Golden Triangle Supersaver with Kathmandu

Golden Triangle Supersaver with Kathmandu

The Golden Triangle with the extension to Kathmandu, is a perfect 10 day introduction tour if you have never been to the subcontinent before. The three Indian cities - Delhi, Jaipur and Agra - speak history like no other book can. See with your own eyes the glory of the iconic yesteryear, giving a sense of nostalgia and a sense of belonging. Delhi has the influence of Moghul and British architecture, whereas Jaipur is known for being India’s first planned city where Rajputana architecture shines with its parks, gardens, monuments and palaces-turned-hotels beautifully laid out. While Agra, once the heart of the Moghul Empire, boasts the unparalleled beauty of the Taj Mahal which adorns the banks of the Yamuna River. Once the main tour is complete, you will enjoy an extension to the city of temples, Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. Take a step back in time to discover a completely different culture, admiring local architecture, cuisine and ancient traditions.

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL DELHI

Pass By: Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, Delhi 110037, India
Once you arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport, a representative will meet and greet you, followed by a transfer to your hotel. Delhi encapsulates two very different worlds, the ‘old’ and the ‘new’, each presenting deliciously different experiences. Rambunctious Old Delhi, the Muslim Indian capital between the 17th and 19th century, has many mosques, monuments, forts and bazaars with a distinctive mediaeval flavour. New Delhi, the imperial city created by the British, flaunts a surprising number of impressive monuments reflecting the glory of the Mughal, Turk, Persian and ultimately the British rulers.In the evening, enjoy a welcome briefing session with the tour manager.

Overnight in Delhi in selected hotel and board option

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Budget = Aura@ Airport or similar 3*

Standard = Jivitesh or similar 3*

Superior=Radisson Blu Paschim Vihar or similar 5*

Day 2: DELHI SIGHTSEEING TOUR

Pass By: होटल औरा IGI Airport, Block A, RZ-293, National Highway 8, Block RZ, Mahipalpur Village, Mahipalpur, New Delhi, Delhi 110037, India
After breakfast, go out on a sightseeing tour of Delhi visiting highlights of Old & New Delhi. Start the tour by visiting the largest monument of Old Delhi, the imposing Red Fort (Closed on Mondays). Very near the fort is the 17th-century Jama Masjid (‘Friday Mosque’), the largest mosque in India. Walk through the famous bazaars of Chandni Chowk to experience the hustle and bustle of a crowded oriental bazaar. Also visit Raj Ghat, the Mahatma Gandhi memorial, a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation.

In New Delhi, visit the India Gate, the memorial of the First World War and the road that leads from there to the President House, flanked by the houses of Parliament, the Secretariat building followed by the Humayun’s Tomb, also known as the forerunner of the Taj Mahal. End your tour, before your return to the hotel, by visiting Qutub Minar, the tallest brick minaret of its kind in the world.

Overnight in Delhi in selected hotel and board option.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Budget = Aura@ Airport or similar 3*

Standard = Jivitesh or similar 3*

Superior=Radisson Blu Paschim Vihar or similar 5*

Day 3: DELHI – JAIPUR (235km – 5.5 hrs)

Pass By: Hotel Park Ocean, A-4, Sikar Rd, Opp Bhawani Niketan College, Metal Colony, AWHO Colony, Vidyadhar Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302039, India
Wake up to breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Jaipur. Food fit for royalty, stunning historical monuments, a merry shopping scene and legendary Rajput hospitality: Jaipur offers all this and more. Jaipur is affectionately known as the ‘Pink City’ due to its numerous pink-coloured buildings; at sunset, the mellow golden rays bathe the pink façades in an indescribably beautiful way. Check-in on arrival at your new hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure

Overnight in Jaipur in selected hotel and board option.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Budget = Park Ocean or similar 3*

Standard = K. K. Royal Hotel or similar 3*

Superior = Sarovar Premier or similar 5*

Day 4: JAIPUR SIGHTSEEING TOUR

Pass By: Hotel Park Ocean, A-4, Sikar Rd, Opp Bhawani Niketan College, Metal Colony, AWHO Colony, Vidyadhar Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302039, India
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a morning tour of Amber Fort. Located on a spur overlooking a lake, Amber Fort’s robust, time-ravaged walls appear imposing from the outside but they hide an interior packed with beautifully decorated palaces and temples, and landscaped gardens. Be dazzled by Sheesh Mahal, a room with all the four walls and the ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces. Admire the frescoes of the Ganesh Pol gate and the colonnade of the Diwan-i-Aam.

Return to the old city to visit the City Palace and the beautiful palaces within, such as the Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal and the intricately decorated Peacock Gate. Also of interest is the Armoury Museum, which houses an impressive collection of antique weapons such as blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers, which belonged the royals.

Continue to Jantar Mantar, the astonishing largest stone astronomical observatory in the world. Consisting of 14 major geometric devices for measuring time, predicting eclipses, tracking stars in their orbits, ascertaining the declination of planets and determining the celestial altitudes, the observatory is a major attraction in Jaipur.

End your tour by making a stop at the spellbinding Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds (photo stop) and the famous Johari bazaar famous for its jewels and saris, the Tripolia bazaar with bronzes, sculptures and lacquerware, the Bapu bazaar renowned for its perfumes and textiles, and Chandpol bazaar for pottery and bracelets.

