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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
Hello Nazir, The Journey of the Senses was truly an amazing trip and there are many things to reflect on. It is difficult to process it all at once. The pictures and the memories certainly help. I am working at putting together a travel journal so I don't forget it all! There, of course, were many highlights, but three key highlights for us were the community kitchen at the Gurduwara Bangla Sahib [we would have loved more time there], the visits to the ghats in Varanasi and the tour of the slum in Mumbai. I'm so glad that we switched to the February tour from a private tour in December, and that we chose a tour that you were leading. You and your team thought of everything, and took care of every small detail, including a proper toilet in the middle of the desert!. Not having to deal with our luggage, checking in at the airports, or lining up for hotel keys was a real treat. The guides, especially Yajur, were great, and we felt very safe and protected with Ravi and Shenkar. The special events - welcome dinner, elephant and camel safaris, lunch at Taj Khema and the dinner with Joti in Udaipur were amazing, each surprise exceeding the other. And a special thank you for arranging my trip to the dentist in Jodhpur. These kinds of unexpected medical issues can be stressful, but you calmly took care of every detail. Again, Nazir, thank you for a great time-enjoyable, educational and delicious! We may be up for another adventure in 2017 - let us know!
Michelle and Eli
Vancouver, Canada
Thank you very much for the welcome home card. The trip was quite wonderful. Your organisation and attention to detail made the holiday nearly perfect – I can’t hold you accountable for the weather! I hadn’t expected to be staying in such luxurious hotels but certainly enjoyed them. Another bonus was that you had included tips for hotel staff so we did not have to constantly think about that. I don’t usually like the designs on vacation bags but your elephant design for Explore India replicated on the small bag and duffle bag is very appealing and I enjoy using them. Please keep me on your mailing list for future trips. It is unlikely that I will be travelling in the next year or so but would certainly like to visit another part of that magnificent country at some time.
Michele Becker
Vancouver, Canada
Hello Rajeev, Thank you for meeting us at the Delhi airport, for arranging some sightseeing tours on Day 1 and Day 2 (early arrival in New Delhi) prior to commencement of organized tour, for obtaining foreign exchange for the Canadian $ and for everything else that made our trip so enjoyable. The trip exceeded our expectations and we know that this is due mainly to the excellent service rendered in all fields of the tourist business. We wish you continued success and good luck in your role as Head of Operations at Explore India. Yours sincerely,
Sydney & Fay Tup Chong
Dear Nazir, We thought that you would enjoy the attached photograph of the "Dream Team, 2015." As this year draws to a close we thank you for all the wonderful memories that you gave us in November and we hope that you and your family have a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. We remain interested in the Kashmir adventure that you proposed for next September and are willing to put down a refundable deposit to hold a couple of spots pending pricing and final itinerary if that works for you. Best wishes,
Danielle & Dean
Burnaby, Canada
Namaste Nazir Thanks for your note. You were certainly right about India being a Trip of a Lifetime and an adventure. We are so glad we went. We saw so many wonderful and awesome sights, and some we would rather not see. We did more adventures for fun, as in our elephant and camel rides, than we could ever imagine doing at home. Our tour guide, Yujurc, was exceptionally knowledgeable, very patient and always helpful. Our bus driver, Mr. Singh, was amazing to say the least and Surrinder treated us with help and respect and we were always happy to see his very kind smiling face. India is truly an amazing country with so many diversities and wonders to behold. We would not hesitate to recommend your tour company. We were very well looked after, and we never had to wait for Yujurc to lead us. When he said we were going to go somewhere or do something, that is what we did. Our flights were long but uneventful. Travel has always been an education for us, never more so than on our trip to India. Thank you,
Donna and Joe Treffers
Ottawa, Canada
Thank you so much for arranging our trip to India. It turned out to be a great trip and that’s thanks to your knowledge, expertise and experience. I am copying Howard in on this email as he recommended you to us, so a thank you to Howard too!!! I know we had many issues in planning this holiday but in the end it worked out better than we could have imagined. Everything went like clockwork. This is where we bring in the ‘wonderful’ Rajeev. Wow!!! Where or how would we have got through this holiday without him. He is a huge asset to your organisation. We had Abercrombie and Kent service which was an added bonus. He really made our trip to India memorable. He held our hands right throughout and made us feel like VIPs. I don’t think any of us would have any hesitation in recommending Explore India if they get the service we got! Thank you too for treating us to the delicious meal at Vada? It was very kind and generous of you and much appreciated by us all. But to end this note. Our trip was fantastic. The hotels characteristic, historical, fun, luxury and functional, transport with great drivers and luxury, guides very knowledgeable. Thank you! A great experience. With very best wishes.
