Journeys: Explore India & Nepal
17 days, Delhi to Kathmandu
Itinerary Notes
Want to experience the sights and sounds of Holi? Make sure you’re in India on March 14, 2025 or March 4, 2026 for the nation’s most colourful festival.
Itinerary
Day 1Delhi
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included through Women on Wheels, a G Adventures-supported project.
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting, so check into to the hotel and enjoy the city. We highly recommend booking a pre-night in Delhi to get over your jetlag and be ready for this very busy trip.
Women on Wheels Transfer
Transfer by a G Adventures-supported project, Women With Wheels. This program provides safe and reliable transport for travellers, while providing a dignified livelihood for a local woman from a resource poor community.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Delhi/Āgra
Walk through the backstreets of Delhi with a young adult taking part in the G Adventures-supported New Delhi Streetkids Project. Later, explore Old Delhi with your CEO before an afternoon drive to Agra.
Your G for Good Moment: City Walk
Explore the streets of Delhi with a youth-led tour guide from the G Adventures-supported City Walk project. As a former at-risk youth, your local guide will have a unique perspective on the city and can provide more information on the life of a child in India. The guided tour helps support the guide's college or university tuition.
Old Delhi Guided Walk
Visit historic Old Delhi. Explore Jama Masjid, the "Great Mosque," and enjoy its massive courtyard, which can hold up to 25,000 worshippers. Also, visit the ancient Sikh temple of Gurdwara SisGanj, which was established in 1783.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Āgra
Spend the day visiting the highlights of the walled city of Agra including the famed Taj Mahal, Baby Taj, and Agra Fort.
Taj Mahal Visit
Cross one off your bucket list as you visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Explore the gorgeous white marble mausoleum, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a testament of his love for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Baby Taj Visit
Visit this mausoleum that looks like a jewel box, built before the Taj Mahal by Queen Nur Jahan for her father. Enjoy the intricate details of the structure; it was the first Mughal building faced with white marble and where "pietra dura" (precious stones inlaid into marble) was first used.
Agra Fort Visit
Enjoy a visit to this impressive Mughal fort made of red sandstone and white marble.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Āgra/Jaipur
Drive to Jaipur, visiting the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri and the village of Abhaneri, which has one of India's deepest and largest stepwells (tank gardens).
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Fatehpur Sikri Visit
Explore the magnificent red sandstone fort city that was once the capital of India's Mughal Empire and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Keep an eye out for elements of different religions, as King Akbar built three palaces for each of his favourite wives—a Hindu, a Muslim, and a Christian—in the city.
Abhaneri Stepwell Visit
Walk around the amazing Chand Baori, a tenth century water tank that's an impressive 6.1m (20 ft) deep. Learn about ancient Indian environmentalism—a "baori" is a unique Indian invention for harvesting rainwater.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Jaipur
Explore the "Pink City," known also as Jaipur, including the Amber Fort, City Palace, and the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds). Listen to a local historian/scholar discuss the spirituality, social fabric, customs, and traditions of India.
Consider treating yourself to a night at the cinema. Going to see a Bollywood film in India is much more than what we are accustomed to in the west. The atmosphere, energy, and pure fun (not to mention volume!) has to be experienced to be believed.
Amber Fort Visit
Take in the Hindu and Muslim architecture of the beautiful Amber Fort. Wander through the halls and courtyards and admire the intricate details.
City Palace Visit
Explore the courtyards, gardens, and buildings that make up the City Palace. Located in the heart of the Old City, it is a striking blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. Visit the palace's museum to look at ancient carriages and the former maharaja's gold-embroidered wedding outfit.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Meet a Local Historian
In Jaipur, known as the “Pink City,” meet with a local historian and sociology scholar to learn about India’s complex social fabric and traditions, and discuss a range of topics from the country’s belief systems to its architecture.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Movie at Raj Mandir
200-400INR per personVisit this spectacular cinema and watch a song-and-dance Bollywood film.
Jaipur Balloon Ride
Begin your day at dawn, just as the sun starts to rise. As you drift into the sky, enjoy the silence and serenity of the morning, watching as the day starts for the colourfully dressed inhabitants below. From high in the sky, you may float over rolling hills, villages teeming with life, and a small monastery. You may even spot elephants—if luck is on your side.
Available September 1 - April 30.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Jaipur/Sāwarda
Drive to the rural village of Sawarda where we stay in a heritage home. Exploring this traditional village is like stepping back in time. Walk and meet with locals and explore how urbanization affects village life, modernization and its benefits and disadvantages, as well as simple village customs and traditions.
