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India & Nepal

SmarTours Preferred
Has very high quality customer experiences and demonstrated commitment to responsible travel practices. read more
4.9 . Excellent
99%
Travel Style: Array Mixed
Physical Level: Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment. Easy
Lodging Level: Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels. Value (3*)
15 days
From: $ 2,999 $ 200 / day
Checking price

Overview

Highlights (Bullets)

  • Taj Mahal
  • Delhi Sightseeing
  • Elephant Ride to Amber Fort (Jaipur)
  • Sunrise Boat Ride on the Ganges River
  • Durbar Square (Kathmandu)

Short Description

Take a stunning trip to India and Nepal and experience two of the most interesting and colorful countries in the world! Explore the famous Taj Mahal, take an exhilarating elephant ride to Amber Fort, float down the Ganges during a boat ride at sunrise, visit Durbar Square in Kathmandu, among many more exciting activities during smarTours’ adventure to India and Nepal.

Style Group tour
See all the highlights and popular spots on a classic tour.
Itinerary Focus Classic Highlights
Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels.
Lodging Level Value (3*)
Flight & Transport Inclusions Roundtrip air to/from trip start & all internal transport
Start City New Delhi
End City New Delhi

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA

Your exotic journey to India and Nepal begins this afternoon as you depart the U.S.

Day 2: Arrive Delhi.

Accommodation: Le Meridien New Delhi

Afternoon arrival in India’s capital. You’ll be escorted to your deluxe hotel. Le Meridien New Delhi

Day 3:

Accommodation: Le Meridien New Delhi

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

This morning, see New Delhi’s highlights: The 12th century hand carved Kutab Minar, the Birla Temple and the India Gate. Later, a tour of Old Delhi takes you to the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi and to the Jamma Masjid, India’s largest mosque. See the magnificent Red Fort, built in 1648 as a symbol of Mughal’s power. Later, enjoy a guided walking tour  to Connaught Place downtown and explore the local shops/markets. This evening, your tour director hosts a welcome dinner.

Day 4: Delhi/Jaipur.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Sheraton Four Points City Square Hotel

Today, voyage to Jaipur, the “Pink City” and capital of Rajasthan, famous for its exquisite buildings of rose-colored terra cotta. Sheraton Four Points City Square Hotel

Day 5:

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Sheraton Four Points City Square Hotel

Enjoy a walking tour as well as a rickshaw ride in Jaipur’s old city where you will explore the colorful local bazaar. Also visit the Palace of Winds, the landmark of Jaipur. This afternoon venture out of the city to Amber Fort, ancient capital of Rajasthan. See the Temple of Kali, the Hall of Victory, and ride an elephant to the hill where the Amber Fort is situated. Later, attend a unique prayer ritual at a hindu temple. Enjoy a leisure evening in picturesque Jaipur to explore on your own or perhaps enjoy a trip to Jaipur’s spice markets.

Day 6: Jaipur/Agra.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Jaypee Palace Hotel

En route to Agra, visit Fatehpur Sikri, once a glittering capital, later abandoned due to scarcity of water. Marvel at well-preserved buildings and red sandstone palaces. Proceed to Agra, home of the legendary shrine built and dedicated to love, the Taj Mahal. Jaypee Palace Hotel

Day 7: Taj Mahal/Agra Fort Excursion.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Jaypee Palace Hotel

The highlight of this morning’s tour is a visit to the fabled, perfectly proportioned Taj Mahal. This 17th century, white marble mausoleum was built by Emperor Shah Jehan to enshrine the mortal remains of his Queen Mumtaz Mahal. Afternoon visit tothe Agra Fort, a cluster of mosques and palaces on the banks of the river. Later, explore on your own, shop or relax at your luxury hotel’s pool-side.