Chani Davie & Friends
London, Canada
Just wanted to send you a quick note that the trip/tour was excellent. All your staff there were great and very accommodating. We got our tour of old Delhi and we were glad it happened - very interesting. Thanks again for the beautiful tour.
Robert & Mary Matthews
Ottawa, Canada
Apologies for the delay in regard to this reply. It has been 3 weeks since we got back but the first one was an adjustment to time and travel. There are just not enough good words to describe the trip but it was definitely spectacular and above expectations. Exceptionally well organized and highly professional personnel were involved in the tour. India is just so remarkable as there is so much history. We crammed and read 3 books about the country in advance but there is so very much more to learn. To be able to travel there and have professional tour guides with that depth of knowledge was fortunate indeed. Can’t say enough about the calibre of Sandeep Singh regarding his professionalism, knowledge, organizational skills and overall ability! Hilal Lone did a good job for us during the Kashmir part of it! Besides the 2 guides, there were a lot of people to acknowledge in regard to the success of the trip. Unfortunately we won’t be able to name everyone. However, we will start with yourself Nazir. Being patient, personable, and responsive in terms of direction up front made for easier planning. Those who headed up organization at the other end, such as Rajeev Sharma, went beyond the call of duty to get their part of the operation right. If only for our jetlag the day after we arrived, he would have got us to a cricket game! Rafiq Mohamed did his part as well for the Kashmir leg of the trip. Last but not least, people such as the driver, Dalit Singh Walia, and his assistant Anand Mishra, made the journey what it was. The wondrous architecture we saw was at times almost surreal. They were so advanced in this regard so very long ago! Because some were so spectacular and precise, pictures do not quite do it justice, one has to simply see it! Also so impressed with the people of India. Massive population but they have found a way to make it work. Seemingly caring to each other and respectful and friendly towards tourists. Maybe the “hawkers” not so much. To a certain extent, one even adjusts to the heat. After time spent at the sites the air-conditioned vehicles helped in this regard. Small detail maybe, but cold bottled water always being available was quite important. The tour offered a good mix and variation of experiences. The trip into the forest was definitely special. Viewing the wildlife, especially the Bengal tiger, will always be a memorable lifetime experience. The quality of accommodation was very high. The variety and selection for meals offered up something that I expect everyone could be satisfied with, as we were. Never knew anything about Explore India before the trip. Now that we do and experienced it, we would certainly highly recommend your company and the tour! Cheers,
Marilyn & Emil
Saskatoon, Canada
I can only say Helen and I thoroughly enjoyed our time in India. It was very insightful and not a little unsettling and moving at times. This is as it should be. I had a little list of things I wanted to be able to do with the free time we had, as you know, and I accomplished all of them. The support ‘on the ground’ was good and Yajur was a very good guide. He’s very personable, organized and well informed. Please give him my best regards and convey to him my sincere appreciation for being our Tour Manager. He’s a keeper in my opinion. He provided a lot of very good context and insight into the country and its people as well as its strengths and challenges. His ‘lectures’ on the bus as we traveled I personally found very helpful. They got me thinking, asking questions and engaging him in conversation, when possible, to expand my knowledge (as for me this, along with time on the street, is an important part of travel). He has a lot of useful knowledge of the sites we visited also. That and the local and national newspapers available at the hotels were very helpful in that regard. I read them daily. It was a good way to see the part of India we were able to see, especially given my language limitations and lack of extensive prior knowledge of Indian culture. I had done preparatory reading prior to arriving in India. I came away with a better knowledge base and perspective on a very diverse country of 1.2B people. Enjoyed the accommodation, the food and the services provided also. Increased my tolerance for hot spices (in moderation) and Kingfisher beer too. I really can’t offer anything else beyond what I’ve already said. It was a ‘slice of life’ and I personally was very glad I went. Helen likewise.
C & H Lenz
Chilliwack, Canada
First of all, let us thank you and Rajeev for planning and organizing an unforgettable tour for us and our travelling companions, and for your courteous welcome home card. We appreciate that there must have been a tremendous amount of effort for you both due to the last minute changes resulting from the Kashmir flooding, but despite these challenges, we were treated to a wonderful and seamless experience. Rajeev was able to provide us with a new and unique treat each day, and he is to be commended for dealing smoothly with each and every one of us. Attached are two photos of the many that we have taken, no doubt others will also forward some, and we do not want to overwhelm you! Should you so wish, we would be pleased to provide a testimonial or recommendation to other potential customers, and would certainly contact you in the event of future travel plans to India or neighbouring areas.
John & Doreen Rapson
Vancouver, Canada
Tour Extensions
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You can read hundreds of online reviews of destinations and hotels, but with our up-to-date first-hand knowledge, we will be able to compare and contrast different options and ensure we find something that is just right for you.

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