The Road To Delhi

Namaste. Welcome to Nepal. You will be greeted by our staff on arrival at Kathmandu’s, Tribhuvan International Airport. It is a relatively short drive to the beautiful ‘Kathmandu Guest House’ our joining hotel, where you will be made to feel extremely welcome by their helpful and friendly staff. 

Your BOA adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 6.pm.  Look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask at reception where it will take place. You will need to bring your passport and a copy of your travel insurance.

After the meeting we will head in to Thamel to enjoy our first group meal together.

Drive times: 0 kms / 0 hrs approx
Accommodation: Kathmandu Guest House, Kathmandu or similar
Meals included: dinner

Included activities

• Airport Transfer
• Welcome Meeting 6.00 pm.

Optional activities

• Shopping in Thamel

Start your adventure on a high with a close encounter of Mount Everest on a panoramic scenic flight.  After a delicious breakfast we take in the sites of Kathmandu with a city tour. Our tour includes a visit to Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Pashpathinath, Durbar Square (Kathmandu) and Boudhanath. 

We will finish the day with a nine course Nepali meal at the unforgettable Krishnarpan Restaurant at Dwarikas.

Drive times: 0 kms / 0 hrs approx
Accommodation: Kathmandu Guest House, Kathmandu or similar
Meals included:  breakfast | lunch | dinner

Included activities

• Swayambhunath Stupa
• Pashupatinath Temple
• Boudhanath Stupa
• Durbar Square, Kathmandu
• Kumari Ghar
• Krishnapan Restaurant 9 Course Nepali Meal

Optional activities

• Everest Flight

More about Kathmandu.......

We depart Kathmandu after breakfast and a brief introduction to BOA’s custom built Mercedes Benz all-terrain vehicle. After years on the road, we know what is required for long travel and you will quickly settle in and enjoy all the comforts available.  Air conditioning and heating, a library, charging facilities, writing table, a fridge for cold drinks……

After weaving our way out of the city and climbing out of the Kathmandu Valley we travel along the Prithvi Highway following the Trisuli River and driving through terraced farmland and stunning scenery. From Mugling we turn south and head towards the Terai, the flat lands of Nepal and Chitwan National Park.

Drive times: 170 kms / 6-8 hrs approx
Accommodation: Barahi Jungle Lodge, Chitwan NP or similar
Meals included: breakfast | lunch | dinner

Included Activities

• Introduction to 'Snowy'

Today will be busy with the many activities available at the lodge. You can explore the park in search of the elusive Bengal tiger or the one-horned rhino on a jeep safari, blend into the surrounding  jungle canoeing on the Rapti River, tour the local Tharu village on a bullock cart or just relax by the pool, the choice is yours. 

In the evening we can sip a gin & tonic while being entertained by brightly dressed, traditional Tharu dancers before enjoying another sumptuous meal.

Drive times: 0 kms / 0 hrs approx
Accommodation: Barahi Jungle Lodge, Chitwan NP or similar
Meals included: breakfast | lunch | dinner

Included activities

• Canoeing/Boating in the Rapti River with sundowners
• Jeep Safari
• Village Tour with bullock cart ride
• Cultural Indulgence
• Park entrance & naturalist guide for above activities

Optional activities

• Elephant Safaris

PLEASE NOTE: Whilst we respect each individuals decision BOA Asia does not include elephant safaris or unnatural performance activities on any itinerary and we recommend you bypass such activities should they be offered to you. 

The more questions that are asked about elephant riding, the clearer it becomes that not only is this not an ethical means of conserving elephants, but it is, in fact, precipitating their extinction in the wild.

If you would like to learn more here is a link to an excellent guide book by Horizon Travel Press "Elephants in Asia, Ethically"

More about Chitwan NP........

We leave Chitwan for our final stop in Nepal, Lumbini (Sanskrit for “the lovely”). Lumbini is the historical birthplace of Buddha and is one of the most important religious sites in the world. Buddha was born under a sal tree in Lumbini in May 563BC. 

This afternoon we will explore Lumbini on cycle rickshaws. Accompanied by a local guide we will visit the World Peace Pagoda and Maya Devi Temple where Buddha was born.

Drive times: 130 kms / 4-5 hrs approx
Accommodation: Buddha Maya Garden Hotel, Lumbini or similar
Meals included: breakfast | lunch

Included activities

• World Peace Pagoda
• Maya Devi Temple
• Guided Rickshaw Tour

More about Lumbini.........

Today we head south to the Nepalese border at Sonauli and enter the legendary country of India; so make sure your passports are easily accessible. 

From the moment you cross the border, you will notice the difference in the two countries. We have a long day ahead but the scenery is spectacular as we head south across the Gangetic Plains through towns and villages to Varanasi.

Drive times: 300 kms / 8-10 hrs approx
Accommodation: Surya Kaiser Palace,Varanasi or similar
Meals included: breakfast | lunch

Included activities

• Sonauli Border Crossing
• India is 15 minutes behind Nepal so don't forget to change your watch

Rising at the crack of dawn we head for the river and sunrise over the Ganges.  The best way to experience the Ganges and the ghats that line its banks is to take a boat out on the river.

After breakfast we will explore the old city, its maze of ancient pathways and alleys packed full of shops, stalls, temples, mosques and plodding cows.

The afternoon is free to relax or explore some more before we head back to the river for the evening Ganges Aarti, a mystical ceremony and one of the most spectacular sights in India.  

Drive times: 0 kms / 0 hrs approx
Accommodation: Surya Kaiser Palace, Varanasi or similar
Meals included: breakfast

Included activities

• Sunrise Boat Ride on the Ganges
• Pilgrims Riverside Walking Tour
• Evening Ganga Aarti Boat Trip

Optional Activities

• Banares Artisans & Weavers Walk

More about Varanasi.......

En-route to Khajuraho we pass through Allahabad, 130km west of Varanasi. It is here that the Ganges and Yamuna Rivers meet and the waters are believed to have soul-cleansing properties.

Late in the afternoon, after driving through remote farming areas we arrive in Khajuraho. 

Drive times: 430 kms / 8-10 hrs approx
Accommodation: Radisson Jass, Khajuraho or similar
Meals included: breakfast | lunch

More about Khajuraho......

We start the morning with a guided tour of the ‘Western Group of Temples’, and in particular the largest of the Khajuraho Temples, Kandariya Mahadeo. 

Late in the morning we hit the road to the beautiful town of Orchha, known for its picture perfect landscape, historical monuments and ancient temples. In the evening you can witness the Ram Raja Temple puja (prayer) ceremony.

Drive times: 175 kms / 4-6 hrs approx
Accommodation: Orchha Resort, Orchha or similar
Meals included: breakfast | lunch

Included activities

• Guided tour of Khajuraho

Optional activities

• Ram Raja Temple puja (prayer) ceremony

More about Orchha.......

Leaving Orchha, we literally drive through a museum that stands as testimony to India’s glorious past……..The Rani Mahal in Jhansi, once a palace, now a museum…………the seven-storied deserted Datia Palace……….9th and 10th century Jain temples scattered along the hill at Sonagiri and of course the palaces, forts and temples of Gwalior. We will stop at several of these sights on our way to Agra.

Drive times: 260 kms / 5-7 hrs approx
Accommodation: Taj Hotel , Agra or similar
Meals included: breakfast | lunch

Included activities

• Rani Mahal, Jhansi Museum *
• Datia Palace *
• Jain Temples of Sonagiri *
• Gwalior Fort *

* There is insufficient time to stop at all of these sights however we will stop at several of them on our way to Agra.

More about Jhansi, Sonagiri & Gwalior.......

Sunrise at the Taj Mahal is one of life’s unforgettable moments… the magical aura as the sun’s first rays catch the different hues in the white marble is simply stunning.  

After a late breakfast at the hotel, we visit the very impressive Agra Fort, a marvel of architecture in red sandstone with walls standing over twenty metres high and with a huge moat surrounding it.

Agra is heaven for shopaholics and the afternoon is yours free to visit the many markets and craft areas or other attractive buildings and gardens in Agra.  On the opposite bank of the Yamuna River is the Moon Garden an ideal point for viewing the Taj Mahal in romantic moonlight.

Drive times: 0 kms / 0 hrs approx
Accommodation: Taj Hotel, Agra or similar
Meals included: breakfast

Included activities

• Taj Mahal
• Agra Red Fort

Optional activities

• Moon Garden or Mehtab Bagh
• Shopping

More about Agra......

Today is all about wildlife conservation and we hope you share our enthusiasm. 

Wildlife SOS is a conservation non-profit in India, established in 1998 with the primary objective of rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife in distress in the country, and preserving India’s natural heritage. Close to Agra, Wildlife S.O.S. have two care facilities, one for Sloth Bears and the other for elephants. We take time to visit one or both of these facilities dependent on the groups preference before continuing on to Bharatpur.

