India & Nepal

15 DAY TOUR - NOVEMBER 1, 2013

5 Star Luxury with Kathmandu, Nepal & Mt. Everest - NEW!

Jeff Lawson

Special Guest Educator

This is the year to put India at the top of your list!!!!!

Our special designed 5 star luxury tour visits the best places in India and Nepal. We have even included a flight from Kathmandu around Mt. Everest. The best time of year to tour India is late October to middle of November, when the weather is almost perfect along with the temperatures.

The dollar is the strongest it has been in a long time. We have been getting 43 Indian Rupee’s per dollar – for this next year’s tour we were able to get 53 Indian Rupee’s per dollar. That makes everything less expensive from hotels to buses. Travel and Leisure Magazine make a list of the top 100 hotels in the world. This last year’s list does not have any Marriott hotels, Sheraton hotels, Hyatt hotels or Hilton hotels. The chains that have hotels in the top 100 are the Oberoi’s, Taj hotels, Four Season hotels, Ritz Carlton hotels and Trident hotels. With the change in the strength of the dollar we have been able to upgrade our tour to include Trident, Taj and Oberoi hotels. This really is a FIVE STAR LUXURY TOUR!!!

We also stay in a very special palace that is almost impossible to get into. It cannot be booked on the internet. You must submit a request, they will then decide if they have room. It usually takes making your reservation 2 or more years in the future to find a room. Because of our friendship with the Prince that owns the Samode Palace, we have priority above everyone else!

National Geographic’s made a list of 10 things you should do before you die – On that list was the challenge to experience the famous Pushkar Festival in India. The festival has been held each November, for over 1,000 year. It is held on the full moon of Kartick Purnima and only lasts a few days. The festival is a spectacle on an epic scale with up to 20,000 camels, cattle and horses that are for trade or sale. For visitors it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness one of the last great traditional gatherings of livestock, farmers, traders and villagers from all over that come to barter, sale and trade. This will be one of those highlights in life you will never forget as we are going to accomplish one of those 10 things National Geopgraphics listed should be done before you die.

Whisper Perfect Headset Receivers: We give each of you a “Whisper Perfect” headset receiver. With them you can hear every word spoken by our educator or guides, even when you step away from the group to take that important picture.

Mount Everest - The Himalayas

Pricing Information

Package Pricing Includes:

Important Note: Many travel companies show a low price, but by the time you add everything in, they become expensive.

Our pricing is a package that will actually give you more for less! Below we have listed what is included in our discounted package price.

Deluxe and Luxury Hotels (Oberoi’s, Taj and Trident) along with Samode Palace.
4 flights that cost - $700: (Dehli to Kathmandu & Kathmandu to Varanasi & Varanasi to Agra & Jodhpur to Dehli)
In Nepal: Kathmandu, flight around Mt. Everest, Kathmandu Valley and its many Monasteries and Temples.
In India: New Delhi, Old Delhi, Agra, The Taj Mahal, the sacred River Ganges, Varanasi, Jaipur (the Pink City), the Ghost City, Samode, Pushkar, the famous Pushkar Festival, Jodhpur and so much more!
$149.40 in hotel land taxes.
All booking fees.
Special Guest Educator: Jeff Lawson.
Fun For Less Tours Staff throughout the tour - "We don’t send you, We take you!"
Boat rides on the River Ganges.
Elephant Ride to Amber Fort in Jaipur.
Camel cart Safari to Samode Bagh.
Special Kalbelia dance show on sand dunes at Pushkar.
Rickshaw Ride in Varanasi.
Mountain flight from Kathmandu around Mt. Everest.
All transfers to and from airports and hotels.
All entrance fees, tours, deluxe buses & guides.

Package Pricing: $4,542*

*Per person cash discount price, based on double occupancy.

Includes $700 in 4 flights in India and Nepal.

Does not include optional extension, airfare, visa and tips.

Airfare examples:

SLC roundtrip - $1,979 (Includes SLC to Dehli & Dehli to SLC, taxes & fees)

Newark roundtrip - $1,729 (Includes Newark to Dehli & Dehli to Newark, taxes & fees)

Please call if originating from another city, it may vary from the examples above.

You may also purchase your own airfare.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: November 1: Fly

Fly from the US to Delhi India

Day 2: November 2: Delhi

You arrive into Delhi this evening. You will transfer directly to your 5 star luxury hotel: Oberoi Hotel.

Day 3: November 3: Delhi – Kathmandu

This morning early we will fly from Delhi to Kathmandu in Nepal Today sightseeing will include Patan, a medieval Malla principality near to Kathmandu. Here, you will visit the main courtyard of Malla palace, which is adorned with intricate woodcarvings. In front of the palace stands famous Krishna Temple of 17th century, replica of Viswanath Temple, Jagan Narayan Temple etc. You will also visit Hiranyavarna Mahavihar (Golden Temple), a 14th century Buddhist Monastery that is the center of rites and rituals of Newari Buddhist of Patan. We will end at your hotel: Hyatt Regency Kathmandu.

