Wonders of India and Nepal for Solo Travellers

After taking Saga’s included UK door-to-door travel service to the airport, depart for your overnight flight to Delhi.

Upon arrival in Delhi, transfer to the locally rated 4-star Crowne Plaza, New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida where you stay for two nights. The hotel has a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre and spa (treatments extra charge). All rooms have a television, telephone, minibar, tea and coffee-making facilities, safe and hairdryer. This evening there'll be a brief talk on India before dinner at the hotel. D

The British captured the ancient city of Delhi in 1803 and made it capital of India in 1911. This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi, including a visit to the Raj Ghat– a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, St James Church and a drive past the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. You’ll also see the mausoleum of emperor Humayun, a forerunner to Mughal architecture with its focus on domes and symmetry, drive past the India Gate, an iconic national monument in the heart of the city, and visit the beautiful Lotus Temple. B, D

Travel by coach to Jaipur, India’s first planned city and capital of the state of Rajasthan. Spend the next two nights at the Holiday Inn City Centre, a locally rated four-star hotel conveniently situated for the main shopping area and historic sights. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, lounge, gym, three restaurants and bar and complimentary internet access. All rooms have television, telephone, tea and coffee-making facilities, hairdryer, mini bar and iron and ironing board. Spend this afternoon at leisure. B, D

Today's full-day sightseeing tour visits the mighty Amber Fort, travelling to the palace in an open jeep as the climb is steep. Inside you can visit the earlier palaces built by Raja Man Singh, stark in comparison to those built by Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Jai Singh II. Within just a few decades, the Mughal influence permeated the Rajput court and is evident in the splendid and ornate halls of audiences, residential palaces and gardens. Of special interest is Shish Mahal, the delightful palace of mirrors. This afternoon visit the Maharaja's City Palace, a sprawling royal residence that occupies around a seventh of the area of the city whose main attraction is the museum and armoury. B, D

After breakfast, travel by coach to Ranthambore. This national park is among the largest in India and is known for its tiger population. The area was once the hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur because of its wealth of wildlife, but is now a major reserve. The park is made up of glorious, wild jungle, plateaus and plains.

You'll spend the next two nights at the locally rated 4-star Tiger Den Ranthambore, a quaint wildlife resort with wonderful views of the surrounding jungle scenery. The restaurant serves a range of cuisines including Indian, Continental and Chinese. Other facilities at the resort include a bar, swimming pool, steam room, and shop. All rooms are equipped with a telephone, hairdryer and tea and coffee-making facilities. B, L, D

Set off for a safari in the park this morning. The park is home to stately sambar, the largest species of Asiatic deer, along with a wealth of woodland, ground and water birds, including many varieties of eagles and red jungle fowl. You may spot crocodiles and other marine reptiles lurking in the waters and, of course, the tigers for which the park is famous. (Please note: wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.) B, L, D

Transfer by train to Bharatpur, from where you will visit the the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri for an included tour. Built by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1571, it was the Mughal capital for just 14 years, before being abandoned due to the lack of water in the area. The entire city is made of red sandstone, and combines influences from both Hindu and Mughal architecture. Afterwards, continue to Agra, where you will stay at the locally rated 4-star Jaypee Palace Hotel for the next two nights. Situated just two-and-a-half kilometres from the iconic Taj Mahal, the hotel is set within extensive landscaped gardens and facilities include a choice of restaurants, an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, bowling alley and a health club. All 350 rooms have a telephone, television, air conditioning, a safe, hairdryer, fridge and coffee-maker. B, D

Referred to as one of the wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal is celebrated for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty. It was commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz, as a place to enshrine her remains and stands as testimony to Mughal ingenuity and architecture. Constructed in white marble, it took around 22 years and over 20,000 workers and craftsmen brought together from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy, to complete it. Join an included excursion this morning to see this fabulous building soon after the sun rises, reflecting changing colours on the marble. Later today, join an included excursion to Agra Fort. Within the fort walls lie a complex of buildings, several of which are made of marble with beautiful carvings. Shah Jahan spent eight years confined here after he was deposed by his son, before also being interred in the Taj Mahal next to his wife. B, D

