Two golden triangles in one journey. Begin with India’s classic circuit of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur — Mughal forts, the Taj Mahal and the pink-sandstone palaces of Rajasthan — then fly into the Himalayan foothills of Nepal for the temples and medieval squares of Kathmandu Valley and the lakeside calm of Pokhara beneath the Annapurna range.
On arrival at Delhi, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.
Full-day sightseeing of Old and New Delhi. Visit the Red Fort and Jama Masjid, and enjoy a cycle-rickshaw ride through the busy lanes of Chandni Chowk.
In the afternoon, see the wide avenues of Lutyens’ New Delhi — Rashtrapati Bhawan, India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb and the 12th-century Qutub Minar. Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.
Morning drive to Agra, the city of the Mughals. After check-in, visit the magnificent Agra Fort, the main residence of the Mughal emperors, and watch the sun set over the Taj Mahal from the Mehtab Bagh gardens across the river. Overnight stay at the hotel in Agra.
Early morning visit to the Taj Mahal, the marble monument to love built by Shah Jahan. After breakfast, drive to Jaipur, stopping at Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s abandoned red-sandstone capital, on the way. Overnight stay at the hotel in Jaipur.
Full-day sightseeing of the ‘Pink City’. Visit Amber Fort, with an optional elephant ride up to the ramparts, the City Palace museum and Jantar Mantar observatory, and photograph the pink-sandstone facade of Hawa Mahal. Evening free to browse the bazaars. Overnight stay at the hotel in Jaipur.
Morning drive back to Delhi. Rest of the day is free for shopping or relaxing before the international leg of your journey. Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.
After breakfast, transfer to Delhi airport for your flight to Kathmandu. On arrival you will be met by our representative and taken to your hotel. Rest of the day free to settle in. Overnight stay at the hotel in Kathmandu.
Full-day sightseeing of the Nepali capital. Visit Pashupatinath, the sacred Shiva temple on the banks of the Bagmati river, and the great white stupa of Boudhanath, the heart of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal.
In the afternoon, climb to Swayambhunath, the hilltop ‘Monkey Temple’ with sweeping views over the valley, and walk through Kathmandu Durbar Square. Overnight stay at the hotel in Kathmandu.
Drive to Bhaktapur, the best-preserved medieval city of the valley, to see its Durbar Square, Nyatapola Temple and potters’ square. In the afternoon, visit Patan, the city of fine arts, with its richly carved Durbar Square and Golden Temple. Overnight stay at the hotel in Kathmandu.
Travel to Pokhara by road along the Trishuli and Marsyangdi river valleys, or take the short scenic flight if you prefer. Check in at your lakeside hotel and spend a relaxed evening on the Phewa Lake promenade. Overnight stay at the hotel in Pokhara.
Rise early for the sunrise drive to Sarangkot and watch the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre peaks turn gold. After breakfast, take a boat on Phewa Lake to the island Tal Barahi temple, then visit the World Peace Pagoda, Davi’s Fall and the Gupteshwor cave. Overnight stay at the hotel in Pokhara.
Return to Kathmandu by road or flight. Afternoon free for last-minute shopping in Thamel — singing bowls, pashmina, thangka paintings and handmade paper. Overnight stay at the hotel in Kathmandu.
After breakfast, transfer to Kathmandu airport in time to catch your onward flight. Tour ends with fond memories of India and Nepal.