Icons of India: The Taj, Tigers & Beyond with Mumbai, Varanasi & Kathmandu (ODY8)

16 Day Tour from Mumbai to Kathmandu

 2024 Tour Details »2023 Tour Details

Start your journey in bustling Mumbai. Witness its tiffin lunch box delivery system, and visit the former residence of Mahatma Gandhi. Next, travel to Varanasi, the holiest of Hindu pilgrim cities, to witness the striking Ganga Aarti (spiritual worship) on the ghats (steps) leading down to the sacred Ganges River.

How do you express your eternal devotion to the love of your life? Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan enlisted the help of more than 20,000 workers and 1,000 elephants to erect a towering white marble mausoleum in honor of his wife who died during childbirth. A sunrise visit to the magnificent Taj Mahal, one of the New7Wonders of the World, is just the beginning of your love affair with India. Beyond India’s most sparkling jewel lies a priceless gem mine of experiences you’ll treasure for a lifetime. Hop in a rickshaw for a ride through Delhi’s centuries-old Chandni Chowk bazaar, sit down for traditional Indian cuisine in the home of a noble family in Jaipur, and embark on three thrilling open-air safari game drives through Ranthambore National Park in search of marsh crocodiles, striped hyenas, and the elusive Bengal tiger.

Next, you’ll travel to fascinating Kathmandu, Nepal. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Nepal’s iconic capital city, including a visit to the historic seat of royalty at Hanuman Dhoka. Visit the residence of the Living Goddess at Temple of Kumari, and travel to Bouddhanath—one of the world’s largest stupas and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Marvel at the Hindu and Buddhist sites in Patan’s Durbar Square. A mosaic of memories awaits on this radiant tour of India and Nepal.

To know more about the visas for this vacation, click here

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 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

Breakfast daily, 8 lunches, 5 dinners

 Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE IN MUMBAI, INDIA Hello, Mumbai Welcome to Mumbai, a multicultural metropolis with a colorful history. This vibrant city is now India’s premier seaport and home to the “Bollywood” movie industry.

Day 2

MUMBAI Magical Mumbai Join your Local Guide for an orientation of some of the city’s famous sites, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and the Gateway of India. Then, witness Mumbai’s tiffin lunch box delivery system. Lastly, stop to see a traditional Dhobi Ghat (open-air laundromat) and visit Mani Bhavan, the former residence of Mahatma Gandhi. After lunch, enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LUNCH BOX HEROES Each day dabbawalas (box carriers) deliver thousands of home-cooked lunches to people at work. Using a simple coding system of colors, numbers, and letters deliveries are made with nearly 100% accuracy. Watch and learn about this fascinating process starting at Churchgate Station where the dabbawalas transfer the boxes onto local trains for distribution. Ride on one of the trains to Mahalaxmi Station where you’ll disembark and see the boxes being sorted for final delivery.

Day 3

MUMBAI–VARANASI Today, fly to Varanasi, the holiest of Hindu pilgrim cities.
Breakfast Breakfast

Day 4

VARANASI Around dawn, board a boat and watch a striking religious ritual—the Hindus’ devotional bathing in the Ganges. You’ll observe hundreds of pilgrims gathered at the river’s edge, some practicing yoga, others meditating, and still others bathing fully clothed. Return to your hotel for breakfast and some time at leisure. Early this evening, witness the Ganga Aarti (spiritual worship) on the ghats (steps) leading down to the sacred Ganges River.
Breakfast Breakfast

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
FIRE & WATER Witness the light of ancient tradition as night descends on the Ganges River in Varanasi. Witness the devotional offerings made to the Goddess Ganga in the aarti performed at the river’s edge as it has been done throughout the ages. A ritual of fire, faithful Hindus float “diyas” (small candle and flowers) on the waters of the Ganges River, while praying for the blessing of Maa Ganga.

Day 5

VARANASI–DELHI Today, fly to Delhi, capital of India.
Breakfast Breakfast

Day 6

DELHI Delhi Delights Today’s sightseeing starts with an orientation to see the Red Fort, India Gate, and the Presidential Palace. Then, visit Jama Masjid and take a LF rickshaw ride through a local bazaar. After lunch in a local restaurant, enjoy a bit of free time. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a lavish welcome dinner that includes a cooking demonstration and talk on Indian cuisine with a local chef.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch Dinner Dinner

LOCAL FAVORITE
MARKET HIGH Hop on a rickshaw and explore Chandni Chowk, a captivating local bazaar. Here, ancient alleyways are lined with quaint shops selling all sorts of goods and souvenirs—from silver and saris to spices and electronics.

Day 7

DELHI–AGRA Remembrance & Worship This morning, visit Qutub Minar, the world’s tallest brick minaret, dating back to the 11th century. Next, visit Humayun’s Tomb and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. After lunch, drive to Agra and settle in for the evening.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch Dinner Dinner

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
A RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE As Delhi’s largest and most prominent Sikh gurudwara (house of worship), Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is known as much for its religious significance as for its splendid architecture. The grand edifice is built in the Sikh architectural style, while this magnificent house of worship is made using stunning white marble below its commanding golden dome.

