India: Land of the Taj & Tigers with Kathmandu & Varanasi
India: Land of the Taj & Tigers with Kathmandu & Varanasi
Overview
In Delhi, see India Gate and the pink Presidential Palace. You’ll travel through the vibrant Chandni Chowk bazaar by rickshaw. Visit Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar before departing Delhi for Agra. Here, you’ll marvel at the splendid Taj Mahal at sunset as the sun rays reflect changing hues of the spectacular marble monument to love. Embark on two thrilling open-air safari game drives through Ranthambore National Park in search of marsh crocodiles, striped hyenas, and the elusive Bengal tiger. Continue with two nights in the pink city of Jaipur—home to the legendary Amber Fort. Explore its alabaster Hall of Victory and incredible Chamber of Mirrors. Visit Jantar Mantar and the City Palace Museum to browse ancient art and artifacts. This value-minded tour to see the treasures of Nepal & India is not to be missed!
In Delhi, see India Gate and the pink Presidential Palace. You’ll travel through the vibrant Chandni Chowk bazaar by rickshaw. Visit Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar before departing Delhi for Agra. Here, you’ll marvel at the splendid Taj Mahal at sunset as the sun rays reflect changing hues of the spectacular marble monument to love. Embark on two thrilling open-air safari game drives through Ranthambore National Park in search of marsh crocodiles, striped hyenas, and the elusive Bengal tiger. Continue with two nights in the pink city of Jaipur—home to the legendary Amber Fort. Explore its alabaster Hall of Victory and incredible Chamber of Mirrors. Visit Jantar Mantar and the City Palace Museum to browse ancient art and artifacts. This value-minded tour to see the treasures of Nepal & India is not to be missed!
Itinerary
Welcome to Kathmandu. Your hotel room is available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Today, travel 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 centre of business and home to several Buddhist and Hindu sites. (B/L)
Your morning 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 Varanasi. (B/L)
Around dawn, board a boat and watch a striking religious ritual—the Hindus' devotional bathing in the Ganges. You'll observe hundreds of pilgrims gathered at the river's edge, some practicing yoga, others meditating, and still others bathing fully clothed. Return to your hotel for breakfast and some time at leisure. Early this evening, witness the Ganga Aarti (spiritual worship) on the ghats (steps) leading down to the sacred Ganges River. (B)
Today, fly to Delhi, capital of India. (B)
Your day starts with an orientation drive to see India Gate and the Presidential Palace. Then, take a rickshaw ride through the alleys of Chandni Chowk, a captivating bazaar, and visit Jama Masjid. After lunch, visit Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar, the world's tallest brick minaret, dating back to the 11th century. Next, explore Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi's largest and most prominent Sikh gurudwara (house of worship). (B/L)
Driver to Agra this morning. This afternoon, visit Agra Fort, a colossal, red sandstone UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising the spectacular Mughal Palace with audience halls, the Room of Mirrors, and the pavilion where Shahjahan spent his last days. End your day with a sunset visit to the famous Taj Mahal. This remarkable monument, commissioned by Sjahjahan as a memorial to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, took 22 years to build. (B/D)
Today, stop at Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour the sandstone palaces, elegant courtyards, and victory gate of this ghostly place built in 1569 and deserted by its people when water ran out. After lunch, travel to Sawai Madhopur, gateway to Ranthambore National Park. (B/L/D)
Today, explore Ranthambore National Park on morning and afternoon game drives in an open-air safari vehicle. In addition to Bengal tigers, the park is home to leopard, sambar deer, sloth bears, marsh crocodiles, striped hyena, and more. Between game drives, enjoy free time to relax. (B/L/D)
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 and interact with the children and help them practice their English. (B/L)
Visit the legendary Amber Fort, known as the "Sleeping Beauty of Rajasthan." This fortress-palace has a somber exterior that hides a richly ornate interior of royal apartments, including an alabaster Hall of Victory and a superb Chamber of Mirrors. The afternoon and evening are at your leisure. (B)
Today, drive back to Delhi. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Welcome to Kathmandu. Your hotel room is available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Today, travel 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 centre of business and home to several Buddhist and Hindu sites. (B/L)
