Transport

We will be travelling in a custom-built Madventure overland vehicle 40% of the time on this tour. The other 60% of the time we will be travelling in local jeeps, buses and boats. The overland vehicle we use is a custom-built expedition truck which can accommodate up to 36 people although most of our expeditions travel with approximately 25 people. Comfort and safety is of course a big factor during expeditions of this length and nature so all our vehicles have high-backed coach seats with safety belts. The seating is on the upper level of the vehicle giving you an almost 360° view of the surrounding scenery. Our vehicles are designed to allow sufficient luggage storage and are also equipped with lockers to keep all your gear safe. Our long range diesel and water tanks ensure our self sufficiency in remote areas and the equipment we take with us is also of vital importance. In case of a breakdown we are equipped with a good selection of spare parts as well as a comprehensive tool kit to undertake any necessary repairs on our own as and when we need to. There may also be times when we get stuck in the sand or mud when travelling off road so all necessary recovery equipment such as sand mats, cables, ropes, shovels and pickaxes are also on board our overland truck. We usually carry at least 400 litres of treated drinking water and we are equipped with a good kitchen which includes all cutlery, plates, cups, pots, pans, utensils, gas cooker, BBQ grate, etc. should we ever need to prepare a meal on the vehicle. Our vehicle is also equipped with a small fridge which is used for food only. For personal drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use. Comfortable fold up chairs are provided for outdoor seating and we also have a large tarpaulin to keep us dry on those rainy days. Our vehicles are equipped with USB charging points only so try and bring all of your important electronic devices such as telephone, tablet and head-torch to charge from a USB socket. We do not have a 120V or 240V power supply on the vehicle but you will have the opportunity to charge your 120/240V electronic equipment at the campsites we stay at. We carry a comprehensive first aid kit for emergencies but we do recommend you bring your own for general use.

Others

Services of your expedition leader and driver Transportation in custom-built Madventure overland truck, jeeps, local buses and boats Use of all equipment on overland truck Diesel, mechanics, shipping and any other costs relating to the vehicle Ferry tickets (when travelling together as a group) 37 breakfasts All accommodation costs (100% hotels, guest houses and hostels) National Park entry fees when we enter as a group with our vehicle Local transportation costs (if required)

Accommodation

You will spend 100% of your time on this expedition staying in local hotels, guest houses and hostels. We always try to use decent, clean budget hotels, guest houses and hostels, however, taking into consideration the sometimes unpredictable nature of this expedition and the remoteness of some of the areas we visit, please be aware that in some circumstances we just have to take what we can get, good or bad. When staying in hotels, guest houses and hostels you can expect to share your room with other expedition members of all genders. There is usually an opportunity for anyone to upgrade to a single room or a superior room if they so wish. All accommodation upgrades are at your own expense. We will spend at least 1 night sleeping on a boat in Bangladesh.

Meals

Eating well is a very important factor on our expeditions and good food is vital for everyone’s health and well-being. When staying in hotels, guest houses and hostels we always strive to provide you with one healthy, wholesome and plentiful meal every day, usually breakfast at the hotel. For lunch we usually stop at a cheap local restaurant giving you a chance to taste the local fare. In the evenings after you are checked into the hotel you are free to choose where you want to eat. Local food is generally very cheap so if you are on a budget then eat what the locals eat. Western restaurants tend to be more expensive. 37 breakfasts are provided during this expedition.

Guide

You will have a crew of 1 tour leader and 1 driver on this tour. On some tours we may also have a cameraman who is there to help market our tours and update our social media. Your tour leader will be in charge of routes, itineraries, food and accommodation and will ensure the smooth running of the tour. Your tour leader is not a tour guide and will not be giving you the history and facts of every place we visit, you can look up that information yourself or hire a local guide when you want to. Apart from the odd optional excursion that needs to be organised in advance, we leave most of that for you to arrange yourselves, this way ensuring you get to do what you want at the price you are happy to pay. Your driver will drive and maintain the vehicle to a high standard but he/she is not a tour guide and may not know all the facts about the countries we travel through. Your crew will be hand-picked and trained by Madventure and will have experience of overland travel but they may or may not have done this tour before. They will, however, have detailed notes from previous tours and backup from the office in the UK. Tipping the crew at the end of your expedition is always appreciated if you feel they have done a good job. As this is a budget tour we recommend you tip your crew a minimum of $150 each at the end of the tour. Thank you.

Not included:

Flights

No flights included or expected during this tour.

Others

International and domestic flights (no domestic flights expected during tour) Airport transfers Personal travel insurance Personal spending money (£120 – £150 per week recommended) Visas and Letters of Invitation (approximately £200 depending on nationality) Lunch and evening meals Accommodation upgrades Entrance fees to optional sites and national parks Any optional activities and excursions Tips (USD $100 per crew member recommended)

Optional

Below is a list of the most popular optional excursions along with the most recent prices. Prices can of course change and are not controlled in any way by Madventure so please use the list below as an approximate guide only. NEPAL Mt Everest flight £110 2 day Annapurna Mountains trek £150 Paragliding, Pokhara £100 1 day rafting trip, Pokhara £30 Elephant safari, Chitwan NP £30 Walking safari, Chitwan NP £10 BHUTAN Tiger’s Nest Monastery £6 Dordenma Buddha Free Punakha Dzong Free BANGLADESH Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal Free Lalbagh Fort £2 Ahsan Manzil Palace £5 2 night/3 day Sundarbans NP boat tour £300 INDIA Gangtok Zoo £3 Victoria Memorial £3 Belur Math Free South Park Street Cemetery Free

Insurance

It is compulsory that every person who travels with Madventure obtain travel insurance for the complete duration of the tour. Proof of travel insurance must be shown before joining a tour. You may be covered under your credit card’s travel insurance so it might be worth checking with your credit card provider first. There are various travel insurance companies to choose from and a Google search will bring up a vast selection but for a comprehensive reliable policy that includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation we recommend a London based company named Campbell Irvine, +44 20 7938 1734, https://microsite.campbellirvinedirect.com/madventure/ Campbell Irvine are familiar with what we do so if you mention Madventure and the tour you are travelling on they should be able to provide excellent cover for you. For people based in North America a company called Allianz offers good cover, +1 866 884 3556, www.allianztravelinsurance.com If you choose to obtain your travel insurance through another company please ensure you read the small-print and make sure your policy includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation.

