Day One

Fly overnight flight from the UK, via Muscat, to Kathmandu.

Day Two

You'll arrive by early evening in the remote mountain kingdom, transferring to the hotel for dinner. Take the opportunity to rest and relax after the journey, and catch your first glimpse of this extraordinary city, nestled amongst the green foothills of the majestic Himalayas.

Day Three

Discover ancient Kathmandu today on our guided tour. Be enchanted by the sacred Boudhanath, the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and the famous 'Monkey Temple' of Swayambhu, and enjoy a tour of the Old City by traditional rickshaw, taking in Durbar (Royal Palace) Square and the surrounding temples. The day ends with dinner at the celebrated Rum and Doodle restaurant - haunt of the world's most famous mountain-climbers.

Day Four

Join our spectacular optional excursion and take an early morning flight over the majestic Himalayas and Mount Everest, as the sun rises. Later this morning, visit Bhaktapur's Durbar Square, where temples and pagodas surround a breathtaking palace.This afternoon, visit stunning Patan City across the Bagmati River, and see traditional carpet weaving at a Tibetan refugee camp. The day ends with dinner at a Nepalese restaurant, complete with cultural folklore show.

Day Five

After breakfast, enjoy a few more free hours in Kathmandu, before transferring to the airport for the afternoon flight south to Varanasi.Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and transfer to the hotel. After check-in, explore the city before this evening's sacred Hindu ceremony of Aarti - a ritual lighting of wicks soaked in ghee - in front of the Dasshashwamedh ghat by the Ganges.

Day Six

Early this morning you'll board a riverboat to see the teeming, colourful ghats, all thronged with pilgrims performing their rituals in front of the temples. After breakfast, discover the ruins and temples at Sarnath, one of Buddhism's holiest shrines, on a guided tour. This evening, dinner will be served at the hotel.

Day Seven

After breakfast and a morning spent at leisure, transfer this afternoon to the airport for your flight to the Indian capital Delhi. Catch your first sight of the great metropolis before you check into your overnight hotel, where dinner is served this evening.

Day Eight

Discover the treasures of New Delhi - including the India Gate war memorial and the ornate Qutb Minar tower - on today's guided tour. This afternoon, you'll journey south-east towards Uttar Pradesh, arriving this evening for a two-night stay in Agra, the fabled 'City of Love'. En route, you'll visit the mausoleum of Moghul Emperor Akbar the Great, at Sikandra, a masterpiece of Moghul architecture.

Day Nine

An unforgettable day begins with a sunrise visit to the exquisite Taj Majal. After returning to the hotel for breakfast, you'll enjoy a guided tour of Agra, including the serene Itmad ud Duala - the so-called 'Baby Taj' - and the royal pavilions, palaces and courtyards of the majestic Agra Fort.

Day Ten

Today you'll head across the plains into Rajasthan, studded with exotic temples and havelis - lavishly decorated mansions. En route, you'll visit the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, its great buildings and monuments still immaculately preserved. This evening you'll arrive in the fabled 'Pink City' of Jaipur, for a two-night stay.

Day Eleven

This morning you'll visit Amber, the ancient capital of the Rajput Empire, with its magnificent palaces and temples dominated by the stronghold of Amber Fort. Climb to the fort by elephant or jeep and be rewarded with stupendous views from the ramparts. This afternoon enjoy a sightseeing tour of Jaipur to discover the stunning 'Palace of the Winds', the City Palace, and the astronomical observatory.

Day Twelve

Transfer to the airport for the return flight home, via Muscat, arriving back to the UK in in the afternoon.