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Experience the heights of South Asia, from the Taj Mahal to the Himalayas.
Interested in checking two bucket list countries off your list? This trip’s the ticket. Begin by touring the burnished highlights of India’s Golden Triangle—Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur—before flying north to Kathmandu, Nepal. The City of Temples will be your home for four nights as you fill your days admiring Himalayan peaks and beautiful Buddhist stupas. Then, extend your tour to trek to the Nepalese lowlands and explore the wilds of the country’s first national park. (You might even spot a Bengal tiger!)
Your tour package includes
- 10 nights in handpicked hotels
- 10 breakfasts
- 3 lunches
- 5 dinners with beer or wine
- 1 tasting
Included highlights
- Jama Masjid in Old Delhi
- Qutub Minar in New Delhi
- Humayun’s Tomb in New Delhi
- Sikh community kitchen
- Pink City of Jaipur
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Day-by-day itinerary
Print itineraryBoard your overnight flight to Delhi today.
Welcome to India! After arriving in Delhi, make the short transfer to your hotel with your groupmates. You’ll touch down later in the evening, so use the rest of your day to settle into your room, grab a bite to eat, catch up on sleep, and look forward to the rest of your journey.
Finish shaking off that jet lag during a leisurely morning spent in the comfort of your hotel. Then, meet up with your Tour Director and set out for Old Delhi. Built on the order of Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal Emperor, this walled city was dubbed Shahjahanabad upon its completion in 1648 and served as the capital of Mughal India for over 200 years. Wind through its narrow lanes on a guided sightseeing tour and bask in its highlights.
- See the black marble pedestal and eternal flame of Raj Ghat, an enduring tribute to Mahatma Gandhi built on the site of his cremation. Then, visit a nearby museum dedicated to the “Father of the Nation,” filled with photographs and books documenting his life.
- Tour the exterior of Jama Masjid, the former imperial mosque of the Mughals. Immediately recognizable by its twin sandstone minarets and three onion-like domes, this immense marble structure is one of Delhi’s most iconic sites. Enjoy a reverent moment with your thoughts as you take in its courtyard.
- Split into groups and get ready to crank up the volume—and speed—on a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk. Since opening in the 16th century, this market has ballooned into one of the largest in India. Zip through the streets of the “Moonlight Square,” letting the sights, smells, and sounds of this bustling bazaar awe you.
Wrap up your first full day in India with an included welcome dinner, served with beer or wine at a local restaurant.
Please note: The schedule of your sightseeing tour may vary depending on your departure date and the conditions in Delhi. Additionally, women will be given robes to wear over their clothes at Jama Masjid.
After walking, driving, and rickshaw-riding through history yesterday, spend your day getting to know India’s present in New Delhi. Built over a span of 20 years and inaugurated as the country’s capital in 1931, it contains some of the nation’s most significant cultural sites. Check them out as you traverse the district with your Tour Director.
- See the India Gate. Built in the style of a triumphal arch, it’s one of the largest and most famous war memorials in the country, honoring soldiers who fell during World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War.
- Enter the complex containing one of New Delhi’s grandest sights: the Qutub Minar. Towering almost 240 feet above the city’s Mehrauli neighborhood, this fluted sandstone minaret flaunts intricate engravings and gorgeous geometric patterns.
- Listen to your Tour Director tell stories about New Delhi’s grand boulevards, government buildings, and public parks as you drive through the city, and take a break at a local restaurant for an included lunch.
- Visit Humayun’s Tomb. Rising from an urban green space, the red sandstone walls of this UNESCO World Heritage Site pay striking homage to the eponymous 16th-century Mughal ruler. Enter the mausoleum and explore this prime example of Islamic architecture.
- Enter one of the holiest places in the Sikh faith: the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. Originally a bungalow belonging to a local king, it grew from a small shrine to a gurudwara, or temple, associated with the eighth Sikh Guru, Har Krishan. Its Sarovar, or lake, is said to have healing properties, further highlighting the temple’s spiritual importance.
