Classical India with Nepal, a Women-Only Tour
Experience Overview
Set out on the journey of a lifetime as you meet the women who climbed Mount Everest in Kathmandu. With a small group on your women-only tour, step back in time to the Mughal Empire in Old Delhi and take a rickshaw tour through Jaipur guided by the women who know the city best. Journey from Jaipur to Agra, home of the world-famous Taj Mahal. Tour this architectural wonder and explore the nearby village of Kachhpura. A chef shares her insights into the food markets of Delhi and MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Sheroes Cafe finds you supporting local women. In the Holy City of Varanasi, rise before dawn for a spectacular sunrise boat cruise on the River Ganges.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 2 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 11 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Lunch (L)
- 3 Dinner (D)
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Jaipur: Join your Local Expert for a walk through the city’s old lanes and see artisans working with age-old techniques.
- Jaipur: Visit the royal observatory and see Jantar Mantar, a collection of 18th century architectural astronomical instruments, including the world’s largest stone dun dial.
Authentic Dining
- Kathmandu: Enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant.
- Agra: Dine for lunch at the beautiful Laxmi Niwas Palace in Bharatpur.
- Varanasi: Toast to your travels over a dinner at your hotel.
Insight Choice
- Jaipur: Join your Local Expert for a walk through the city’s old lanes and see artisans working with age-old techniques.
- Jaipur: Visit the royal observatory and see Jantar Mantar, a collection of 18th century architectural astronomical instruments, including the world’s largest stone dun dial.
Insight Experiences
- Varanasi: Join a Local Expert in India's religious rituals to learn more about the colorful candlelit tradition of Aarti as you participate in the sunset ceremony in the Ganges, against a backdrop of ringing bells and chanting music.
Make Travel Matter
- Agra: Visit the 'Sheroes Café', a local business run by women survivors of acid attacks. Be inspired by their resilience in rebuilding a life for themselves, while supporting their efforts to reintegrate back into the community. Sheroes Cafe actively recruits and employs people from underrepresented populations who may otherwise find getting work difficult. The ‘Sheroes’ are women who are on the way to becoming true fighters. Join them in a celebration of courage, forcing society to re-evaluate its norms about beauty and appearance. Sheroes Cafe, ran and operated solely by women, advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality and UN Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
Summary
- Choose between two experiences in Agra.
Top Rated Highlights
- Kathmandu: Visit sacred Swayambhunath, known as the Monkey Temple after its mischievous inhabitants.
- Kathmandu: Tour Durbar Square and Royal Palace.
- Kathmandu: See the holiest of Hindu shrines, Pashupatinath Temple.
- Kathmandu: Visit the colossal stupa, Boudhanath.
- Bhadgaon: Enjoy an excursion to the ancient capital Bhadgaon.
- Kathmandu: Visit a pottery workshop, where a local craftsman will provide you with a demonstration on this age-old craft.
- Delhi: Take a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Delhi.
- Delhi: Visit the Hindu Temple of Swaminarayan Akshardham, a spiritual and cultural campus dedicated to devotion, learning and harmony.
- Delhi: Ride by rickshaw through the lanes of Chandni Chowk bazaar in Old Delhi.
- Delhi: See the Red Fort and Qutub Minar. Drive along the Rajpath to view the India Gate and Parliament House.
- Delhi: Visit Raj Ghat, the memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. A black stone platform marks the spot where he was cremated. And see the Tomb of the Emperor Humayun, built in 1570. The tomb inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal.
- Jaipur: Visit the flower market and spice market and take in the sights and sounds.
- Jaipur: Ascend by jeep to stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls of Amber Fort. Enjoy the shimmering mirrored walls and ceilings, the airy rooms that housed queens and concubines, and the wonderful views of the surrounding countryside.
- Jaipur: Join your Travel Director who will show you the marvel of Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds. Its 953 windows were designed to allow the ladies of the royal court to watch the drama of the street below, unobserved behind their delicate latticework.
- Agra: Visit the Taj Mahal, a monument of love, built by a king in everlasting memory of his beloved queen. Enjoy fast-track access through the gates meaning you have even more time to admire this architectural marvel.
- Agra: Enjoy the scenery as your flight emerges from the Himalayas to reach Varanasi.
- Varanasi: Take a dawn cruise past the Ghats on the Ganges River - an experience never to be forgotten.
- Varanasi: During your brief orientation of the city, visit some of the famous temples. You'll also visit Sarnath, where Buddha first taught the Dharma.
