Epic Nepal to India
Epic Nepal to India
Epic Nepal to India
20 Days Starting in Kathmandu and ending in Delhi
Visiting: India, Nepal
Tour operator:
Tour code:
HHYDC
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 16
Physical rating:
Medium, Medium
Age range:
18-29 years
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Fill up on momos (steamed dumplings) in Kathmandu and get ready for a huge trip. We're talking rafting adventures and beach camps. Hit the Annapurna circuit for a glimpse of the mighty Himalayas. Come face-to-face with rhinos and a host of other exotic wildlife in Chitwan National Park. Get spiritual in Varanasi, see pink in Jaipur and take the ultimate selfie in front of the Taj Mahal. This jam-packed trip covers a bit of everything. We love it, and we think you will too.
Highlights
Itinerary
Oh hello Kathmandu. The adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you'll meet your tour guide and new travel pals. Look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place.If you arrive early, there's plenty to do in this vibrant city. Kathmandu’s most important Buddhist shrine, Swayambhunath Stupa and the nearby ‘City of Devotees’ Bhaktapur are well worth a visit. For some more structure, there are a number of Urban Adventures day tours that can help you delve deeper into Kathmandu's ancient architecture and rich cultural heritage. After the important meeting, why not have an optional dinner together. It's hard to go wrong with a nourishing bowl of dal bhat (thick lentil or bean soup).
Day 2 Trisuli River
Enjoy a morning drive over the rim of the Kathmandu Valley and soak up the views of the Ganesh and Lantang ranges. Arrive in either Baireni or Galaudi, for some rafting on the Trisuli River. Hit the water and enjoy the thrill of the rapids aptly named Ladies Delight, Rock Garden and Snell's Nose. Camp on the beach and enjoy dinner under the stars.
Day 3 Trisuli River - Pokhara
Have more fun on the river including negotiating the Monsoon and Upset. Late morning we end rafting at Kurintar and enjoy a light lunch and drive to Pokhara (4 hours). Arrive Pokhara in the afternoon. Chill out at the lakeside cafes.
Day 4 Ghandruk (1950m / 6397ft)
Hope you broke in your boots before the trip, cos this is where the trekking bit starts. There’s a dirt track leading to Birethanti and Shyauli villages. There’s a stone staircase up to Kimche, where you’ll stop for lunch. Then a bunch of stone flags lead you through fields of wheat to Ghandruk. That’s some diverse terrain right there. Stay in your first Nepalese teahouse tonight.
Day 5 Tolkha (1700m / 5577ft)
Look east. That’s Landruk, the next village on the route. Look down. That’s the Modi Kola River 600 metres below. Look around the corner. That’s Tolkha, your base for the night. What, you can’t look around corners? Ok, you’ll just have to trek there instead.
Day 6 Hyenjakot
Rhododendron is a tricky word to spell, but super pretty to look at. You’ll see a bunch of these bright pink and purple plants today. Do you know what you won’t see much of? Other people. We’ve picked a pretty remote trail from Dhampus to Hyenjakot, and tonight you get to stay with a local family. Pack your best smile and get an even bigger one in return.
Day 7 Pokhara
It's a short descent to Phedi before catching the public bus to Pokhara in time for lunch. Enjoy free time in the afternoon then meet your new leader and group for the rest of the journey to Delhi at 6 pm tonight.
Day 8 Pokhara
Wake up among the spectacular scenery of Pokhara and enjoy a boat ride across the lake (Phewa Tal), which is the second largest in Nepal. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace, with plenty of optional activities to choose from, you can spend your time however you please! Why not start with a visit the International Mountain Museum to learn some amazing tales of past climbing expeditions. You might like to take a break by the water’s edge and indulge in the ultimate Nepalese dish for lunch – dal bhat – a hearty vegetarian meal consisting of rice and lentils. Pokhara has an interesting old area well worth exploring, as well as an elaborate Hindu temple and a Buddhist monastery. As the day closes, perhaps visit the Peace Pagoda – with spectacular views of the Annapurna mountains – and watch the sunset over the famous fishtail peak – Machhapuchhare.
