DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU

You will be met on arrival at Kathmandu international airport and transferred to our hotel in Patan (suburb of Kathmandu). The remainder of the day is free for you to explore on your own before meeting at a local restaurant for dinner and our orientation meeting. 
Overnight in Patan (Kathmandu).

 

DAY 2: EXPLORE ANCIENT PATAN, COOKING LESSON

After breakfast we will go to the vegetable market, where we will be buying vegetables which we will use for cooking with later. We will take part in a cooking lesson at a local restaurant and enjoy the lunch we have made.

After lunch, we will have a sightseeing tour of Kirtipur which is located about 5 km south west of Kathmandu and renowned for its authentic experience of the Newari culture and the indigenous culture of the Kathmandu Valley. With its brick-paved streets lined with typical red brick houses and tiled roofs, and temple squares; it is a natural fortress. One of the oldest towns in the valley, Kirtipur is a typical Newari settlement standing on a ridge overlooking the Kathmandu valley. The town has a number of temples and shrines dedicated to different forms of God and Goddesses. Travel back in time as we stroll around and witness authentic Newari culture and lifestyle.
Overnight in Patan (Kathmandu).

 

DAY 3: EVEREST SCENIC FLIGHT, PATAN'S DURBAR SQUARE

You will be met early morning to be transferred to the airport for the Everest flight (weather permitting). A flight over the Himalayan mountain range, and the highest mountains in the world, including Mt. Everest, is nothing short of a feast for the eyes. 

We then drive to Lagankhel and walk through the bazaar. You will be visiting the Rato Machchendranath Temple and the Mahabouda Temple before arriving at Patan's Durbar Square .

Lunch in Durbar Square.

After lunch, we explore several hidden courtyards and squares with insights into Nepalese culture and history.
Overnight in Patan (Kathmandu).

 

DAY 4: KATHMANDU (BHAKTAPUR)

We have the morning to relax before heading out this afternoon for a tour of Bhaktapur Durbar Square along with a heritage walk through its medieval alleys. Visit a local family to gain insight into the lifestyle of the locals.

Bhaktapur lies only at the distance of 13 km to the east from the capital city, Kathmandu, one can have an opportunity to experience a different world, the world full of vibrant cultures, colorful festivals, generations old craftsmanship, and on top of that it is very worthwhile experiencing its indigenous lifestyle – still preserved old houses, still practiced traditional ways of welcoming guests, still practiced culinary & cutlery and many more experiences. As you walk in, you cannot but be overcome by a feeling of inner harmony. Such is the art and architecture and the special layout here. The Palace of 55 Windows built during the period of King Bhupatindra Malla in 1754 situated to the left as you enter through the city gate, inspires admiration. The National Art Gallery is also housed inside. The palace entrance, the Golden Gate known as SunkoDhoka in Nepali is a masterpiece in repousse art. In front of the palace building is a medley of temples of various designs. Amongst the three Durbar Squares in the Valley, the Durbar Square in Bhaktapur is the best preserved one.
Overnight in Patan (Kathmandu).

 

DAY 5: KATHMANDU (PASHUPATINATH & BOUDDHANATH) TO DHULIKHEL

Today we drive to Pashupatinath Temple, a temple that all Hindus should visit at least once in their lifetime. This is also the place where Hindus want to be cremated. Later, visit to Bouddhanath Stupa where you could meet the High Teacher, get some tips on meditation and Buddhism, which includes a question and answer session. Lunch will be on a rooftop restaurant, which overlooks the stupa. 

After lunch we will proceed to Dhulikhel for our overnight.
Overnight in Dhulikhel.

 

DAYS 6 - 7: DHULIKHEL TO NAMOBUDDHA

After breakfast we will drive to Namobudha. Over the next 2 days will offer you a chance to immerse yourself into a Tibetan Bhuddist monastery where you can explore Tibetan Bhuddism from senior monks and the monastery Lama. Here we will learn about the sacred site and revered ancient stupa, the site of where Buddha Shakyamuni, in a previous life, gave his flesh to a starving tigress to feed her cubs. Experience the Puga, which can be as meaningful and significant as one wants it to be. Learn about the importance of meditation and the main principles of Buddhism.

During our time at the monastery, we will visit the ancient stupa and hike up the long stairway through the forest to the monastery. A senior monk will take our group on a tour of the monastery, to the main temple, dining hall, viewpoints, etc. We will visit the monastery school and have time to interact with some of the young monks. We will have time for several meditation sessions with the monks, including the Puga with drums, horns and chanting. We will also experience dining with the monks while at the monastery. And finally, enjoy a talk with the monastery Lama with an opportunity to ask questions. 

Unlike most monastery visits, which are little more than walking around and taking a few photos, our time at the monastery is a unique opportunity to really learn about Tibetan Buddhism, the importance of meditation and life in a monastery! The more one puts into this experience, the more one will get out of it!
Overnight in Namobuddha Region.