- Delhi: Board your short flight to Delhi.
Women-Only
- Kathmandu: Hear an inspirational talk led by a woman who summited Mount Everest, the highest point above sea level on Earth.
- Delhi: Indulge your taste buds over a special food tour of Delhi with a passionate local chef. Gain insights into the city’s food culture, from hidden gems to bustling kitchens and beyond, as your guide shares her expertise. Whether you’re a food enthusiast or love uncovering local businesses, celebrating women or all of the above, this food tour is perfect for all travelers.
- Jaipur: Jaipur offers endless experiences for curious travelers. Explore the Pink City on a rickshaw-tour led by local women who come from low-income households. Their knowledge and enthusiasm are unmatched, making them your ideal companion for this immersive exploration of Jaipur’s top attractions. Discover little-known facts about the city, such as what lies behind the well-known “honeycomb” windows of Hawa Mahal, the artisans preserving Jaipur’s rich crafts heritage and even uncover where you’ll find the best kachoris in town. Even better, their custom designed e-rickshaws provide a sustainable and intimate way to view the city up close.
- Jaipur: Whether you love fine food or gaining knowledge from locals, this cooking session followed by dinner with a family in Jaipur is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the flavors of the Pink City while you engage in warm conversation with your gracious hosts.
Trip Details
Product Code: 20874
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator:
Insight Vacations (CA)
Supplier Code: 422.1664A
Starts: Kathmandu, Nepal
Finishes: New Delhi, India
Duration: 12 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $6,925 ($577 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Nepal! On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport you will be greeted by an Insight representative and transferred to your hotel, the Hyatt Kathmandu. At 17:00 meet your Travel Director and venture out in Thamel on a rickshaw ride. Head to a local restaurant for a welcome reception, drinks and dinner.
Accommodation: The Soaltee, Kathmandu
Meals: Dinner with Wine
Start the day bright and early with a morning visit to Kathmandu City. See the tranquil Swayambhunath Temple. Stop in Patan, the third largest city in Nepal, for an included lunch. Originally called Lalitpur or “City of Beauty” in Sanskrit, explore this pretty city with a Local Expert in the afternoon. Highlights include the Golden Temple, Durbar Square and Mul Chowk, the largest and oldest of the Royal Palace’s three main chow squares. Enjoy the flavors of the region in the evening with an indulgent dinner.
Accommodation: The Soaltee, Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Delve into Kathmandu’s spiritual history with a morning visit to the Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of the Bagmati River and take in the impressive Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal. Head to the city of Bhadgaon, before visiting a local pottery workshop where a local craftsperson provides a demonstration. In the evening head to an inspirational talk by a woman who summited Mount Everest. She’ll discuss her experience guiding through some of the most challenging terrain on earth.
Accommodation: The Soaltee, Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast
Head to the airport for your flight to Delhi, India. On arrival you’ll be taken to your hotel to settle in before joining your group and Travel Director for a trip to Akshardham Temple. Also known as Swaminarayan Akshardham, this Hindu temple is a spiritual and cultural campus dedicated to devotion, learning and harmony. The rest of the day is yours at leisure, ask your Travel Director for recommendations on where to explore, or perhaps relax at your hotel’s spa.
Accommodation: Le Méridien, New Delhi
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, head out on an exciting sightseeing tour of Old Delhi and New Delhi with your knowledgeable Travel Director. Drive past the Red Fort, the main residence of the Mughal dynasty until 1856. Founded in 1526, the Mughal Empire compromised the majority of the Indian subcontinent until 1707. Then, treat your palate to a culinary adventure on a food tour led by a chef who shares her insights into Dehli’s food scene. Next up, visit a Sikh temple and visit its community kitchen that prepares and serves free nourishing vegetarian meals to those in need. Drive past the President Palace, India Gate and Parliament House before ending the day with a tour of Humayun’s Tomb with your Travel Director.
Accommodation: Le Méridien, New Delhi
Meals: Breakfast
Travel to Jaipur, more affectionately known as the Pink City after the whole city was painted pink in 1876 for a visit from Queen Victoria. Explore culture over a Bollywood Dance Class Optional Experience. Later, join your Travel Director for an evening visit to a flower and spice market.
