Delhi to Kathmandu

5.0Based on

Carbon neutral

17 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

16 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

New Delhi, India

Ends

Kathmandu, Nepal

Highlights

A full-on journey from the majesty of North India's icons to the Himalayan beauty of Nepal

Watch the sun rise over the Taj Mahal, witness the pink beauty of Jaipur and the sacred waters of Varanasi

Search for one-horned rhino and the Buddha's birthplace in stunning Nepal

Itinerary

Craving a travel experience that links the wonders of India and Nepal? The Delhi to Kathmandu tour is a 17-day odyssey designed for adventurous travelers who appreciate culture, wildlife, and spirituality. Start in New Delhi and journey through Ranthambore National Park, Agra, and Allahabad before crossing into Nepal’s Himalayan embrace.

Witness the sunrise over the Taj Mahal’s marble dome and soak in the pink hues of Jaipur’s palaces. Experience the spiritual energy of Varanasi, where a boat ride down the Ganges immerses you in timeless rituals. Camp on the riverbanks for a truly unique perspective before entering Nepal.

In Nepal, explore sacred temples, vibrant bazaars, and seek out the elusive one-horned rhino near the Royal Palace. This moderately active tour package offers a mix of wildlife adventure, city exploration, and cultural encounters, with accommodation, transport, and meals all included.

The trip’s unique feature is its seamless connection between two fascinating countries, offering travelers the chance to witness both iconic sites and hidden gems in one comprehensive journey. For those who crave a richly textured trip across borders, Delhi to Kathmandu is a perfect fit.

day 1 - Join tour in Delhi - city tour of New Delhi

Our tour starts in New Delhi, India's bustling capital, where old meets new and you can catch glimpses of a bygone era at every turn.
For those arriving in time, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 1.30pm for a welcome meeting followed by an afternoon city tour. We'll visit Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India and Humayun's Tomb dating from the Mughal Dynasty. We also drive past the imposing India Gate (war memorial arch), the Parliament buildings and the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President's residence.
If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), which is around a 40-minute drive from the hotel.
If you'd like to join the city tour, you need to arrive at the hotel by 1.30pm. If you're booking your own flights, we recommend giving yourself at least one hour to clear the airport and 45 minutes to transfer to the hotel. The latest your flight should arrive is 12pm. If you miss the welcome meeting, the tour leader will catch you up as soon as possible.

Accommodation:The Regent Grand (or similar)

day 2 - Explore Old Delhi's spice market and take train to Jaipur

Compared to New Delhi, the Old City is much closer to the image conjured up by Rudyard Kipling. This morning, a local guide will show us around Old Delhi by metro and on foot, culminating with a jamboree of deafening barter at Chandni Chowk Bazaar. You will also get the chance to visit the Sheesh Ganj Sahib, a historic Sikh place of worship near to the Chandni Chowk Bazaar.
Later in the afternoon, we'll transfer to New Delhi station for the train journey to Jaipur, arriving in the evening. Sometimes called the 'Pink City', Jaipur was first painted terracotta pink by Maharajah Sawai Ram Singh to celebrate the visit of Prince Albert in 1853.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Mahal Khandela Hotel (or similar)

day 3 - Visit Jaipur's Amber Fort and City Palace Museum

This morning, we'll visit the once mighty Rajput capital of Amber (traditionally known as Amber Fort) and its fortress. Lying at the mouth of a rocky mountain gorge, overlooking Maotha Lake, the fort is a stunning creation of white marble and red sandstone that combines Hindu and Muslim ornamentation, including the mirrored halls of the Sheesh Mahal. It was from these towering walls that the Kachchawahas ruled over their kingdom for seven centuries, until its importance was eclipsed by nearby Jaipur.
We'll also take in the unique Hawa Mahal, the famous Palace of the Winds, whose extraordinary façade of red and pink sandstone towers five stories above the city streets. Built at the end of the 18th century, its 935 windows were designed to allow the women of the harem to gaze out on the city scene below without themselves being seen, the openings also create a refreshing breeze (hawa), which kept the palace cool in the hot summer months.
We'll spend some time exploring the lavish and well-preserved City Palace. Here, we'll find a fine collection of textiles, costumes, and armoury. Later this afternoon, we'll visit the extraordinary Jantar Mantar - a star-gazing observatory built by Jai Singh, the great Maharajah-astronomer.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Mahal Khandela Hotel (or similar)

day 4 - Jeep safari in Ranthambore National Park

Leaving Jaipur, we'll take the train to Sawai Modhopur, the gateway to Ranthambore National Park. One of the best of India's 'Project Tiger' conservation projects, Ranthambore was once the private reserve of the Maharajahs of Jaipur and covers nearly 400 square kilometres of lush jungle, turquoise lakes and ancient temples that provide a haven for crocodiles, leopards, tigers and 300 species of birds. During the dry season from September to May, when water is scarce, the animals stay close to the lakes and rivers, giving us the ideal opportunity to spot these elusive animals. We'll take a game drive into the park this afternoon.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation:Raj Palace Resort (or similar)

