Best of Nepal & India Cost per person twin-share $4572.00 Single Supplement $ 992.00 High Season surcharge $ 190.00 Dec 09 - Jan 15 - Jun 01 - Aug 31 * Based on a minimum of 2 pax traveling TUE : DAY 01 / LOS ANGELES / BANGKOK Your exciting journey begins as you board your Malaysia Airlines 747 wide-bodied jet for the flight across the Pacific to the Orient. Delicious meals are served in-flight. WED : DAY 02 / BANGKOK ARRIVAL Bangkok, the capital of the fabled Kingdom of Siam (modern day Thailand). A culture more than 1300 years old, its temples and palaces are a fantasy in store, a land with natural beauty and a people whose ingenious friendliness is a legend. Upon your arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. THU : DAY 03 / BANGKOK Float along the Klong's to Bangkok's colorful morning market where boat vendors sell vegetables and flowers to customers living in houses rising above the water. Heavily laden boats are filled with tropical fruit delights and other exotic offerings. Visit Grand Palace, gem of the entire city. Its sacred Emerald Buddha has played a major role historically, glimpse the throne room of the present day dynasty, a miniature reproduction of Angkor Wat and the fierce guardian gatekeepers. FRI : DAY 04 / BANGKOK This morning you will see the Golden Buddha made of five and a half ton of solid gold, the colossal reclining Buddha, the exquisite White Marble Temple of the Kings. This evening you will be served a savory Thai Dinner accompanied with classical dances and music featuring exquisite costumes and the elegant movements unique to this style of dance. SAT : DAY 05 / BANGKOK/KATHMANDU We are flown to Kathmandu, ancient capital of the mountain kingdom of Nepal. In this isolated world, people live as much as they have for over 2000 years. On approach, see a breathtaking view of terraced hilltops set against the dramatic backdrop of the mighty Himalayas. Our tour includes exploration of Durbar Square with its pagoda-shaped temples, bazaars and the Royal Residential Palace. See the temple of the Living Goddess-a young girl worshipped as a deity by all Nepalese. We continue to Boudhnath to see the largest Buddhist stupa in the world. Its mystic eyes of the Lord Buddha keenly watching devotees, it is the most celebrated Lamaist pilgrim center outside Tibet. At Pashupatinah, view the most sacred of Nepal's Shiva shrines. This Hindu temple's twin-roofed pagoda is of gold-gilt-brass, the gateways are silver-plated. SUN : DAY 06 / PATAN / BHADGAON Patan is the oldest of the three cities of the ancient Kathmandu Valley. Originally founded in the 3rd-century, the medieval city features hundreds of temples and palaces of this "City of Beauty". The art and architecture feature intricate carvings with an interesting mixture of Hindu and Buddhist influence. The Durbar Square (palace complex) includes the Temple of Lord Krishna, whose carved edifice is considered to be the best example of ancient artisan's skills. Visit the Tibetan refugee camp--actually a mini village, to see the deft hands of these artisans and craftsmen weaving carpets and engaging in other ancient, distinctly Tibetan handicrafts. Later we enjoy a drive to the primitive city of Bhadgoan "City of Devotees", built in the shape of a conch shell--an object of religious significance to Hindus and Buddhists. MON : DAY 07 / TIGER TOPS Today you will experience one of the most spectacular flying adventures imaginable. This one-hour flight takes you for a close-up view less than 14 miles from Mt Everest, the world's highest peak. Kanchenjunga, third highest in the world, on the Nepal-Sikkim border, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and other giants of the eastern Himalayan Range. Tiger Tops Hotel, our treetop hotel is built on the banks of the Rapti River. Elephants driven by trained mahouts takes us on a thrilling game run to capture on film, the rhino and tiger that inhibit the area. This will surely be one of the most unforgettable experiences in your journey. TUE : DAY 08 / THARU VILLAGE View the wildlife of Chitwan today--nearly 400 species of birds, a variety of deer, boar, crocodile, leopard, one-horned rhinoceros and the now endangered and elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. Upon returning from our jungle excursion, experience the ritual bathing and feeding of the elephants. WED : DAY 09 / KATHMANDU Return to Kathmandu. Balance of the day at leisure. THU : DAY 10 / KATHMANDU / BENARES Benares, the holy city of India is located on the sacred Ganges River. Visit Bharat Mata Temple, the Durga Temple with its ever present monkeys, the Sacred Bull, the Wall of Knowledge, the beautiful Viswanath (Golden) Temple, the brocade and saree shops and the crowded bazaars. Drive to the buried Buddhist City of Sarnath--scene of Buddha's first sermon with its ruins, stupas and museum. Visit the new Buddhist Temple with its beautiful frescos painted by a Japanese artist. FRI : DAY 11 / AGRA Our sightseeing tour of Agra includes the famous Taj Mahal-undisputed architectural marvel of the world. Then proceed to picturesque and historic Moghul Fort, built by Akbar the Great and view Goti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) and the Jasmin Tower. Return via Itmad-ud-Daulah, famous for its inlay work. SAT : DAY 12 / TAJ MAHAL Drive to Fatehpur Sikri, a city of red stone, to commemorate the birth of Akbar's son. Today, this deserted city, still in a state of perfect preservation (350 years old), symbolizes a fusion of Indo-Moslem architecture and radiates at atmosphere of incomparable beauty and majesty. Visit the redstone mosques, courtyards and the palace where Akbar once played chess using slave girls as pawns. Evening drive to the pure white Taj Mahal by moonlight, when its delicate beauty can be appreciated most. Begun in 1631, the construction of this poetry in marble took 20,000 workers and 22 years to complete. SUN : DAY 13 / AGRA / JAIPUR Leave Agra ,driving through rural countryside via Bhusawat to the pink city of Jaipur. See the Maharaja's city Palace with a fine collection of Rajput and Moghul paintings. Also see the 18th century astronomical observatory and elaborate Palace of the Winds. Drive through the beautiful pink city where Rajasthani women in wide skirts, men in bright turbans and camel caravans arriving from the great desert can be seen. MON : DAY 14 / JAIPUR We are transported back in time today, riding like royalty atop elegantly draped and painted elephants, up to the mountain fortress of Amber. Once the capitals of royals, the fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture--a complex of palaces, temples, exquisite marble and mirror-inlaid halls and chambers. To make the walls glisten as befit a royal residence, powdered marble, egg shells and even pearls were added for luster to the final coat of paint. TUE : DAY 15 / JAIPUR / DELHI A brief flight brings us to Delhi, capital city of India. It was from here that the British, Hindu, Muslim and Moghul ruled. Motor along the broad avenues of the planned capital and visit the imposing Qutub Minar Tower, the Iron Pillar which dates back to the 4th century, Humayun's Tomb and a vast walled Persian garden. Proceed to Rashtrapati Bhuvan Palace where India's President resides, the impressive Birla Temple and the elegant shops at Connaught Place. In Old Delhi, visit the Red Fort with its Pearl Mosque and exquisite audience halls. See minarets, Raj Ghat (where Gandi was cremated), the Ashok Pillar and the mile-long Chandi Chowk bazaars where craftsmen sell their trades. This evening enjoy a spectacular Sound and Light Show. WED : DAY 16 / DELHI DEPARTURE Transfer to the airport for your departure flight back to the states.