Accommodation: ITC Rajputana, Jaipur
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Ascend by jeep to Amber Fort. Built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, its royal halls mesmerize with their ivory, mirrors, glass and exquisite paintings. Experience India’s spiritual majesty with a special blessing ceremony. Tour the City Palace Museum and royal observatory Jaipur before joining the women of Pink City Rickshaw Ride seeing the Hawa Mahal and the Palace of Winds. Delve deeper into Jaipur’s rich heritage joining your Local Expert for a walk through the city’s historic lanes and observe artisans at work using age-old techniques. As the day concludes, enjoy a cooking session with a local family.
Accommodation: ITC Rajputana, Jaipur
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
In the morning, depart for Agra, home to the spectacular phenomenon that is the Taj Mahal. Along the way, stop for lunch at the beautiful Laxmi Niwas Palace in Bharatpur. When you arrive in Agra, the evening is yours at leisure. Make the most of the amenities at your hotel, unwinding before tomorrow’s adventure.
Accommodation: Jaypee Palace, Agra
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Before sunrise, travel to the Taj Mahal to see the world phenomenon in its best light. A symbol of love and flawless architectural creation, it was built by an emperor in memory of his beloved queen. Continue on to Agra Fort to. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and visit the Sheroes Café. This local business supports female victims of acid attacks who have been empowered by this organization.
Accommodation: Jaypee Palace, Agra
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
In the morning, drive to Delhi, then take a flight to Varanasi, one of the holiest cities in Hinduism. On arrival you’ll be checked into your luxury hotel, the Taj Ganges. A contemporary ode to its classical city, this five-star accommodation includes a pool, fitness center, traditional Indian Spa Therapies and a beautiful flower garden. In the evening, participate in an Aarti on the ghats, where you’ll offer prayers to the River Ganges. This spiritual ceremony is performed daily to honor the River Goddess Ganga. It is a Hindu religious ritual of worship and involves hundreds of diyas and flowers being released onto the river, as the words “Har Har Gange!” are chanted.
Accommodation: Taj Ganges, Varanasi
Meals: Breakfast
Wake early for a breathtaking sunrise boat cruise on River Ganges, followed by a visit to an Akhara. Return to your hotel for breakfast before heading on a tour of Varanasi. This involves seeing the Sarnath, a sacred deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma and the Buddhist Sangha first came into existence through Kondanna’s enlightenment. Later, enjoy a delicious dinner with your fellow travelers and Travel Director at your hotel.
Accommodation: Taj Ganges, Varanasi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
End your trip with an optional relaxing early morning yoga session in the fresh air by the banks of the holy Ganges River, a surreal experience. After breakfast and a transfer to the airport, head back to Delhi before your onward flights. Please do not schedule flights before 9pm.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Insight Vacations (CA)
Part of The Travel Company (TTC) family of brands, Insight Vacations began operations in 1978 and is based in Cypress, CA. Journeys are featured to destinations, such as the U.S. and Canada, Europe, Latin America, North Africa, Asia, the UK and Ireland. The company offers are a variety of tours under the classifications of Regional Journeys, Country Roads, Discovery Journeys, Easy Pace trips, and Special Interest tours. Insight is the ideal name for the tour operator, as the journeys provided by Insight Vacations allow travelers to gain further insight into whatever destination they wish to explore. For example, Discovery Journeys are the ideal choice for first-time visitors to Europe. Itineraries include Dine-at-Home or Farm-to-Table experiences so travelers can learn more about how locals live and dine. Regional Journeys allow trip-goers to see a specific location in Europe that they have always wanted to see – Poland, Switzerland, Italy, etc. The carefully planned trips enable customers to immerse themselves in one specific region or country and to become acquainted with its culture, traditions, and people. For anyone seeking travel off the beaten track, Insight Vacations offers Country Roads – trips that lead travelers off the well-tread tourist trail to explore hidden gems where visitors can savor the local produce with Farm-to-Table dining. Some trips are offered under the Easy Pace travel style – the ideal trip choice for trip-goers who wish to slow their pace during their vacation. During these tours, vacationers stay at least 3 nights at each destination, giving them some additional time to explore a place and enjoy it. Regardless of the travel style, many of the vacations offered by Insight Vacations begin with Relaxed Starts – giving travelers time to sleep in a little, spend more time at breakfast, or explore an area on their own. The tour company prides itself on providing business class tours that features luxury coaches with 40 seats. While most coach touring operators provide vehicles with 53 seats, Insight Vacations has re-configured its motor coaches to hold up to 40 guests. This gives passengers extra leg room while traveling and offers them more space and privacy.
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