- Learn about the history and traditions of Sikhism while visiting the temple. This organized religion is the fifth-largest and one of the youngest in the world. It emphasizes the concept of seva—selfless service—and adherents at the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib put it into practice each day. You’ll see it in action at the langar, or community kitchen, where free meals are served 24 hours a day.
Please note: The schedule of your sightseeing tour may vary depending on your departure date and the conditions in Delhi. Additionally, all travelers must wear a head covering in Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. One will be provided for you before entering.
Make the trek southeast from Delhi to the city of Agra. Your destination: the tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah, the lavish final resting place of the Mughal official Mirza Ghiyas Beg. It was built as a loving tribute from daughter to father, and its name derives from the title bestowed upon Ghiyas Beg by the emperor he served: I’timad-ud-Daulah, or “Pillar of the State.”
- Walk across its manicured gardens, set out in a perfect cross. (Fun fact: The only asymmetrical parts of the entire complex are the cenotaphs of Ghiyas Beg and his wife, Asmat Begum, laid side-by-side for eternity in the main tomb.)
- Enter the mausoleum with your Tour Director and come to understand why it’s known as the “Baby Taj.” Its use of white marble, red sandstone, and vibrant stone inlays marks a transition between eras of Mughal architecture, leading some to consider the tomb a first draft of the Taj Mahal.
Leave the tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah behind and cross the Yamuna River, enjoying an included lunch before visiting the Taj Mahal, India’s crown jewel and a testament of undying love. Commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his dear wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the sprawling white marble complex is symmetrical in nearly every way—from its soaring onion dome to the minarets framing it against the horizon. Embark on a sunset tour of this Wonder of the Modern World and let yourself get lost in the moment.
With another full day in the books, join your groupmates for an included dinner, served with beer or wine. Trade tales and compare your favorite moments so far, then retire for the night.
Today, rise with the sun and partake in an invigorating, traditional yoga practice, complete with views of the Taj Mahal and post-flow tea. Centering yourself has never been so tranquil.
Please note: This class is suitable for beginners and experts alike, and mats will be provided. Your yogi may not be fluent in English; if this is the case, your Tour Director will help translate.
Once you’ve limbered up, head to the opposite banks of the Yamuna River to immerse yourself in the serene surroundings of the Mehtab Bagh. This charbagh, or quadrilateral garden, perfectly mirrors the width of the Taj Mahal, and blooms with hibiscus, guava, and other flowering plants. As you stroll along its manicured grounds, you’ll learn about the Mughal and Persian elements that distinguish the area, and come to understand just how it got its name. (“Mehtab Bagh” directly translates to “Moonlight Garden.”)
Say goodbye to Agra and travel to Jaipur. Looking to understand Indian culture from a more local perspective? Tonight, you and your group will head to a family’s home for dinner. You’ll sample the region’s specialties as you hear about day-to-day life in the city. After your meal, head back to your hotel with both a full stomach and a full heart.
This morning, you have two options: Either sleep in and ease into the day, or join your groupmates for a sunrise excursion in a hot-air balloon.
Regardless of your choice, join back up with your Tour Director later in the morning for another spot of sightseeing. Your destination: the Amber Fort. Hunkered down atop a hill, this 16th-century fortress and palace complex is a paragon of Rajput architecture—so much so that it earned a spot among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Climb into a 4x4 Jeep and make the drive up the fort’s slopes. Once you’ve made it to the palace’s sandstone-and-marble exterior, disembark and let a combination of history and hilltop views wash over you. Then, take off on a guided tour and walk through the palace gardens, under ornate archways, up serpentine staircases, and past beautifully patterned walls.
When it’s time to leave, you’ll head back to the Pink City of Jaipur—so named for the dusty rose hue of the buildings in its Old City. The Rajasthani capital contains architectural marvels galore, and your Tour Director will show you some of its most magnificent on a guided tour.
