India & Nepal Unveiled

15 days from £824 (was ~~£969~~)

Locals taking part in traditions in Kathmandu, Nepal.

+12
photos

Trip Photos

Wild animals running through Chitwan national park, Nepal.

Long boats docked in the lake of Pokhara.

Travellers riding on a tuk tuk through Jaipur.

Women traveller taking part in a momo cooking class in Kathmandu.

Travellers taking part in a river boat festival, lighting candles at night.

Travellers sat on top of viewpoint overlooking Pushkar at sunrise.

Travellers taking part in a Pushkar desert dinner.

Locals touching the spinning prayer wheels in Kathmandu.

Travellers taking part in a momo cooking class, Nepal.

Outside the Buddhist monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Women trying on traditional Indian clothes.

Mughals to mountains from Delhi to Kathmandu

From the sacred waters of the Ganges to the dizzying heights of the Himalayas, adventure, spirituality, and life-changing experiences await on this 15-day group tour. It’s as much about the small moments, as the show-stopping sights – chatting cricket over a cup of fragrant chai, lighting candles in the evening aarti ceremony, and sharing the back seat of the bus with the locals (and their chickens). That said, with the dazzling Taj Mahal, Varanasi’s atmospheric ghats, and Jaipur’s Pink City on the menu, the iconic attractions come thick and fast as well. Dine under desert stars with Roma cameleers, watch the sunrise from a stunning hilltop temple, bathe in Varanasi’s holy waters, see Bengal tigers in the wild, and spend two nights in a homestay in rural Nepal. You won’t come back the same.

Highlights include

Taj Mahal

Village homestay

Sunrise temple hike

Delhi tour

Momo cookery class

Night train experience

Amber Fort

Pokhara Lake

Pink City tour

Lakeside bar

Itinerary

Travellers entering the New Delhi city walk.

Day 1: Welcome to Delhi

Arrive in the colourful, chaotic explosion of life that is Delhi before taking a tour of the capital. Explore the shops and flea markets of Connaught Place, check out the imposing India Gate war memorial, and meet the locals. Later, head out for your first thali plate and a beer with the group.

Four travellers along a walkway out in the ocean in Pushkar.

Day 2: Train to Pushkar

Hop on a train and travel through epic, arid landscapes to Pushkar, one of the oldest cities in India. Explore the tranquil lake, the ghats and the famed 14th Century Brahama temple on a guided tour. Tonight, opt for a traditional dinner and entertainment in the desert with some local cameleers.

Travellers taking part in a colourful powder throwing festival.

Day 3: Sunrise Hike & Jaipur

Hike to the Savitri Temple in time to see the sun bathe the Thar Desert Mountains in gold. Then take a local bus to the rose-coloured city of Jaipur, where we'll tour its highlights. Visit the flamboyant Hawa Mahal on an optional tour or enjoy a delicious meal in a local community project

The Amber Fort overlooking the Maota Lake in Jaipur.

Day 4: Amber Fort

Take a guided tour of Jaipur's imposing Amber Fort. Wander its intricate halls and courtyards and take some perfect pics of the historic site reflected in Maota Lake. Later, opt to visit the City Palace, take a cooking class with a local family, or watch a Bollywood movie at the Raj Mandir Cinema.

Day 5: The Taj Mahal

See more of Jaipur on an optional morning bike ride before boarding the train to Agra, home of India's most iconic building - the Taj Mahal. Take a guided tour of the opulent marble mausoleum, admiring the Mughal architecture and learning about the tragic love story behind its creation.

Women sat under arches looking at the Taj Mahal.

Day 6: Agra Free Day

Today's yours to explore Agra. Take an optional rickshaw tour to Baby Taj, an enchanting structure inlaid with precious stones, pay a visit to the impressive Agra Fort, or just kick back in a café and watch the life of the streets unfolding. Later, board the night train to the holy city of Varanasi.

Travellers riding in the local's canoes down the Ganges river.

Day 7: Varanasi Ghats

Take a guided tour of India's spiritual capital. Perch on the ghats and watch colourfully clothed locals bathing in the Ganges, wander the incense-scented streets, and listen to the devotional chants from the many temples. An optional boat tour with candle flower ceremony is the perfect end to the day.

Travellers placing traditional wish candles in the Ganges river from a canoe.

Day 8: Varanasi Free Day

Spend today getting under the skin of Varanasi. Bathe in the holy waters, explore the vibrant bazaars, or drink fragrant lassis in a rooftop café. Join our optional excursion to Sanarth to see the birthplace of Buddhism or take a guided walk through Old Benaras.

