Compare The Road to Delhi by Geckos Adventures vs Classical India with Nepal - Classic Group, 2022 2023 Classic Group by Insight Vacations

Day 1 Kathmandu

Namaste! Welcome to Nepal. This Himalayan adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm. Look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, maybe arrive a day early so you're able to attend. If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. At the meeting have your insurance details and next of kin information ready for collection. If you arrive early there are a number of optional activities for you to take advantage of in this city. Kathmandu’s most important Buddhist shrine Swayambhunath Stupa, the nearby ‘City of Devotees’ Bhaktapur, a panoramic scenic flight, or a number of Urban Adventures will help you discover this city of ancient architecture and modern development, whose rich artistic and cultural heritage means it remains the legendary destination it has been for decades.

Day 2 Chitwan National Park

Travel by private bus to Chitwan National Park at the base of the Himalayas (125km, approx 6 hours). Declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1984, Chitwan National Park is one of Nepal's premier destinations. The National Park offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Asia with rhinos, deer, monkeys and a wide array of birdlife including Nepalese wild chickens.

Day 3 Chitwan National Park

This morning you’ll hop aboard a jeep, meet your local guide and take a safari drive through Chitwan National Park. Maybe you might catch a glimpse of one of the 100-or-so Bengal Tigers that call the park home. There are also a number of optional activities available through your accommodation, including biking, bird watching, cultural performances, canoe rides and village tours.

Day 4 Lumbini

Leaving Chitwan, travel by private vehicle to the Nepalese border town of Lumbini (168km, approx 5 hrs). The birthplace of Gautama Buddha, Lumbini is the Mecca of Buddhism, being one of its four holy places. It's said in the Parinibbana Sutta that Buddha himself identified four places of future pilgrimage: the sites of his birth, enlightenment, first discourse and death. Travel on cycle rickshaws to the Maya Devi Temple, the site where Lord Buddha is believed to have been born.

Day 5 Nepal/India border crossing - Varanasi

This is a long travelling day as we make our way into India, crossing the border at Sunauli and continuing on to Varanasi (approx 8-10 hrs including stops). The ultimate destination for all Hindu pilgrims, Varanasi is full of temples, shrines and devotees.Life is drawn to the sacred river Ganges here. Varanasi is one of the worlds oldest continually inhabited cities and one of its most amazing

Day 6 Varanasi

Today’s an early start, but it’s totally worth it as you take a boat ride on the Ganges at sunrise. You’ll pass the many ghats (stairs leading to the water) and temples along the river, and watch thousands of Hindu pilgrims cleanse their sins in the holy water. Then you’ll set off by cycle rickshaw to visit the oldest part of the city, with its maze of narrow alleyways packed full of small shops, stalls and huge, lumbering cows. See pilgrims performing rituals and ceremonies unchanged for hundreds of years and pass temples full of bell chimes and the smell of incense.

Day 7 Varanasi - Overnight train

Today there’s lots of free time to explore more of Varanasi before you get a unique slice of Indian life aboard an overnight sleeper train bound for Agra (approximately 10 hours). You could take a trip to nearby Sarnath, one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage destinations. The site is where Buddha preached his message of the path to enlightenment and features a number of stupas and museums to explore. There’s also the crumbling 17th century fort and palace on the eastern bank of the Ganges, Ram Nagar Fort. Otherwise take the chance to perfect your yoga in this most chakra-balancing of places.

Day 8 Agra

Agra might not be the prettiest city in the world, but the minute you check out its top-notch sites that won’t matter one bit. Enjoy a free day exploring Agras alternative highlights. We arrive on a Friday so the Taj is closed to visitors, but there are outstanding views from almost every hotel rooftop in the area. Join an optional trip and  jump on a motorised rickshaw to pick out the rest of the city’s monuments. If you’ve got the energy head out to Agra Fort and stroll the palatial gardens of this red sandstone stronghold with cheeky monkeys in tow, or check out Akbar's Mausoleum – a beautiful sandstone and marble tomb built for the greatest of the Mughal emperors.