Transfer from Agra to Delhi for your flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Kathmandu, transfer to the locally rated 4-star Malla Hotel where you will stay for the next two nights. Built on the site of an old palace, the hotel has extensive grounds and facilities include a choice of restaurants and bars, an outdoor pool, sauna and whirlpool spa. Each of the 125 air-conditioned bedrooms, are equipped with television, telephone and minibar. There will be a short introductory talks later today. B, DTransfer from Agra to Delhi for your flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Kathmandu, transfer to the locally rated 4-star Malla Hotel where you will stay for the next two nights. Built on the site of an old palace, the hotel has extensive grounds and facilities include a choice of restaurants and bars, an outdoor pool, sauna and whirlpool spa. Each of the 125 air-conditioned bedrooms, are equipped with television, telephone and minibar. There will be a short introductory talks later today. B, D

An included sightseeing tour this morning introduces the main sights, including Durbar Square – the ancient heart of Kathmandu containing more than 80 elaborate temples and monuments. You will also see the Kumari Bahal – home to the ‘living goddess’ – a representative of the patron goddess Taleju, and the statue of Hanuman, the revered monkey companion of Lord Rama. This afternoon see the famous Boudhanath Stupa symbolising enlightenment, with each shape representing one of the five elements. B, D

Drive from Kathmandu to Chitwan. (Please note: you will encounter some uneven road surfaces, particularly when leaving Kathmandu, and when approaching Chitwan National Park.) Chitwan National park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and renowned national park. Stay at the locally rated 4-star Machan Country Villa situated on the bank of the Narayani River, close to the park. Facilities include a bar and restaurant and free internet. There are 10 air conditioned rooms in the main 'longhouse' with a further six individual huts in the grounds. There will be an introductory talk and activities which may include a jungle safari, slide presentation or a cultural dance. B, D

Chitwan National Park was declared a national park in 1975, and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. The park is one of the last places where you may see the Asian one-horned rhinoceros and elusive Royal Bengal Tiger in their natural habitat, as well as leopard, deer, Indian bison, sloth bear, gharial crocodile and rhesus and langur monkeys. There are over 525 different species of bird and some 100 species of butterfly. Please note however, wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

A typical programme may include a bird watching nature walk, a visit to the elephant stables, a jeep or boat safari and more. This evening a cultural dance or a slide presentation is followed by a barbecue dinner. Please note however, activities at Machan Country Villa may vary from those referred to. Please consult your Saga representative for information at the time. B, L, D

Enjoy a last early morning activity before travelling by road to Pokhara. (Please note during the first hour or so of your journey expect to travel over uneven and bumpy roads.) Upon arrival at Pokhara, spend the next two nights at the locally rated 4-star Waterfront Resort situated on the northern shore of Phewa Lake and a fifteen minute walk from the tourist centre. Facilities include two restaurants and a coffee bar, outdoor swimming pool and salon (charges apply). All 63 air-conditioned rooms have their own balcony, telephone, minibar, safe, and tea and coffee-making facilities. B, D

Today is at leisure. Relax at your resort or perhaps explore independently. The town of Pokhara is renowned for its scenery and the starting point for some of the most popular treks in Nepal. You can also enjoy views of awe-inspiring Annapurna 1, as well as the magnificent mountains of Dhaulagiri, Manasulu and the famous Fishtail. B,D

After a visit to Sarangkot, famous for its breathtaking views of the Annapurna mountain range including Mount Fishtail, embark on your drive back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, return to the locally rated 4-star Malla Hotel where you stayed at the start of your tour of Nepal. Please note: if you have booked the Pokhara extension, you will remain in Pokhara for an additional three nights before travelling to Kathmandu for your homeward flight. B, D

Depart early for your journey to the airport and flight home to the UK. B.