North India and Nepal Tour 2008 for Cheryl & Karen R. and Patricia G.

ITINERARY :

1. Saturday, September 27, 2008 / Arrival Delhi:

You arrive in Delhi by international flight. Our representative would assist you at the airport & transfer to Residence Hotel in south Delhi for overnight.

2. Sunday, September 28, 2008 / Delhi - Udaipur:

After breakfast drive to Raj Ghat – Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial, drive past Red Fort of Delhi built by Emperor Shahjahan (the builder of Taj Mahal), to Jama Masjid. After sightseeing of the mosque also built by Emperor Shahjahan, take a Bicycle Ricksha ride in old Delhi. Later visit Qutub Minar and the monuments surrounding it and the Lotus Bahai Temple. Transfer to Hazrat Nizamuddin Train Station to board 1st class air-conditioned sleeper berth of 2963 Mewar Express Train at 7 PM (packed dinner). Overnight in train.

3. Monday, September 29, 2008 / Udaipur:

Arrive in Udaipur at 7 AM. Transfer to Lake Palace Hotel and sightseeing of the City Palace of the Maharanas of Udaipur and the Jagdish temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is approachable by a broad flight of steps just outside the gates of City Palace. The shrine is a rectangular platform on the lines of Indo-Aryan style of architecture. In the afternoon enjoy a leisurely boat ride on Pichola Lake to visit the Jag Mandir Island Palace. Overnight in Lake Palace Hotel. (Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur is one of the most luxurious hotels in the world. They do not allow extra bed in double room. There will be a double bed room with either a double bed or twin beds as per your choice and a separate room for the third person).

4. Tuesday, September 30, 2008 / Udaipur/Jaipur:

Full day excursion to Ranakpur Chaumukha Jain temple complex. After dinner transfer to train station to board the 1st class air-conditioned Train # 2966 Udaipur Jaipur Super Express from Udaipur City Station at 10.20 PM. Overnight in train.

5. Wednesday, October 1, 2008 / Jaipur:

Arrive in Jaipur at 6 AM. Transfer to Narain Niwas Palace Hotel. Later drive to Amber for elephant ride to the hilltop palaces of Kachhwaha Maharajas. After lunch sightseeing of City Palace and Astronomical Observatory. Overnight in Narain Niwas Palace Hotel.

6. Thursday, October 2, 2008 / Jaipur-Bharatpur-Fatehpur Sikri-Agra:

Early morning transfer to Jaipur train station to board train # 2966 Udaipur Jaipur Super Express from Jaipur Station at 6.10 AM to arrive in Agra Cantt. at 10.52 AM. Rs. 852 1st class AC. Arrive in Bharatpur at 9.05 AM. Later leave for Agra by surface with a stop at Fatehpur Sikri (25 miles from Agra) built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water and other reasons. Wonder at the blend of Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Islamic architecture in the red sandstone palaces of Emperor Akbar and the Jama Masjid with the white marble Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti and the high arched Buland Darwaza Gate. On arrival check-in and overnight in Taj View Gateway Hotel, very near to Taj Mahal. Rest of the day at leisure/shopping. Overnight in Taj View Gateway Hotel.

7. Friday, October 3, 2008 / Agra - Jhansi:

Morning sightseeing of the Taj Mahal by sunrise – built in 1630 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan Return back to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast visit the massive Agra Fort – representing the first major building project of Akbar, Later visit the white marble tomb of Itmad-ud –Daulah built by Empress Nur Jahan to honor her parents. Late afternoon visit the Taj Mahal again for the second time to see the changing colors of this amazing monument by sunset. After dinner transfer to Agra Cantt. train station to board the 1st class air-conditioned sleeper berth of train # 2724 AP Express at 8.40 PM arrives in Jhansi at 11.29 PM. Transfer to Orchha Resort (16 kilometers or 10 miles) for overnight.