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Day 1 Nepal
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Nepal

Our tour begins in Kathmandu, a travellers paradise with an old town steeped in history where the smell of incense wafts through the air as you marvel at the pagodas and temples adorning the squares. The scenic flight over Mt Everest is also a must-do. Please note that we depart Kathmandu the day after the tour starts so if you would like more time here you should arrive a few days prior to departure.

We leave Kathmandu behind us and head for Trisuli River, an adrenaline junkies paradise with activities such as rafting, ziplining and sky cycling.

Heading west we reach Pokhara at the foothills of the Himalayas. This mellow little town is situated around a beautiful sheltered lake and surrounded by snow capped mountains. A great place to relax and/or gear up for a short trek into the stunning Annapurna range.

At our last stop in Nepal you have the option of visiting Chitwan National Park on foot or even on elephant back allowing you to explore the jungle in search of the rhinos, sloth bears and tigers that inhabit the area.
Day 2 India
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

India

Leaving our truck in Siliguri we now take local transport up narrow switchback roads into the Himalayas to explore the towns of Gangtok and Kalimpong where you have the opportunity to visit Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries, Royal palaces and an impressive zoo where you can see red pandas, Himalayan bears and even snow leopards roaming enclosures so large you will need patience to see them.

We continue to the town of Darjeeling set impressively on a steep ridge, surrounded by emerald-green tea plantations and towered over by the world’s 3rd highest peak Mt. Khangchendzonga.

Once out of the Indian Himalayas we collect our truck in Siliguri and continue our journey towards the peaceful land of Bhutan.
Day 3 Bhutan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Bhutan

Bhutan is an exciting new destination in the world of overland travel and our first night here is spent at Phuentsholing, Bhutan’s 2nd largest town, where we will get our first taste of a relaxed country where they measure their wealth by the ‘Gross National Happiness Index’.

After visiting the Kharbandi Gompa Monastery we climb steeply into the Himalayas hugging the banks of the Wang Chu River and arrive at Paro where you will have the opportunity to hike up to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan’s most iconic site.

In the capital Thimphu you will have the chance to visit the King’s Memorial Chorten, the impressive 169 ft Dordenma Buddha, the National Library containing the world’s biggest book and if we are lucky we will get to witness Bhutan’s national sport during an archery demonstration.

Our next stop is at the majestic Punakha Dzong, probably the country’s most beautiful structure. Nearby we also visit the temple of the Divine Madman in an area where phalluses are painted on most of the village walls and childless women come to seek blessings.

Our last night in Bhutan is spent back at the border town of Phuentsholing before we exit into Northeast India.
Day 4 India
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

India

Back in India we transit across the state of Assam towards Bangladesh and break the journey up by visiting Shillong, a beautiful hill station surrounded by lakes with scenic hiking trails.
Day 5 Bangladesh
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Bangladesh

Please note that Bangladesh does not allow entry to foreign vehicles so this section of the trip will be conducted in a private bus and the truck will transit around and meet us at the border near Kolkata.

Our first destination in Bangladesh is Srimangal, often referred to as the ‘Tea Capital of Bangladesh.’ This picturesque town is nestled in the northeastern part of the country and is renowned for its lush tea gardens, serenity and verdant landscapes.

We continue to the capital Dhaka, the beating heart of Bangladesh where we spend a few days visiting sights such as the atmospheric Lalbagh Fort, the very pink Ahsan Manzil Palace and Old Dhaka’s incense-filled Hindu Street.

Upon leaving Dhaka we head down to the city’s famous Sadarghat Buriganga river area where we board a ferry and spend a night and day travelling down the waterways enjoying the riverine beauty of Bangladesh.

We get off the river at Hularhat and visit the open-air museum of Bagerhat, a mediaeval masterpiece with the multi-domed Shait Gumbad Mosque the crowning jewel.

From the town of Khulna you now have the option to take a 2 night/3 day boat tour into the Sundarbans National Park, the world’s largest mangrove forest home to over 400 Royal Bengal tigers, spotted deer, wild boar, monkeys and reptiles. This is often the highlight of any trip to Bangladesh!

From the Sundarbans we now head back towards India.
Day 6 India
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

India

Kolkata (Calcutta) is our final destination and it is an attack on the senses and a place where India and England collide. With an impressive display of colonial-era architecture including the impressive Belur Math religious centre, the white marble Victoria Memorial and South Park Street Cemetery this city can feel very English but the complex smell of Bengali street food and the constant beeping of tuk-tuk’s will remind you that you are in one of India’s largest and friendliest cities!

The tour ends in Kolkata after breakfast on the last day of the trip so you can make your onward travel arrangements from here.

38 days tour

Kathmandu To Kolkata Group Overland Tour

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Kathmandu To Kolkata Group Overland Tour

Nepal

India

Bhutan

India

Bangladesh

India

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