Delhi to Kathmandu Quest with Nepal Trek and Temples

Welcome to the intoxicating cacophony of colours, smells, spices, culture and chaos that is Delhi. We'll bond with our Contiki fam today before kick-starting our adventure. Stay: The Ashtan Sarovar Portico (or similar)

Today we'll explore one of the world's most hustling, bustling cities (home to a cool 25m people!) With a local guide, we'll discover Old Delhi & other top sights.

Afterwards, the afternoon is yours to explore Delhi your way. Dinner tonight is a DIY vibe, tasting the best of Delhi with your new crew. (B)

Today we'll leave the magical mayhem of Delhi behind and catch a flight to Varanasi... Nestled alongside the Ganges is Varanasi, one of the holiest Hindu sites in the world - a place where pilgrims come to bathe in the sacred waters and cremate their loved ones. This place can be described as India in a nutshell - not for the faint of heart, but spiritual, riotous and touchingly passionate. (B) Stay: The India Hotel (Or Similar)

Rise and shine! We're headed down to the river, boarding a small boat as dawn alights the Ganges. We'll watch the Ghat in front of us slowly come to life, as pilgrims bathe in the holy river, wash away their sins and fill bottles with holy water (we wouldn't recommend doing the same - it may be holy but that doesn't mean it's hygienic). After watching the sunrise from our boat, we'll weave our way through the narrow lanes, and get to see how life operates on the riverside.

As the afternoon draws in, we'll explore the ruins of Sarnath, another holy location for another ancient religion. Located on the outskirts of the city, this is said to be the location from which Buddha delivered his first sermon after achieving enlightenment. Finish off an epic day by getting lost (on purpose) in the spidery lanes of the old city where our local guide will show Varanasi's hidden gems. (B)

Today we can officially tick Varanasi off our lists. Next, we'll make our way to a true historical hotspot – Lucknow, here we come. We'll have a free evening to admire Lucknow's ethereal bazaars, opulent Raj-era architecture and delicious food. Whether you decide to walk its broad boulevards or beautiful gardens, you'll wonder how this place has escaped the overwhelming tourist attention of some other Indian towns. (B) Stay: La Place Sarovar Portico (or similar)

Long regarded as India's centre for culture and art, Lucknow is full of wonders for us to explore this morning. We won't waste any time, as we start off with a locally guided sightseeing tour, coming up close to La Martiniere building - a beautiful and historic private school - and the Asafi Imambara, one of the most regal architectural complexes in the world. Taking almost a decade to build, the building famously employed locals in the region while a ravaging famine swept India.

Lucknow is also famous for its Awadhi cuisine, so we recommend taking a culinary walk of the city, hopping in and out of roadside eateries and getting a complete taste of the local culture. (B)

See ya, Lucknow, we're headed to one of the world's oldest cities. Then, you'll have the opportunity to get your bucket list ticked with an optional visit to one of mankind's masterpieces: the majestic Taj Mahal (you'll also get the chance to visit the 17th century Agra Fort). The Taj Mahal, the 17th century memorial building considered by many to be the most beautiful building in the world, naturally dominates Agra, but it isn't the only thing to be found here. The city, curving along the holy Yamuna River, is dotted with mausoleums, tombs and heaving marketplaces. (B) Stay: The Retreat (or similar)

Jumping on our air-conditioned coach we'll head to our next stop... We'll visit the Wildlife SOS Elephant Rescue Centre, where we'll meet over 20 rescued elephants and witness the only elephant hospital in Asia. Wasting no time this afternoon, we're getting a speedy flight to Kathmandu, Nepal... We've arrived into Kathmandu! (B) Stay: Hotel Majestic & Spa (or similar)

We've arrived into Kathmandu! Next up… A world heritage reserve teeming with rhinos, deer, monkeys, elephants, sloth bears, and even the majestic Bengal Tiger. (B/D) Stay: Chitwan Forest Resort (or similar)

