Royal Napal Majestic tour with South India

Tour Highlights

A great deal of effort has been expended to ensure that everyday is a highlight that you will remember forever, whilst still being fantastic value for money. While magic is in the air everywhere in India, here are just a few of the tour highlights:

• See the mystery and history of Nepal surrounded by the amazing Himalayas and its rich and unique cultural heritage.
• Explore the beauty of Everest with a fantastic Mountain flight.
• Experience the real India by witnessing the sun rise over the Ganges whilst in a boat in the ancient city of Varanasi.
• Explore Rajasthan, the Land of the Kings. This is India at its exotic and magical best, with elaborate forts and palaces built on myths and legends and awash with bright colour and rich atmosphere.
• Ride to the top of Jaipur’s Amber Fort on elephant back (on the same path that the Maharajahs would have used) and admire the famed ‘Pink City
• See Rajasthan, the Land of the Kings. This is India at its exotic and magical best, with elaborate forts and palaces built on myths and legends and awash with bright colour and rich atmosphere.
• A majestic elephant ride to the top of the Amber Fort in Jaipur & a camel ride
• Words cannot describe the beauty of the Taj Mahal. When you gaze upon this magnificent ‘Wonder of the World’, time will stand still, as this most extravagant monument of love will bring a gentle tear to your eye.
• Experience the unparalleled opulence of a Royal Gala Dinner at the Raj Palace, including traditional welcome Aarti with bowing elephants, cultural shows, buffet of exotic Indian food and fireworks.
• See the ancient Hindu temples and tea plantations of South India. Cruise the backwaters of Kerala aboard a luxury house boat called a Kettuvallam. As we drift and gondolier on this traditional South Indian boat, you will be enchanted by the moving tapestry of village life.
• We finish the tour with a week at the renowned Ayurvedic Natural Health Centre with 2½ hour daily heavenly ayurvedic treatments, personalised to guarantee that you will feel younger, healthier and more beautiful than ever before.

You will be totally captivated by the little things that lie around every corner.Our tour is a unique value-packed journey as we travel from Mount Everest and the Himalayas, to Varanasi where we witness the age old daily rituals, then, to the world famous beaches in Kerala and the beauty of the Taj Mahal. The journey will change and challenge you and be cherished by you forever. Experience the real India, with Ramesh singh.

Day 01 – Arrival Kathmandu

KATHMANDU has always evoked mystique amongst travelers. Ancient temples, exotic festivals and the blending of the Hindu and Buddhist religions, all complimented with the mighty Himalayas as a backdrop. A walk down the narrow, cobbled streets with overhanging balconies and delicately wrought carved windows, is like taking a stroll back through time. In the evening we will enjoy a fantastic Nepalese Dinner with Traditional Nepalese Dances at Nepali Chulo Banchaghar restaurant to welcome us to Nepal. Hotel star

Day 02 – Kathmandu

After breakfast, you will be taken on a tour of the unique Nepalese blend of history, culture and religion including Bhadgaon, the City of Devotees, the historic art and architecture of Durbar Square, Pashupatinath temple on the shores of the Bagmati river and the famous Bodhnath Bhuddist temple with it’s massive dome shaped mandala which is an icon of Nepal. In the afternoon we will visit the beautiful Kathmandu valley and investigate the indigenous Newari cultural heritage. We will visit the enigmatic golden hilltop spire of Swayambhunath Stupa/Monkey Temple (A World Heritage Site) A massive white dome surrounded by a 13 stage spire, the 2000 years old stupa is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Nepal. This magical and mystical day will finish by witnessing the inspiring sunsets over the Himalayas at Dhulikhel.

Day 03- Kathmandu

After breakfast, you will be taken on a tour of Patan - the ‘City of Grace and Fine Arts’. The whole city is full of Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples with fine bronze gateways, marvelous statues, guardian deities and magnificent carvings including stone carving, metal carving and wood carving. Well noted for its gorgeous craftsmen and metal workers. Also visiting Tibetan Refugee’s craft centre where residents produce traditional crafts including the hand-loomed Tibetan carpets.

