Great Rail Grand Tour of India & Nepal

An escorted experience and all travel arrangements

• The services of a professional UK Tour Manager from start to finish
• Scheduled return flights from London to Amritsar via Delhi, Varanasi to Kathmandu and Kathmandu to London via Delhi
• All rail and coach travel throughout

Comfortable accommodation in your destination

• 17 nights’ hotel accommodation

Delicious meals included

• 36 meals, including 16 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 16 dinners

Exciting excursions and free time to explore

• Guided tours of Amritsar, Delhi, Varanasi, Sarnath, Kathmandu, Patan and Pokhara
• Visits to the Agra Fort, the Taj Mahal, La Martiniere Boys’ School, the Imambara Complex, the British Residency in Lucknow and the Pashupatinath Temple
• Witness a range of exciting ceremonies, including the Wagah border flag ceremony, the Golden Temple Palki Ceremony and the Aarti fire ceremony
• Enjoy an early-morning boat ride on the Ganges
• Visit to Chitwan National Park

• The Golden Temple of Amritsar
• Taj Mahal & Agra Fort
• Old and New Delhi
• Lucknow
• Varanasi & the Holy Ganges
• Kathmandu
• Patan’s Durban Square
• Jeep and river safari in Chitwan National Park
• Pokhara and the Himalayas

DOUBLETREE BY HILTON HOTEL AGRA, AGRA

Our base in Agra is the 4-Star DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Agra. This hotel is a short drive away from both the iconic Taj Mahal and the beautiful Agra Fort.

SAFARI NARAYANI HOTEL, CHITWAN

The Safari Narayani Hotel is situated in the heart of the Chitwan Valley on a bluff overlooking the Rapti River and the Chitwan National Park. This ‘jungle’ hotel comprises accommodation in a series of rustic-style country cottages, and has a restaurant and a bar.

TAJ DIPLOMATIC ENCLAVE, NEW DELHI

The opulent 5-star Taj Diplomatic Enclave Hotel is perfectly located in the heart of New Delhi. The hotel has a selection of restaurants offering Indian, Vietnamese, Italian and French cuisine, a choice of bars and a tea lounge.

GOKARNA FOREST RESORT, KATHMANDU

Situated within the beautiful Gokarna Forest, just a short distance from the centre of Kathmandu, the Gokarna Forest Resort comprises a collection of period lodges including a century-old hunting lodge, and buildings constructed in Malla period architecture.

VIVANTA BY TAJ HOTEL, LUCKNOW

The 5-Star Vivanta by Taj Lucknow is situated in the heart of the entertainment areas in the capital of Uttar Pradesh.

FISH TAIL LODGE, POKHARA

Fish Tail Lodge enjoys a spectacular location on the shores of Fewa Lake, set against a backdrop of beautiful mountain scenery.

THE GATEWAY HOTEL GANGES, VARANASI

Located in the sacred city of Varanasi, the 5-Star Gateway Hotel Ganges is well placed to explore this fascinating and stunning region.

Days 1-3: Delhi & Amritsar

We depart London on our flight to Delhi. On arrival in the morning of Day 2, we check into our hotel for breakfast and spend the afternoon on a sightseeing tour of New Delhi.

Departing Delhi on Day 3 we transfer by train to Amritsar and check-in to the Radisson Blu Hotel with some time at leisure this afternoon. Tonight we head to the stunning Golden Temple, a Sikh holy shrine and one of India’s most breathtaking sights.

Days 4-5: Amritsar to Delhi

This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Amritsar, including another visit to the Golden Temple. We also visit the Jallianwala Bagh Gardens, an important memorial site. This afternoon, we visit the Wagah Border, which separates Pakistan and India, to witness the flag lowering ceremony.

Day 6: Agra and the Taj Mahal

Today we board the early train to Agra, where we transfer to the Hilton Agra. We visit the vast Agra Fort before crossing the city later this afternoon for a sunset visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the modern World.

Days 7-8: Agra to Lucknow

This morning we travel by coach to the city of Lucknow. Lucknow is now almost forgotten to the British, but, as a key city of the British Raj, wonderful colonial architecture still exists in abundance. We transfer to the Vivanta by Taj Hotel, where we enjoy dinner together this evening.

Days 9-10: Varanasi and sunrise on the Ganges

Our final train journey of the tour takes us to Varanasi, the Hindu’s sacred city which attracts thousands of pilgrims a year, and is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. We check in to the Taj Gateway Hotel Ganges, where we spend the night. Tonight we watch the spectacular Aarti fire ceremony at the Ghats on the banks of the Ganges.

Days 11-12: Delhi to Kathmandu

Today we fly to Nepal, to Kathmandu. On Day 12 we visit the Durbar Square of both Kathmandu and Patan, the social, religious and urban hubs of the cities and the ancient seats of power in the mountain kingdoms of Nepal.

Days 13-14: Kathmandu to Chitwan

This morning we see Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most significant Shiva temples in the world which only Hindus are allowed to enter. We also see Kathmandu’s ghats before leaving the city and driving west to Chitwan National Park, stopping for lunch together. Chitwan is home to a fabulous variety of wildlife, including rhinos, sloth bears, leopards, crocodiles and the elusive Royal Bengal tiger.

Days 15-17: Into the Himalayas

This morning we drive back towards the Himalaya, a journey past turquoise glacial rapids and jungle-covered peaks to Pokhara. Set on the shores of beautiful Lake Phewa and with staggering views of Fishtail Peak (at 22,900 ft), Pokhara is undoubtedly one of the world’s most scenic places.

Days 18-19: To Kathmandu and London

This morning we drive back to Kathmandu and check in to our hotel. After a free afternoon, we enjoy farewell dinner this evening at our hotel. On Day 19 we return to Kathmandu Airport for our flight to London via Delhi.

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.