Delhi to Kathmandu

17 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
Journey through North India to Nepal, witnessing sacred sites and cultural highlights. From the majestic beauty of the Taj Mahal to the pink glow of Jaipur, the tranquil waters of the Ganges and the holy majesty of Varanasi, this full-on tour takes in North India's icons. Destined for Nepal, we explore the temples, bazaars, and nature of the Himalayan beauty,...
19%
$3,875
From$3,150
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous

Highlights

    • A full-on journey from the majesty of North India's icons to the Himalayan beauty of Nepal
    • Watch the sun rise over the Taj Mahal, witness the pink beauty of Jaipur and the sacred waters of Varanasi
    • Search for one-horned rhino and the Buddha's birthplace in stunning Nepal

What's this trip about?

    Journey through North India to Nepal, witnessing sacred sites and cultural highlights. From the majestic beauty of the Taj Mahal to the pink glow of Jaipur, the tranquil waters of the Ganges and the holy majesty of Varanasi, this full-on tour takes in North India's icons. Destined for Nepal, we explore the temples, bazaars, and nature of the Himalayan beauty, too. Indian icons - Watch the sun rise over the marble dome of the Taj Mahal and witness the pink beauty of Jaipur. Sail down the Ganges - Drift down the Ganges, camping on its banks, before entering Varanasi on its sacred waters. Explore Nepal - Uncover majestic Nepal, searching for the one-horned rhino and uncovering the Royal Palace.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityDelhi
End CityKathmandu

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

  • Asia
  • China
  • India
  • Nepal

Attractions

  • Agra
  • Amber Fort
  • Chitwan National Park
  • Delhi
  • Durbar Square
  • Fatehpur Sikri
  • Jaipur
  • Kathmandu
  • Pokhara
  • Taj Mahal
  • Tibet
  • Varanasi

Activities

  • Hiking

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join tour in Delhi - city tour of New Delhi

Our tour starts in New Delhi, India's bustling capital, where old meets new and you can catch glimpses of a bygone era at every turn. For those arriving in time, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 1.30pm for a welcome meeting followed by an afte...

Day 2 Explore Old Delhi's spice market and take train to Jaipur

Compared to New Delhi, the Old City is much closer to the image conjured up by Rudyard Kipling. This morning, a local guide will show us around Old Delhi by metro and on foot, culminating with a jamboree of deafening barter at Chandni Chowk Bazaar. A short cycle ricks...

Day 3 Visit Jaipur's Amber Fort and City Palace Museum

This morning, we'll visit the once mighty Rajput capital of Amber (traditionally known as Amber Fort) and its fortress. Lying at the mouth of a rocky mountain gorge, overlooking Maotha Lake, the fort is a stunning creation of white marble and red sandstone that combin...

Day 4 Jeep safari in Ranthambore National Park

Leaving Jaipur, we'll take the train to Sawai Modhopur, the gateway to Ranthambore National Park. One of the best of India's 'Project Tiger' conservation projects, Ranthambore was once the private reserve of the Maharajahs of Jaipur and covers nearly 400 square kilome...

Day 5 Visit Fatehpur Sikri and drive to Agra

Heading back to the train station, we'll take the morning train to Bharatpur and then drive to the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri in the late morning. Founded in 1569 and abandoned scarcely 16 years later, it's a perfectly intact example of Akbar's imperial court. Am...

Day 6 Visit the Taj Mahal and overnight train to Allahabad

This morning, we'll have an early start to see the sun rise over the marble dome of the Taj Mahal. Built by the emperor Shah Jahan to honour the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, the building took 22 years to complete and was once described by Rudyard Kipling as 'the...

Day 7 Sail to Varanasi

After arriving in Allahabad early this morning, we'll head to a local hotel to freshen up and have breakfast before continuing our journey by road for approximately three to four hours to the sacred River Ganges. Once we reach the water, we'll start our boat trip down...

Day 8 Arrive in Varanasi

Today we'll continue our journey down river to the holy city of Varanasi where we'll disembark at Asi Ghat and transfer to our hotel. Varanasi (Benares) has been the centre of Hinduism since the dawn of history, its age is contemporary with Babylon and Thebes. Often k...

