Itinerary
- Day 1
Delhi
You'll arrive at Delhi Airport and get transferred to your hotel to settle in. Before the 6 pm welcome meeting where you'll meet your leader and other travelers, there's time to check out Delhi's historical landmarks, museums, galleries and markets on your own. Later, head to dinner at one of the city's oldest restaurants, known for bringing ice cream and fine dining to India over 80 years ago.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at iconic Delhi restaurant (opened over 80 years ago, credited with introducing India to ice cream and fine dining))
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner at iconic Delhi restaurant
Optional Activities
- Explore Delhi's historical landmarks independently
- Visit museums and galleries
- Browse bazaars and shopping areas
- Day 2
Delhi
Your leader takes you through Old Delhi to get oriented with the ancient part of the city and shows you how the metro system works. From there, you'll walk to see the Mughal architecture, take a traditional rickshaw ride through streets around Chandi Chowk marketplace, then visit Jama Masjid (India's oldest and largest mosque) and Sheeshganj Gurudwara to experience the city's spiritual side. The evening is free to relax with your leader's recommendations.
Included Activities
- Leader-led tour of Old Delhi
- Guided walk through Mughal architecture
- Traditional rickshaw ride around Chandi Chowk marketplace
- Visit to Jama Masjid
- Visit to Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh temple)
Optional Activities
- Explore restaurants and activities based on leader recommendations
Landmarks Jama Masjid Sheeshganj Gurudwara Chandi Chowk - Day 3
Delhi to Jaipur
Travel to Jaipur and check into Hotel Narain Niwas Palace for two nights, a heritage property run by the same family since 1928 with chandeliers, stained glass windows and peacocks on the grounds. Your leader leads a walking tour through this pedestrian-friendly city, stopping at bazaars with handcrafted textiles, folk art and semi-precious stones. You'll finish with a home-cooked dinner at a local family's home.
- Meals
- Dinner (Home-cooked dinner in local family's home)
Included Activities
- Leader-led walking tour of Jaipur
- Visit to bazaars with handcrafted textiles, folk art and semi-precious stones
- Home-cooked dinner in local family's home
- Day 4
Jaipur
After breakfast, visit Amber Fort to see ornate rooms, murals, frescoed arches and jali work while learning stories of the empire. Next, head to City Palace to experience the blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture and learn about the city's founder. The rest of the afternoon and evening is yours to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Amber Fort
- Visit to City Palace
Optional Activities
- Visit Jantar Mantar Observatory (one of the world's most accurate pre-modern observatories from 1729)
- Hot air balloon ride over the city
- Sample Rajasthani street food like pyaaz kachori
Landmarks Amber Fort City Palace Jantar Mantar 
- Day 5
Jaipur to Agra
Drive to Agra and check into your hotel. Visit the Taj Mahal (one of the Seven Wonders of the World) and explore the grounds at sunset while your guide shares how Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned it in 1632 as a tribute to his late wife. Your leader can recommend a local restaurant for dinner where you can try authentic curries.
Included Activities
- Visit to Taj Mahal with guided tour at sunset
Optional Activities
- Dinner at local restaurant recommended by leader
Landmarks Taj Mahal - Day 6
Agra to Lucknow
Start with Agra Fort this morning, the seat of the Mughal Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage site built by Akbar on the eastern banks of the Yamuna River. Then drive to Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh. Upon arrival, your leader guides an afternoon walk to help you get oriented. For dinner, visit a restaurant that supports and empowers acid attack survivors.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at Sheroes restaurant supporting acid attack survivors)
Included Activities
- Visit to Agra Fort
- Leader-led orientation walk in Lucknow
- Dinner at Sheroes Cafe supporting acid attack survivors
Landmarks Agra Fort - Day 7
Lucknow
Morning tour of Lucknow includes the intricate Bara Imambara, a hall built in 1784 for Shia Muslims with its labyrinthine narrow passages and staircases best explored with a local guide. In the afternoon, you'll take a cooking class to learn the culinary secrets of Lucknow that you can use at home.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch included as part of cooking class)
Included Activities
- Leader-led morning tour of Lucknow
- Visit to Bara Imambara
- Awadhi cooking class
Landmarks Bara Imambara - Day 8
Lucknow to Varanasi
You'll start early for a scenic train ride to Varanasi, getting glimpses of the countryside from your seat. After checking into your hotel, join a walking tour of Varanasi, India's spiritual capital. In the evening, you'll sail on the Ganges at sunset with local musicians playing as you watch the flower and candle ceremony.
