Welcome to India with Tours by Kapil Raj! Your tour starts in Delhi, where you can use your hotel room from check-in time (12.00 hrs at noon) on day 1. Most of your travel companions will arrive later in the evening of day 1 or early morning of day 2, the exact time will be depending on their flight schedule. You will meet your English-speaking tour leader at Airport on your arrival, the next morning when you can begin to construct your plan for the day. Make yourself comfortable in your new surroundings and take it easy as you begin to adapt to a fascinating destination full of new sights, smells, sounds and traditions!

Delhi has a history that stretches back over three millennia. There is an old area (Old Delhi) and a new area (New Delhi), designed at the start of the 20th century as the jewel in the British Empire’s crown. The contrast between Old and New Delhi is huge. The old region is a cramped, colourful, ‘ant colony’ full of narrow alleyways, temples and mosques. The Red Fort and the Jama Masjid, the biggest and most elegant mosque in the land, are situated here.

Drive Distance: 268 km

Drive Time: approx. 5-7 hours

You will stay for 3 nights in the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur. Explore at your leisure the North of the city that is surrounded by hills dotted with forts and palaces. One of the most elegant of which is the Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace). Roam the bustling streets filled with Rajasthani men, in their huge turbans and equally large moustaches, and women, decked in jewellery over the most colourful saris in India. You can also visit the famous Amber Fort standing at the top of a hill surrounded in all directions by other hills, uponwhich smaller fortifications are also built. There are many marble statues and mosaics to admire up here and the views from the top are simply stunning.

Jaipur The Pink City is partially encircled by a crenellated, battle-scarred wall, and the major gates of Chandpol, Ajmer and Sanganeri have been carefully restored. The entire city is a feat of town planning; the Old City is still loosely divided into traditional artisans' quarters. In the evening you can enjoy one of Jaipur´s specialties. In northern India, people like spicy food and Dal Batti, Churma, Mawa Kachori, Ghewar and Mirchi Bada are their favourite regional dishes.

Drive Distance: 240 km

Drive Time: approx. 4-5 hours

We leave early in the morning and visit Fatehpur Sikri, an abandoned imperial city situated not far from Agra. Here, the emperor Akbar ruled between 1571 and 1585 but the glory of Fatehpur Sikri was short-lived due to insufficient water supplies and soon after Akbar’s death, the city was abandoned. Fortunately, the remains still paint a picture of the wealth of the city’s heyday and consist of several well-restored and maintained palaces, the most impressive of which are the breathtaking Jama Masjid (Great Mosque) and the Buland Darwaza, reputed to be the largest gateway in all of Asia. The architecture of this impressive mosque displays both clear Christian and Hindu influences besides the most prevalent Muslim influence. At the end of the afternoon, we arrive in Agra, home of the Taj Mahal, just in time to

watch the sunset behind this world-famous monument.

According to legend Varanasi is the holiest city in India and the oldest city in the world. It is also known as Benares or Kashi and is the city of Shiva, the most powerful of the Hindu gods. Outside the centre, countless narrow alleys and streets lead to the very soul of India, Mother Ganges. In this sacred river, thousands of people wash their sins away every day, the ashes of the dead are scattered and leaves carrying candles float by as offerings to the river. The Ganges itself has left its mark on the buildings and ghats through flooding and it has also undermined building foundations throughout the centuries, which have simply been restored with infinite patience. A boat trip along the river is highly memorable,

especially at sunrise.

You should also visit Sarnath, a holy Buddhist site where Buddha founded his eightfold path to nirvana. Another interesting attraction is the Archaeological Museum which contains an exquisite collection of Buddhist and Hindu art. The monasteries and temples here are also very attractive, built by Buddhist pilgrims coming from many different countries. The Chinese, Japanese and Tibetan temples are especially worth visiting, in the evening we board the night train to kolkata. We travel in second-class sleeper with air conditioning. 

Early morning arrive at Kolkata. After arrival you will be taken to the hotel in the center of this overwhelming metropolis city. Visit femus Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, The mother house, visit flawer market of Kolkata.

