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This is a great trip as you get to see all the best spots in North India and Nepal, there are some long drives over bumpy roads in Nepal especially. Prepare fro some longer drives but this allows you to see the country side and get away from the larger cities. Bring some good walking shoes as we do a day hike in Pokhara.
Seeing Taj Mahal, what an jaw - dropping experience to see it in person !!
Jatin our leader was amazing and very accommodating, he always told us about the next day activities and what to expect.
Bring a chain and lock for the train journey, you can purchase there if needed. Bring comfortable walking shoes as we do a lot of walks around the old forts and palaces.
What a trip. The variety of once in a lifetime experiences is mind-blowingly. Manic Dehli, the Taj Mahal, mysterious and atmospheric Varanasi, the chill of Nepal and the views of the Himalayas. It will all live with me forever. Amazing trip!
Dusk and dawn on the Ganges. I will never be able to describe how mystical and beautiful it was. Varanasi is a city you feel rather than see. Loved it.
Jatin was just brilliant. Generous with his time and knowledge. Always kept us safe and informed. Allowed me to relax and just enjoy these two wonderful countries.
If you get a chance fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu. The drive is long and very uncomfortable and loses you a whole day in the capital.
A fascinating visit to very different cultures and the mix, interaction between the different religions as well as peoples sense of dress and self made it a very interesting and safe place to be in. The subtle differences between India and Nepal were also very interesting
Probably the Taj Mahal from a distance in the early morning mists, very ethereal, but the Red Fort was also exceptional. The most unexpected and so equally fascinating place however was probably the Jaipur Observatory. It looks like a modern science park to start with but when you realise when it was built and how accurate the 'clocks' are it is incredible
Our group leader was Jatin Bamsal. He was very good, knew a lot about the places we visited, was extremely helpful with one guest who had her suitcase damaged on arrival, listened to the things we said we wanted to do and although a bit over cautious on some of the slightly harder activities ie the walk down from Sarangkot was very good at finding interesting artisans not listed on the trip notes. As our sleeper train was 6 hours late he was also able to suggest interesting things to do away from the rather bleak station during the waiting period.He was also very good at advising on what to eat to stay healthy and as I was doing the Annapurna Extension had some very good comments about that trip which are not available on your trip notes
If Exodus tries to book you into the Hotel Pooja Palace for your stay in Delhi, don't let them, a very sad start to an otherwise good holiday. Both Delhi and Kathmandu are quite polluted, If you have any respiratory issues take a good mask for both cities. Maybe wait until later in 2025 to do this trip as although the roads are improving there is still a massive amount of work going on so some of the more scenic routes are currently marred by the extensive road works.
You have already seen that this is an excellent trip with a wide range of experiences that allow a real immersion in the local cultures. I will, therefore focus below on the optional elements of the excursion.
Varanasi; seeing the devotees on the ghats alongside the Ganges was fascinating and moving. We were particularly lucky because our guide, Jatin, took us to view the evening Aarti ceremony from the river, which was not part of the advertised itinerary.
Jatin was excellent. Always willing to accommodate the group, quick to respond to unexpected situations and a calm hand on the tiller throughout. He was knowledgeable about the sites we visited, warm in his interactions and reassuringly professional.
We would highly recommend the trekking extension. The suggestion that it is suitable for weekend walkers might be a little misleading as the trails consist of steep, long climbs and ascents on rough stone steps. That said, the distances are relatively short and the pace gentle. The experience of seeing the mountains and experiencing something of village life more than made up for the effort required, and the teahouses were great fun. Do it if you can. On the other hand, it's difficult to recommend the Everest flight. I was hoping for epic views and photographs and took a wide lens to take on the hoped-for immensity of the Himalayas. In the event, the flight path was distant from the mountains and I was glad of a long lens to make them look closer. Even then, the windows were small, dirty and misty and the shots I took were disappointing. I do appreciate that some find the experience a highlight, but for me, the trek gave a much better sense of the Himalayas. We found a trip to the Monkey Temple later in the day to be far more worthwhile and considerably less expensive.
