Namaste! Welcome to India. This Himalayan adventure kicks off in Delhi – the capital territory of India’s north. Meet your trip leader and new travel buddies at a 1 pm welcome meeting. Then, head out on a guided walk around Old Delhi with your group. Soak up the bustling Chandni Chowk marketplaces, learn about the history of the Sikh religion at the Sheeshganj Gurudwara and explore the colourful Kinari Bazaar. You’ll take plenty of street food breaks along the way to taste iconic treats – maybe try hot jalebis or a Masala chai. Venture to Naughara, a hidden gem full of beautifully preserved 18th-century homes, then end your walk at Khari Baoli, Asia’s largest wholesale spice market and a sensory explosion. Later, maybe join your leader and group for an optional dinner and get to know each other. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Your next destination takes a bit of work to get to, but that’s because it’s a secret, tucked-away haven away from the prying eyes of the everyday tourist. You’ll journey through picturesque countryside by train to a unique stay in Tordi – this remote and rarely visited village offers a glimpse into the real Rajasthan. Tonight, sleep in an 18th-century palace with its owner as your host. There’s a ruined temple and fortress nearby that you can explore, and then you can settle in and savour the delicious local flavours with a homecooked dinner. Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.

This morning, take on an optional hike at sunrise for epic views of the town and surrounding countryside. Get up before the sun, set out uphill and when you reach the top, watch the sky change colours as you enjoy some chai and cookies. Then, kick on to Jaipur – India’s Pink City. You’ll have plenty of free time here to haggle to your heart’s content at the bazaars and backstreets, where vendors sell a variety of textiles, precious and semi-precious gems and blue pottery. Drop by one of India’s finest palaces – the Royal City Palace. Foodies will want to hit the streets for raj kachori chaat (a big fluffy chaat served with chutney, yoghurt, chilli and potato). Then, maybe cool off with a lassi from Lassiwala on MI road – Jaipur’s oldest and most famous lassi shop. Tonight, cinema buffs won’t want to miss a Bollywood blockbuster at the Raj Mandir Cinema. Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

If you're keen on a different view of the Pink City, an optional early-morning hot air balloon ride is a trip highlight for many visitors. Later in the morning, you’ll drop by Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) – the impressive five-storey facade with pink and honeycombed windows is the most photographed building in the country after the Taj Mahal. After, it’s out to the old capital of Amber where you’ll explore the hilltop fort complex known as the Amber Fort. The rest of the day is free – maybe ask your leader for the best spot for dinner and pick up a biryani or a tasty plate of chicken tikka masala. The balloon flights operate from September 1st to April 30th and last approximately 60 mins. Return transfers, tea and coffee plus light refreshments, and a certificate of flight are included in the cost. You can register your interest and pay your tour leader at your joining meeting on day 1 of your trip. Payment can be made by credit card or cash in either INR/AUD/USD/GBP. Flights are subject to availability and weather conditions (tickets are fully refundable in case of bad weather).

Take advantage of the chance to rub shoulders with the locals today on a public bus ride to Agra. When you arrive, you’ve made it to one of the Seven Wonders of the World – India’s most enduring symbol and an epic monument to love and loss. For some reason, local families find it more interesting to take photos of you than the actual Taj Mahal! But you’ll be too busy standing there with your mouth gaping open to notice. Take your time taking in the delight of this gorgeous monument and make sure you grab a great pic – you won’t want to forget this. Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

Today is free to explore at your leisure. Agra Fort is a popular option, where you can stroll the palatial gardens of the red sandstone stronghold and get some great views of the Taj Mahal from afar. For a meal that makes a difference while in Agra, consider visiting Sheroes Hangout – a social enterprise that supports survivors of acid attacks. Then, it’s on to the next stop – Varanasi. Tonight, it’s time for a unique slice of Indian life aboard an overnight train. Your travel time on your overnight train will be approximately 13 hours.

Arrive in one of the holiest cities in the country this morning. Varanasi is the ultimate destination for Hindu pilgrims who travel far and wide to experience the spirituality of this city. Overflowing with temples, shrines and devotees, this is an interesting place to explore. Maybe take the chance to perfect your yoga in one of the epic chakra-balancing spots. Or just chill out and soak in the meditative surroundings, ready for your early start tomorrow.

Today’s an early start, but it’s worth it – you’ll take a sunrise boat ride along the sacred Ganges. Even if you’re not spiritual, you can’t help but get goosebumps during this experience. Pass the many ghats (stairs leading to the water) and temples along the river and watch thousands of Hindu pilgrims cleanse their sins in the holy water as the sun bathes the surrounds in shades of amber and orange. After, maybe hop on an auto rickshaw to the oldest part of the city to explore its maze of narrow alleyways packed full of small shops, stalls and lumbering cows. See pilgrims performing rituals unchanged for hundreds of years and pass chiming temples as wafts of incense fill the air.

Wave goodbye to India as you travel to the border (Sunauli border crossing) and enter Nepal. Make sure to charge up your music and fish out your book, as it’s a long day of travel to Lumbini. No ordinary border town, this is the birthplace of Gautama Buddha – the founder of Buddhism and one of his four holy places of pilgrimage. Check out the beautiful Ashoka Pillars and hop on cycle rickshaws to the Maya Devi Temple – the actual site where Buddha is thought to have been born. Your travel time today will be approximately 8 to 10 hours.