One of the remaining undisturbed areas of the Terai region, this rich ecosystem is wedged between two river valleys on the outer Himalayas, which provide a beautiful backdrop to the steep cliffs and lush plantlands. This morning we'll take a jungle walk to soak in the spectacular beauty, before heading out on our once-in-a-lifetime jeep safari. One of the last safe havens for the one-horned rhino and the Bengal tiger - both heavily endangered - Chitwan offers one of the best wildlife spotting experiences on the planet. (B/L/D)

Today we're headed back to Nepal's bustling capital. It's time to uncover Kathmandu on a locally guided tour of its UNESCO World Heritage Site of Durbar Square - the old royal palace of the former kingdom, parts of which were tragically destroyed in the earthquake of 2015. As we walk, we'll marvel at the medieval temples, captivating courtyards and charming mayhem. (B) Stay: Hotel Majestic & Spa (or similar)

Rise and shine, it's trekking time! We'll bond over breakfast amidst the magical mayhem of Kathmandu this morning, before driving up to Sundarijal, at a heady elevation of 1350m. And our 5-hour trek begins! We'll climb through forests, reservoirs and dams up to the Shivapuri ridge AKA the first village of the trail at 1895m.

And for a well deserved break, you can relax with a cup of tea with a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley. Then, we'll also feast on an included lunch before setting off once more, towards the dense forestland of Shivapuri National Park. And at 2300m, we'll end the night by checking into our lodge in Chisapani. After an included dinner, it's time to recharge for tomorrow. (B/L/D) Stay: A conveniently located hotel

There's nothing like some mountain views and the sounds of birdsong to get you out of bed in the morning. Our trek recommences after our included breakfast today as we head to Nagarkot from Chisapani which takes around 3 hours. After about 2 hours of pleasant walking, we reach the settlement of Chauki Bhanjyang where we can rest for a while and eat lunch.

Then we'll make our way through stunning mid-hill villages and terraced farmlands to Nagarkot. Nagarkot is probably the most popular hill station around Kathmandu Valley, offering unique views of the majestic Himalayas, deep valleys, and lush pine forests. Best of all, the sunrise and sunset views from this exotic hilltop are probably the best in or around Kathmandu, and we'll make sure we don't miss the sunset today before we head to our lodge and turn in for the night after dinner. (B/L/D) Stay: Hiking Lodge (or similar)

We recommend rising before dawn today to absorb that magical sunrise from Nagarkot. Thousands of visitors throng to Nagarkot every year to witness this spectacle so it'd be shame to miss out on the golden sun stretching over the glittering Himalayas. After breakfast, our 6 hour trek begins. We'll walk along an easy trail that penetrates through dense community forests and small mid-hill settlements to Dhulikhel.

After six hours of fairly leisurely hiking, we'll reach Dhulikhel, which boasts traditional Newari culture and natural delights. The views of the Northeastern Himalayas from here are utterly mesmerizing. After we've posed for some pictures and had dinner we'll retreat to our lodge for the night. (B/L/D)

Our last day of hiking starts with another stunning sunrise view from Dhulikhel and another breakfast at our lodge. Our 4 hour trail today climbs up to the Kali Mandir - a temple dedicated to Goddess Kali - before dropping down to the village of Kavre and past a line of shops and tea houses. Through the pine woods of Phulbari we'll finally reach the hill of Namobuddha. Namobuddha rests at an elevation of 1750 m and is a sacred Buddhist Pilgrimage site.

The shrines built in this lovely little hill mark a very ancient site where a legendary prince named Mahasattva offered to sacrifice himself to feed a starving Tigress with several young cubs. This legendary episode is depicted on a stone slab and placed right next to one of the holy Stupas on this hillside. After paying homage to Mahasattva, it's time to finish our trek and drive back to Kathmandu. Tonight we'll settle in for our last evening and swaps stories and photos of the adventure we've had. (B/L/D)

After breakfast our adventure ends today back where we started. But we won't forget those Himalayan sunsets in a hurry. (B)