Goa
from £645 per personView detailsGrand Tour of India & Nepal
19 Days from £2,995per
person
person
The Award Winning Leader in Escorted Worldwide Rail Holidays
You are viewing the 2020 itinerary
Itineraries and pricing may vary by departure year
Explore the highlights of India and Nepal on this grand tour which includes some of the world's most beautiful temples, sights and scenery. We witness colourful ceremonies, a game drive, and experience breathtaking views of the Himalaya from Pokhara on this adventurous tour.
We depart London on our flight to Delhi. On arrival in the morning of Day 2, we check into our hotel for breakfast and spend the afternoon on a sightseeing tour of New Delhi.
Departing Delhi on Day 3 we transfer by train to Amritsar and check-in to the Radisson Blu Hotel with some time at leisure this afternoon. Tonight we head to the stunning Golden Temple, a Sikh holy shrine and one of India's most breathtaking sights. At night the temple is beautifully illuminated, with the rich golden glow of its remarkable façades reflecting in the surrounding waters. Here we witness the Palki Ceremony, an atmospheric tradition where the Sikh Holy Book is paraded triumphantly through a crowd of worshippers and 'put to bed'.
This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Amritsar, including another visit to the Golden Temple. We also visit the Jallianwala Bagh Gardens, an important memorial site. This afternoon, we visit the Wagah Border, which separates Pakistan and India, to witness the flag lowering ceremony.
On Day 5 we fly back to Delhi. In the afternoon we explore with a tour of the historic streets and colourful markets of Old Delhi and a rickshaw ride through the lively bazaar. We visit Qutab Minar, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, and the President's Palace.
Today we board the early train to Agra, where we transfer to the Hilton Agra. We visit the vast Agra Fort before crossing the city later this afternoon for a sunset visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the modern World. Our sunset visit ensures we experience the magical aura as the setting sun highlights the incredible pink and red hues of the mausoleum's stunning white marble.
This morning we travel by coach to the city of Lucknow. Lucknow is now almost forgotten to the British, but, as a key city of the British Raj, wonderful colonial architecture still exists in abundance. We transfer to the Vivanta by Taj Hotel, where we enjoy dinner together this evening.
On Day 8 we visit the famous La Martiniere Boys' School, founded by an endowment from Major-General Claude Martin. We also see the magnificent Imambara. Set in wonderful gardens, its centrepiece is the mosque which houses India's largest hall. We proceed to the moving British Residency, site of the tragic siege of 1857.
Our final train journey of the tour takes us to Varanasi, the Hindu's sacred city which attracts thousands of pilgrims a year, and is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. We check in to the Taj Gateway Hotel Ganges, where we spend the night. Tonight we watch the spectacular Aarti fire ceremony at the Ghats on the banks of the Ganges.
On Day 10 we experience sunrise during a boat ride on the Ganges. Hindus flock to the river at sunrise to cleanse themselves of their sins, creating one of the most spectacular sights in India. We then explore the Old City on foot, including the Bharat Mata Temple. Later we take an excursion to Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon, and now considered the place where Buddhism took root. This evening, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Delhi, where we spend the night.
Please note: On Day 10 you will overnight at the Pride Plaza Aero City in Delhi.
Today we fly to Kathmandu in Nepal. As we arrive, the differences in the characteristics of the country are immediately apparent - particularly the Pagoda-style buildings and monks in traditional Buddhist robes. This afternoon we visit the Boudhanath Stupa, the largest Buddhist Stupa in the world, which is adorned with Nepalese prayer flags. Our hotel here is the Gokarna Forest Resort, set in the peaceful forests just outside Kathmandu.
On Day 12 we visit the Durbar Square of both Kathmandu and Patan, the social, religious and urban hubs of the cities and the ancient seats of power in the mountain kingdoms of Nepal. This evening we enjoy dinner at Rum Doodle Restaurant. Though it has since moved locations, the original restaurant was known as a former hotspot for famous mountaineers including Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing. Before our meal we meet a Sherpa who has climbed Everest and have the opportunity to talk with him about his experiences.
This morning we see Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most significant Shiva temples in the world which only Hindus are allowed to enter. We also see Kathmandu's ghats before leaving the city and driving west to Chitwan National Park, stopping for lunch together. Chitwan is home to a fabulous variety of wildlife, including rhinos, sloth bears, leopards, crocodiles and the elusive Royal Bengal tiger. We stay at the Jungle Villa Resort.
