Day 1 Depart USA
Day 2 Arrival Delhi
Day 3 Delhi
Our tours start in the capital of India, Delhi. In and around the center of this metropolis there 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 five, we drive for approximately six hours where we then 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 of Jaipur. The accommodation in Jaipur can justly be called royal as we stay in a former royal 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. It is located thirty-nine miles outside of Agra.
Day 8 Agra - Varanasi (night train)
Day 9 Varanasi
Day 10 Varanasi
By night train we arrive in the morning in Varanasi, which is claimed to be the oldest city of 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, 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, Pashupatinath, which are comparable to those of Varanasi.
Day 16 Kathmandu - Patan and Bhaktapur (day trip)
We visit the other two royal cities in the Kathmandu Valley, Patan and Bhaktapur, with their abundance of medieval Buddhist buildings. Outdoors adventurers 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 Mt. Everest. 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. If you are continuing on to Tibet, you will board a plane to Lhasa the following day.
Day 17 Kathmandu Lhasa (flight)
Day 18 Lhasa
Day 19 Lhasa
In Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, it is recommended that you spend the first day at a slow pace since you are now at an elevation of over 15,000 ft. You will see numerous prayer flags and sacrificial stones to protect the traveler. The flapping of the prayer flags breaking the silence will leave a lasting impression. The flags are meant to draw the gods’ attention for their reverence. The greatest landmark of Lhasa will stand out as we reach the city: the Potala Palace. The Palace built on top of a hill and rising high above the city, was the former residence of the Dalai Lama. You might expect this to be the most important pilgrimage destination, but it is not. The most revered religious building is the Jokhang, the oldest sacred place of Tibetan Buddhism. Many pilgrims from all parts of the country make their way here, traveling for days and days. The next day you will depart for Shigatse by bus.
Day 20 Lhasa - Shigatse
Day 21 Shigatse
The word “Shigatse” means “beautiful place” in Tibetan. The city is the second largest of the country and perhaps a good place to try your first cup of yak butter tea. The typical smell and taste is a favorite amongst Tibetans who are known to drink up to 30 cups a day! The salty taste will take some getting used to, but on a tour like this you will have to try it. In Shigatse, there is time to visit the Tashilunpo monastery, the residence of the Panchen Lama and one of Tibet’s few still active monasteries. The monastery was built in 1447 under supervision of the first Dalai Lama and for a very long time was the most important landmark of Tibet. Spiritual and economic leaders gathered here to make important decisions for Tibet. In those days 3000 monks inhabited the monastery: now 600 remain. The monastery has suffered little from the Chinese Cultural Revolution and a visit is a must on this tour. You might be lucky and attend one of the singing ceremonies of the monks, who are very friendly and will wave to you to come close and see. Dressed in the traditional yellow, they play drums in a concentrated trance. Here you will be met as a guest not a tourist, which will add enormously to the experience of this holiday.
Day 22 Shigatse - Gyantse
The visit to our next destination, Gyantse, will show you one of the most authentic Tibetan places remaining. Here, the typical Tibetan atmosphere is reflected in the architecture, such as the dzong, (fortified monasteries) and other structures, and also by the trading spirit of the Tibetans. Gyantse was an important gathering place for wool merchants on their way to India. The imposing dzong offers a nice view of the Kumbum stupa and the monastery. Do not forget to visit the monastery, which has the highest stupa of Tibet, on its premises (105 feet). It is one of the most impressive buildings of Tibet. Inside are 112 chapels covered with splendid sculptures and beautiful murals.
Day 23 Gyantse Lhasa
Day 24 Lhasa Kathmandu (flight)
Day 25 Kathmandu
Day 26 Kathmandu – Delhi
Day 27 Delhi (early morning depart – arrive US)
From Gyantse, you will return to Lhasa for a night and the next day we return to Kathmandu. You will have a full day left to enjoy Kathmandu at a leisurely pace and to get a little shopping done before flying home via Delhi the following day. Djoser will provide a day room at the airport hotel for you as your flight leaves after midnight.
· 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 as well as a lunch or dinner. (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.
· DATES AND PRICES FOR THE NEW YEAR are available in December.
ERRORS & OMMISSIONS: We reserve the right to make changes. We are not responsible for errors and ommissions
