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11-Nights Classical India with Nepal a Women-Only Tour from $7,547
Insight Vacations
OFFER ID 1541955
Classical India With Nepal, A Women-Only Tour
Set out on the journey of a lifetime as you meet the women who climbed Mount Everest in Kathmandu. With a small group on your women-only tour, step back in time to the Mughal Empire in Old Delhi and take a rickshaw tour through Jaipur guided by the women who know the city best. Journey from Jaipur to Agra, home of the world-famous Taj Mahal. Tour this architectural wonder and explore the nearby village of Kachhpura. A chef shares her insights into the food markets of Delhi and MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Sheroes Cafe finds you supporting local women. In the Holy City of Varanasi, rise before dawn for a spectacular sunrise boat cruise on the River Ganges.
Dining Summary
- 2 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 11 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Lunch (L)
- 3 Dinner (D)
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Jaipur: Join your Local Expert for a walk through the city’s old lanes and see artisans working with age-old techniques.
- Jaipur: Visit the royal observatory and see Jantar Mantar, a collection of 18th century architectural astronomical instruments, including the world’s largest stone dun dial.
- Kathmandu: Enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant.
- Agra: Dine for lunch at the beautiful Laxmi Niwas Palace in Bharatpur.
- Varanasi: Toast to your travels over a dinner at your hotel.
- Jaipur: Join your Local Expert for a walk through the city’s old lanes and see artisans working with age-old techniques.
- Jaipur: Visit the royal observatory and see Jantar Mantar, a collection of 18th century architectural astronomical instruments, including the world’s largest stone dun dial.
- Varanasi: Join an expert in India's religious rituals to learn more about the colorful candlelit tradition of Aarti as you participate in the sunset ceremony in the Ganges, against a backdrop of ringing bells and chanting music.
- Agra: Visit the 'Sheroes Café', a local business run by women survivors of acid attacks. Be inspired by their resilience in rebuilding a life for themselves, while supporting their efforts to reintegrate back into the community. Sheroes Cafe actively recruits and employs people from underrepresented populations who may otherwise find getting work difficult. The ‘Sheroes’ are women who are on the way to becoming true fighters. Join them in a celebration of courage, forcing society to re-evaluate its norms about beauty and appearance. Sheroes Cafe, ran and operated solely by women, advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality and UN Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
- Choose between two experiences in Agra.
- Kathmandu: Visit sacred Swayambhunath, known as the Monkey Temple after its mischievous inhabitants.
- Kathmandu: Tour Durbar Square and Royal Palace.
- Kathmandu: See the holiest of Hindu shrines, Pashupatinath Temple.
- Kathmandu: Visit the colossal stupa, Boudhanath.
- Bhadgaon: Enjoy an excursion to the ancient capital Bhadgaon.
- Kathmandu: Visit a pottery workshop, where a local craftsman will provide you with a demonstration on this age-old craft.
- Delhi: Take a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Delhi.
- Delhi: Visit the Hindu Temple of Swaminarayan Akshardham, a spiritual and cultural campus dedicated to devotion, learning and harmony.
- Delhi: Ride by rickshaw through the lanes of Chandni Chowk bazaar in Old Delhi.
- Delhi: See the Red Fort and Qutub Minar. Drive along the Rajpath to view the India Gate and Parliament House.
- Delhi: Visit Raj Ghat, the memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. A black stone platform marks the spot where he was cremated. And see the Tomb of the Emperor Humayun, built in 1570. The tomb inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal.
- Jaipur: Visit the flower market and spice market and take in the sights and sounds.
- Jaipur: Ascend by jeep to stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls of Amber Fort. Enjoy the shimmering mirrored walls and ceilings, the airy rooms that housed queens and concubines, and the wonderful views of the surrounding countryside.
- Jaipur: Join your Travel Director who will show you the marvel of Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds. Its 953 windows were designed to allow the ladies of the royal court to watch the drama of the street below, unobserved behind their delicate latticework.
- Agra: Visit the Taj Mahal, a monument of love, built by a king in everlasting memory of his beloved queen. Enjoy fast-track access through the gates meaning you have even more time to admire this architectural marvel.
- Agra: Enjoy the scenery as your flight emerges from the Himalayas to reach Varanasi.
- Varanasi: Take a dawn cruise past the Ghats on the Ganges River - an experience never to be forgotten.
- Varanasi: During your brief orientation of the city, visit some of the famous temples. You'll also visit Sarnath, where Buddha first taught the Dharma.
- Delhi: Board your short flight to Delhi.
- Kathmandu: Hear an inspirational talk led by a woman who summited Mount Everest, the highest point above sea level on Earth.
- Delhi: Indulge your taste buds over a special food tour of Delhi with a passionate local chef. Gain insights into the city’s food culture, from hidden gems to bustling kitchens and beyond, as your guide shares her expertise. Whether you’re a food enthusiast or love uncovering local businesses, celebrating women or all of the above, this food tour is perfect for all
11 nights from $7,547 per person
Insight Vacations: Classical India with Nepal, a Women-Only Tour
Day 1 - Welcome to Kathmandu
Welcome to Nepal! On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport you will be greeted by an Insight representative and transferred to your hotel, the Hyatt Kathmandu. At 17:00 meet your Travel Director and venture out in Thamel on a rickshaw ride. Head to a local restaurant for a welcome reception, drinks and dinner.
Accommodations: The Soaltee, Kathmandu
Meals: Dinner with Wine
Day 2 - Kathmandu the City of Beauty
Start the day bright and early with a morning visit to Kathmandu City. See the tranquil Swayambhunath Temple. Stop in Patan, the third largest city in Nepal, for an included lunch. Originally called Lalitpur or “City of Beauty” in Sanskrit, explore this pretty city with a Local Expert in the afternoon. Highlights include the Golden Temple, Durbar Square and Mul Chowk, the largest and oldest of the Royal Palace’s three main chow squares. Enjoy the flavors of the region in the evening with an indulgent dinner.
