Epic Nepal to India

Oh hello Kathmandu! The adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you'll meet your tour leader and new travel pals. Look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you arrive early, there's plenty to do in this vibrant city. Kathmandu’s most important Buddhist shrine, Swayambhunath Stupa and the nearby ‘City of Devotees’ Bhaktapur are well worth a visit. For some more structure, there are a number of Urban Adventures day tours that can help you delve deeper into Kathmandu's ancient architecture and rich cultural heritage. After the welcome meeting, perhaps have dinner together or hit up one of the nearby bars. Your leader will have a tonne of recommendations for a cocktail or two.

Enjoy a morning drive over the rim of the Kathmandu Valley and soak up the views of the Ganesh and Lantang ranges. Arrive in either Baireni or Galaudi, for some rafting on the Trisuli River. Hit the water and enjoy the thrill of the rapids aptly named Ladies Delight, Rock Garden and Snell's Nose. Camp on the beach and enjoy a local meal under the stars. (L/D)

Have more fun on the river including negotiating the Monsoon and Upset. Late morning we end rafting at Kurintar and enjoy a light lunch and drive to Pokhara (4 hours). Arrive in Pokhara in the afternoon and take a walk around with your leader who will point out some of the best sights and sounds. This evening is free for you to chill out at one of the many lakeside restaurants and bars. If you haven't already, make sure you get yourself a plate full of momos (dumplings) or a nourishing bowl of dal bhat (thick lentil or bean soup). (B/L)

Today we drive from Pokhara to Shyauli Bazaar, which takes around 1.5 hours. Hope you broke in your boots before the trip, cos this is where the trekking bit starts. It's all mostly uphill today - that’s some diverse terrain right there! There’s a dirt track leading to Birethanti and Shyauli villages. Then reach a stone staircase up to Kimche, where you’ll stop for lunch. Continue to follow the stone flags that lead you through fields of wheat to Ghandruk. Tonight you'll stay in your first Nepalese teahouse.

Look east. That’s Landruk, the next village on the route. Look down. That’s the Modi Kola River 600 metres below. Look around the corner. That’s Tolkha, your base for the night. What, you can’t look around corners? Ok, you’ll just have to trek there instead. Begin with a mountain view for breakfast, then start the trek towards Tolkha. It takes about 2 hours mostly descending and then its time for an ascent of around 3 hours to our next teahouse stay.

Rhododendron is a tricky word to spell, but super pretty to look at. You’ll see a bunch of these bright pink and purple plants today. Do you know what you won’t see much of? Other people. We’ve picked a pretty remote trail from Dhampus to Hemjakot, and tonight you get to stay with a local family. The homes in Hemjakot reflect the traditional style of this part of the Himalayas: made from natural stones of the region which displays a domestic style of architecture that has largely been overshadowed in Nepal's big cities. Experience the rural way of life in the mountains, gaining insight to the local culture. The first 2 hours trekking are uphill, then itis mostly downhill from there. Pack your best smile and get an even bigger one in return.

It's a short descent to Phedi (1130m / 3707ft) before catching a transfer to Pokhara in time for lunch (approx. 40 mins). Enjoy free time in the afternoon to do all the things you didn’t do the first time round. We highly recommend taking a rowboat (doonga) out on Phewa Lake. If there’s blue skies you’ll have mountain views for miles.

Wake up among the spectacular scenery of Pokhara and enjoy a boat ride across the lake (Phewa Tal), which is the second largest in Nepal. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace, with plenty of optional activities to choose from, you can spend your time however you please! Why not start with a visit the International Mountain Museum to learn some amazing tales of past climbing expeditions. You might like to take a break by the water’s edge and indulge in the ultimate Nepalese dish for lunch – dal bhat – a hearty vegetarian meal consisting of rice and lentils. Pokhara has an interesting old area well worth exploring, as well as an elaborate Hindu temple and a Buddhist monastery. As the day closes, perhaps visit the Peace Pagoda – with spectacular views of the Annapurna mountains – and watch the sunset over the famous fishtail peak – Machhapuchhare.

Pop on your safari hat as you drive to Chitwan National Park by private vehicle. UNESCO (who know a thing or two about this kind of stuff) declared it a World Heritage site in 1984, and it offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Asia. Think the Jungle Book come to life with rhinos, deer, monkeys and a wide array of birds, all found here. If luck is on your side, you may even spot a wild elephant, sloth bear or leopard so keep your eyes peeled.

This morning you’ll hop aboard a jeep, meet your local guide and take a safari drive through Chitwan National Park. Chances are high you'll see a great one-horned rhinoceros and you might even catch a glimpse of one of the 100-or-so Bengal Tigers that call the park home. The afternoon will be all yours to enjoy as you wish. You might like to book an optional jungle walk with a local guide, take a canoe ride, hire a bike and explore the area or even visit the Crocodile Breeding Centre, to name a few. With endless ways to fill your afternoon, why not speak to your locally-based leader to get their best recommendations.

