Highlights Of India & Nepal

Our commitment to running superb adventures in India and Nepal is underlined by the fact that we have successfully operated this trip since 1980!

In essence, we combine our North India Adventure with our Annapurna Chitwan Adventure. In India we include a camel ride in Rajasthan (where our caravan captures the mood of the desert) and a cycle ride from Jaipur to Agra along quiet country roads.

In Nepal we trek beneath the soaring Annapurna Range (a superb introduction to Himalayan trekking) and ride elephants on our wildlife safari in the Chitwan National Park.

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Itinerary / Highlights

DAY 1 Arrive Delhi
Upon arrival you will be transferred to the group hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. The group briefing will usually be held on the morning of Day 2.

DAY 2 In Delhi, train to Bikaner.
Sightseeing in Old and New Delhi, including the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid. Note that we are required to vacate our rooms by lunchtime, so rest rooms will be available for your use until the time of departure. Later that evening we will transfer to Rewari station, which is 75 kms drive from the hotel, for the overnight train to Bikaner. Travelling on the railways is one of the great experiences of India & our sleeping berths are comfortable and we reserve secure four-berth compartments for our groups. However, travelling on Indian trains is by no means luxurious. No bedding is supplied, so we curl up in our sleeping bags to awake in the morning in the heart of Rajasthan. Please note, we may bus to Bikaner depending on train schedules.

DAY 3 Arrive Bikaner, transfer to Chemana and commence camel ride & approximately 3
hours
Upon arrival in Bikaner, we have breakfast before we drive to the village of Chemana to commence our camel ride. If you have never ridden a camel before, don't worry & few people have! It can seem daunting at first but it is great fun, and camel riding is the only way to experience the Rajasthan desert. Before setting off you will be given a briefing on how to ride the camel. Remember that there will be an attendant in charge of each animal & trust him, relax, and sway with the forward movement of the camel. Our caravan consists
of our camel attendants and the crew from our Delhi office. We also have Rajasthani musicians to play for us during the day and at night around our modest campfire. All of our gear, including food, provisions and camping equipment, is carried on the camel carts that accompany our caravan. Our crew and musicians also ride on the camel carts. There are frequent stops for refreshments and a chance to stretch your legs. If you decide to give the camel riding a miss for an hour or two, you can walk, (the camels do not travel at a galloping pace), or ride on the camel carts for a while. The first stage is to the campsite at Khanag sar. There are a number of small villages on the way as we gradually merge with the pace of the desert. On arrival at camp our crew will unload the camel carts and establish the campsite & tea will be served and washing water made available, and the cooks will prepare the evening meal. After dinner, we gather around the campfire, while the musicians entertain us with folksongs & it won't be long before we join in!

DAY 4 Camel ride to Balasar & 6&7 hours
On the second stage, we start early to complete the six to seven hours of riding through desert scrubland. En route we visit some of the more isolated desert villages and the camel men will introduce you to their lifestyle: a world away from the huge forts and palaces that characterise other parts of Rajasthan. The scrubland eventually gives way to rolling desert and we arrive at our campsite at Balasar, ideally set on a sand plateau and close to a small village.

DAY 5 Camel ride to Jamba & 6 hours
This stage involves an eight-hour ride to the village of Jamba. The desert scenery changes once again & from rolling dunes to more undulating terrain & and if, towards the end of the day, the pace of the camels increases, it is because they sense they are on their way home. Jamba is the home of our camel men and we can be assured of a warm welcome. The villagers will join us until late in the evening as we celebrate our last night in the desert.

DAY 6 Transfer by road to Jaisalmer
There will be a further opportunity to visit Jamba the following morning before we board our bus for the short drive to Jaisalmer. The afternoon is free to wander the bazaar within the fort. Built in the 12th century, its massive entrance gates and narrow, paved stone lanes lead to the outer walls with superb views over the city. We recommend you wander out to the Royal Cenotaphs at Barabagh to enjoy the magnificent sunset.

DAY 7 In Jaisalmer
We have a full day to explore the ancient walled city of Jaisalmer. We visit Jaisalmer Fort and the Jain temples, which contain many intricate carvings. We also explore the ‘Havelis', the mansions of the wealthy merchants who made their fortunes at a time when Jaisalmer was on the old trade route between the Arabian Sea and the markets of Central India.

DAY 8 Drive to Jodhpur
With an early start we can reach Jodhpur by lunchtime to allow a free afternoon to visit Meherangarh Fort. Situated on a 125-m-high hill, the fort is the most impressive in Rajasthan. It includes a complex of palaces and museums that reflect the rich cultural history of the region. From the upper ramparts of the fort, we will have 360 degree views of the entire city.

DAY 9 Drive to Jaipur
The famed ‘Pink City' of Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan. The city was founded by Maharaja Jai Singh in the early 18th century, when he moved from Amber to this new site on the plains. We reach Jaipur in the afternoon. Evening explore the city.

DAY 10 In Jaipur
We continue our program of sightseeing in Jaipur, visiting the Hawa Mahal, the City Palace and the Jantar Mantar; the remarkable observatory that reflects Jai Singh's passion for astronomy. There is also the Old City with its bazaars and the Hawa Mahal (the Palace of the Winds), originally built as part of the City Palace complex to allow the ladies of the royal household to watch everyday life in the city without being observed.

DAY 11 Jaipur to farm camp (50km)
Departing through the outlying settlements of Jaipur and with the Amber Fort as our backdrop, we commence the bike section of the trip. Instruction and bike adjustment will take place at this point of time. We then progress along the Ramgargh road, one of the quieter veins leading out of Jaipur. This twists through small farming settlements, where we provide endless entertainment to the villagers who are intrigued at the notion of westerners riding bikes through India. By lunch we arrive at Ramgarh Lake and enjoy a lunch respite under a huge Banyan tree. After lunch we cycle on to our camp spot; in a true rural setting, with small rudimentary dwellings and endless fields of various crops. Cycling is the best way to experience village India. We have been organising cycle rides in India for 20 years. This itinerary has been carefully researched to ensure we cycle the quieter country roads well away from the main highways. Please bear in mind that this is not the World Expeditions' answer to the Tour de France and no yellow jersey will be awarded to the winner at the close of each stage! The cycling section is just a great way to meet the people and absorb something of the village life that few appreciate during their time in India. There will be a forward vehicle, a back-up bus and an accompanying crew. All your gear, our camping equipment, food and supplies are carried on the bus and if you decide to take a break from cycling you can also ride on the bus or on the jeep that goes ahead of our group. Our group leader and assistant leader will cycle with you, while our cook and assistants will prepare a host of snacks and refreshments that are served throughout the day.
At night the camp will be established and tea will be prepared, with plenty of time for a wash and a visit to the local village before the evening meal is served.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Accommodation on a bed and breakfast, twin-share basis in Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and Kathmandu.
Accommodation on a full board twin share basis in Chitwan Jungle Lodge.