13-Nights Timeless India: Tigers & Traditions With Kathmandu

Small groups lead to big experiences on this Small Group Discovery tour. Witness the symbol of eternal devotion with a sunrise visit to the magnificent Taj Mahal—one of the New7Wonders of the World—where Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan enlisted more than 20,000 workers and 1,000 elephants to create a towering white-marble mausoleum dedicated to his wife. Beyond India’s most sparkling jewel lies a priceless mine of experiences. Hop in a rickshaw for a ride through Delhi’s centuries-old Chandni Chowk bazaar, sit down for traditional Indian cuisine in the home of a noble family in Jaipur, and embark on two thrilling open-air safari game drives through Ranthambore National Park in search of marsh crocodiles, striped hyenas, and the elusive Bengal tiger. Observe the striking Ganga Aarti, a spiritual worship ceremony, on the ghats leading down to the sacred Ganges River in Varanasi, the holiest city in Hinduism. Your journey concludes in fascinating Kathmandu for guided sightseeing in Nepal’s iconic capital city, including a visit to the historic seat of royalty at Hanuman Dhoka and the residence of the Living Goddess at the Temple of Kumari. Travel to Bouddhanath—one of the world’s largest stupas and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal—and marvel at the Hindu and Buddhist sites in Patan’s Durbar Square. A mosaic of memories awaits on this Small Group Discovery tour of India and Nepal.