Highlights of Northern India & Nepal

We meet as a group for the first time at the hotel.

In the afternoon, we start to explore the city beginning with New Delhi, visiting the tomb of Mughal emperor Humayun, which was built by his widow Hamida Banu Begam and is now a Unesco World Heritage site. We then drive past fine colonial buildings in New Delhi, including Rashtrapati Bhawan, a 320-acre (130ha) estate built by British architect Edwin Lutyens in 1931, which comprises the official residence of the President of India; Parliament House; and India Gate, a memorial dedicated to soldiers who died during the First World War. We return to the hotel for a free evening. Stay: Hotel Pooja Palace (or similar).

After breakfast, we continue our exploration of the capital. We start outside the Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India) before being guided through the narrow streets of old Delhi, through the Kinari Bazzar (or we can explore by rickshaw – additional cost). We finish the Old Delhi tour at Jama Masjid and learn about the history of the building. If interested, you can enter the mosque (fees may be applicable). In the early afternoon, we drive (approximately five to seven hours, depending on traffic) to the pink city of Jaipur. Stay: Lilypool - The Heritage Jal Mahal (or similar) (B).

Enjoy a full day to explore Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan and one of the most attractive and colourful cities in India. Built in the late 18th century, it is a planned city of broad sandstone avenues that were later painted pink. First, we visit the City Palace, once a Maharaja residence and now a museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings, royal garments and weapons. Close to the palace is one of the most intriguing sites in India, Jantar Mantar (Jaipur Observatory), an assembly of immense marble-and-brass astronomical instruments in a pleasant garden.

We will also see the impressive landmark, the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds). We then travel just outside the main city to the Amber Palace, an imposing hilltop fort above a lake with large courtyards, finely decorated interiors and a Chamber of Mirrors. The evening is free for you to explore. You could take this opportunity to pick up a gift or two for home: Jaipur is a centre of many handicrafts, including durries (woven rugs), carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones and leatherwear. Stay: Lilypool - The Heritage Jal Mahal (or similar) (B).

We begin by driving to Agra via the deserted ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri. Formally the capital of the Mughal Empire, this wonderfully preserved ghost town was constructed by Emperor Akbar between 1570 and 1585 and reflects his ideals in art, religion and architecture. This impressive and well-preserved citadel became his capital in 1571, after the blessing of a local Moslem holy man correctly predicted the birth of a longed-for son, his successor the Emperor Jehangir.

The mosque, designed to hold 10,000 worshippers, the palaces, residences and halls of audience, are built in decorative red sandstone. Akbar soon left Fatehpur Sikri to secure his outlying territories, leaving this city much as we see it today. The site is one of the most atmospheric in northern India and its position on a ridge overlooking the modern village below, and its wonderful state of preservation, give us a taste of this city's majestic past. Stay: Taj Vilas (or similar) (B).

We rise very early to see the incredible spectacle of sunrise over the Taj Mahal. The Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan built the landmark in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. The New World Wonder is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze; the white-marble exterior changes colour according to the position of the sun and is made even more beautiful by the rich interior detail.

Within striking distance is the imposing Red Fort of Akbar, whose mighty sandstone walls enclose the white-marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. It is here that the latter spent his last years, imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb. Agra is also a hub for a wide variety of handicrafts including jewellery, inlaid and carved marble, carpets and clothes and there should be time for shopping.

In the evening, we head to Tundla station to catch our overnight train to Varanasi. Stay: Sleeper train (B).

On arrival in Varanasi, we transfer to our hotel. Please note, rooms may not be available until midday but efforts are made to make it earlier if possible.

In the afternoon, we visit the nearby Sarnath Temple. Sarnath is as sacred to Buddhists as Varanasi is to Hindus. The main monument at Saranath is the Dhamekh Stupa, the very spot where Buddha is believed to have given his first sermon. The evening free. Stay: Hotel Surya (or similar) (B).

Varanasi, on the Ganges, is one of the holiest cities in India and stands at the centre of Hinduism: there are thousands of pilgrims, wandering holy men (Sadhus), religious leaders and casual visitors. Immerse yourself by exploring the narrow lanes and many temples or watching the Hindu ceremonies that take place around the clock. Just before dawn, we take a boat onto the Ganges to see the extraordinary ghats (the steps leading down to the river). Every day, thousands of Hindu pilgrims come to this 3mi (5km) stretch to submerge themselves in the holy waters of the river.

In the evening, you can witness an aarti ceremony from the banks. Stay: Hotel Surya (or similar) (B).

We board our private bus and make an early departure for Nepal. We drive across the northern plains, passing through a few towns and lots of villages. At the border, we leave our bus and walk (approximately 1,640ft/500m) through customs and immigration to Nepal. In Nepal, we enter the terai, the narrow plain running along the southern breadth of the country. We drive (approximately one hour) to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, where we spend the night. The total driving time today is approximately 12 hours. Stay: Buddha Maya hotel (or similar) (B).