Today travel by private vehicle to Nepal’s border town of Lumbini (about 5 hours). No ordinary border town, Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, and one of his four holy places of pilgrimage. Check out the beautiful Ashoka Pillars and hop on cycle rickshaws to the Maya Devi Temple, the actual site where Lord Buddha is thought to have been born.

This is a long travelling day as you make your way into India, crossing the border at Sunauli and continuing on to Varanasi (approximately 9 hours including stops). One of holiest cities around, Varanasi is the ultimate destination for Hindu pilgrims who travel from far and wide to experience this spiritual city. Overflowing with temples, shrines and devotees, it might not be one of the world's cleanest cities but there’s no doubt it’s one of the most amazing. After your arrival, enjoy an evening at leisure and perhaps head out for your first taste of Indian cuisine – chicken tikka anyone?

Today’s an early start, but it’s completely worth it – a sunrise boat ride along the sacred Ganges is a revelation and even if you're not the spiritual sort, you can't help but get goose bumps. Pass the many ghats (stairs leading to the water) and temples along the river, and watch thousands of Hindu pilgrims cleanse their sins in the holy water as the sun rays bathe the surrounds in glorious shades of amber and orange. Afterwards, set off by auto rickshaw to the oldest part of the city, to explore its maze of narrow alleyways packed full of small shops, stalls and lumbering cows. See pilgrims performing rituals unchanged for hundreds of years and pass chiming temples as wafts of incense fill the air.

Enjoy lots of free time to explore more of Varanasi before you get a unique slice of Indian life aboard an overnight sleeper train bound for Agra. You could take a trip to nearby Sarnath, one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage destinations. The site is where Buddha preached his message of the path to enlightenment and features several stupas and museums to explore. There’s also the crumbling 17th-century fort and palace on the eastern bank of the Ganges, Ram Nagar Fort. Otherwise, take the chance to perfect your yoga in the ultimate chakra-balancing place.

Agra might not be the prettiest city in the world, but the minute you check out its top-notch site that won’t matter one bit (of course, we're talking about the glorious Taj Mahal). You’ll arrive on a Friday, so the Taj is closed to visitors, but there are outstanding views from almost every hotel rooftop in the area. Enjoy a free day to explore Agra's alternative highlights. An optional trip on a motorised rickshaw takes you to some of the city’s best monuments. If you’ve got the energy, head out to Agra Fort and stroll the palatial gardens of this red sandstone stronghold (with cheeky monkeys in tow) or check out Akbar's Mausoleum, a beautiful sandstone and marble tomb built for the greatest of the Mughal emperors.

It doesn’t matter who you are, the Taj Mahal will explode all your expectations with the morning light shimmering off its white marble surface. After your visit, jump into private transport and head off to the village of Tordi. This remote and rarely visited township offers a fantastic glimpse of the real Rajasthan, the locals will feed you and you'll sleep in a 16th-century palace with its owner as your host (and there's a ruined temple and fortress nearby). Settle in, then savour delicious local flavours in tonight’s included dinner. (D)

Kick on in a private vehicle to Jaipur, India's oh-so-pretty Pink City. You'll have plenty of free time here to haggle to your heart's content at the bazaars and backstreets where vendors sell a variety of textiles, precious and semi-precious gems and stunning blue pottery. Drop by one of India’s finest palaces, the Royal City Palace, where the guards’ moustaches are almost as impressive as the building itself. Food lovers will want to hit the streets for raj kachori chaat, a big fluffy chaat served with chutney, yoghurt, chilli and potato. Then cool off with a lassi from Lassiwala on MI road, Jaipur's oldest and most famous lassi shop. Cinema buffs won't want to miss the chance to take in a Bollywood blockbuster at the spectacular Raj Mandir Cinema.

If you're keen for a different view of the Pink City, an optional early morning hot air balloon ride is a trip highlight for many visitors. For more information please see the 'Important Notes' section of your trip notes. Later in the morning, you’ll drop by Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), the impressive five-storey facade with pink and honeycombed windows is it the most photographed building in the country after the Taj Mahal. Then it’s out to the old capital of Amber and an exploration of the hilltop fort complex known as the Amber Fort. The rest of the day is free for you to spend as you like.

Take a train ride to India's capital. This exciting city is overflowing with incredible historic sites, museums and galleries, shops and endless bazaars. Watch one of the world's greatest shows unfold as people, cars, rickshaws and cows all work together in a kind of organised chaos. Sit back with a chai and let it all soak in. Later today, take the modern metro to Old Delhi and visit the old city's market area by foot, exploring Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place. Visit Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib, one of the oldest and most iconic Sikh shrines in Delhi and try your hand at making chapatis in the community kitchen. This shrine is visited by devotes on a regular basis and everyone is welcome here irrespective of their religion, caste or gender. To end your day, have an optional dinner tonight with your group to say goodbye to this incredible country.

Your adventure comes to an end this morning. If you'd prefer to stay on in Delhi a little bit longer, we'll be happy to help with additional accommodation, which can be booked prior to travel (subject to availability).