The village is about 60km (37 mi) from Jaipur and has beautiful temples dedicated to different religions, including a unique sikh temple. The residents of the village are still involved in traditional commercial activities. You'll see pottery wheels, silversmiths, cobblers, traditional huts, old temples, and small stepwells.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Local Village Immersion
Step back in time and explore the traditional village of Sawarda to get a glimpse of life in rural India. Topics of discussion along the way can include how urbanization affect village life, information technology, and modernization in its benefits and disadvantages, as well as simple village customs and traditions.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 7Sāwarda/Delhi
Drive back to bustling Delhi. Opt to join your CEO for a group dinner.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Delhi/Kathmandu
Transfer to the airport and catch a flight to Kathmandu. Tonight, enjoy a feast of Nepali cuisine.
Arrive at the joining point hotel at any time as no group activities are planned except for a group meeting in the early evening, followed by dinner.
Enjoy a six-course dinner at Krishnarpan, a restaurant that serves fine Nepali cuisine (organic, too). This is a slow-dining experience reminiscent of the meals relished by the kings of yesteryear.
Kathmandu is fascinating at every turn and a great place to just wander, seeing where the city may lead you.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Nepalese Welcome feast
Enjoy a six-course welcome dinner at Krishnarpan Restaurant, a culinary journey through the cuisine of Nepal. Serving some of the finest of Nepali flavours, enjoy this slow dining experience reminiscent of the ritual feasts enjoyed by the Kathmandu Valley's Newari community.
Optional Welcome Meeting for Travellers on Combos
You may be a seasoned pro at group travel by now, but there will likely be some new travellers joining the group. Sit in on the welcome meeting to meet the newest members of your group and learn about the next leg of your tour.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 9Kathmandu
Spend the day exploring Kathmandu, including Boudhanath Stupa, one of the world's largest Buddhist shrines, and the Royal City of Bhaktapur. After, visit the Sisterhood of Survivors Project and learn how to make Nepalese momos (dumplings) from some of the women before enjoying an authentic local lunch and lecture with one of the women who have graduated from the Sasane paralegal program. Also, visit a local home and learn about National Geographic grantee Chhing Lhomi, who works to preserve ancient weaving traditions of the Upper Mustang region through the Himalayan Indigenous Society.
Some of the sites visited in Kathmandu were damaged in the earthquake in 2015. Restorations are ongoing to bring these beloved landmarks back to their previous glory.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Bodhnath Stupa Visit
Enjoy a visit to the Bodhnath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world. Built in the 5th century, this UNESCO World Heritage site still attracts many pilgrims, particularly Tibetan Buddhists and local Nepalis. Take in the peaceful atmosphere and observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the stupa.
Bhaktapur Excursion
Visit this unique old town known as the City of Devotees. Explore Hindu temples, pagodas, palaces, and monuments, including the beautiful wood-carved palace in Durbar Square. You can pick up clay pots and other souvenirs in the colourful open markets and taste home made yogurt, known as khopa dhau, which Bhaktapur is famous for.
Your G for Good Moment: Sisterhood of Survivors Project
Visit this G Adventures-supported grassroots organization that is helping to support rehabilitated survivors of human-trafficking and other at-risk women. SASANE, our project partners, train once vulnerable women to be certified paralegals, so that they are the first point of contact for other women coming out of abuse. Where survivors lack a high school diploma, the minimum requirements to be a paralegal, Planeterra and G Adventures have helped catalyze a hospitality program for these women to be reintegrated into a dignified work environment. The survivors will teach you how to make momos (traditional dumplings) as well as a Nepali lunch. The program helps support SASANE's outreach and education programs across Nepal.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: SASANE Lecture
Enjoy a talk with a woman who has graduated from the SASANE program, which trains victims of human trafficking and other at-risk women to be paralegals who, in turn, fight trafficking. Gain valuable insight and learn about the struggles these brave women face in helping others in their new roles as paralegals.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Traditional Weaving and Indigenous Peoples Lecture
In Kathmandu, National Geographic grantee Chhing Lhomi works to preserve the ancient traditions of the Lowa community of the Upper Mustang region. We'll take the unique opportunity to visit a local home of a family from this region and enjoy a lecture from Chhing or one of her colleagues on traditional weaving methods, and hear about ongoing efforts with the Himalyan Indigenous Society.
