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Overview
With an altitude of 1, 370 metres, Kathmandu’s breathtaking views will amaze you as will the elaborate ornate palaces, temples, and squares. Nepal’s capital city is an extremely captivating, interesting place to visit. You will enjoy being able to stroll through the city of Kathmandu as it is ideal for exploring by foot. As you wander through the city squares you will come across many markets and craft shops where you can buy locally made goods. The people of Kathmandu are known to be some of the friendliest people in Asia and you will be captivated by their hospitality everywhere you go. Nepalese cuisine is also going to tempt your palate as you experience the tastes and flavours of the region. As you visit the Durbar Square with its highly detailed wooden temples and Swayambhunath, a 2,000 year old Buddhist stupa, you will begin to appreciate the history of this enchanting ancient city.

Tour Highlights
- Experience the life and style of this ancient kingdom as you visit Durbar Square.
- Learn ancient cuisine secrets as you have a cooking lesson with a local Nepalese family.
- Thrilling panoramic views greet you as you experience the top of the world in a once in a lifetime plane ride with views of Mt. Everest.
- Gain spiritual insight as you visit the ancient temples and holy monuments of this captivating land.
- Explore the unique streets of Thamel while enjoying the sights and sounds of this bustling area.
Itinerary
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Day 1:
Fly to Kathmandu
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. Upon arrival, an Explore India representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel.
In the afternoon we will enjoy a drive to a local market followed by a rickshaw ride to Kathmandu’s Durbar Square. Durbar Square is a generic term used to describe places opposite old royal palaces in Nepal. There are 3 Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley and all three are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Later, we will attend a Nepalese cooking class at the home of local family.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerAccommodation: Shangri-La Hotel & ResortShangri-La Hotel & Resort
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Day 2:
Kathmandu
In the morning enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu. We will visit Pashupatinath, Swoyambhunath Temple which is one of the most significant Hindu temples of the Shiva in the world, located on the banks of the river in the eastern Kathmandu. A glimmering spire crowning a cone shaped wooden hill, Swayambhunath Stupa is the most ancient and mysterious of all the holy shrines in the Kathmandu valley. We will also visit the Budhhhanath, the largest stupa in Nepal and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside of Tibet.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerAccommodation: Shangri-La Hotel & ResortShangri-La Hotel & Resort
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Day 3:
Kathmandu
After breakfast we will embark on a sightseeing tour of Patan. Officially called Lalitpur, Patan is one of the major cities of Nepal located in the South central part of Kathmandu Valley. Later, we visit Bungamati village development committee in Lalitpur, a village dating back to the 6th century.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerAccommodation: Shangri-La Hotel & ResortShangri-La Hotel & Resort
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Day 4:
Kathmandu
In the morning (weather permitting) we will enjoy a luxury one hour flight around Mt. Everest, also known in Nepal as Sagarmatha. Mt. Everest is earth’s highest mountain and is located in the Mahalangu mountain range in Nepal and Tibet. These are the most breathtaking views you will ever see of this spectacular site, make sure your cameras are ready!
Later, we will visit Bhaktapur, the“City of Devotees”, located 8 miles east of Kathmandu. Bhaktapur is one of 3 royal cities in the Kathmandu valley and is considered a cultural treasure. With the best preserved palace courtyards and old city center in Nepal it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, we will drive to visit the beautiful and historic temple, Chagu Narayan Temple – another UNESCO world heritage site and the oldest temple in Nepal. After lunch we will discover some interesting old Nepalese houses and interact with the very engaging local people.Meals: Breakfast, DinnerAccommodation: Shangri-La Hotel & ResortShangri-La Hotel & Resort
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Day 5:
Kathmandu – Delhi
After breakfast you will transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, an Explore India representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerAccommodation: Shangri-La Hotel & ResortShangri-La Hotel & Resort
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Day 6:
Delhi – Home
At the specified time, you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport where you will board your flight home.