Day 9 Chitwan National Park
Pop on your safari hat as you drive to Chitwan National Park by private vehicle (approximately 5 hours). UNESCO (who know at thing or two about this kind of stuff) declared it a World Heritage site in 1984, and it offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Asia. Think the Jungle Book come to life with rhinos, deer, monkeys and a wide array of birds, including Nepalese wild chickens, all found here.
Day 10 Chitwan National Park - Madi Valley
This morning you’ll hop aboard a jeep, meet your local guide and take a safari drive through Chitwan National Park. Chances are high you'll see a great one-horned rhinoceros and you might even catch a glimpse of one of the 100-or-so Bengal Tigers that call the park home. This evening, we will be staying overnight at the Intrepid Foundation’s project, the Madi Valley Homestay. This project provides sustainable incomes and encourages the communities living on the fringes of Chitwan National Park to conserve the wilderness and wildlife around them. On our arrival, the local men and women, dressed proudly in their traditional Magar attire, will be there to greet you and welcome you into their homes. In the evening enjoy a cultural performance by the locals where they demonstrate one of the oldest ethnic dance forms of the Magar community; the Maruni Naach.
Day 11 Lumbini
This morning we travel by private vehicle to the Nepalese border town of Lumbini (about 5 hours). No ordinary border town, Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, and one of his four holy places of pilgrimage. Check out the beautiful Ashoka Pillars and hop on cycle rickshaws to the Maya Devi Temple, the actual site where Lord Buddha is thought to have been born.
Day 12 Nepal/India border crossing - Varanasi
This is a long travelling day as we make our way into India, crossing the border at Sunauli and continuing on to Varanasi (about 8-10 hours including stops). One of holiest cities around, Varanasi is the ultimate destination for Hindu pilgrims who travel from far and wide to experience this spiritual city. Overflowing with temples, shrines and devotees, it might not be one of the world's cleanest cities but there’s no doubt it’s one of the most amazing.
Day 13 Varanasi
Today’s an early start, but it’s completely worth it - a sunrise boat ride along the sacred Ganges is a revelation. Even if you're not the spiritual sort, you can't help but get goosebumps. Pass the many ghats (stairs leading to the water) and temples along the river, and watch thousands of Hindu pilgrims cleanse their sins in the holy water as the sun bathes the surrounds in glorious shades of amber and orange. Afterwards, set off by auto rickshaw to the oldest part of the city, to explore its maze of narrow alleyways packed full of small shops, stalls and lumbering cows. See pilgrims performing rituals unchanged for hundreds of years and pass chiming temples as wafts of incense fill the air.
Day 14 Varanasi - Overnight train
Today there’s lots of free time to explore more of Varanasi before you get a unique slice of Indian life aboard an overnight sleeper train bound for Agra (approximately 10 hours). You could take a trip to nearby Sarnath, one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage destinations. The site is where Buddha preached his message of the path to enlightenment and features a number of stupas and museums to explore. There’s also the crumbling 17th-century fort and palace on the eastern bank of the Ganges, Ram Nagar Fort. Otherwise, take the chance to perfect your yoga in the ultimate chakra-balancing place.
Day 15 Agra
Agra might not be the prettiest city in the world, but the minute you check out its top-notch site that won’t matter one bit (of course, we're talking about the glorious Taj Mahal). We arrive on a Friday so the Taj is closed to visitors, but there are outstanding views from almost every hotel rooftop in the area. Enjoy a free day to explore Agra's alternative highlights. An optional trip on a motorised rickshaw takes you to some of the city’s best monuments. If you’ve got the energy, head out to Agra Fort and stroll the palatial gardens of this red sandstone stronghold (with cheeky monkeys in tow) or check out Akbar's Mausoleum, a beautiful sandstone and marble tomb built for the greatest of the Mughal emperors.
