Von Delhi nach Kathmandu II

[die Tourbeschreibung ist momentan nur auf Englisch verfügbar]

Day 1 to 4
Delhi - Agra

We meet in vibrant Delhi India's bustling capital with a population of almost 13 million, it is bound to be a city that keeps you on your toes no matter what time of day it is! On Day 2 your tour leader will assist you with sightseeing options. You can visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum or the infamous Red Fort. A popular way to discover Delhi for many people is to take a bicycle rickshaw tour and check out the view from Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India.

On day 3 you will travel by train from Delhi railway station to the industrial city of Agra. Home of the infamous Taj Mahal, Agra is a city steeped in history and tradition. The Taj Mahal never ceases to amaze all who visit to marvel at what is possibly the greatest testimonial to love and romance ever built. It was commissioned by between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife. There's more to Agra than monuments of love, and other popular attractions include the Agra Fort and Tomb of Itimad-Ud-Daulah. You will have free time in Agra to explore at your leisure or book some optional excursions. Your Tour Leader will offer suggestions and assist you with these.

On day 4 you have the option to watch the sun rise over the Taj Mahal – a truly incredible sight (this will be organised on Day 3 with your tour leader). You might also like to visit Fatehpur Sikri – a complex of monuments and temples, all in a uniform architectural style. Built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) was the capital of the Mughal Empire for 10 years. The day will be free to explore Agra further and admire some of Hinduism's most holy sights.

Day 5 to 9
Ranthambore National Park (Sawai Madhopur) - Samode - Jaipur

We then visit the world's most famous tiger reserve, Ranthambore National Park, where tigers are seen almost daily. We transfer from our hotel in Agra to the railway station and travel by train to Sawai Madhopur, a town located along the rolling hills of the Vindhyas and Aravali ranges. Ranthambore National Park, one of the finest tiger reserves in India. On Day 6 you have the option to take a wildlife safari into the National Park to view the magnificent tigers that reside there. The lakeside woods and grassland provide an ideal habitat for other native wildlife such as deer, wild boar, antelope, bear, leopards and gazelles. This beautiful sanctuary, which covers 410 sq km, came under the Project Tiger scheme in 1972.
You may also wish to visit the Ranthambore Fort which is believed to have housed a settlement as far back as the eighth century. The fort has a Siva temple, where legend has it Rana Hamir beheaded himself rather than face being humiliated by the conquering Delhi army. It also contains age-old palaces, pavilions and tanks.

We take a day trip to peaceful Samode. The richly decorated Samode palace is number one on many visitors' ‘to see' lists, although you might want to take an optional jeep safari to visit the local villages and artisans, where you can buy souvenirs from bangle makers and cloth merchants, among many others. If you feel like spending the day relaxing, then a visit to Samode Bagh, a large 400 year old formal garden with pavilions and beautiful fountains, might be the ideal activity for you.
Then we make our way to Jaipur. Jaipur is Rajasthan's capital and most visited city, and is a bustling, lively destination. It is known as the ‘pink city' because of its pink wash buildings although time has faded some of this colour. Make sure you check out the Old City with its bazaars, palaces and havelis. There's also the popular Nahargarh (Tiger Fort) which is a small fort with towering walls. The walk there will take you through some picturesque local streets and then up a steep winding road for several kilometres. Alternatively you can reach it by the road via Jaiharh Fort. You may also wish to go on a group visit to Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) which is one of Jaipur's most famous attractions - a five storey high Baroque- like structure built to enable the veiled ladies of the harem to observe the street scenes below, out of sight of the people below. The following day there is free time to view the city independently. Try the fresh fruit juices from the street markets (remember to ask for no water or ice!). You could shop for souvenirs and look out for the Meenakaari (enamel work) and Kundankaari (inlay work with gems), which are the two styles of jewellery made by local artisans. Or you could wander around the old city taking in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here you also have the option to take a traditional elephant ride. Or why not visit the Amber Fort, which used to be the capital of the city.

