India & Nepal Cultural Tours

A blend of North India Cultural Highligts plus a wildlife safari of North India Sanctuaries. There is a good possibility of tiger spotting in Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Ranthambhor. Four-Five Star Hotels and Top Forest/Park Lodgings. Led by Indian wildlife naturalist.

Duration: 20 Nights / 21 Days
Destinations: Delhi - Udaipur - Ranakpur - Udaipur - Jaipur - Bharatpur - Agra - Jhansi - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Kathmandu - Pokhara - Chitwan - Kathmandu - Delhi

Day 01: Arrival Delhi

You will be met on arrival at the International airport. Transfer to your hotel. Relax.

DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. Delhi is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land and a window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.

Overnight will be at Delhi.

Day 02: Delhi - Udaipur

After breakfast drive to Domestic Airport Proceed for Udaipur.

Reach and check in at hotel.

The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure lake, hemmed in by the lush hills of the ARAVALLIS. A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences and inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers.

Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic past, epitomizing valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the LAKE PICHOLA is an enticing sight.

Udaipur is the jewel of MEWAR -a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years. Relax in the evening.

Proceed for sight-seeing tour of Udaipur, stopping first at City Palace. Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard.

Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the local folk Museum.

Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace in the middle of the lake. Spend some time at the Jag Mandir Palace.

Overnight will be at Udaipur.

Day 03: Udaipur - Ranakpur - Udaipur

Breakfast will be at hotel.

Proceed for an excursion to the beautiful Jain temples of Ranakpur.

RANAKPUR TEMPLES, dating back to the 15th century. 200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds with intricate friezes and sculptures. Includes visits to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.

Return to Udaipur in the evening and relax. Overnight will be at Udaipur.

Day 04: Udaipur - Jaipur

After breakfast drive to Domestic Airport Proceed for Jaipur.

JAIPUR - The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. It is popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.

Reach Jaipur and check in at hotel. Shopping and relax in the evening.

Overnight will be at Jaipur.

Day 05: Jaipur

Breakfast will be at hotel. Morning excursion will be taken to the Amber Fort. Enjoy the fort ascent on elephant back in a royal manner.

AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.

Afternoon sight-seeing tour of Jaipur visiting...

CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.

JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.

HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.

Free in the evening. Overnight will be at Jaipur.

Day 06: Jaipur - Bharatpur

Drive to Bharatpur after breakfast.

Check in at hotel on arrival.

A paradise for the avian world, and the pilgrimage for the bird lovers, it was known as the best duck shooting resort in the British empire. But was declared a reserve for birds in 1956 and later upgraded to National Park. UNESCO has listed it as a world heritage site. The geographical location is ideal as it is on the main North-South avian route of India. Although small in size, 29 sq km, it boasts to house more than 375 species of beautiful birds, and more than 132 of them breed inside the Keoladeo Ghana National Park and nearly every year new ones are added to the list. The sanctuary not only attracts birds from India but also from places like Europe, Siberia, China and Tibet Before monsoons hundreds of these exotic birds roost and nest building activities start on the babool and kadam trees of the park. Water coming through the Ajan Bandh starts filling the various ponds and lakes of the Park.

Visit the Bird Park in the afternoon with a naturalist who will accompany you to help spotting the rare species.

Overnight will be at Hotel.

Day 07: Bharatpur - Agra

Visit the Bird Park in the early morning with a naturalist who will accompany you to help spotting the rare species.

Breakfast will be at the hotel.

Drive to Agra visiting Fatehpur Sikri en-route.

The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition ... it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur. Also visit the Buland Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.

Continue your drive to Agra and on arrival check-in at Hotel. Afternoon visit Agra Fort Which was built by Akbar In 1525 AD. After Agra Fort we will visit TAJ MAHAL: The fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, built it in 1631 in the memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian princess. She died while accompanying her husband in Behrampur in a campaign to crush a rebellion, after giving birth to their 14th child. Her death so crushed the emperor that all his hair and beard were said to have grown snow white in a few months. When Mumtaz Mahal was still alive, she extracted four promises from the emperor: first, that he build the Taj; second, that he should marry again; third, that he be kind to their children; and fourth, that he visit the tomb on her death anniversary. He kept the first and second promises. Construction began in 1631 and was completed in 22 years. Twenty thousand people were deployed to work on it. An Iranian architect designed it and it is best appreciated when the architecture and its adornments are linked to the passion that inspired it. It is a "symbol of eternal love".

Having buried her down at Behrampur, it was time for the emperor to keep his promise and build a tomb there itself. But by and by, it was felt that it was virtually impossible to transfer all the marble there, as it would cost an entire fortune and an entire lifetime. So, when Agra was chosen as the only alternative, astonishingly her grave was uprooted and brought to Agra, only to be finally transferred to the monument, completed twenty-two years later.

