Delhi to Kathmandu: 15 Days Across India and Nepal

Arrival transfer from Indira Gandhi International Airport is arranged through the G Adventures-supported Women With Wheels project. The remainder of the day is free until an evening welcome meeting with the group. An optional half-day culinary tour of Delhi is available for those arriving early, visiting age-old markets and landmark food joints including Chandni Chowk's bustling bazaar, authentic chai served in terracotta cups, and the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib Sikh temple, which operates the world's largest community kitchen. Accommodation is in central Delhi.

The morning includes a guided orientation of Delhi's central landmarks—Connaught Place and India Gate, a stately memorial erected for Indian soldiers who died in World War I. A private vehicle then departs for Jaipur, a 260-kilometer journey of 5–6 hours through Rajasthan's arid terrain. En route, a stop at the Anoothi Project allows a hands-on block printing session with local women from marginalized communities who have mastered this traditionally male craft; the name Anoothi means 'unique and extraordinary' in Hindi. Upon arrival in Jaipur, an orientation walk introduces the Pink City's markets and heritage layout. The evening offers an optional screening of a classic Bollywood film at the Raj Mandir cinema. Accommodation is at a heritage property in the city.

Begin your day at Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that clings dramatically to the hills overlooking Maota Lake. This architectural masterpiece blends Hindu and Muslim design traditions accumulated over centuries of construction and renovation. As you move through the fort's halls and courtyards, the intricate details become apparent—carved screens, inlaid stonework, and spatial designs that reflect the sophistication of Rajasthani palace architecture. The fort's layout tells the story of royal life, from ceremonial spaces to private quarters, each room revealing different aspects of historical court culture. Your second major stop is the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of the Winds. This sandstone facade is one of Jaipur's most recognizable landmarks. Its elaborately carved windows served a specific purpose: they allowed women living in the Zenana (the private quarters where women observed purdah) to watch the street life and festivals of the city below while remaining unseen themselves. Beyond its historical significance, the structure's design is a study in passive cooling—the dense arrangement of windows creates natural air circulation that keeps the interior comfortable even during Jaipur's intense summers. After these two major sites, the remainder of your day is unstructured. Use this time to visit Jaipur according to your own interests and pace. If you wish to be more active, several optional activities are available, each offering a different perspective on the city. A guided cycle tour through the walled Old City allows you to navigate Jaipur's organized lanes and grid pattern by bicycle—a way to experience the sights, sounds, and smells that vehicle travel cannot capture. The tour typically begins with a traditional lassi yogurt drink, passes through the Govind Dev temple adjacent to the City Palace, winds through the historical spice and sweets markets (where stops for tea and pakoras are built in), and concludes at the Albert Hall Museum. Hotel transfers are included. Alternatively, the City Palace itself merits a separate visit: its courtyards, gardens, and buildings represent a striking synthesis of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture, and its museum houses royal carriages and the former maharaja's gold-embroidered wedding attire. The nearby Jantar Mantar observatory, established in 1727, contains an extraordinary collection of astronomical instruments and benefits from a guided interpretation of how they were used. For those willing to start before dawn, a hot-air balloon ride offers a completely different vantage point. Drifting silently into the sky as the sun rises, you'll witness the landscape transform—rolling hills, villages coming to life with their colorfully dressed inhabitants, and occasionally, if fortune favors you, elephants moving across the terrain below. (This activity operates from September through April.) You remain based in Jaipur this evening.

A 240-kilometer private vehicle journey of 6 hours carries the group southward through arid terrain and small towns to Agra. Upon arrival, the group proceeds directly to the Taj Mahal for a sunset visit. The white marble mausoleum, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a monument to his wife Mumtaz Mahal, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The structure's proportions, inlay work, and setting are explored during a 2–3 hour visit. Accommodation is in Agra.

A 3-hour train journey departs Agra for Jhansi, followed by a 1.5-hour auto rickshaw ride to Orchha, a small town set along the Betwa River. The shift from India's major cities to rural life becomes apparent upon arrival. A visit to Tarragram, a paper-making workshop established to support tribal women, demonstrates the production of paper from recycled clothing and wood pulp. The Orchha Palace complex—comprising three separate structures: the Raj Mahal, Jehangir Mahal, and Rai Parveen Mahal—showcases medieval architecture and the town's royal history across 1–2 hours of exploration. An optional evening puja (Hindu prayer ceremony) is available at a local temple. Accommodation is at a guesthouse in Orchha.