Day 10 to 13
Pushkar - Udaipur

After our time in bustling Jaipur comes to a close we make for the enchanting and mystic Pushkar, a desert-edged town which is famous for its revered lake and many temples. Brahma Lake is one of the country's most sacred lakes and continues to attract pilgrims today. Those who are game can take a dip in its holy waters. Pushkar has the only Brahma temple that exists in the world and is a popular attraction for those interested in Hindu culture. You can take an optional tour of the lake and its 52 Ghats, or visit the main Sadar (bazaar) which is a busy marketplace selling goods and pilgrim odds and ends. There are literally dozens of temples in Pushkar – if you are up for it, the Savitri Temple will give you an excellent view of the town and surrounding desert, but you have to climb 3km up a steep hill to get there!

On day 12 we head to Udaipur, set in the Girwa valley, ‘the city of lakes' is located in southern Rajasthan. It is one of the most popular cities in the region with its placid lakes and green gardens. This is a truly captivating city and as a result it has been dubbed ‘the most romantic city in India'. Surrounded by beautiful lakes, marble palaces and stunning gardens, Udaipur will most likely offer a refreshing change to the desert surrounds you have seen so far. It provides an insight into the variety and geographical diversity that characterises India. Udaipur is also home to one of the most luxurious hotels in India, the Lake Palace, which is the former Maharajas Palace in the middle of the Lake. Why not indulge in a bit of extravagance and go there for a cocktail? There are many optional excursions and activities that you can try if you feel like involving yourself with the local culture and tradition, why not try a cooking, art or Hindi class? There are plenty of sightseeing options in Udaipur as well, including the City Palace, which is an impressive complex of several palaces.

Day 14 to 17
Jodhpur - Jaisalmer & Overnight Camel Safari

We depart the serenity and arrive in busy Jodhpur, Rajasthan's second largest city, dominated by its spectacular Mehrangarh fort. Located in Western Rajasthan you'll see endless golden dunes, camels slowly trekking into the distance and desert landscapes as far as the eye can see. You will have ample free time for sightseeing. After a visit to the Majestic Fort, you will see why Jodphur is known as the ‘Blue City'; many houses in the old city are painted blue and you can admire this amazing view from the fort. You can also choose to visit the old city with its stone temples and lively markets. Or take a wander through the new city, which houses several palaces, such as the art-deco Umaid Bhawan Palace, museums, Kaman art gallery for contemporary Indian art, and a small exotic zoo in the gardens of the Government Museum.

On day 15 we venture deep into the desert to Jaisalmer, ‘the golden city', where you can take an overnight camel safari into the Thar Desert, which is a great way to unwind after experiencing the hustle and bustle of urban Indian life. You'll see that there is no shortage of markets or camels here, each in fierce competition with each other! You can go on an overnight camel safari on Day 16 and your tour leader will accompany this. If you choose not to go on the safari you will stay in Jaisalmer (unescorted). Jaisalmer's main attraction is its medieval mud fortress, which is the only fort in the whole of India that still has people living in it today.

Overnight Camel Safari
We begin our travels into the photogenic Thar Desert. This region is sparsely populated by some of India's most colourful and resourceful people, such as Bhati Rajputs, who are descended from an ancient warrior called Bhatti. We will pass through traditional villages and gain an insight into how the locals live their lives. We then reach the vast sand dunes where we will begin our overnight camel safari, which will give you the opportunity to experience desert life from a camel's back. Camel breeding is a common practice in this area. You will meet with your village herdsman and camel who will be your companions for the next two days. We venture out into the golden sea of sand and will have the chance to see nomadic herders, remote parts of the Thar Desert, rolling sand dunes and desert villages. We will camp under the stars and have a traditional meal cooked for us. The following day we continue our journey back to civilisation. The scenery becomes more fertile and densely populated as we near Jaisalmer.