 

DAY 8: FLY TO LUMBINI, BIRTHPLACE OF BUDDHA

This morning we drive to the airport to fly to Bhairahawa. From Bhairahawa we drive to Lumbini, the birth place of Buddha. Lumbini is a lovely and serene setting to learn more about the life of Buddha and the fundamentals of Buddhism. We also have time to take a rikshaw tour of the different monasteries built by different countries.
Overnight in Lumbini.

 

DAY 9: EXPLORE LUMBINI, TO TANSEN

This morning we have more time to explore Lumbini and can witness the early prayers of the pilgrims. After breakfast, we drive to Tansen.
Overnight at Tansen, which has a beautiful hill from where you can see the Himalayas.

 

DAY 10: TO POKHARA, WORLD PEACE PAGODA

This morning we drive to Pokhara, where we can enjoy lunch at the lake side.

This afternoon, we explore the sites around Pokhara, including a visit to the World Peace Pagoda, as well as a small boat ride on the lake. 
Overnight in Pokhara.

 

DAY 11: MOUNTAIN MUSEUM & TIBETAN CAMP

Today we visit the Mountain Museum and a Tibetan camp with time for interaction with the Tibetans. 

After lunch at the lake side, we have a free afternoon for you to wander on your own. 
Overnight in Pokhara.

 

DAY 12: RURAL VILLAGE, FISHTAIL MOUNTAIN VIEWS TO NAUDADA

After breakfast, we will have a 1-hour drive from Pokhara to Naudada. We will stop along the way to photograph the breath-taking panoramas of the Annapurnas. Upon arrival at Naudada we begin our one and a half hour walk to the village. From this village, there are spectacular views of Annapurna South, the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain or Machhapuchhare as it is locally known. Stroll around the village and enjoy the rural lifestyle.
Overnight in Naudada.

 

DAY 13: EXPLORE BANDIPUR

In the morning we will wake to beautiful views so majestic that you will not want to leave! Enjoy a morning walk before our journey to Bandipur for some stunning views of the Annapurna Mountain Range while taking in the daily life in rural villages. 

In the afternoon we will arrive at the quaint village of Bandipur. Beautiful by day, but magical at night. We have time for a short hike around the region through nearby villages before dinner.
Overnight at Bandipur.

 

DAY 14: CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK, JEEP SAFARI

After breakfast, we drive about 4 hours through beautiful scenery before arriving at Chitwan National Park. We will have our first safari by jeep after lunch. 

Established in 1973 and granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1984, Chitwan is Nepal's first, as well as its most famous, national park. Located in the alluvial floodplain habitat of the Terai, Chitwan is one of the best tiger habitats anywhere in the world and is home to 68 mammal species including leopards, sloth bears, foxes, otters, jackals, badgers, civets, mongooses, deer and the one-horned Indian or Asian rhinoceros. In 2006, Chitwan recorded an impressive 543 bird species.
Overnight at our lodge at Chitwan.

 

DAY 15: JEEP SAFARI, BOAT SAFARI, THARU VILLAGE

This morning, our jungle activities include a short jeep ride to a village for the start of our peaceful canoe safari on the river. We also make a stop at a crocodile farm, visit a Tharu village and have a talk about elephants.

Relax and enjoy free time at our lodge during the heat of midday. Lunch is at the lodge. 

In the late afternoon, we enjoy another jeep safari.

In the evening after dinner, we will enjoy a cultural dance performed by the local villagers.
Overnight at our lodge at Chitwan.

 

DAY 16: DRIVE TO NUWAKOT, WORKING FARM VISIT

This morning we leave Chitwan and the hot and humid Terai, to reach our destination of Nuwakot. We journey inland to a small working farm, where little baby goats roam the grounds, and we see how people live in the interior of Nepal.
Overnight in Nuwakot.

 

DAY 17: LOCAL SCHOOL VISIT, NUWAKOT

Today is a special day as we walk to a hearing impaired school, where families from all over send their children to learn sign language and more. This is a wonderful way to meet some very special children that love to try to learn how to spell and sign where you're from. Afterwards we will walk to a small village, that is more like a ghost town, for tea. The rest of the day is at leisure enjoying the surroundings of the farm. 
Overnight in Nuwakot.

 

DAY 18: TO KATHMANDU, SWAYAMBUNATH 'MONKEY' STUPA

Today we drive to Kathmandu with a stop at Swayambunath ('Monkey Temple') Stupa on the way to the beautifully restored Shankhe Dwarika's Hotel, a true oasis in Kathmandu.

Today we will have our Farewell Dinner at our hotel as the ambiance is hard to beat!
Overnight in Kathmandu.

 

DAY 19: DEPART KATHMANDU

Transfer to the airport for your final departure.