EJIG's India and Nepal - 20 Days

Mumbai (Bombay) • Aurangabad • Udaipur • Jodhpur • Jaipur • Delhi • Agra • Khajuraho • Varanasi • Kathmandu • Delhi

DAY 1 - Departure

Depart for Mumbai (Bombay), India.

DAY 2 - Mumbai (Bombay)

Arrive Bombay. A representative of Exotic Journeys will meet you outside the Immigration & Custom / baggage claim area and escort you to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight:
Trident , Mumbai

DAY 3 - Mumbai (Bombay)

Morning at leisure. Afternoon city tour visiting Hanging Gardens, Kamla Nehru Park, Gateway of India, National Museum and Crawford Market.

Overnight:
Trident , Mumbai

DAY 4 - Mumbai - Aurangabad

Morning boat excursion to Elephanta Caves - the 7th century cave temples carved out of a hill rising from the Arabian Sea.
Fly to Aurangabad in the evening.

Overnight:
Taj Residency , Aurangabad

DAY 5 - Aurangabad / Ajanta Caves

Full day excursion to the thirty caves at Ajanta that is either chapels or monasteries. The murals and paintings date back to 2nd century BC and 8th century AD and illustrate the life of Buddha in previous births. Many of the frescoes still glow in their original colors. On the outer walls are brilliantly executed sculptures.

Overnight:
Taj Residency , Aurangabad

DAY 6 - Aurangabad / Ellora Caves

Morning excursion to Ellora Caves. The three groups of temples here relate the story of evolution of Asia's main religions Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. Fly to Bombay in the evening.

(At the moment the flights between Aurangabad and Udaipur are suspended. In order to travel to Udaipur, one has to travel through Mumbai. Whenever the flights are restored, you will fly to Udaipur directly from Aurangabad on day 7).

Overnight:
Trident, Mumbai

DAY 7 - Udaipur

Fly to Udaipur and city tour. Udaipur is interspersed with shimmering lakes, marble palaces and fountains. The Maharana’s Palace is the largest of its kind. It is remarkable for octagonal towers, brilliant multicolor mosaics of inlaid tiles, inlaid mirror work and exquisite paintings. Sahelion ki Bari is a fascinating garden, adorned by Lotus pool, a marble throne and finely sculptured cenotaphs.

Overnight:
Trident, Udaipur

DAY 8 - Udaipur - Ranakpur

The cluster of temples at Ranakpur, made of intricately sculpted white marble, come across as a marvelous feat of architecture. It may surprise visitors that these temples were built in 1460 but are so well preserved and the marble still sparkles. The main temple is supported by 1444 pillars none of which are similarly carved. These temples house statues of Mahavira and other Jain saints.

Overnight:
Trident, Udaipur

DAY 9 - Jodhpur

Travel to Jodhpur - the fortified city is surrounded by massive walls and is famous for the impregnable Mehrangarh Fort. Within the fort the luxurious palaces - Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and Phool Mahal are architecturally remarkable & so is Umaid Bhavan Palace, now a hotel. Close to the fort is Jaswant Thada - a collection of royal cenotaphs built in white marble. City tour and camel ride.

Overnight:
ITC WelcomHotel, Jodhpur

DAY 10 - Jaipur

Travel to Jaipur and city tour. Popularly known as Pink City, Jaipur's colorful bazaars, Jantar Mantar, sandstone pink buildings, magnificent City Palace and Palace of Winds reflect the past glory of this remarkable town.

Overnight:
Trident, Jaipur

DAY 11 - Amber Fort - Jaipur

Visit Amber Fort with elephant ride in the morning. Amber Fort and its sandstone palaces are perched atop a hill near Jaipur. Within its precincts are Sheesh Mahal or chamber of mirrors reputedly the best in the world, Victory Hall and Pleasure Palace. Reaching the fort on elephant back is a delightful experience. Afternoon at leisure.

Overnight:
Trident, Jaipur

DAY 12 - Delhi

Fly or drive to Delhi - a city of immense past. It is dotted with hundreds of landmarks and has accumulated a tremendous heritage of art, architecture and culture.

Overnight:
The Lalit, New Delhi

DAY 13 - Delhi

City sightseeing tour visiting the Presidential Palace, Parliament House, Red Fort, Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in Asia, Jantar Mantar - the medieval observatory, the 16th century tomb of Mughal emperor Humayun, Raj Ghat and Shantivana - the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, India Gate and Qutub Minar.

Overnight:
The Lalit, New Delhi

DAY 14 - Agra - Taj Mahal

Today you will travel to the city of world's most famous love story - Taj Mahal. City tour includes : visit to Agra Fort, Taj Mahal and Itemad-ud-daula.

Overnight:
Trident, Agra

DAY 15 - Khajuraho - Chandela Temples

Travel to Jhansi by train. Visit Orcha en route to Khajuraho. The Chandela temples represent the finest creative examples of temple architecture. Visit the temples.

Overnight:
Radisson, Khajuraho

DAY 16 - Varanasi

Fly to Varanasi. Sunrise boat cruise on the Ganges to witness burning and bathing ghats. Activities include visits to Sarnath, Aurangzeb Mosque, various temples, Well of Knowledge.

Overnight:
Taj Gateway, Varanasi

DAY 17 - Kathmandu

This afternoon fly to the capital of Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. City tour includes City Palace, Hanuman Dhoka, Temple of Living Goddess, Machendranath and Swayambhunath.

Overnight:
Crown Plaza or Yak N Yeti, Kathmandu

DAY 18 - Kathmandu

You will continue sightseeing around the valley by visiting the medieval capital - Bhadgaon and the city of artists - Patan.

Overnight:
Crown Plaza or Yak N Yeti, Kathmandu

DAY 19 - Delhi

Day free. Fly to Delhi in the afternoon.

You may opt to fly out of Kathmandu. Please call for details.

DAY 20 - Homebound

Depart on your journey home.

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Itineraries are designed with current flight schedules and remain subject to adjustment / change.