14-Day India and Nepal Tour from Delhi to Kathmandu with Varanasi

1

Day 01

Arrival in Delhi

• As soon as you arrive at Delhi airport, you'll be met by our representative and transferred to your accommodation. If you arrive early, you can choose to explore some of the popular sites that Delhi has to offer, or simply put your feet up at the hotel and shake off your jet lag.
• Either way, your tour leader will meet you and your fellow travellers in the evening at 6 PM to discuss the finer points of the tour. If you feel up to it, continue the evening by getting to know your tour members over an optional group dinner.

2

Day 02

Old Delhi by Metro and Rickshaw

• Today we get into the thick of things. Get an insight into the morning of a regular Delhi office worker as you head off to Old Delhi on board the Metro. Wandering through Old Delhi is very much a study in contrast, where a new world coats the old with a thin veneer.
• Explore its narrow streets and winding lanes, and catch a glimpse of the once-ornate houses that speak of a forgotten age. Take a tour of Jama Masjid - India's biggest mosque.
• Hop onto one of Delhi's most enduring forms of transportation - the rickshaw - and then be dropped at Siganj Gurudwara to learn a little about the Sikh religion.
• Take a break from this sensory overload and indulge in a meal cooked especially for us later in the evening. This is a wonderful opportunity to interact with a local in an informal setting. Don't forget to bring your tact along to the table, though!

3

Day 03

Train to Agra and Taj Mahal at Sunset

• An early morning start sees us catching a train to the fabled city of Agra (journey time - approximately 3 hours).
• Once we get to Agra, drift into a decadent past as you step under the arches of Agra Fort and understand its connection with the Taj Mahal. Just like Old Delhi, this too is a city stitched in patterns of the past and present. Weavers, artisans, and craftsmen still hang onto the traditions of old, and an opportunity to visit them will present itself in the afternoon.
• Cap all this with a late afternoon or sunset visit to the monument that epitomizes eternal love - the Taj Mahal.

4

Day 04

Journey to Jaipur

• Today we travel by bus to Jaipur (approximately 6 hours), the capital of Rajasthan. Much of Jaipur is changing rapidly, yet the tradition of having a ball at the movies has changed little. Depending on the availability of tickets, you can use your free time this evening to enjoy a Bollywood film in the old-world charm of a local theatre.
• The afternoon can be spent rummaging through some sparklers at a demonstration of polishing and cutting gems - Jaipur being synonymous with precious and semi-precious stones.

5

Day 05

Amber Fort and Jaipur Landmarks

• After breakfast, we will drive through Jaipur's pulsating roads and the ochre-coloured buildings of the Old City to visit its most iconic landmark, Amber Fort.
• Stop en route at Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) and Jal Mahal (Water Palace) for a quick photo. While there is much to do in Jaipur, it isn't possible to fit every activity into the space of a day. A good starting point, however, would be the mind-boggling Jantar Mantar, a stone observatory conceived and built in the 18th century. The City Palace, located opposite this observatory, houses artefacts of the Jaipur royals. If you've had enough of forts and palaces, observe how a steady hand develops block prints - a staple art form of Jaipur - in an amazingly quick time.

6

Day 06

Fly to Spiritual Varanasi

• Today we fly to Varanasi, a one-of-a-kind city that lives and breathes a spirituality commonly associated with India.
• We will walk along the eastern bank of the River Ganges as it washes the many ghats and provides sustenance to the ascetic, the devout, and the ordinary who come to seek resolution on questions of life and death. Varanasi is a steady hum of activity where temple bells compete with the cries of boatmen, tea vendors, and kite flyers. Lose yourself during the afternoon in these and other sights.
• As evening approaches, hop on a boat from where we'll bear witness to the flower ceremony and the fascinating evening rituals.