Included Activities
- Scenic train ride from Lucknow to Varanasi
- Walking tour of Varanasi
- Evening Ganges boat cruise with musicians
- Flower and candle ceremony (Ganga aarti)
Landmarks Ganges River 
- Day 9
Varanasi
Early risers can join a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges while your leader explains the river's significance and you pass ghats and temples. Then you'll hop into rickshaws to explore Banaras' street food stalls and eateries, trying chaat, samosas, jalebi, lassi and sweet paan. This afternoon, visit Sarnath, one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage destinations where Buddha preached enlightenment.
- Meals
- Lunch (Chaat, samosas, jalebi, lassi and sweet paan as part of rickshaw food tour with glimpse into city's culinary heritage)
Included Activities
- Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges
- Rickshaw food tour through Banaras eateries and street food stalls
- Visit to Sarnath
- Sarnath museum and stupa visits
Landmarks Sarnath - Day 10
Varanasi to Delhi
You'll return to Delhi on your penultimate day in India. The afternoon is free to explore sites you may have missed like Humayun's Tomb from 1570 or Qutb Minar, India's highest tower, with your leader's help booking activities. End with a final group dinner at a beautiful haveli from 1887, enjoying Mughlai cuisine, street food and kebabs in a historical setting.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner at haveli dating back to 1887 with Mughlai cuisine, street food dishes and kebabs)
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner at Haveli Dharampura with Mughlai cuisine, street food and kebabs
Optional Activities
- Visit Humayun's Tomb
- Visit Qutb Minar
- Explore sites missed on Day 2
Landmarks Humayun's Tomb Qutb Minar - Day 11
Delhi to Kathmandu
Travel to Kathmandu for the second half of your trip and settle into Nepal's capital, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities. You can take a walk around the Garden of Dreams or explore the unique architecture before a second group meeting at 6 pm introduces you to new group members and your leader. After that, head into Thamel and Jyatha neighborhoods for dinner with your leader and group, trying woh or Kukhurako Masu.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner in Thamel and Jyatha neighbourhoods with traditional Nepali cuisine)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner in Thamel and Jyatha neighbourhoods
Optional Activities
- Walk around the Garden of Dreams
- Explore Kathmandu's architecture independently
Landmarks Garden of Dreams 
- Day 12
Kathmandu
After breakfast, explore Kathmandu on a sightseeing tour with your leader. Head to Durbar Square, once Nepal's royal power center, then visit Bodhnath Stupa, one of the world's biggest Buddhist shrines, where you can observe monks in prayer. Stop by a Thangka painting studio to learn about this sacred Buddhist art form, then visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple. Your afternoon is free for further exploration.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leader-led sightseeing tour of Kathmandu
- Visit to Durbar Square
- Visit to Bodhnath Stupa and monasteries
- Thangka painting studio visit
- Visit to Pashupatinath Temple
Optional Activities
- Further independent exploration of Kathmandu
Landmarks Durbar Square Bodhnath Stupa Pashupatinath Temple - Day 13
Kathmandu - Bhaktapur - Nagarkot
Start with a cooking class led by local Nepali women sharing centuries-old culinary traditions from the Kathmandu Valley, then sit down to lunch with them. After lunch, travel to Nagarkot with a stop in Bhaktapur, a preserved ancient city with temples and statues. You'll explore three important squares before continuing to Club Himalaya and enjoying sunset cocktails with one complimentary drink.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch with cooking class hosts after preparing classic dishes)
Included Activities
- Authentic cooking class with local Nepali women
- Leader-led walking tour of Bhaktapur
- Visit to Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square and Pottery Square in Bhaktapur
- Sunset cocktails at Club Himalaya (one drink included)
Landmarks Bhaktapur Durbar Square Taumadhi Square Pottery Square - Day 14
Nagarkot to Pokhara
Wake early for a 180-degree sunrise view before heading to Kathmandu airport by chartered coach. Fly to Pokhara and you might catch Himalayan peaks if you're lucky. Upon arrival, take a boat across Phewa Tal, Nepal's second largest lake, then visit the Peace Pagoda for mountain views including the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhare. The afternoon is yours to wander Pokhara's colorful streets or stroll along the lake.