Put on your safari hat this morning, as you’ll drive to Chitwan National Park – UNESCO declared this park a World Heritage site in 1984 and it offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Asia. Think the Jungle Book coming to life with rhinos, deer, monkeys and a wide array of birds, including Nepalese wild chickens. Tonight, you’ll stay in a lodge near the park, listening out for the roars of tigers as you fall asleep to the sounds of nature. Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

This morning you’ll hop aboard a jeep, meet your local guide and take a fun safari drive through Chitwan National Park. Look out for elephants and rhinos and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of one of the 100 –or so Bengal tigers that call the park home. There are also several optional activities available through your accommodation this afternoon, including biking, bird watching, cultural performances, canoe rides and village tours. While Tuuur respects each individual’s decisions while travelling, we do not include elephant rides or unnatural performance activities on any itinerary, and we recommend that you bypass these activities should they be offered to you during your stay. Professional wildlife conservation and animal welfare organisations, including the World Animal Protection, advise that contrary to common belief, captive elephants remain wild animals, and despite good intentions, unfortunately, many venues are unable to provide the appropriate living conditions elephants require, ultimately impacting their well-being.

Today, you’ll travel to your final destination – the Nepalese patchouli–scented capital of Kathmandu. Maybe book in for a massage or a yoga session when you arrive to ease those body kinks and settle into a meditative state. With the rest of your free time, you can visit the giant Buddhist Stupa at Boudhanath or head out into the narrow streets – home to holy men, monks, bicycles and sacred cows. Got a sweet tooth? Take one soft, fluffy ball of buffalo milk dough, deep fried until it’s the texture of a doughnut, dropped into sugar syrup flavoured with cardamom powder, rose essence and saffron, and eat! Your leader will know where to grab these delicacies. Kathmandu has some great spots for nightlife too, so if you like, chill out with a cool drink or grab some dinner with your group tonight. Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.

Today, you have free time in Kathmandu until your second welcome meeting at 2 pm. You might like to visit the most important Buddhist shrine – Swayambhunath Stupa – and the nearby Bhaktapur (also known as ‘the City of Devotees’). Maybe see the furniture, art and ornaments of the royal family at the Narayanhiti Palace Museum. After the meeting, maybe wander Durbar Square or the lively streets of Thamel, home to lively market stalls, tranquil gardens and thriving nightlife options. As this trip is a combination of shorter itineraries, the travellers in your group and your group leader are likely to change today.

Take a morning drive over the rim of the Kathmandu Valley and soak up the views of the Ganesh and Langtang ranges. Then hit the waters for some whitewater rafting on the Trisuli River – this is the most popular river for rafting in all of Nepal. Soak up the thrill of the rapids, Ladies Delight, Rock Garden and Snell's Nose, among the beauty of the nearby gorges. If you’re not a confident swimmer, you can speak with your leader in advance of today’s rafting activity. There is also the option to sit out and spend time at the resort instead.

Have some more fun on the river this morning, negotiating the Monsoon and Upset rapids. In Kurintar, refuel with a light lunch and then drive to Pokhara. When you arrive, take an afternoon walk around the city with your leader, who will point out some sights and sounds in the area, including Phewa Lake. This evening is free for you to chill out at one of the many lakeside restaurants or bars. Maybe get yourself a plate of momos (dumplings) or a nourishing bowl of dal bhat (thick lentil or bean soup) for dinner tonight. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Today, you’ll make the drive from Pokhara to Birethanti – this is where the trekking adventure begins. Your hike is mostly uphill today on some pretty diverse terrain. There’s a dirt track leading to Shyauli villages, then you’ll reach a stone staircase up to Kimche, where you’ll stop for lunch. Rest your legs for a beat, taking in the views of snowcapped mountains and expansive fields below. From here, you’ll follow the stone flags that lead you through fields of wheat to Ghandruk. Tonight, you'll stay in your first Nepali teahouse. Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours. Your trekking time today will be approximately 6 hours or 11 km (6.8 mi).

Fill up at breakfast, enjoying the mountain views, then start the trek towards Tolkha. Along the way, take in the diverse scenery of the river below, the mountain above and the wild landscape on every side. The Annapurna Range makes for a pretty great photo (and she’s not shy, either). Tonight, you’ll rest up in Tolkha, getting ready for tomorrow’s trek. Your trekking time today will be approximately 5 hours or 6.5 km (4 mi).

This morning, continue your trek from Tolkha to Hemjakot. This trail from Dhampus to Hemjakot is pretty remote, giving you the opportunity to really switch off and enjoy the scenery. Tonight, you’ll have the chance to socialise during your overnight stay with a local family. Spend time with them in their traditional home, which is made from natural stones from this region. It’s fantastic insight into the rural way of life in the mountains and the local culture of the Gurung population, who migrated here from Tibet. Your trekking time today will be approximately 6 hours or 13 km (8 mi).

Say goodbye to your hosts in Hemjakot and head out again – this morning’s trek is a short descent to Phedi. When you arrive, transfer to Pokhara, arriving in time for lunch. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon to do all the things you didn’t do the first time around in Pokhara – a popular choice is taking a rowboat (doonga) out on Phewa Lake. If there are blue skies today, you’ll have mountain views wherever you look. After, maybe check out the Tal Barahi Temple and the Shree Bindhyabasini Temple, which are both free to explore. Your trekking time today will be approximately 3 hours or 5 km (3.1 mi).

It’s a long bus ride back to Kathmandu (so bring some snacks, road trip games and a good book). When you arrive, maybe grab a banana lassi to soak away the bus ride. Tonight, you’re free to explore Kathmandu’s nightlife further (what better way to celebrate a good trek). Your travel time today will be approximately 10 hours.

With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end after breakfast today. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.