Day 4: November 4: Kathmandu – Mt. Everest Flight

This morning early, you will experience the once in a lifetime, breathtaking, flight Around Mt. Everest. After returning we will continue with our tour of the Kathmandu area visiting Swayambhunath Stupa and Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa, dedicated to Buddhism is situated in a hillock 80 m above the ground level and is claimed to be 2000 years old. There are numerous Buddhist monasteries (Gumba) around. The view of the valley is spectacular from here. Kathmandu Durbar Square, one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley is worth visiting. It was the center of ancient and medieval Kathmandu. You will visit the Hanumandhoka Palace of Malla Kings. You would also like to have an audience of Kumari, the living goddess of Nepal, Kasthmandap Temple that is said to have been built of a single tree trunk. Later visit Pashupati Nath Temple, the holiest Hindu Temple that draws devotees from all over Nepal and India. This temple is situated on the bank of Bagmati River, which is considered as holy as Ganges. Cremation goes throughout the days and nights on the bank of Bagmati River. Then, you will drive to Boudha Nath Stupa, the biggest stupa in the world. This is one of the World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley. From here, you will drive to Bhaktapur, one of the three principalities of medieval Kathmandu. Bhaktapur, the youngest city in the valley has preserved its ancient look and originality. You would love to see the “Golden Gate” of the “Palace of 55 Windows”. There are temples with intricate woodcarving, houses with different kinds of windows and balconies, stone sculptured water tanks, monastic complexes etc. Overnight Hyatt Regency.

Day 5: November 5: Kathmandu – Varanasi (River Ganges)

This morning we will fly from Kathmandu Nepal to Varanasi India and the most sacred spot on earth for the Hindu’s the River Ganges. Late this afternoon, we will take a rickshaw ride, through the narrow streets of Varanasi down to the River Ganges. Here we will experience the “Aarti Ceremony” (Religious Prayer) on the banks of the River Ganges. We will overnight in the Taj Gateway – Trip advisor rates it’s the #2 out of 50 hotels in Varanasi.

Day 6: November 6: Varanasi (River Ganges)

This morning we will travel by plane back to Delhi, then travel by bus to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal.

Day 7: November 7: Taj Mahal – Agra

This morning we will visit the world famous Taj Mahal, regarded as one of the Wonders of the World. For People the world over – the Taj Mahal mausoleum of the Maghal Empress Mumtaz Mahal, is synonymous with India. We will also do a city tour of Agra, visit Itimad Ud-Daulah Tomb, and visit Agra Fort which has been the seat of Mughal rulers for hundreds of year. Overnight Agra.

Day 8: November 8: Agra – Samode

Today we will travel from Agra to Samode, an approx. 4 hour drive. On our way we will stop at the Ghost City: Fatehpur Sikri. The old deserted town of Jughal Dynasty built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after only 15 years due to the scarcity of water. We continue to travel to Samode located about 30 miles outside of Jaipur. We spend 1 night in this fantastic ancient palace located in the hills. It can be almost impossible to get into the Palace, in fact one guide book, when describing the Samode Palace started with “if you are lucky enough to stay there”. You are lucky enough to stay there, we know the prince that owns the palace and he makes sure we get priority; in fact he has given us the whole palace.

Day 9: November 9: Samode – Jaipur

Today is a chance to slow down and relax, enjoying the luxury of staying in a Palace. You have a free day to hike to the fortress above the Palace, explore the old town below the Palace that has not changed in hundreds of years or just relax at the Palace. We overnight again in the Samode Palace.

Day 10: November 10: Jaipur – Pushkar

We will start the day by climbing up to the Amber Fort by Elephant. Our tour of the wonderful Amber fort includes Sheesh Mahal, Ganesh Pol, Shila Devi Temple, Kesar Kyari Bagh. In the afternoon we continue our tour of the Pink City that will include Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, Jantar Mantar, the observatory of stone and the City Palace. We will then drive to Pushkar & Pushkar Lake, the most sacred city in India. We stay in Ananta Spa & Resort hotel.

Day 11: November 11: Pushkar – Famous Pushkar Festival

Today will be a special day as you will spend the day enjoying one of the last great festivals on earth, the Pushkar Festival. This will be a day to remember!!!

Day 12: November 12: Pushkar – Jodhpur

The best fort is located in Jodhpur! This morning we will drive from Pushkar to Jodhpur. We discovered this special place in India when we were doing a one month exploration of India. The fort on top of the hill overlooking Jodhpur will be one of your highlight days, right up there with flying around Mt. Everest, the Samode Palace and the Pushkar Festival. We will spend the afternoon exploring this special fort along with Jodhpur before overnighting in a Taj Hotel.

Day 13: November 13: Jodhpur – Delhi

Mid-morning we will depart for the airport to catch our 1pm flight to Delhi. You will be staying in another 5 star luxury hotel – the Trident Gurgaon.

Day 14: November 14: Delhi

This morning you will pack for your flight home. We will leave mid-morning for a full day tour of Old Delhi that includes Jama Masjid Mosque, Raj Ghat (where Hahatama Gandhi was cremated). We will also visit the India Gate, the President’s House, the red fort from the outside, Emperor Humayun’s tomb and the Qutab Minar. This evening you will transfer to the airport for your flight back to the US.

Day 15: November 15: US & Home

Early this morning you will arrive into the US, change planes and fly home.