16 Days Highlights of India, Nepal and Tibet

When you arrive in Delhi by flight, your tour guide will meet you at the airport and accompany you to the hotel. The rest of the day is for you to have a good rest or enjoy a local sightseeing of the city by yourself.

Stay overnight in Delhi.

Today, we will first visit the Old Delhi in the north part of the city. As the former imperial capital of Mughal Empire, Old Delhi is featured with medieval styles. We will visit the beautiful serene monument of Raj Ghat here. This memorial is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, India’s best-known statesman, the father of the nation. Then we will visit the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. It is also one of the world’s top three mosques, attracting thousands of tourists every year.

In the afternoon, we will head to New Delhi for its highlights. Compared to the narrow lanes of Old Delhi, the New Delhi is provided with board and tree-lines avenues and neat streets. It is the center of the government for the world’s largest democracy. Here we will see the India Gate, a 43-meter high triumphal arch, which is the national monument to India’s independence. Then we will visit Qutab Minar, the highest minaret in India. It is a famous symbol of Indo-Islamic architecture and now has become a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Stay overnight in Delhi.

In the morning, we will drive about 5 hours from Delhi to Jaipur. Jaipur is known as the “Pink City” as it features high and ancient rosy sandstone buildings. We will first visit Amer Fort, a famous attractions in Jaipur. Built by red sandstone and griotte, the fort has a history date back to 16 centuries. It was been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site as the part of the group Hill Forts of Rajasthan.

After lunch, we will head to visit the Jantar Mantar. Built in early 18th century, Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observation site. Then we will visit the City Palace Museum, which contains a unique collection of ornaments, paintings, manuscripts etc.

Stay overnight in Jaipur.

Today, we will first visit Hawa Mahal, also known as “Palace of the Winds”. It is an extension to the Royal City Palace of Jaipur, built in 1799. It was used by the royal ladies to watch the outside world without being seen. One cannot miss to enjoy the spectacular view of the Hawa Mahal at sunrise.

After that, we will drive to Agra across the vast rural countryside of India. On the way, we may stop at Abhaneri to see an ancient Baoli, a stepwell or waterway built to provide a constant water supply to local residents.

Optional: upon your arrival in Agra, you can join a tour to take the view of Taj Mahal from the Mehtab Bagh (“Moonlight Garden”) across the Yamuna River.

Stay overnight in Agra.

Today, we will get up early to take in the sunrise at the Taj Mahal and you can enjoy a sight unlike any other in the rest of the world. As one of the most world-famous historical sites in India, Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, with whom he fell in love at the first sight. The construction of this great architecture was commenced in about 1632, and was completed until 1653, with the endeavor of thousands of craftsmen. Now Taj Mahal has become one of the most sought-after destinations in the world.

Then, we will visit the sprawling Agra Fort, which is located on the bank of Yamuna River. The fort was the main residence of Mughal emperors till 1638. As a perfect combination of military might and lavish beauty, Agra Fort is one of the Three Red Forts in India.

Stay overnight in Agra.

Today, we will head to Varanasi from Agra. You can choose either take a train or flight to Varanasi. Located about 600 km from Agra, Varanasi is also known as Benares, Banaras or Kashi, sitting on the bank of the Ganges.

Stay overnight in Varanasi.

In the early morning, we will enjoy a boat ride on the holy Ganges River. You will see people taking bath in the river. Then we will return to hotel to have our breakfast. After that, we will take the flight to Kathmandu.

After reaching Kathmandu, we will visit the Durbar Square. As one of the iconic buildings of Nepal, Kathmandu’s Durbar Square would be our first stop. Durbar literally means palace, where the former kings ascend the throne and rule the country. You can stroll along the three main parts of Durbar Square and sit on the terraced platform to feel the vibe of Nepali city.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Today, we will first visit Patan City, 15 minutes’ drive from Kathmandu. In fact, Durbar Square is not exclusive to Kathmandu. Ancient temples literally is packed in Patan City. Patan Durbar Square, Golden Temple and Taleju Temple, etc. are some of the best places to take photos. You will learn more of the legends of Nepali deities and kings.

Then we will head to visit the some of the most important Hindu temples in Nepal. Though looked not that impressive that exterior, Pashupatinath serves as source of Hindu spiritual power. Shiva is worshipped here as Pashupati, the lord of the beasts. You can see the dead of Shiva, being cremated on the banks of the holy river. Don’t forget to take photos with sadhus with outlandish clothes and red tika on the forehead.