Overnight will be at Agra.

Day 08: Agra - Jhansi - Khajuraho

Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed to the station for train to Jhansi.

Reach Jhansi and transfer to Orchha, 12 km away.

Orchha - a medieval city founded by Bundela rulers with palaces and temples of the 16th and 17th century - which have remarkably withstood the onslaught of time. The city is picturesquely flanked by the river betwa.

Proceed for sight-seeing of ORCHHA sites within the Fort Complex. Enjoy your lunch at Orchha.

Continue drive to Khajuraho.

Situated in the heart of India, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is a fascinating village with a quaint, rural ambience and a rich cultural heritage, honored by the world as India's unique contribution to human civilization. The Chandela dynasty built eighty-five temples here. Twenty remain as embodiments of Indian architectural and sculptural art at its most evolved state. Even ten centuries after they were constructed, the temples of Khajuraho reflect an eternal philosophy relevant to all mankind. The temples of Khajuraho is a world heritage site and belong not just to India but to the world. Khajuraho is one of the few millennium destinations of the world.

Reach Khajuraho. Transferred to hotel and relax. Evening will be free. You can go out for a stroll. Overnight will be at Khajuraho.

Day 09: Khajuraho - Varanasi

Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed for a guided tour of the exotic temples of Khajuraho.

Transfer in time to airport for flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi, you will be met and transferred to hotel.

Varanasi is the world's most ancient living city. Sunrise on the riverfront, as seen from a boat, can be spiritually uplifting sight. Crowded with temples, and its labyrinth of streets, the city attracts the maximum number of tourists. The religious capital of Hinduism, Varanasi is the carpet manufacturing place of India. It was previously known as Kashi - the city that illuminates. The present name is derived from the fact that the city is at the confluence of the rivers Varuna and Asi.

Visit to SARNATH. (Optional)

Overnight will be at Varanasi.

Day 10: Varanasi - Kathmandu

Morning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and most important religions. (To start at 0500 hrs. for the best lifetime experience) For you to appreciate this remarkable city, we'll transfer you to the banks of the River Ganges before the sun rises. Board a boat with your guide and proceed to the middle of the river, where at sunrise the sight unfolds before you. Thousands of faithful come daily to the banks to bathe and pray while in the background, temples and palaces rise in tiers from the water's edge. Return for a walk through the cobblestone streets along the banks of "Ganga". As shops are opening, the place now becomes a beehive of activity as the faithful are coming and going.

Return to hotel for a sumptuous breakfast and transfer to airport for flight to Kathmandu.

Reach Kathmandu.

The Kathmandu Valley, the political, commercial and cultural hub of Nepal, is the first for the majority of visitors to Nepal. Once a separate kingdom in itself, it contains three fabled cities - Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. Each is an artistic exposition of graceful temples, elegant palaces, brick paved courtyards and quaint streets. There are seven UNESCO World Heritage sites in the valley.

Relax for the rest of the day.

Overnight will be at Kathmandu.

Day 11: Kathmandu

Breakfast will be at hotel.

Day tour will be covering Swambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square.

It is the historic seat of royalty. The Durbar Square, with its old temples and palaces, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. It is here that kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnized. Interesting things to see here are: Taleju Temple built by King Mahendra Malla in 1549 AD, the temple of Kal Bhairav, the God of destruction, Nautalle Durbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue of King Pratap Malla, the Big Drum and the Jagannath Temple.

On the right hand corner, a large wooden lattice screen hides an enormous gilded face of Sweta Bhairav. The screen is removed only during the Indra Jatra festival. There are also the Numismatic Museum and Tribhuvan Museum inside the Hanuman Dhoka Palace building. Photography is prohibited inside the museum. Both the museums remain closed on Sundays, Mondays and government holidays.

The Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath situated on the top of a hill west of the city, is on the most popular and instantly recognizable symbols of Nepal. The temple is colloquially know as the 'monkey temple' after the large tribe of handsome monkeys which guards the hill and amuses visitors and devotees with tricks, including sliding gracefully down the double banisters of the main stairway to the temple. The roving monkeys quickly snatch up any offerings of food made by devotes and will just as quickly grab anything you may be carrying.

Overnight will be at Kathmandu.

Day 12: Kathmandu

Breakfast will be at hotel.

Proceed for a visit to PASHUPATINATH.

Situated 5 km east of Kathmandu, the temple of Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath, with two tiered golden roof and silver door is considered one of the holiest shrines for Hindu. It is Top Hindu temple of the world. Although only Hindus are allowed inside the temple, visitors can clearly see the temple and the activities performed in the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati river.

