Below the days are numbered to correspond with the travel days of the travelers coming from Holland (so day 1 in the description is a travel day).

On this intriguing journey, not only are the highlights of North India visited, but also the most interesting sights of mountainous Nepal. You will get a a taste of Rajasthan and a visit to the capital Jaipur. You also see the famous erotic temples of Khajuraho. And see one of the famous structures in the world, the Taj Mahal and the fascinating ancient and holy city of Varanasi on the Ganges are some of India’s other highlights. The natural beauty of Nepal is an interesting contrast with the cultural attractions of India. 

1. (travelers in transit)
2. Delhi (Land begins)
3. Delhi, train to Jaipur
4. Jaipur
5. Jaipur
6. Jaipur - Fatehspur Sikri - Agra
7. Agra
8. Agra - Khajuraho
9. Khajuraho
10. Khajuraho - Varanasi
11. Varanasi, Ganges cruise
12. Varanasi
13. Varanasi - Shivpatinagar
14. Shivpatinagar - Chitwan National Park
15. Chitwan NP
16. Chitwan NP
17. NP Chitwan - Pokhara
18. Pokhara
19. Pokhara - Kathmandu
20. Kathmandu
21. Kathmandu
22. Kathmadu- Depart
 

India, Delhi

Day 1 (In transit)
Day 2 Delhi (Land begins)

We begin the journey in the capital Delhi. The old and new parts of town are both rich in sights. The street life in the old town is impressive, with tinkling bells, countless rickshaw, street vendors and bargain hunters. It is an unforgettable experience. In and around the center of Old Delhi is a large number of attractions.

A few of the possibilities: the imposing Red Fort from the Moghul era, the Jama Mashid mosque (the largest in India), the Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, and Chandni Chowk, the main bazaar street in the old part of Delhi. The modern office and shopping around Connaught Place in New Delhi, where the Parliament and India Gate are.

Outside the center are the tomb of Humayun, the huge minaret Qutab Minar and the art Bahai temple, constructed in the form of a lotus flower the main attractions. In Delhi, the vast ricksha car or taxi to the old convenient transport. Say it in advance the price, if you do not want surprises to come. Our hotel is situated in the pleasant district Karol Bagh, where the locals like to come shopping.

Jaipur

Day 3 Train Delhi - Jaipur
Day 4 Jaipur
Day 5 Jaipur

We arrive in Delhi, the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur, in a typical Indian day train. We travel in the second class seats, which have been reserved for us.

Jaipur owes its nickname the 'Pink City' to the fact that prior to a visit of a British prince, the current maharaja contracted  for all the houses and buildings in the center to be painted pink. At the time, pink the color of hospitality.

In the heart of the city are the Royal Palace, now a museum, and well preserved observatory of the 18th century. The Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds, with its richly decorated windows 1000 is the most characteristic building of Jaipur. This building should definitely be on your list of places to visit.  You can take an interesting excursion about 11 km outside the city to the the Amber Fort or Nahagarh Fort. From Jaipur you can make an optional camel trip.

Agra, Khajuraho

Day 6 Jaipur - Agra
Day 7 Agra
Day 8 Agra - Khajuraho
Day 9 Khajuraho

From Jaipur we go by bus to Agra. For bird lovers there is aa possible stop 50 kilometers away at the Keoladeo bird sanctuary, near the town of Bharatpur. This is a National Park where depending, on the season, more than 300 bird species are on display. En route we stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the former capital of the Moghulvorst Akbar.

Agra is the city with the world famous Taj Mahal, the mausoleum of Mumtaz, wife of another Moghulvorst Shah Jahan. A visit to the Taj at sunrise is a unique experience that will remain in your memory. Agra Fort is situated near the lively old town of Agra, where you find sevearl palaces and mosques made of pure marble. The rickshaw is also an excellent means of transport. Be ready to negotiate the price. You can also visit the town of Sikandra, where the tomb of Akbar is located.

From Agra we go to the quiet countryside and Khajuraho, a long but exciting journey across the countryside of India. If time permits we stop en route in the town Orccha to visit the fort.

Khajuraho is famous for the unique Dela Chan temples, famous for the beautiful sculptures of erotic images. You have a full day to rent a bike and explore the beautiful temple complexes and to visit the villages in the countryside.

