Flight: WY337 Muscat - Kathmandu 08.45 - 14.05

Private transfer: Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, you will be welcomed to Nepal by your guide, and transferred to your hotel in a private chauffeur driven car. The rest of the day is then at leisure to recuperate from your long flight.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hotel Arts (Deluxe Room)

Guided tour of Kathmandu:  After breakfast you will set out to explore this famous city which is situated at 1336m above sea level and covers an area of 218 square miles. The rich tapestry of Nepal is synthesized in the Kathmandu Valley and your first visit will be Bhaktapur Durbar Square, in the east of the city, which was established around the 9th Century and is a medieval town where the Newars, its main inhabitants, still follow age old traditions and customs. Bhaktapur Durbar Square houses some of the best examples of Nepali craftsmanship in wood and stone such as the Palace of 55 Windows built in 1697, the five storied Nyatapola Temple, the Kashi Biswanath Temple and the Dattatreya Temple among others. Continue to the Pashupatinath Temple which is located on the western banks of the Bagmati River on the city’s northeastern side. This temple is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage centres in the world and a sacred place for cremations. Afterwards visit the Boudhanath Stupa which claims to be the largest stupa in the world. Round off the morning with an introduction to Nepalese cuisine at the Kaiser Café at lunchtime (payable locally). In the afternoon head towards Swayambhunath one of the most important religious and cultural sites in Nepal and which is associated with the birth of the Kathmandu Valley civilization. Later you will see Kathmandhu Durbar Square which was built in the 17th Century and which serves as the main square of ancient Kathmandu with Hanuman Dhoka Palace, and numerous other temples dedicated to various Hindu gods and goddesses that surround the palace.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hotel Arts (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: After breakfast this morning, you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Kathmandu Airport for your flight to Pokhara.

Flight: U4611 Kathmandu - Pokhara 10.45 - 11.15

Private transfer: Upon arrival in Pokhara, you will be met by your local guide and taken to the Atithi Resort & Spa for a two-night stay.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Atithi Resort & Spa (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour of Pokhara: Set off from your hotel to explore the town of Pokhara and surrounding area. Places and activities of interest include Bindebasini Temple, the World Peace Pagoda, Seti Gorge, David’s Fall, Gupteshwor Cave, the Gorkha Museum and a relaxing boat ride on the picturesque Fewa Lake. Please discuss the options with your guide who will advise on what is possible in the time available.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Atithi Resort & Spa (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Pokhara to Chitwan National Park: Set off in a south easterly direction along the Prithvi Highway to the village of Mugling beside the Trisuli River in the Central Hills. From here head south and descend towards the Chitwan National Park, a total drive of between 4-5 hours.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Jungle Villa Resort Chitwan (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Full day wildlife excursions:  There are several wildlife excursions to choose from today, starting with an early morning bird watching tour. After breakfast the most popular activity is a jeep safari in the National Park, to explore the jungle and open grasslands in search of a variety of wildlife. Your driver and guide will take you to the best places to spot animals, and talk with the local rangers to find out if any animals have been recently spotted. The guide will also provide information about Chitwan’s environment and the wildlife. After lunch back at the lodge you will have the opportunity to take canoe ride down the Rapti River to spot wildlife and birds, finishing with a short trek through the forest and visit to a crocodile breeding centre at the National Park HQ. An alternative option is a visit a local village to interact with the Tharu people that have inhabited this area for centuries. Please note that all these excursions are operated by the Jungle Villa Resort and are on a shared basis with other guests staying at the lodge.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Jungle Villa Resort Chitwan (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private transfer: After breakfast, you will be collected from the Jungle Villa Resort Chitwan and transferred to Bharatpur Airport for your flight to Kathmandu.

Flight: U4352 Bharatpur - Kathmandu 10.55 - 11.20

Private transfer: Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met by your local guide and taken to the Ghangri Boutique for an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Ghangri Boutique (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: After a leisurely morning you will be met by your guide and transferred to Kathmandu Airport for your Jet Airways Flight to Delhi Airport.

Flight: 9W267 Kathmandu - Delhi 13.30 - 15.05

Meet & greet, transfer to hotel: Welcome to India! You will be met on arrival in Delhi by a local representative and introduced to your private driver. Together they will and take you to the nearby Aerocity complex to check in.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Thikana B&B (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour of Old & New Delhi This morning meet up with your guide and set out to explore Old Delhi. Start at Jama Masjid which is the largest mosque in India, with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees. Its construction started in 1644 and it ended up the final act of architectural extravagance of legendary ruler Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who also built the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. Head outside the mosque and into the surrounding bazaars (closed on Sundays), which can be explored on foot or by rickshaw. Here you can witness centuries-old arts and crafts, where present owners may be of the 6th or 7th generation to ply the family trade. There are many typical and fascinating businesses here, including a marvellous old-fashioned shop where you can test Indian perfume (attar) from cut-glass bottles. You may also saunter through the main bridal street of Old Delhi, Kinari Bazaar, with its dazzling display of embroidered silk wedding sarees, beautiful bangles and colourful turbans for the bridegroom. Move on to the Khari Baoli, which is all about spices, and where dealers of rice, dal, dry fruits, nuts, and saffron have traded for more than 150 years. The smell of the spices will remain with you even after you have left the market and at this point you may want to stop for lunch (payable locally).