Proceed to visit BOUDHNATH. The Stupa of Boudhnath lies 8 km east of Kathmandu. This ancient colossal Stupa is one of the biggest in the world, and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in the world.

Overnight will be at Kathmandu.

Day 13: Kathmandu - Pokhara

Proceed to Pokhara after breakfast.

Pokhara is a remarkable place of natural beauty. Situated at an altitude of 827m from the sea level and 200km west of Kathmandu valley, the city is known as a center of adventure. The enchanting city with a population of around 95,000 has several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panoramic views of Himalayan peaks. The serenity of lakes and the magnificence of the Himalayas rising behind them create an ambience of peace and magic. So today the city has not only become the starting point for most popular trekking and rafting destinations but also a place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Pokhara is part of a once vibrant trade route extending between India and Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen camped on the outskirts of the town, bringing goods to trade from remote regions of the Himalaya. This is the land of Magars and Gurungs, hard-working farmers and valorous warriors who have earned worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers. The Thakalis, another important ethnic group here, are known for their entrepreneurship.

The climate of Pokhara is slightly warmer than Kathmandu with daytime temperature hovering around 15 degrees Celsius in winter and 35 degrees in summer. The monsoon season which lasts from mid-June to mid-September is very wet; in fact Pokhara records the highest rainfall in the country. Best time to visit is between October and April.

The activities of foreign visitors to Pokhara focus around two districts known as Damside and Lakeside (or Pardi and Baidam, in Nepali, respectively). These two areas, with their strips of hotels and restaurants, are a few kilometers south-west of the main Pokhara bazaar.

Reach Pokhara at 2:30 pm, transfer to hotel, refresh & relax with the spectacular panorama of Annapurna range forming the backdrop. Stretching from the east to west, the Annapurna massif includes Annapurna I to IV and Annapurna South. Although the highest among them is Annapurna I (8091m), it is Machhapuchhre (the fishtail), which dominates all others in this neighborhood. Boastfully levitating in the skyline, the fish-tailed pinnacle is the archetypal snow-capped, needle-pointed mountain.

In the later day, enjoy the stroll around the valley with the boat ride (optional) on the famous PHEWA LAKE.

Overnight will be in Pokhara.

Day 14: Pokhara

Start your day with the early morning visit to Sarangkot for the fabulous sunrise.

Drive back to hotel for breakfast after the spectacular sunrise

Visit the famous Devi's Fall (also known as Devin's or David's) locally known as Patale Chhango (Hell's Fall), an awesome waterfall lying about 2 km south-west of Pokhara Airport on the highway to Tansen. Legend has it that a trekker (Devin, David…) was washed away by the Pardi Khola and mysteriously disappeared down into an underground passage beneath the fall.

Bindhyabasubu Temple at the old bazaar, Seti Gandaki, the boisterous river running completely underground at the places, Mahendra cave (House of Bats), the natures' wonder at Pokhara & Pokhara Museum.

After lunch, start our exploration of the city by driving to the Begnas Lake & Rupa Lake located 15 km from Pokhara divided by a forested hillock called Panchabhaiya Danda, offering the perfect nature retreat with their relative seclusion.

Overnight will be in Pokhara.

Day 15: Pokhara - Chitwan

Breakfast will be at hotel.

Proceed to Chitwan - one of the most fascinating forests in Asia.

For a country known for its beautiful mountains, the Gangetic flat lands of the Terai that stretches through out the southern part of Nepal provide a wholly different experience. (See the separate section on the Terai for more details.) A visit to Nepal remains incomplete without seeing the beauty of the Terai.

And Chitwan is the best place to do so. The Royal Chitwan National Park, established in 1973, provides a great wildlife experience with its rich flora and fauna -read further for more details. The wildlife and the landscape are not as breathtaking as those found in Africa but still, the experience will stand out.

Chitwan is only 150m above the sea level. The place gets steamy from March-June, with peak temperatures reaching 43°C in the shade. Short grass makes Feb-May the best game-viewing season, but the autumn months are gorgeous, with Himalayan views, and in winter (December-January), Chitwan is pleasantly warmed compared to Kathmandu. The monsoon season (July-August) is intense, with pounding rain, swollen rivers, and luxuriant vegetation. While the rain isn't constant, the humidity is all pervasive.

You will be driven to the lodge situated in the heart of the jungle where, the rooms are assigned and are briefed by the guest relation officer (or the lodge manager) about the programs that are to be done. Generally, activities start at around 3:30 pm, with Elephant ride. You will ride on an elephant to explore the jungle & the wildlife to see the one-horned rhinoceros, several types of deer, monkeys, wild boar, bison, sloth bear, leopard and, if lucky, the Royal Bengal tiger. This exciting ride lasts for 2-3 hours.

