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Amazing India Nepal Tibet Tour

Duration:
17 Days
Route:
Delhi-Agra-Varanasi-Kathmandu-Gyirong-Shigatse-Lhasa
Season:
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Tour Type:
Private Tour
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Overview

This once-in-a-lifetime journey begins at Delhi—the capital and very heart of India. From thereon, you would travel to the amazing city of Jaipur, then to Agra—another great city where the world-famous Taj Mahal is located—and then to Varanasi, where the Ganges River slithers freely down to the Bengal Bay. Flying from Varanasi to the ancient city of Kathmandu, you will explore medieval Kathmandu Durbar Square and Nagarkot for sightseeing. After that, you will start your overland trip from Kathmandu to Lhasa. En route, you will visit Everest Bse Camp and admire Mt.Everest up to close. Standing under the world's highest peak, you may feel somewhat different. And you will visit the turquoise Yamdrok Lake and ancient Tibetan temples. All these adventures will leave you with epic shots and lasting memories.

DayRouteAttractions & Activities
1 Arrival in New Delhi Pick up from Gandhi International Airport
2 Sightseeing in Delhi Shajahanabad, Digambar Jain Temple, Raj Ghat, Parliament Building, Qutab Minar
3 From Delhi To Jaipur Jantar Mantar, City Palace Museum
4 From Jaipur to the Famous Agra Hawa Mahal, Mentab Bagh
5 Sightseeing at Agra Taj Mahal, Agra Fort
6 Agra to Varanasi by Plane Fly to Varanasi
7 Flight to Kathmandu from Varanasi Flight to Kathmandu
8 A Quick Tour of Kathmandu Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa
9 Kathmandu - Nagarkot(2175m), 35km, Approx. 1.5hrs Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Nagarkot Village
10 Nagarkot-Kathmandu, 35km, Approx. 1.5hrs Patan Durbar Square, Patan Museum
11 Kathmandu to Gyirong, 210km Pick up from hotel and drive
12 Gyirong to Tingri, 340km, Approx. 6hrs View of Mt.Shisha Pangma and lake Peikutso
13 Tingri to Shigatse, 240km, Approx. 4hrs 30mins Tashilumpo Monastery
14 Shigatse - Gyantse - Lhasa, 375km, Approx. 7hrs Pelkor Chode Monastery, Karola Glacier, Yamdroktso Lake
15 Lhasa Sightseeing Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
16 Lhasa Sightseeing Drepung Monastery, Tibet Museum, Norbulingka
17 Lhasa Departure Send off to the airport/train station

Daily Itinerary

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Upon arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, your tour guide will fetch you from the airport and billet you at a nice hotel. The rest of the day is all yours to spend. You can use the rest of the day to familiarize yourself with Indian culture and other aspects of Indian life.

Stay overnight in Delhi

The tour of Delhi will never be complete without seeing its past; hence, the first part of the Delhi Tour usually consists of a visit to the “Old Delhi”—a 17th-century walled city of Shajahanabad — at Yamuna River’s western bank. The walls of Old Delhi span more than 7 miles and enclose the Red Fort (Lal Qila), Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), Chandni Chowk (Silver Path), and the residential quarters.

Afterward, you will get to see the red sandstone Digambar Jain Temple built in 1526, and visit the Raj Ghat, a mesmerizing monument where the renowned Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. If time permits, you can experience riding on a rickshaw along the crowded lanes of the famous Chandni Chowk Bazaar after taking a look at the Jam Masjid.

After lunch, you’ll be guided through the lovely "Imperial City" at the very center of Delhi. Here, you will tour India’s Parliament Building, the residence of India’s President and the Rashptrapati Bhavan. Not far beyond is the “India Gate”, situated at a famous park that encircles the memorial to the Indian soldiers who died serving Great Britain during World War I and Britain’s war against Afghanistan. Then, you will visit the Qutab Minar, a marvelous 234-foot tower that showcases Indo-Islamic Architecture and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stay overnight in Delhi

You’ll take your early morning breakfast at your hotel, for soon after, you’ll be off for a five-hour drive to Jaipur. Jaipur is a nice Indian city, famous for being the "Pink City" due to the rosy hue of most of its sandstone buildings. Here, you can visit the Amber Fort-Palace, a splendid and well-preserved 16th-century structure. It has a small room called “Sheesh Mahal” whose ceiling are covered with minute mirrors, creating the impression of a sky replete with brilliant stars.