Late in the afternoon we take cycle rickshaws and explore one of India’s best-known bird sanctuaries, Keoladeo National Park, commonly known as Bharatpur Bird Park.

Drive times: 86 kms / 3-5 hrs approx
Accommodation: Laxmi Vilas Palace, Bharatpur or similar
Meals included: breakfast | lunch

Included activities

• Wildlife S.O.S.
• Agra Bear Rescue Facility
• Elephant Conservation & Care Center
• Keoladeo National Park
• Cycle Rickshaw Tour

Optional activities

• Bicycle Hire
• Lohagarh Fort & Museum

More about Wildlife SOS, Bharatpur & Fatehpur Sikri

Our day starts with the option of visiting Sunrise Point in Keoladeo NP before returning to the hotel for breakfast. 

A short 25 kms from Bharatpur, we arrive at Fatephur Sikri, a perfectly preserved ghost city built at the height of Emperor Akbar’s reign. We will spend some time wandering around this old abandoned marvel of Mughal architecture before continuing on to the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur.

Drive times: 230 kms / 4-6 hrs approx
Accommodation: Khandela Haveli, Jaipur or similar
Meals included: breakfast | lunch

Included activities

• Fatephur Sikri

Optional activities

• Sunrise Cycle Rickshaw Tour
• Sunrise Bicycle Tour

Why not start the day by floating across the skyline of Jaipur in a hot air balloon.

After breakfast we spend the day exploring several of the city’s famous landmarks with an old friend whose family has been synonymous with Jaipur and tourism for generations. 

Hawa Mahal (The Palace of the Winds), Iswari Minar Swarga Sal (Heaven Piercing Minaret), the City Palace, also known as the Pink Palace and Jantar Mantar Astronomical Observatory are all included in our day.

Drive times: 0 kms / 0 hrs approx
Accommodation: Khandela Haveli, Jaipur or similar
Meals included: breakfast | lunch

Included activities

• Hawa Mahal (The Palace of the Winds)
• Iswari Minar Swarga Sal (Heaven Piercing Minaret)
• City Palace (Pink Palace)
• Jantar Mantar Astronomical Observatory

Optional activities

• Hot Air Ballooning
• Shopping

More about Jaipur.......

We drive 11 kms north of Jaipur, past the Jal Mahal (Water Palace) sitting in the middle of Man Sagar Lake, to the imposing and fabulous Amber Fort and Palace. 

From Jaipur to Delhi the drive is through quite undulating and dry country but, as we get closer to Delhi, it becomes flatter and greener. Be prepared for us to come to a grinding halt when we hit the edges of Delhi and are greeted by the chaotic Delhi traffic! 

Drive times: 310 kms / 4-6 hrs approx
Accommodation: The Claridges, New Delhi or similar
Meals included: breakfast | lunch

Included activities

• Amber Palace & Fort

Delhi is a frenzy of culture and colour, a vibrant, crazy and chaotic capital city, all of which you will discover on our city tour. A historians paradise, Delhi is home to a phase in history that speaks out from every nook and corner of the city.  The memories of the glorious age of the Mughal rulers is still alive, with most of their architectural glories still standing as a witness of an era gone by.  

Our day will include Bahai Lotus Temple,  the impressive Red Fort,  Jama Masjid a 17th century mosque, Rajghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Ghandia, Humayun Tomb, India’s parliament house, India Gate and Qutab Minar.

After a long day of exploring we end with a group meal together to say goodbye to those leaving in Delhi and hello to those joining us.

Drive times: 0 kms / 0 hrs approx
Accommodation: The Claridges, New Delhi or similar
Meals included: breakfast | lunch | dinner

Included activities

• Bahai Lotus Temple
• The Red Fort
• Jama Masjid
• Rajghat
• Humayun Tomb
• Sansad Bhavan
• India Gate
• Qutab Minar
• Group Farewell Dinner

Optional activities

• Shopping in Janpath Market

More about Old & New Delhi........

The tour ends after breakfast and your morning is free until it is time to transfer to the airport.  We thank you for choosing to travel with us… Best Of Asia Overland, the specialists in ‘Adventure in Comfort’, welcome you anytime.

Drive times: 0 kms / 0 hrs approx
Accommodation: Not included
Meals included: breakfast

Included activities

• Airport Transfer

Travel Guide to Nepal

Accommodation in Nepal

Map of Nepal

Travel Guide to India

Accommodation in India

Map of India

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Essential Travel Information