Itinerary
- Day 1
Delhi
You'll touch down in Delhi and meet up with your Contiki group. After you settle in, there's time to get to know the other travelers and start preparing for what's ahead on this trip through India.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Ashtan Sarovar Portico (or similar))
- Day 2
Delhi
A local guide takes you through Old Delhi to see major sights like Raj Ghat and the Sikh Temple, plus you'll ride around in a rickshaw to get a feel for the city. The afternoon is yours to wander around on your own. Later you'll do a DIY group dinner, sampling different spots to try the best of Delhi's food scene.
- Meals
- Dinner (DIY group experience tasting the best of Delhi cuisine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Ashtan Sarovar Portico (or similar))
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Old Delhi
- Visit Raj Ghat
- Visit Sikh Temple
- Rickshaw ride
Optional Activities
- Tour the Streets of Old Delhi - ₹3,100.00 (rickshaw ride, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, spice markets and bazaars, local food tasting)
- Northern Bazaars & Hidden Alleys Walk - ₹2,900.00 (guided exploration of hidden spots and markets, introduction to sari and metal craftspeople)
Landmarks Raj Ghat Sikh Temple Old Delhi - Day 3
Delhi to Varanasi
You'll fly from Delhi to Varanasi, one of Hinduism's holiest sites. The city sits along the Ganges River, where pilgrims come to bathe in the sacred waters. It's a spiritual place with lots of energy and passion, and it feels like stepping into another part of India entirely.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The India Hotel (Or Similar))
Included Activities
- Flight to Varanasi
Landmarks Ganges River 
- Day 4
Varanasi
Start before sunrise and get on a small boat along the Ganges to watch pilgrims perform their morning rituals as the city wakes up. Then you'll walk through the riverside lanes and head to Sarnath to see where Buddha gave his first sermon. By evening, a local guide helps you wander the old city's maze-like streets, pointing out hidden corners and local spots.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The India Hotel (Or Similar))
Included Activities
- Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges
- Watch pilgrims perform rituals
- Explore riverside lanes
- Visit Sarnath ruins
- Guided exploration of old city lanes and hidden gems
Optional Activities
- Northern Bazaars & Hidden Alleys Walk - ₹2,900.00 (guided exploration of hidden spots and markets, introduction to sari and metal craftspeople)
Landmarks Ganges River Ghats Sarnath - Day 5
Varanasi to Lucknow
You'll travel from Varanasi to Lucknow, a city known for its food culture. If you're interested, there's a chance to do a culinary walk through town, stopping at roadside eateries to taste different local dishes and see how the food scene works.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (La Place Sarovar Portico (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Culinary Walk - ₹3,000.00 (evening walk with guide, hopping in and out of traditional roadside eateries, tasting famous Awadhi cuisine prepared by 'Bawarchi Tola' chefs)
- Day 6
Lucknow
On a guided tour, you'll see Lucknow's cultural side. The La Martinière building is beautiful, and the Asafi Imambara is an architectural masterpiece that took around ten years to complete. After that, the evening is free for you to check out the bazaars, old colonial architecture, and gardens on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (La Place Sarovar Portico (or similar))
Included Activities
- Locally guided sightseeing tour
- Visit La Martinière building
- Visit Asafi Imambara (Great Imambara)
Optional Activities
- Culinary Walk - ₹3,000.00 (evening walk with guide, hopping in and out of traditional roadside eateries, tasting famous Awadhi cuisine)
Landmarks La Martinière Asafi Imambara (Great Imambara) - Day 7
Lucknow to Agra
You'll head to Agra, an ancient city. The main attraction is the Taj Mahal, which many consider the world's most beautiful building, plus the impressive Agra Fort from the 1600s. You'll also get to see the city's mausoleums, tombs, and busy markets along the Yamuna River.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Retreat (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Taj Mahal
- Visit Agra Fort (17th century)
Landmarks Taj Mahal Agra Fort Yamuna River 
- Day 8
Agra to Kathmandu
An air-conditioned coach takes you to the Wildlife SOS Elephant Rescue Centre where you'll meet more than 20 rescued elephants and visit the only elephant hospital in Asia. Later that day, you'll fly to Kathmandu and start your Nepal portion of the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Shanker (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Wildlife SOS Elephant Rescue Centre
- Meet rescued elephants
- Visit elephant hospital
- Flight to Kathmandu
Landmarks Wildlife SOS Elephant Rescue Centre 
- Day 9
Kathmandu
After waking up in Kathmandu, you'll check out Nepal's busy capital. The area's a world heritage site with rhinos, deer, monkeys, elephants, sloth bears, and Bengal tigers, so there's plenty of wildlife and cultural things to see.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Chitwan Forest Resort (or similar))
Landmarks Kathmandu 
- Day 10
Chitwan National Park
You'll travel to Chitwan National Park down in the Terai region. A jungle walk takes you through untouched forest between river valleys with Himalayan peaks visible behind it all. After that comes an action-packed jeep safari where you might spot one-horned rhinos, Bengal tigers, leopards, and other animals in one of the last protected areas for endangered species.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Chitwan Forest Resort (or similar))
Included Activities
- Jungle walk in Chitwan National Park
- Jeep safari in Chitwan National Park
Landmarks Chitwan National Park - Day 11
Chitwan National Park to Kathmandu
Back in Kathmandu, a local guide walks you through Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll see the old royal palace with its medieval temples and historic courtyards, many of which have been rebuilt following the 2015 earthquake damage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Shanker (or similar))
Included Activities
- Locally guided tour of Durbar Square
- Explore old royal palace
- Visit medieval temples and courtyards
Landmarks Durbar Square - Day 12
Kathmandu
Your trip wraps up in Kathmandu. If you want to check one more thing off your list, there's an optional scenic flight over the Himalayas available this morning before you head to the airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Scenic flight across the Himalayas
Landmarks Himalayas