Day 9 Agra - Tordi

It doesn’t matter who you are, the Taj Mahal will explode all your expectations with the morning light shimmering off its white marble surface. after our visit, jump into private transport and head off to the tiny Rajasthani village of Tordi. We stumbled across this tiny village years ago, and everyone loved it so much we put it on the itinerary. The kids will adore you, the locals will feed you and you'll sleep in a 16th century palace with its owner as your host. Take a walk around the village or visit the fortress and ruined temples that lie a bit further away. Enjoy an included dinner tonight.

Day 10 Jaipur

Continue omwards in our private transport until we reach Jaipur (121km, approx 3 hours). A friendly, busy town crammed with palaces and bazaars full of jewellery, textiles and folk-based arts, Jaipur is a firm favourite with travellers. In your free time here you could: Take a walk to the city's crowded and colourful bazaars, which sell a wide variety of artisan goods. Semi-precious stones are the local speciality - be sure to wander by the stalls at least once. Go to Jaipur's Royal City Palace - one of India's finest - and spend time exploring the various rooms and apartments. Discover the extravagance of a Bollywood blockbuster, with all the Hollywood-style elements of action, romance, drama and music (sometimes all rolled into one), at the spectacular Raj Mandir Cinema.

Day 11 Jaipur

This morning, take an optional hot air balloon ride. Floating across the skyline of Jaipur in a hot air balloon can be a highlight of the trip. Ballooning can be done over the city on the morning of day 11 between September and June. For additional information, please see the important notes section of the Essential Trip Information. Make photo stops at Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), the most photographed building in the country after Taj Mahal, before travelling out to the old capital of Amber and explore the hilltop fort complex known as the Amber Fort.

Day 12 Delhi

Take a day train (260km, approx 5 hours) India's capital is an exciting, busy, and often chaotic city but it's also one of the most interesting in the world with historical sites from different eras, museums and galleries, shops and endless bazaars! Watch one of the world's greatest shows unfold as people, traffic, cows and kids all work together in a kind of organised chaos. Grab a chai, put your feet up and let it all soak in. After arrival we take the modern metro to to Old Delhi and visit the old city's market area by foot including Chandni Chowk as well as Connaught Place. Enjoy an optional dinner tonight with your group to say goodbye to this fine country

Day 13 Delhi

Your whizz-bang tour finishes up in Delhi. Watch one of the world's greatest shows unfold as people, traffic, cows and kids all work together in a kind of organised chaos. Grab a chai, put your feet up and let it all soak in. If you've got an extra day or two, don't forget to check out the great range of Urban Adventures on offer.

Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu

Welcome to Nepal! On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport you will be greeted by an Insight representative and transferred to your hotel, the Hyatt Kathmandu. At 17:00 meet your Travel Director and venture out in Thamel on a rickshaw ride. Later, head to a local restaurant for a Welcome Reception, drinks and dinner.

Day 2: Kathmandu the City of Beauty

Start the day bright and early with a morning visit to Kathmandu City. See the tranquil Swayambhunath temple. Later, stop in Patan, the third largest city in Nepal, where you will enjoy an included lunch. Originally called Lalitpur or “City of Beauty” in Sanskrit, you’ll explore this pretty city with a Local Expert in the afternoon. Highlights include the Golden Temple, Durbar Square and Mul Chowk, the largest and oldest of the Royal Palace’s three main chow squares. Enjoy the flavours of the region in the evening with an indulgent dinner.

Day 3: Kathmandu's Spiritual History

Delve into Kathmandu’s spiritual history with a morning visit to the Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of the Bagmati River and take in the impressive Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal. Next you’ll head to the city of Bhadgaon, before visiting a local pottery workshop where a local craftsman will provide a demonstration. In the evening head to an inspirational talk by a woman who summited the Earth’s highest mountain above sea level, Mount Everest. She’ll talk to you about her experience guiding some of the world’s most interesting people through some of the most challenging terrain on earth.

Day 4: On to Vibrant Delhi

Head to the airport for your onwards flight to Delhi, India. On arrival, you’ll be taken to your modern and contemporary hotel, Le Méridien New Delhi. Later, join your group and Travel Director for a trip to Akshardham Temple. Also known as Swaminarayan Akshardham, this Hindu temple is a spiritual and cultural campus dedicated to devotion, learning and harmony. The rest of the day is yours at leisure, ask your Travel Director for recommendations on where to explore, or perhaps relax at your hotel’s spa?