- Sip masala chai as you walk through Jaipur’s bustling markets, where traders offer everything from handmade jewelry to traditional textiles and marble statues.
- Scope out the City Palace—built following the traditional Hindu system of Vastu Shastra—then explore its museum, taking a peek into the lives of the royals who lived there in the 18th century.
- Pass the honeycombed facade of the Hawa Mahal, nicknamed the Palace of the Winds due to a unique structural feature. When it was built in 1799, its architect dotted the exterior with 953 small windows. Besides allowing the royal ladies within to observe the streets below, they also created a gentle wind tunnel effect, ensuring a constant breeze that made the sweltering Rajasthani summers bearable.
If you want to stretch your legs a bit, get active by adding the evening’s excursion and learning some Bollywood dance steps in an interactive class, followed by dinner. If not, turn in early and dream about all you’ve seen so far.
Bollywood Dance Class & Dinner
From $99 per person
Jaipur Hot-Air Balloon Ride
From $565 per person
This morning, return to Delhi, transfer to the airport, and board a flight bound for the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu. Once you touch down, you and your group will navigate the city’s vibrant streets, catching a sneak peek of what’s to come as you make your way to your hotel. Freshen up, then reconvene in the evening for an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Sitting in the center of Nepal, cupped by its namesake valley, Kathmandu is a beautiful barrage for the senses. With your Tour Director in the lead, you’ll expertly maneuver your way through this lively city, dialing into the pace of life and breathing in each momentum-packed moment.
- Begin by wandering through the UNESCO-listed Durbar Square. This royal plaza is one of three similarly named places in the Kathmandu Valley, and traces its roots to the third century. It also houses the Nautalle Durbar, an 18th-century palace built to commemorate Nepalese unification.
- Continue to the Itum Bahal, an old Buddhist monastery and a staple of Kathmandu’s Old Town. Odds are, you might smell its courtyard before you see it—the stalls of its famous spice market pump the pungent aroma of timur peppers and dried chilis into the air.
- See Swayambhunath. Named after the Tibetan word for “sublime trees,” this hilltop complex is an important site for Buddhist pilgrims, and is crowned by a stupa (a mound-shaped shrine) bearing the same name. Watch rhesus macaque monkeys roam its ancient grounds as colorful prayer flags flap in the wind.
- Step inside an artist’s studio to learn about paubhas—traditional paintings meant to worship deities and guide meditation—and have the chance to create your own.
Take a break to recharge at your hotel, then head back out for a traditional rickshaw ride. Zip through the city, rolling through the buzzy Thamel neighborhood and bustling Indra Chowk, Kathmandu’s principal market square. After, enjoy an evening to yourself and rest up for tomorrow’s outing.
Unplug from the energy of Kathmandu and travel to the easternmost pocket of its valley, seeking respite in the quiet village of Dhulikhel. Then, marvel at the UNESCO-listed temples of Bhaktapur, the City of Devotees.
- Begin in Dhulikhel. With a population of fewer than 40,000 and a ready panorama of the Himalayas, the peaceful environs of this town have long attracted hikers, bikers, and adventurers. As you explore, keep an eye out for some of the tallest mountain peaks in the world. (Weather permitting, you might spot Annapurna, Lhotse, and even Everest.)
- Double back toward Kathmandu, stopping in Bhaktapur for an included lunch. Then, follow a local guide on a tour of this holy city, first stopping in Durbar Square. This former royal complex was once even grander than its sibling in Kathmandu, but a string of earthquakes destroyed most of its buildings. Today, you’ll still find a series of pagodas and a palace ornamented with 55 Newar windows: elaborately carved wooden apertures that typify Nepalese architecture.
- Check out a pottery studio and let a local artisan teach you the age-old techniques behind Nepalese pottery. Then, rev up your wheel and sculpt your own piece of pottery, a unique souvenir from your time in the country.