Day 9 Explore Varanasi and Sarnath

This morning we'll take an early morning boat trip along the Ganges to see the Hindu devout bathing in its sacred waters. We'll then pay a visit to nearby Sarnath. Having gained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya Buddha came to Sarnath to preach his first sermon. The city was...

Day 10 Journey to Lumbini

We have a long yet interesting journey today (around 8 hours), as we head north across the Gangetic Plains villages to the Nepalese border at Sonauli. First, we'll take a train from Varanasi to the town of Gorphpur. This is the furthest we can travel by train, so we'l...

Day 11 Explore Buddha's birthplace

We'll start our day with a rickshaw sightseeing tour of Lumbini accompanied by a local guide. We'll have the opportunity to visit the birthplace of the Buddha, the Peace Lamp. and the Monastery of Peace pagoda. From here, we'll drive (approximately five hours) through...

Day 12 Search for wild rhino in Chitwan National Park

Once a private hunting ground, Chitwan is now a National Park, with thick tree cover and tall elephant grass sheltering a wealth of animals, most famously the one-horned rhino. Today we'll be kept busy with plenty of activities available, including jeep safaris to sea...

Day 13 Morning birdwatching and drive to Pokhara

After a final early morning walk through the park, we'll leave for Pokhara. The drive will take around 6 hours depending on the traffic, and we'll take a packed lunch to have along the way. We pass through the bustling town of Naryanghat Bazaar, then head north beside...

Day 14 Walk to the Peace Pagoda

After breakfast this morning we'll stretch our legs walking up through small villages to the Japanese Peace Pagoda. This lookout point offers views across to the Annapurna Range and back down to the town of Pokhara. After enjoying the views, we'll walk back following ...

Day 15 Drive to Kathmandu

This morning, we'll drive to Kathmandu (approximately six hours away). We'll retrace our route back to Mugling, then continue heading east. Once we reach Naubise the road starts to climb and reaches a pass on the Kathmandu valley rim via a series of breathtaking zigza...

Day 16 Walking tour in Kathmandu

This morning, we'll have a walking tour of this historic city, visiting the bazaar and temples of old Kathmandu, accompanied by a local Nepali guide. Much of the day-to-day life of Kathmandu takes place in the local bazaar: a fascinating mixture of people selling spic...

Day 17 Trip ends Kathmandu

Our tour ends at our hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,150
Price per day$185
Last Updated: 4/26/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
07 Nov 2024
23 Nov 2024
$3,150
$640
11 spots left
14 Nov 2024
30 Nov 2024
$3,150
$640
12 spots left
16 Jan 2025
01 Feb 2025
$3,280
$650
16 spots left
06 Feb 2025
22 Feb 2025
$3,280
$650
16 spots left
13 Feb 2025
01 Mar 2025
$3,280
$650
16 spots left
06 Mar 2025
22 Mar 2025
$3,280
$650
12 spots left
06 Nov 2025
22 Nov 2025
$3,280
$650
16 spots left
13 Nov 2025
29 Nov 2025
$3,280
$650
16 spots left
27 Nov 2025
13 Dec 2025
$3,280
$650
16 spots left

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Explore!.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
6,513
Great
2,167
Average
377
Disappointing
116
Terrible
53
B

Brenda

Apr 2024

Written on

Delhi to Kathmandu

Two highlight for me of this extraordinarily great trip we’re taking a long look at the wild Royal Bengal tiger sauntering in the late afternoon sun and the trip on ...

S

Stuart

Apr 2024

Written on

Delhi to Kathmandu

Incredible experience of a completely different culture. The palaces and cities were interesting, but the highlights for me were all the people we met along the way:...

L

Linda

Dec 2023

Written on

Delhi to Kathmandu

All of Nepal was excellent, as was Jaipur, Agra, and all the rail journeys. Dehli and Varanasi were interesting but challenging, but that’s more to do with my feelin...

G

Gillian

Dec 2023

Written on

Delhi to Kathmandu

Brilliant trip, fabulous experience

M

Malcolm

Dec 2023

Written on

Delhi to Kathmandu

It was a very full on trip with experience after experience. You felt you got close to the essence of India with the many train journies but you also took in all the...

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Tour Operator

Explore!

