Experience Overview
If you’re looking to experience the diversity of India and Nepal, this 15-day trip contrasts the colourful culture of India with the pristine serenity of Nepal's Himalayan mountains. From the ghats that line the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi to a 4x4 safari in Chitwan National Park, our expert CEOs will take you through a region of unsurpassed natural beauty and spirituality before revealing to you the rugged Himalayan landscape of Nepal’s magical capital, Kathmandu.
Highlights
- Explore the vibrant streets of Agra
- Uncover bustling Delhi and beautiful Jaipur
- Enjoy a sunset cruise on the River Ganges
- Travel by 4x4 on a safari in Chitwan National Park
- Experience Nepal's mountain views
Trip Details
Product Code: 1514
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Train, metro, local bus, charter bus, private van, auto-rickshaw, cycle-rickshaw, tempo, 4x4, riverboat.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Budget
Supplier Code: AHDK
Starts: Delhi, India
Finishes: Kathmandu, Nepal
Duration: 15 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Light
Includes
Activities
- Your G for Good Moment: Women With Wheels Transfer, Indira Gandhi International Airport Your G for Good Moment: Anoothi Block Printing Experience, Jaipur Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Barauli Community Guesthouse Stay, Royal Chitwan National Park
- India Gate and Connaught Place visit
- Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal tour
- Taj Mahal entrance
- Orchha Palace complex visit
- Ganges River boat trips at sunrise and sunset, Varanasi orientation walk along the ghats and old city
- Buddha's birthplace visit
- Chitwan National Park 4x4 safari
- Sarangkot sunrise excursion
- Kathmandu orientation walk
- Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) visit
- Border crossing support
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (11 nts), homestay (2 nts), sleeper train (1 nt).
- 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Transport
- Train, metro, local bus, charter bus, private van, auto-rickshaw, cycle-rickshaw, tempo, 4x4, riverboat.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 2299 (CAD 153 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Delhi
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included through the G Adventures-supported Women With Wheels project.
There are no planned activities until the evening welcome meeting. Afterward, head out for an optional dinner with the group.
Day 2: Delhi/Jaipur
Visit Delhi's impressive India Gate and Connaught Place before traveling to Jaipur, commonly called the "Pink City" for its unique architecture. Along the way, try your hand at block printing with the women of the Anoothi Project. Get to know this colourful city on an orientation walk, then opt to watch a classic Bollywood film.
Day 3: Jaipur
Explore Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, clinging to the surrounding hills on Maota Lake. Stop to marvel at the mysterious Hawa Mahal, "Palace of the Winds," an elaborately carved facade built to enable the purdah women in the Zenana to watch the goings-on in the street below without being seen.
With free time, opt to get active by pre-booking a cycle tour or visit the nearby village of Sanganer to see colourfull pottery, handmade paper, and hand block printing. Catch a classic Bollywood film in the spectacular Art Deco film house — the Raj Mandir.
Day 4: Jaipur/Āgra
Take in the arid terrain and small towns on the ride to Agra for a sunset visit to the famous Taj Mahal. Marvel at the iconic Mughal architecture and immerse yourself in the mausoleum's unique history.
Day 5: Āgra/Orchha
Travel by train and rickshaw to reach peaceful Orchha along the Betwa River. Enjoy some time away from India's bustling cities and gain insight into rural life. Visit the palace complex to learn more about the ancient history here. Opt to witness an evening puja, a Hindu prayer ceremony.
Day 6: Orchha/Varanasi
Visit Tarragram, a unique paper-making plant set up to assist tribal women from the area. All the paper is made from recycled clothing and wood pulp. After, enjoy free time to explore Orchha. Opt to rent a bike, stroll along the river, or take a cooking class and enjoy the fruits of your labour for lunch. In the evening, catch an overnight train to Varanasi.
Day 7: Varanasi
Arrive in Varanasi, the quintessential Indian holy city where millions of Hindus travel for pilgrimage, to worship, to mourn, or to die. Take an orientation walk along the ghats and visit the old city. Embark on a Ganges boat trip at sunset to witness a candlelit flower ceremony.
Day 8: Varanasi
Enjoy a sunrise boat tour along the sacred Ganges before free time to explore this holy city. Walk the narrow alleys, visit some of the hundreds of temples and shrines, or wander the Old City. Opt to visit the site of the Buddha's first sermon or sit on the banks of the Ganges watching life unfold around you.
Pre-book the Varanasi Heritage Walk and enjoy a guided tour that focuses more on the local life in Varanasi and its philosophical and cultural values. Witness pilgrims singing and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of Varanasi in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
Pre-book the Guided Visit of Sarnath and learn about the life of the Buddha. Discover the archeological ruins of the monastery. Explore the museum at Sarnath and the sacred Maha Bodhi Tree. Visit temples constructed by the buddhist people of Sri Lanka, Thailand and Japan and stop to admire the Buddha statue during the three hours of guided exploration.
Day 9: Varanasi/Lumbini
Cross the border into Nepal and step back in time as you experience Buddha's birthplace - Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and pilgrimage centre. Visit the Maya Devi Temple, where the Queen gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama.
Today is a long travel day, so get comfortable, sit back and relax, and enjoy the changing landscape. Get ready to learn about the history and culture of Nepal.
