Exploring India and Nepal: A Deep Dive into Culture, Nature, and Spirituality

From vibrant culture to monumental landscapes and bustling megacities, India and Nepal deliver like few places on Earth. GEEO’s two-and-a-half week adventure allows travelers to visit two destinations that feel wildly different yet deeply connected.

In Delhi, life hums with energy. Ancient forts and bustling bazaars sit next to busy modern avenues, creating a atmosphere that feels both timeless and urgent. In Varanasi, the air carries the scent of incense and spice as pilgrims gather along the ghats of the sacred Ganges River. The streets are bright with color, from saris and markets to centuries-old architecture. And just when your senses feel fully saturated, Nepal delivers the perfect counterbalance. From the tranquil temples of Kathmandu to the wild grasslands of Chitwan National Park, the pace slows and nature takes center stage.

First Impressions of India and Nepal

For most travelers, exploring India for the first time is a whirlwind of sound, motion, and sensation. Even before the journey begins in earnest, arrival itself can be an adventure. Andrea Brown, a retired high school teacher who traveled with GEEO, put it bluntly, “It was certainly chaotic on arrival in India.”

Jennifer Tuleja, a higher ed international student advisor, echoed that sentiment, noting how disorienting it felt to land in such a charged environment. For both, the initial impression of India reflected the intensity that would define so much of their time in the country—bustling, unpredictable, and alive with energy.

Crossing into Nepal, the pace shifted. The border crossing itself was an adventured, but once inside Nepal, the atmosphere softened and everything felt much more relaxed. As Andrea explained, “Getting into Nepal was oddly chaotic (being biked across the border to the passport control), but the pace of the trip in Nepal was much less chaotic.”

A Balance of Energy and Tranquility

There’s a certain energy that goes hand in hand with discovering India. “The bustle of India is just invigorating,” said Jennifer.

Nepal, by contrast, was the place to catch ones breath. After days immersed in India’s intensity, the slower pace across the border felt restorative. Andrea described it as “much needed. It felt like we could breathe in Nepal. The change of pace was wonderful.”

Jennifer agreed, noting how the serenity of rural life shifted the group’s experience. Together, these contrasting experiences created a rhythm that defined the journey: India’s invigorating chaos balanced beautifully by Nepal’s grounding calm.

Transformative Moments

Every traveler comes away from India and Nepal with memories that feel larger than life, but some moments are more striking than others. For Andrea, that came high above the clouds as she saw the Himalayas and Mt. Everest early in the morning from the plane. That breathtaking glimpse of the world’s highest peaks was a reminder of the sheer scale of nature and how travel can shift perspective in an instant.

For Jennifer, the transformation unfolded more gradually, through the ebb and flow of daily life. “The most transformative was the immersion with Indian and Nepali communities,” she said. “Spending time with everyday people revealed the hard-working spirit and the deep importance of community, religion, spirituality, and family.”

Immersive, Not Just Tourist-Oriented

This isn’t a trip that skims the surface of a destination; it’s an opportunity to live within it, even for a short time. Participants don’t just watch traditions from afar; they stand at the heart of them. “The morning prayer service in Varanasi was both a spectacular setting at the edge of the Mother Ganga River and a moving ceremony of prayer and movement and tradition, with the sun rising in unison with the service,” Jennifer said.

But immersion also often comes through the smallest moments of connection. In Nepal, Jennifer joined a group of women spanning multiple generations to make momos, the beloved dumplings of the region. “The time I spent there reminded me of my Polish heritage. In the end, we decided my wonky ones were just perfect—and off they went to be cooked,” she said, laughing. These personal exchanges created bonds that transcended culture and language.

Andrea laughed as she confessed: “I do enjoy chai now!”

Through rituals, conversations, and meals, the trip offered more than sightseeing—it gave participants a chance to weave themselves into the daily fabric of life in both countries.

Travel for Teachers, With Teachers

One of the most distinctive aspects of the trip was the chance to travel with fellow teachers. As Andrea put it, “It was fun to bounce ideas off of each other. It’s always a pleasure traveling with people who share a similar frame of reference.”

For Jennifer, the experience was just as deep. “Traveling with fellow educators left a permanent imprint on me. We had many conversations over meals, reflecting on America through our guide’s perspective and our own. Those exchanges were rich with thought and growth.”

The impact continued back in the classroom. Andrea wove Indian examples into her French lessons to spark cultural comparisons. Jennifer shared stories from India and Nepal with her students, noting how one Nepali student told her that the emails she sent during the trip made her feel comforted knowing someone on campus truly understood her home.

Lifelong Memories

Beyond the cultural immersion, the natural landscapes left a lasting impression on the participants. Andrea found herself captivated by the road to Pokhara, a journey that wound through lush valleys and offered sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. Jennifer was struck by the striking contrast between nature and human presence: “The terrain of Chitwan National Park, the mountains in between, and the sheer number of people traversing revealed how nature and society often compete for space and existence.” Each scene offered a moment to pause and reflect on how communities and the environment interact in ways that are often unseen from afar.

The trip also highlighted the deep connections between past and present. India and Nepal are countries layered with history, and it was impossible not to feel that legacy. “The trip definitely connected some dots for me—how British Colonialism still has a presence in daily life in India,” said Andrea.

Jennifer’s experience went further, as she explored historical sites firsthand. “People in Nepal and India live with and among the vast historical record of their countries. When we were in Orchha and staying at the hotel that once housed the Raj, I thought deeply about where I was sleeping and had bursts of energy and curiosity to read everything I could about that history,” she said.

In every step—from the mountains to historic hotels—travelers were reminded that landscapes and legacies leave an enduring mark, creating memories that last long after the journey ends.

Advice for Future Travelers

For teachers considering this journey, the message is clear: embrace the adventure with curiosity and courage. “Go with an open mind. It is a challenging trip in terms of the chaos, but well worth the experience,” said Andrea. Her words underscore that while the trip may push comfort zones—navigating crowded cities, crossing borders, and adapting to unfamiliar routines—the rewards far outweigh the challenges.

“Take every opportunity to explore regions of the world that are beyond your comfort zone. Travel opens doors to experiences we can never fully imagine. Travel with a purpose to places that seem out of reach—that is what we all need to be doing to fully be global citizens,” added Jennifer.

Both teachers emphasized that approaching the journey with openness, flexibility, and a sense of purpose allows travelers to not only see the world differently but to bring those insights back to inspire their students. It’s an opportunity to grow as an educator and global citizen, one in which you can enrich your personal life and your classroom when you return.

Visiting India and Nepal In One Sentence

When asked to capture the trip in a single thought, both teachers spoke to its profound impact. “This trip will challenge you in every way—your view of the world, the climate, and how millions of people live completely differently than one might expect,” said Andrea. Jennifer described the personal transformation that followed: “Traveling to India and Nepal provided a journey of awakening for me to come home and start living my life fully beyond what I thought possible.”

If you’re interested in discovering India and Nepal with GEEO, we’re thrilled to be heading off once again in 2026!