day 5 - Morning safari at Ranthambore and continue to Agra

This morning we have an early start as we try our luck again at spotting the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. We'll then return to the hotel for breakfast before we catch our train to Agra. Arriving in Agra, we'll take an hour transfer to our hotel. Tomorrow we're up bright and early to explore what is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Hotel Amar (or similar)

day 6 - Visit the Taj Mahal and afternoon at leisure

This morning, we'll have an early start to see the sun rise over the marble dome of the Taj Mahal. Built by the emperor Shah Jahan to honour the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, the building took 22 years to complete and was once described by Rudyard Kipling as 'the embodiment of all things pure'. Built from marble and decorated with the most exquisite inlay work, the Taj Mahal required the labour of 20,000 men and is estimated to have cost something in the region of 3 million rupees (around $70 million today). Once we've witnessed the majesty of the Taj Mahal, we'll journey on to Delhi.
This afternoon, we'll visit the Agra Fort. Built by Akbar the Great, the fort stands in an imposing position on a bend in the Yamuna River with views of the Taj Mahal further along its banks. The rest of the afternoon is free. You might want to revisit the Taj Mahal at sunset, or head to the Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj).

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Hotel Amar (or similar)

day 7 - Morning train to Allahabad. Sail to Varanasi

We are up bright and early this morning as we head to the train station in time for our train to Allahabad. After arriving late morning, we'll journey by road for approximately three to four hours to the sacred River Ganges. Once we reach the water, we'll start our boat trip downstream. The next two days will give a unique glimpse at rural life in India and a welcome chance to relax and unwind. We'll float peacefully through the Gangetic plain to Varanasi, passing villages and ornate temples, fields of wheat and rice paddies, and stunning sunsets.
The traditional wooden boats take up to four passengers plus two crew, who have all grown up living and working on or around the river. We'll make regular comfort breaks by the side of the river and there will be a 'support boat' which doubles as the kitchen following closely behind, with a chef on board preparing your lunch and dinner. You can also buy drinks onboard.
For our overnight stop, we'll camp on a sandbank in the middle of the Ganges in two-man tents. The location we use varies according to local conditions, but wherever we stop you'll be able to relax over dinner and stargaze before bed. Our wild camping is a simple but unique experience - facilities are basic and toilets are set up in a single pop-up tent.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation:Ganges riverside camp (or similar)

day 8 - Arrive in Varanasi

Today we'll continue our journey down river to the holy city of Varanasi where we'll disembark at Asi Ghat and transfer to our hotel. Varanasi (Benares) has been the centre of Hinduism since the dawn of history, its age is contemporary with Babylon and Thebes. Often known as 'Kashi' (City of Light) by Hindus it attracts over a million pilgrims each year - many of whom come to spend their last years here in the holy city. This evening, you can return to the ghats to witness the evening aarti ceremony when the Ganga is venerated with a display of light and sound.

Meals:Breakfast & Lunch

Accommodation:Hotel Silk City (or similar)

day 9 - Explore Varanasi and Sarnath

This morning we'll take an early morning boat trip along the Ganges to see the Hindu devout bathing in its sacred waters. We'll then pay a visit to nearby Sarnath. Having gained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya Buddha came to Sarnath to preach his first sermon. The city was at its peak in the 5th century, when it was a respected centre of religious activity, learning and art. Muslim invaders destroyed much of the city and today remains of several monasteries and stupas can be seen. The afternoon is free to explore Varanasi's labyrinth of streets, bazaars and temples at your own pace. In the evening, there might be the option to take in a classical musical performance.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Hotel Silk City (or similar)

day 10 - Journey to Lumbini

We have a long yet interesting journey today (around 8 hours), as we head north across the Gangetic Plains villages to the Nepalese border at Sonauli. First, we'll take a train from Varanasi to the town of Gorphpur. This is the furthest we can travel by train, so we'll switch to a bus and drive the remaining distance to Sonauli. We'll walk through customs and immigration into Nepal and meet our Nepalese bus which will transfer us to Lumbini to spend the night.

