Compare Delhi to Kathmandu: River Walks & Epic Wildlife by G Adventures vs Magnificent India and Nepal by Payless Tours India

Day 1 Delhi

Arrive at any time and welcome to India's bustling capital - Delhi! Embark on an afternoon orientation tour visiting Connaught Place and India Gate for those iconic photos. Tonight, wander through the electric Karol Bagh market for your first night out; pick the best looking spot and cheers to new adventures and friends!

Please note that if you arrive after 14:00, you may miss the welcome meeting and orientation tour.

Day 2 Delhi/Pushkar

Travel by train through the arid terrain to Pushkar, often called Tirth Raj or the "king of pilgrim centres," home to the world’s only temple for the Hindu god of creation, Brahma. Get your bearings on an orientation walk around the colourful city visiting the lake, ghats, and of course the 14th century Brahama temple. Spend some time this afternoon exploring the markets or opt for an unforgettable evening by dressing in traditional Indian clothes before partaking in an authentic dinner cooked by cameleers in the desert while enjoying live entertainment!

Day 3 Pushkar/Jaipur

Before dawn, climb to the hilltop Savitri Temple and catch the sun rising over the towering Thar Desert mountains. Afterward, travel by bus ⁠— always an adventure itself in India ⁠— to the pink city of Jaipur, home to India’s second most visited site, the Hawa Mahal, or "Palace of the Winds." Enjoy an orientation walk through the market stalls.

Feeling hungry? Choose to visit Kitchen With A Cause and have a delicious meal that allows you to give back to the community.

Day 4 Jaipur

Embark on a guided tour of Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site to check off your bucket list. The Fort's sandstone walls are perched on a hill almost blending in with the terrain, besides perfectly reflecting in Maota Lake creating a mirage effect (and perfect photograph). Wander through the halls, courtyards, and palaces inside and admire the intricate details. Afterward, head back to Jaipur and spend the free afternoon exploring the city with your fellow travellers and see where the night takes you.

Opt to visit the City Palace with its fine collection of textiles and costumes or admire the mind-boggling architecture of Hawa Mahal. Discover more of the wisdom and history of the Mughals by wandering around the Jantar Mantar, an observatory built in the 1700's, or opt to sit back and relax if you like - sipping a cocktail in any of the luxuriously converted palaces. Opt to get active by pre-booking a cycle tour or sharpen your culinary skills by pre-booking a cooking class with a local family. If you aren't afraid of heights, pre-book a balloon ride to get an aerial view of the pink city.

Day 5 Jaipur/Āgra

Travel by early morning train to the Muslim city of Agra, site of India’s most famous landmark - the Taj Mahal! Immerse yourself in a guided tour and learn of the mausoleums unique history as you admire the iconic Mughal architecture.

If you want to see more of Jaipur before departing, pre-book the Cycle Tour and explore the city from a morning perspective.

Day 6 Āgra/Varanasi

Spend the day getting to know Agra. Opt for a cycle rickshaw ride to visit Baby Taj and the Agra Fort, the Taj’s less famous—but no less impressive—sister monument, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, board an overnight train and wake up in Varanasi.

Day 7 Varanasi

Take an orientation walk along Varanasi's ghats and through the old city. Afterward, opt to explore the temples and take in the spiritual energy of the city, or hop on a boat and sail the sacred Ganges River. If you take an evening boat ride, you will have the opportunity to witness a candle flower ceremony.

Day 8 Varanasi

Another day, another adventure in Varanasi. Enjoy a free day to uniquely explore the spiritual capital of India. Opt to bathe in the sacred waters or visit Kashi Vishwanath, the Golden Temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Varanasi is your oyster!

Pre-book the Varanasi Heritage Walk and enjoy a guided tour that focuses more on the local life in Varanasi and its philosophical and cultural values. Witness pilgrims singing and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of Varanasi in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Pre-book the Guided Visit of Sarnath and learn about the life of the Buddha. Discover the archeological ruins of the monastery. Explore the museum at Sarnath and the sacred Maha Bodhi Tree. Visit temples constructed by the buddhist people of Sri Lanka, Thailand and Japan and stop to admire the Buddha statue during the three hours of guided exploration.