After Lunch, you will take a jaunt at the Jantar Mantar, a famous 18th-century astronomical and astrological observatory with its gigantic sundials that are still fairly accurate. Soon after, your tour guide will walk you through the amazing City Palace Museum. An optional visit to the fabric block printing center would surely be an awesome way to end your day-three tour.

Stay overnight in Jaipur

After breakfast, you will visit the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) before leaving for Agra. The Hawa Mahal is not a palace but a façade, decked with delicately honeycombed windows made of sandstones. In the past, ladies within the palace used to watch the outside world without being noticed by outsiders.

You will then take a six-hour 237-km drive to Agra. This trip showcases the Indian countryside. Along the way, you’ll see camels and rickshaws. A stopover at Abhaneri is imperative, wherein you will find an ancient baolis—a waterway designed to provide a continuous supply of water to the surrounding inhabitants.

Soon after arriving at Agra, you can either take a much-needed rest or join the optional tour to Mentab Bagh(Moonlight Garden)” located just across the Yamuna River. From the Mentab Bagh, you can already behold the mesmerizing Taj Mahal.

Stay overnight in Agra

Agra is definitely “a once-in-a-lifetime experience” for it has the world-famous Taj Mahal. You should rise early in the morning to experience the spectacular sunrise at Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is an exquisite monument of love—a literal “Crown of the Palace"—made of ivory-white marble. It is a mausoleum likewise, commissioned by the Shah Jahan in 1632 for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Moreover, it has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and is visited by 7 to 8 million tourists each year.

Not far from the Taj Mahal complex is the sprawling Agra Fort. This fort served as the seat of power of the Mughal Empire for several generations before the British colonial rule of India. Its design is a mixture of awesome beauty and military power.

Stay overnight in Agra

Soon after having your breakfast, you will be off to Varanasi by plane. Legend says that Varanasi was founded by Shiva. It is also said that Gautama founded Buddhism here. Hence, it is considered the holiest of the seven sacred cities of India. Here, you’ll see 19 archeological sites, magnificent monasteries, stupas, Hindu temples, Ghats, the Ramnagar Fort, the Jantar Mantar observatory, and great mosques.

Stay overnight in Varanasi

Varanasi
Varanasi

You are now about to commence your Nepal tour and end your Indian tour. After breakfast, you still have enough time for a boat ride along the sacred Ganges and engage in sightseeing in Varanasi. You’ll see Ghats, temples, and mosques from your boat. Soon after, you should be ready for your flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Kathmandu, you should rest in your hotel for the next day's adventures.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu

Kathmandu
Kathmandu

After having your breakfast, you will be transferred to Pashupatinath and Boudhanath, two famous world heritage sites in Kathmandu. Pashupatinath Temple is the largest shrine of Lord Shiva in the whole of Nepal, and the most sacred temple for all Hindus. There is a cremation site beside the temple, and it is quite unique. Holy men—whose bodies are covered with all types of makeup and ashes—are also focal attractions near the Pashupatinath Temple. Here, you will also get to see the Holy River Bagmati.

The other temple worth visiting in Kathmandu is the Boudhanath Stupa, also known and considered as the Little Tibet in Kathmandu. You should not miss likewise the Thanka painting galleries to better understand Tibetan Buddhism.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu

Today we are going to visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square first.

“Durbar” means “Palace” in Nepalese language. There are three famous Durbar Squares in Nepal, one is in Kathmandu, one is in Bhaktapur, and the last in Patan. After the 6th. King of Malla Dynasty died, all his three sons wanted to be the new king, so they controlled three different places and fight each other. These three Durbar Squares were built during that time.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is bigger than the other two squares. There are many temples, statues and palace over 500years history there, thus it’s called “The Treasure of Medieval Nepalese Art” and “Outdoor Museum” as well.

After lunch, we are going to Nagarkot, 35km from Kathmandu. It’s called the “Viewing Deck of the Himalayas” because it’s the best place to see the overall perspective of the Himalayas. It used to be the secluded place of the Nepalese rulers, but since 70’s it became the most popular place to enjoy the sunrise and sunset. The peak season is from Oct. to Mar. every year.

