Varanasi to Kathmandu: Temples, Trails & Himalayan Hikes

Nine days from Varanasi to Kathmandu, moving from India into Nepal with a mix of sacred cities, village life, and hill trails along the way. It covers a lot of ground, so expect a different scene every day or two.

You start on the Ganges in Varanasi, then head to a community homestay in Barauli for a slower, more local pace, before picking up walking boots for a hike in the Annapurna foothills. Along the route you also stop in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, and spend time on safari in Chitwan.

It suits you if you want a broad taste of both countries — temples, wildlife, and mountains — rather than settling into one region.

What you'll do

• Take a boat out on the Ganges at Varanasi
• Stay at a community homestay in Barauli
• Hike through the Annapurna foothills
• Visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha
• Go on a jungle safari in Chitwan National Park