Overnight international flight to New Delhi.

Upon arrival and airport reception, transfer to the hotel. Depending on arrival time, spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Begin the morning tour of Old Delhi with a cycle rickshaw ride through the streets. Make a panoramic visit to the Red Fort, which was the most affluent fort and palace of the once reigning Mughal Empire. Then it’s on to Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. The final stop in Old Delhi will lead to Chandni Chowk (closed on Sunday), a lively and colorful market that was once the commercial center of the city.
Then drive to New Delhi, which will provide a stark contrast between the old and the new; a recurring theme throughout India. In New Delhi visit the India Gate monument, followed by the grounds of the Parliament House and other extravagant government buildings. Then continue to Humayun’s Tomb, built in honor of India’s second Mughal emperor. Later visit the world’s tallest brick minaret, Qutub Minar.

Note: Yampu recommends an optional tour (price not included) to enjoy a fine dinner at the Veda Restaurant, a lavishly designed nouvelle cuisine curry house that offers a fusion of traditional Indian food with a modern spin. A second option is a visit to Akshardham, a unique, yet stunning monument that boasts 234 elaborately carved pillars, 9 decorative domes, 20 quadrangled shikhars (towers of Hindu architecture), stone elephants sculptures, and 20,000 murtis (Hindu images portraying Divine spirits). Please inquire with a Yampu travel consultant for more information.
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Begin with a drive to Agra that will take approximately 4 hours. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Then proceed for a sightseeing tour of the stunning Taj Mahal, India’s most picture perfect work of architecture and one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
Driving through the city to the Agra Fort, get some good images of the local scene and bazaars and the everyday buzz of India. Once at the Agra Fort, stroll through its regal chambers that were once home to some of India’s most powerful Mughal emperors.

Note: an optional tour (cost not included) to a showing of Mohhabbat The Taj, a live show with a touch of Bollywood is recommended. This 80 minute presentation is a charming way to top off the day at the Kalakriti Auditorium. Please enquire with a Yampu travel consultant for more details.
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Drive approximately 4-5 hours to Jaipur. En route, stop to enjoy an excursion to the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri, the once imperial city of the Mughal dynasty that was mysteriously deserted years after its inception. This ornate city was built with such grandeur that words do not do justice to the glorious atmosphere created by its buildings. Upon arrival, check in and have some time to relax before a sound and light show at the city’s Amber Fort.

This morning return to the Amber Fort for a half day excursion. Strolling through the magnificent rooms and chambers, observe the various intricate ivory, mirror and glass work. In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour that will begin at the City Palace Museum, followed by a visit to Jantar Mantar (an accurate observatory built in 1726), and great photographic opportunity at the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds – a spectacular five storied, honeycomb styled building exemplifying superb Rajput artistry.

Note: Yampu recommends an optional tour (price not included) of an evening elephant safari. After a chance to feed these gentle creatures, ride upon their backs through a private jungle area, passing many villages, fields and a medieval fortress as the sun sets. Please inquire with a Yampu travel consultant for more information.
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Transfer to the airport for a flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, airport reception and transfer to a hotel. Depending on the arrival time, spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Enjoy a guided tour of Kathmandu City beginning with Kumari Ghar – home to Nepal’s most important living goddess, and the Hanuman Dhoka Palace. Then, proceed to the Kal Brairab shrine, a colorful memorial to the Hindu God of destruction, followed by a visit to Taleju Temple, the city’s most magnificent temple.

Afterwards, embark on a sightseeing tour of the Swayambhunath Stupa. Celebrated as one of the oldest Buddhist stupas in the world, this majestic structure sits highly on a nearby hilltop overlooking Kathmandu Valley (The April 2015 earthquake caused major damage to this Heritage Site and reconstruction is currently taking place). In the afternoon, travel through Patan, the “City of Fine Arts”. Stroll through the famous Durbar Square, where Krishna Mandir, a temple built in honor of Lord Krishna that is considered to be the world’s finest example of stone architecture, can be seen. While walking around, enjoy the many traditional artists and sculptors throughout the streets (Due to the April 2015 earthquake, some of the temples here have been damaged and reconstruction is under process.)

Note: Yampu recommends an optional one hour mountain flight for unforgettable aerial views of the Himalayas. Experience the thrill of seeing Mount Everest up close, as the plane flies two aeronautical miles in front of the Natural Wonder. Please inquire with a Yampu travel consultant for more details.
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Morning visit to Pashupatinath, Nepal’s oldest and most holy Hindu temple. Situated upon the banks of the Bagmati River, this is an important ritual and cremation site, as the water flows into the Ganges. Proceed to Bouddhanath, one of Asia’s largest stupas that has earned the nickname of “Little Tibet”, as it has become a focal point of Tibetan Buddhism. Standing tall at thirty-six meters (118 ft), this white mandala-shaped structure is a symbol of the universe that facilitates meditation for the local Tibetan Buddhists (The top portion of the Stupa was slightly damaged by the April 2015 earthquake. Currently renovation is under process.)