Day 8: Agra/Khajuraho.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Jass Radisson Hotel

Travel aboard the famous Shatabdi Express train to Jhansi and continue by coach to Orchha, a medieval city on the River Betwa. Proceed to Khajuraho, renowned for its splendid temples. Enjoy dinner at your hotel. Jass Radisson Hotel

Day 9:

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Jass Radisson Hotel

Tour the spectacular temples of Khajuraho, built by the Chandela kings between the 9th and 13th centuries. The temples are exquisitely carved with graceful statues and frieze of Gods and Goddesses. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 10: Khajuraho/Varanasi.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Radisson Hotel (Varanasi)

Fly to Varanasi, Hinduism’s holiest city, situated on the sacred Ganges River. Tour the oldest living city in the world and visit the ‘Ghats’ (banks) of the Ganges River, where you’ll gain greater insight into Hinduism. Radisson Hotel

Day 11: Varanasi/Kathmandu (Nepal).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Soaltee Hotel

At sunrise take a boat ride on the Ganges River where pilgrims converge for the ritual of immersion and prayer. Later, fly to Kathmandu, the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Nepal. This is a deeply spiritual land, isolated by the high Himalayas. Crowne Plaza Soaltee Hotel

Day 12:

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Soaltee Hotel

Morning visit to the major temple towns in the Kathmandu Valley at the foot of the Himalayan mountains. See the gilded copper gate in Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon), a masterpiece. Proceed to the Hindu Temple of Shiva and the Buddhist shrine at Bodhnath. Afternoon at leisure. Your deluxe hotel is conveniently located for independent exploring and shopping.

Day 13:

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Soaltee Hotel

Today, you may experience an optional Mount Everest scenic flight over the breathtaking Himalayas (weather permitting). Later, drive through the captivating countryside to Bhaktapur and see beautiful art and architecture. On your way back, stop at the fascinating Tibetan Refugee Craft Center and visit the temples, pagodas and palaces in Durbar. Tonight join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner with a cultural performance.

Day 14: Kathmandu/Delhi.

Meals: Breakfast

Leisure time for last minute pursuits before your flight back to Delhi, where you’ll connect with your late night flight back to the USA.

Day 15: Delhi/USA.

Bid farewell to incredible India. Your memorable journey ends as you arrive the USA this morning.

Availability

Checking price
Price From $ 2,999
Price Per Day: $ 200 per day
Checking price
  • Deposit Price: $ 650
  • Single Supplement: $ 650

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with SmarTours.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

1,112 SmarTours Travel Reviews & Ratings

99%
4.9 out of 5 (100+ reviews)
Excellent 995
Great 111
Average 1
Disappointing 1
Terrible 4
Value
4.9
Guide
4.9
Activities
4.9
Lodging
4.9
Transportation
4.9
Meals
4.9

India & Nepal

cannot decribe the "awesomeness" of the tour

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Just returned from the Best of India tour last night. Could not wait to give my reviews. As I have told my friends words cannot decribe the "awesomeness" of the tour. The rich history of India, the sweet nature of the people there and our incredible knowledgeable and humble tour guide Jasvir. Every question was answered with such perfect explanation and his in-depth knowledge of the forts and temples was amazing. He took care of each and everyone as if each was a long time friend. At the end of this journey you get emotional and bitter sweet. One caveat : walk with toilet paper wherever you go.
Read more

very wonderful

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
We went on the India and Nepal Tour. So very wonderful. Would not have been so wonderful without the enthusiasm and and knowledge of our wonderful guide Bonita Backer.
Read more

best I've experienced in my 14 escorted tours

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Tour guide Jasvir Saurana has been one of the best I've experienced in my 14 escorted tours over the years. He is knowledgeable, organized, experienced and most of all proud of his country. Being born of Indian parents but never visiting this awesome country until now, I had only minimum knowledge of this magnificent country with all its grandeur and history. Jasvir opened my eyes to so much more with his detailed explanations of India and Nepal in all their majesty. He is very caring and generous with his time and I'm grateful that I was a participant in this journey. Accommodations, transportation and incredible staff made my trip amazing and incredible. I compliment SmarTours for this great experience and would certainly travel with them again. Three Cheers for SmarTours and 10+ for Jasvir Saurana. Namaste.
Read more

