Nepalese Adventure

Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer on to your comfortable boutique hotel in Bhaktapur.

The Heritage Hotel is in keeping with the Newari-style and is influenced by the rich art and architecture of the ancient city of Bhaktapur.

Enjoy Bhaktapur’s fine collection of Newari architecture on a morning sightseeing walk. The cobbled streets take you to highlights such as the Lion Gate, the Art Gallery, the famous Golden Gate and the Palace of Fifty-five Windows.

The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the town.

Put on your hiking shoes and spend the day hiking to the sacred Namobuddha stupa (1,700m). An hour’s drive from your hotel brings you to the trek’s starting point from where a rough trail passes through forested areas and scattered villages where traditional life goes on.

On days of good visibility, there are excellent views of the surrounding peaks. The Namobuddha stupa is one of the three holiest Tibetan pilgrimage sites south of the Himalayas.

Reaching the top of the hill, you are rewarded with the sight of hundreds of prayer flags, chortens and a monastery. Enjoy the views and rest your legs before continuing the return journey.

Return to your hotel and relax for the rest of the day.

An early start to the day as you transfer to Kathmandu airport and take an early morning scenic flight to view the world’s highest mountain peaks, including Mt Everest. The up close views of these magnificent Himalayan peaks are truly spectacular.

The wilds of Chitwan National Park are calling next, and to get there, hop on board your short flight to Bharatpur in southern Nepal. On arrival in Bharatpur, you will be met and driven (1 hr) to your lodge, situated along the banks of the Rapti River and overlooking the National Park. Enjoy your lunch once you have settled in.

This afternoon, enjoy your first safari into the reserve provides a chance to spot Tigers and Rhino among other mammals like striped hyenas, honey badgers and spotted deer.

In the evening, spend time gazing upwards at the beautiful, star-lit skies, taking advantage of the minimal light pollution in this natural landscape.

Chitwan is the oldest National Park in Nepal, and a haven for all manner of wildlife. There are plenty of activities, including jungle walks, river safaris and jeep safaris to enjoy on your stay here.

This morning, embark on a nature walk in the park, to discover the rich birdlife here. Over 270 species have been recorded here.

Later embark on a gentle canoe ride down the Rapti River, the perfect setting from which to observe life along the banks, with mugger and gharial crocodile’s regularly seen on the river banks. The river ride is also an excellent way to spot some more bird species.

This afternoon, enjoy another jeep safari into the reserve.

This morning, embark on one last safari in Chitwan before catching a short flight to Pokhara from Bharatpur airport.

Lying along the shores of Phewa Tal, Nepal’s second largest lake, Pokhara is the gateway to the Himalayas. It sits in the foothills of the Annapurna range, overlooked by the “Fishtail” mountain of Machapuchare.

Once settled and refreshed in to your hotel, enjoy a walk along the lakeside. Views of Machapuchare are the main scenic draw in Pokhara, and there are plenty of places dotted around the lakeside and town that make the most of the panoramas.

An early morning rise for a trek to Sarangkot (1592m) to catch the beautiful sunrise overlooking the Pokhara Valley, the Annapurna range, the Dhauligiri range and Phewa Lake. The scenic hike winds through small villages and patches of jungle. Return to Pokhara for breakfast.
Before lunch, visit the International Mountain Museum to gain insight of how life here is intertwined with the majestic landscape.

This afternoon, embark on a sightseeing tour beginning with Devi’s Fall steeped in legend and mystery. Next, view the impressive Seti River, which flows right through the city, from Mahendra bridge. Continue to the colourful town bazaar and visit one of Pokhara’ s most important Hindu shrines.

Finally, visit Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in the Kingdom, where you will sail or row a hired boat across to the water or visit the island temple in its middle.

After breakfast transfer through the countryside to Damauli.
The stage is set for your river camp adventure, which begins with meeting your experienced boat crew for a briefing before taking to your raft down the Seti River.

The pristine and secluded valley has no road access, and floating down the river is an excellent way to see the traditional village life along the river banks as well as the abundant variety of birds. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a stop on the riverside and prepare yourself for tackling the rapids, no more than grade 2 and no longer than 50 metres.

The whole rafting and floating adventure lasts about 3 hours, after which you arrive at your tented camp to relax for the rest of the day.

This morning, embark upon your second rafting adventure. This time there are 4 class 2 rapids waiting for you along the way but, again, no longer than 50 metres. For the rest of your 2-3 hour journey, the pace is leisurely as you soak in the serene countryside.

Once back ashore, you will be transfer by vehicle to your hotel in Kathmandu.

Kathmandu is a melting pot of cultures with Hindu influence to the South and Buddhist to the North.

Enjoy a full day’s city guided tour with a local expert at hand to explain the history and cultural importance of each site. Visit the famous historical monuments constructed in the 14th century. Visit the temple, restored by King Mahendra Malla in 1562, and the Durbar Square which incorporates the royal palace, Kastha Mandap and Kumari Devi temples.

The House of the Living Goddess is where the virgin goddess known as Kumari resides on the exquisitely carved windows of the upper floor.

Your tour includes the golden-topped Buddhist stupa of Swayambunath and the intriguing and atmospheric religious sites of Pashupatinath and Boudhnath. Boudhnath is a lovely place to enjoy a cup of tea at one of the many cafes and watch as monks and nuns file past whispering mantras.

Pashupatinath is the holiest Hindu temple in the Kathmandu Valley, situated beside the sacred waters of the Bagmati River.

This morning, continue your cultural exploration with a guided tour around Patan, an aesthetically pleasing city of arts and architecture founded in 250 A.D. Visit Patan’s famous Durbar Square, Royal Baths, Mahaboudha, Krishna Mandir and the Golden Temple. The last stop on your tour is the Patan Museum, set within the former presidential palace.

Later, back in Kathmandu, you might like to wander in the city markets and food stalls — a great spot to try some momos (dumplings). Browse the shops for souvenirs of your trip, for yourself and for your friends and family.

Enjoy the last evening of your adventure relaxing in your hotel.