Compare Real Delhi to Kathmandu by Intrepid Travel vs Magnificent India and Nepal by Payless Tours India

Day 1 Delhi

Namaste! Welcome to India. This Himalayan adventure kicks off in Delhi – the capital territory of India’s north. Meet your trip leader and new travel buddies at a 6 pm welcome meeting tonight. If you arrive early, there's plenty to do in this wonderfully chaotic city. Maybe wander the streets, sip on your first chai or practice haggling in one of the many markets. Tonight, ask your leader for the best nightlife spots and perhaps grab a drink with your group.

Day 2 Tordi

Your next destination takes a bit of work to get to, but that’s because it’s a secret, tucked away haven away from the prying eyes of the everyday tourist. You’ll journey through picturesque countryside by train to a unique stay in Tordi – this remote and rarely visited village offers a fantastic glimpse into the real Rajasthan. Tonight, sleep in an 18th-century palace with its owner as your host. There's a ruined temple and fortress nearby that you can explore, and then you can settle in and savour the delicious local flavours with a home-cooked dinner.

Day 3 Jaipur

Kick on to Jaipur – India's super pretty Pink City. You'll have plenty of free time here to haggle to your heart's content at the bazaars and backstreets, where vendors sell a variety of textiles, precious and semi-precious gems and stunning blue pottery. Drop by one of India’s finest palaces – the Royal City Palace – where the guards’ moustaches are almost as impressive as the building itself. Foodies will want to hit the streets for raj kachori chaat (a big fluffy chaat served with chutney, yoghurt, chilli and potato). Then, maybe cool off with a lassi from Lassiwala on MI road – Jaipur's oldest and most famous lassi shop. Tonight, cinema buffs won’t want to miss a Bollywood blockbuster at the spectacular Raj Mandir Cinema.

Day 4 Jaipur

If you're keen on a different view of the Pink City, an optional early morning hot air balloon ride is a trip highlight for many visitors. Later in the morning, you’ll drop by Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) – the impressive five-storey facade with pink and honeycombed windows is the most photographed building in the country after the Taj Mahal. After, it’s out to the old capital of Amber where you’ll explore the hilltop fort complex known as the Amber Fort. The rest of the day is free for you to use as you like – maybe ask your leader for the best spot for dinner and pick up a biryani or a tasty plate of chicken tikka masala.

Day 5 Agra

Take advantage of the chance to rub shoulders with the locals today on a five-hour public bus ride to Agra – this might not be the prettiest city in the world, but the minute you see the Taj Mahal, all other worries will fade away. You’ve made it to one of the Seven Wonders of the World – India's most enduring symbol and an epic monument to love and loss. For some reason, local families find it more interesting to take photos of you than the actual Taj Mahal! But you'll be too busy standing there with your mouth gaping open to notice. Take your time taking in the delight of this gorgeous monument and make sure you grab an epic Instagram – you won’t want to forget this!

Day 6 Agra - Overnight train

Today is free to explore at your leisure. Agra Fort is a spectacular option where you can stroll the palatial gardens of this red sandstone stronghold and get some great views of the Taj Mahal from afar. For a meal that makes a difference while in Agra, consider visiting Sheroes Hangout, a remarkable social enterprise that supports survivors of acid attacks. Then, it's on to the next stop – Varanasi. Tonight, it’s time for a unique slice of Indian life aboard an overnight train.

Day 7 Varanasi

Arrive in one of the holiest cities in the country this morning. Varanasi is the ultimate destination for Hindu pilgrims who travel far and wide to experience the spirituality of this city. Overflowing with temples, shrines and devotees, this is a super interesting place to explore. Maybe take the chance to perfect your yoga in one of the epic chakra-balancing spots. Or just chill out and soak in the meditative surroundings, ready for your early start tomorrow.

Day 8 Varanasi

Today’s an early start, but it’s completely worth it – you’ll take a sunrise boat ride along the sacred Ganges, a true revelation. Even if you're not spiritual, you can't help but get goosebumps during this experience. 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 as the sun bathes the surrounds in glorious shades of amber and orange. After, maybe hop on an auto rickshaw to the oldest part of the city to explore its maze of narrow alleyways packed full of small shops, stalls and lumbering cows. See pilgrims performing rituals unchanged for hundreds of years and pass chiming temples as wafts of incense fill the air.

Day 9 India/Nepal border crossing - Lumbini

Wave goodbye to India as you travel to the border (Sunauli border crossing) and enter Nepal. Make sure to charge up your music and fish out your book, as it's a long day of travel today. Arrive in Lumbini. No ordinary border town, this is the birthplace of Gautama Buddha – the founder of Buddhism and one of his four holy places of pilgrimage. Check out the beautiful Ashoka Pillars and hop on cycle rickshaws to the Maya Devi Temple – the actual site where Buddha is thought to have been born.

Day 10 Chitwan National Park

Put on your safari hat this morning, as you’ll drive to Chitwan National Park – UNESCO declared this park a World Heritage Site in 1984 and it offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Asia. Think the Jungle Book coming to life with rhinos, deer, monkeys and a wide array of birds, including Nepalese wild chickens. Tonight, you’ll stay in a lodge near the park, listening out for the roars of tigers as you fall asleep to the sounds of nature

Day 11 Chitwan National Park

This morning you’ll hop aboard a jeep, meet your local guide and take a fun safari drive through Chitwan National Park. Look out for elephants and rhinos and if you’re lucky, you might even 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 this afternoon, including biking, bird watching, cultural performances, canoe rides and village tours. Whatever you choose, whether it’s an active cycle through the park or a leisurely float along the river, you’re sure to have a gorgeous afternoon.

Day 12 Kathmandu

Today, you’ll travel to your final destination – the Nepalese patchouli–scented capital of Kathmandu. Maybe book in for a massage or a yoga session when you arrive to ease those body kinks and settle into a meditative state. With the rest of your free time, you can visit the giant Buddhist Stupa at Bodnath or head out into the narrow streets – home to holy men, monks, bicycles and sacred cows. Got a sweet tooth? Take one soft, fluffy ball of buffalo milk dough, deep fried until it's the texture of a doughnut, dropped into sugar syrup flavoured with cardamom powder, rose essence and saffron and eat! Your leader will know where to grab these delicacies. If you like, just chill out with a cool drink or grab some dinner with your group tonight. Kathmandu has some great spots for nightlife too, so you might want to say cheers to an epic trip and celebrate your last night together.

Day 13 Kathmandu

With no further activities planned, your adventure ends this morning. Since you're already here, why not stay an extra day or two and dig a little deeper into Kathmandu? If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent and maybe get to know the city better through an Urban Adventures day tour (or two). 

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.