India and Nepal Highlights

Day 1:Welcome to India
Welcome to Delhi! Your tour starts here in the capital city of India. You are welcome to arrive at any time, but please note that there will be a pre departure meeting around 6pm tonight where you will meet your tour leader and group.India's bustling capital has a population of almost 13 million and is bound to be a city that keeps you on your toes no matter what time of day it is. Many dynasties have ruled here and they have all left their own legacies in the architecture, culture and monuments. The city has been destroyed and rebuilt seven times in its long history. You can visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum or the infamous Red Fort, or maybe make your way to Humayun's Tomb in south Delhi, near Hazrat Nizamuddin station, one of Delhi's three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A popular way to discover Delhi for many people is to take a bicycle rickshaw around the city - an experience in itself.Tonight you will enjoy an evening walking tour of the Karol Bagh Market. Walk the rows of vendors as you take in the colourful products and exotic smells. As one of the most popular markets in the city, it's a fantastic introduction to the endearing chaos of India.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Perfect or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.

Day 2:Delhi - India's Capital City
This morning you will set out on an Old Delhi walking tour where your group will visit some of the most popular sites in the city. You'll visit the Jami Masjid mosque, one of the largest and most impressive in the whole of India. Learn about its history, construction and importance as you explore the area. You will walk to the India Gate, a memorial dedicated to the thousands of soldiers in the British Indian Army who lost their lives during the first world war, before also visiting a Sikh temple. The full walking tour will take around five hours with your tour leader pointing out numerous points of interest along the way.The rest of the afternoon is free for you to further explore the city.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Perfect or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)

Day 3:Agra & The Taj Mahal
Today you'll travel by train to the industrial city of Agra, steeped in history and tradition, and home to the world-famous Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal never ceases to amaze those who visit to marvel at what is possibly the greatest testimonial to love and romance ever built. It was commissioned between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife. This afternoon you will visit the Taj Mahal on a guided tour with time to witness the sunset over this magical place.The evening is yours to relax or explore at your own pace.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Sidhartha or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)

Day 4:Agra
Today you have a free day in Agra. We recommend getting up early to watch the sun rise over the Taj Mahal - a truly incredible sight. You might also like to visit Fatehpur Sikri, a complex of monuments and temples, all in a uniform architectural style. Built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) was the capital of the Mughal Empire for 10 years.There is more to Agra than monuments of love, and other popular attractions include the Agra Fort and Tomb of Itimad-Ud-Daulah.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Sidhartha or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)

Day 5:Historical Orchha
Continuing the adventure, this morning you'll catch a train to Orchha, home to some incredible architectural feats such as the Orchha Fort, Chaturbhuj temple and Shri Ram Raja Mandir. Orchha translates to "hidden palace" and the name doesn't disappoint - it truly is a hidden gem in India and a must visit for viewing some of the most unique architecture in the country. After check in you'll start exploring the city on a heritage walk.You can also visit the beautiful Fort. Built by the first King of Orchha in 1501, it was built on the banks of the Betwa River, surrounded by a battlement wall. It consists of intricate temples and a roof with eight domes on top. Along with the fort there are several other temples to enjoy or sit back and relax on the river.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in a guesthouse at Hotel Aditya or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)

Day 6:Orchha & Sleeper Train Experience
You have the morning and early afternoon in Orchha before catching the overnight train to Varanasi in the early evening. First on the agenda is a visit to the impressive Jahangir Mahal Citadel. Dating back to the 17th century A.D, the detailed building was constructed as a symbol of welcoming the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Adorned with tiles, hanging balconies, apartments and porches, the citadel is three storeys of intricate and beautiful architecture. Learn more about the history as you explore the area with your leader.You'll then have some free time before meeting for the overnight train. If you have already ticked off the main temples, spend some time walking around the city taking in the atmosphere and popping into local markets. You never know what you might discover.
Accommodation:1 night(s) on overnight sleeper trains . No single room upgrade available.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)

Day 7:Varanasi - India's Oldest City
Arriving early your group will head straight to the hotel to drop off luggage. Varanasi is one of India's most holy cities and attracts many Hindu pilgrims. Just walking through the streets you'll start to soak up the history and tradition that is engrained deeply within the city walls.You'll join the crowds along the holy ghats (steps leading down to the water) lining the sacred Ganges where pilgrims take a purifying dip in the river. You will also enjoy an early evening boat trip to view the river in all its glory and learn about why it's such a significant part of people's lives here. To end the day's activities, you'll witness an evening Puja ceremony fire ritual. This Buddhist ceremony is a regular and important occurrence and ranges from simply daily rites to elaborate rituals where offerings are made to the gods.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Siddharth Varanasi or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.