Day 04 – Kathmandu-Varanasi

Optional Mountain Flight - A breath-taking flight with panoramic views of the magnificent Himalayas. With a guaranteed window seat and views of Mount Everest (8,850mts) & other mountains. Later we will fly to Varanasi. Varanasi : formerly known as Kashi - the ‘City that Illuminates’ and is often referred to as the city of Temples and Learning. Famous for its bond with the holy Ganges river, Varanasi is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. (Before 3000BC)

Day 05 –Varanasi

Early morning we shall leave for a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges river to see the bathing Ghats (river bank) & cremation sites. Return to hotel for breakfast. Then we will depart on a city tour of Varanasi - Visiting the Durga temple (Embodiment of Shakti –female power), Tulsi Manas Mandir (where the Indian epic Ramayana was composed), Benaras Hindu University & art gallery and the mosque of Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb. In the evening we shall experience the evening ceremony on the Ganges.

Day 06 – Varanasi / Agra

After breakfast, we will visit to Sarnath - the buried Buddhist city where Buddha preached his first sermon -'Wheel of the Dharma'. We will also visit the Buddhist temple & the museum. In the evening we will catch the overnight train to Agra.

Day 07:Agra

This morning we will witness the shimmering sunrise on the magnificent Taj Mahal, the seventh Wonder of the World. Renowned for its aesthetic beauty, this extravagant building of timeless beauty is the outcome of a combination of passion and architectural exuberance. It has been described as ‘a poem written in marble’. The Taj Mahal is a magnificent monument of love, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1653 as a memorial to his queen Mumtaj Mahal who died giving birth to their 14th child. White marble and red sandstone, silver and gold, carnelian and jasper, moonstone and jade, lapis lazuli and coral were fashioned by 20,000 skilled workers to make the emperor's dream a reality. It took 22 years to complete; a poignant symbol of eternal love where Shah Jahan also lies buried, reunited at last with his beloved Mumtaj. We will also visit Agra Fort with its forbidding red sandstone battlements protecting palaces that tell the story of the Moghul Empire.

Day 08:Agra –Jaipur

This morning we will drive to Jaipur. Afternoon is free to relax.

Day 09:Jaipur

Jaipur, the famed Pink City of India is the main gateway into Rajasthan. It is a vibrant, colourful city famous for its palaces and fantastic shopping opportunities. There will be a morning excursion to the Amber Fort including an elephant ride from the bottom of the hill up to the palace. Behind the mighty walls we will find charming gardens and magnificent palaces of marble and precious stones richly decorated with elaborate stonemasonry and paintings representing royal splendour. In the afternoon we will tour the city of Jaipur including the City Palace Museum, the fascinating Jantar Mantar Observatory and the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), a giant facade on the outer wall of the palace created by the Maharajah to allow the ladies of the palace to discreetly watch the goings-on in the busy city below. We will visit a traditional craft centre and emporium for jewellery, handicraft, carpets, blue pottery and textiles. Tonight we will experience the supreme opulence of India, with elephants, camels, dancers, fireworks and traditional cuisine at a Gala Dinner at the majestic Raj Palace.

Day 10:Jaipur –Delhi

In the morning we drive to Delhi. Afternoon is free to relax. In the evening we will enjoy traditional dancing at Parsi Anjuman Hall followed by dinner at cannaught place Restaurant.

Day 11:Delhi

After breakfast, we will take a tour of Old and New Delhi visiting the world heritage listed Red Fort which forms the majestic centrepiece of Emperor Shah Jahan’s medieval walled city. We will tour Jama Masjid - India's largest mosque, a beautiful memorial of peace at Birla House where Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. We will ride in a rickshaw through the bustling market maze, Chandni Chowk. In New Delhi, we will also visit India Gate, Parliament House,] and the President Palace the former Residence of the Viceroy of India, Hanuman’s Tomb and the amazing 73 metre high tower Qutub Minar which dates back to the 13th century. The famous Iron Pillar of the 5th century stands before it - it has remained rust free for 1500 years.

Day 12: Delhi-Chennai- Mahabalipuram

After breakfast we will have a direct flight to Chennai and have a half day tour of Chennai - the Capital of Tamil. Nadu, is the gate way to South India and is a major trade center. The city has a long beach with a wide stretch of Golden Sand from the Bay of Bengal. As a Colonial British outpost, there is a rich architectural history. We will then leave the hustle and head towards the ancient temples of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram.

