Taj Mahal to Mt. Everest: Wonders of India and Nepal Tour

In the morning, the city returns to its captivating bustle, filling with the sounds of rickshaws and the movement of business people venturing to work. Chai vendors provide the aroma of cardamom and cinnamon emanating from the steeping tea. At breakfast, restaurants serve parathas, a delicious flatbread that can be served plain or stuffed with vegetables. It can also be served as a sweet snack with a drizzle of honey. Your guide greets you in the hotel lobby, keen on introducing you to the highlights of the fascinating capital of India. You venture to Jama Masjid at the heart of Old Delhi’s humming streets.

It is the largest mosque in India, holding up to 25,000 people in the courtyard. Shah Jahan erected the red-sandstone structure in the 17th century to include four watchtowers for security reasons. Two minarets soar 135 feet tall and ring with the elegant Call to Prayer five times a day. The eastern gate once saw regular use by the imperial family. The minaret provides a sensational view of the mosque and the old city from atop 121 steps. From the lookout, you discover that the mosque, Connaught Palace, and the House of Parliament were erected in a single line.

The sensational spices spread through the lanes of the Chandni Chowk, home to Asia’s biggest spice market, filling the air with a mixture of coriander, ginger, turmeric, and dried chili pepper. The large mounds and boxes of spices brighten the morning with a variety of reds, yellows, oranges, and black hues. Your private transfer greets you at the hotel after breakfast, ready to lead you to the marvelous Pink City of Jaipur. You stop en route to visit the city of Shahpura. The quiet and charming town has a clean ambiance surrounded by shimmering lakes and settling plains.

The majority of the population practices Hinduism, as reflected in the number of ancient temples that have become a part of local daily life. Charbhuja Temple was erected in the 15th century and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. A nearly three-foot tall statue of the current presiding deity decorates the interior. A memorial to three freedom fighters decorates the streets near a historical haveli, a traditional mansion. The city also hosts Ramdwara, a place of worship for devotees of Ramsnehi Sampradaya, a spiritual and religious tradition originating in the early 19th century. Architects of the temple used marbles, with each marble stone decorated with a distinct picture or mark.

The morning in Jaipur brings the aroma of pyaaz ki kachori, a pastry dough stuffed with onions, potatoes, and spices. Locals dip the snack into the sweet and sour flavor of tamarind chutney. You venture out after an early breakfast to visit the remarkable Amber Fortress, also referred to as the Amber Fortress located on a hill overlooking the Maota Lake. The sunlight washes over the red sandstone and marble façade creating the opulent palace. The four levels of the 16th-century architectural masterwork each contain their own courtyard. You enter the palace through the Sun Gate leading to the main courtyard of Jaleb Chowk.

Returning armies would display the spoils of war to the city inside the main square. Women would view the custom from their veiled windows wrapping around the palace. An imposing stairway leads to the main palace floor, situated near the relief doors of the Shila Devi Temple. The silver artwork depicts the legend of Maharaja Man Singh, who sought blessings from Kali before the battle against the Raja of Jessore. The hall leading to the palatial apartments contain frescoed archways, symbols of the wealth and cherished aesthetic of the noble family. Inlaid panels and a multi-mirrored ceiling decorate the Hall of Victory, reflecting the delicately carved marble reliefs. Upon returning to Jaipur, your guide leads you on a tour of the City Palace, famous for its elegant architecture and pink hues emanating from the sandstone.

Camels fill the streets of the old city in the morning, pulling carts bound for the market. The scent of nutmeg and cinnamon fades beneath the aroma of red chili powder, millet flour, and yogurt from the popular savory dish of methi bajra poori, an Indian bread similar to roti. The seasoned market of Johri Bazaar opens its doors, representing the essence of the Pink City’s culture through jewelry and eye-catching saris. You depart Jaipur after breakfast and make your way towards the famous city of Agra, stopping first in the former capital of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century, Fatehpur Sikri.

The fortified city is located less than 30 miles west of Agra and contains a fortified position to protect the political center of the empire designed and dictated by Emperor Akbar. He also erected three palaces, one for each of his favorite wives, one who was Muslim, one who was Hindu, and another who was Christian. Citizens of Fatehpur Sikri abandoned the masterful work of architecture shortly after the emperor’s death due to water shortages in the area. Jama Masjid, the main mosque of the city, contains elements of Persian and Indian design.

A flight of stone stairs leads to the entrance located beneath a remarkable 177-foot tall Victory Gate, which was erected to commemorate the emperor’s military victory in Gujarat. The interior holds a pristine white marble tomb dedicated to the Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chishti. Mughal masterpieces decorate the courtyards, gateways, and ornamental pools. You enter the Hall of Private Audiences to find an interior dominated by a central stone column. The pillar flares at the top to create a plinth linking the four corners of the room. The magnificent architectural feature has a honeycombed texture adding to the allure of the antique preserved design.

The bustling city of commerce remains quiet before sunrise, with the odd rickshaw ferrying eager visitors to the gates of the Taj Mahal. Locals typically eat breakfast at street stands with vendors offering a spicy or sweet jalebi. Cooks deep-fry maid flour before dipping the fried bread in sugar syrup. You enter the grounds of the famed Taj Mahal before sunrise, noticing the blue tint spreading across the white marble stone of the timeless structure. Emperor Shah Jahan built the structure as a monument and tomb to his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Persian princess who died giving birth to their 14th child. It took 20,000 men more than 20 years to complete the structure. Marble and precious stones add remarkable splendor to the enchanting architectural design.

