhi, India! a monumental city with a vibrant mix of old and new teeming bazaars, stately British boulevards, powerful Mughal palaces and forts, and intricate, ethereal towers, temples and tombs. You will be met on arrival at the international airport by a representative of Indus Travels and escorted by private vehicle to the hotel. While the room keys and check-in are organized, our representative will brief you about the tour program and hand over the documents to you. Overnight at the hotel. 

   
   
3. Day3

   Our adventure begins in Old Delhi, the Mughal capital established by Shah Jahan in 1638. At the famous Red Fort, where Jawaharlal Nehru unfurled the flag of newly-independent India on August 15, 1947, we trade our car for bicycle rickshaws. Weaving through the warren of crooked, congested alleys off Chandni Chowk, one of India’s oldest and busiest bazaars, we will see that the traditional workmanship for which India is well known still thrives. We will also visit Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s serene and evocative cremation site, and the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. Afternoon visit Qutub Minar, a stunning 240-foot minaret – the tallest in the world – surrounded by an elaborate complex built in the Indo-Islamic architectural tradition.  Overnight at the hotel.

   
   
4. Day4

   After breakfast drive to the “Pink City” of Jaipur - Rajasthan’s capital, The origin of Jaipur’s nickname becomes immediately apparent as we enter the old city walls and greet the pink-colored buildings that rise at every turn. In the late afternoon explore the old city on own or pick an indus expirence of your choice in Jaipur. Jaipur is an excellent place to enjoy unparalleled shopping and people watching. Spend time in the oldest and busiest of markets in the walled city, Johori Bazaar, a true feast for the senses. Aromatic spices fill the air, while oxcarts, rickshaws, cows, bejeweled women and men with shocking pink turbans jostle through the labyrinthine streets. Overnight at the hotel. 

   
   
5. Day5

   This morning we will drive a short distance outside of the city to Amber Fort and Palace. Perched on a hillside on the outskirts of town, the palace was constructed in the 1590s by Maharaja Man Singh, the commander of Akbar’s army, and was largely motivated by the highly defensible location. This is a beautiful and very well preserved structure, built on four levels and surrounded by ruins, which served as the backdrop for the Mira Nair movie “Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love.” And in the afternoon we return to the city for a look at the grand Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). This magnificent structure was built to allow the royal ladies of the palace to discretely watch the grand processions along the main street, City Palace and impressive Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built in the early 1700s by Maharaja Jai Sing II, the great warrior-astronomer to which this city owes its name. Overnight at the hotel.

   
   
6. Day6

   After breakfast we will continue overland to Agra. We will stop en route at Fatehpur Sikri, the eerily abandoned capital ofthe Mughal Empire between 1570 and 1586. Akbar built this city to celebrate the birth of his son and future heir to the thrown, Emperor Jahangir. While Akbar is believed to have been illiterate, he took great interest in the arts and architecture; Fatehpur Sikri is one of his masterworks. Sadly, it served as a capital for little more than a decade, eventually abandoned for lack of accessible water. Arriving Agra in time for sunset at the Taj Mahal. You will long remember this scene as the Taj changes color and mood, its marble walls reflecting the pinks and mauves of the receding sun. Overnight at the hotel.

   
   
7. Day7

   We may choose to revisit the Taj to witness its shifting facades at sunrise. After breakfast, we set out to explore the Agra Fort, the work of Akbar the Great, who built it over the course of eight years (1565-1573). The fort was successively occupied by Emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan; the latter died here, imprisoned by his son, left to gaze at the Taj Mahal he had built.After lunch we cross the Yamuna River to visit Itmad ud Daula. The mausoleum was built by Queen Nur Jahan in 1622 in memory of her father. It is a notable representation of the fine inlaid stonework and translucent marble.  Many historians believe that this monument was Shah Jahan’s inspiration for building the Taj and is often described as the “petite Taj.” Overnight at the hotel.

   
   
8. Day8

   After breakfast transfer to Agra Cantt Railway Station to board your train Shatabdi Express at 0817 hrs for Jhansi. Arrive Jhansi met upon arrival and drive by surface to Khajuraho en-route visit Orchha. Orchha was the capital of the Bundela Rajputs between 1531 and 1783. The palaces and temples built by them retain much of their pristine perfection. Some of the palaces were decorated with painted murals, which represent the finest flowering of the Bundela school of painting. Places to visit are Jehangir Mahal-within the fort complex, built in the 17th century to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir.Later continue your drive to Khajuraho. Arrive Khajuraho and check-in at hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.  

   
   
9. Day9

   One of the most popular destinations in India, Khajuraho is home to India’s largest group of medieval Hindu temples. These are famous for their erotic sculptures depicting scenes from the Kama Sutra. Only discovered in the 20th century after being reclaimed by jungle, the Khajuraho group of monuments is today protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
   Khajuraho was once the religious capital of the Chandela Rajputs, a Hindu dynasty that ruled this part of India from the 10th to the 12th centuries. The Khajuraho temples were built over a span of a hundred years, from 950 to 1050, with the whole area enclosed by a wall with eight gates, each flanked by two golden palm trees. There were originally over 80 Hindu temples, of which only 22 now stand in a reasonable state of preservation, scattered over an area of about 8 sq miles (21 km²).Evening, enjoy Light & Sound Show at the complex of Western group of temples. Overnight stay at hotel. 

   
   
10. Day10

    Morning breakfast at hotel.  Afternoon transfer to the airport to connect flight to the ancient city of Varanasi, the center of Hindu culture. A holy city dedicated to Shiva, Varanasi has survived the centuries because of its sanctified place in Indian religious life. Late this afternoon take an excursion to the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Sarnath. At the museum, see excavated pillars from the Maurya dynasty (323-185 B.C.) and ancient stupas. Late evening cruise the Ganges River at sunset to witness the evening Aarti prayer ritual. Overnight at the hotel.

    
    
11. Day11

    Take an early morning boat ride to see pilgrims gathering on the ghats to bathe in the sacred Ganges as the city begins to come alive in the misty light of dawn. Late breakfast, then take a walk through the narrow lanes of the old city. Rest of the day at leisure or pick an indus exeperience of your choice in Varanasi. Overnight at the hotel. 

    
    
12. Day12

    After breakfast transfer to the airport to connect flight for Kathmandu. Upon arrival  at Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu, you are welcomed by the hospitable meeting and then you will be transferred to your hotel. Our guide will explain briefly the program upon arrival at hotel. Overnight stay at hotel .

    
    
13. Day13

    After breakfast proceed for a half day tour of Nepal's capital Kathmandu is also known as Kentipur. Visit Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka pass by, the historic Royal Chair, Temple of Kumari, the residence of the virgin goddess Kasthamandap built in 1596 BC and is also the source of the name of Kathmandu. Visit to the Swayambhunath Stupa, better known as the Temple of the Monkeys. Overnight stay at hotel. 

    
    
14. Day14

    Morning after breakfast visit the ancient city of Patan founded in the third century, which is known as the City of the Arts, includes visits to the Durbar Square, Krishna Mandir four-story temple is a fine example of art and architecture Nepal. Then visit the golden temple Hiranya Varna Mahavira, the temple of Min Nath Stupa and Ashoka (without entrance to the museum). In the afternoon visit Bhadgaon (Bhaktapur) the center of art and medieval architecture. Visit to Pashupatinath, the temple in Pagoda style, dedicated to Shiva, situated on the banks of the sacred Bagsmati. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

    
    
15. Day15

    Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to the airport to connect flight for Delhi, upon arrival met with our representative and transfer to the International airport to connect flight for your onward destination.

    
    
16. Day16

    Returning to Toronto at the same day.