India & Nepal Unveiled
15 days from £669
Trip Photos
Up close of a monkey in Kathmandu.
Locals taking part in traditions in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The Maya Devi buddha temple in Nepal.
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.
Outside the Taj Mahal.
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
Itinerary
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Flights
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Most expensive: £574 July, 2024
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.
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