What’s included
- First Class Accommodation
- Escorted Roundtrip Airport Transfers
- Daily Breakfast & Dinner
- All Sightseeing Tours with Chauffeur in an Air Conditioned ar
- Local Airfare
- Roundtrip Mount Everest airfare
- Entrance Fees to All the Monuments
- Local English Speaking Tour Guide
- All Activities & Exclusive Events Per Program
What’s excluded
- Personal expenses
- Services other than in our inclusion
- Nepal Tourist Visa Fees USD $25 per person.
- Taxes additional of $227 per person
- Gratuities
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Recent Reviews
After being home for about 3 weeks now, recovered from the incredible jetlag (how do you do it, going back and forth so often??), and having dug myself out from under at the office, I feel I must write to you and thank you for the absolutely wonderful and amazing trip. For me it was a dream come true, having been fascinated with India since I was about 12. It was more, so much more than I ever imagined! The incredible art and opulence of the palaces, the history, the temples, and the people who work so hard and yet are so open and welcoming - you made it all come to life ….. What an incredible place!!! People ask what I liked best about the trip – a question I can’t answer. The Taj Mahal, of course, stands out, but all the special arrangements you made everywhere, the organization of it all, the private gala dinners, the incredible palaces we stayed in, the shikara ride, the special experiences like the Bollywood Movie and Elephant Polo (!), all of it - unforgettable! Not to mention the welcome and attention we received from everyone, from the tour guides to your and Nazir’s family ….. it was all amazing, and I thank you for making India real for me in such a special way J. Sanjay – I look forward to seeing you in our offices soon so that I can make good on that offer for lunch at Nota Bene! All the best, and thank you all again.
Nikki Barnett
Toronto, Canada
Sheila and I would like to thank you for making our trip to India so special. As you know I really didn't share Sheila's interest in traveling to India but after speaking with you a few times decided to go. It truly was a journey of the senses with every moment filled with sights and sounds we had not experienced before. While we have travelled to many exotic places India certainly is unique. You were an amazing host and from our first day meeting you prior to the start of the tour you were very generous in providing car, driver and guide for us so we could see Delhi, also taking us out for lunch and shopping was very interesting and a nice way of meeting a few other fellow travelers before the trip started. We were overwhelmed with many of the experiences from the beautiful hotels to the boat rides on the Ganges to the two visits to the Taj Mahal. The visit for dinner and to see the elephants playing polo(no we didn't ride),dinner at Rambagh Palace, visits to the Dhobi Ghat, watching the Dabbawallahs organize lunch deliveries as well as the visit to the Dharavi slum were all amazing. I think the sound of horns honking will be with us for a while as well as the many "exciting" rides in peddle driven and electric rickshaws. If anyone is curious about visiting India we would strongly suggest they Explore India with you.
Dave and Sheila Gore
I know you must be very busy but I just wanted to pass on my thanks to you for the wonderful vacation that Kay and I had recently to India. Our guides, Sharma, and Hilal were over the top with their help and the information they provided to us. Kay and I have been on many tours with various agencies over the past but I can honestly say that this is one of the best that we have ever been on. India is a fascinating country and even though we just saw a little we are still left in awe. I just wanted to pass this on to you because many times no one ever lets you know how much your tour was appreciated. We will be back. Thank you, and all of your associates for giving us such great memories. Kay and Morris Golden
Kay and Morris Golden
Edmonton, Albert AB, Canada
Good afternoon Nazir, We want to let you know that we thoroughly enjoyed our recent trip to Northern India. Everyone who dealt with us on this journey, being yourself with planning and booking, Rajeev the head of operations in Delhi, Yajur our tour guide and mentor during the tours and everyone else involved, deserve rave reviews. All were knowledgeable, professional, passionate in what they did and more than willing to do that little bit extra to make our trip an exceptional experience. I cannot praise these people enough. Along with your staff, the tour program, the places we visited and the local people with whom we interacted have made us appreciate and be amazed of a country, people and culture which apparently we really knew so little about. Our minds and eyes have been opened to a wonderful place which now we hope to see more of. Oh, and going by our tour group the shopping was great also. We want to thank you and everyone involved for creating a wonderful experience for us. Best regards,
Murray and Pat E.
