Spiritual Wonders and Wildlife of India and Nepal

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 • UK - Delhi

  Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your overnight flight to Delhi India.

• Day 2 • Delhi

  Arrive in Delhi early this morning and check in to the locally rated 4-star Novotel City Centre. The rest of the day is yours to relax. This evening, meet your Tour Manager and fellow travellers over a welcome drink before dinner.

• Day 3 • Delhi

  Today reveals the many faces of India's capital. Begin in Old Delhi, where bustling bazaars, aromatic spice stalls and centuries of history fill the narrow lanes. Experience the chaos and colour from a traditional rickshaw as you weave through the streets. Visit the Jama Masjid, one of India's largest mosques, before passing the imposing Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century. In New Delhi, discover a different side of the city. Visit Gandhi Smriti, where Mahatma Gandhi spent his final days, and the peaceful Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, one of the most important Sikh temples in India. The day concludes with views of India Gate, Parliament House and the grand Presidential Palace.

• Day 4 • Delhi - Rishikesh

  Board an early train of approximately five hours bound for Haridwar, gateway to the Himalayas. On arrival, continue to Rishikesh, a town embraced by forested hills and the sacred River Ganges. Known as the "Yoga Capital of the World", Rishikesh has drawn pilgrims, yogis and seekers for centuries. Settle into the locally rated 4-star Aloha on the Ganges hotel then head to Shatrughan Ghat to witness a traditional Ganga Aarti ceremony. As priests perform rituals with lamps and chanting fills the air, experience one of India's most moving spiritual traditions. Before the ceremony, enjoy traditional Indian tea served in a clay cup beside the river.

• Day 5 • Rishikesh

  Explore some of Rishikesh's most important riverside ashrams and spiritual landmarks on a sightseeing tour. Visit the peaceful Sivananda Ashram before crossing one of the town's iconic suspension bridges suspended above the emerald waters of the Ganges. Continue to Gita Bhawan and Parmarth Niketan, where prayer halls, courtyards and riverside steps remain active with daily spiritual practice. Throughout, the sound of temple bells and the sight of saffron robes drifting along the ghats bring the riverside to life. Afterwards, there is time to stop for lunch at your own expense, followed by a little free time to relax or explore at your own pace before heading back to the hotel.

• Day 6 • Rishikesh

  Begin the day with an optional yoga session overlooking the Ganges, surrounded by the sounds of birdsong and flowing water. Later, visit Vashistha Cave, an ancient meditation site hidden among the Himalayan foothills. According to Hindu tradition, this tranquil cave was used by Sage Vashistha for deep meditation thousands of years ago. Continue to the Beatles Ashram, where The Beatles stayed during their visit to Rishikesh in 1968. Explore its meditation huts, peaceful grounds and colourful artwork before lunch at the Beatles Café. This evening, there is another opportunity to attend another Aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges.

• Day 7 • Rishikesh - Corbett

  Travel for approximately four and a half hours from the spiritual heart of northern India to one of its most celebrated wilderness areas, Corbett National Park, where forests, rivers and grasslands spread across the Himalayan foothills. Named after conservation pioneer Jim Corbett, the park was India's first national park and remains an important refuge for wildlife. After time to settle into your resort, learn more about Corbett's extraordinary life during an evening talk. Following dinner, enjoy an included stargazing experience beneath the clear night sky.

• Day 8 • Corbett

  Begin the day with a visit to the former home of Jim Corbett – now a museum dedicated to his life and work in wildlife conservation – followed by a village walk where refreshments and light lunch will be organised by the village. Later, join an included jeep safari in Corbett National Park. Thick forests, winding rivers and open grasslands form the backdrop for wildlife including Royal Bengal tigers, elephants, leopards and deer, along with more than 600 bird species.