Included Activities
- Early morning sunrise view at Nagarkot
- Boat ride on Phewa Tal Lake
- Visit to Peace Pagoda
Optional Activities
- Explore Pokhara's colorful streets independently
- Stroll along the lake and view paddle boats
- Dine at local restaurants recommended by leader
Landmarks Phewa Tal Lake Peace Pagoda Machhapuchhare Annapurna Range - Day 15
Pokhara
Start with sunrise at Sarangkot Viewpoint to see snowcapped Himalayan peaks from the Annapurna Ranges to Fishtail Mountain, with your leader answering questions about the landscape. Visit the International Mountain Museum full of climbing expedition stories, then visit a Tibetan community to hear their journey from Tibet to Nepal. Join a cooking demonstration to learn how to make momos, which you'll eat for lunch. You have a free evening in Pokhara.
- Meals
- Lunch (Momo (steamed dumplings) lunch with Tibetan community)
Included Activities
- Visit to Sarangkot Viewpoint for sunrise
- International Mountain Museum visit
- Tibetan community visit with cooking demonstration
- Momo (steamed dumplings) lunch with Tibetan community
Optional Activities
- Free evening exploration of Pokhara
Landmarks Sarangkot Viewpoint International Mountain Museum - Day 16
Pokhara to Chitwan National Park
After breakfast, drive to Chitwan and check into Barahi Jungle Lodge for two nights, positioned on the Rapti River banks opposite Chitwan National Park. After settling in, afternoon activities vary depending on the season and wildlife movements. In the late afternoon, head down to the Rapti River to enjoy cool beverages and snacks while watching sunset and birds return home. You'll have a group dinner this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Group dinner at lodge)
Included Activities
- Sunset snacks by Rapti River
- Group dinner
Optional Activities
- Flexible afternoon activities depending on season and wildlife movements
Landmarks Chitwan National Park Rapti River 
- Day 17
Chitwan National Park
After breakfast, leave on an early morning dugout canoe adventure on the Rapti River where your leader helps you spot marsh mugger crocodiles and riverbank birds. Tiger sightings are rare but possible. Return to dry land and set out on a late afternoon safari to explore the park's flora and fauna. In the evening, have dinner with your group and relax at the bar discussing the day's sightings or listening to jungle sounds.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Early morning dugout canoe adventure on Rapti River
- Late afternoon safari tour
- Group dinner
Landmarks Chitwan National Park Rapti River - Day 18
Chitwan National Park to Kathmandu
Enjoy breakfast at the resort before driving back to Kathmandu. The afternoon is free to explore more of Nepal's cultural heritage, like the Nepali Folk Musical Instrument Museum with over 650 unique instruments. Tonight, you might join your leader and group for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, leaving you with a final memory of Nepal's traditional food.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Nepali Folk Musical Instrument Museum with over 650 unique instruments
- Join leader and group for farewell dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks Nepali Folk Musical Instrument Museum - Day 19
Kathmandu
Your Nepali adventure ends after breakfast today. If you'd like to extend your stay in Kathmandu, contact your booking agent ahead of time to arrange additional accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
