Grand Tour of India & Nepal

We depart London Heathrow on our flight to New Delhi, via Abu Dhabi. We enjoy a guided tour of the Indian capital on Day 2.

This morning, we travel by comfortable air-conditioned rail to Amritsar. On arrival we are at leisure until our evening visit to the Golden Temple to witness a Palki ceremony. On Day 4 we enjoy a guided tour that includes the Jallianwala Bagh Gardens, the Wagah Border, to witness the border ceremony.

On Day 5, we fly back to Delhi for a rickshaw ride around the city's older streets.

We board the early train to Agra today where, on arrival, we visit the Agra Fort before a sunset visit to the iconic Taj Mahal, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

On Day 7 we travel by coach to the historic city of Lucknow.

On Day 8, we visit the famous La Martiniere Boys' School, and the magnificent Bada Imambara that houses a mosque and a labyrinth said to have a 1000 passageways. We then see the British Residency, the site of a siege during the 1857 uprising against British rule.

Our final long-distance train journey of the holiday takes us to Varanasi, the sacred city of the Hindus that attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. This evening we watch the spectacular Aarti ceremony, during which priests carry tiered metal lamps, moving rhythmically to the sounds of sacred songs.

Early in the morning of Day 10, we cruise the holy river Ganges, admiring the sun as it spreads its first orange hues on the slatecoloured water. We then take an excursion to Sarnath, where Buddha is said to have given his first sermon. This afternoon, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Kolkata.

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 visit Boudhanath Stupa, before travelling to Chitwan National Park. We head to an elephant stable to meet some of these gentle giants and enjoy a chat with a local naturalist. Afterwards, we travel by traditional ox cart to a nearby village populated by the Tharu People.

We visit a gharial, or endangered Indian crocodile breeding centre, on Day 14. After lunch, we take a Jeep safari through the jungles and grasslands of Chitwan National Park. Here we may spot the Indian Rhino and may even see elephants bathing in the Rapti River.

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 Abu Dhabi.