Early this morning there is a short (optional) rickshaw ride around Lumbini gardens. Buddha was born here and the area is being developed into a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists from all over the world. Travelling east and parallel to the mountains, we reach Chitwan (approximately a four-hour drive), where we spend two nights.

The park, with jungle and thick forest, was once a royal hunting ground and was made a conservation area in 1973. During your stay, you can enjoy an optional ox-cart ride in Tharu village or an evening dance performance; both providing a glimpse into the fascinating lives of the local people. Stay: Green Mansion Jungle Resort (or similar) (B/L/D).

Chitwan National Park and the surrounding forest cover 356sqmi (923sqkm) of the terai and afford excellent wildlife-viewing opportunities. Here you have an excellent chance of seeing Indian one-horned rhinos, sambar and chital deer, langur and rhesus monkeys, mongooses, jackals, otters and crocodiles.

The more elusive animals include tigers, leopards, sloth bears and Indian bison. More than 500 bird species have also been recorded in this area. Wildlife activities are managed and escorted by experienced naturalist guides and included in your stay is a jeep safari and dug-out canoe excursion. Birdwatching outings can also be organised. Stay: Green Mansion Jungle Resort (or similar) (B/L/D).

Today, our journey to Pokhara is only 87mi (140km) but will take four to five hours. We follow the gorge of the Narayani River and soon we are in the Himalaya foothills. The scenery changes dramatically from the forests and farmlands of the terai to steep, terraced hills. As we near Pokhara, we begin to see the formidable Annapurna range. At only 3,280ft (1,000m), among semi-tropical plants and with a delightfully warm climate, it is actually much closer to the main Himalaya peaks than Kathmandu. Machhapuchhare (Fishtail Peak) dominates the skyline, especially on a clear morning. We stay in a simple hotel near Lake Phewa, with a wide choice of restaurants and other facilities close by. Stay: Dahlia Boutique Hotel (or similar) (B).

After breakfast, we head into the hills for even better views of the peaks. An early morning start is required for the clearest view, but once there, the whole Annapurna range can be seen with virtually no intervening hills. We start by driving (approximately 40 minutes) to Sarangkot; from there, it's a short walk to the remains of a hilltop fort that overlooks the lake – one of the best viewpoints for Machhapuchhare, most people's favourite mountain in the region. After enjoying our time here, we walk back towards Pokhara, descending down steps and trail paths, finishing just before at Pame (approximately 2hr 30min walk), where you can stop for lunch before a short transfer back to our hotel. For many, Pokhara is a place to relax, enjoying a spot beside the beautiful lake.

This afternoon, you can sit back and take in the surroundings or perhaps rent a rowboat or bicycle for a few hours exploring the lake at a leisurely pace. Stay: Dahlia Boutique Hotel (or similar) (B).

We leave early for the long drive to Kathmandu, along the Chinese-built road running parallel to the main Himalaya range. The distance is only 125mi (200km) but it is a slow climb through the mountains and ongoing road widening construction along the route as well as some bumpy conditions in places mean the journey will take most of the day (10 to 12 hours). The views, however, are stunning as we follow the Marsyangdi and Trisuli rivers, passing numerous villages and terraces stretching up the hillside. We arrive in Kathmandu in this evening and check into our centrally located hotel. Stay: Royal Singi Hotel (or similar) (B).

We have today to explore Kathmandu and the valley. In the early morning, you could take a scenic flight to see Mount Everest (this can be booked and paid for on arrival in Kathmandu; see the 'Extra Expenses and Spending Money' section of the Trip Notes for costs). Today there will be a half-day sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath, the most important Hindu temple in the valley, and Bodnath, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world. The rest of the time is free for individual exploration.

You may like to visit Durbar Square with its old royal palace and intricately carved temples, or Swayambhunath, a hilltop stupa that's home to hundreds of macaques. Kathmandu also offers many souvenir shopping opportunities: clothes, trinkets, Tibetan and Nepalese handicrafts and superb bookshops. It also has a wide variety of restaurants serving some of the best food from the sub-continent and you can also find wonderful pizzas and apple pie. Stay: Royal Singi Hotel (or similar) (B).

Those on the flight-inclusive package will depart for the airport this morning for the daytime flight back to London. If you are on land only arrangements the adventure comes to an end this morning at check-out. Unless, of course, you'd like to join our exciting extension, in which you spend four days hiking in the Annapurna region, taking in magnificent mountain views as you pass through Gurung villages. This extension would commence from day 13, starting in Pokhara. Speak to your sales representative to book (B).