Icons of India: The Taj, Tigers & Beyond with Mumbai, Varanasi & Kathmandu

16 Day Tour from Mumbai to Kathmandu
Small groups lead to big experiences on this Small Group Discovery tour. Start your journey in bustling Mumbai. Experience its tiffin lunch box delivery system and visit the former residence of Mahatma Gandhi. Next, travel to Varanasi, the holiest of Hindu pilgrim cities, to observe the striking Ganga Aarti (spiritual worship) on the ghats (steps) leading down to the sacred Ganges River.

Witness the symbol of eternal devotion with a sunrise visit to the magnificent Taj Mahal, one of the New7Wonders of the World. Here, Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan enlisted the help of more than 20,000 workers and 1,000 elephants to erect a towering white marble mausoleum dedicated to his wife who died during childbirth. Beyond India’s most sparkling jewel lies a priceless gem mine of experiences you’ll treasure for a lifetime. Hop in a rickshaw for a ride through Delhi’s centuries-old Chandni Chowk bazaar, sit down for traditional Indian cuisine in the home of a noble family in Jaipur, and embark on two thrilling open-air safari game drives through Ranthambore National Park in search of marsh crocodiles, striped hyenas, and the elusive Bengal tiger.

Next, you’ll travel to fascinating Kathmandu. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Nepal’s iconic capital city, including a visit to the historic seat of royalty at Hanuman Dhoka. Visit the residence of the Living Goddess at Temple of Kumari, and travel to Bouddhanath—one of the world’s largest stupas and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Marvel at the Hindu and Buddhist sites in Patan’s Durbar Square. A mosaic of memories awaits on this Small Group Discovery tour of India and Nepal.
All This. Included
Special features included in this tour:

• Private guided sightseeing in Mumbai includes Mani Bhavan, the former residence of Mahatma Ghandi
• Train ride to Mahalaxmi Station and Mumbai’s tiffin lunch box delivery system experience
• Visit a traditional Dhobi Ghat (open-air laundromat)
• Take a boat ride at dawn to observe the Hindus’ devotional bathing and meditation rituals in the Ganges River
• Witness the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony on the steps leading to the Ganges
• Orientation tour of Delhi with visits to Jama Masjid and Humayun’s Tomb
• Rickshaw ride through historic Chandni Chowk market
• Indian cuisine cooking demonstration with a local chef
• Sunrise guided visit to the Taj Mahal
• Tour of Agra Fort
• Two open-air safari game drives in Ranthambore National Park
• Guided tour of Amber Fort
• Visit to a vocational training program for children in Jaipur
• Home-hosted dinner with an Indian noble family, including sari- and turban-tying demonstration
• Visits to Fatehpur Sikri, City Palace, and Jantar Mantar
• Private guided sightseeing in Kathmandu includes Hanuman Dhoka, the Temple of Kumari, and Bouddhanath
• Visit Patan and Durbar Square
• Intra-vacation flights as listed in the itinerary