Accommodations: The Soaltee, Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Kathmandu's Spiritual History
Delve into Kathmandu’s spiritual history with a morning visit to the Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of the Bagmati River and take in the impressive Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal. Head to the city of Bhadgaon, before visiting a local pottery workshop where a local craftsperson provides a demonstration. In the evening head to an inspirational talk by a woman who summited Mount Everest. She’ll discuss her experience guiding through some of the most challenging terrain on earth.
Accommodations: The Soaltee, Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 - On to Vibrant Delhi
Head to the airport for your flight to Delhi, India. On arrival you’ll be taken to your hotel to settle in before joining your group and Travel Director for a trip to Akshardham Temple. Also known as Swaminarayan Akshardham, this Hindu temple is a spiritual and cultural campus dedicated to devotion, learning and harmony. The rest of the day is yours at leisure, ask your Travel Director for recommendations on where to explore, or perhaps relax at your hotel’s spa.
Accommodations: Le Méridien, New Delhi
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 - Exploring New and Old Delhi Relaxed Start
This morning, head out on an exciting sightseeing tour of Old Delhi and New Delhi with your knowledgeable Travel Director. Drive past the Red Fort, the main residence of the Mughal dynasty until 1856. Founded in 1526, the Mughal Empire compromised the majority of the Indian subcontinent until 1707. Then, treat your palate to a culinary adventure on a food tour led by a chef who shares her insights into Dehli’s food scene. Next up, visit a Sikh temple and visit its community kitchen that prepares and serves free nourishing vegetarian meals to those in need. Drive past the President Palace, India Gate and Parliament House before ending the day with a tour of Humayun’s Tomb with your Travel Director.
Accommodations: Le Méridien, New Delhi
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 - The Pink City Relaxed Start
Travel to Jaipur, more affectionately known as the Pink City after the whole city was painted pink in 1876 for a visit from Queen Victoria. Explore culture over a Bollywood Dance Class Optional Experience. Later, join your Travel Director for an evening visit to a flower and spice market.
Accommodations: ITC Rajputana, Jaipur
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7 - Delve into Jaipur
Ascend by jeep to Amber Fort. Built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, its royal halls mesmerize with their ivory, mirrors, glass and exquisite paintings. Experience India’s spiritual majesty with a special blessing ceremony. Tour the City Palace Museum and royal observatory Jaipur before joining the women of Pink City Rickshaw Ride seeing the Hawa Mahal and the Palace of Winds. Delve deeper into Jaipur’s rich heritage joining your Local Expert for a walk through the city’s historic lanes and observe artisans at work using age-old techniques. As the day concludes, enjoy a cooking session with a local family.
Accommodations: ITC Rajputana, Jaipur
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 8 - Jaipur to Agra
In the morning, depart for Agra, home to the spectacular phenomenon that is the Taj Mahal. Along the way, stop for lunch at the beautiful Laxmi Niwas Palace in Bharatpur. When you arrive in Agra, the evening is yours at leisure. Make the most of the amenities at your hotel, unwinding before tomorrow’s adventure.
Accommodations: Jaypee Palace, Agra
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9 - The Taj Mahal
Before sunrise, travel to the Taj Mahal to see the world phenomenon in its best light. A symbol of love and flawless architectural creation, it was built by an emperor in memory of his beloved queen. Continue on to Agra Fort to. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and visit the Sheroes Café. This local business supports female victims of acid attacks who have been empowered by this organization.
Accommodations: Jaypee Palace, Agra
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 - On to Varanasi
In the morning, drive to Delhi, then take a flight to Varanasi, one of the holiest cities in Hinduism. On arrival you’ll be checked into your luxury hotel, the Taj Ganges. A contemporary ode to its classical city, this five-star accommodation includes a pool, fitness center, traditional Indian Spa Therapies and a beautiful flower garden. In the evening, participate in an Aarti on the ghats, where you’ll offer prayers to the River Ganges. This spiritual ceremony is performed daily to honor the River Goddess Ganga. It is a Hindu religious ritual of worship and involves hundreds of diyas and flowers being released onto the river, as the words “Har Har Gange!” are chanted.
Accommodations: Taj Ganges, Varanasi
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 - The Holy City of Varanasi
Wake early for a breathtaking sunrise boat cruise on River Ganges, followed by a visit to an Akhara. Return to your hotel for breakfast before heading on a tour of Varanasi. This involves seeing the Sarnath, a sacred deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma and the Buddhist Sangha first came into existence through Kondanna’s enlightenment. Later, enjoy a delicious dinner with your fellow travelers and Travel Director at your hotel.
Accommodations: Taj Ganges, Varanasi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12 - Leave Varanasi for Delhi
End your trip with an optional relaxing early morning yoga session in the fresh air by the banks of the holy Ganges River, a surreal experience. After breakfast and a transfer to the airport, head back to Delhi before your onward flights. Please do not schedule flights before 9pm.
Meals: Breakfast
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Fine dining, on-site bars or lounges and room service with extended hours are characteristic of deluxe establishments. Guest services usually include valet parking, concierge services, baggage assistance and laundry services. Other on-site facilities often include shops and boutiques, full service spas, full fitness facilities with pools and tennis courts. Business amenities may include available up-to-date technology and support staffs available for services. Attention to detail is apparent in the guestrooms which typically have stylish furnishings, quality bedding and bath products and often provide an evening turn down service.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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Monrovia Travel
710 S. Myrtle Avenue #637
Monrovia, CA 91016
USA
626-359-8331