On Day 14 we enjoy a wonderful Jeep safari through the jungles and grasslands of Chitwan National Park. We are likely to see rhino, and if very lucky, the elusive tiger. After lunch in the hotel, we take a canoe ride on the river, which provides an opportunity to see two types of crocodile and lots of species of birds.
This morning we drive back towards the Himalaya, a journey past turquoise glacial rapids and jungle-covered peaks to Pokhara. Set on the shores of beautiful Lake Phewa and with staggering views of Fishtail Peak (at 22,900 ft), Pokhara is undoubtedly one of the world's most scenic places. We stay for three nights at the unforgettable Fishtail Lodge, set on a peaceful island in Lake Phewa, accessible only by boat. Day 16 is at leisure in Pokhara.
On Day 17 we drive up to Sarangkot, a mountain viewpoint which offers a once-in-alifetime experience - witnessing sunrise over the Himalayas. After breakfast we explore Pokhara, visiting Devi's Waterfall and the Gurkha Museum, where we have the chance to chat with an ex-British Army Gurkha. We then enjoy an early evening cruise on Lake Phewa to watch the sun set on Fishtail Peak.
This morning we drive back to Kathmandu and check in to our hotel. After a free afternoon, we enjoy farewell dinner this evening at our hotel. On Day 19 we return to Kathmandu Airport for our flight to London via Delhi.
Your holiday to India & Nepal enables you to visit many world famous land marks and take part in exciting excursions, in order to do this you will experience different modes of transport and stay in multiple resorts.
Along your journey you will encounter some areas that someone with reduced mobility may find difficult, we therefore recommend a moderate level of fitness to enjoy this tour to its fullest. Please call for more details.
For certain departure dates the days of specific excursions may change. All advertised tours and, inclusions and excursions will take place, however not necessarily on their originally designated day.
Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.
An escorted experience and all travel arrangements
Comfortable accommodation in your destination
Delicious meals included
Exciting excursions and free time to explore
Not Included
British Citizens require a visa to enter India and Nepal. We can help you with visa applications up to 21 days before departure - please see the Visa section of 'Things You Should Know' for further details.
Please note: This tour may be suitable for reduced mobility passengers, please call for further information.
of travellers would recommend this tour
Tour Rating
based on 9 verified reviews
The flights with Jet Airways were not comfortable and the food was not great. This is separate from the issues with the airlines impending insolvency, it was to do with the lack of comfortable seating and legroom on the plane- and I’m a short person.
It was a superb trip - India is a fabulous country could never disappoint, Nepal is also a great place to visit. However, a crammed itinerary with long coach journeys, long train journeys and many internal flights - not much time to catch your breath! I think the Itinerary needs to cut down on coach time in Nepal - an internal flight would help. Also, the long dirty train journey into Varanasi was unnecessary when there's a high speed alternative! Travellers to Kathmandu need to be aware how dusty the city is and the need for nose and mouth masks. Loved the extension to Kerala for a much needed rest! All in all a brilliant trip.
The trip was well organised with everything running smoothly. The whole trip gave a good overall view of the diversity of Indian and Nepalese culture and life. The hotels were excellent with great food. The tour manager and guides were knowledgeable and accessible.
Excellent, full on itinerary, saw wonderful sights, high quality hotels, friendly and knowledgeable Indian and Nepalese guides, well organised and interesting tours
The tour fulfilled our expectations, the choice of hotels superb the tour locations magnificent and even saw a tiger! The whole group really jelled together and are now firm friends.
excellent all round - value for money, staff on the ground, hotels, visits etc.
This was a fantastic tour, but an extremely demanding one. Every day was crammed with seeing fantastic sights or travelling to or from them. Therefore, there was no time to relax or even shop, apart from the 3 upmarket stores chosen by GRJ! We stayed in 10 different hotels, all of which were of a very high standard. Our group of 31 got on so well, very supportive and caring for those of us who had 'the runs'
Everything about the holiday was fabulous msde even better if that was possible by the great management and dedication of the tour manager Roger Marsden
lots of wonderful places to see and learn about and a lovely group of people
What an adventure we had, with the best of care.
The majesty of India and Nepal by train
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