Walk the Himalayas, Find Your Stillness
Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights
Start & End: Delhi, India → Delhi, India
Highlights: Delhi Heritage, Kumaon Himalayas, Village Walks, Rishikesh Wellness Retreat
Price: From $2,947* per person twin share
Offer ends: 31 May 2026
Step into a region where stillness, culture and landscape come together in quiet harmony.
This Signature Walking Journey takes you through North India’s cultural heart and into the serene Kumaon Himalayas — a place where time slows, and connection deepens. From the layered history of Delhi to the restorative calm of mountain estates and forest retreats, each moment is designed to feel considered and unhurried.
Spend time immersed in village life, walk through terraced hillsides and ancient temple sites, and conclude your journey in Rishikesh — where the Ganges flows gently past ashrams and sacred spaces.
This is a journey shaped by balance — combining exploration, reflection and time to simply be.
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrive Delhi (–)
Your journey begins with your flight from Australia to Delhi. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Delhi is a city layered with history — a collection of past empires, cultures and architectural legacies that continue to shape its character today. The remainder of the day is at leisure to rest or begin to take in the rhythm of the city.
Overnight: The Suryaa, Delhi
Day 2: Delhi (B)
After breakfast, set out on a guided exploration of Old and New Delhi.
Begin at Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques, before continuing into the energy of Chandni Chowk — a maze of markets, traders and daily life. Pass the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit Raj Ghat, a simple and reflective memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
In contrast, New Delhi reveals a more ordered, expansive side of the city. Visit Humayun’s Tomb — a striking example of Indo-Persian design — and drive past India Gate, Parliament House and the Vice Regal Palace, now the Presidential residence.
Optional experience: A sound bath session, designed to restore balance through guided meditation and traditional instruments. (Additional cost).
Overnight: The Suryaa, Delhi
Day 3: Delhi – Kathgodam (Train) – Almora (B, D)
Transfer early this morning to the Delhi railway station for your journey aboard Shatabdi Express to Kathgodam, travelling through the changing landscapes of North India.
On arrival, continue by road into the Kumaon Himalayas (approximately 3.5 hours), where the pace of life begins to shift.
Your stay is at Itmenaan Estate, a restored 100-year-old Kumaoni stone house, set on ten acres of forest and terraced land. Surrounded by pine, oak and rhododendron trees, and overlooking the distant Himalayan peaks including the majestic Nanda Devi. The setting is intentionally quiet and deeply restorative.
Spend the afternoon at leisure — whether relaxing in one of the estate’s secluded corners, enjoying the mountain views, or simply slowing down by counting the stars as night falls.
Overnight: Itmenaan Estate, Almora
Day 4: Almora – Village Walk & Cultural Immersion (B, L, D)
After breakfast, set out on a relaxed guided walk through forest trails and terraced hillsides, walking to Ghantika Temple, an important local shrine, before continuing to the village of Naugaon.
Descend towards a local stream through oak and deodar forests, where a traditional water mill offers insight into village ingenuity. Continue uphill through farmland to Naugaon, where life continues much as it has for generations.
There is the opportunity to engage with local families, observe traditional farming practices, and enjoy lunch prepared from seasonal produce.
After time in the village, visit a small temple dedicated to the local deity, Siam, before returning to the estate.
Walk duration: Approximately 4 hours, with some gentle uphill and downhill sections.
Overnight: Itmenaan Estate, Almora
Day 5: Almora – Temples & Himalayan Landscapes (B, L, D)
This morning, travel to the Vridh Jageshwar Temple complex, set within a forested valley and home to over 100 ancient Hindu stone temples dating back centuries.
Continue with a walk through nearby villages, where daily life unfolds against a backdrop of mountain scenery. Along the way, pause to take in the stillness of the region and enjoy a picnic lunch in a scenic setting.
Return to your accommodation in the afternoon, with time at leisure to relax or explore further.
Overnight: Itmenaan Estate, Almora
Day 6: Almora – Bhimtal (B, L, D)
After breakfast, depart Almora and travel to Bhimtal (approximately 2.5 hours).
Arrive at your accommodation — a quiet forest retreat set amongst dense oak woodland, where the surrounding sounds of nature define the experience.
The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: Fredys Bungalow, Bhimtal
Day 7: Bhimtal – Sat Tal Lake Experience (B, L, D)
Enjoy a relaxed morning before setting out on a guided walk to Sat Tal Lake.
The journey takes you through forested trails to a series of interconnected lakes, known for their calm waters and birdlife. There is the option to enjoy a gentle boating experience before returning to your accommodation.
Walk duration: Approximately 3–4 hours.
Overnight: Fredys Bungalow, Bhimtal
Day 8: Bhimtal – Rishikesh (B, D)
After breakfast, travel to Rishikesh (approximately 6 hours), located along the banks of the Ganges River.
On arrival, check in to your Ayurveda and Yoga wellness retreat — a peaceful sanctuary set within the foothills of the Himalayas (10kms from Rishikesh), offering a setting designed for rest and renewal.
The evening is at leisure.
Overnight: Veda5 Yoga & Ayurveda Resort, Rishikesh
Day 9–10: Rishikesh – Wellness & Reflection (B, L, D)
Spend the next two days focused on wellbeing and restoration.
Your stay includes daily yoga and meditation sessions, a cooking class, time to unwind within the retreat, and access to wellness experiences designed to support balance and renewal. Surrounded by forest and overlooking the Ganges Valley, the setting naturally encourages a slower, more intentional pace.