7

Day 07

Sunrise on the Ganges

• We start at the crack of dawn today. Float across the gentle waves as life on the ghats begins to take shape. Watch the pious pay silent homage to the rising sun amidst the loud, almost discordant notes of the terns flying overhead. As the sun pulls itself up and over the eastern sandbanks, witness people trickling towards the river as if in a movement choreographed by time. A splash from a bather, an earthen candle set alight, a washerman lifting his wet clothes, kites shaken.
• After completing this dawn boat ride, we will return to the hotel for breakfast. The rest of the day is free, but you can visit Sarnath, the place where the Buddha preached his first sermon. Alternatively, find some sensory satisfaction in browsing and slipping your fingers through the finest silk fabrics for which Varanasi is famous.

8

Day 08

Road Journey to Lumbini

• This morning we head for Nepal in the wee hours. While a packed breakfast will be arranged, lunchtime is almost always an improvised affair depending on the vagaries of traffic and road conditions. This is a massive day on the road (approximately 10 hours), so sit back and enjoy that book you've been meaning to finish, listen to some music, or humour yourself with a good snooze. A few formalities need to be addressed at the India-Nepal border. Upon completion of these, an hour's drive will get us to our accommodation in Lumbini.

9

Day 09

Maya Devi Temple and Onward to Chitwan

• The day starts with a visit to the Maya Devi Temple, which is believed to be the actual site where Buddha was born.
• We will then drive to Chitwan, approximately a 5-hour drive from Lumbini.
• Upon arrival, we'll loosen our legs and cycle leisurely through verges of mustard fields and into a small tribal village. An occasional view of a rhino shopping for local products in the middle of the street might present itself, but don't be disconcerted if it does - just keep riding.
• After the day's activities are done, we visit a local family and share a meal prepared exclusively for us.

10

Day 10

Canoe Ride, Jungle Safari, and Pokhara

• Following breakfast, we will board a dug-out canoe and drift down the Rapti River as it gurgles along its downward course until we reach the starting point of our jungle safari. One-horned rhinos lurk through the tall grass and sloth bears slink through the whispering reeds. Please remember that only by the purest chance will these furtive animals reveal themselves to us.
• After the jungle safari, we will leave for Pokhara. On arrival, we'll embark on a walk to get a feel for the city and find your bearings. Among the most beautiful cities in Nepal, Pokhara's skyline is dominated by the Annapurna Range, which keeps a watchful eye on Phewa Lake. It is also one of the most popular hubs for thrill seekers - bungee jumping, paragliding, and trekking.

11

Day 11

Free Day in Pokhara

• The day starts with breakfast at our hotel. Take advantage of this free day to explore the Peace Pagoda, Devi's Falls, and Mahendra Cave, or simply hunker down in one of the many restaurants that overlook the lake and watch the world go by.
• Enjoy an afternoon boat ride across Phewa Lake, listening to the oars lapping lazily at the water before heading to dinner.

12

Day 12

Scenic Drive to Kathmandu

• With a hearty breakfast under our belt, we will make our way to our final destination this morning. The bus journey (approximately 7 hours) will be interspersed with short breaks over suspension bridges, white waters, and vistas of distant hills until we finally arrive in Kathmandu.
• Upon arrival, we will step into a world peopled by cafes, bars, restaurants, and the inevitable shops selling mountain gear as we explore the streets of Thamel.

13

Day 13

Free Day in Kathmandu

• Today is a free day. Take a scenic flight over Mount Everest (optional extra). If that's not your thing, spend some time at Boudhanath Stupa, which bears witness to the thousand itinerants drifting in and out of its grounds.
• Visit Pashupatinath Temple, where Hindus come to perform the last rites of the deceased, or climb up to Swayambhunath Temple for views of the city. Closer to Thamel, amble your way along the medieval setting of Durbar Square and live through the ebb and flow of Kathmandu's history, culture, and religion.
• Try out some local restaurants and, if you have time, slip in some last-minute souvenir shopping before heading out with the group for our farewell dinner.

14

Day 14

Departure from Kathmandu

• It's time now to bid farewell to your group leader and new friends, but not without a backpack full of memories. Departure transfers are included on the day.