Arriving in Kathmandu on April 3, I have a full day on my own in this old hippie central, where I will wander Durbar Square and see temples dedicated to different Hindu gods. With the tour the next day, we start off at Bodhnath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple.
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| Bodhnath Stupa. Photo: Lonely Planet |
We leave Kathmandu to head south to Chitwan National Park to see elephants, rhinos, monkeys, the plethora of birds, and if we're incredibly lucky, an elusive tiger. We'll stay in the jungle and explore by Jeep Safari.
Our last stop in Nepal is Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. We visit the Maya Devi Temple, where he is said to have been born, and we will immerse ourselves in this Mecca of Buddhism.
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| Bodhi Tree at Maya Devi Temple. Photo: Lonely Planet |
Entering India, we start this experience in Varanasi, with a sunrise Ganges boat ride to observe the rituals taking place on the holy river.
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| Early morning Ganges. Photo: Jon Rawlinson |
We take the sleeper train to Agra - will it be like this?
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| Photo: Markdions Bartrams Travels |
Agra is the home of the Taj Mahal, the anticipated highlight of the tour. India's most famous monument is a romantic display of love by Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz, taking 21 years to build.
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| Taj Mahal. Photo: Lonely Planet |
After Agra, we visit Tordi Garh, a small village in Rajasthan that we'll be entering by Jeep. From here we travel north again to Jaipur, the "Pink City" of India, to see Hawa Mahal and Amber Fort.
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| Hawa Mahal. Photo: Lonely Planet |
The final stop is Delhi, where I am expecting to get the truest experience of chaotic, urban India. Then, six weeks after first arriving on this most populated continent, I begin the long journey back home to quiet Toronto.
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