8. Saturday, October 4, 2008 / Orchha-Khajuraho:

After breakfast visit the two famous Hindu temples and the Orchha Fort. Later drive about 3 hours to Khajuraho for lunch. In the afternoon visit the Jain temple group. Overnight in Usha Bundela Hotel, close to airport and very near the Eastern group of Hindu temples.

9. Sunday, October 5, 2008 / Khajuraho-Varanasi:

Visit the eastern group after breakfast. After lunch transfer to airport to board the Jet Airways flight 9W724 at 1.30 PM to arrive in Varanasi at 2.10 PM. Transfer to Rashmi Guest House Hotel on the ghats of the River Ganga. Visit the temples near the Ghats, Aurangzebs Mosque at the site of original Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Sawai Raja Jai Singhs astronomical observatory in Varanasi In the evening enjoy the special Ganga Aartee ceremony. Overnight in Rashmi Guest House. This hotel is located on Manmandir Ghat (Ghat = bank of the river) just beside the astronomical observatory of Jaipur Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. This location is near all important ghats.

10. Monday, October 6, 2008 / Varanasi - Delhi:

Before sunrise boat ride on the River Ganga to witness the morning prayer ritual of Hindu pilgrims. In the afternoon visit the birthplace of Buddhist religion – Sarnath. Lord Buddha preached his first sermon in the deer park at Sarnath to start the Dharmachakra (wheel of religion). Transfer to Varanasi Junction train station to board the 1st class air-conditioned sleeper berth of train # 2559 Shiv Ganga Express from Varanasi Junction at 7.15 PM. Overnight in train.

11. Tuesday, October 7, 2008 / Delhi - Kathmandu:

Arrive in New Delhi train station at 7.25 AM. Transfer to a hotel for breakfast and relax in lobby or shopping in Delhi. Departure with Indian flight IC 813 departing at 1.40 PM and arriving in Tribhuvan International Airport at 3.25 PM. After visa formalities, baggage checkout and customs, reception at Tribhuvan International Airport by our Nepal representative. Transfer to Hotel Hyatt Regency, the best 5-star hotel in Kathmandu.

12. Wednesday, October 8, 2008 / Kathmandu - Nagarkot:

The half day sightseeing of Kathmandu on this day includes sightseeing at Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Stupa, the drive to Nagarkot for sunrise tour. Overnight in Club Himalaya Resort.

13. Thursday, October 9, 2008 / Kathmandu – Bakhtapur - Patan:

Half day sightseeing of Bhaktapur Durbar Square & Patan Durbar Square, Shopping. Overnight in Hotel Hyatt Regency.

14. Friday, October 10, 2008 / Kathmandu/Delhi/San Francisco:

In the morning time for Everest Flight. After lunch relax or shop in Kathmandu. Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu to board the Jet Airways flight # 9W814 at 3.45 PM to arrive in Delhi at 5.15 PM. Farewell dinner at Ashok Country Club before boarding the flight at about 10.15 PM back to San Francisco.

The price per person includes:

• • 7 hotel overnights, 3 train overnights in India, 2 overnights in Kathmandu and 1 overnight in Nagarkot in the above mentioned hotels on triple occupancy basis with breakfast except in Udaipur in India.
• • Domestic and India-Nepal flights as mentioned in the itinerary
• • All transfers and sightseeing by your own private chauffeur driven air-conditioned car in India and Nepal
• • All train tickets in 1st class AC compartments in India.
• • English speaking guide for all sightseeing
• • All monument entrance fees
• • Farewell dinner in Ashok Country Club before departure of international flight from Delhi to San Francisco

Not included in the price :

• • Visa fees for India and Nepal (Nepal visa can be obtained at Tribhuvan International Airport on arrival). Please apply for Indian visa at www.cgisf.org. They have the link to the outsourcing company on the website.
• • Lunches and dinners as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• • Telephone, Laundry and room service charges in hotels
• • Tips to drivers and guides (the customary tip is about $ 3 to $ 5 per day)