Morning and afternoon in Orchha are yours to structure. The town rewards independent exploration—rent a bicycle to navigate its quieter corners, walk the riverbanks, or settle into the optional cooking class. The cooking school offers a deeper look at what makes Orchha culturally distinct. You'll learn to prepare masala chai, vegetable pakoras, and three different curries alongside your hosts, then sit down to eat what you've made: these dishes served with raita, mango and guava chutneys, chapatis, and puris. It's equal parts instruction and conversation. By evening, transfer by taxi to Jhansi station (1 hour). Board your overnight train to Varanasi—a 13-hour journey in basic berth-style beds. This is local travel as it happens: the rhythms of Indian rail, the sounds of the tracks, the chance to rest properly before arriving in Varanasi the next morning.

The train arrives in Varanasi, Hinduism's holiest city and one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited settlements. An orientation walk along the ghats—the stepped riverbanks where millions of Hindu pilgrims come to bathe, worship, and perform cremation rites—introduces the city's spiritual landscape, temples, and shrines. The remainder of the day is free to visit the narrow alleys, visit temples, or sit on the banks of the sacred Ganges. Accommodation is in central Varanasi.

This immersive day in Varanasi begins before dawn with a 1-hour sunrise boat tour on the sacred Ganges River. From the water, witness Hindu pilgrims performing their dawn rituals—bathing, praying, and participating in cremations at the ghats. The light emerging over the river reveals the spiritual heart of this ancient city, where locals have gathered for millennia to wash away their sins and honor their dead. Following the sunrise experience, the morning and afternoon open for independent exploration. Varanasi's oldest continually inhabited city status means centuries of history unfold through its narrow alleys, hidden shrines, and hundreds of temples. Wander at your own pace, discovering the lively bazaars and stalls of the Old City, or simply sit on the banks of the Ganges and observe life unfolding around you. Some travelers choose to visit Sarnath, the site of Buddha's first sermon, or visit specific temples and sacred spaces at leisure. Two substantial pre-bookable experiences offer deeper cultural and spiritual immersion. The Heritage and Spiritual Walk through Old Benaras departs from the Godaulia intersection, beginning at the Mata Kali Temple—one of the city's most revered places of worship, built by the Maharaja of Varanasi in 1885 and distinguished by its intricately carved pillars. The walk continues to the Ganesh temple before moving through the Tedhi Neem Gali, a colorful market dense with shops and local commerce. From there, the route leads toward the Kashi Vishwanath corridor and Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi's principal cremation site, where a sacred fire has burned continuously for the last 3,000 years—a powerful testament to the city's unbroken spiritual continuity. The Heritage Walk progresses past the Alam Gir mosque and the shrine of Guru Shri Tailang Swami, a revered Hindu yogi and mystic, then visits the Mangla Gauri Temple and Sankatha Mata Temple. Throughout the route, your guide emphasizes local life, philosophical values, and the city's profound importance across Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. You'll witness pilgrims singing and chanting, gaining deeper understanding of why Varanasi holds such sacred significance. The walk concludes with an opportunity to try the famous white butter toast with tea at a local chai shop—a moment to pause and absorb the experience alongside locals. Alternatively, a 3-hour guided tour of Sarnath offers a concentrated exploration of one of Buddhism's holiest sites, located a short tuk-tuk ride from Varanasi. Sarnath is where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon, and for nearly 1,700 years it remained a major center of learning, pilgrimage, and monastic life. Your local guide will lead you through the archaeological ruins of the ancient monastery and the Dhamek stupa, then into the on-site museum to learn about the site's layered history. You'll see the sacred Maha Bodhi Tree and visit temples constructed by Buddhist communities from Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Japan—each offering distinct architectural and spiritual perspectives. A key highlight is the Thai Buddha vihara, which houses an 80-foot standing Buddha statue, the tallest standing Buddha figure at Sarnath. After three hours of guided exploration, your guide escorts you back to your tuk-tuk for the return journey to Varanasi. As evening descends, a 2–3 hour boat tour on the Ganges at sunset provides a contemplative counterpoint to the morning's experience. This candlelit flower ceremony is one of Varanasi's most well-known moments—pilgrims and visitors alike release flower offerings and candles onto the water, creating a shimmering procession of light and devotion. The ceremony embodies the spiritual essence of the city: the Ganges as a living connection between the earthly and the divine. You'll return to your accommodation in Varanasi as night settles over the river, carrying with you the layered impressions of one of the world's most spiritually charged places.