Incredible trip

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
India has always been special to me. We recently combined a short segment of independent travel to Calcutta (birthplace of my father and where my grandparents were buried) with an organized trip to India and Nepal. The hotels on the tour were generally OK with superb accommodations at the Meridien New Dehli and good accommodations Jaypee Palace in Agra. Breakfast buffet was excellent most places. The entire trip was made enjoyable, comfortable, fun and ran smoothly due the tireless efforts, skill, compassion, care and friendship of our guide Jasvir Saurana. He took care of all the annoying fees including all the hotel tips, some of small fees for toilet attendants that is annoying for some of the western traveller (shouldn't be as those attendants would not be working there if they are able to find other work easily), and some camera fees for those that happen not to carry small change, etc. (This is not true of other Smart tour guides!). He personally bought treats, additional night boat ride on the Ganges, drinks and flower/candle offering on the Ganges amongst others for the group. He was unstinting of his personal time for demanding and sometimes dependent tourists. He seamlessly integrated personal flight schedules and worked with his agencies and Indian travel bureaucracy/security to make what could have been a travel headache if not nightmare when I unfortunately had to cancel the last segment of the trip due to my mother's illness and subsequent death. The entire journey, guided by someone I would be happy to have as a friend, through northern india including a passing glance of Indian culture, India lifestyle, intra Indian flights, train, boat, rickshaw, bicycle etc, is a life (changing) experience not to miss.
Read more

India/Nepal

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
I recently finished up the India-Nepal tour with SmarTours on November 5, 2017. I can’t say enough about it. It was a life-changing experience. We saw many wonderful sites and had some very unique and extraordinary experiences. One of our tour mates was even cast in a Bollywood film to play a British officer! The evening trip to the Ganges River was an other-worldly experience not to be missed. Seeing the Taj Mahal was the fruition of a life long dream. It truly is the most beautiful building in the world. The food and venues were superb. Our tour guide, Jasvir Saurana, a Delhi native, was excellent, from attending to every aspect of our travel comfort to acting as a great narrator and teacher of the history, religion, and customs and practices of India and its various regions. Jasvir gave India the color and contextual meaning to make it come alive for our entire tour group. He was exceptionally kind and courteous to all, making everyone feel welcome and part of a fun and caring group. He truly is a rock star tour guide and great human being. It was the trip of a lifetime. Thank you, thank you, SmarTours and Jasvir! Namaste
Read more

Best I've experienced

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Tour guide Jasvir Saurana has been one of the best I've experienced in my 14 escorted tours over the years. He is knowledgeable, organized, experienced and most of all proud of his country. Being born of Indian parents but never visiting this awesome country until now, I had only minimum knowledge of this magnificent country with all its grandeur and history. Jasvir opened my eyes to so much more with his detailed explanations of India and Nepal in all their majesty. He is very caring and generous with his time and I'm grateful that I was a participant in this journey. Accommodations, transportation and incredible staff made my trip amazing and incredible. I compliment SmarTours for this great experience and would certainly travel with them again.Three Cheers for SmarTours and 10+ for Jasvir Saurana.Namaste.
Read more

Details

Flight & Transport Inclusions

Roundtrip air to/from trip start & all internal transport

Group Size

Standard Group - 25 + people

Accommodations

  • Night 1: International Flight: Air India
  • Nights 2-3: New Delhi: Le Meridien New Delhi
  • Nights 4-5: Jaipur: Sheraton Four Points City Square Hotel
  • Nights 6-7: Agra: Jaypee Palace Hotel
  • Nights 8-9: Khajuraho: Jass Radisson Hotel
  • Night 10: Varanasi: Radisson Hotel
  • Nights 11-13: Kathmandu: Crowne Plaza Soaltee Hotel
  • Night 14: International Flight: Air India

Cancellation policy

Full Payment due 75 days before departure. Failure to make final payment on time may result in automatic cancellation of reservation and loss of deposit.

Changes to the original reservation will result in a $150 change fee per person per change. No changes allowed within 75 days of departure.

Cancellation charges per person are:

Up to 75 days before departure: $300

74-45 days before departure: $600

44-30 days before departure: $1000

29-10 days before departure: $1500

9 days or less before departure: No refund.

All cancellations must be received in writing.

Trip ID#:

smartours-IN

What's excluded

  • Baggage and personal insurance
  • Passport and visa fees
  • Gratuities and optional tours
  • Expenses of personal nature
  • Any items not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
  • Beverages
  • Meals other than specified in the trip itinerary
  • Items of a personal nature

Meals Included

12 Breakfasts and 3 Dinners

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