In this section you will find a short description of the daily possibilities. The tour leader will offer a program on almost every day but the program is informal and by no means obligatory leaving lots of room for your own initiative. Your guides will organize and accompany some activities and will also make suggestions so that you are free to dine or explore on your own.
Day 1 Depart USA
Day 2 Arrival Delhi
Day 3 Delhi
Our tour starts in the capital of India, Delhi. In and around the center of this metropolis is a wide choice of interesting places to visit. Just a few options: the Jami Mashid mosque (the largest in India), the impressive Red Fort of the Mogul era, Raj Ghat, the place where Mahatma Ghandi was cremated, or the Chandni Chowk, the largest bazaar in Old Delhi. A little further outside the center you will find the Qutabl Minar, an enormous minaret and the very modern Bahia temple, built in the form of a lotus flower. Some places you can reach on foot while others are best visited by car or rickshaw.
Day 4 Delhi - Jaipur (train)
Day 5 Jaipur
On Day 4, we take a train to Jaipur, slowly making our way into the desert province of Rajasthan. Jaipur is nicknamed “Pink City’ after the color of the pink sandstone used for the city wall and all buildings in the old center of the city. Here you will find the observatory, the city palace and the Palace of the Winds. From Jaipur we will make an excursion to the Amber Palace, seven miles outside the city. The accommodation in Jaipur can truly be called royal, as we stay in a former palace!
Day 6 Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
Day 7 Agra
By bus we travel to Agra and on the way we pay a visit to Fetehpur Sikri, the former capital of the most famous Mogul emperor Akbar. Our hotel is 15 minutes away by foot from the Taj Mahal, the world famous mausoleum for Mumtaz, the wife of Sjah Jehan. Agra Fort is situated close to the lively old center of Agra, where mosques and palaces of pure marble can be found. The rickshaw is likely to be your best means of transportation. Seven miles from Agra at Sihandra you can visit the tomb of Akbar. For keen bird watchers, Keoladeo, the bird sanctuary at Bharatpur, is a must-see. It is located 39 miles outside of Agra.
Day 8 Agra - Varanasi (night train)
Day 9 Varanasi
Day 10 Varanasi
By night train we travel to Varanasi, which is claimed to be the oldest city in the world still inhabited. Varanasi is a pilgrim city on the holy river Ganges and there are volumes of images to absorb. The old city is a labyrinth of narrow alleys leading to the banks of the river with its ghats (stairways), which descend into the river. Here, thousands of pilgrims bathe every day. In Varanasi you can have your future predicted by a real guru or have your ears cleaned out on one of the ghats. A highlight of the trip will be the boat ride on the Ganges.
Day 11 Varanasi - Shivpatnagar
By bus we travel to Shivpatnagar, a small rural Indian village near the Nepal border where we stay at the royal retreat, an old former hunting lodge with beautiful gardens and a relaxing atmosphere
Day 12 Shivpatnagar - Chitwan National Park
Day 13 Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park offers one of the finest wildlife experiences in Asia; however, it is not the same experience as Africa safaris. You have to be extremely lucky to see one of the park’s elusive tigers or leopards. On the other hand, an elephant safari is unforgettable, and you are almost certain to see rhinos, crocodiles, various species of deer, monkeys and numerous birds.
Day 14 Chitwan National Park - Kathmandu
Day 15 Kathmandu
We travel by bus from Chitwan National Park to Kathmandu. In the capital of Nepal you will have plenty of time to explore this intriguing city and the cultural and natural beauty of the Kathmandu valley. The mysterious city is full of stupas, temples, pagodas and other shrines. Around Durbar Square you will find the former royal palace Hanuman Dhoka, the Taleju temple and the residence of the living child goddess Kumari. On the outskirts of Kathmandu are the stupas of Swayambunath and Bodnath and the cremation ghats of Pashupatinath, which are comparable to those in Varanasi.
Day 16 Kathmandu - Patan and Bhaktapur (day trip)
Day 17 Kathmandu - Delhi
Day 18 Delhi Depart – Arrival US
We visit the other two royal cities in the Kathmandu Valley, Patan and Bhaktapur, with their abundance of medieval Buddhist buildings. Outdoor adventures as optional excursions include whitewater rafting on the Trisuli River or hiking up to the village of Nagarkot on the outskirts of Kathmandu Valley, where you have a view of the Himalayas. We spend the night in Kathmandu. Those on the short program will fly to Delhi the following day and will remain at the airport until embarking on the flight back to the United States, after midnight. We will provide an airiport hotel room for you so that you can relax. The land program ends in Delhi.
· ADD-Ons fights are available from many cities in the U.S. See ADD-Ons on our Home Page for rates.
· AIRPORT TAXES & FUEL CHARGES are in addition to cost of trip and are not dictated by Djoser. If increases occur, you will be billed for the difference.
· GUIDANCE vs FREE TIME: Djoser tours combine guided activities with independent time. Guides will usually accompany a 1/2 day activity on most days and a lunch or dinner each day. (Sometimes more). The guide will offer suggestions for safe dining and explorations for free time. On most trips with North American groups, there will be one free day for every 5 guided days. If you spend two days in the same city, the second day is typically a free day. Consult with your guide for options.
· TRAVEL CONDITIONS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: India is a very challenging destination for many travelers. The poverty, crowds, squalor and standards of overall cleanliness differ from the United States. You will come in contact with different customs, religions, and mentalities. These regions often lack the infrastructure, services and modern conveniences of home. Bumpy roads, occasional travel delays or power outages can sometimes be expected. Djoser cannot be responsible for portions of the trip that are missed due to delayed transportation. Standards and speed of service in restaurants and hotels will not compare to home.
· WEATHER CONDITIONS: Some travelers are sensitive to weather extremes. Be sure to check for the anticipated weather conditions for your time of travel at www.worldweather.org.
ERRORS & OMMISSIONS: We reserve the right to make changes. We are not responsible for errors and ommissions
