P.O. Box 741122
New Orleans, Louisiana 70174
Phone 504-398-0056
Email: ttravel@thomascruise.com
www.thomascruise.com

 

G Adventures Arrow Asia Arrow National Geographic Journeys: Explore India & Nepal (AHDNG)
National Geographic Journeys: Explore India & Nepal (AHDNG)
Countries Visited: India, Nepal
Trip Style: National Geographic Journeys - Greater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam - all without sacrificing comfort.
Service Level: Upgraded - Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.
Physical Demands Rating: 3 - Average - Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
Group Size: Small Group - Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 10
Meals Included: 16 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners - Allow USD340-445 for meals not included.
Accommodations: Hotels (14 nts), heritage hotel (1 nt), monastery guesthouse (1 nt)

Highlights
Walk the backstreets of Delhi with a local guide, experience the essence of serenity with an overnight stay at a Buddhist Monastery, learn how to make Nepalese momos (dumplings), enjoy local living with an overnight homestay in a rural village

Description
Discover northern India's famed Golden Triangle and get immersed in Nepalese culture on a 17-day journey. Explore the Taj Mahal and encounter the iconic colors of Rajasthan. Spend a night at a Buddhist monastery and meet with one of the brave women from SASANE, a program that trains former victims of trafficking to become paralegals. From epic sights to intimate encounters, every moment packs a big punch.
Call 504-398-0056 for more information or to book today! Mention code 13674397
Tour OperatorG Adventures
Duration
17 Days
Escorted
Escorted - Yes
Itinerary
DayDestinationDescription
Day 1DelhiDay 1 Delhi
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting, so check into to the hotel (check-in time is 12 noon) and enjoy the city.
Day 2AgraDay 2 Delhi/Agra (1B)
Walk through the backstreets of Delhi with a young adult taking part in the G Adventures-supported New Delhi Streetkids Project. Later, explore Old Delhi with your CEO before an afternoon drive to Agra. Included Activities: Guided Walking Tour with New Delhi Streetkids Project Old Delhi Guided Walk Transport: Private Vehicle (3.00-4.00 hours, 200km)
Day 3AgraDay 3 Agra (1B)
Spend the day visiting the highlights of the walled city of Agra including the famed Taj Mahal, Baby Taj, and Agra Fort.
Day 4JaipurDay 4 Agra/Jaipur (1B)
Drive to Jaipur, visiting the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri and the village of Abhaneri, which has one of India's deepest and largest stepwells (tank gardens).
Day 5JaipurDay 5 Jaipur (1B)
Consider treating yourself to a night at the cinema. Going to see a Bollywood film in India is much more than what we are accustomed to in the west. The atmosphere, energy, and pure fun (not to mention volume!) has to be experienced to be believed. Included Activities: Amber Fort Visit City Palace Visit Meet a Local Historian
Day 6SawardaDay 6 Jaipur/Sawarda (1B, 1D)
The village is about 60km (37 mi) from Jaipur and has beautiful temples dedicated to different religions, including a unique sikh temple. The residents of the village are still involved in traditional commercial activities. Youll see pottery wheels, silversmiths, cobblers, traditional huts, old temples, and small stepwells. Included Activities: Local Village Immersion Transport: Private Vehicle (1.00 hour(s), 55km)
Day 7DelhiDay 7 Sawarda/Delhi (1B)
Drive back to bustling Delhi. Opt to join the CEO for a group dinner. Transport: Private Vehicle (6.00 hour(s), 310km)
Day 8KathmanduDay 8 Delhi/Kathmandu (1B)
Transfer to the airport and catch a flight to Kathmandu. Kathmandu is fascinating at every turn and a great place to just wander, seeing where the city may lead you.
Day 9KathmanduDay 9 Kathmandu (1B, 1L)
Spend the day exploring Kathmandu and surrounding areas, including Boudhanath Stupa, one of the world's largest Buddhist shrines. Also visit the Royal City of Bhaktapur, exploring Hindu temples, pagodas and monuments, including the stunning wood-carved palace in Durbar Square. After, visit the Sisterhood of Survivors Project and learn how to make Nepalese momos (dumplings) before enjoying an authentic local lunch and lecture with one of the women who have graduated from the Sasane paralegal program. Transport: Private Vehicle
Day 10PharpingDay 10 Kathmandu/Pharping (1B)
Opt to take an early morning Everest experience flight, then visit ancient Swayambhunath Buddhist temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the holiest shrines in Kathmandu. Then, visit a local home to learn about National Geographic grantee Chhing Lhomi, who works to preserve ancient weaving traditions of the Upper Mustang region through the Himalayan Indigenous Society. Depart the city to Pharping for a unique overnight stay at a Buddhist Monastery guesthouse. Learn about life in the Monastery from the inside, enjoying a chanting and prayer service. Opt to walk in the surrounding Village and countryside. Experience the serenity of a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. The monastery guest house offers comfortable accommodations in a peaceful setting with balconies and private western-style bathrooms. There are approximately 200 monks in residence following the Nyingmapa tradition. This is a new monastery (2006), and income from the guest house directly supports it. Transport: Private Vehicle (1.00-2.00 hours, 25km)
Day 11KurintarDay 11 Pharping/Kurintar (1B, 1D)
Rise early and enjoy the morning chanting and sunrise from the Monastery. After, drive to Kurintar and hike to our remote lodge on the banks of Trishuli River and valley. Opt to relax and enjoy the pool or take a hike in the surrounding countryside. Arrive at our remote lodge, which sits on a ridge amidst the hills and overlooks sandy beaches and a river. Forests cascade down the hillsides, enclosing tiny settlements of tribal people. Included Activities: Neydo Monastery Sunrise chant Transport: Private Vehicle (3.50-4.00 hours, 125km) Walking (0.50-0.75 hours)
Day 12Chitwan National ParkDay 12 Kurintar/Chitwan National Park (1B, 1L, 1D)
Drive to our lodge located on the bank of the Rapti river which boarders the UNESCO World Heritage site of Chitwan National Park. After lunch enjoy wildlife viewing from traditional boats along the river. Included Activities: Chitwan Area Boat Excursion Transport: Walking (0.50-0.75 hours) Private Vehicle (2.50-3.50 hours)
Day 13Chitwan National ParkDay 13 Chitwan National Park (1B, 1L, 1D)
Explore Chitwan National Park with expert local guides. Activities can include a village walk, boating, nature walks, and jeep safari in search of rhinos, leopards, wild elephants, monkeys, and crocodiles. Also meet with a local tiger "technician" who will give a presentation about Nepal Tiger Trust, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of tigers in Nepal. Our expert will join us on a jeep safari to teach us how tigers are tracked, protected and monitored, with help from the local community. If we?re lucky, we may catch a glimpse of one of these elusive great cats. This evening, return to the lodge and enjoy a Tharu cultural dance program presented by local Villagers. Included Activities: Jeep Safari Chitwan Village Visit
Day 14PokharaDay 14 Chitwan National Park/Pokhara (1B)
Drive to beautiful Pokhara and immerse yourself in stunning views of the Himalayas. Enjoy an orientation walk with the CEO and opt to have dinner at one of the popular restaurants in town. Nestled in a tranquil valley at an altitude of 827m (2,713 ft), beautiful Pokhara lies on a once vibrant trade route between India and Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen bringing goods to trade from remote regions of the Himalayas. This enchanting city has several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panoramic views of Himalayan peaks. It is popular place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. Included Activities: Orientation Walk Transport: Private Vehicle (5.00-6.00 hours)
Day 15PokharaDay 15 Pokhara (1B, 1L)
Hike up to Sarangkot and enjoy the sunrise and sweeping Annapurna Himalayan views. Later hike to the brilliant World Peace Pagoda, a stunning monument built by Buddhist monks from Japan. After, visit a Tibetan refugee settlement to learn more about this community, visit their photo gallery and enjoy a local Tibetan lunch. This afternoon, opt to try paragliding or go boating in Phewa Lake. Included Activities: Sunrise at Sarangkot World Peace Pagoda Excursion Phewa Lake Boat Tour Visit a Tibetan refugee settlement with local lunch
Day 16KathmanduDay 16 Pokhara/Kathmandu (1B)
Catch a flight back to the capital, Kathmandu. Enjoy free time for shopping or opt to visit the Pashupatinath Ghats. Enjoy free time in the afternoon for exploring. Visit the burning ghats at Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath, or the monkey temple. Kathmandu is fascinating at every turn, and some travelers prefer to just wander, seeing where the city may lead them. Transport: Plane (1.00 hour(s))
Day 17KathmanduDay 17 Kathmandu (1B)
Feel free to depart at any time today, but remember that check out time from the hotel is 12:00pm. Included Activities: Departure Day
Dates/Pricing
Click Quote or call 504-398-0056 to get additional information on your chosen travel date. Special offers or competitive pricing may be available!

DatePrice / DescriptionQuote
 Contact us for detailsQuote
Disclaimer

Local Flights: All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.

Dossier Disclaimer:The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Itinerary Disclaimer: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
  
 
Thomas Travel & Cruise

P.O. Box 741122 • New Orleans, Louisiana 70174  Phone 504-398-0056

ttravel@thomascruise.com • www.thomascruise.com