• Day 9 • Corbett - Delhi

  Travel back to Delhi along the modern expressway – a journey of around five hours. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

• Day 10 • Delhi

  Travel by rail to Agra to visit one of the world's most recognisable landmarks, the Taj Mahal. Built over 22 years by more than 20,000 artisans, the Taj Mahal remains one of the finest achievements of Mughal architecture. Crafted from white marble and decorated with intricate inlaid gemstones, it stands as a masterpiece of design and craftsmanship. After lunch, explore Agra Fort, a vast red sandstone citadel that served as the seat of Mughal power for generations. Return to Delhi by train this evening.

• Day 11 • Delhi - Kathmandu

  Transfer to the airport and take a two-hour flight to Nepal's capital, Kathmandu. Set within a valley surrounded by Himalayan foothills, Kathmandu has long been a crossroads of traders, pilgrims and adventurers. On arrival, transfer to the locally rated 5-star The Soaltee Kathmandu, Autograph Collection for a two-night stay.

• Day 12 • Kathmandu

  Discover Kathmandu's rich cultural heritage today. Explore Kathmandu Durbar Square, the historic heart of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with temples, palaces and intricate wood carvings. Continue to Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world and an important pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists. This evening, enjoy a traditional Nepali dinner accompanied by cultural performances.

• Day 13 • Kathmandu - Pokhara

  Set off on an approximate six-and-a-half-hour drive to Pokhara, stopping en route in hill town of Bandipur. Ride the cable car to this former trading settlement, where traditional Newari houses line cobbled streets and mountain views stretch across the horizon. After exploring the historic bazaar, continue to Pokhara. Nestled beside a lake and backed by snow-capped Himalayan peaks, Pokhara is one of Nepal's most scenic destinations. You stay in Pokhara for two nights at the locally rated 4-star Pokhara Grande.

• Day 14 • Pokhara

  Start the day with a boat ride across tranquil Phewa Lake, where reflections of the Annapurna range shimmer on the water. Visit the Gorkha Memorial Museum and the International Mountain Museum, both offering fascinating insights into Nepal's mountaineering heritage and the world's highest mountains. This evening, join a local family to learn the art of making momo, Nepalese dumplings. It's a hands-on cultural experience that offers a delicious glimpse into everyday Nepali life.

• Day 15 • Pokhara - Chitwan

  Early risers can join an included excursion to Sarangkot, one of Nepal's most renowned viewpoints. As dawn breaks, watch sunlight illuminate the snow-covered peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Later, travel south to Chitwan National Park on an approximately five-hour drive. The landscapes change dramatically as mountain scenery gives way to subtropical forests and fertile river plains. After checking in for a three-night stay at the locally rated 5-star Sanctuary Resort, enjoy lunch before visiting a traditional Tharu village for a guided walk and an introduction to the culture of one of Nepal’s indigenous communities. This evening, a naturalist visits the resort to share insights into the wildlife that inhabits Chitwan, including one-horned rhinoceroses, crocodiles and the elusive Bengal tiger.

• Day 16 • Chitwan

  Venture into Chitwan National Park on a jeep safari in search of wildlife. This UNESCO-listed reserve is one of Asia's great conservation success stories and provides refuge for some of Nepal's rarest animals. After lunch at the hotel, enjoy a peaceful canoe ride along the Rapti River, where crocodiles often bask on the riverbanks and exotic birdlife thrives among the wetlands. This evening, experience a traditional Tharu stick dance performance.

• Day 17 • Chitwan

  Join an early-morning guided jungle walk accompanied by an experienced naturalist. Travelling on foot offers a completely different perspective on the park's rich ecosystem and increases appreciation for the smaller details often missed on safari. After time to relax at the lodge, head back into the national park for another jeep safari. Keep watch for rhinos, deer, monkeys and perhaps even a glimpse of the park's most elusive predator, the Bengal tiger.

• Day 18 • Chitwan - Kathmandu

  Drive back to Kathmandu, a drive of around six hours. The remainder of the day is free to relax at the locally rated 5-star The Soaltee Kathmandu, Autograph Collection, or you can explore independently.

• Day 19 • Kathmandu to the UK

  Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.