Safari Tour of India & Nepal

(12 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Delhi, Bandhavgarh National Park or Panna National Park, Kathmandu & Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan National Park

This private tour of India and Nepal combines culture and history in the bustling cities of Delhi and Kathmandu with soft adventure and wildlife in Bandhavgarh National Park or Panna National Park (India) and Chitwan National Park (Nepal).

Begin in Delhi, the vibrant capital of India. During private touring with your expert local guide, experience the best of Old and New Delhi: tour historic attractions and UNESCO sites such as the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutb Minar and Jama Masjid; ride a rickshaw through bustling markets and bazaars overflowing with spices, bangles and saris; browse fashionable districts filled with galleries and boutiques selling beautiful Indian crafts and decorative items; and visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum, Crafts Museum or other specialty museums. Other options include culinary touring, personalized shopping tours, visiting the Lodhi Gardens, philanthropic activities and more.

Continue to Bandhavgarh National Park or Panna National Park, wildlife reserves known for Bengal tigers. During private wildlife drives among the grasslands and forested landscapes, look for tigers and other animals such as langurs, deer, sloth bears, leopards and elephants.There will also be ample down time to relax and book treatments at the spa.

After overnighting back in Delhi, fly to Kathmandu, the endlessly fascinating capital of Nepal. During private touring with your expert guide and driver, walk through the lively backstreets of Old Kathmandu to see artisans’ workshops, traditional markets, and active Buddhist and Hindu temples. Explore the cultural highlights in the numerous UNESCO World Heritage-listed monument zones around the city and in the surrounding Kathmandu Valley. Tour the beautiful courtyards, palaces and historic monuments of Kathmandu’s Durbar Square. Circumambulate the mammoth white stupa at Boudhanath, the most important Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet, with throngs of pilgrims and worshippers, and perhaps duck into one of the smaller temple buildings to light a candle or spin a giant prayer wheel among the faithful. Venture to the hilltop Swayambhunath, another important and photogenic Buddhist temple with an iconic white stupa, flapping prayer flags, and panoramic views of Kathmandu and the foothills of the Himalayas. Observe ceremonies at Pashupatinath, a sprawling Hindu temple complex that’s the oldest and most revered Hindu site in Kathmandu. Other highlights include seeing Kumari Devi—a living goddess—and relaxing in the Garden of Dreams, a soothing green oasis. One morning, if desired, enjoy a fixed-wing scenic flight to see Mount Everest and other snow-capped high Himalayan peaks, a truly memorable experience.

In the Kathmandu Valley, tour the extensive palace districts in the former royal capitals of Patan and Bhaktapur. See beautiful traditional brick buildings with finely carved wooden windows. Visit the Patan Museum, a former palace and one of the best museums of traditional Nepalese art in the country. Peruse fine metal crafts such as singing bowls, brass tableware and gold-leafed religious icons produced in the small workshops of Patan. Browse for woodwork and ceramics created by artisans in Bhaktapur. Find the perfect shawl made of the finest Nepalese pashmina (cashmere). Learn about the iconography in Buddhist thangka paintings, and perhaps select one to take home. You will have ample time to shop for these and other typical Nepalese products, such as handmade paper and prayer wheels during your tour. Also sample local foods such as juju dhau, Bhaktapur’s unique “king yogurt.”

Next, fly to Chitwan National Park, a beautiful landscape of subtropical forests and grasslands filled with wildlife. Stay at a luxury lodge on the banks of the Rapti River with easy access to the best of Chitwan. During safaris through this UNESCO World Heritage-designated nature reserve, look for one-horned rhinos, which are regularly seen, and elusive Bengal tigers and sloth bears. Spot herds of deer, wild boars, gharials and other animals. Chitwan is also a birder’s paradise, a biodiversity hotspot with hundreds of colorful and unusual avian species, including hornbills, darters and kingfishers. Enjoy other activities in and around Chitwan National Park according to your interests and timing, such as interacting with elephants, a walking safari, scenic boat rides on the beautiful Rapti River, visiting a village to learn about the local Tharu people and their lifestyle, and biking through local villages and farmland.

Return to Kathmandu for one night.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world