Your morning 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 Varanasi. (B/L)
Around dawn, board a boat and watch a striking religious ritual—the Hindus' devotional bathing in the Ganges. You'll observe hundreds of pilgrims gathered at the river's edge, some practicing yoga, others meditating, and still others bathing fully clothed. Return to your hotel for breakfast and some time at leisure. Early this evening, witness the Ganga Aarti (spiritual worship) on the ghats (steps) leading down to the sacred Ganges River. (B)
Today, fly to Delhi, capital of India. (B)
Your day starts with an orientation drive to see India Gate and the Presidential Palace. Then, take a rickshaw ride through the alleys of Chandni Chowk, a captivating bazaar, and visit Jama Masjid. After lunch, visit Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar, the world's tallest brick minaret, dating back to the 11th century. Next, explore Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi's largest and most prominent Sikh gurudwara (house of worship). (B/L)
Driver to Agra this morning. This afternoon, visit Agra Fort, a colossal, red sandstone UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising the spectacular Mughal Palace with audience halls, the Room of Mirrors, and the pavilion where Shahjahan spent his last days. End your day with a sunset visit to the famous Taj Mahal. This remarkable monument, commissioned by Sjahjahan as a memorial to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, took 22 years to build. (B/D)
Today, stop at Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour the sandstone palaces, elegant courtyards, and victory gate of this ghostly place built in 1569 and deserted by its people when water ran out. After lunch, travel to Sawai Madhopur, gateway to Ranthambore National Park. (B/L/D)
Today, explore Ranthambore National Park on morning and afternoon game drives in an open-air safari vehicle. In addition to Bengal tigers, the park is home to leopard, sambar deer, sloth bears, marsh crocodiles, striped hyena, and more. Between game drives, enjoy free time to relax. (B/L/D)
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 and interact with the children and help them practice their English. (B/L)
Visit the legendary Amber Fort, known as the "Sleeping Beauty of Rajasthan." This fortress-palace has a somber exterior that hides a richly ornate interior of royal apartments, including an alabaster Hall of Victory and a superb Chamber of Mirrors. The afternoon and evening are at your leisure. (B)
Today, drive back to Delhi. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Trip Inclusions
Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. Local Guide and sightseeing vehicle in Kathmandu and Varanasi.
- 12 Breakfasts
- 6 Lunches
- 3 Dinners
- Kathmandu Fairfield by Marriott Kathmandu (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Varanasi Hotel Madin (Moderate First-Class)
- Delhi Jaypee Siddharth Hotel (First-Class)
- Agra Jaypee Palace Hotel & Convention Center (First-Class)
- Sawai Madhopur Abhyaran Resort & Spa (Moderate First-Class)
- Jaipur Four Points by Sheraton Jajipur, City Square
- Delhi Ibis New Delhi Aerocity (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- Some flights depart Delhi very early in the morning. In these cases, breakfast is not included on day 13, and you will have to depart for the airport late in the evening of day 12 or just after midnight on day 13.
Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. Local Guide and sightseeing vehicle in Kathmandu and Varanasi.
- 12 Breakfasts
- 6 Lunches
- 3 Dinners
- Kathmandu Fairfield by Marriott Kathmandu (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Varanasi Hotel Madin (Moderate First-Class)
- Delhi Jaypee Siddharth Hotel (First-Class)
- Agra Jaypee Palace Hotel & Convention Center (First-Class)
- Sawai Madhopur Abhyaran Resort & Spa (Moderate First-Class)
- Jaipur Four Points by Sheraton Jajipur, City Square
- Delhi Ibis New Delhi Aerocity (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- Some flights depart Delhi very early in the morning. In these cases, breakfast is not included on day 13, and you will have to depart for the airport late in the evening of day 12 or just after midnight on day 13.
Enjoy inside visits to Asia's the must-see sites with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more
Cosmos build free time into every one of their holidays, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Read more
Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled and multilingual Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more
Availability
Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Cosmos.