- Return to Kathmandu by way of the Pashupatinath Temple, one of the holiest Hindu shrines in the world. Then, wrap up your day with a final stop at the Boudhanath. This UNESCO-listed stupa has long been a waypoint for weary Tibetan merchants, and is a powerful symbol of peace and love.
Arrive at your hotel and unwind for the evening—and maybe visit a nearby eatery for some dhal bhat, a traditional lentil curry served with rice.
If you need a pause, use your full free day to recharge and explore at your own pace. Want to see as much as you can before heading back home? Add our optional excursion to the village of Nagarkot and find your second wind in nature’s embrace.
Tonight, rejoin your group and celebrate your trip during a farewell dinner, served with beer or wine.
Himalayan Village Nature Walk & Home-Hosted Lunch
From $109 per person
Fly back to Delhi, then stretch your legs in a dayroom before returning to the airport for your overnight flight home. Not ready to leave? Stay in Kathmandu and prepare to strike out for the Nepalese lowlands on the trip’s extension. (If you’re curious about what else the country has to offer, take up the second option. The forests and plains of Chitwan National Park are as momentous as the Himalayas.)
Arrive home today.
Buckle up and settle in. Today, you’ll travel by bus from the lofty Kathmandu Valley down to the Chitwan Region. Your scenic route will take you through the Nepalese jungle—where Bengal tigers and greater one-horned rhinos prowl—ending in the expanse of the Terai lowlands. Fill up with an included lunch, then grab your camera and snap away until you arrive at a local village. From there, you’ll head out on a guided walk through Chitwan National Park with your Tour Director.
Take in the wilds of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a picture of biodiversity, before meeting members of the Tharu community. This indigenous group has thrived in Nepal’s forests for centuries, maintaining a close connection to the natural world through their traditions and cultures. Chat with them and more deeply understand their way of life.
Later tonight, meet back up with your group for an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Today, wake up early for a bit of birdwatching. (More than 540 avian species call Chitwan home, tilting the odds of spotting some in your favor.) Then, climb aboard a 4x4 Land Cruiser and rumble out into the preserve on a game drive.
- As you roll through the dense forest, keep an eye out for Asian elephants, elusive Bengal tigers, antelopes, rhinos, and more. Even if you miss out on those, you’re bound to spot something special—hundreds of species of wildlife live in the park’s confines.
- Enjoy an included lunch this afternoon before taking to the water for a canoe ride. Drift down the Rapti River, looking for crocodiles and other aquatic animals as you go.
- Visit the Tharu Cultural Center for a special treat: a performance of the stick dance. Known locally as Lathi Nach, this dynamic art form showcases and solidifies the Tharu people’s bond with nature—and the importance of defending their culture. It’s typically performed at weddings and festivals; today, you’ll get to witness it.
End a jam-packed day back at your hotel, winding down with your groupmates during an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Please note: Bengal tigers are notoriously reclusive. We can’t guarantee you’ll see one during your game drive.
Enjoy one final morning in the serenity of Chitwan National Park, savoring your free time in this natural paradise before traveling back to Kathmandu. Once there, join your group and celebrate your trip over a farewell dinner, served with beer or wine.
Fly back to Delhi this morning. Then, relax in a dayroom before returning to the airport for your overnight flight home.
Arrive home today.
Book for just $99 down
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Reviews
Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.This five-star property is located nearby the Delhi airport. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, luxury spa, and a variety of on-site dining options. Nearb...
This beautiful hotel is located in Agra's Basai neighborhood. Guests enjoy the spacious rooms, on-site restaurant, and rooftop pool with Taj Mahal vie...
This premium hotel is located in the center of Jaipur. Guests enjoy the health club, multiple dining options, and the rooftop swimming pool. Nearby yo...
This luxury hotel is located in the Boudhha district of Kathmandu. Guests enjoy the outdoor pools, wellness centre, and casino. Nearby you’ll find the...
This riverside hotel is located in Meghauli, facing Chitwan National Park. Guests enjoy the lush grounds, outdoor pool, and in-house restaurant. The h...
Flights
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
- Find out more about flights
FAQ
Print FAQ- To enter India and Nepal, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond their return date. We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
- U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain an Indian visa prior to their tour. You may apply for an eVisa yourself or use a third-party provider, such as our partner company, VisaCentral.
- U.S. and Canadian passport holders must also obtain a Nepalese visa. To receive one, you may pay $30USD at the airport in Kathmandu, apply in advance with the Nepalese consulate, or use a third-party provider like VisaCentral.
- Regardless of how you choose to obtain your visas, you’re responsible for any costs associated with getting them.
- If you’re not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact both consulates for specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code INP.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Delhi.
- When you arrive in Delhi, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with either a Go Ahead sign or one bearing your name. If you don’t see them immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler and will be back shortly.
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who purchase their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights, and who’ll arrive and depart from the same airports on the same travel days as their fellow group members, may request transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
Physical Activity Level
This is a very high physical activity-level tour. You can expect vigorous activity throughout your trip.
Tour Pacing
This is a very fast-paced tour. Tour pacing considers how often you’ll switch hotels, what you’ll do each day, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- One one-night stay.
- Most days and evenings to be full of included activities.
- Most transportation to be by motor coach.
- Some transportation by rickshaw, boat, and commercial flight.
- Daily bus time to vary and occasionally be lengthy.
Walking, Terrain & Physical Considerations
- Travelers should be prepared to walk 2–3 miles each day on city streets, cobblestone roads, and uneven stone and dirt paths.
- Stone pathways and archaeological sites can become slick when wet.
- To get in and out of the boats on the Chitwan National Park extension, travelers should be prepared to crouch down and slide through tight quarters.
- To get in and out of the game drive vehicles in Ranthambore National Park, travelers should be prepared to climb a small ladder or negotiate upward and downward steps.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
Climate Considerations
- Temperatures during the warmer months (April–June) can often range from 90–105 F in India and 65–80 F in Nepal.
- During the cooler months (October–March), expect cooler temperatures from 50–65 F in India and 35–65 F in Nepal.
- Monsoon season (June–September) brings high levels of humidity and short, intense bursts of rainfall. Temperatures range from 75–95 F in India and 65–85 F in Nepal.
Physical Activity & Tour Pacing Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage-handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the whole group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The group can’t miss any activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, wheelchairs and walkers will be difficult to use and aren’t recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring any mobility aids with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pacing questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team.
- This tour utilizes various modes of transportation, including planes, rickshaws, and 4x4 land cruisers. To board some of them, you may have to climb raised platforms or steps: For instance, the 4x4 land cruisers used on the game drive have high steps. Often, there won’t be access to ramps or lifts.
- Your game drive will be long and may cross bumpy terrain, so we recommend bringing a small pillow to ease the ride and the impact it may have on your body.
- A round-trip flight between Delhi and Kathmandu is included in the price of your tour.
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag each due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you exceed baggage size and weight restrictions, and you’ll be responsible for any fees incurred.
- Your on-tour flights may have tighter limits than the ones you’ll take to get to and from India, with weight restrictions as low as 44lbs for checked bags. Be sure to contact your airline(s) for the baggage size and weight restrictions on your specific flights.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must be able to manage their luggage throughout tour; porters aren’t guaranteed at hotels, airports, or train stations.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- It’s preferable not to visit temples or other holy places with bare legs or shoulders; entrance may be denied on this basis. And remember: You must remove your shoes at all Buddhist religious sites.