Edmonton, Canada
Thanks for all your help and organizing the trip to India. I am so glad to have had the opportunity to experience this amazing land and people. This was a good way to visit.
Ricky V
Vancouver, Canada
Dear Nazir, Namaste. Our tour to India was one of our most memorable trips ever. Starting with our pickup at the airport, wonderful accommodation throughout and an excellent guide, we experienced India in the best possible way. Harry went out of his way to show us the country he obviously loves and made sure that we did not see it from the sterile environment of a bus. He created many experiences for us that we will never forget and we feel that we now have a true picture of life in India as well as a better knowledge of its history. We have already recommended your tour company to friends and will continue to do so. The service you provide is second to none and we thank you.
Elaine and Lorne Ettinger
Kelowna, Canada
Namaste Nazir, We are back home after our amazing trip to India. I thought the tour package that you put together was very well thought out and gave us a good look at what India is all about. I don't feel that I missed anything that I was hoping to see and experience in India, at least the north part. Your team in India could not have looked after us any better. Lynn and I spent two days on our own and felt that Rajeev was there making sure we were safe and organized whatever it was we wanted, from a numerologist to the market, organized dinners and vehicles to get us around. It can be quite intimidating when one first gets there so we really appreciated his advice on what to do and what not to do. Lo Chen, in Darjeeling, was a very gentle, kind and very knowledgeable man who made sure we learned about the area, had fun and were safe. Whatever anyone requested he made happen which is hard in a group our size. Arvind, well, he indeed was our leader and mentor. He is a very honorable, spiritual, knowledgeable man who is passionate about his country. We learned so much of the history and culture of India from this amazing man. Whatever anyone wanted it was always "no problem" and it would happen. We were very fortunate to be in India during Diwali and the celebration of the sun. From fireworks in front of a restaurant and dancing to Indian music after a beautiful buffet dinner to going out on a boat to watch the celebration of the sun on the Ganges, he worked very hard to please us all. We even got to meet his parents at their home on our request. I will never forget this very wise man. All in all, the trip was more than we could have expected. Sincerely,
Shirley Richmond
West Kelowna, Canada
Just wanted to let you know what an awesome experience our trip to India was. Maxine and I really enjoyed it. Everyone in our group was wonderful and George sent us his amazing pictures. We would all laugh when we avoided what seemed to be an unavoidable head-on collision on the highway! I think the roads are the most amazing part of the trip. Our northern guide Mahendra added extras, like visits with his family, which really was special. The 4 of us who went south to Kerala were really glad we did…so different and beautiful. Can’t say enough about the trip. We would highly recommend it. If anyone is thinking about going and has any questions they can call me and I can tell them how wonderful it is.
Denise Fader
Chilliwack, Canada
Hi Nazir, We just got back from our extended trip this morning. The whole trip was a great success. Our tour guide, Arvind, was well versed in the history and passionate and positive about the future of his country. Once we were on our own, we especially appreciated the organization and routing he provided for the destinations of the itinerary. Our driver Ravi and his assistant, Shanke, were both very personable and we appreciated having them take care of us on the road. The itinerary delivered a good variety of highlights of architectural and historical monuments. I personally appreciated the chance to support the women's arts and crafts store. And, yes, Varanasi was an important add-on tour to round out our experience of India. Of course, the biggest thrill was seeing the tiger up close in Ranthambore National Park. I would definitely recommend you and this itinerary to my friends and family. Regards,
Quin Kung
Vancouver, Canada
Dear Mandira and Nazir, We had a really wonderful time. Our guide was very professional, informative and warm which really makes a huge difference when going with a group..and we could not have been luckier group wise- everyone was friendly and engaged. The hotels were all extremely good. We really enjoyed the range of food, the optional cookery session was a real insight into family life- a most delightful family. We really enjoyed the performance in Kerala. It was such a pity the performers did not have a larger audience Thank you all at Explore India for such a professional and friendly service. We will most definitely recommend your company to anyone thinking of going to India. Kind regards Catriona
Catriona Stares
London UK, United Kingdom
Tour Extensions
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