About this trip
Nineteen days through India and Nepal, from the crowded lanes of Old Delhi to the Himalayan backdrop of Kathmandu, taking in the Taj Mahal and the ghats of Varanasi along the way.
This is a trip built around covering ground and taking in contrasts — the pace of Indian villages, the pull of the Ganges at dawn, the quiet of the mountains around Kathmandu. Public transport, including sleeper trains, forms a real part of the experience rather than just a way to get between stops.
Expect long travel days and a schedule with less free time than some trips, but a close look at the history, religion and daily life of both countries.
What you'll do
- Visit the Taj Mahal in Agra
- Walk the streets of Old Delhi
- Watch the pilgrimage rituals at the ghats of Varanasi on the Ganges
- Travel long distances by Indian sleeper train alongside locals
- Take in Himalayan views around Kathmandu
- Involves long overland and rail journeys, some of them full days — bring something to read or listen to
- Sleeper trains are shared, mixed-gender compartments with locals and other travellers
- Temple visits require arms and knees covered, so pack accordingly
Worth it if you're flexible, want genuine cultural immersion, and value small groups with strong guides. Think twice if you need predictable comfort, minimal physical exertion, or bumpy roads aggravate you.
- Small groups genuinely foster friendships; guides like Juhi and Nicky go well beyond expectations with local knowledge.
- Chitwan rhinos at close range and Taj Mahal at golden hour deliver remarkable moments if you set realistic expectations.
- Itinerary changed post-booking: Chitwan swapped for Madi Valley sponsorship, removing two days of advertised content unpredictably.
- Early hotels basic, bumpy Nepal roads harsh on backs, night trains and river camping require genuine roughing-it tolerance.
Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.
The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.
Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and availability come from our own daily tracking.
Departing in Sep is cheapest — from £2,040, about 9% below the priciest month (Feb).
Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Delhi · 13 Sept – 14 Sept
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