Grand Tour of India, Nepal and the Himalayas

Flying from London Heathrow to Amritsar via Doha.

We arrive on Day 2 and head to our hotel for the next two nights. After time to freshen up, we visit the Wagah Border, which separates Pakistan and India, to witness the Beating Retreat Ceremony, a military concert and lowering of flags held at sunset.

On the morning of Day 3 we enjoy a guided tour of Amritsar, seeing the Golden Temple, a resplendent building with a gilded façade and ornate carvings decking its inner walls. We also visit the poignant Jallianwala Bagh Gardens and memorial site. Afterwards, we board our train to Delhi, arriving later this evening for a two-night stay.

Today includes a full-day sightseeing tour of both the old and new cities. We begin exploring the colourful and aromatic market streets of Old Delhi before taking a traditional rickshaw ride through the vibrant bazaar and getting a better insight into local life here. Continuing to New Delhi, the newer part of the city, where we discover impressive colonial architecture, leafy avenues and government buildings; a distinct contrast to the traditional atmosphere of Old Delhi. We make stops at the president's house and Parliament House and India Gate as well as visiting Qutab Minar and the tomb of Humayun.

We board the early train to Agra today where, on arrival, we visit the vast Agra Fort before crossing the city for a sunset visit to the iconic Taj Mahal, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

On Day 6 we travel by coach to Lucknow for two nights, a historic city that played an important role both during the Mughal and colonial periods.

On Day 7, we visit the famous La Martiniere Boys' School, founded by an endowment from Major-General Claude Martin of the British Empire. We also see the magnificent Bada Imambara, home to both a mosque and a labyrinth said to have 1000 different passageways, as well as the British Residency, the site of a siege during the rebellion of 1857.

Our final long-distance train journey of the holiday takes us to Varanasi, a sacred city to the Hindus that attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. After checking into our hotel, this evening we watch a spectacular Aarti fire ceremony, an elaborate Hindu ritual. Priests carry tiered metal lamps, moving rhythmically to the sounds of sacred Hindu songs as the flames sway in unison creating an entrancing ambience.

Early on Day 9, we take to the water for a cruise along the holy River Ganges, admiring the sun as it spreads its first orange hues on the slate-coloured water. We then take an excursion to Sarnath, where Buddha is said to have given his first sermon and which now, understandably, holds great significance for Buddhists. This afternoon, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Kolkata, home for the next two nights.

We enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Kolkata, exploring the vibrant and bustling flower market, Mother Teresa's house and the Victoria Memorial - a beautiful white marble structure boasting sprawling gardens. Later, we visit the railway museum - a huge open field in the heart of the city offering panoramic views of the Kolkata skyline - and the Potter's Colony, where generations of potters engage in the art of making Hindu deities for festive occasions. Travelling aboard the Circular Train, a local commuter service, we then make our way to the banks of Hooghly River to see the memorial of James Prinsep, an English scholar and numismatist.

On Day 11, we transfer to the airport, we board our flight to Kathmandu in Nepal, checking into our hotel for two nights on arrival. 

Visiting the neighbouring town Patan on Day 12, we listen to a master create music with singing bowls, an experience that has deep spiritual connotations in Buddhist culture. Later, we return to Kathmandu for a sightseeing tour, exploring its multiple city squares, where locals gather throughout the day, the erstwhile royal square and Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in the world, before taking a rickshaw ride to Thamel, a lively part of the city. Tonight, we dine at the well-known Rum Doodle restaurant. Once a hangout for brave mountaineers, here we chat to a local Sherpa as they relive their experiences of climbing Mount Everest for us.

This morning we visit the Swayambhunath Stupa ahead of our journey to Chitwan National Park. After checking into our hotel for two nights, we enjoy a talk from a local naturalist about the wildlife that we might see over the next couple of days. Next, we walk to a nearby village populated by the Tharu People. Here we learn about their unique way of life and culture.

We visit a gharial, or Indian crocodile breeding centre, on Day 14. Here, this endangered species is bred and monitored to prevent extinction. After lunch, we take a wonderful Jeep safari through the jungles and grasslands of Chitwan National Park. Famous for its biodiversity, here we may spot the Indian Rhino stalking its way through the wetlands and grassy plains, Bengal tigers, leopards, hyenas and even a sloth bear or two.

We drive into the Himalayas today, passing glacial turquoise rapids and jungle-covered mountains on our way to Pokhara for three nights. With staggering views of Fishtail Peak, this is one of the world's most scenic destinations.

Day 16 is free for you to marvel at the views and relax at our hotel.

On Day 17, we drive up to Sarangkot, a mountain viewpoint that offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience - witnessing the sunrise over snow-clad Annapurna, one of the highest mountains in the world. After breakfast back at our hotel, we explore Pokhara, visiting the Gorkha Museum, the Old Bazaar and a Tibetan settlement where we experience some of the country's ancient cultures. In the afternoon, we enjoy a cruise across the tranquil waters of Lake Phewa, admiring the panoramic scenery and lofty mountains which border it.

Returning to the Nepalese capital for a final night.

On Day 19 we transfer to the airport for our flight back to London Heathrow, via Doha.