Timeless India: Tigers & Traditions with Kathmandu

14 Day Tour from Delhi to Kathmandu
Small groups lead to big experiences on this Small Group Discovery tour. Witness the symbol of eternal devotion with a sunrise visit to the magnificent Taj Mahal—one of the New7Wonders of the World—where Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan enlisted more than 20,000 workers and 1,000 elephants to create a towering white-marble mausoleum dedicated to his wife. Beyond India’s most sparkling jewel lies a priceless mine of experiences. Hop in a rickshaw for a ride through Delhi’s centuries-old Chandni Chowk bazaar, sit down for traditional Indian cuisine in the home of a noble family in Jaipur, and 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. Observe the striking Ganga Aarti, a spiritual worship ceremony, on the ghats leading down to the sacred Ganges River in Varanasi, the holiest city in Hinduism. Your journey concludes in fascinating Kathmandu for guided sightseeing in Nepal’s iconic capital city, including a visit to the historic seat of royalty at Hanuman Dhoka and the residence of the Living Goddess at the Temple of Kumari. Travel to Bouddhanath—one of the world’s largest stupas and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal—and marvel at the Hindu and Buddhist sites in Patan’s Durbar Square. A mosaic of memories awaits on this Small Group Discovery tour of India and Nepal.
All This. Included
Special features included in this tour:

• Orientation tour of Delhi with visits to Jama Masjid and Humayun’s Tomb
• [LF] Rickshaw ride through historic Chandni Chowk market
• Indian cuisine cooking demonstration with a local chef
• Sunrise guided visit to the Taj Mahal
• Tour of Agra Fort
• Two open-air safari game drives in Ranthambore National Park
• Guided tour of Amber Fort
• Visit to a vocational training program for children in Jaipur
• [LF] Home-hosted dinner with an Indian noble family, including sari- and turban-tying demonstration
• Visits to Fatehpur Sikri, City Palace, and Jantar Mantar
• Take a boat ride at dawn to observe the Hindus’ devotional bathing and meditation rituals in the Ganges River
• Witness the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony on the steps leading to the Ganges
• Excursion to Sarnath
• Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu with visits to Hanuman Dhoka, the Temple of Kumari, and Bouddhanath
• Visit Patan and Durbar Square
• Intra-vacation flights as listed in the itinerary