Itinerary
Day 1 ARRIVE IN MUMBAI, INDIA
Hello, Mumbai Welcome to Mumbai, a multicultural metropolis with a vibrant history—now India’s premier seaport and home to the “Bollywood” movie industry.
Day 2 MUMBAI
Magical Mumbai Join your Local Guide for an orientation tour of some of the city’s famous sites, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and the Gateway of India. Then, 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.
Please note: Host services are provided in Mumbai and Varanasi. You will meet your Tour Director on day 5 in Delhi.
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 3 MUMBAI–VARANASI
Packed Lunches & Loyal Pilgrimages Today, witness Mumbai’s tiffin lunch box delivery system. Later this afternoon, fly to Varanasi, the holiest of Hindu pilgrim cities.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LUNCH BOX HEROES Each weekday 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.
Breakfast
Day 4 VARANASI
Sacred Rituals Near dawn, join your Local Guide and board a boat to watch a meaningful religious ritual—the Hindus’ devotional bathing in the Ganges. You’ll observe hundreds of pilgrims gathered at the river’s edge, practicing yoga or meditation. Return to your hotel for breakfast and time at leisure. Early this evening, experience the Ganga Aarti (spiritual worship) on the ghats (steps) leading down to the sacred Ganges River.
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.
Breakfast
Day 5 VARANASI–DELHI
Today, fly to Delhi, capital of India.
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 Humayun’s Tomb, and take a 
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.
LOCAL FAVORITE
MARKET HIGH Hop on a rickshaw and explore Chandni Chowk, a captivating local bazaar. Ancient alleyways are lined with quaint shops selling a variety of goods and souvenirs—from silver and saris to spices and electronics.
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Day 7 DELHI–AGRA
Remembrance & Worship This morning, visit Qutub Minar, the world’s tallest brick minaret, dating back to the 11th century. Next, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. After lunch, drive to Agra and settle in for the evening.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
A RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE As Delhi’s largest and most prominent Sikh gurudwara (house of worship), Gurudwara Bangla Sahib has religious significance and 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.
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Day 8 AGRA
Moghul Monuments Start your day with a sunrise visit to the captivating 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.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LOVE REMEMBERED Rise early for a bucket-list visit to 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. Your guided tour takes you inside the Mausoleum, with time to explore on your own and reflect.
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Breakfast
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 merely 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!
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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.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE In addition to Bengal tigers, Ranthambore National Park is home to leopards, sambar deer, sloth bears, marsh crocodiles, striped hyenas, and more. Take the opportunity to spot them all on today’s guided game drives via small-capacity vehicles perfect for your group.
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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 known as the “Pink City” ever since. After lunch, visit UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jantar Mantar, consisting of 19 astronomical instruments used for measuring time and dates back to 1728. Next, visit the City Palace Museum, once the royal residence and now showcases a collection of paintings, carpets, weapons, and costumes from the past.
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Breakfast
Lunch
Day 12 JAIPUR
Jewels of Jaipur Today, visit the amazing Amber Fort in the morning. Lastly, visit a 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.
LOCAL FAVORITE
PROMISING FUTURES Ladli is a training program teaching orphaned children valuable skills. 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.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Your small group is invited to visit the home of a local noble family to share a home-prepared dinner. You’ll also learn the art of sari-and-turban tying in the beloved tradition of India.
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Breakfast
Dinner
Day 13 JAIPUR–KATHMANDU, NEPAL
Going to Kathmandu Today, fly to Kathmandu (via Delhi), Nepal’s capital city, where you will be met by a Globus representative.
Please note: Your Tour Director does not accompany guests on extensions. Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu is as outlined in the itinerary.
Breakfast
Day 14 KATHMANDU
City Sights & Goddess Lights 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.
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!
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 15 KATHMANDU–PATAN EXCURSION
The Power of Faith 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
Lunch
Day 16 KATHMANDU
Safe travels until we meet again! Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast