India Nepal Adventure

Exploring the vibrant bazaars and villages of northern India and trekking in the Himalaya are two of our most appealing adventures.

Immerse yourself in Rajasthan on a bicycle from Jaipur to Agra and experience our exceptional service. We cycle along country roads as we weave our way to the Taj Mahal. In Nepal we trek beneath the inspiring backdrop of the Annapurna's, before heading to the Chitwan National Park and riding elephants through jungle in search of the elusive Bengal Tiger.

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Itinerary / Highlights

DAY 1 Arrive Delhi.
On arrival at our group hotel our leader from the Delhi office will brief us on the trip. The rest of the day is free to adjust to the sights, sounds and smells of India.

DAY 2 Train to Jaipur.
We transfer to New Delhi station to board the early morning Express train to Jaipur. The train takes five hours, reaching Jaipur by lunchtime, leaving the afternoon to wander the city. The famed "Pink City" of Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan, and was founded in the early 18th century by Maharajah Jai Singh, who moved from Amber to this new site on the plains. We visit the City Palace and the Jantar Mantar - the remarkable observatory reflecting 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 the everyday life in the city without themselves being observed. Please note, we may travel by bus to Jaipur, depending on train schedules.
(B)

DAY 3 In Jaipur
We continue our program of sightseeing in Jaipur.

DAY 4 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.

DAY 5 Farm house to Sariska Park (52km)
We continue riding through timeless India, with lush flowering mustard plantations flanked by overhanging willow trees, before reaching the gates to the Sariska Tiger Reserve. After a drink stop we continue on to our camp inside the park where we will have lunch. This was once home to a significant population of tigers, until a few season ago, when poaching reduced numbers. However there are many other animals in the park, and the atmosphere and natural surrounds make the visit very much worthwhile. Our camp overnight will be in the grounds of the Sariska Tiger Camp.

DAY 6 Cycle to Rajgarh (38km). Drive to Bharatpur camp (90km)
We ride through a number of small villages to Rajgarh where we stop for lunch. After lunch we continue cycling another 15km before boarding the bus for the journey to Bharatpur via Mahua arriving at our camp in the premises of the Swaraj Resort.

DAY 7 Bharatpur to Fatehpur Sikri and Agra & 54km
Today we cycle to the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary where we will enjoy a packed lunch. Our bikes provide a wonderful mode of transport to move around and explore the park, where swamplands provide habitats for hundreds of bird species. We will then travel in our vehicle for about 20km to Fatehpur Sikri, to explore Akbar's deserted capital, before continuing on to Agra. (B)

DAY 8 In Agra, then drive to Delhi
In the early morning we have a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan's mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. We continue to Agra Fort, a fitting testimony to the Great Moghuls & Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan & during the era when Agra was the capital of the Moghul Empire. From the Red Fort we'll have more views of the Taj Mahal before driving back to Delhi that afternoon. (B)

DAY 9 Fly to Kathmandu.
Check out from the hotel and transfer to Delhi airport for the flight to Kathmandu. You will be met by your group leader and transferred to the hotel. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure. A pre-trek briefing will be given around 5pm where arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down/fibrefill jacket. Evening drinks are held in the hotel for all World Expeditions clients arriving today. Drinks and snacks will generally be served from 6:30 pm until 7:15pm, and this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow group members before heading out to dinner.

DAY 10: Full day Sightseeing Tour.
Today a sightseeing tour has been arranged taking in the key attractions in and around Kathmandu. The full day sightseeing is optional, and you may choose to explore alone if you prefer. Kathmandu has an amazing range of fascinating highlights, whatever your interest. Excellent bookshops, extensive markets, and novelty and handicraft shops contrast with fantastic centres of cultural and spiritual significance - Kathmandu has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world.

DAY 11: Fly to Pokhara, commence trek to Australia camp (1990m) - approximately 2 hours walking
This morning we take a flight west to Pokhara, Nepal's second largest town (820 m). On arrival you are greeted with sights of the entire Annapurna Range. The drive to the roadhead at Khara takes around one hour. Our trail then winds uphill through terraced fields and mixed oak and rhododendron forest. There is no need to rush. This is a short day with plenty of time to reach camp. Australia Camp is located on a grassy ridge that affords inspiring views of the huge snowy face of Annapurna South and the sacred peak of Machapuchare. At dusk we can appreciate the lights of Pokhara over a thousand metres below our camp.