Day 8

AGRA Moghul Monuments Start your day with a sunrise visit to the incomparable Taj Mahal. After a bit of down time, travel to Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by the Moghul Emperor Akbar. This impressive fortress of red sandstone conceals the imperial city of the Moghul rulers and its many palaces.
Breakfast Breakfast

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LOVE REMEMBERED Explore the extravagant Taj Mahal, a marble monument to love. Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan built it as a memorial to his beloved wife, who died during childbirth.

Day 9

AGRA–FATEHPUR SIKRI–RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK AREA By Road & Rail Today, stop at Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century it was the capital of the Mughal Empire for only some 10 years before it was completely abandoned due to the lack of adequate water. After lunch in Bharatpur, board a train bound for Sawai Madhopur, gateway to Ranthambore National Park, one of the best places in India to spot the elusive Bengal tiger!
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch Dinner Dinner

Day 10

RANTHAMBORE AREA The Game is Afoot Today, explore Ranthambore National Park on morning and afternoon game drives in an open-air safari vehicle. Between game drives, enjoy free time to relax.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch Dinner Dinner

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE In addition to Bengal tigers, Ranthambore National Park is home to leopard, sambar deer, sloth bears, marsh crocodiles, striped hyena, and more. Take the opportunity to spot them all on guided game drives today.

Day 11

RANTHAMBORE AREA–JAIPUR Jaunt to Jaipur Today, travel to Jaipur. In 1876, the city was painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales and it’s been known as the “Pink City” ever since.
Breakfast Breakfast

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE Enjoy a fascinating walk mingle and talk with the locals while sampling some of the region's culinary delights; try pakoras, aloo tiki, samosa, and sweets from some of the city’s most popular street food vendors.

Day 12

JAIPUR Jewels of Jaipur Today, visit the amazing Amber Fort in the morning. After lunch, visit Jantar Mantar and explore the City Palace Museum with its collection of paintings, carpets, weapons, and costumes. Lastly, visit a LF local vocational training program for children. Tonight, enjoy a home-hosted dinner with an Indian noble family, followed by a sari-and turban-tying demonstration.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch Dinner Dinner

LOCAL FAVORITE
CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE Ladli is a training program teaching orphaned and destitute children valuable skills to keep them off the streets. Here, learn about the project while interacting with the children and helping them practice their English skills.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
FORMIDABLE FORTRESS Visit the legendary Amber Fort, known as the “Sleeping Beauty of Rajasthan,” built entirely of white marble and red sandstone. This fortress-palace has a somber exterior that hides a richly ornate interior of royal apartments, including an alabaster Hall of Victory and a superb Chamber of Mirrors.

Day 13

JAIPUR–KATHMANDU, NEPAL You’re Going to Kathmandu Today, fly to Kathmandu (via Delhi), Nepal’s capital city.
Breakfast Breakfast

Day 14

KATHMANDU City Sights Join your Local Guide for morning sightseeing starting with a visit to Hanuman Dhoka, the historic seat of royalty. Then, visit the Temple of Kumari, residence of the Living Goddess. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LIVING FAITH Discover the mysteries of the Temple of Kumari where the Living Goddess resides. Here, the manifestation of the Divine Mother is believed to live in the young girl who embodies The Energy – all riches, strength, beauty, and knowledge of the creator of the Universe. The temple is said to be constructed from the wood of a single tree, featuring a 4-pillar hall from which sounds emanate from string and percussion instruments. A mysteriously beautiful sight!

Day 15

KATHMANDU. PATAN EXCURSION Powerful Patan Today, travel with your Local Guide to Bouddhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world and a focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Then, continue to Patan, formerly known as Lalitpur (City of Beauty). Here, stop in Durbar Square, the city’s center of business and home to several Buddhist and Hindu sites.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

Day 16

KATHMANDU Safe travels until we meet again! Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With Globus, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

MAYANK DIXIT

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

"With my years of experience in the travel industry, I am committed to making your time in India incredible. My motto is "Atithi devo bhavah." When translated into English it means "the Guest is God" or "Guest become God," expressing the idea that each person visiting India should be served in the best possible manner."

Tour Director -  MAYANK DIXIT

 Accommodations

MUMBAI

TRIDENT, NARIMAN POINT

Hotel as shown or similar
Moderate Deluxe
  Free Wifi

VARANASI

TAJ GANGES, VARANASI

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

DELHI

LE MERIDIEN NEW DELHI

Hotel as shown or similar
Moderate Deluxe
  Free Wifi

AGRA

TRIDENT, AGRA

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK

SAWAI VILAS

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

JAIPUR

TRIDENT, JAIPUR

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

KATHMANDU

VIVANTA KATHMANDU

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

 Optional Excursions

Contact your Travel Consultant for more information.
Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)



* The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Globus).