Day 10 Varanasi – Kathmandu, Nepal

Early this morning, you follow the footsteps of the pilgrims and take a boat along the holy river. The early morning sun illuminates the countless temples that form the river bank’s skyline. You glide past buildings that silently hold the history of this holy city. There is a simplicity in the air, a spiritual beauty that has sustained the country and its people through the centuries.

This afternoon, you fly to Kathmandu, Nepal. Checking into the Hotel Yak & Yeti, (unquestionably the best hotel in Kathmandu), you are treated to a warm welcome in the 18^th-century palace. The sound of trickling water carries through the lovely gardens; the ornate grand lobby combines brick, pink marble flooring, and stucco and wooden pillars. (B,L,D)

The kingdom of Nepal, closed to the outside world between the mid-19^th century and the early 1950s, has always been considered a mysterious land. The Himalayas form the country’s northern border with the Tibetan autonomous region of China. Wedged between China and India, it has become a popular destination for mountain climbers who come here for Mt. Everest and Anapurna. The country has an incredible range of altitude – from 29,028 feet at the summit of Everest to a low of 220 feet in the southern part of the country. Early history of Nepal is interwoven with Hindu and Buddhist mythology; and it is often difficult to determine what is historical fact and what is myth.

Kathmandu sits in a small mountain-sheltered valley that is the historical center of Nepal. Kingdoms have risen and fallen, palaces and temples have been built and rebuilt, art and culture have been developed and refined. Kathmandu has a history of being a cultural and racial melting pot, with people coming from the east and west to settle here. The result is the unique Newari culture that has contributed so much to the art and architecture of the area.

This morning, on your tour of the city, you stop at Durbar Square – the heart of Old Kathmandu and site of one of the greatest concentrations of temples, shrines, and old palaces anywhere in the world. One of these buildings displays an outstanding example of the art of intricately carved wood for which the Kathmandu Valley is famous; notice the two peacock windows on the second floor. Some visitors find the resident of this fine house even more interesting; this is the home of the highly regarded Kumari – the "living goddess". You also see the famous Buddhist Monkey Temple.

This afternoon is yours to explore some of the smaller lanes – to shop for carpets, fabrics, wooden carvings, silver jewelry, or to browse in one of the many quaint bookshops. This evening, you have another treat – a traditional Indian and Nepalese dinner, accompanied by folkloric performances at the Naachghar Theater Restaurant which is in a grand, Baroque room with high ceilings, marble, gilt mirrors, and ornate plasterwork; it was once the formal reception room of a palace. (B,L,D)

Early today (weather permitting) you take a flight over the imposing Himalayan range for a very close look at Mount Everest. The surrounding view is absolutely breathtaking.

Then you continue on your flight southwest from Kathmandu to Megahuly Airfield and then to the Royal Chitwan National Park; this is one of Asia’s richest and most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries. When people think of Nepal, they usually think of soaring snow-clad mountains, not warm sub-tropical plains. Despite this, nearly half the country’s population lives on a narrow strip of flat and fertile land that lies between the Indian border and the mountains; this is called the Terai.

Your destination in this fertile plain is the world-famous Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge – a tree-top hotel constructed on stilts and made from local materials deep in the heart of the jungle. The domed Nepalese style dining room, lounge, and bar with open hearth are straight out of a Kipling novel, along with the thatched roofs, rustic beams, cobblestone walls, and historic photographs. Your guest rooms are simple but comfortable; they are attractively furnished and include solar-heated baths, ceiling fans and lighting. The main reason for stopping here, however, is the magnificent Chitwan Park itself. From the beginning of the 19^th century, British and Nepalese aristocrats made the Chitwan Valley a center for their hunting trips. The park contains more than 400 rhinos and 80 tigers, in addition to 50 other species of mammals and more than 400 different types of birds.

After settling in and having lunch, you start off on your afternoon safari. There are Nepalese and Western dishes served this evening by candlelight before the fireplace. (B,L,D)

Today, your guides accompany you on a safari as they introduce you to the incredible array of flora and fauna in the park. Riding on the backs of elephants, you explore the tall grasslands and forests searching for the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, wild boar, sloth bear, and the elusive, nocturnal Royal Bengal tiger.

There are afternoon excursions by 4-wheel-drive vehicle and boat, and a stop at the Lodge’s elephant camp. If you like, you can also help give the eleven Lodge elephants their daily bath! Then unwind back at the Lodge; relax in a comfortable armchair in the lounge and gaze out over the scenery. After dinner, there is a very interesting slide presentation by a noted naturalist. (B,L,D)

Today, on your morning safari, you have another opportunity to see the varied wildlife of the Chitwan Park. In addition to the "big" animals, there are over 400 species of birds here. Also, look for the handsome gray, black-faced langur monkeys, some of the many species of deer, and the "blue cow" (nigai ), which is actually Asia’s largest antelope. In the rivers, you might see Gharial crocodiles and the extraordinary Gangetic dolphin.

In the afternoon, you fly back to Delhi and check into The Taj Palace. Relax in the marble and brass lobby, with tent-like domes over the sitting areas that resemble Rajasthani encampments. This evening, you dine in an elegant restaurant at the hotel, set in a reproduction of an Orient Express railway car, where you and your travel companions gather for a festive farewell dinner prepared by a French chef.

This morning, as your journey comes to an end, you are escorted to the airport for your return flight home. (B)