DAY 12: To Landruk (1640m) - approximately 5 hours walking
After a glorious mountain sunrise we follow the trail through rhododendron forest before continuing through a series of Gurung villages where lifestyles have not changed substantially over the centuries. After lunch we follow a well-marked trail to the prosperous village of Landruk where we camp for the night.

DAY 13: To Ghandruk (1940m). 4 hours
Our destination today is easily seen across the valley, the attractive Gurung village of Ghandruk, We descend the valley floor through terraced fields and cross steel suspension bridge to commence our ascent. As we trek up the staircase, we enjoy the beauty of Himalaya at a relatively close range and observe the glaciers flowing from them to form the river below us. It really is a magnificent location and a photographer's delight. On our leisurely approach along these ridges we savor the magnificent scenery with fine mountain views. Ghandruk is the second largest Gurung settlement in Nepal and provides a further insight into the lifestyles of villages that have traditionally provided the backbone of the famous Gurkha regiments. The afternoon can be spent at leisure, or take a tour of the old village.

DAY 14: To Naya Pul (1000m) - approximately 5 hours walking
After absorbing even more spectacular views of Annapurna South we head down the Modi Khola valley along a secluded village trail that is rarely followed by other trekking groups. After lunch at the scenic village of Dansing we complete a short, steep descent to the village of Birethanti along the Modi Khola. We cross a substantial bridge before making our way to a serene campsite just below the bustling bazaar of Naya Pul

DAY 15: To Bhadure (1550m) - approximately 5 hours walking
We appreciate the distinctive fluted peaks of Machapuchare before undertaking an early morning ascent through mixed oak and rhododendron forest. We are now off the established trails through farming settlements that rarely see foreign trekkers. After lunch we complete our trek to Bhadure and a fine campsite just above the village. That night we often celebrate with the local musicians and dancers who will ensure a memorable last evening on the trail.

DAY 16: To Bhanjyang (2100m) - approximately 4 hours walking
We ascend gradually for 1 hr through the forest and pastures of Bhadure enjoying the scenic beauty of the Himalaya on the way. The trail continues through the forest with gradual flat ascents that leads us to Bhanjyang.

DAY 17: To Pame (900m) - approximately 4 hours walking, transfer to Pokhara
This morning we take a side excursion to Panchase Peak (2540), the highest point of our trek and one of the highlights. The one and half hour climb through the forest gives us time to appreciate the abundant bird life and wilderness of the foothills. The views from the summit are stunning. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu ranges form a huge mountain barrier on the skyline. Three peaks with a height of over 8000m and numerous other snow capped mountains fade into the distance. We descend back to camp and continue through the forest to Pame. You will see many species of birds in this section of forest. The road head is just 20 minutes walk from Pame. We can transfer to Pokhara by bus or there is also the option to cross the lake by boat. This is an enjoyable way to end the trek and is 11/2 hours across the lake and 15 minutes walk to our camp on the other side.

DAY 18 Drive Pokhara to Chitwan approximately 4 hrs drive
This morning we transfer to Chitwan by road. On arrival we are briefed on the planned activities during our stay and on the park in general. Late afternoon and early morning are the best times to sight wildlife, so other times tend to be for less energetic activities. We will have lunch at the lodge and commence our activity program. Our accommodation is in 2-bed huts with a private bathroom. Solar heated hot water is available in the afternoons.

DAY 19 In Chitwan National Park.
A full day's activities are available including jungle walks, elephant rides, canoe rides, bird-watching and four-wheel-drive excursions, as well as lectures on elephants and other fauna. Our concession area is the territory of many species of wildlife including 3 tigers, 5 leopards, 7 rhino, and many deer, boar, bear, peacocks, an extraordinary number of bird species and is occasionally vi sited by wild elephants.

DAY 20 Drive to Kathmandu approximately 5 hrs drive
We complete our last activity, and after breakfast transfer by road to Kathmandu.

DAY 21 Trip concludes Kathmandu
After breakfast arrangements cease unless further arrangements have been made. Those people travelling by aircraft to further destinations will be transferred to the airport and assisted with check-in procedures.

NB: The itinerary is a guide to the trek and may be varied. There is sufficient time for a comfortable pace throughout the trek. Please note the hotels listed in this itinerary are subject to change.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

World Expeditions clients will generally stay at the Radisson Hotel in Kathmandu, and at a first class hotel in Delhi either within walking distance of the town centre or close to the airport, where a full breakfast is provided. However at peak times it may be necessary to use other hotels of equal standard.

You can leave all those items not required on the trip at the hotel. In Jaipur and Agra we stay at good quality tourist class hotels, with a swimming pool, twin rooms with private facilities and a restaurant.