- Waterproof shoes or sandals, a swimsuit, sunscreen, and insect repellent are recommended for outdoor activities. Binoculars are also handy for taking a closer look at local wildlife and scenery.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
- In case of emergencies, we also recommend packing your medical insurance card in your carry-on.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
- Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
- Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
- Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
- India operates on 230-volt electricity and uses a Type D plug with two small round pins and one larger round pin. Nepal operates on the same voltage and may also use Type C and M plugs.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most can be bought while on tour. While traveling, you can purchase them directly through your mobile app for an additional $10USD on the excursion’s price.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least three days prior to your tour departure. Please note: Some excursions have advance booking deadlines, so check your itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss out.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather, or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you’ll be refunded the full cost of the excursion. (It may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.)
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions, which can only be purchased on tour, in cash, in the local currency.
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at cdc.gov.
- Local governments may require proof of yellow fever vaccination—often referred to as a “yellow card”—or a statement of medical exemption from it. This is only required of travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever virus transmission. (Please note: The U.S. and Canada aren’t on that list.) Visit cdc.gov/yellowfever for more information.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of your tour, as well as for any possible delays.
- Please be sure to take proper care with sun exposure: Its rays can be especially strong in some of the areas you’ll visit.
- Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, even when brushing your teeth.
- Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables, unless they’ve been washed and peeled or cooked in clean water.
- Public restrooms in India can be quite bare. We suggest carrying bathroom tissue and hand sanitizer with you.
- Bring a small first aid kit—including antacids, antidiarrheals, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medicines you take—in your carry-on bag.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code INP.
- This tour includes three lunches and five dinners: They may be set menus; buffets; or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water, coffee, and tea.
- A hotel breakfast is included each morning, and is typically a buffet-style meal with hot and cold options.
- While meat-free options abound in both countries, Northern India and Nepal are known for flavorful meat dishes like kebab (a mixture of meats and seasonings, skewered and grilled) and biryani (a hearty serving of rice, meat, and spices). However, the tandoor is the region’s culinary calling card. You’ll find everything from chicken and vegetables to paneer (an ubiquitous Indian cheese) slowly cooking in these cylindrical clay ovens.
- Meals are usually served with rice or a variety of breads—such as unleavened roti, deep-fried puri, and famous, flat naan.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10–$12USD per person, per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person, per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price; it isn’t necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- On this tour, you’ll use the Indian rupee in India and the Nepalese rupee in Nepal.
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas—though you may want to order some currency from your local bank or a retailer, such as Travelex, before you arrive.
- Travelers may bring up to 25,000 rupees with them when entering India through an airport. Travelers may also take up to 5,000 rupees with them from India to Nepal.
- If you wish, you can get rupees at a currency exchange booth at your arrival airport. Keep a receipt of your transaction.
- Cash is the preferred method of payment across India and Nepal. Some larger vendors may accept international debit and credit cards, such as Mastercard and Visa. This, however, is uncommon, and minimum purchases are generally required on card-based transactions.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your Tour Director, bus driver, and local guides.
- To help you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the app’s chat feature.
- Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will lead your group. Their role is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each day’s activities, and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and can’t provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is having access to our 24/7 Emergency Support Team.
- Our extensive network of global offices and our integration of ISO 31000 risk management guidelines help this dedicated team anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible, iterative way.
- Using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience, this team assists travelers and Tour Directors in case of emergencies—stepping in for everything from personal health concerns and injuries to major world events.
- Our On-Tour Support team can also provide additional support for travelers on tour, arranging assistance from outside specialists and liaising with local and international authorities as needed. And if there’s an emergency on the road or at home, the team will support and facilitate communication between travelers and their families.
- India and Nepal are 5.5 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 10.5 hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET). Neither country observes daylight saving time.
- When it’s noon in New York from November through March, it's 10:30pm in Delhi and Kathmandu. Subtract an hour from April through October.
- When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
- When you come across wild animals on tour, take the philosophies of World Animal Protection to heart: Don’t touch or feed them, and maintain a respectful distance. The animals you encounter on your trip should be able to exhibit natural forms of behavior.
- Furthermore, avoid buying exploitative animal products, like crafts made from tortoiseshell or meals such as shark fin soup.
- If you feel we aren’t meeting any of these commitments, please let us know.