There is also the included option to explore Rishikesh, including visits to its iconic suspension bridges and Chaurasi Kutia — famously visited by The Beatles in 1968 — before ending your day with a traditional aarti ceremony along the river.
Optional Ayurveda, Panchakarma and spa treatments are available at additional cost, allowing you to further personalise your experience.
Overnight: Veda5 Yoga & Ayurveda Resort, Rishikesh
Day 11: Rishikesh – Dehradun - Delhi (B)
Transfer to Dehradun Airport for your onward flight to Delhi, before continuing your journey home to Australia.
Key: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D)
What to Expect
This curated European journey blends cultural celebration, refined luxury, and seamless travel across remarkable destinations — thoughtfully designed for travellers who appreciate immersive experiences delivered with effortless elegance.
✓ Luxury Accommodations – Enjoy a two-night stay at Matild Palace in Budapest and a two-night stay at Rocco Forte’s The Charles Hotel in Munich, both offering refined comfort and world-class service.
✓ All Meals & Premium Beverages onboard your cruise – Savour exceptional dining on Riverside Mozart, including all meals plus a premium beverage package featuring wines, spirits, cocktails, and French Champagne. Minibar and Wi-Fi included.
✓ Curated Excursions in Every Port – Explore with ease through pre-selected excursions at each destination, including Budapest, Esztergom, Bratislava, Vienna, and the Wachau Valley.
✓ Exclusive Signature Event – Experience a private, after-hours VIP evening at Vienna’s Belvedere Palace — a Riverside Signature Event — including a concert and intimate, crowd-free viewing of Klimt’s The Kiss.
✓ Hungary’s National Day Festivities – Celebrate alongside locals as Budapest comes alive with parades, fireworks, and traditional festivities.
✓ Seamless Travel Throughout – Port charges, service charges, VAT, and onboard Wi-Fi are included, ensuring a smooth and effortless journey.
✓ National Travel Benefit – Enjoy EUR100 per person credit at the onboard Fehi Spa during your river cruise.
While this journey is designed to be seamless from start to finish, certain elements such as international airfares, travel insurance, and any additional personalised arrangements are not included in the package price. Our trusted National Travel advisors are here to tailor every detail — from flights and extensions to special requests — ensuring your journey fits perfectly with your travel style and needs.
WHY CHOOSE A SIGNATURE JOURNEY BY NATIONAL TRAVEL
⭐ We curate — we do not catalogue
Every Signature Journey is carefully curated and refined by our team. These are not off-the-shelf packages, but thoughtfully designed private journeys for a more considered way of travelling — saving you the time and complexity of planning it alone.
⭐ We work with trusted global partners
Our relationships with leading travel providers and on-ground specialists give you access to exceptional experiences, seamless delivery, and trusted support throughout your journey — with the reassurance that every detail is backed by local expertise.
⭐ We take care of the detail
From accommodation and touring to transfers and beyond, every element is thoughtfully coordinated to ensure your journey flows seamlessly from beginning to end — so you can focus on the experience, not the logistics.
⭐ Designed to deliver more
Each journey is shaped through our global network and on-ground insight — bringing together thoughtful inclusions, local access and considered experiences that go beyond standard packages.
⭐ A better travelled world
We believe travel should deepen connection — to people, places, and culture. Every journey is designed to leave a lasting impression long after you return home.
PRICING
This Signature Journey is thoughtfully designed as a private, curated experience — shaped around how you prefer to travel, whether independently or shared with those closest to you.
With pricing structured across different group sizes, the journey becomes increasingly rewarding when experienced together — offering greater value alongside a more personalised way to travel.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
This journey is designed to be accessible and flexible, with walking experiences that can be adapted to your pace and comfort.
✔ Walking & Fitness — Walks are designed to be gentle to moderate, with the flexibility to move at your own pace. A good level of general health and comfort with walking is recommended.
✔ Footwear — Some paths may be uneven in sections, so sturdy walking shoes with good support are advised.
✔ What to Pack — We recommend bringing sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, insect repellent, lip balm and any personal medication. For those sensitive to winding mountain roads, motion sickness medication may also be helpful.
✔ When to Travel — This journey can be experienced throughout most of the year, with each season offering a different perspective:
October – November: Cooler temperatures with clear mountain views
December – March: Crisp conditions with the clearest Himalayan vistas
April – May: Mild weather with rhododendrons in bloom
June – September: Lush landscapes and quieter travel periods, though rainfall may impact walking experiences
Begin planning a journey that blends culture, landscape and quiet restoration in one of India’s most serene regions.
Discover the Himalayas with National Travel
Whether travelling as a couple, with friends, or as a private group, this Signature Journey can be tailored to suit your style.
For wellness coaches and community leaders, there is also the opportunity to host your own group experience — bringing together like-minded travellers in a setting designed for connection, restoration and shared experience.
Travel together or host your own journey
*This journey includes accommodation, selected meals, private transfers, train, domestic airfare between Dehradun–Delhi, sightseeing and entrance fees as specified in the itinerary. It does not include international airfares, additional meals, beverages or services not mentioned, optional tours, expenses of a personal nature, travel insurance, visa fees (if applicable), or early check-in and late check-out unless specified.
For full terms and conditions, please visit: https://www.nationaltravel.com.au/terms-and-conditions
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