Classic India & Nepal

Day 1 Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Delhi.

Day 2 Morning arrival and transfer to the Ashok Country Resort. Afternoon at leisure or an optional tour to the Qutab Minar.

Day 3 Transfer to the airport for the flight to Kathmandu (1,400 m). On arrival transfer to the Grand Hotel for a three-night stay.

Day 4 An optional morning flight over the Himalayas and Mount Everest (weather permitting). Approx. cost US $170 – bookable locally. This is followed by a visit to Swayambunath and an afternoon visit to Patan with its long Buddhist history and stunning display of Newari architecture.

Day 5 A morning excursion to Pashupatinath and Bodhnath followed by Bhadgaon, timeless and almost medieval, a 9th-century Newari city and an afternoon excursion to Dhulikhel with its prime views of the Himalayas.

Day 6 A morning tour of Kathmandu includes Durbar Square, the ancient Royal residential quarter and local bazaars. Afternoon flight to Varanasi for a two-night stay at the Clarks Hotel. An optional evening visit to the Ghats to see the Ganga Aarti and Pooja ceremony on the banks of the River Ganges.

Day 7 An early morning boat ride on the Ganges to watch the morning prayer ceremonies followed by a sightseeing tour of the city. An optional afternoon excursion to Sarnath, one of the major Buddhist centres in India and a site of religious activity, art and learning dating back to the 4th century BC.

Day 8 Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Khajuraho for a two-night stay at the Ramada Plaza Hotel.

Day 9 The Khajuraho group of monuments has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and there will be a morning tour of the elaborately carved western temple complexes. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 10 Drive to Orcha (5 hrs) with its 16th and 17th-century palaces and temples. Overnight at the Orcha Resort†.

Day 11 Drive to Jhansi to embark on the Shatabdi Express for Agra. Upon arrival transfer to the Clarks Shiraz Hotel for a two-night stay.

Day 12 A morning visit to the Taj Mahal with an optional afternoon tour to Agra Fort.

Day 13 Drive to Jaipur (5 hrs), the capital of the desert state of Rajasthan, visiting en route a stepwell and the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, for a two-night stay at the Clarks Amer Hotel.

Day 14 Full-day tour of Jaipur including the Amber Fort, the City Palace, the Observatory and a view of the Palace of the Winds.

Day 15 Morning free in Jaipur before driving to Delhi (6 hrs) for a two-night stay at the Ashok Country Resort.

Day 16 A full-day tour of Old and New Delhi including Humayun's Tomb.

Day 17 Early afternoon flight to London arriving later the same day.