Kathmandu to Chennai

Itinerary

Day 1 Kathmandu

Visit Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, and soak up its rich atmosphere. Perhaps sit on the steps in Durbar Square to see Nepali life swirl past or head out to visit the temples of Pashupatinath and Bodhnath.

Days 2-3 Royal Chitwan National Park

After the bustle and crush of Kathmandu, travel down to the jungle lowlands for a touch of peace and quiet. Visit the local elephants and seek out rare wildlife in the Royal Chitwan National Park.

Days 5-6 Varanasi

Set on the banks of the sacred River Ganges, Varanasi is awash with sights and sounds to overwhelm the senses. Learn the different uses of the Ghats - both spiritual and secular.

Days 7-8 Bandhavgarh National Park

Stop in at the erotic temples of Khajuraho then visit a second national park - this one is famous for its tiger population. Take a safari and keep an eye out for the big cats - as well as deer, hyenas and porcupines.

Days 9-10 Khajuraho

Khajuraho was once the capital of the Chandella Kings who built the magnificent Hindu and Jain temples here around 1000 AD. Considered to be 'one of the seven wonders of India', the temples are in three geographic groups: western, eastern and southern. Because they were built in quite a remote and inaccessible location, the western group of temples have been almost perfectly preserved.

Days 11-12 Agra

Home to the glorious Taj Mahal, Agra also boasts the sprawling Red Fort. Take a rickshaw ride to these impressive monuments.

Days 13-14 Jaipur

Experience the eerie desolation of Fatehpur Sikri and explore the amazing palaces of the renowned 'pink city'.

Days 15-16 Delhi

The journey concludes in Delhi - a metropolis crammed with the magic and mystery of a million stories. Dive into the chaos and perhaps celebrate the adventure with a Kingfisher beer.

Day 4 Sonauli

Spend a morning seeking out Chitwan's shy and rare one-horned rhino on a jungle walk or jeep safari then travel to the Nepal-Indian border.

Day 2 Bikaner

Travel into the sandy landscapes of Rajasthan and dare to brave the interior of the Karni Mata Temple, where the very large rat population is revered.

Days 3-5 Jaisalmer/Camel Safari

Explore the Thar Desert outside Jaisalmer from high atop a camel and perhaps even sleep out among the dunes. Visit the Jaisalmer Fort and marvel at the huge city walls.

Days 6-7 Jodhpur

The mighty Mehrangarh Fort dominates Rajasthan's second largest city. Climb the ramparts and look down over the quirky blue city of Jodhpur.

Day 8 Pushkar

World famous for its huge camel fair, Pushkar is a fascinating place to visit at any time of the year. Perhaps explore the main bazaar or soak up the serene spirituality of the many temples.

Days 9-10 Udaipur

An essence of romance is imbued in every stone of Udaipur and a walk through the old town brings a surprise with every corner. Walk the shores of Udaipur's Lake Pichola, look up at the towering City Palace and enjoy an evening Haveli cultural performance.

Day 11 Ratlam

Experience Indian rural life on an overnight camping expedition in the countryside.

Day 12 Mandu

Once known as the 'city of joy' and dating back to the 14th century, the hilltop fort of Mandu is an evocative and slightly eerie place to explore.

Days 13-14 Ajanta/Ellora

The tour continues to the caves at Ajanta and Ellora. Discover these remarkable, ancient complexes which feature beautifully decorated paintings and sculptures.

Days 15-16 Mumbai

Home to massive bazaars and the lights of Bollywood, Mumbai has a wealth of things to sample, taste, try and buy - and plenty of top notch sightseeing. Set off to explore this quintessential Indian city and mark the conclusion of the trip with a hot curry and cold beer.

Days 2-3 North Goa

With palm-fringed beaches and Portuguese-influenced towns, Goa offers options for both exploration and relaxation. Hang out on the sand, taste a fiery fish curry or roam the local markets.

Days 4-5 South Goa

Travelling south, stop by the historical city of Old Goa, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and be amazed by this 15 century city that was eventually abandoned due to Plague. Spend the next few days relaxing on the beach or exploring the restaurants and bars of Palomen

Days 6-7 Hampi

Explore the impressive ruins of the old Vijayanagara Empire, some of the most striking ruins in the world. Hampi is smack bang in the middle of these ruins and is a fascinating place to spend time in.

Day 8 Bush Camp

Leave behind the ruins of Hampi and make the journey to Mysore, setting up camp en route.

Days 9-10 Mysore

Breathe in the scent of sandalwood with a visit to the Maharaja's Palace of Mysore. Count out 1,000 steps on the climb up Chamundi Hill.

Days 11-12 Wayanad District

Explore the tea and coffee plantations and surrounding hills of the Wayanad District.

Days 13-14 Kochi

Imagine an unlikely blend of India, Portugal and an English country village and come up with delightful Kochi. Catch a kathakali dance performance and take a local boat tour.

Day 15 Kerala Backwaters

Cruise the canals, stop for chai and visit the markets of Alleppey.

Days 16-18 Varkala

Unwind another notch with a beach break in Varkala. Soak up the sun, play in the surf and taste the local tropical fruits.

Day 19 Madurai

Stand on the southernmost tip of India then shop up a spice-scented storm in the streets and shops of Madurai.

Day 20 Trichy

Explore the amazing stretches of the largest temple complex in India, Sri Ranganathaswamy.

Days 21-22 Pondicherry

Feel like you've left India and wandered into Europe in the French-style city of Pondicherry.

Day 23 Mamallapuram

Visit the shore temples in laidback Mamallapuram.

Day 24 Chennai

Take a short drive to Chennai where we say goodbye to the pappadams and palm trees of this intriguing continent.