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. Then, 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 is at 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 the 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.
During the drive through the city to the Agra Fort, some good images of the local scene and bazaars will be passed by, and the everyday buzz of India. Once at the Agra Fort, walk through its regal chambers that were once called home to some of India’s most powerful Mughal emperors


Note: Yampu recommends an optional tour (cost not included) to a showing of Mohabbat 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 inquire 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. Once arrived, check in and have some time to before a sound and light show at the city’s Amber Fort.

This morning, return to the Amber Fort for a half day excursion. While walking 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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After a free morning in Jaipur, return transfer to New Delhi. After check in at the hotel, enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Bagdogra airport. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel in Darjeeling (90 kilometers, 3-4 hours). Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Today after early tea/coffee, be driven to Thiksey monastery, situated towards the East of Leh picturesquely on a hill-lock, which also houses a two story stucco statue of Maitreya Buddha seated on a lotus.


Upon arrival, witness the monks gathered in the assembly hall for the Morning for a prayer ceremony, which begins before sunrise at 6AM, and hear the monks chant their prayers with the beats.


After this, visit the other parts of the monastery followed with a breakfast at the Thiksey monastery restaurant.


After breakfast, drive two kilometers ahead of Thiksey monastery for a photo halt along the banks of River Indus and then drive to visit Hemis monastery another 30 kilometres southwest of Thiksey; Hemis is the largest and the wealthiest monastery in Ladakh. After that, return to visit Shey monastery, Shey was the summer capital of Ladakh in the past.


Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure or an optional walk through the lovely surrounding area.
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After breakfast, depart for Alchi, en route visit Basgo monastery, situated on the hilltop along the Srinagar highway; pass through Spituk monastery, which will be visited on return.


Basgo monastery is among the endangered sites of World monument fund, built of mud brick and rammed earth, during the 16th and 17th century A.D. The fortress has three temples, erected in celebration of Great Maitreya (The fifth Buddha). The largest of all statues is the 14-meter high gilded earthen statue of the Maitreya Buddha, surrounded by murals depicting scenes from his life and portraits of the patrons who underwrote the construction of the temple complex.


After that, continue the drive to visit Likir monastery followed with the drive to Alchi and visit the world’s famous monastery built in the 11th century. Alchi monastery is very different from the rest as it has a fusion of Tibetan and Kashmiri Art.


Then, drive to Alchi for Lunch, and spend the afternoon at leisure. Late in the afternoon, be driven to visit Ridzong Nunnery; the only nunnery in Ladakh also known as Chomoling, after that, drive uphill to visit Ridzong monastery beautifully situated in a gorge. Then, return to Leh.
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After eating breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for the flight home or to an optional Yampu Tours add-on.