Swayambhunath Temple Visit
Visit Swayambhunath Buddhist temple and Unesco World Heritage Site, the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu. Explore the structure and be sure to check out the Buddha's eyes painted on each side of the Stupa. The site is also known as the monkey temple, for the vast amount of creatures who call the complex home.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 10Kathmandu/Pharping
Opt to take a morning Everest experience flight. Explore Patan Durbar Square then drive to Pharping for a unique overnight stay at a Buddhist Monastery guesthouse. Learn about life in the monastery from the inside, enjoying a behind the scenes peak at chanting and prayer services and opt to meditate alongside the monks or walk in the surrounding Village.
Experience the serenity of a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. The monastery guest house offers comfortable accommodations in a peaceful setting with balconies and private western-style bathrooms. There are approximately 200 monks in residence following the Nyingmapa tradition. This is a new monastery (2006), and income from the guest house directly supports it.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Patan Durbar Square Tour
Enjoy a guided tour of this spectacular square built primarily in the 16th and 17th centuries. Located within it are the Royal Palace and many temples built in the traditional Newari pagoda style. We also visit the Golden Temple and Patan museum. South of the square lies the Kumari Chowk, home to Nepal's living goddess, the Kumari, a prepubescent girl chosen as the incarnation of the Hindu goddess Talejn. The Kumari lives a cloistered life, rarely leaving the confines of the chowk. When she does, it is for important religious festivals, but her feet are not allowed to touch the ground. Once the Kumari reaches puberty, another 3-5-year-old girl will take her place. If she is receiving visitors, we may be able to stop by for a blessing.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Overnight at a Buddhist Monastery
Experience the serenity of a Buddhist monastery. The monastery guest house offers comfortable accommodations in a peaceful setting with balconies and private western-style bathrooms. Opt to participate in the life of the monks: take tea alongside them and enjoy the early morning chanting before experiencing the sunrise from the roof of this stunning monastery. There are approximately 200 young monks in residence, training in the Nyingmapa tradition. This is a new monastery (2006), and income from the guesthouse directly supports it.
Free Time
Free time to explore the monastery and gain insight into both Buddhism and the life of a monk. Set in a peaceful wooded area only 22kms (13.7 mi) from Kathmandu, popular options at the monastery include walking in the hills and small surrounding village.
Optional Activities - Day 10 HideShow
Swayambhunath Temple Visit
Visit Swayambhunath Buddhist temple and Unesco World Heritage Site, the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu. Explore the structure and be sure to check out the Buddha's eyes painted on each side of the Stupa. The site is also known as the monkey temple, for the vast amount of creatures who call the complex home.
Everest Flight
Get a close look at awesome Mt Everest, the highest mountain in the world, without having to do any climbing; this one-hour plane tour will give you an unforgettable experience. At times, the weather may cover Everest, but the surrounding view is still worth the ride!
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 11Pharping/Kurintar
Wake up early to enjoy the sunrise and morning chanting from the monastery. After, drive to Kurintar and hike to our remote lodge on the banks of Trishuli River and valley. Opt to relax and enjoy the pool or take a hike in the surrounding countryside.
Arrive at our remote lodge, which sits on a ridge amidst the hills and overlooks sandy beaches and a river. Forests cascade down the hillsides, enclosing tiny settlements of tribal people.
The lodge is only accessed by foot, so please expect a walk of approx. 30 to 45 minutes. Porters will be hired to carry our bags but please pack what you need for the night, as we will leave our larger bags in the vehicle.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Neydo Monastery Sunrise Chant
Rise before sunrise and enter the main hall of the Monastery to listen to the monks practicing their chanting. After, we enjoy the sunrise over the Valley from the Monastery roof.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Walking
Lace up your shoes and get to the next stop under your own power.
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Kurintar Nature walk and Village visit
FreeTake a guided walk through the forests that cascade down the hillsides of Kurintar. Visit local villages inhabited by tribal people: Chepang, Dorai, Magar, some Brahman, and Chettri, making a living from foraging in the forests.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 12Kurintar/Chitwan National Park
Drive to our lodge located on the bank of the Rapti river which borders the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chitwan National Park. After lunch, board a traditional boat to view wildlife along the river.
Spend two nights enjoying cultural and wildlife excursions in and around Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP), the oldest national park in Nepal. Established in 1973, it became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. Within its area of 932km² (579 mi²), RCNP is home to at least 43 species of mammals, 450 species of birds, and 45 species of amphibians and reptiles, including sambars, chitals, rhesus monkeys, tigers and langurs.
The specifics and order of activities may change, depending on the season and local conditions. Your CEO will confirm the exact activities and timing with the naturalists upon arrival at the lodge.