India – Visa – until India changes the visa process for UK citzens to that of the rest of the world – DO NOT GO – problems wrong details delays and excessive costs – Indian government obviously does not want British Tourists. Our trip was due to have 12 people only 6 managed to get the visa in time. If the indian Government says they fixed it do not believe it, there should be no difference in the visa application to that of the rest of the Europe, America Australia etc Nepal – if your trip involves a lot of long drives – do not go, as the country has excessive road works going on at the moment, understandable given earthquake damages – a 200km journey took 10 hours – we had 3 journeys which each took most of the day to travel which eats into the holiday. I suggest waiting 3 years at least till the works substantially finished Taj Mahal and Everest are both stunning – but really not worth the hassel till they fix the visa situation and the roads
Taj Mahal is as beautiful as imagined - and only things you notice when you actually see it in person. In a different way everest is just as beautiful
India - Visa - until India changes the visa process for UK citzens to that of the rest of the world - DO NOT GO - problems wrong details delays and excessive costs - Indian government obviously does not want British Tourists. Our trip was due to have 12 people only 6 managed to get the visa in time. If the indian Government says they fixed it do not believe it, there should be no difference in the visa application to that of the rest of the Europe, America Australia etc Nepal - if your trip involves a lot of long drives - do not go, as the country has excessive road works going on at the moment, understandable given earthquake damages - a 200km journey took 10 hours - we had 3 journeys which each took most of the day to travel which eats into the holiday. I suggest waiting 3 years at least till the works substantially finished
This trip was a whirlwind from start to finish. Such amazing sights sounds and experiences. The contrast between historical Forts, spiritual sights, wildlife and natural wonders was amazing. The travel however was challenging at times.
How do you pick one when comparing the sunrises, so mny sunrises; over the Taj Mahal, the Ganges at Varanasi, white rhinos in the wild, Lumbini, The Annapurnas , or a flight over Everest. I have never done so many things before breakfast!
We have come to expect great things of Exodus tour leaders and Jatin was no exception. He was punctual, knowledgeable, and sensitive to the needs of every traveller. He was challenged by many changes in the trip since it was last undertaken pre-covid and he provided a professionally and positive response to each one.
The road-building challenges were very difficult at times. We spent many more hours travelling because of slow moving traffic and the endless landslides and potholes. This led to many bruises, headaches and backache! It also left some travellers with coughs and sore throats because of the dusty conditions. I would have delayed the trip for several more years had l known the extent of the upheaval and disruption. The trip was amazing but the travel did detract from the experience at times.
A brilliant trip capturing all the chaos, filth, colour and magic of India & Nepal . The memories are too many to detail but will last a lifetime.
Personally I loved every day- I stayed healthy throughout sticking to a vegetarian diet and using loads of anti bacterial hand gel. The food was delicious & i am sure I’ve put on a few pounds.
The group was also great – a perfect mix of solo travellers and couples and we all got on very well.
The organisation behind the scenes by exodus was excellent – our guide in india and first part of Nepal, Jatin was always calm, reassuring & charming. The travel involved some changes due to road closures and a train cancellation but jatin always did his best to rearrange schedules & keep us informed. We covered long distances so there are some long days being jolted around in the bus so be prepared, but the good humour of the group, amazing scenery and a few snacks helped pass the time. I found it helpful to download some music or I player podcasts to listen to en route. Also a blow up pillow and big scarf or blanket for when the air con made it chilly.
The early morning walk to the holy river Ganga at Varanasi . The sights, smells, sounds, colour & sheer numbers of devoted Hindus was more magical than anything I have ever seen.
Jatin was excellent all round - efficient, thoughtful, calming and warm towards us all. I could not fault him & highly recommend him.
See above... re bus journeys & taking lots of anti- bacterial hand gel. Drink lots of water - it really helps you stay well & avoid dehydration
An amazing and enlightening journey with a great group of people. We saw both city and countrywide and visited many incredible landmarks along the way. We learnt lots about India it’s religion and culture. Lead by the most caring and considerate guide.
Sunrise over the Annapurna Mountains and paragliding from Sunrise Peak.
Jatin was wonderful, preparing us for each part of the trip by explaining what should/ might happen and what we should do. He looked after the whole group so well and made the trip stress free.
Go with an open mind. Be prepared for a lot of travelling. Take plenty of listening material for the time on the coach, the roads are too bumpy for reading and you can watch India go by while you listen. Noise cancelling headphones are a bonus.
Concise itinerary of some key sights in Northern India and Nepal. Varied sights covering important Moghal, Buddhist, Hindu sites, mixed with wildlife, rural landscapes, lakeside resort and Himalayan vistas.
Good pace, not too rushed, not too many bus trips, chance to experience overnight rail journey. Good standard of hotels, good breakfasts with local and Western choices. Trip was considerably enhanced by having Mayank as our leader.
Seeing Varanasi in all it's intensity ; driving through rural Bihar and seeing all village life on the road, the paranama of Everest on a mountain flight ; the energy of Kathmandu, great end to the trip
Mayank was outstanding : incredable knowledge, good communicator, ever helpful, always going the 'extra mile' to solve problems, and good company at meal times with an easy, natural manner.
India is an assault on your senses - come with an open mind and flexible attitude, it will grip you like no other country. Nepal is more chilled, nice contrast to India but people and mountains will want you to return.
After a fair amount of research into which trip/company to select, I opted for this one. I opted for this trip for a few reasons – I’d previously done another excellent trip with Exodus, only 1 overnight train (just enough!), the itinerary sounded fascinating with some different places included to other similar tours. I was extremely pleased with my choice – an adventure from start to finish, amazing places, loads learned, a fabulous group and a brilliant tour leader.
So many to mention - a true sensory experience. Varanasi was a huge highlight - people watching, the Ganges, the Ghats and the various ceremonies we saw - including beautiful weddings. The mountain scenery in Nepal was breathtaking - including the drives to get to Pokhara and Kathmandu, the Pokhara paragliding experience and Everest flight from Kathmandu. The Pashupatinath complex and Bodnath temple in Kathmandu. Learning about the Hindu and Buddhist history, beliefs and traditions was fascinating (including the Bodhgaya stay and day trips). Finally, our 13 strong group and Jatin were very special people to share this experience and adventure with.
Jatin was absolutely brilliant - this would have been a tough and complex trip to manage and Jatin worked tirelessly to make sure everything came together, that we were all safe and well, and that we had a brilliant time. Whether someone needed meds, first aid, money, recovery of a misplaced/lost/left-behind item, souvenirs ... Jatin was always on hand and happy to help (he even rolled his sleeves up to help fix the bus!). Jatin's knowledge and experience was superb, he cared and his happy nature made us smile. A huge credit to Exodus.
Bring plenty of hand sanitiser (and use it regularly!), drink loads of water, bring an open-mind and be prepared to go with the flow. This is a really fun adventure trip - there are some early morning starts (for activities or to travel), rough and bumpy roads, long days, squat toilets and often facilities which might not meet our usual standards - go with it, it's really worth it. The long travel days weren't so bad as the views and outside life was fascinating to watch. Try and carry some snacks to keep the energy levels going - Jatin and the drivers often stopped at street vendors to get us fruit or other snacks during the day. During the long journeys, we stopped every couple of hours for a leg stretch, cuppa and a loo break. We were always told to shout if anyone needed an earlier stop. We encountered an unscheduled 6 hr delay, due to protests, on the morning train to Varanasi and many of us were very grateful for saving some our breakfast box leftovers which kept us going. The overnight train was an adventure. We made sure we had a good feed at lunchtime and we stopped off at the shop for some snacks. I carried a lightweight sleeping bag liner for the overnight train - I used it because I carried it, but the bedding provided seemed clean enough to use without the liner. However, it did get a little chilly during the night so the extra layer was welcomed. One thing I wished I'd packed was some cards or small games, but we made our own fun in the end. US $ are very useful to carry - crisp and un-torn notes. Indian rupees can be carried into and used in Nepal. Don't overpack - hotel laundry facilities were cheap and good, and best used on 2 night stays. I used the hotel laundry facilities in Bodhgaya and Varanasi. Bodhgaya was slightly cheaper, but neither expensive at all. Get over the cappuccino love! Mainly instant coffee all the way until Pokhara - but the Masala Chai is a good substitute.