Free day in Kolkata . The colonial past of the city of Kolkata can be seen in a number of stately buildings such as the Writer's Building , the Post Office (GPO) and the Victoria Memorial . Tens of thousands of vehicles and countless pedestrians every day make the Howrah Bridge over the Hooghly River the busiest bridge in the world . Along the river you will find cremation places and the 'dhobi-wallahs ', who beat piles of dirty laundry clean on a stone in the river. Optionally you can visit ' The Mother's House ', the place where Mother Teresa is buried. The hustle and bustle of Kolkata can be avoided by heading to the leafy Maidan . It is also nice to walk along the river in the morning. There is a flower market, prayers and baths and almost always wrestling matches.

This morning you fly from Kolkata to Bagdogra. From the airport you continue your India tour into the Himalayas. During the ride you rise considerably and you see the landscape and flora change completely. With a bit of luck you can see the Kanchenjunga in the distance , with 8598 meters India's highest mountain peak. This Himalayan giant towers over the former Tibetan kingdom of Sikkim and is worshiped like a god. The picturesque town of Darjeeling is located on a ridge in the promontory of the Himalayas, at an altitude of 2100 m. In the 19th century, the British built a hill station here to occasionally escape the heat of the Indian plain. There are endless tea plantations in the area, the yield of which is among the best in the world. You sleep in Darjeeling in a middle class hotel.

Free day in Darjeeling. One of the most beautiful things you can do is to experience the sunrise at Tiger Hill . When the first rays of the sun shine on the top of Kanchenjunga, it is a magical moment in clear weather. Tiger Hill also offers an unparalleled view of the massif of Talung, Kabru, Pandim and Siniolchu. Even Chomolhari (in Bhutan) and Mount Everest are visible on clear days. You can take a ride on Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, simply called 'Toy Train'. This steam train has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1999. The train is pulled by the original steam locomotive and takes you zigzagging through a beautiful mountain landscape. You can also go hiking in the area, visit the monastery of Ghoom,the Tibetan Refugee Center, or the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. But the atmosphere of the town itself is actually enough to keep you busy.

Today you make a drive to Pelling. This beautiful trip leads through the mountains, sometimes with dense jungle full of orchids and intersected by wild mountain streams, then again over steep mountain slopes with rice fields and wonderful views. Pelling is located in the Indian state of Sikkim. This fast-growing town is surrounded on all sides by the Himalayan mountains .The majority of Sikkim's residents are of Nepalese descent. The Lepchas and the Bhutiasare the main minorities. In addition, you will find people from almost all Indian states and several thousand Tibetan refugees. The Lepchas are said to be the original inhabitants of Sikkim. In the past, most Lepchas were followers of the Bon religion. Witchcraft and exorcism were very common.

Free day in Pelling, a beautiful hiking area! From Pelling you can walk on your own to the monastery of Pemayangtse, 3 km away . It is located on a hilltop (2105 m) with a panoramic view of the surrounding hills. Pemayangtse is one of the oldest monasteries of Sikkim (1705) and belongs to the Tibetan Nyingma-pa sect, which was founded in the 8th century and is the head of all Nyingmapa monasteries in Sikkim. The hospitable monastery houses beautiful old wall paintings, thankas and antique religious objects. Beautiful festivals are celebrated at set times. You can also visit the ruins of the old Rabdentse palace near the Pemayangstse monasteryto see. In 1670, Tenzung Namgyal, the second king of Sikkim, founded his capital here. Enthusiasts can participate in an organized optional excursion to the which includes transport and an English-speaking guide.

We continue our East India tour to Lake Khecheopalri , considered by both Buddhists and Hindus as one of the most sacred lakes of Sikkim . The small ' Wensenmeer ' is hidden between the woods and is photogenic decorated with colorful prayer flags . The locals come here as pilgrims to pray at the sacred lake. The atmosphere is mystical. The ride continues to atmospheric Yuksom, surrounded by cardamom plantations , which seems to be at the end of the world.

