A Postcard from India & Nepal - Alan's travel story

Travelling through India and Nepal had been on my wish list for a long time, and the 18-day tour turned out to be one of the most remarkable trips I've ever taken. From iconic landmarks to unforgettable local experiences, every day seemed to bring something new. 

Our group was quite small, just seven of us, which made the whole experience really special. It meant we could navigate bustling streets easily and gave us more flexibility and a little extra free time along the way. Everyone got on so well that by the end it felt like we'd all shared something truly memorable. 

One of the things that stood out for me was the sheer variety of experiences. It’s genuinely hard to pick a single highlight because there were so many. Seeing the Taj Mahal at sunrise was breathtaking, it’s one of those moments you see in photographs for years, but when you finally stand there yourself it’s even more impressive. Another standout was watching the sun rise over the Annapurna ranges, watching as the mountain peaks were lit up in the morning light was very peaceful. 

I also loved wandering through places like Varanasi and Kathmandu. Walking through the streets of Kathmandu in particular felt like a real immersion in local culture - there’s so much life and activity everywhere you look.

The food was another highlight. One evening in Kathmandu we enjoyed a wonderful local flavours dinner where traditional dancers performed between courses. It was a fantastic atmosphere and a memorable night for the whole group.  

The hotels throughout the tour were excellent too. The stay in Kathmandu felt like a true five-star experience, with outstanding rooms and service. In Chitwan our accommodation was beautiful and made even more special by being surrounded by nature. 

What I also appreciated was the opportunity to learn more about local life. One particularly meaningful experience was a guided walk in Delhi with the Salaam Baalak Trust, which supports former street children. Hearing the guide’s personal story and seeing parts of the city we'd never have found on our own brought a completely different perspective to the visit. 

And of course there were the historic highlights. Walking around Agra Fort was wonderful — such an impressive place and hearing the history while exploring it really brought everything to life. 

By the end of the trip, I felt the length of the tour was just right. It’s quite a busy itinerary with so much to see, but the pace worked well and allowed us to experience both India and Nepal properly.