Overnight in Jaipur in selected hotel and board options.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Budget = Park Ocean or similar 3*

Standard = K. K. Royal Hotel or similar 3*

Superior = Sarovar Premier or similar 5*

Day 5: JAIPUR – AGRA (250km – 6 hrs)

Pass By: Hotel Crystal Inn, 785, Basai Khurd, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, India
After replenishing your energy with breakfast at the hotel, take to the road and drive to Agra on the banks of the River Yamuna. Agra rose to fame in the 17th century as the capital of the Mughal Empire and was beautified with gardens, waterfalls, bathhouses and canals. In modern times, the city houses a thriving crafts industry, including marble inlay work and carpets. On arrival check-in at your new hotel.

Overnight in Agra in selected hotel and board options

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Budget = Crystal Inn or similar 3*

Standard = Prime Plaza or similar 3*

Superior= Crystal Sarovar Preimere or similar 5*

Day 6: AGRA – DELHI (200km – 3 hrs)

Pass By: Hotel Jivitesh, # 11, Pusa Rd, opposite Metro Pillar Number 87, Block 17 A, WEA, Karol Bagh, New Delhi, Delhi 110005, India
Begin the day with one last breakfast at the hotel before a sightseeing tour of Agra, which includes the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal. Built in the mid-17th century by the heartbroken Shah Jahan following the death in childbirth of his queen, Mumtaz Mahal, this mausoleum is an eternal love poem written in stone. During the visit, admire the intricacy of the work of the 20,000 craftsmen who were brought from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy to build this astonishing monument. (Closed on Fridays). Continue the tour and visit the Agra Fort, whose forbidding red sandstone battlements hide a number of majestic Mughal palaces. Explore the delightful Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) where the emperor once sat on his throne to address his people, and the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) where he hosted kings and foreign dignitaries. The white marble Mina Masjid (Heavenly Mosque) stands in contrast to the rest of the Red Fort. Afterwards, drive back to Delhi, and check-in to your hotel.

Overnight in Delhi in selected hotel and board options

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Budget, Standard & Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Jivitesh or similar 3*

Day 7: DELHI – KATHMANDU (1.30 hrs flight)

Pass By: Hotel Arts, Chaksibari Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
After breakfast, take an assisted transfer to the Delhi airport to board flight for Kathmandu 8flight not included). Upon arrival at Kathmandu (Nepal), meet and greet by our representative followed by transfer to your hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure.

After breakfast, take an assisted transfer to Delhi airport to board your flight (not included) for Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Kathmandu (Nepal), a representative will meet and greet you, followed by a transfer to your hotel. After checking in, spend the rest of the day at your own leisure, exploring this wonderful city , or relax at the hotel and make the most of the available services.

Overnight in Kathmandu in selected hotel and board option.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Budget, Standard & Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Arts or similar 3*

Day 8: KATHMANDU – PASHUPATINATH – BOUDHANATH – PATAN (17km – 1hrs)

Pass By: Hotel Arts, Chaksibari Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a spiritual start to the day with a morning sightseeing tour taking in the Hindu Pashupatinath temple and Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal. Located on the banks of the holy River Bagmati, the vast Pashupatinath is dedicated to the Lord Shiva and is one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world. Thousands of pilgrims flock to this temple every year during Shivaratri, the birthday of the Lord Shiva. There are many eye-catching elements such as the large, gilded triple-roofed temple, accompanied by faithful pilgrims, that the hustle and bustle becomes an attraction in itself. Entrance to the main temple is limited to Hindus only. Behold the beautiful Buddhist Boudhanath stupa, which traces its origins to King Mana Dev in the fifth century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the world’s leading centres of Tibetan Buddhism and is bedecked with traditional prayer rolls and Tibetan prayer flags.

The afternoon is dedicated to exploring Durbar Square in Patan, a historic city just 10 kilometres and 30 minute drive to south of central Kathmandu. This traditionally Buddhist bastion is a veritable treasure trove where Buddhism and Hinduism meet, creating a fascinating architectural landscape in the Newar style. Durbar Square is considered to be one of the finest urban streetscapes in the world, the centrepiece being the palace of the Malla monarchs, who ruled Nepal for six centuries. Wander this stunning complex, which boasts a series of beautiful courtyards with ornamented windows and colonnaded arcades, temples and shrines, all noted for their exquisite carvings. Contemplate the square’s Krishna temple and Rudra Varna Mahavihar Buddhist monastery before returning to your hotel in Kathmandu.

Overnight in Kathmandu in selected hotel and board option.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Budget, Standard & Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Arts or similar 3*

Day 9: KATHMANDU

Pass By: Hotel Arts, Chaksibari Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Breakfast at hotel is followed by a free day to relax or explore Kathmandu and surrounding area as you please.

Overnight in Kathmandu in selected hotel and board option.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Budget, Standard & Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Arts or similar 3*

Day 10: DEPART KATHMANDU

Pass By: Tribhuvan International Airport, Ring Rd, काठमाडौँ 44600, Nepal
Enjoy one last breakfast at the hotel before check -out and hopping onto your transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, where you’ll catch your flight to your next destination.

Breakfast included

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.