Kathmandu<- ->New Delhi (SKD)

Kathmandu 24 Mar 2013

Border Information: If Joining in Kathmandu, enter Nepal at Kathmandu Airport.

Wrapped around the Himalayan mountain range is the remarkable country of Nepal. It is the birthplace of the Buddha and is a land of legend and beauty. Within its narrow confines Nepal contains an utterly spectacular variety of culture and landscapes. Nepal has a stunning natural beauty and a simple charm.

There is an important group meeting at 18:00hrs. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where and when this important meeting will take place.

Hotel for the night: Hotel Tibet

Chitwan National Park 25 Mar to 26 Mar 2013

Leaving Kathmandu after breakfast, we drive 200Kms through stunning scenery down to the Terai grasslands. Our destination is Chitwan National Park where we will stay for the next 2 nights, staying in a comfortable local guest lodge. Traffic coming out of Kathmandu can be notoriously bad, but we should arrive around mid afternoon.  

If we arrive in good time we will make a visit to Bis Hajaar Tal, also known as 20,000 Lakes which is a wetland area near the Royal Chitwan National Park.  Here we will get the opportunity to see  peakcocks, wildboars, deer and there is also a slim chance of seeing tigers and rhinos.  If we cannot visit 20,000 lakes today we will make our visit tomorrow.

On Day 3 we'll spend today exploring the national park from our lodge. For most people, the highlight of the day will be the elephant safari in search of tiger and rhino.  Second night in local guest lodge, with traditional Nepali dance demonstration in the evening.

Sonauli 27 Mar 2013

Border Information: Exit Nepal at Belhiya, enter India at Sonauli.

This morning we have a relaxed start to the day, leaving our lodge in the afternoon for a short drive of 160Kms to Sonauli on the Nepal / India border. 

Overnight in local hotel.

Varanasi 28 Mar to 29 Mar 2013

Today we enter India. India has shared so much of its wonderful culture with the rest of the world, so a visit to this diverse country is a chance to experience where it all began. India has so much to offer: from the beautiful landscapes of the Himalayas, to the amazing temples and coastlines, rich culture, not to mention the food!

Crossing the border into India, most of today will be spent travelling (approx. 260Kms)and we will arrive in the holy city of Varanasi in the evening. We will stay here for 2 nights, basing ourselves at a comfortable local hotel. 

We get up very early for a boat trip down the Ganges. This is a magical time of day to see the Ghats and watch the morning rituals of the thousands of people who come here to purify themselves in the holy river. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the rest of the city. Second night in hotel.

Bandhavgarh National Park 30 Mar to 31 Mar 2013

Today we will spend most of the day travelling as we journey overland from Varanasi to Bandhavgarh National Park, 350Kms, famous for tiger. We stay here for 2 nights, camping at a forest lodge.

Trips travelling in India before 1st October, will not be able to visit Bandhavgarh NP due to the park being closed. Instead the itinerary will spend longer in Chitwan NP in Nepal and spend time at the Royal Beach Camp activity centre in the Himalayas. We will also visit the deserted palaces and temples Orchha. 

The following day we spend today in Bandhavgarh going on a half day jeep safari in search of tigers and other wildlife. There will also be some time just to kick back and relax around the lodge campsite. Second night camping.

Khajuraho 01 Apr to 02 Apr 2013

We drive 210Kms from Bandhavgarh to Khajuraho. In the afternoon we have a guide visit of the erotic temples followed by a very short drive to our treehouse campsite.

There is the option to head into Panna National Park in search of wildlife on a jeep safari, or you might prefer to explore the local area or just relax on the banks of the river at our campsite. 

Both nights at a camp site.

Agra, Taj Mahal 03 Apr to 04 Apr 2013

After breakfast we leave our campsite and head 400Kms towards Agra. Most of today will be spent travelling and we will arrive in the early evening. We stay in Agra for 2 nights, staying in a basic local hotel. 

We spend the following day exploring Agra by Rickshaw, starting with sunrise at the Taj Mahal and a guided tour, followed by a visit to the Agra Fort. Second night in local hotel.

Jaipur, Fatehpur Sikri 05 Apr to 06 Apr 2013

We leave Agra for the pink city of Jaipur, 230Kms, stopping en route at Fatehpur Sikri. 

Arriving in Jaipur in the early evening we check in to our comfortable local hotel where we will spend the next 2 nights. 

Whilst in Jaipur you will have the option for an early morning or late afternoon hot air balloon ride over the Pink City of Jaipur.  We will also have a full day exploring the sites of Jaipur on the truck with our local guide.

Delhi 07 Apr 2013

We leave Jaipur after breakfast we travel 245Kms to arrive in Delhi in the afternoon. Whilst in Delhi we stay in a friendly local hotel.

Delhi 08 Apr 2013

Border Information: If finishing in Delhi, exit India at Delhi Airport.

Free for you to explore Delhi at your leisure.