Day 8:Varanasi - River Ganges and the Ghats
Today is a full free day to enjoy Varanasi. Optional excursions include boating in the River Ganges or taking an afternoon trip to Sarnath. Sarnath is a Buddhist pilgrim spot located around 10 kilometres from the city. It's known as being the first location that the Buddha preached after gaining enlightenment.You could also spend time wandering through the old city with its maze of narrow alleyways, and visit the temples of one of the oldest and longest inhabited cities in the world.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Siddharth Varanasi or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)

Day 9:Nagarkot & Mount Everest Viewpoints
Today is a full travel day as your group travels to Nepal. You will depart for the airport early in the morning and arrive in Nagarkot mid to late afternoon where you'll meet travellers who are starting their tour in Nepal.This will be your first introduction to the world famous Himalayan mountain range with some fantastic views of Mount Everest. Nagarkot is known as the top spot for these views and tomorrow morning you will head to a sunrise viewpoint to see Everest in all its glory. (The best viewing seasons are October to December and March to April, when clear skies are more likely).You'll have the evening free to walk around the town and take in the surroundings.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s), 1 Dinner(s)

Day 10:Kathmandu - Nepal's Capital City
This morning enjoy magical views of the Himalayas for sunrise, before returning to Kathmandu. On route back to the city, you'll stop at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and royal palace of the old Bhaktapur Kingdom.The capital of Nepal is surrounded by snow-capped mountains while Kathmandu Valley has the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for such a small area - 7 out of the 10 UNESCO sites in Nepal are located here. Surrounded by verdant agricultural hills scattered with traditional villages and ancient holy temples and shrines used by both Buddhists and Hindu worshippers, Kathmandu is a beautiful place to explore and you'll have the whole afternoon and evening to do just that.The backstreets around Durbar Square and Palace are bustling with life with throngs of people going about their lives and selling on the road. Random cows wander the streets, taxis hoot and narrow alleyways overflow with spices, vegetables and handicraft shops with intriguing smells and chaotic sounds - triggering a sensory overload. You could also venture to ominously named freak street or Jochne named by the hippies during the 1970s.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Kathmandu Prince or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)

Day 11:Chitwan National Park
You'll travel around six hours to reach Chitwan National Park. The park is UNESCO World Heritage listed and is home to one of the last populations of single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros and also of the Bengal tiger. The park is situated in south central Nepal, covering 932 square kilometres in the subtropical lowlands of the inner Terai. The area comprises the Tikauli forest - from Rapti river to the foothills of the Mahabharat - extending over an area of 175 square kilometres. The area became the country's first National Park in 1973 and remains one of the most popular to this day.The group will stay near the entrance of Chitwan National Park and you will have a choice of optional excursions to enjoy from canoeing and jungle walks to jeep safaris as you keep an eye out for the elusive tiger. In the evening, after a delicious dal baat dinner enjoy a Tharu Cultural Dance Show, understanding the different interpretations of the Tharu dances.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in a guesthouse at Chitwan Park Village or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s), 1 Dinner(s)

Day 12:Chitwan National Park
Today is a full free day to enjoy the various optional activities in the park. A jeep safari is the best way to explore the park with a local guide who will point out flora and fauna as well as search for the more elusive creatures that call Chitwan home.Please note: Chitwan National Park is known for offering elephant back safaris. We do not support this activity and urge our customers to do their own research on ethical practises in Nepal to ensure they are supporting the right activities.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in a guesthouse at Chitwan Park Village or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)

Day 13:Pokhara - Gateway to Annapurna
You'll head to the stunning lake town of Pokhara with spectacular views of the Annapurna mountains. The town is situated on the banks of Lake Phewa Ta, the second largest lake in Nepal. This town itself is very quiet and laid back providing a great base for hiking and enjoying nature.Upon arrival you are free to start exploring the area. Our hotel is situated very close to the lake, so why not start by enjoying a peaceful walk along the water while observing the local way of life. The shores are dotted with restaurants and bars to relax in the evening.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Baba Lodge or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s), 1 Dinner(s)

Day 14:Pokhara
Enjoy a full day excursion to learn about local culture and traditions. You'll start by taking a morning boat ride along the lake to gain a different view of the city and Annapurna mountains in the background. Following this, you'll hike up to the Japanese Peace Pagoda followed by a visit to the Tashiling Tibetan settlement to witness local fabric weaving.In your free time you could visit the International Mountain Museum, showcasing the world of mountaineering in Nepal. Learn about a range of tales, from the inspiring to the tragic, and you'll realise while Nepal is one of the world's top trekking destinations.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Baba Lodge or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s), 1 Dinner(s)

Day 15:Kathmandu
You'll return to Kathmandu by tourist bus. After check in, visit the Syambhu Nath temple, also known as the monkey temple. Overlooking most parts of the city, visitors experience panoramic views of the valley below.The rest of the afternoon is free for you to further explore the city.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Kathmandu Prince or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)

Day 16:Depart Kathmandu
Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)