Meals:Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation:Lumbini Buddha Garden (or similar)

day 11 - Explore Buddha's birthplace

We'll start our day with a rickshaw sightseeing tour of Lumbini accompanied by a local guide. We'll have the opportunity to visit the birthplace of the Buddha, the Peace Lamp. and the Monastery of Peace pagoda. From here, we'll drive (approximately seven hours) through the Terai, the narrow-forested lowland strip that stretches the full width of the southern border of Nepal. We'll stop in Butwal en route so we can pick up some lunch and then aim to arrive at Chitwan in the late afternoon. The oldest and best known of the national parks in Nepal, Chitwan consists of swamp, tall elephant grass and dense forest, and is a natural habitat for tiger, the rare one-horned Indian rhino, leopard, and sloth bear to name but a few. Once we arrive at the park, we'll take a short afternoon village walk close to the park to orient ourselves.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation:Green Chwadi Nature Retreat (or similar)

day 12 - Search for wild rhino in Chitwan National Park

Once a private hunting ground, Chitwan is now a National Park, with thick tree cover and tall elephant grass sheltering a wealth of animals, most famously the one-horned rhino. Today we'll be kept busy with plenty of activities available, including jeep safaris to search out the rhino, bird watching, jungle walks and canoe trips along the Rapti River. The river trip will be dependent on the water level. Floating silently down the Rapti River allows us to spot many varieties of water birds and other wildlife. On a nature walk in the company of trained native naturalists, you can walk along trails in the less densely forested parts of the park. An early morning bird-watching walk near the river will reveal many of the 450 bird species that can be found in the park, especially kingfisher. A trained naturalist will help us get the most out of these excursions.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation:Green Chwadi Nature Retreat (or similar)

day 13 - Morning birdwatching and drive to Pokhara

After a final early morning walk through the park, we'll leave for Pokhara. The drive will take around eight hours depending on the traffic, and we'll take a packed lunch to have along the way. We pass through the bustling town of Naryanghat Bazaar, then head north beside the River Trisuli to the 'wild west' town of Mugling at the confluence of the Marsyandi and Trisuli rivers, before reaching our final destination for today. Pokhara is a relaxed town situated on the banks of Lake Phewa Tal and set beneath the Annapurna Range. The afternoon is left free to wander through the town, to pick up some souvenirs at the many Tibetan handicraft stalls or just relax by the lakeside after the journey.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Hotel Sarowar (or similar)

day 14 - Walk to the Peace Pagoda

After breakfast this morning we'll stretch our legs walking up through small villages to the Japanese Peace Pagoda. This lookout point offers views across to the Annapurna Range and back down to the town of Pokhara. After enjoying the views, we'll walk back following a different path and stop to visit the Tibetan Tashiling Monastery. The afternoon is free to relax in Pokhara, where it's possible to take short walks around the lake. There's also the option to visit the Mountain Museum, an interesting museum dedicated to the history of Himalayan Mountaineering.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Hotel Sarowar (or similar)

day 15 - Drive to Kathmandu

This morning, we'll drive to Kathmandu (approximately ten hours away). We'll retrace our route back to Mugling, then continue heading east. Once we reach Naubise the road starts to climb and reaches a pass on the Kathmandu valley rim via a series of breathtaking zigzags before descending to the city. We might have the chance to take an optional trip to the Manakamana temple near Kurintar, time permitting.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Hotel Malla (or similar)

day 16 - Walking tour in Kathmandu

This morning, we'll have a walking tour of this historic city, visiting the bazaar and temples of old Kathmandu, accompanied by a local Nepali guide. Much of the day-to-day life of Kathmandu takes place in the local bazaar: a fascinating mixture of people selling spices; potters spinning their wheels; rickshaw wallahs honking their horns and the ever-present sacred cow wandering amongst it all. We'll end up in Durbar Square at the heart of the city. In the afternoon we'll plan to visit the temple of Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bagmati River, the holiest Hindu shrine in Nepal, and also to visit Bodnath, the largest stupa in the country and a destination for Buddhist pilgrims from all over Nepal.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Hotel Malla (or similar)

day 17 - Trip ends Kathmandu

Our tour ends at our hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals:Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

The Regent Grand (or similar) (1 night)Mahal Khandela Hotel (or similar) (2 nights)Raj Palace Resort (or similar) (1 night)Hotel Amar (or similar) (2 nights)Ganges riverside camp (or similar) (1 night)Hotel Silk City (or similar) (2 nights)Lumbini Buddha Garden (or similar) (1 night)Green Chwadi Nature Retreat (or similar) (2 nights)Hotel Sarowar (or similar) (2 nights)Hotel Malla (or similar) (2 nights)

Meals

16 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners

Transport

BusBoatTrain

Guide

Explore Tour LeaderBoat CrewLocal Guide(s)

Others

Rickshaw

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

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5.0

based on 4 reviews

Tour Availability

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Highlights

Itinerary

day 1 - Join tour in Delhi - city tour of New Delhi

day 2 - Explore Old Delhi's spice market and take train to Jaipur

day 3 - Visit Jaipur's Amber Fort and City Palace Museum

day 4 - Jeep safari in Ranthambore National Park

day 5 - Morning safari at Ranthambore and continue to Agra

day 6 - Visit the Taj Mahal and afternoon at leisure