A 6-hour private vehicle journey departs Varanasi southward toward the Indian-Nepalese border at Sunauli. The landscape shifts as the route approaches the Terai lowlands. Border crossing formalities at Sunauli-Bhairahawa take approximately 30 minutes; most nationalities can obtain a Nepalese visa on arrival for $30 USD. Nepal operates 15 minutes ahead of Indian Standard Time. Upon crossing, a 1-hour drive reaches Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and major Buddhist pilgrimage center. The Maya Devi Temple marks the spot where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha). The temple complex and surrounding monasteries are explored during the remainder of the day. Accommodation is at a resort property in Bhairahawa, near Lumbini.

A 4–5 hour private vehicle journey carries the group from Lumbini through a belt of marshy grasslands, savannas, and forests at the base of the Himalayas toward Royal Chitwan National Park. The region is home to Indian rhinos, Asian elephants, Bengal tigers, sloth bears, and leopards. Upon arrival, the group settles into a homestay with the Barauli community, an indigenous Tharu people who inhabit the Terai belt and live in eco-friendly homes. The evening includes a cultural dinner and traditional dance and song performance by the hosts. An optional cycling excursion through the village and surrounding area is available, concluding with sunset tea on the banks of the Narayani River. Accommodation is at the community homestay.

A 3–4 hour 4x4 safari visits the diverse ecosystems of the UNESCO-designated Royal Chitwan National Park. The vehicle traverses grasslands and forests in search of wildlife; sightings typically include birds, monkeys, crocodiles, and rhinos, with occasional glimpses of Bengal tigers. The afternoon is free for additional activities. A second evening with the Barauli community includes traditional Nepalese food, dance, and song. Accommodation remains at the community homestay.

An 8-hour private vehicle journey travels northward from Royal Chitwan National Park toward Pokhara, a distance of approximately 200 kilometers. The landscape rises toward the Annapurna Range as the route climbs. Upon arrival in Pokhara, the city's setting on Phewa Lake with panoramic views of Himalayan peaks becomes apparent. An orientation walk introduces the lakeside city and its fresh mountain air. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration—cafés, boat rentals on the lake, or shopping for Nepali and Tibetan handicrafts in the local stalls. Accommodation is in Pokhara.

An early departure reaches Sarangkot, a ridge overlooking Pokhara, in time for sunrise. A 2–2.5 hour walk descends through farms and forests back to Pokhara, with unobstructed views of the Annapurna Himalayas throughout. Breakfast is taken at Sharing Seeds, a women-led enterprise in Tallathar village that supports local farmers in producing organic arabica coffee and beekeeping while providing employment for women producing hemp handicrafts. The visit includes a tour of the coffee-growing fields and a traditional lunch prepared by the community. The afternoon in Pokhara is free. Optional activities include a walk to the World Peace Pagoda, a Buddhist structure constructed by monks offering panoramic valley views (2–3 hours, 4 kilometers), or a visit to the Gorkha Museum, which documents the history of the renowned Gurkha soldiers. Accommodation remains in Pokhara.

An 8–9 hour private vehicle journey of 200 kilometers departs Pokhara for Kathmandu, Nepal's capital. En route, the group visits Swayambhunath, the most ancient of Kathmandu Valley's holy shrines. The site is reached by climbing 365 steps to a hilltop crowned by a white dome and golden spire visible for miles across the valley. The complex is surrounded by temples, painted deity images, and religious objects; it is also known as the Monkey Temple for the large population of monkeys inhabiting the grounds. The stupa features painted Buddha eyes on each of its four sides. Upon arrival in Kathmandu in the afternoon, an orientation walk introduces the lively capital city. The evening is free to wander independently or rest. Optional activities throughout the city include visits to Durbar Square, the King's Palace, Pashupatinath (the burning ghats), and the Boudhanath Stupa. An optional flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu is available as an upgrade to the included drive, allowing more time in the capital. Accommodation is in Kathmandu.

Departure is at any time. An optional one-hour Everest Flight is available for those not departing before noon, offering aerial views of Mount Everest and the surrounding Himalayan peaks from a small aircraft. Weather may obscure the summit, though surrounding views remain notable.