Then Bouddhanath is our visit. The gigantic stupa originally serves as the staging post for businessman travelling between Lhasa and Kathmandu. Now, the holy stupa is a hot destination, drawing numerous pilgrims, both Hindus and Tibetan Buddhists, to do the kora under the gaze of the Buddha. Monasteries and workshops selling incense, butter lamps, and Tibetan drums and other souvenirs can be found. The strong bond between Tibet and Nepal and historical significance are so palpable.

After all the sightseeing, we will drive towards Nagarkot, which offers the magnificent panoramic view from Everest to Annapurna.

Stay overnight in Nagarkot.

Today, we will drive back to the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is for you to have a good rest or see the local sights nearby by yourself.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

In the morning, you will be picked up by our staff and be transported to Gyirong in Tibet. Along the mountain road, you will pass waterfalls, river gorges, stunning ancient forests until arriving at Rasuwagadhi, the Nepal side of the border. After crossing the border to the Tibetan side, you will be welcome by local guide and transferred to the guesthouse in Gyirong County.

Stay overnight in Gyirong.

Today, we will head to Tingri from Gyirong via Tong La Pass (5100m). The route from Gyirong to Tingri follows the breathtaking road along the border country of Tibet, passing some evergreen forests and snow-capped mountains.

Stay overnight in Tingri.

In the morning, you will first head to Everest Base Camp (EBC) from Tingri. On the way, you will pass the famous Gawula Pass (5198 m), which is the perfect site to catch the panorama view of the Himalayans. And EBC is one of the most popular sites in Tibet for foreign visitors to appreciate the stunning peak view of Mount Everest.

After taking photos at EBC, you will transfer to the nearby Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world. It is the unique monastery that both monks and nuns live there together. After that, we will drive to Shigatse for the night.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchan Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery. It is largest monastery of the Gelug Sect in Rear Tibet, and the main stage where generations of Panchen Lamas carried out religious and political activities.

After that, we will go to the heritage town Gyantse and explore its old street, Perklor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa. Here you can far view Gyantse Fortress. Then we will drive to Lhasa for the rest of the day. On the way, drive over the Gangbala Pass (4790 m) to view Yamdrok Lake and Mt. Naiqinkangsang. Besides, you can also appreciate Korola Glacier on the roadside. At Manak Dam Lake, tourists can hang pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today your first stop will be the world famous Potala Palace, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. Sitting atop Moburi (Red Hill), the palace looks down on the town of Lhasa from its 3,750-meter vantage point. The temple dates back to the 7th century, and houses artifacts and works of art from throughout Tibetan History. The palace also has the gilded burial stupas of the past Dalai Lamas, and below ground lies the ancient meditation cave of the 33rd King of Tibet.

After some lunch, you will head downtown to Jokhang Temple, the primary seat of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It was built by the 33rd King of Tibet in 647AD, and is the spiritual center of Tibet and the holiest temple in Tibetan Buddhism. Inside sits the most precious object in the temple, a life-sized statue of Buddha Sakyamuni when he was just 12 years old. Adorned with many precious gems, this gilded statue is the most sacred object in Tibet.

Running around the temple is the famed Barkhor Street. As well as the route of the holy kora, or religious circumambulation, it is also the site of many sellers where you can buy authentic souvenirs from across the region. You can join the pilgrims on their clockwise walk around the temple.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

The next morning you will leave early for a trip outside Lhasa, first to Drepung Monastery, one of the Great Three monasteries of the Gelugpa sect. Sitting at the foot of Gambo Utse, 5 kilometers outside Lhasa, it was founded by Jamyang Choge, one of the disciples of Tsong Khapa, in 1416. The Ganden Potrang, sited in the southwest corner of the monastery, was the former residence of the Dalai Lama, until the move to the Potala Palace.

In the afternoon you will travel back across the city to the northern suburbs, to visit Sera Monastery, another of the Great Three monasteries. Founded in 1419, the name, Sera, means "wild rose" in Tibetan, and was named because of the roses that were in bloom on the hill behind it when it was built. The main attraction of the monastery is the colorful and animated debating of the monks, held under the trees in the debating field every afternoon. Definitely something to watch, even if you do not understand what is said.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, the guide will transfer you to the airport, then you can take your flight home or your next destination.