Day 10: Lumbini/Royal Chitwan National Park
Journey through a belt of marshy grasslands, savannas, and forests at the base of the Himalayas. The region is home to rhinos, elephants, Bengal tigers, bears, and leopards. Enjoy an overnight homestay with the indigenous Tharu community and discover their culture through dance and song. Opt to go on a cycling excursion through the area.
Day 11: Royal Chitwan National Park
Explore the diverse ecosystems of the UNESCO Chitwan National Park on a 4x4 safari before a walk through the village and rice paddies. Settle in for another night of dance, songs, and Nepalese food with your Tharu community hosts.
Day 12: Royal Chitwan National Park/Pokhara
Travel toward the beautiful scenery of the Annapurna Range to Pokhara. On arrival, take in the pristine lakes and stunning panoramic views of Himalayan peaks. Opt to relax in a café, hire a boat and float around the lake, or shop for Nepali and Tibetan souvenirs in the endless stalls and shops.
Day 13: Pokhara
Visit nearby Sarangkot for a sunrise walk with breathtaking views of the Annapurnas. Enjoy a cooking demonstration at local community restaurant and learn how to make Nepalese momos (dumplings). Afterwards, taste the delicious dishes made during a traditional lunch. Explore Pokhara during free time in the afternoon.
The walk back from Sarangkot through farms and forest is wonderful and takes between 2-2.5 hours.
Day 14: Pokhara/Kathmandu
Drive to Kathmandu, visiting the iconic Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) en route. Arrive to the capital in the afternoon and get your bearings on an orientation walk. In your free time, choose between highlights in Kathmandu including world-famous Durbar Square, the King's Palace, the burning ghats at Pashupatinath, and the Boudhanath Stupa.
Swayambhunath is the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu valley. Its lofty white dome and glittering golden spire are visible for many miles. To reach Swayambhunath climb 365 steps that lead up the hill. The area surrounding the stupa is filled with temples, painted images of deities, and numerous other religious objects.
Day 15: Kathmandu
Depart at any time.
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Alison M - Traveled, December 2023
This kind of travel is not for the faint hearted. It is made easier by the support you get from your CEO when you are away
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Jennifer M - Traveled, December 2023
The G Adventures CEO, Abhimanyu, made the holiday run smoothly and took out all of the usual holiday stress especially whenever there were lots of moving parts in the day. I have always found G Adventures to be very well managed and also their trips fit in so much.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
James D - Traveled, November 2023
Fun and interesting itineraries, friendly and highly and knowledgeable guides, and a sustainable and ethical mission statement. what's not to like?
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Jocelyn C - Traveled, November 2023
You get to see and do so many things, without the stress of having to plan anything yourself. I always felt safe and enjoyed being able to relax while exploring new places.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Philip H - Traveled, November 2023
very good itineraries and they always exceed my expectations
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Sarah R - Traveled, November 2023
It was a good way to get a snapshot of both countries. G Adventures trips are always well planned and the CEO take care the hassle out of travelling.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Jose Vicente F - Traveled, October 2023
G Adventures does a great job taking care of travel logistics, setting up great guides on almost every activity, and their CEO (tour leader) was excellent and sincerely attentive. didn't make it to 10 because I think our trip had way too much travel time in it (several days of 10h+ of travel), and I believe this should have been made more clear during the purchasing phase.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Jeroen D - Traveled, October 2023
Alott of variety on this tour. From architecture in india to nature.in nepal
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Lisa H - Traveled, October 2023
we have done 2 G trips and both exceeded our expectations.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Timothy B - Traveled, November 2023
The trip was excellent, but not everyone I know would participate this type of travel.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/23/2023
Michael A - Traveled, November 2023
Have taken many G Adventures tours, never had a major complaint with the tours.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/23/2023
Helen S - Traveled, November 2023
I would select 10 - ',Highly Like', to an experienced traveller with understanding of diverse cultural norms, flexibility to changes, and open to new experiences would love G Adventures. We fit this category of traveller. I wouldn't recommend G Adventures to those who prefer 5 star accommodation and luxury comforts at every step. In addition, we have nothing but the very best care from the tour CEO.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/23/2023
Crystal G - Traveled, November 2023
Great experience filled with Adventure, lots to do and see.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/16/2023
Gareth J - Traveled, November 2023
I was hesitant at first but this one turned out well
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/16/2023
Ellen P - Traveled, October 2023
Well organised tours, great local guides, feels safe but you also get an authentic experience of the country you're visiting.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/16/2023
Joseph Q - Traveled, October 2023
I've have not been disappointed with this company
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/16/2023
Sophie R - Traveled, October 2023
Really fun experience! But definitely not for the faint hearted due to jam packed days and super early starts. I had a fab time but not everyone could handle it
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/16/2012
Calvin G - Traveled, October 2023
Local experiences, support the locals, great CEO, great transport
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/26/2023
Alexandre A - Traveled, November 2023
Overall, great experience, our guide was extremely nice, helpful and knowledgeable. Would have provided a higher score if it wasn't for the poor quality of all the hotels we stayed at in India.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/09/2023
Rachel C - Traveled, October 2023
Well organised trips with good itineraries
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/09/2023
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