Kathmandu, you will most likely enter Nepal at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport. Wrapped around the Himalayan mountain range is the remarkable country of Nepal. It is the birthplace of the Buddha and is a land of legend and beauty. Within its narrow confines Nepal contains an utterly spectacular variety of culture and landscapes. Nepal has a stunning natural beauty and a simple charm. There is an important group meeting at 6:00pm. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where and when this important meeting will take place.

Today we will leave Kathmandu after breakfast, driving 200kms through stunning scenery down to the Terai grasslands. Our destination is Chitwan National Park, where we will stay for the next 2 nights. Drive time - 7 hours (please note that all drive times given here are approximate estimates only and are given with the best intentions - however please be aware that the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, borders and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!). If we arrive in good time we will make a visit to Bis Hajaar Tal, also known as 20,000 Lakes, which is a wetland area near the Royal Chitwan National Park. Here we will get the opportunity to see peacocks, wild boars, deer and there is also a slim chance of seeing tigers and rhinos. If we cannot visit 20,000 lakes today we will make our visit tomorrow. On the following day we'll spend the day exploring the national park by canoe and on foot, and there is the option to take a jeep safari! There will be an opportunity to see a traditional Nepali dance demonstration in the evening. In Chitwan we will stay in a local guest lodge.

Today we enter India. India has so much to offer: from the beautiful landscapes of the Himalayas, to the amazing temples and coastlines, rich culture, and of course the food! This morning we have a fairly relaxed start to the day before packing up and driving to the border. We will cross the border to India and continue on a short drive to the town of Gorokphur. We will stay in a local hotel in Gorokphur. Drive time - 10 hours (including the border crossing).

Today we will continue driving and reach the holy city of Varanasi in the evening. Drive time - 9-10 hours. On the following day we will get up very early for a boat trip down the Ganges. This is a magical time of day to see the Ghats and watch the morning rituals of the thousands of people who come here to purify themselves in the holy river. We will have auto-rickshaws for the rest of he day to explore the rest of the city - we will have the opportunity to use them to visit a traditional silk workshop and the Mother India temple. In Varanasi we will stay in a comfortable local hotel.

Today we will drive the 415 kms to Khajuraho. Tomorrow morning we will have a guided visit of the erotic temples followed by a very short drive to our treehouse campsite. Drive time - 9-10 hours. On the 3rd day there is the option to head into Panna National Park in search of wildlife on a jeep safari, or you might prefer to explore the local area or just relax on the banks of the river at our campsite. We will stay on a camp site in Khajuraho.

After breakfast we leave our campsite and head 400kms to Agra. Most of today will be spent travelling and we will arrive in the evening. Drive time - 11-12 hours. On the following day we spend the day exploring Agra by rickshaw, starting with sunrise at the Taj Mahal, followed by a visit to the Agra Fort. We will stay in a local hotel in Agra.

We leave Agra today and head 230kms overland to the pink city of Jaipur, stopping en route at Fatehpur Sikri (the old capital of the Mughal Empire). Drive time - 6-8 hours (depending on the time spent at Fatehpur Sikri). On the following day we will have a full day exploring the sites of Jaipur on the truck with our local guide. Whilst in Jaipur there will also be the option for an early morning or late afternoon hot air balloon ride over the city. In Jaipur we will stay in a comfortable local hotel.

Day 14 Today we leave Jaipur and travel 245kms to arrive in Delhi in the afternoon. Drive time - 7 hours. Whilst in Delhi we stay in a friendly local hotel. Day 15 This morning we have a tour of Delhi. We'll meet our local guide and together, take the metro to Old Delhi where we visit Jama Masjid Mosque. We'll then walk through the old and secret streets of Old Delhi where we will stop at a local tea makers who will give us a demonstration about the Indian Masala Chai. After this we walk to the Food street where we can try a few Indian snacks. We'll then visit a local Sikh temple and from here, take a Cycle rickshaw to the local spice market! The evening is free to explore Delhi. Overnight in a hotel. Day 16 Today is a free day to explore Delhi. There will be an important group meeting at 6:00pm - please look for a note from your tour leader when you arrive at the hotel giving more details about this meeting. In Delhi we will stay in a local hotel.

Today we start our journey with a 400km drive to Bikaner. The drive will take us most of the day, stopping en route for lunch. In Bikaner we will either stay in a local hotel or camp at an eco-lodge a short distance outside the city. Drive time - 10 hours (please note that all drive times given here are approximate estimates only and are given with the best intentions - however please be aware that the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, borders and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!).

Day 18 Today we continue our journey with a drive of 385kms to ancient Rajasthani city of Jaisalmer, stopping at the Karni Mata (Rat Temple) en-route. We base ourselves in Jaisalmer for the next 3 nights, staying in a comfortable local hotel. Drive time - 5-7 hours, depending on the length of the visit to Karmi Mata. Day 19 This morning is free time to to explore more of Jaisalmer. In the late afternoon we wil head out on an included camel safari into the Thar Desert - exploring the desert with local Rajasthani camel drivers is the most authentic way to experience the area! Tonight we camp out in the desert, sleeping under the stars. Day 20 This morning we will return from the our camel safari. The rest of the day if free to relax or explore more of Jaisalmer and the surrounding area. Tonight we return to our hotel in Jaisalmer.

This morning we will drive 285kms from Jaisalmer to another famous Rajasthani city, Jodphur. En route to Jodphur we will make our visit to the Sambhali Trust project (a charitable project that works for the empowerment of women and girls in Rajasthan), where we will learn about the efforts of the project and make a group donation from the kitty. After our visit we will make our way to our accommodation that has been set up by local families in their own homes for visitors.. Drive time - 5-7 hours, depending on the length of the visit to the Sambhali Trust. On the following day we will be in and around Jodphur. In the morning we will visit the Meherangarh Fort and Palace, before splitting up into 2 or 3 small groups for our homestays.

Day 23 After breakfast we set off for a 260km drive to Udaipur, visiting the Jain Temple at Ranakpur en route. We will have 3 nights in Udaipur, giving us plenty of time to discover this amazing, romantic Rajasthani city. In Udaipur we will stay in a comfortable hotel. Drive time - 6-7 hours, depending on the length of the visit to Ranakpur Temple Days 24 - 25 We will have 2 free days for exploration of the sites of Udaipur and relaxing on one of the many roof-top terraces in the city.

Day - 26 Leaving Udaipur, we will be joined by a local cook who will accompany us during the next few days whilst we are wild camping. Today will mostly be spent travelling the 220kms to Mandu, via the backroads of rural Rajasthan. We are well off the tourist trail here and tonight we will wildcamp, perhaps on the edge of a local village. Drive time - 8 hours Day - 27 Today we will visit Mandu, an extensive and largely abandoned hill-top fort from the Mughal era. We will then spend the afternoon driving to our wild camp spot near Kharwand Dam, en route towards Ellora. Drive time - 5 hours.

Day 28 Today we drive to Ajanta, arriving in the afternoon. We will visit the complex of 29 ancient Buddhist temples cut into the rock face. We then continue driving to Ajanta where we will camp for 2 nights in the grounds of a hotel. Drive time - 7-8 hours Day 29 Today we will visit the ancient Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves - a set of a small temples in the rock face dating from the 6th to 11th centuries.

Day 30 Setting off early, we will say goodbye to our local cook and drive 400kms to Mumbai, arriving late afternoon. Tonight we stay in a comfortable hotel. Drive time - 9 hours. Day 31 Please note that if you are leaving the trip in Mumbai, there is no accommodation included this night.