Day 18 to 22
Bikaner - Shekhawati – Delhi Varanasi

We then visit Bikaner in the north, the home of the impressive Junagarh Fort surrounded by what was once an elaborate moat. Bikaner is also referred to as an ‘oasis town'. Here you could visit Lalgarh Palace, which is a red sandstone building surrounded by sand dunes and rocks. Outside of Bikaneer lies one of the most unusual attractions, the Karni Mata Temple, where some 2,000 rats reside. The rats are seen as holy and are revered and protected because it is believed that they have souls of the followers of Karni Mata in them. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit the temple every year to pay their respects to Karni Mata and her followers.

On day 19 we hit Shekhawati, a relatively underdeveloped town, and here you can visit local villages and admire the painted havelis and temples before we return to Delhi. As we make our way back towards the capital, we have one night in Shekhawati, in the town of Mandawa. There are many havelis to admire here and we will take a tour of the nearby ones. Shekhawati is also a hub for traders and businessmen. Relatively undeveloped, the town is not as touristy as other places we will have seen. You will be able to get a great cultural insight into the way of life here and there's time to explore the sights at your leisure.

On the morning of Day 20 we return to Delhi, where there's time for some last minute souvenir shopping or to check out any sights you may have missed first time around.
On Day 21 after a little more free time we begin the next leg of our tour taking the overnight train to Varanasi. Varanasi is one of India's most holy cities and attracts many Hindu pilgrims. We join the crowds along the holy ghats (steps leading down to the water) lining the sacred Ganges where pilgrims take a purifying dip in the river. We take an early morning boat trip to view the river in all its glory and the significance it plays in the lives of the people. The rest of the day is free to wander through the old city with its maze of narrow alleyways, and visit the temples of one of the oldest and longest inhabited cities in the world.

Day 23 to 26
Lumbini - Chitwan National Park - Pokhara

Today we cross over the border into Nepal to the World Heritage site of Lumbini. Lumbini lies in the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal. Lumbini is said to be the place where Gautama Buddha ‘the apostle of peace and the light of Asia' was born in 623 B. C. The most important temple at Lumbini is the Maya Devi Temple, marking the traditional site of the Buddha's birth. The temple stands on the site of earlier temples. The area around Lumbini is entirely Hindu, but many Buddhist temples and shrines from various nations are scattered around the holy site itself.

On day 24 We travel to Chitwan National Park. The park is UNESCO World Heritage listed (1984) and is home to one of the last populations of single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros and also of the Bengal tiger. The park is situated in south central Nepal, covering 932 sq. km. in the subtropical lowlands of the inner Terai. The area comprises the Tikauli forest - from Rapti river to the foothills of the Mahabharat - extending over an area of 175 sq. km. The area became the country's first National Park in 1973. There are many optional excursions within Chitwan National Park for you to try such as elephant safaris, jungle walks, and river trips.
On day 26 we head to the stunning lake town of Pokhara with spectacular views of the Annapurnas. The town is situated on the banks of Lake Phewa Ta, the second largest lake in Nepal. This town itself is very quiet and laid back providing a great base for trekking.

Day 27 to 28
Kathmandu

We travel to Nepal's capital, Kathmandu which is the hub of traditional Nepalese culture and art. Here you will have plenty of free time so that you can enjoy the mountain views or visit the multitude of sights. Durbar Square is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprising of palaces temples, shrines, statues and courtyards built between the 12th and 18th centuries by the ancient kings of Nepal. It is the religious and social heart of Kathmandu's old city. On the other side of the square, the Kasthamandap temple is an open pavilion topped by a pyramidal tower, said to be created from the wood of a single tree. It is purportedly the Valley's oldest building, and the city of Kathmandu derives its name from this ancient temple. The golden spire of the 5th-century Swayambhu stupa or ‘Monkey Temple' overlooks the Kathmandu Valley and offers fantastic views over the city of Kathmandu. It is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal. Legend has it that the history of the Valley began with the draining of an ancient lake by an Enlightened Being to reveal the Valley and a lotus flower was transformed into the hill and the shining light became the stupa itself. This area is steeped in history other sites include Kumari Chowk, Pashuratinath (temple of living Beings), Hanuman Dhoka Square, Basantapur Temple, Royal Palace, or the Kopan Monastery. Our tour concludes on Day 28