During this 10-day Experience Nepal adventure, discover the UNESCO Heritage Sites of the Kathmandu Valley, where a blend of culture, ancient temples, and monasteries awaits your exploration. Stroll through history while the Himalayas beckon you to venture into their foothills, offering invigorating hikes and awe-inspiring panoramas. Seek spiritual enlightenment during your stay at the revered Monastery of Buddha. During your 10-day adventure, you’ll engage with local communities and leaders, gaining valuable insights into their daily routines and the remarkable social projects that foster education, empower women, and promote sustainable development. In this extraordinary expedition, meander through the picturesque city of Pokhara and the lush wilderness of Chitwan National Park.
Highlights
Discover Kathmandu's UNESCO Heritage sites
Engage with Buddhist monks and witness their daily rituals
Wander through ancient temples and bustling bazaars
Travel to Pokhara, gateway to Annapurna trekking circuit
Taste local Nepali cuisine with cultural dances from different ethnicities
Visit a local community-supported social project and engage with locals
Witness the incredible wildlife in Chitwan National Park
Spot rhinos, tigers, elephants, and other exotic animals while on tour
Enjoy jungle activities like jeep safaris, wildlife viewing, or by canoeing
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
Arrive at the airport and meet a representative for your transfer to the hotel in Kathmandu. Relax at the hotel or explore the city on your own. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner accompanied by a cultural dance.
Meet your guide in the hotel lobby this morning for a brief introduction to the day's program. Travel first to Ason, Kathmandu's oldest market. Explore this off-beat area to see daily life on the busy streets mixed with century-old temples and monasteries.
Head next to Patan, the second-largest city in the valley. Stroll through Durbar Square to view the history and culture of this ancient Kingdom. Visit specific Buddhist shrines and monasteries dating back to the ancient and medieval periods, including Mahaboudha Temple, the Golden Temple, Rudra Varna Mahavihara, and Ashoka Stupa.
Following a break for lunch, drive to Boudhanath Stupa. This major pilgrimage site for Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism ranks as one of the largest stupas in the world. Observe the mandala-shaped complex and walk the circumference alongside visitors turning the prayer wheels.
After breakfast, travel to Bhaktapur Durbar Square in the ancient part of the Kathmandu Valley. Explore this "open museum" featuring a palace, courtyards, a royal bath, and Shikhara-style temples. Despite damage from the 1934 earthquake, the monuments remain fine examples of medieval excellence. Visit the nearby traditional painting school, followed by the five-storied temple, Pottery Square, Dattatraya Square, and the Peacock window.
Head next to Changunarayan, a UNESCO World Heritage site considered the oldest temple in Nepal. Visit the Shree Krishna Primary School to observe local community support efforts, including education and technical training programs.
Hike from Changunarayan to Telkot on a trail that passes through forests and villages. From Telkot, drive to Nagarkot. Check into Nagarkot Farmhouse and enjoy a meal featuring farm-grown produce.
Day 4: Himalayan Sunrise | Namobuddha Monastery Stay
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Travel early this morning to the Nagarkot viewpoint. Watch the sunrise reveal views of the Himalayan ranges, spanning from Dhaulagiri in the west to Mt. Everest in the east. After breakfast, drive to Dhulikhel and visit the rural village of Badalgaun.
Continue to Namobuddha, home to the ancient Tharung Tashi Yangtse monastery. Legend holds that Buddha fed himself to a hungry tigress and her cubs at this site. Check into the monastery accommodation to observe the monks as they pray and eat together.
After breakfast, drive for one hour to the airport. Board a scenic flight to Pokhara to see the Himalayan views from above. Land in this beautiful city, known for its snow-white peaks, stupas, and temples. Enjoy a free day to explore the valley's attractions. Options include canoeing at Phewa Lake or strolling around its banks. You can also look for mysterious caves or stock up on creative comforts before your trek. In the evening, head out to experience the town's nightlife.
Head out early in the morning to view the sunrise from Sarangkot, weather permitting. After breakfast, enjoy free time to choose from various activities in Pokhara, such as paragliding, ziplining, ultralight flights, wellness treatments, cycling, canoeing, or heli tours. Alternatively, simply walk and relax by the lake. In the afternoon, gather for a boat ride and then hike to the World Peace Stupa.
Day 7: Chitwan National Park | Tharu Cultural Show
Drive towards the southern belt early to reach your jungle resort in the buffer zone of Chitwan National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site covers 932 square kilometers of Sal forests, tall elephant grasslands, and floodplains of the Narayani, Rapti, and Reu rivers. Known as the "heart of the jungle," the park acts as Asia's best-preserved conservation area where wildlife thrives in the Inner Terai lowlands.
After lunch, visit an indigenous village and the local museum. Participate in jungle activities such as a birdwatching tour or a jungle walk, depending on the nature guide's discretion. In the evening, watch a traditional stick dance performed by the native Tharu people, who lived in this forest area even when it was uninhabitable.
Start today with a number of adventurous jungle activities, including canoeing along the Rapti River, a visit to the elephant breeding center, and a jeep safari. While sightings of one-horned rhinoceros, crocodiles, and deer are common, you might spot a tiger, leopard, or python if you are lucky. Look for nearly 450 different species of birds that color the forest safari.
Note: In commitment to ethical wildlife tourism, this program does not support elephant rides.
Drive back to Kathmandu and enjoy a free afternoon. At dusk, visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva (Pashupati, Lord of Animals). Observe the Aarati, a ritual with song, light, and fire. This ornamented pagoda dates back to 400 AD and houses the sacred Linga. Thousands of pilgrims visit this site, also known as 'The Temple of Living Beings.' In the evening, join a local family for a Nepali cooking class and share a farewell meal.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 35%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and a maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