Day 5: Exploring New and Old Delhi Relaxed Start

This morning, head on an exciting sightseeing tour of Old Delhi and New Delhi with your Travel Director. Drive past the Red Fort, the main residence of the Mughal dynasty until 1856. Founded in 1526, the Mughal Empire compromised the majority of the Indian subcontinent until 1707. In the afternoon, visit a Sikh temple and visit its community kitchen, a place preparing and serving free vegetarian meals to those in need. Later, drive past the President Palace, India Gate and Parliament House, before ending the day with a tour of Humayun’s Tomb with your Travel Director.

Day 6: The Pink City Relaxed Start

Travel to Jaipur, more affectionately known as the Pink City, after the whole city was painted pink in 1876 for a visit from Queen Victoria. Before lunch, enjoy a visit to the Heritage Transport Museum in Haryana, a fascinating showcase of the evolution of transport in India. Later, join your Travel Director for an evening visit to a flower and spice market. Dine at the esteemed Dera Amer. Situated in the wilderness close to Jaipur, this outdoor dining experience truly connects you to nature. With elephants roaming free on its land, the venue’s primary purpose is to maintain an area of natural beauty, while protecting its wildlife.

Day 7: Delve into Jaipur

Ascend by jeep to Amber Fort. Built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, its royal halls mesmerise with their ivory, mirrors, glass and exquisite paintings. Once here, experience India’s spiritual majesty, with a special blessing ceremony. In the afternoon, take a city tour of Jaipur and see the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, and visit the City Palace Museum and royal observatory.  Explore Jaipur with Insight Choice. Choose between visiting the royal observatory and see Jantar Mantar, featuring the world’s largest stone dun dial, or alternatively, join your Local Expert for a walk through the city’s old lanes and see artisans working with age-old techniques.

Day 8: Jaipur to Agra

In the morning depart for Agra, home to the spectacular phenomenon that is the Taj Mahal. Along the way stop for lunch at the beautiful Laxmi Vilas Palace in Bharatpur. When you arrive in Agra, the evening is yours at leisure. Why not make the most of the amenities at your hotel, Jaypee Palace? Home to a spa, salon and fitness centre, unwind before tomorrow’s adventure.

Day 9: The Taj Mahal

Wake early for a visit to the Taj Mahal, to see the world phenomenon in its best light. A symbol of love and flawless architectural creation, it was built by an emperor in memory of his beloved queen. Continue on to Agra Fort. Explore Agra with Insight Choice. Choose to join a guided walk through Kachhpura to discover the life of local farmers. Enjoy tea and pakora on a rooftop with views of the Taj Mahal. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and visit the ‘Sheroes’ Café. This local business supports female victims of acid attacks who refuse to give up and instead fight for a better life. Catch up with your fellow travellers over dinner at your hotel this evening.

Day 10: On to Varanasi

In the morning, take a flight to Varanasi, one of the holiest cities in Hinduism. On arrival you’ll be checked into your luxury hotel, the Taj Ganges. A contemporary ode to its classical city, this five-star accommodation includes a pool, fitness centre, traditional Indian Spa Therapies and a beautiful flower garden. In the evening, participate in an Aarti on the ghats, where you’ll offer prayers to the River Ganges. This spiritual ceremony is performed daily to honour the River Goddess Ganga. It is a Hindu religious ritual of worship and involves hundreds of diyas and flowers being released onto the river, as the words “Har Har Gange!” are chanted.

Day 11: The Holy City of Varanasi

Wake early for a breathtaking sunrise boat cruise on River Ganges, followed by a visit to an Akhara. Return to your hotel for breakfast before heading on a tour of Varanasi. This involves seeing the Sarnath, a sacred deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma and the Buddhist Sangha first came into existence through Kondanna’s enlightenment. Later, enjoy a delicious Celebration Dinner with your fellow travellers and Travel Director at your hotel.

Day 12: Leave Varanasi for Delhi

End your trip with a relaxing early morning yoga session at your hotel, before breakfast and a transfer to the airport. Head back to Delhi before your onward flights. Please do not schedule flights before 9pm.