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About Explore

We've been taking small groups on adventure vacations for over 41 years. Our authentic adventure travel experiences explore the sights and culture of a country, with hand-picked accommodation that balances comfort and location. Our average group tour size is just 11; perfect for meeting new people and getting to the heart of our destinations. Explore is one of the world's most trusted adventure travel companies with over 350 trips to more than 100 countries. We are passionate about travel and have developed a wide range of unique activities and adventures which give our customers an unforgettable experience with a team of award-winning Explore leaders. With Explore, you'll get to see your destination from a whole new perspective that takes you away from the typical well-trodden tourist track. You'll have the chance to meet, dine and stay with local people, rest in authentic accommodation with other like-minded explorers and travel to must-see destinations with a unique Explore twist. From family holidays to trips for solo travelers; cycling tours to wildlife safaris; trekking on mountains or exploring miles of scenic coastline, there is something for every kind of traveler with Explore. We will provide our expert knowledge, exciting itineraries and outstanding service as part of our sustainable travel experiences which take you under the skin of the country you're visiting for the adventure of a lifetime.


Why we love this operator
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
What they’re known for
Famous for our expert local guides that help ease the unknowns of adventure travel while bringing a unique richness and spontaneity to each and every

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Logistics

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Boat, Rickshaw, Train,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Boat, Rickshaw, Train
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Boat Crew, Local Guide(s)
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
India: Holders of passports endorsed British citizen, as well as Australian, New Zealand and US passport holders may be eligible for the e-Tourist Visa to enter India. Unfortunately the Indian government are not currently granting visas for anybody travelling with a Canadian passport. The visa can be applied for through the official Indian government visa website only - https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html . Please check all eligibility criteria that can be found on the website but important points are listed below - You must be arriving into one of 29 selected entry points which can be found via the official Indian Government website link above. However, you can exit from any of the authorised immigration check posts in India. Passports must have at least 6 months validity from the date of arrival in India and at least two blank pages for stamping. Visa applications will take approximately 4 days to process. There are different validity visas and the costs are as follows: 30-day validity (travelling between April and June) - $10 30-day validity (travelling between July and March) - $25 1-year validity - $40 5-year validity- $80 Those applying for a 30 day electronic visa can only apply within 30 days of arrival for your visa to be valid. Furthermore double entry is permitted and you can only obtain two 30-day visas in a calendar year. Please note these costs are subject to frequent change so you should check on the official Indian government visa website mentioned above. Biometric data will be collected on arrival in India. If you are not eligible for the e-Tourist Visa, please refer to VFS Global to apply for your Indian visa - https://www.vfsglobal.com/india/uk/how_to_apply.html Whilst the online form offers a relatively quick way to apply for a visa, some applicants have reported difficulty in completing the form. If you do require assistance, then you may consider applying through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. They can complete the online visa on your behalf for a service fee + the visa cost. See www.travcour.com http://www.travcour.com If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com http://www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity Nepal: An entry visa is required by UK, New Zealand, Australian, US & Canadian citizens and can be obtained on arrival at Kathmandu Airport and various international border crossings between Nepal and its neighbouring countries. This currently costs $30 USD for a 15 day visa, $50 USD for a 30 day visa and $125 USD for a 90 day visa. All visas are issued as multiple entry visas and are valid from the date they are issued. There have been reports of lengthy delays when completing the form to obtain the visa at the airport, especially during peak times. We therefore recommend that you fill in the visa information prior to arrival using the following link: http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/. This will produce a receipt with a reference number, which you will need to print off and produce on arrival to obtain the visa. Please note if you are filling in the form before you arrive, please do so only within 15 days of arrival as application forms are only stored for a maximum of 15 days. Whether you are filling in the form on arrival or before, a passport-sized photograph for immigration is required along with the exact cash. Payment must be made in cash, UK sterling and US dollars are both accepted. If you are ineligible for the visa on arrival or wish to obtain a visa before you travel, please refer to your nearest Nepal embassy. 20
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against malaria, infectious hepatitis, typhoid, tetanus, polio and Japanese encephalitis. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Although not compulsory, travellers may wish to take immunisation against meningococcal meningitis. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 16
  • Dinner : 4
  • Lunch : 5
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
Trip ID
explore-DKD

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