The onion-shaped dome reaches a height of 240 feet tall, centered between the four separate minarets. The gardens encompass more than 40 acres and guide visitors to the tomb entrance. The stones, such as lapis lazuli and mother of pearl, form twining vines, fruits, and flowers around the walls and inlaid surfaces. Each chamber contains a bas-relief refined with calligraphic quotations from the Quran inlaid with jasper. Elegance and grandeur combine around the elaborate design. When the sun begins to rise, the light casts brilliant colors across the pristine façade, altering the marble stones. The colors change throughout the day, from pink in the morning, white at noon, to orange at dusk.

In the morning, the familiar aroma of the spices from chai tea fills the dining room at breakfast. Locals return to the street vendors to enjoy the morning jalebi. Your private transfer greets you after an early breakfast and escorts you back to Delhi for your brief flight to Kathmandu, Nepal. The city draws visitors excited to view the legendary mountains, intrigued by the unique culture, or hoping for a spiritual awakening amidst the high altitude. The city is located at nearly 4,600 feet above sea level in the Kathmandu Valley, surrounded by the Himalayan foothills.

Parts of Nepal’s capital city are still feeling the effects of the 2015 earthquake that caused devastation around the valley floor and up into the hills. However, the life of the city remains constant and has mostly recovered its captivating combination of color, sounds, and aromas. Rickshaws race through old town and medieval temples continue to ring prayer bells throughout the day. The back streets hold a remarkable timelessness representing the artistic heritage in hidden temples shimmering with blossoming marigolds and courtyards dusted with the scent of drying chilies and rice.

Swapna Bagaicha, the Garden of Dreams, is one of the most tranquil locations in the city. Although the site is only a two-minute walk from the bustling heart of Thamel, the commercial district of the capital, it feels miles away. The garden and pavilions retain gorgeous detail, including marble inscriptions on the original gate. Fountains and ponds trickling add to the serene ambiance inside the single acre that remains of the original 40 acres. Nepali couples relax on the lawn mats supplied by the garden and enjoy a quiet moment wrapped in each other’s arms.

In the morning, the scent of freshly steeped Nepali tea emanates from hotel and restaurant dining rooms around the city. The tangy aroma drifts upwards from the amber-colored autumn flush tea. Your private transfer greets you before sunrise and escorts you to the airport to board the plane bound for the summit of Mount Everest, the largest mountain in the world at more than 29,000 feet above sea level. The 50-minute flight travels over 20 miles from Kathmandu to reach the breathtaking mastiff dusted with snow.

You have a view of the neighboring peaks of Lhotse and Makalu, which reach over 27,900 and above 27,800 feet above sea level respectively, providing a visual of the contrasting heights. The pilot shares the folklore of the mountain, accounting for the traditions, customs, and folklore that residents of Nepal and Tibet associate with the staggering peak. You return to Kathmandu to meet your guide for a private tour of the fascinating city, blending spiritual history with fast-paced modernity. The royal palace of Hanuman Dhoka was founded during the Licchavi period between the 4th and 8th centuries.

The compound expanded in the 17th century, but the 2015 earthquake caused significant damage to the grounds. However, reconstruction is underway to return the royal courtyards and museum to their former glory. Turn your attention instead to the rectangular courtyard of Itum Bahal, the Buddhist monastery located in the historical quarter. The grounds remain a haven of serenity amidst the chaotic streets of central Kathmandu. A Bodhi tree grows through the center of the pagoda in front of the entrance.

The flowery aroma with hints of caramel spread from the dark colors of Kanchanjangha Noir, premium black tea. Rickshaws return to the streets of the Old Quarter, and old men linger around newspaper vendors in the heart of Indra Chowk, the main square. Your guide escorts you out of town for the day, leading you to the ancient culture and fascinating history of the Kathmandu Valley, beginning with the city of Bhaktapur, the third medieval city-state in the valley. The scars of the 2015 earthquake remain visible in the city once described as the best-preserved medieval city in the country.

However, the city maintains its namesake of Bhadgon, which means “City of Devotees.” The dedicated residents are eager to rebuild the city and return the luster to the three public squares surrounded by the staggering temples that reflect remarkable religious architecture. Narrow streets wind between houses colored with red brick and lead to hidden courtyards and peppered statues, cisterns, and wells. Culture remains on display with artisans weaving textiles, chiseling timber, and crafting ceramics in open kilns. You can hear locals playing intense card games or socializing in their communal courtyards while collecting water to create a mosaic of daily life in the historic city.

The Nyatapola Temple has a towering rooftop reaching nearly 100 feet above the Taumadhi Tole. It is the tallest temple in Nepal and one of the tallest buildings in the entire Kathmandu Valley. The edifice was erected in the early 18th century with perfect proportions with such structural integrity that it has survived the major earthquakes of 1934 and 2015 with minor damage. Stone temple guardians flank the stairway and legendary Rajput wrestlers Jaimal and Phattu kneel with hefty maces along the bottom steps. The temple is dedicated to Siddhi Lakshmi, an incarnation of the goddess Durga. 180 carved roof struts dangle above a canopy of braided snakes in the torana, an arched gateway.

On the last day of your journey, you reflect on the time you spent traveling around India and Nepal and debate whether to continue your exploration of the captivating region by visiting the majesty of Tibet, the marvels of Myanmar, or the splendors of Southern India. At breakfast, the tangy and slightly citrusy aroma of the amber color tea fills the dining room. The doors to the Tribhuvan Museum open to the galleries erected during the 19th century but now celebrate the reign of King Tribhuvan and his revolt against the previous regime. The famous square of Nasal Chowk retains its dramatic allure as the site of royal coronations amidst the looming Basantapur Tower at the southern end of the courtyard. After breakfast, your private transfer greets you at the hotel and escorts you to Tribhuvan International Airport, where you board your flight home.