Landscape view of the Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini, Nepal.

Day 9: Train to Nepal

Leave India behind and travel to the border of Nepal by train. Our destination today is Lumbini, sacred birthplace of the Buddha. Explore the monasteries and take your spiritual journey to the next level with an optional visit to Maya Devi Temple, where the Buddha was actually birthed.

The stairway to the Peace Pagoda, a Buddhist monument.

Day 10: Village Homestay

We'll spend the next two nights in a homestay in Chitwan National Park with the Tharu ethnic group. Take a walk through the village, visiting local homes and learning about the villagers' traditional way of life. Then enjoy dinner in the communal hall before bedding down in your own cosy cottage.

A tiger in the wild at Chitwan National Park, Nepal.

Day 11: Chitwan Park

Head into the wilds of Chitwan National Park on an optional 4x4 safari. See monkeys, crocodiles, rhinos, and maybe even the elusive tiger before another night of locally sourced food, song, and dance in our authentic homestay.

Day 12: Bus to Pokhara

We're taking another local bus to Pokhara today. Sit back and watch landscapes of vast plains and soaring Himalayan mountains unfolding around you. Spend the rest of the day exploring beautiful Pokhara's serene lake, breathtaking vistas over the Annapurnas, and atmospheric monasteries.

A plate of Momo from a cooking class in Nepal.

Day 13: Momo Cooking Class

Start your day with an optional sunrise hike up Mount Sarangkot before learning how to make traditional momo (Nepalese dumplings) and eating your own creations for lunch. Spend the afternoon getting to know Pokhara better before a night out in a local lakeside bar.

The panoramic view of the sunrise over Kathmandu City, Nepal.

Day 14: Temples & Mountains

Take your last local bus of the trip to the intoxicating, riotous city of Kathmandu. Take a guided tour of the city, seeing the world-famous Durbar Square, King's Palace, the burning ghats at Pashupatinath, and the golden Boudhanath Stupa. Tonight's our last so make it count.

Traditional artwork on the streets of Kathmandu, Nepal.

Day 15: Goodbye Nepal

Say goodbye to your new friends and either make tracks for the airport or continue your adventures in Asia.

Get full details of this trip

Download the extended guide featuring full itinerary.

Get your guide

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodation

All your accommodation is included on this trip. 11 nights will be in simple twin-share rooms, 1 night on an overnight train and 2 nights in a homestay. You’ll stay in a variety of well-located hotels and guest houses, including a 200-year-old haveli, a sleeper train (an experience in itself), and an authentic homestay with the Tharu tribe in Chitwan National Park, where you’ll sleep in private cottages designed to emulate traditional village architecture, eat in the communal hall, and be completely immersed in the community.

Occasionally some nights on this tour will be multi-share (4-6 group members sharing a room) and most accommodation will have shared bathroom facilities. Single rooms may be available at an additional cost, with the exception of the overnight train.

Lots of our travellers are solo travellers, so when you book with us, we’ll pair you up with a like-minded roommate of the same sex. Our trips are great for couples or friends as well - just let us know you’re together, so we can be sure to put you in the same room.

Meals

1 lunch is included on this trip. You’ll have the freedom to eat wherever and whenever you like the rest of the time.

Food in India is cheap and delicious. While most people living outside of India think of rich, saucy curries when Indian food is mentioned, it’s so much more than that. From paratha to dosa, and pakora to biryani, the options are endless. If you’re plant-based you’ll be well catered for too, with more veggie options than just about anywhere in the world.

Nepalese cuisine brings together a range of influences from its neighbouring countries. Generally healthier than most other South Asian food, Nepalese dishes are all about chunky veg, lean meats, and salads, with a focus on local ingredients like lentils, rice, tomatoes, cumin, and chillies. Top tip? Don’t miss the momo.

Dates & Prices

Flights

To get a flight quote use the buttons below or call our fantastic flights team on 01892 277037.

Extra information

The maximum group size is 20.

This trip is the perfect blend of affordability, adventure and authenticity. Designed for intrepid travellers aged 18 - 39, it's a wallet-friendly experience where you'll mix with the locals, travel on local transport, and stay in rustic accommodation in the style of the region. As well as included activities, there are lots of optional add-ons, so you can tailor the trip to your budget and preferences while immersing yourself in each captivating locale.