In the afternoon you will explore New Delhi taking in Humayun’s Tomb, Qutab Minar and a drive through Lutyens’ New Delhi. Humayun's Tomb is yet another magnificent Mughal building built in 1565-66 and set in a square enclosed garden. This finely proportioned sandstone and marble structure served as a model for the Taj Mahal. Dominating the ruins of the earliest existing settlement of Delhi is the city's famous landmark - the Qutab Minar. This imposing victory tower (73 m) has five storeys, each marked by intricately carved projections or balconies. Elaborately carved pillars embellish the courtyard of the nearby mosque, at the centre of which is the amazing Iron Pillar (4th-5th century A.D). Round out the day with a drive or walk through Lutyens’ New Delhi, taking in the India Gate, the Rashtrapati Bhawan (President's House), and Parliament House. After the sightseeing you will return to the hotel for some time at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Thikana B&B (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Delhi to Agra: After breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and head south from Delhi on the Yamuna Express Toll Road to Agra, a journey of approximately 3.5 hours. On arrival, check straight into your hotel.

Guided tour of Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal: After checking in, you will be taken for a tour of Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal. Many of the events which led to the construction of the Taj Mahal took place in the famous Agra Fort. Construction of the Fort was begun by Emperor Akbar in 1565, with embellishments continually added until the time of his grandson Shah Jehan. The magnificent palaces, towers, bastions, ramparts and gateways symbolise the power of the mighty Mughals, and with its red sandstone wash Agra Fort is a striking partner to the Red Fort in Delhi.

The Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays) has been described as a 'tear on the face of eternity', and is an enduring monument of love. The unique beauty of Taj Mahal is its blend of grandeur: a massive overall design, matched with immaculately intricate execution. Built by Mughal Emperor Shan Jehan in the memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal complex took 22 years to be completed and is today counted among the Seven Wonders of the World. Coated in shimmering white marble, the Taj is a mirror of daylight conditions and in the late afternoon it is bathed in delicate hues of amber and cream, giving way to a rich golden red as the sun falls. After time to look around and take pictures you will return to the hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Coral Court Homestay (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Jaipur, via Chand Baori: After breakfast you will set off on the drive to Jaipur, stopping en route at the village of Abhaneri. Abhaneri is known for its 'baoris' or stepwells which were constructed by the locals to harvest rain water. These tanks were used as cool places of retreat and as water reservoirs during parched times of the year. Chand Baori is the most popular of the wells in the region, and it is one of India's deepest, largest, and most striking. This colossal, delicately carved well is located in front of a temple. It was a ritual to wash the hands and feet at the well before visiting the adjoining temple. Continue to Jaipur, arriving early afternoon.

Walking tour of the Pink City: End the day with a walking tour of old Jaipur. Your local guide will meet you at the hotel and together you will explore the bazaars between the Badi (Large) and Chhoti (Small) Chaupar (Square) in the old city of Jaipur, featuring some of the best sights that the city has to offer. You will be taken through the labyrinth of colourful alleys where artisans make puppets, bangles, and other local handicrafts. You will visit the jewellery market or Johari Bazaar, explore architecturally interesting havelis (mansions), and stop by bangle shops in Maniharonka Rasta and the flower sellers near Choti Chaupar.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Khandela Haveli (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour of Jaipur: Start today with a visit to Jaipur’s intriguing milk market, where dairy farmers from across the region congregate to trade on a wholesale basis. Observe the intriguing ways by which the buyers judge the purity of milk, and take a front row seat as negotiations unfold. Afterwards continue to Amber Fort – a stunning fort which holds a hilltop position above the city. ‘Amer’ was the former capital of Jaipur state; construction of this key fort began in 16th century, with embellishments continually added by successive rulers. A comprehensive look around the Fort should include the Palace of Mirrors, inlaid with millions of tiny glistening mirrors, the hall of Public Audience, and the beautiful manicured gardens.

In the afternoon you will continue uncovering Jaipur’s highlights with visits to visit the City Palace, Jantar Mantar (a medieval observatory) and a drive past Hawa Mahal (palace of winds). The City Palace is situated in the heart of the city. The whole complex is wonderfully laid out with large courtyards, balconies, cupolas, arched entrances and gardens, which are a combination of Rajput and Mughal architecture. The museum here displays the rich heritage of the Jaipur family in miniature paintings, textiles, garments, books & manuscripts, carpets, palanquins and weapons dating back to the 15th century. Moving on to Jantar Mantar, this medieval observatory has a curious collection of sculptures which were used to calculate astronomical and astrological events. Each of these structures were built following relentless study of books, manuscripts and discussions with scholars from all over the world. Finally, you will take a quick look at Hawa Mahal. Constructing in 1799, the Palace of Winds is a landmark of Jaipur city, although it is little more than a façade. The five-storey structure, built to enable the women of the harem to observe of the comings and goings of the outside world, without being seen themselves. After the sightseeing return to your hotel to relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Khandela Haveli (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast