India and Nepal

Kathmandu  – After one last breakfast in India, we transfer to the airport for a short flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to the hotel and check in.

From this point onwards, the pace of life seems to change. Our Product Manager, Yvonne, says: “Nepal is a stark contrast to India; everything seems to slow down. The traffic is still crazy, but nothing like India. It’s quieter too – even down to the horns tooting in traffic.” (Fun fact: It’s against the law to use your horn unnecessarily in Nepal, and it carries a fine if you do.)

This afternoon, we’ll visit the 14th-century Boudhanath Stupa, Tibetan in origin and one of the holiest Buddhist temple sites. Boudhanath is a place steeped in ancient traditions and spirituality, the ambient sounds of chanting and praying from other small temples fill the air, giving it a serene, almost magical, atmosphere. You’ll have time here to walk all the way around it, should you want to. Pilgrims walk clockwise in a practice called pradakshina or parikrama, which shows respect and is said to accumulate merit and purify karma. You may have the opportunity to peek inside and see the Buddhist priests blessing locals.  

Don’t forget to spin the prayer wheels that can be found here, Tibetans believe that spinning the wheel is the best way to repent for your past sins and bring good luck for the future.  

The street surrounding the stupa is filled with traders and shops selling lamps, clothes and other goods, so when you’re done exploring the spiritual, you can meander through the stalls.

Kathmandu – After breakfast we begin our sightseeing in Kathmandu, starting with a visit to Durbar Square. The city’s kings were once crowned and ruled from here, and the square remains the traditional heart of the old town. Most of the square dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Although damaged in the 2015 earthquake, the incredible selection of Nepalese architecture and temples have been restored and now look breathtaking.

We’ll complete the day with a visit from a Sherpa, or summiteer – someone who has experience in climbing the peaks of the Himalayan Mountain range. They’ll tell us about their experiences and answer any questions you have about tackling the incredible feat.

Chitwan – After breakfast, we’ll bid goodbye to Kathmandu and take a scenic drive to Nepal’s most famous wildlife reserve, Chitwan National Park. Nestled beneath the Himalayas, this park covers an area of 367 square miles and is home to several species, including the black rhino, deer, foxes, sloth bears and, of course, the elusive tiger.

On arrival, we will check into our jungle lodge, where we stay on a full-board basis. All the rooms are air-conditioned, with an ensuite bathroom and views over the surrounding gardens. There is also a swimming pool and a terraced area overlooking the river and jungle – at the beginning and end of the day, it’s a great place to spot crocodiles and rhinos.

This afternoon, we’ll enjoy a guided walk through a Tharu village, home to an ethnic group indigenous to southern Nepal and northern India. Here, we’ll see how the locals thrive living and working in this peaceful environment in the same traditional manner as previous generations. We’ll also pass banana plantations and crop fields, which grow maize or other vegetables and even rice paddy fields, depending on the season. As we walk, we’ll see the residents at work in the fields, preparing food and tending their animals.

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Chitwan – Refuelled by an early breakfast, we’ll head out into the jungle for a trip down the Rapti River in dugout canoes. On our leisurely ride, you might spot some crocodiles sunbathing on the banks of the river or hear the splash of waterbirds, fish and other aquatic creatures. We’ll visit the crocodile conservation and breeding centre, where we learn about their breeding programme, which protects the eggs from predators such as mongooses and humans (who believe the eggs to be an aphrodisiac). 

We’ll return to the hotel for lunch and have the afternoon to relax before an afternoon safari. Exploring the park in specially adapted 4x4s, we’ll be led by an expert local naturalist to spot rhinos, wild boar, deer and, if we’re lucky, tigers. They’ll explain more about the environment surrounding us.

As we return to the hotel, our expert will finish with a fascinating presentation on the local flora and fauna, with the opportunity to ask any burning questions. 

Pokhara – This morning, we’ll head north by coach to Pokhara – a small town in central Nepal, surrounded by the Annapurna Mountain Range and located on Lake Phewa. Arriving in time for lunch, we’ll check into our hotel and enjoy a few hours to relax before reconvening this afternoon.  

The best way to admire the scenery is from the water, so this afternoon we’ll take a boat ride across Lake Phewa. As well as incredible views of the mountains, we’ll see reflections of the white, snow-covered peaks in the mirror-like waters of the lake. The atmosphere is so serene at the centre, that the only noise you’ll hear is that of birds in the distance.

Pokhara – This morning we’ll visit the Gurkha museum, home of the British Gurkha Camp, the main recruitment centre of the British Army’s Gurkha continent. Pokhara is home to many Gurkha soldiers, so we’ll honour that legacy during our visit. The museum commemorates their history and influence on the British Army and the Indian Army through hundreds of photographs of regimental life. We’ll also see items they used, the uniforms they wore and the medals they won, including details about the Victoria Cross winners, the highest medal for bravery.  

After a busy morning, you can spend the afternoon relaxing at the hotel or perusing nearby markets for local handicrafts. You’ll find everything from Pashminas, singing bowls and jewellery to dried spices – even khukuri (The Gurkha Knife) – on offer in the vibrant array of stalls.

Signature experience: –

Wake early to catch the sunrise over the Annapurna Mountain Range. We’ll take an early morning coach trip to Sarangkot Hill, where we’ll take a short, steep walk to the lookout point. As we stand at the 360-degree lookout point, we’ll watch the mountain peaks turn from soft pink to shimmering gold as the sun climbs higher until its light reaches the valley below and Lake Phewa. There are only twelve peaks in the world that tower over 25,00 feet – astonishingly, eight of them are in Nepal. If the weather favours us, from this spot, we’ll be able to see three – the sight is truly breathtaking. 

Pokhara to Kathmandu – We’ll spend much of today on the road — but this is one of those journeys where the getting there is very much part of the experience. Following the Prithvi Highway, the landscape shifts constantly as we wind through the hills: neat terraces of rice fields, pine-clad ridges and the occasional glint of Himalayan peaks in the distance.

Along the way, everyday life unfolds in its own unhurried rhythm. We pass through small towns and villages where children make their way to school, farmers tend to their land, and roadside stalls serve tea, fresh produce and river fish to passing travellers. It’s a window into Nepal that feels quietly real — the kind you don’t get from a guidebook.

The drive takes around six to seven hours, but we’ll break it up with stops to stretch our legs, along with an included lunch at a local restaurant.

Later, on arrival in Kathmandu, we’ll check into our hotel before coming together one last time to mark our journey. This evening’s celebratory six-course dinner is a chance to share stories, raise a glass and enjoy a final taste of Nepal’s traditional flavours.

Depart Kathmandu