Day 9 Varanasi/Lumbini

Today we leave India and travel to the peaceful land of Nepal. Step back in time and experience Buddha's birthplace - Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and pilgrimage centre. Opt to visit the Maya Devi Temple, where the Queen gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama.

This will be a longer travel day as it may take up to 12 hours to reach the city of Lumbini. Settle in with your fellow travellers and get to know each other as you take in the scenery.

It is possible for most nationalities to get a Nepalese visa at the border; you will need at least one passport size photograph and $30 USD. Nepal is 15 minutes ahead of India, time wise.

Day 10 Lumbini/Royal Chitwan National Park

Experience Nepali rural life at Barauli Village homestay, a G Adventures–supported project. Take an orientation walk, visiting friendly homes and learn about the Tharu daily life. Opt to venture to the Narayani river on a cycle tour.

Day 11 Royal Chitwan National Park

Enjoy a free day to explore the surrounding village and rice paddies before spending another night with the Tharu community. Opt to take a jeep safari through the diverse ecosystem of Chitwan National Park for a chance to witness rhinos, crocodiles, monkeys, and maybe even the elusive bengal tiger.

Day 12 Royal Chitwan National Park/Pokhara

Travel from the peaceful plains towards the mystical Himalayan mountains, stopping in Pokhara. Get your bearings in town on an orientation walk. Be sure to capture a panoramic group photo with the stunning Annapurna range backdrop.

Day 13 Pokhara

Enjoy a cooking demonstration and learn how to make Nepalese momos (dumplings) before enjoying a traditional lunch together where you'll get to taste your own creations. In the afternoon, get to know Pokhara more in-depth by freely exploring this photogenic region. Gear up for your big night out at a lakeside bar with your new friends. Grab a drink on us and cheers to all the life-changing adventures you've just shared.

In the morning, opt to travel out to Mt Sarangkot (1592m), only 5 kms northeast of Pokhara, for a spectacular Himalayan sunrise over the surrounding mountains. The walk back down through farms and forest to Pokhara is wonderful and takes between 2-2.5 hours.

Day 14 Pokhara/Kathmandu

Travel the last leg of this trip through the wild, rugged Himalayan landscape to Nepal’s capital and largest city, Kathmandu. Get a feel for the city on an orientation walk. As Kathmandu is fascinating at every turn, simply wander around and see where chance, fate, or the city may lead you. Check out world-famous Durbar Square, King’s Palace, the burning ghats at Pashupatinath, or Boudhanath Stupa.

Day 15 Kathmandu

Today is departure day, but do not fret! There is no such thing as goodbye, only until next time. Hug your new friends, exchange social medias, and depart at any time.

If you wish to partake in the Everest Flight optional activity on the final day of tour, please do not book any outgoing flights from Kathmandu earlier than 11:00 am.

Day 1: Delhi

Meet our representative at Delhi Airport and transfer to hotel at arrival in Delhi. After breakfast and some relaxation, discover Delhi. Morning visit to the 400-years-old Jama Mosque (the largest in India) and local market. Later visit Red Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). In the afternoon enjoy driving through Rashtrapati Bhavan (the President's Palace) and India Gate (a war memorial arch built in honor of Indian soldiers who lost their lives in World War –I). Explore the famous Humayun's Tomb (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Qutub Minar (a UNESCO World Heritage Site- the tallest brick minaret in the world, at 238 feet). Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2: Jaipur

After breakfast, travel to the Pink City called Jaipur. Check-in the hotel. Local sightseeing of Jaipur. Visit Galta Ji - monkey temple beautifully situated among the hills. You will be taking cooking classes to learn how to cook Indian food. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Jaipur

After breakfast meets the guide and does local sightseeing in the city. Visit places like Amber fort - a magnificent fort and palace complex situated among hills, the City Palace, Jantar Mantar - Astronomic Observatory, Gaitor tombs - Royal tombs of the Jaipur Kings, Jal Mahal - the Water palace and Hawa Mahal -  the most characteristic and amazing Pink Wall in Jaipur with 1000 small windows. Shopping at the local market. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Agra with Fatehpur Sikri

After breakfast journey to Agra. On the way stop at Fatehpur Sikri – sightseeing of an amazing city complex.

