Useful Information for Backpacking India & Nepal

Mostly hotels and guest houses, with a couple of nights in a hostel and a lodge beside Chitwan National Park, all in double or twin share rooms. One night is spent on the overnight train, in an air-conditioned sleeper cabin.

If you would rather have your own space, a single upgrade is available — just ask us when you book.

The Florence Inn Hotel, New Delhi.

Tap water in India is unfit for consumption, but each of our accommodations that we stay in provide bottled water in the rooms and it will be available to purchase. When buying bottled water you should always make sure it is sealed before opening.

Fly into New Delhi International Airport (DEL) — the tour starts in New Delhi.

Fly home from Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu, where the tour finishes. You land in one country and leave from another, so book two one-way flights, or an open-jaw ticket if your airline offers one, rather than a straight return.

By air, and it is included in the price. You fly from Delhi to Kathmandu on day 14, and the transfers either side of the flight are covered too.

One thing to get right when you book: give us your name exactly as it appears in your passport, along with your full passport details. The flight is ticketed in advance, and a mismatch is expensive and slow to put right.

Yes — one for each country. Your India visa covers the first half of the trip, and you will need a Nepal visa for the second half, from the day you fly into Kathmandu on day 14.

Requirements and fees depend on your passport and they do change, so check what applies to yours here before you travel. If anything is unclear, just ask us.

Please use this address:

TravelXS, No.416, 4th Floor, Som Datt Champer-II, 9
Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi, 11066.
PHONE: +91 114 909 8660

Please wait for a confirmation email; this will provide information about when we recommend arriving and to depart. We recommend using Sky Scanner to arrange your flights.

We will provide you with airport transfer information 1-week before the tour/program begins.

Most foreign nationals require a visa to enter India, including those from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and many others.

If you're planning to visit India for less than 30 days as a tourist, the most convenient option is often the e-tourist Visa. Please click this link to check for an e-tourist Visa and obtain one.

Please note that you will also need an onward ticket exiting the country. You must have both of these things printed out (the e-visa and the onward flight ticket) to present at check-in and immigration.

International flights are not included in the price of any tour and will need to be booked separately. You’re free to book your own flights or book here.

Once you’ve booked your flights, log in to the Manage My Booking area of our website and enter your flight arrival details. That is how your group leader knows when you are landing.

Arriving before the tour starts, or staying on at the end? Let us know as early as you can so we can check availability and pricing on extra nights.

Please let us know as soon as possible. If you are already en route and a connecting flight changes, contact your group leader or email us so we can still meet you at the airport.

Your deposit ensures your reservation for the tour or program. It guarantees your spot until 60 days prior to the scheduled commencement date, at which time the outstanding balance must be settled in full. Failure to complete payment by the specified deadline will result in the cancellation of your reservation, and the vacancy may be offered to another prospective participant. The remaining balance can be found in your account, and multiple reminders will be sent in advance of the due date to ensure timely payment.

For group tours, your place is confirmed once enough travellers have booked, and always at least four weeks (28 days) before your tour starts. Most group tours are confirmed around six months before departure.

For volunteer or private bookings, please allow 2-3 working days.

If a tour does not run, you get a full refund.

Yes, the dress code is seen as a show of respect to the culture, temple and monks that often live in the temples. Men should wear long pants and no cut-off sleeves. Women should wear trousers, a long skirt, or dress that extends fully below the knees and covers their shoulders - the knees should be fully covered. Tank tops and low cut shirts should also be avoided by both genders.

We wouldn’t recommend bringing more than 15-20kg as we strictly use public transport and it will be much more comfortable for you to carry less.

There is one overnight train on this trip, around 10 to 12 hours, in a comfortable air-conditioned sleeper cabin.

The rest of the journeys run from about 1 to 6 hours by bus or train, plus the included flight from Delhi to Kathmandu on day 14.

It is a 5-6 hour walk up to Australian Camp on day 17, through rhododendron forest and terraced farmland, topping out at around 2,065m. That is not high enough for altitude sickness to be a normal concern, but there is less oxygen than at sea level, so it feels harder than the same walk would at home. Most people manage it comfortably.

If you have a respiratory condition such as asthma, speak to your doctor before you book — thinner air can affect you more than you would expect. Please also tell us about any medical condition on the health questionnaire when you book, so your guide knows.

And if you would rather sit it out on the day, that is completely fine. Just say so to your guide.

Yes. An airport pick-up is included if you arrive on day 1 of the tour, or if you book a pre-tour night's accommodation with us. Add your flight details to your booking so we know when to meet you.

Arriving earlier than that? Get in touch and we can arrange a pick-up for you separately.

The drop-off at the end is not included, but your guide will help you sort out transport for your flight home.

The trip starts in Delhi and finishes in Kathmandu.