Walking
Lace up your shoes and get to the next stop under your own power.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Chitwan Area Boat Excursion
Embark in traditional patela boats on a silent trip down the Rapti River, which boarders the National Park to view aquatic birds, crocodiles, gharials, and the animals along the river banks.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 13Chitwan National Park
Explore Chitwan National Park and the village surrounding it. Activities can include a village walk, boating, nature walks, and a jeep safari in the park in search of rhinos, leopards, wild elephants, black bears, monkeys, and crocodiles. If we are very lucky, we may catch a glimpse of the elusive Bengal tiger. This evening, also enjoy a Tharu cultural dance program presented by local Villagers.
The jeep safari is often prohibited during monsoon season by the park authorities; monsoon season is from June-September, and sometimes it can last till October. When the park is inaccessible, we will search out wildlife in the surrounding forest which is unfenced and just as likely to view animals. Boating is also subject to the water levels and local conditions on the Rapti River.
Jeep Safari
Enjoy a jeep safari that begins in open grassland and moves into the dense Sal Forest, crossing the Reu River to see different wildlife. Continue down to the banks of Narayani River and spot gharials (freshwater alligators) basking in the sun. Also, view wildlife from Bhimle Machan (a wooden platform).
Chitwan Village Visit
Enjoy a visit to the farming Village bordering the National Park. Learn about the social and cultural aspects of the village people, what they farm, and see how they live day-to-day.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 14Chitwan National Park/Pokhara
Drive to beautiful Pokhara and immerse yourself in stunning views of the Himalayas. Enjoy an orientation walk with your CEO and opt to have dinner at one of the popular restaurants in town.
Nestled in a tranquil valley at an altitude of 827m (2,713 ft), beautiful Pokhara lies on a once vibrant trade route between India and Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen bringing goods to trade from remote regions of the Himalayas. This enchanting city has several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panoramic views of Himalayan peaks. It is popular place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 15Pokhara
Enjoy the early morning sunrise and mountain views from Sarangkot, go boating in Phewa Lake, and hike to the World Peace Pagoda. Visit a Tibetan refugee settlement to learn more about this community, visit a photo gallery and enjoy a local lunch. This afternoon, opt to try paragliding.
The hike up to the World Peace Pagoda can be quite strenuous and is all steps up and back down. If you are not feeling so energetic, please let the CEO know and you can opt out of this activity.
Sunrise at Sarangkot
Rise early and experience a spectacular sunrise with a panoramic view of the surrounding Himalayas. The highest altitude on this trek is at 1600 meters.
World Peace Pagoda Excursion
Walk up to the World Peace Pagoda, which was constructed by Buddhist monks. Enjoy the structure and the beautiful view around it.
Phewa Lake Boat Tour
Enjoy a boat ride on Phewa Lake and take in the serene environment and natural beauty, including the magnificent fish-tailed summit of Machhapuchhre (6,977m, 22,890 ft) rising behind it.
Tibetan Refugee Settlement
Visit the Tashiling Tibetan Refugee Camp, established by the United Nations in 1964 as a temporary settlement for the large number of refugees fleeing Tibet. Walk through this friendly quarter, now home to over 500 people. Visit the celebrated photo gallery here and then enjoy a traditional momo lunch at the local restaurant to support this incredible community.
Optional Activities - Day 15 HideShow
Paragliding
8500INR per personEnjoy a view from above of the beautiful city of Pokhara, which is surrounded by the snow-capped Annapurna mountain range.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 16Pokhara/Kathmandu
Catch a flight back to the capital, Kathmandu. Enjoy free time for shopping or opt to visit the Pashupatinath Ghats
Enjoy free time in the afternoon for exploring. Visit the burning ghats at Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath, or the monkey temple. Kathmandu is fascinating at every turn, and some travelers prefer to just wander, seeing where the city may lead them.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Free Time
Take some time to explore on your own or do some last minute shopping.
Optional Activities - Day 16 HideShow
Pashupatinath Ghats and Temple Visit
1000NPR per personVisit Pashupatinath, one of the most sacred Hindu temple complexes in Nepal. Located on the banks of the Bagmati River, this is the final stop for many Hindus, who's families bring them here to set funeral pyres on the ghats to cremate their loved ones. Respectful viewing from across the river is culturally acceptable, you also will see sadhus (Hindu holy men) and pilgrims perform bathing rituals.
Please note the inclusion of a taxi costs extra.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 17Kathmandu
Depart at any time.
Feel free to depart at any time today, but remember that check out time from the hotel is 12:00pm.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.