Delhi to Kathmandu: Mountain Scenes & the Ganges
15 days
From $ 983
Duration15 days
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  • Etepia
  • Delhi to Kathmandu: Mountain Scenes & the Ganges

India and Nepal are less places to see than places to do, and this fast-paced 15-day tour ensures you live every moment to the fullest. With other youthful travellers, you'll sail the Ganges, have the opportunity to take a jeep safari in Chitwan National Park, and breathe deeply in the Himalayas of Nepal. It's a mix of classics like the Taj Majal and backpacker faves like Pushkar wrapped up in a riot of colour. And we do the planning but leave the choice of excursions up to you. Don't just explore South Asia — live it.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 15 days
    Service level: Basic
  • Physical Grading: Light
  • Ages: 18+
Delhi to Kathmandu on a Shoestring - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Delhi
After the group meeting in the afternoon, there will be a short orientation walk of Delhi, visiting Connaught Place by metro and walking to India Gate.
Arrive at any time. Visit the India Gate and Connaught Place in the evening. Please note that if you arrive after 14:00, you may miss the welcome meeting and orientation tour.
Day 2: Delhi/Pushkar
After settling into our accommodation, we will have an orientation walk around Pushkar, including the lake, ghats, and also the the 14th century Brahama temple. Spend some time this afternoon exploring the markets, or jump on a camel and head out for a sunset ride in the desert.
Take in the great vibe of this town on an orientation walk. Opt for an afternoon camel ride.
Day 3: Pushkar/Jaipur
Before dawn on Day 3 we climb to the hilltop Savitri temple to watch the sunrise over this holy place. Following that, we travel to the city of Jaipur.

Hike up to Savitri Temple in the morning to watch a gorgeous sunrise in Pushkar, then travel on to Jaipur. Enjoy an orientation walk.
Day 4: Jaipur
There are so many things to do with your free time in Jaipur. Opt to visit the amazing City Palace with its fine collection of textiles and costumes or the Hawa Mahal, or "Palace of the Winds". You may want to discover more of the wisdom and history of the Mughals by wandering around the Jantar Mantar, an observatory built in the 1700's or opt to sit back and relax if you like -- sip a cocktail in any of the luxuriously converted palaces, now operating as 5 star hotels. Opt to get active by pre-booking a cycle tour or sharpen your culinary skills by pre-booking a cooking class with a local family. There is also the option to pre-book a balloon ride, depending on the time of year.
Take a guided tour of the Amber Fort, then enjoy some free time to explore Jaipur.
Day 5: Jaipur/Āgra
Travel by early morning train to the Muslim city of Agra, site of India’s most famous landmark, the Taj Mahal. Enjoy a guided visit to this icon of Mughal architecture.
Enjoy a guided tour of the impressive Taj Mahal.
Day 6: Āgra/Varanasi
In your free time, opt to ride a cycle rickshaw and visit the Baby Taj and Agra Fort.
Opt to visit Agra Fort and Baby Taj. Take an overnight train to Varanasi.
Day 7: Varanasi
There is an included orientation walk of the city, and you can opt to take a boat out onto the sacred Ganges River. If you take an evening boat ride, you will have the opportunity to witness a candle flower ceremony.
Take an orientation walk along ghats and the old city. Head to the temples and explore, or hop on a boat and sail the Ganges at sunrise or sunset.
Day 8: Varanasi
Enjoy free time to explore Varanasi.
Enjoy more free time to explore Varanasi.
Day 9: Varanasi/Lumbini
Today we leave India and travel to Nepal. This will be a longer travel day -- it may take up to 12 hrs total to reach the city of Lumbini.
Step back in time and check out Buddha's birthplace. It is possible for most nationalities to get a Nepalese visa at the border; you will need at least one passport size photograph and $25 USD. Nepal is 15 minutes ahead of India, time wise.
Day 10: Lumbini/Chitwan National Park
Take an orientation walk of Barauli town, then opt for a bike ride. Enjoy an overnight homestay with the indigenous Tharu community.
Day 11: Chitwan National Park
Enjoy a free day to explore the surrounding village and rice paddies before spending another night with the Tharu community. Opt to take a jeep safari through Chitwan National Park.
Day 12: Chitwan National Park/Pokhara
Travel from the plains to the mountains by bus.
Clearly the most stunning of Pokhara's sights is the spectacular panorama of the Annapurna range. Opt to travel out to Sarangkot (1592m), only 5 kms north east of Pokhara, for a spectacular sunrise of the surrounding mountains. The walk back down through farms and forest to Pokhara is wonderful and takes between 2-2.5 hours. Paragliding is another option during your stay here.
Get your bearings in town on an orientation walk. Opt to go paragliding or catch a Himalayan sunrise up Mt Sarangkot.
Day 13: Pokhara
Visit the Sisterhood of Survivors Project, a grassroots organization that trains survivors of human-trafficking to become certified paralegals. Explore Pokhara during free time in the afternoon. Opt to go paragliding over Pokhara lake. Lunch at the G Adventures-supported Sisterhood of Survivors Project.
Meals: L
Day 14: Pokhara/Kathmandu
If time permits, enjoy a short orientation walk of Kathmandu with your CEO upon arrival. Kathmandu is fascinating at every turn, and some travellers prefer to simply wander, seeing where chance, fate, or the city may lead them.

If you have the time, be sure to check out world-famous Durbar Square, the King’s Palace, the burning ghats at Pashupatinath, and Boudhanath Stupa on your own.
Travel the last leg of the trip through the wild, rugged Himalayan landscape to Nepal’s capital and largest city, Kathmandu. Get a feel for the city on an orientation walk.
Day 15: Kathmandu
Depart at any time. Opt for an Everest flight this morning, if weather permits. Please note that if you would like the opportunity to take the optional Everest flight, your departure flight must depart no earlier than 12pm.
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Inclusions

Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Barauli Community Homestay, Royal Chitwan National Park Your G for Good Moment: Barauli Village Orientation Walk, Royal Chitwan National Park Your G for Good Moment: Sisterhood of Survivors Project, Pokhara Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
  • India Gate and Connaught Place visit
  • Guided tour of the Amber Fort and the Taj Mahal
  • Savitri Temple sunrise hike
  • Visit to Buddha's birthplace
  • Orientation walks in Pushkar, Jaipur, Varanasi, Pokhara, and Kathmandu
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Transport

    Train, Metro, Local bus, Charter bus, Rickshaw

  • Accommodation

    Simple hotels or guesthouse (twin-share) (11 nts), Sleeper train (1 nt), Homestay (2 nt)

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