Varanasi

Day 10 Khajuraho - Varanasi
Day 11 Varanasi, Ganges cruise
Day 12 Varanasi

It is a long route from Khajuraho to Varanasi, but you can enjoy images of rural life in India. Varanasi is one of the most impressive cities in India and one of the oldest, still inhabited cities in the world. There is much to see and to hear. On the morning of the first full day in Varanasi, Djoser offers a cruise on the Ganges, a great way to experience this magical river and the ghats on the banks. Hindus and believers come at sunrise to take a cleansing bath in their sacred river. Also there are regular cremation sites, which Hindus believe that dying in Varanasi is part of the cycle of rebirth.

The old city is a maze of alleyways, where sometimes the road is obstructed by a sacred cow. It is fascinating. In Varanasi, you can have your future predicted by a real guru or get a head massage at one of the ghats. The city was for centuries the capital of the north side. With an optional excursion, you can go to nearby Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first lessons in deer park.

Nepal, Chitwan National Park

Day 13 Varanasi - Shivpatinagar
Day 14 Shivpatinagar - Chitwan
Day 15 Chitwan
Day 16 Chitwan

We continue our route to the kingdom of Nepal. The unforgettable journey across the countryside is interrupted by an overnight  in Shivpatinagar, a small town middle of the countryside. Here we use an old colonial hotel: The Royal Retreat, situated in a rural environment. After customs clearance, we continue our route in Nepal.

The nature changes here compared to India. The last stretch to the Sauraha village, located just outside the Chitwan National Park, located can not be made by bus. The Chitwan National Park is the home of several animals such as crocodiles, deer, monkeys, rhinos and tigers. You can explore the rural areas you can explore by bicycle.

To explore the park in small groups you can register for a jungle walk or canoe trip on the Rapti River. Of course this is led by an expert guide! Where local conditions permit, you can also take a jeep safari in the park. The best way to see the park is from the back of an elephant. You can search for the most famous occupant of the national park: the white rhinoceros. Chances are that you will come across this impressive beast. If you're lucky you might even see a tiger.

Pokhara

Day 17 Chitwan - Pokhara
Day 18 Pokhara
Day 19 Pokhara - Kathmandu

From Chitwan there is about  a five hour drive to Pokhara. There is an option to go rafting. You depart from Chitwan and about 3 hours later you are picked up to join the group again. The cost for this optional excursion is about $ 30, - per person.

Pokhara is a quiet place at the Phewa lake with excellent opportunities for making trips in the beautiful surroundings. You can, for example, take  a substantial hike to or near the village Sarangkot. You'll come through villages and rice fields and there will be the chance for a magnificent view of the Annapurna mountains, with snow-covered mountain peaks towering over 8000 meters.

In Pokhara you may rent a bike for a ride in the surroundings or you can go to a village where Tibetan refugees have settled. The chance is that you can witness an impressive prayer service there in one of the monasteries. Or you can take it easy and take a boat trip on the lake or relax in one of the gardens on the lake. From Pokhara we go with a local bus to Kathmandu Valley.

Kathmandu

Day 20 Kathmandu
Day 21 Kathmandu
Day 22 Kathmandu - Delhi
Day 23 Delhi – Land ends

Kathmandu, is the capital of the kingdom of Nepal. It is a fascinating city where everywhere you find stupas, temples, pagodas and shrines. Around Durbar Square, in the center of the city, you can find the royal Hanuman Dokha palace, the Taleju temple and the house of Kumari, the living goddess.

Near the city you will find the Buddhist stupas Swayambunath and Bodnath. Swayambunath, is also known as the 'monkey temple', and offers a combination of Buddhist and Hindu culture, a beautiful view over the city and the valley. Bodnath was established by the Tibetans after the Chinese invasion of their country. In the early evening many Tibetans gathered here for their daily pilgrimage around the stupa.

At the Hindu complex Pashupathinath on the holy river,  Bagmathi there are regular cremations. The cremation of the royal family, murdered several years ago, took place here. In the valley of Kathmandu are also other king cities Patan and Bhaktapur. Both cities are easily accessible from Kathmandu by public transport or taxi. The sun on the Himalaya Mountains to a sight to see. Kathmandu is the perfect place for souvenirs in the store, books, clothing, etc. Almost everything is for sale. We fly from Kathmandu back to Delhi.