Day off. You can't get further north than Yuksom by road in Sikkim. The small town is the cradle of Buddhism in Sikkim and was the first capital of Sikkim. In Yuksom, Phuntsok Namgyal was ordained Chogyal (King) of Sikkim by three wise lamas in 1641. In Yuksom you can go for a lovely walk , view the (mostly deserted) high-altitude Dubdi monastery and enjoy the mountain views.

Again you enjoy a beautiful mountain ride. You drive to Gangtok today, but first visit the monasteries of Tashiding and Rumtek on the way . The 18th century Tashiding Monastery is located on top of a hill. The complex with its many manistones and prayer flags exudes a peaceful and rural atmosphere, partly due to the farms in the area. The monastery is mainly famous for the 'holy water festival', better known as Bhumchu. Pilgrims come from afar for the blessing of the holy waterand dance to traditional music. It is the largest monastery in Sikkim and a fine example of Tibetan architecture. The ride ends in Gangtok, the bustling capital of Sikkim. The friendly town is located on the mountain slopes of the Himalayas at an altitude of 1500 meters. There are ancient temples and the former royal palace . There are also regular festivals with mask dances. You spend three nights in a good mid-range hotel.

Free day in Gangtok. You can explore the manageable city on your own. Special is the Namgyal Institute , which stands on a hill above the town. An important collection of objects and documents from Tibet is housed here. Near the institute is the white Dodrul-chörten , a stupa and seminary for the training of lamas or monks. There are beautiful prayer wheels. An orchid nursery is located near the Enchay Monastery.By jeep you can participate in an optional excursion to the remote monasteries of Phodong and Labrang. The Phodong Monastery belongs to the Karyupa sect and was built at the beginning of the 19th century by the fourth king of Sikkim. It is a place that is visited by very few tourists and the student monks think the foreign visit is wonderful. A little further on is the Labrang Monastery, built about 100 years later and belonging to the Nyingmapa sect.

Free day in Gangtok. You can take an optional excursion to the Oval Tsomgo Lake (also called Changu Lake). It is approximately 40 km from Gangtok, the Chinese border is only 5 km away as the crow flies. The lake is located at an altitude of 3780 meters and is usually frozen during the winter months until mid-May.

You continue your India tour to Kalimpong , a town with a Tibetan atmosphere at an altitude of 1200 m. The town was once part of Sikkim. In the 18th century, Bhutan conquered this region. Then the city got its current name: Kalim (Bhutanese for governor) and Pong (fort). The British then took it in the 19th century. Kalimpong has a pleasant climate and beautiful surroundings . You can take beautiful walks in the woods on the slopes with meadows and terraces that offer a beautiful sight.Do you prefer to sniff culture? There are several monasteries in Kalimpong, such as Bhutanese Thongsa Monastery, the oldest monastery in the area. The Zangdhogpalri Monasteryis atmospheric when the monks alternate reciting their matras with making music. The Mangal Dham Temple is relatively new and is considered one of

the most beautiful temples in India. The Kalimpong Arts & Craft Center is a lively center where carpets are woven, and where fabrics, leather and wood are worked.

In the morning you still have time to see Kalimpong and its surroundings, such as the Tharpa Choeling Gompa (belonging to the Tibetan order of the 'Yellow Caps'), the Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa built on top of the Durpin Hill (dedicated by the Dalai Lama in 1976; here you will find beautiful wall paintings) and a flower nursery for orchids and gladioli. In the afternoon you leave the Himalayas and drive through the lowkands to Siliguri. In the evening you board the night train to kolkata.

Arrival of the night train in Kolkata (scheduled arrival time is 04:50 AM; time is subject to change). You will be transferred to your hotel. Once again we provide an ' early check in ', so that you can use your room after arrival. You can spend the rest of the day as you see fit. Maybe you had a few more sights on your list? Or would you rather just do some shopping and immerse yourself one last time in the cauldron of this special city ...?

You fly back to Europe shortly after midnight, where you also arrive this day and your East India group tour comes to an end.