At 6:30 pm, you will be retreated with the Slide show. With the dinner at the central dining hall at 7:00 pm, we end our day for tonight. Or if you are in the junglee mood, you can enjoy with the glass of different wines or beers available there.

Overnight will be in Chitwan.

Day 16: Chitwan

Today you have to wake up early at 5:30 am, (its hard for you if you are lazy!), and start your day with the tea or coffee and proceed for the elephant ride/bird watching at 6:00 am. This encounter on foot with the environment will introduce the main features of the eastern Chitwan, Sal forests, open grassland and reverie jungle. The expert naturalist there will help you to identify the seen birds, plants and other wildlife that you may encounter.

Have breakfast at 8:00 am and prepare yourself for the elephant briefing, Learn more about these fascinating animals during a visit to our elephant stable. (For the brave ones there is even a crash course in riding and leading the elephants).

Have your lunch at 1:00 pm, and prepare yourself for the canoeing - a traditional dugout canoe takes you on a silent trip down the Rapti River to view aquatic birds and the animals of the riverbanks. Back to resort through the Jungle.

Enjoy your evening with the Stick dance of the ethnic group, the tharus at 7:00 pm., which is the dance performed by the farmers of the nearby villages showing their traditional skills and dances.

End your day with the dinner at 8:00 pm around the campfire.

Overnight will be in Chitwan.

Day 17: Chitwan - Kathmandu

Leave for KATHMANDU after breakfast.

Reach and relax. In the evening you can proceed for shopping or relax. Overnight will be at Kathmandu.

Day 18: Kathmandu

Breakfast will be at hotel.

Proceed for a full day visit of PATAN.

Patan, the second-largest city in the valley, lies just across the Bagmati River from Kathmandu, but it's a much quieter and less frenetic place to visit. The city is justly proud of its temples and artisans and it is their handiwork that provides the focus of the stunning Durbar Square - choc-a-block with the largest display of Newari architecture in Nepal. It includes the Royal Palace, which contains a richly decorated bathtub, and the two-tiered brick Jagannarayan Temple.

Look up to the roof struts to see carvings of figures engaged in quite athletic acts of intercourse. A few minutes' walk north of the square is the Golden Temple, a Buddhist monastery guarded by sacred tortoises that potter around the courtyard; and the Kumbeshawar, reputedly the oldest (1392) temple in Patan. South of the square is an area of charming streets lined with metal smiths and Brassware shops. Patan's other attractions are flung further. Among them is a collection of four stupas, thought to have been built over 2500 years ago, and Nepal's only zoo, which features a reasonable assortment of rhinos, tigers, leopards and bird life. Palm readers gather in the park outside - they may be able to point out which animal you'll be reincarnated as.

Proceed to visit the Buddhist monuments and the ancient temples.

Overnight will be at Kathmandu.

Day 19: Kathmandu

Breakfast will be at hotel.

Proceed to Bhaktapur.

Situated at an altitude of 1,401m, Bhaktapur covers an area of four square miles. Bhaktapur or the city of Devotees still retains a medieval charm and visitors to this ancient town are treated to myriad wonders of cultural and artistic achievements. The past glory of the Malla rulers continues to be reflected at the Durbar Square. Pottery and weaving are its traditional industries. Bhaktapur is famous for woodcarving, the Bhadgaolen topi (cap) and curd. The city lies about 14 km east of Kathmandu.

Spend day visiting the intricately carved buildings and other areas that interest you.

Overnight will be at Kathmandu.

Day 20: Kathmandu - Delhi

Leave after breakfast and proceed to Kathmandu.

Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. Reach Delhi and will be received at international airport. Rest the Day at leisure.

Overnight will be at Delhi.

Day 21: Delhi

Proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi after breakfast.

OLD DELHI - A sight-seeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Mughal Empire.

Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk. (OPTIONAL)

NEW DELHI - An extensive sight-seeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.

In the evening COMPASS will host a farewell dinner for you.

Overnight will be at Delhi.


Tour Ends.



|| Book Now - This Tour || Customize - This Tour ||

Request Information / Submit Your Requirements for a Memorable Holidays in India (* represents compulsory fields) * Name :   * Your Country :   * Phone : (Include Country/Area Code)   * E-Mail Address :   * Tentative Date of Travel:   Duration of Travel in India (Approx.):   No. of People Travelling:   00 01 02 03 04 05 Adult       00 01 02 03 04 05 Children * Any specific requirements: * Verify Request :