Kathmandu Valley & Captivating Himalayas

Arrive at your UK/Ireland departure airport ready to check-in for an overnight flight to Kathmandu. Night on board.

Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. The largest urban area in Nepal, with 2.5 million inhabitants, consists of the core of the metropolitan city of Kathmandu and its sister cities Patan, Kirtipur, Thimi and Bhaktapur, including the urban areas of Shankhapur, Karyabinayak, Champapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel and Panauti. The capital of the country is located at 1,400 meters above sea level in a picturesque bowl-shaped valley in central Nepal. Spend the day discovering the city at your leisure. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, visit Bhaktapur, known as the City of the Devotees, to admire the great architectural beauty of the third of the three royal cities of the Kathmandu Valley, also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and whose Durbar Square is the best preserved in the valley. The Royal Palace stands out, whose entrance door is a masterpiece in embossed art, as does the Nyatapola Temple, known as the Temple of the Five Roofs for it's five magnificently sculpted floors, making it one of the highest in the country. Later, continue to the oldest temple in the Kathmandu Valley, Changu Narayan Temple located in the Changu village and dedicated to the god Vishnu. From here, take in the amazing views of the surrounding valley. Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Kathmandu.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we recommend an optional Mount Everest flight-seeing excursion.* Head to the Kathmandu Valley through Asan Tole, the main street of the capital's oldest shopping area, which offers a vivid display of local Nepalese life. Discover the Nepalese culture and experience everyday life through the bustling and narrow streets and courtyards of the city. Visit Durbar Square in Kathmandu, where you can see the Kumari Temple and the exteriors of the Taleju Temple and Kala Bhairav. In the afternoon, explore Swayambhunath Stupa, located at the top of a hill, to contemplate the beautiful landscape of the Kathmandu Valley. Later, discover the old city of Patan and visit its Durbar Square, the oldest of the three in the valley. See the Royal Palace, home to beautiful patios and ornate windows and sanctuaries dedicated to Shiva, Ganesh and Vishnu. Afterwards, head to the Temple of the Living Goddess Kumari, who looks out onto the balcony to receive the greetings of the devotees. Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Kathmandu.

* Optional Mount Everest Flight-seeing Excursion: One-hour long sightseeing on a fixed-wing aircraft for an experience of a lifetime. All the spectacular glaciers, snow-capped peaks and gorges glide below as you fly towards Mt. Everest. Includes a flight certificate awarded at the end of the excursion. Return to Kathmandu to begin the rest of the days sightseeing.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off by road to Chitwan, passing by scenic landscapes*. Arrive and get settled at the hotel. In the afternoon, set off on a 1-hour nature walk to explore the beautiful surrounding area, scattered with cabins inhabited by the indigenous Tharu tribe, who have lived in the forests surrounding Chitwan for hundreds of years. After a delicious dinner, enjoy a Tharu Stick Dance Show, performed by local farmers, for an insight into Chitwan’s cultural roots. Overnight stay in Chitwan.*Please note that due to ongoing construction on Prithvi Highway (the road leading to Chitwan and Pokhara) delays in transfer times are to be expected.The drive from Kathmandu to Chitwan will now take approx. 7 hours. Completion of road construction is scheduled for late 2024. To considerably reduce travel time, you will have the possibility to add the flight from Kathmandu to Chitwan to your package for an additional cost in the next step of the booking process.

Rise early in the morning and enjoy a coffee/tea break before heading off to Chitwan National Park to seize the day and the tranquillity of the natural environment during the quiet hours of the morning. The area surrounding Machan Country Villa is a true paradise for birdwatchers, so keep your eyes peeled for some of the rarer species. Enjoy a nature walk with a naturalist expert who can point out the abundant birdlife before returning to the hotel for a well-deserved breakfast. Afterwards you will get to know the behaviours and characteristics of the majestic Asian elephant. Lunch included. Continue your adventure with a 3-hour jeep safari through the jungle until arriving at the shores of the Narayani River where a traditional boat awaits to take you on a tranquil boat cruise. Look out for local wildlife such as crocodiles and water birds before returning to the shore. In the evening, enjoy an informative presentation by a jungle expert to learn more about this unique eco-system. Return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight stay in Chitwan.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, set off for Pokhara*. En route, visit Bandipur Village, a small hilltop settlement and an amazing example of Newar culture. This charming village is home to precious 18th-century architecture, a number of small cafes and shops. Continue to Pokhara, nestled in a quiet, forest-covered valley. Arrive, get settled at the hotel and spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, soaking up the fantastic views of the Himalayas and the five Annapurna peaks. Overnight stay in Pokhara.*Please note that due to ongoing construction on Prithvi Highway (the road leading to Chitwan and Pokhara) delays in transfer times are to be expected.The drive from Chitwan to Pokhara will now take approx. 8 hours. Completion of road construction is scheduled for late 2024. To considerably reduce travel time, you will have the possibility to add the flight from Chitwan to Pokhara to your package for an additional cost in the next step of the booking process.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off early in the morning to Sarangkot to see the sunrise over the Himalayas, if weather conditions permit. Located at 1592 meters above sea level, it is the most popular spot to enjoy the magnificent views of the Pokhara Valley and the mountains. Afterwards, take a boat ride on Phewa Lake, see the beautiful Devi Waterfall and explore the Sacred Cave of Gupteshwor. Continue to the bustling Old Bazaar of Pokhara, a pleasant traditional place, full of merchants selling fabrics, food and gold, among other authentic Nepalese products. Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Pokhara.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, head back to Kathmandu, enjoying the spectacular scenery along the way*. Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the city at your leisure. Overnight stay in Kathmandu. *Please note that due to ongoing construction on Prithvi Highway (the road leading to Chitwan and Pokhara) delays in transfer times are to be expected.The drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu will now take approx. 12 hours. Completion of road construction is scheduled for late 2024. To considerably reduce travel time, you will have the possibility to add the flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu to your package for an additional cost in the next step of the booking process.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a guided visit to Bouddhanath and Pashupatinath. The Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath, one of the largest in the world and icon of Nepal, sits on an octagonal base and is surrounded by the houses of the Lamas. Afterwards, discover Pashupatinath Hindu Temple from the east bank of the river, the most important and oldest of the Kathmandu Valley, which is dedicated to Shiva and surrounded by an exuberant natural environment. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure to stroll through the city or make some last-minute souvenir purchases. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport and check-in for your return flight back to the UK/Ireland. Night on board.*

* Dependant on the choice of flight, you may arrive back in the UK/Ireland today.

Arrive back in the UK/Ireland and end of your trip.