Stay overnight in Nagarkot village

After enjoying the great sunrise of Himalaya in Nagarkot, today we are going to another Durbar Square---Patan Durbar Square. It’s also one of the world's cultural heritages in Nepal. The biggest difference compared with the other two squares is the Newari classical architecture here.

In the afternoon, we are going to the Patan Museum. It may be the best museum in the South Asian Sub-Continent. It’s a complex of modern and ancient architecture art. The specialty seeing is those bronze statues, which are gods of Hindu and Buddhism. There are three showrooms of Hindu while 2 of Buddhism.

We will go back to Kathmandu in the late afternoon.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu

Our local operator will pick up from your hotel in Kathmandu and get together around 6:00am, and then we will drive from Kathmandu to Rashuwaghadi (the border between China-Nepal), en-route, you’ll enjoy the marvelous scenery along the way, the rush green mountains, valleys, rivers, etc. After immigration formalities at Gyirong port, you will meet our Tibetan tour guide and driver, then continue drive to Gyirong town.

Stay overnight in Gyirong, Guesthouse

Drive along the Friendship Highway to Tingri where you can get a wonderful view of Himalayan ranges, specially Mt.Shisha Pangma and Lake Peikutso. About 40 km to Old Tingri, you can get a view of the highest peaks in the world, such as Mt. Lhotse (8516m), Mt. Everest(8848m), Mt. Qowowuyag (8201m), and Mt. Makalu(8463m).

Stay overnight in Tingri, Guesthouse

Drive from Tingri to Shigatse today, which takes about 4hrs 30mins. Please feel free to ask your driver to stop at any time if you want to take a photo of the fantastic view along the way.

In the afternoon, we will visit Tashilunpo Monastery - the home of Panchen Lama. It was founded by the 1st Dalai Lama in 1447 and is a historic and culturally important monastery in Shigatse.

Stay overnight in Shigatse

Drive Shigatse to Lhasa via Gyantse by Southern Friendship Highway. You will pass by the fertile Nyangchu Valley, a wide agricultural plain where colorfully decorated yaks and horses are used by Tibetan farmers to till the land. Arriving at Gyantse, you will visit Pelkor Chode Monastery. This magnificent multi-door structure is not only the largest stupa in Tibet but also has old sculptures and paintings all around its inner walls. En route, you will see Karola Glacier, which looks spectacular from the highway, as well as holy Yamdrok Lakewith its turquoise color and snowcapped Mt.Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Today, you will visit the most famous Potala Palace, which is the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. Potala Palace was the winter palace of successive Dalai lamas. It was built by the 33rd great king of Tibet - Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th Century. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet. 

At noon, the tour guide will bring you to a good restaurant to have lunch and have a rest. In the afternoon, we will go to visit Jokhang Temple in the center of the Lhasa old town. Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims since the early days. After that, you will take a walk around the Barkhor Street - one of the most devotional circuits as well as a crowded central market of Lhasa. Barkhor Street is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang Temple and the locals are always proud of it. As a symbol of Lhasa, it‘s also a must-see place for visitors.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

After breakfast in the hotel, the tour guide will take you to Drepung Monastery, the biggest Tibetan monastery that housed more than 10,000 monks in the past. Drepung means Rice Heap in the Tibetan language. The entire monastery is large in scale and the white buildings cluster and cover the hillsides. It's the highest-ranking monastery in the Gelug Sect.

In the afternoon you will first visit the Tibet Museum. Here you can see life scenes, exquisite clothing, house architecture, and festival customs, etc. to explore the special and mysterious Tibetan customs. Then you will visit Norbulingka, which is a typical Tibetan-style royal garden, the summer resort of the Dalai Lama.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Your Tibet tour ends today. After breakfast, you will be free in the morning. Our staff will collect you at your hotel to transfer to Lhasa Airport/Railway Station.