Day 16 Agra - Tordi
It doesn’t matter who you are, the Taj Mahal will explode all your expectations with the morning light shimmering off its white marble surface. After our visit, jump into private transport and head off to the village of Tordi. This remote and rarely visited village offers a fantastic glimpse of the real Rajasthan. We stumbled across it years ago, and everyone loved it so much we put it on the itinerary. The locals will feed you and you'll sleep in a 16th-century palace with its owner as your host. And there's a ruined temple and fortress nearby. Settle in, then savour delicious local flavours at an included dinner of tonight
Day 17 Jaipur
Kick on in a private vehicle to Jaipur (about 3 hours), India's oh-so-pretty 'Pink City'. You'll have plenty of free time here to haggle to your heart's content at the bazaars and backstreets where vendors sell a variety of textiles, precious and semi-precious gems and stunning blue pottery. Drop by one of India’s finest palaces, the Royal City Palace, where the guards’ moustaches are almost as impressive as the building itself. Foodies will want to hit the streets for raj kachori chaat, a big fluffy chaat served with chutney, yoghurt, chilli and potato. Then cool off with a lassi from Lassiwala on MI road, Jaipur's oldest and most famous lassi shop. Cinema buffs won't want to miss the chance to take in a Bollywood blockbuster at the spectacular Raj Mandir Cinema.
Day 18 Jaipur
If you're keen for a different view of the Pink City, an optional early morning hot air balloon ride is a trip highlight for many visitors. For more information please see the 'Important notes' section of the Essential Trip Information. Later in the morning, you’ll drop by Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), the impressive five-storey facade with pink and honeycombed windows is it the most photographed building in the country after Taj Mahal. Then it’s out to the old capital of Amber and an exploration of the hilltop fort complex known as the Amber Fort. The rest of the day is free for you to use as you like.
Day 19 Delhi
Take a five-hour train ride to India's capital. This exciting city is overflowing with incredible historic sites, museums and galleries, shops and endless bazaars. Watch one of the world's greatest shows unfold as people, cars, rickshaws and cows all work together in a kind of organised chaos. Sit back with a chai and let it all soak in. Later on, take the modern metro to to Old Delhi and visit the old city's market area by foot, exploring Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place. Enjoy an optional dinner tonight with your group to say goodbye to this fine country.
Day 20 Delhi
Your adventure comes to an end today. There are no planned activities for the day.
What's Included
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Delhi - Jama Masjid
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Trisuli River - Rafting
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Pokhara - Orientation Walk
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Chitwan NP - Park entry
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Pokhara - Phewa Tal Lake boat trip
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Lumbini - Heritage Park
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Varanasi - Sunrise Ganges boat trip
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Varanasi - Leader-led Old City walking tour
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Jaipur - Leader-led walking & market tour
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Agra - Taj Mahal
What's Not Included
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International Travel
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Tipping and Gratuities
Included Activities
- Trisuli River - Rafting
- Trisuli River - Rafting
- Pokhara - Orientation Walk
- Pokhara - Phewa Tal Lake boat trip
- Chitwan NP - Park entry
- Lumbini - Heritage Park
- Varanasi - Sunrise Ganges boat trip
- Varanasi - Leader-led Old City walking tour
- Agra - Taj Mahal
- Jaipur - Leader-led walking & market tour
- Jaipur - Amber Fort
- Jaipur - Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Wind) entry
- Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking & rickshaw tour
- Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
- Delhi - Jama Masjid
Transport
- Overnight sleeper train , Private vehicle , 4x4 Safari Vehicle/Jeep , Auto rickshaw , Cycle rickshaw , Shuttle bus , Train , Canoe , Bike
Accommodation
- Hotel (11 nights), Lodge (2 nights), Heritage Property (1 night), Homestay (1 night), Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night), Tea House (2 nights), Sleeper Train (1 night)
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
You must have a pre purchased Indian visa in your passport for this trip. Indian visa is required prior to travel and cannot be purchased at border on Day 12 of the trip. Indian e-Visas are not valid for this border crossing.
The Nepal section of this trip has a trekking component of up to 5 hours a day at a max of 2200 metres/7200 feet.
There are several long travelling days, including Kathmandu to Pokhara (7 hours), Lumbini to Varanasi (10 hours), Varanasi to Agra (12 hours). -
Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Are international flights included in this tour?
No
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes if aged 15+ and accompanied by an adult
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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COVID Protection
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details.
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