In the afternoon, go on an excursion to the medieval city of Bhaktapur, located about an hour’s drive outside of Kathmandu. In this “City of Devotees”, wander through the winding lanes lined with old homes and temples that date back to the 13th century. Beginning in the city’s Durbar Square, marvel at the intricately carved deities and monsters of the richly molded Golden Gate before entering the Palace of 55 Windows that incorporates exquisite wood carvings into its medieval design. (Bhaktapur is one of the most affected areas of the April 2015 earthquake. Renovation is currently under process.)

Then, see the Lion’s Gate, with its huge guarding lion statues, before continuing to the Nyatpola Temple, a beautiful five-storied, 17th century pagoda. The last stop of the day will lead to the splendorous Bhairab Temple, which is dedicated to the Lord Buddha. Before returning to Kathmandu, take some time to watch the skill of the traditional potters as they work at the Pottery Centre and the Dattratraya Temple.
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Kathmandu – Chauki Bhanjyang (1950 m, total 2-3 hour walk)
Transfer from the hotel in Kathmandhu to the trailhead (approximately 1.5 hours). The trek start point heads out past the city of Bhaktapur and then leads up to the ridgeline at Nagarkot and the starting point near the school house and old cheese factory. During the initial few minutes, pass many village houses and lodges before dropping off the ridge on the Kathmandu valley side to enjoy the mountain views which includes Melungtse (7,131m) and Gauri Shanker (7,146m), with the Jugal himal - Ganchempa (6,397m), Dorje Lhakpa (6,980), and Phurbi Ghyanchu (6,722m) and further to the north lies the Bhairavkund and Gosainkund lakes area, behind which rises Langtang Lirung (7,245m). The vegetation here is somewhat scarce but reforestation efforts in recent years has begun to produce a positive impact. After a steep climb away from the village, earn good views of the valley and the still almost medieval town of Shanku nestling at the east end of the Kathmandu valley.
A series of dwellings, mostly inhabited by Tamangs, lead to the village of Chauki Bhanjyang (1,950m). During the winter months, when the weather is clear, the mountain views are superb. Immediately to the north lies the valley of the Indrawati River with the ridge to the east leading from Chatara to the Panch Pokhari (five lakes) area below Tilmans Col which crosses into Langtang and beyond. Overnight at village house.
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Chauki Bhanjyang – Buring Bhanjyang (2438 m, total 6-7 hour walk)
The trail climbs west up the line of the Manichaur Danda (ridge) for about an hour and then drops onto the north side of the ridge, following the well-defined path besides a strong rock built wall which aims to protect or define the higher slopes of the hill.

Another half hour on, the trail leads the wall and enters more broken jungle country. Stop for lunch at a beautiful natural campsite. In spring, wild yellow raspberry bushes offer refreshment and on a clear day, the mountain views are some of the best available. Tamang settlements are scattered across the terraced hillsides, with the Sindhu Khola (river) valley immediately below.
Another 2 to 2.5 hours walk along the flank of the hill leads to Chisapani (2, 194m) and the meeting with the main route from Sundarijal to Helambu. Climb steeply up the north slope, past Chepu Bhanjyang to Buring (2,438m) where a couple of houses offer tea amidst beech and Rhododendron forest. Overnight at village house.
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Buring Bhanjyang – Shivapuri (2560 m, total 5-6 hour walk) - Kathmandu
The route leads west through wood on the south side of the ridge, with fine views across the Kathmandu valley. After half an hour, a Bhanjyang (crossing point) is reached in an open area, with a Chautara on which are two Churungs (small Buddhist chortens). Another half hour of easy walking is followed by a steep ascent through oak and rhododendron. The climb eases and with no human habitation on this stretch, the forest is thick and lush with rhododendron in flower up to late April. A natural well near a clearing in the forest makes an ideal lunch stop.
The route continues to climb up the ridgeline with dwarf bamboo giving thick ground cover. The flat open area of Shivapuri with its chortens and prayer flags is reached in about half an hour and offers spectacular views all round. From here the road head at Budhnilkhanta can be reached in about three hours. Nainki gompa (monastery) lies about two hours down the route - inhabited mostly by female monks.
Transport awaits at Budhnilkhanta. Drive back to Kathmandu (approximately 30 minutes) for a flight home or continue with an optional Yampu Tours add-on.
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