Our Service

INCLUSIONS

  • Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
  • All entrance tickets fee for tourist attractions listed in the itinerary;
  • Experienced local English-speaking tour guide;
  • Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fee;
  • All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel, or guesthouse. Please tell us your preference;
  • Breakfasts provided by hotels;
  • Pick-up & Drop-off service from Airport/railway station;
  • Travel Agency Liability insurance;
  • Government tax;
  • Express delivery fee of Permit (eg. SF. Express);
  • Food & lodgings for guide & driver;
  • Oxygen tank for emergency use;
  • Two bottles of mineral water per person per day.

EXCLUSIONS

  • International flight to and out of China;
  • Chinese Visa/China Group Visa; (Note: we could help you by providing the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies for your Chinese Visa or the invitation letter for your China Group Visa)
  • Domestic flight/train to and out of Lhasa; (We can help you book the domestic flight/train ticket at the BEST price. Please contact us for details.)
  • Meals are not included but we will recommend some good ones for you according to your requirements. Usually, it takes 3-10 USD per person for each meal.
  • While the gratuity for guide and driver is NOT mandatory, it is expected. Based on their service, you can tip them on the last day of the tour. Each of you is suggested to tip them 5-10 USD/day in total;
  • All the commission and tax charged by PayPal, Bank, and government when making payment. (e.g. PayPal --- 4.4%. Wire transfer --- 2%);
  • Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc.
  • Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions.

Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients

Asked by Mai ***

17 days India, Nepal, tibet

Merry
Answered by Merry

Dear Mai, 

Thank you for sending us an inquiry!

For 17 days Amazing India Nepal Tibet Tour, we can open one for you on 19 October. But from Kathmandu to Tibet overland requires Group China Visa. It requires 4 applicants to present together for an interview and have their fingerprints collected. For tourists on the same Group Visa, they should exit China at the pre-arranged city together, as the exiting city listed on the group visa should be exactly as same as their export city. I suggest you apply for China visa and fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa via Chengdu. 

Asked by Na***

I would like to get some quotation for the 17 days trip. It will be my wife and I.
I choose October is because I believe the weather is more pleasant.

beatrice
Answered by Beatrice

Dear Nan***, It only takes 30mins. Instead, you have to take the evening flight to Delhi from Varanasi and the next morning from Delhi to Kathmandu by flight. It might extend one day trip, is it okay? Or we don't count the flight ticket for the time being and wait to see further?

And what's your nationality? As you will cross three countries. Also which hotel category would you prefer? 3 star, 4 star or 5 star?

Asked by Stel***

I would like to travel between 1 and 20 August. Is this tour only for a group?

Catherine
Answered by Catherine

This is organized as a private tour. We can arrange the tour for you.

We also have some small group tours available, will you consider joining? I would like to recommend it to you if you are interested.

Asked by clau***

graag voorstel +prijs hogervermelde trip .Kan die plaatsvinden in november (2019)?
mvg
claudine

Cherry
Answered by Cherry

In your inquiry, you mentioned you would like to have the 17 Days Amazing India Nepal Tibet Tour which is a private tour. 

Here is the itinerary of 17 Days Amazing India Nepal Tibet Tour.

I will quote for you after you confirm the itinerary. By the way, which hotel star do you prefer? Economy 3-star hotel or comfortable 4-star hotel. 

Asked by Char***

We would be interested in the Varanasi to Lhasa part of the trip (no Jaipur, Agra and Delhi, but can substitute some other places, ex Calcutta, etc) Can we join a group tour in Varanasi to Lhasa? Please quote the price. Thank you very much.

nance
Answered by Nance

According to your request, how about having our 7 days Lhasa Mt. Everest Kathmandu Overland Group Tour plus 4 days Nepal private tour? In Tibet, we have small group tour, in Nepal, we only have a private tour. 

For 7 days Tibet group tour, we have confirmed departure date on June 8th and Sept 21st. Also, we can open your prefer departure date if you book this tour with us three months in advance. 

What do you think of this tour? I will send you the quotation after you confirm the arrangement. Before that, please let me know more about your tour plan.

1. What kind of accommodation would you like to get? The comfortable (4-star), or the economy class (3-star) hotel?

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What Our Customers Say

Now that our tour is over, I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for all your help in organizing this great experience! We would like to point out that we really liked the driver who picked us up from the train station on our first day! Of course we only interacted with him shortly b ....

Read more testimonials...
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