Day 13:Mahabalipuram -Pondicherry

In the morning we will have a half day tour of Mahabalipuram, the 7th century AD city. Legend has it that the name Mahabalipuram came from the name of the demon Mahabali who was defeated and killed by lord Vishnu. Famed for its exquisitely chiseled shore temples along the coast, its sculptures are a blend of mythology, epics and everyday life. Though known as the land of Seven pagodas, only one of the shore temples remains, the rest being swallowed up by the sea, which is particularly rough at this spot. Now a retaining wall has been built to protect this last remaining piece of Dravdian architecture. We will then continue our drive to the beautiful sea side town of Pondicherry. Late afternoon group will be taken on a sightseeing tour. Being a former French colony Pondicherry shows a strong influence of yesteryear. We will visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Light House, Glass House and the French Institute.

Day 14:Pondicherry -Trichy

Trichy- its famous landmark is the Rock Fort Temple en route visiting Tanjore

Day 15:Trichy - Madurai

After breakfast, we will go on a half day tour of Trichy, visiting the Rock Fort Temple. The ancient holy place can be seen for miles around as it stands on top of a massive outcrop of rock, 83 meters high. In the afternoon we will drive to Madurai

Day 16:Madurai

After breakfast, the group will be taken on a half day sightseeing tour of Madurai–one of India’s most ancient cities situated on the Vaigai River with a history dating back to the 6th century. Two thousand years ago, Madurai was the great capital of the Pandya Kings and a center of Tamil culture. Visiting the Meenakshi Temple and Palace of Nayak Thirumala near the Meenakshi Temple, this Palace was built in 1636 by the ruler of the name in the Indo-Saracenic style. In the evening you will witness the closing ceremony of the famous Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the god Meenakshi and her consort Lord Sundaresarar, the temple has numerous Mandapas decorated with exquisite culptures, which when tapped a set of musical notes may be heard and a lovely cloistered temple pool. The thousand pillared hall is a museum that displays temple artifacts.

Day 17: Madurai/Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

After breakfast, we will drive to Periyar. In the late afternoon we will take a cruise on the lake. You will have an opportunity to see wild elephants, Indian Gaur, monkeys, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boar and birds of myriad varieties.

Day 18: Alleppey house boat

After lunch, we will drive to Alleppey boat jetty to board the traditional rice houseboats (Kettuvallam). We will be reclining on cushions as we drift through tranquil canals lined with lush coconut palms whilst eating food that is specially prepared by our own chef. Pure indulgence and an experience that we will always remember. Overnight on the houseboat.

Day 19: Cochin

After breakfast we will depart this idyllic cruise to Ayurvedic Resort. (The Island of Coconuts) is a unique heritage Ayurvedic resort surrounded by coconut groves. It is tucked away in the south western tip of India in the State of Kerala - an internationally renowned tourist destination (regarded as one of the 50 best "must see destinations" in the world by National Geographic Traveller Magazine). If you dream of relaxing after an Ayurvedic treatment in a heritage room or lying on the beach lulled by the sound of waves and the rustling of palm fronds stirred by tropical trade winds, then this is the place for you. Ayurveda is the traditional health science of India. At the beginning of your stay you will have a consultation with your Ayurvedic Doctor and from this a treatment regime will be determined. An example of a treatment program is: REJUVENATION THERAPY (Rasayana Chikitsa)
Our body components of cells and tissue are undergoing various degenerative changes everyday with the advance of age. So it is very important to arrest or delay this process by rejuvenating the body. This therapy will help you to rejuvenate your body and mind, and improve your general health and sexual powers. This therapy includes food, cream massages, synchronic massages, herbal face packs, steam baths, Sirodhara, Njavarakizhi etc. Duration will be about 90 to 120 minutes per day. Herbal rejuvenating medicines for treatments will also be provided. Our stay at Ayurvedic Resort.
includes:
• Accommodation in air-conditioned heritage rooms.
• Traditional welcome with Aarti and fresh coconut.
• Consultation on arrival with an Ayurvedic Doctor to determine the state of your body and what type of Ayurvedic treatment and diet is required to bring your body doshas back into natural healthy balance.
• Three daily personalised Ayurvedic treatments
• Daily Yoga and Meditation.
• Cultural program including an energetic demonstration of the ancient martial art of Kalaripayattu.
• Healthy Ayurvedic meals specially designed to be natural medicine for your body.
• Indian cooking demonstrations.
• One hour country boat tour (sunset cruise in the tranquil backwaters).
• Class demonstration of Ayurvedic massage.
• During our stay we will also have optional sightseeing trips including:

Day 26 : Cochin

Today we have time to explore Cochin do last minute shopping until evening when we’ll transfer to cochin International Airport to connect with our flight . Arrive home, enriched with an unforgettable experience and sweet memories of your tour.