Delhi to Kathmandu (EXDK)
Duration:
17 days (may vary)
Areas: India, Nepal
Tour types: History & Culture, Nature & Wildlife
Description
Moghul Highlights
We start on a cultural note taking in the great sights of Old and New Delhi before heading for the 'Pink City' of Jaipur in the desert province of Rajasthan. Here we'll see the Observatory, the graceful Palace of the Winds and the beautiful City Palace. Stopping at the 'ghost town' of Fatehpur Sikri en route, we soon reach Agra, home to the world's most photographed building, the breathtaking Taj Mahal.
Sailing the Eternal Ganges
Travelling by train, we reach Mirzapur the starting point of our unique 3-day boat trip on the Ganges, that takes us to Varanasi. Sailing along the river offers the perfect point from which to observe life in rural India and we aim to stop at small villages and historic sites. Floating in to India's holiest city is a tranquil and deeply moving experience as we pass the colourful ghats where the throngs come to worship and bathe in the holy waters.
Chitwan & Kathmandu
Crossing the border at Sonauli we head for Chitwan National Park in Nepal's sub-tropical lowland region known as the Terai. We spend two days in this fascinating jungle reserve, which supports a variety of game. Known for its one-horned rhino and Bengal tigers, there are also leopard, sloth bear, four kinds of deer and over 300 species of birds. Finally we drive up to the Kathmandu Valley and spend the last few days of the tour in Nepal's historic and bustling capital city; with plenty of time to see the many bazaars, temples and stupas which give it its unique charm. There is also the option of taking a flight across the Everest region.
Tour itinerary
Please note:
certain departures operate in reverse.
Day 1
Join Kathmandu.
Day 1
Join Delhi.
Day 2
Tour New Delhi.
Day 2 & 3
In Kathmandu.
Day 3
Tour Old Delhi; train Jaipur.
Day 4
Tour Jaipur.
Day 4 & 5
Chitwan.
Day 5
Drive Agra via Fatehpur Sikri.
Day 6-5
Visit Taj Mahal and Agra Fort; overnight train Mirzapur.
Day 6
Bhairahawa.
Day 7-6
Varanasi.
Day 7
Arrive Mirzapur; Ganges sailing.
Day 8
Continue down-stream.
Day 8 & 9
Ganges sailing.
Day 9
Sail Varanasi; disembark Asi Ghat.
Day 10-9
In Varanasi; sunrise trip on Ganges, visit Sarnath.
Day 10
Sail to Varanasi.
Day 11-10
Overnight train Agra.
Day 11
Drive Bhairahawa (Nepal).
Day 12-11
Drive Chitwan; village walk or elephant safari.
Day 12
Agra.
Day 13 & 14
Jaipur.
Day 13
In Chitwan.
Day 14
Drive Kathmandu.
Day 15
In Kathmandu; visit Royal Palace, main bazaar and Durbar Square.
Day 15 & 16
Delhi.
Day 16
In Kathmandu; visit Bodhnath and Pashupatinath.
Day 17-16
Optional Everest flight; tour ends Kathmandu.
Day 17
End Delhi.
** The following tour dates operate on a reverse itinerary so start tour in Katmandu and end in Delhi.
05 Jan 08 - 21 Jan 08
23 Feb 08 - 10 Mar 08
15 Mar 08 - 31 Mar 08
25 Oct 08 - 10 Nov 08
22 Nov 08 - 08 Dec 08
20 Dec 08 - 05 Jan 09
03 Jan 09 - 19 Jan 09
21 Feb 09 - 09 Mar 09
14 Mar 09 - 30 Mar 09