Later on travel to Agra, which is home to one of the seven wonders of the world the symbol of eternal love-The Taj Mahal. The monument was built by the emperor Shahjahan in loving memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is located on the banks of Yamuna and brings huge tourism to Agra. Meet the guide and do local sightseeing in Agra. First, you will do sightseeing at the monument on the UNESCO list - Agra Fort which is one of the most wonderful forts in India. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Delhi to Varanasi by air

Visit the symbol of love Taj Mahal with the guide down. After breakfast drive to Delhi – the domestic airport to catch a plane from Delhi to Varanasi. Transfer from the airport to the hotel in Varanasi. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Varanasi

After breakfast a boat ride on the Ganges River with a great opportunity to see all the ghats and cremation places. Come back to the hotel for breakfast. Leave for Sarnath (6 km away). Sarnath in the northeast of Varanasi is where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. A highly sacred Buddhist religious place, Sarnath lies at two rivers-Ganga and Gomati. Popular attractions here are Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath Museum, and Chaukhandi Stupa. Post that return back to Varanasi. In Varanasi, you would be visiting the Alamgir mosque, Dashashwamedh Ghat, and Bharat Mata temple. In the evening enjoy a boat cruise on the Ganga River watching "Aarti" - a spectacular ceremony of offering fire to the Gods. Overnight stay at Varanasi.

Day 7: Lumbini

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Lumbini. On arrival check in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Chitwan

After breakfast visit the site where Buddha was born and many temples. Later on, travel to Chitwan national park which is the biggest in Asia. Chitwan National Park is the most famous national park in Nepal which offers 450 species of birds including four species of deer, leopard, sloth bear, wild boar, and many other wildlife. This park is well known for one-horned Rhinoceros and it is a shelter for a few Royal Bengal Tigers. Besides this Chitwan also supports a great variety of flora and fauna. Overnight at the Lodge at Chitwan.

Day 9: Pokhara

Morning safari in the park, you can choose an elephant ride or a jeep safari. Admire the beauty of nature and animal species. Later on breakfast in the hotel. Travel to Pokhara. Pokhara is the gateway to the Himalayas. The Pokhara valley is the second biggest valley in the central hilly region of Nepal after Kathmandu. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Pokhara - Kathmandu

Leisure time in Pokhara which you can spend having a boat ride on the Phewa lake with a stopover at Varahi temple, do some shopping and sightseeing - local temples and the Devi waterfall. You will also see the Bindhyabasini Temple is the oldest temple in the city of Pokhara. It regularly attracts a large number of locals, Nepalis from across the country, and foreigners alike. The main temple is devoted to the goddess Bindhyabasini, a Bhagawati who is the incarnation of Kali.

On your request, early morning trekking to the viewpoint of Sarangkot can be organized. You can also try helicopter flight or paragliding in the valley. After all the leisure activities and sightseeing drive to Kathmandu. The evening is at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Kathmandu

In the morning we start our sightseeing by visiting Durbar Square. Durbar Square is the spiritual heart of Kathmandu. The old royal palace at the center of the city was surrounded by temples and other important buildings. After Durbar Square we will visit Swayambhunath. The stupa at Swayambhunath is the most important and oldest site of Buddhist worship in Nepal. Swayambhunath Stupa is famous for the eyes of Buddha which seem to observe the world from all 4 directions. After Swayambhunath we visit Boudhanath. Boudhanath is the largest Stupa in Nepal. Now we proceed to the temple city of Pashupatinath which is Nepal's most important Hindu pilgrim site on the banks of the Bagmati River. The temple of Pashupatinath is dedicated to the god Shiva. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12: Kathmandu

Morning flight over the Himalayas on request (200 USD per person). After breakfast travel to Patan. Patan was the second largest town in the valley. The famous King Ashoka built the Stupas at four corners in 250 BC. The temple architecture here gave this city fame to be unique and most beautiful. After Patan, we proceed to Bhaktapur, the third biggest city in the valley. Bhaktapur has preserved its medieval character better than Patan. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: Delhi

Transfer to the airport to catch an international flight to Delhi. Transfer to the hotel or another location in Delhi.