The Many Faces of Nepal: Culture, Mountains & Wildlife

• Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, where your private transfer awaits to whisk you comfortably to your hotel.

• Journey through the lively streets of Kathmandu, taking in your first impressions of Nepal’s vibrant capital.

• Settle into your hotel and enjoy a warm welcome dinner, marking the beginning of your Himalayan journey.

Accommodation: Shanker Hotel OR Accommodation of Choice

Included Meals: Welcome dinner

• Begin your morning at Swayambhunath, affectionately known as the Monkey Temple, perched high above the Kathmandu Valley. One of Nepal’s most revered Buddhist sites, the ancient stupa reflects both Nepali and Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

• Continue to Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple complex, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Explore the riverside ghats and witness the rituals that have shaped spiritual life here for centuries.

• Visit the sacred cremation grounds along the banks of the Bagmati River, offering a poignant glimpse into Nepal’s traditions surrounding life and death.

• End the day at Boudhanath, one of the world’s great Buddhist monuments and a living centre of Tibetan Buddhist culture.

• Walk alongside pilgrims as they circumambulate the great stupa, or, if you wish, light a traditional butter lamp as a personal gesture of offering and illumination.

Accommodation: Shanker Hotel OR Accommodation of Choice

Included Meals: Breakfast

• Leave the bustle of Kathmandu behind and drive towards the tranquil southwestern corner of the valley, near Pharping.

• Arrive at the Buddhist monastery guesthouse beside Neydo Tashi Choeling Monastery, surrounded by peaceful countryside and a distinctly slower pace of life.

• As evening falls, join the monks for their Buddhist prayer session and experience the resonant chants and rituals of monastic life.

• Depending on your interest, take part in a meditation session or receive teachings on Buddhist philosophy and practice.

Accommodation: Neydo Monastery 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• Begin the morning with prayer and meditation at the monastery, embracing the quiet rhythm of monastic life.

• After breakfast, continue to Bhaktapur, one of the best-preserved historic cities in the Kathmandu Valley.

• Explore the ancient city on a guided walking tour, wandering through atmospheric squares, temples, courtyards and narrow lanes shaped by centuries of Newari craftsmanship.

• Encounter a community where traditional architecture, artistry, customs and faith remain deeply woven into everyday life.

Accommodation: Hotel Heritage 

Included Meals: Breakfast

• Leave Kathmandu behind and venture off the well-trodden tourist trail towards Nuwakot, a historic hilltop settlement with deep roots in Nepal’s story.

• Enjoy a scenic drive of approximately two and a half hours through the winding middle hills, with glimpses towards the Himalayan region of Langtang.

• Arrive at The Famous Farm, a beautifully restored retreat comprising four traditional houses, where rustic Nepali charm meets contemporary comfort.

• Discover Nuwakot’s rich history through its ancient palace, traditional architecture and strategic position along the historic routes that connected the Kathmandu Valley with the northern Himalayas.

• Stroll through Nuwakot Bazaar and explore the historic heart of this former fortress town, whose palaces and settlements played an important role in the unification of Nepal.

Accommodation: The Famous Farm

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

• Embrace a slower pace of life at The Famous Farm, surrounded by pristine landscapes, peaceful villages and the gentle rhythms of rural Nepal.

• Spend the day at leisure or explore the surrounding countryside on foot, with options to hike to nearby villages and viewpoints.

• Visit a local school for a meaningful opportunity to meet the children, learn about their daily lives and discover the school’s work in creating better opportunities for its students.

• For a more hands-on experience, opt for a private Nepali cooking class and learn the flavours and techniques behind traditional local dishes.

Accommodation: The Famous Farm

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

• Set out on a scenic drive towards Pokhara, Nepal’s celebrated lakeside retreat, passing through changing landscapes and picturesque middle-hill scenery.

• Arrive in Pokhara and settle into the relaxed atmosphere of this lakeside city, known for its cafés, restaurants and panoramic mountain views.

• Take a leisurely stroll beside Phewa Lake, pause for a coffee or cocktail, and soak in the views of the water and mountains rising beyond.

• Alternatively, enjoy a peaceful boat ride across Phewa Lake, taking in the reflections of the surrounding hills and Himalayas.

• In the afternoon, hike to the World Peace Pagoda for sweeping views across Pokhara Valley, Phewa Lake and the snow-capped peaks on a clear day.

Accommodation: Temple Tree or Similar

Included Meals: Breakfast

• Visit the International Mountain Museum to discover the history of Himalayan mountaineering, the world’s great peaks and the cultures of the mountain communities.

• Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, with time to relax at your hotel, explore Pokhara’s lakeside neighbourhoods or simply enjoy the mountain views at your own pace.

Accommodation: Temple Tree or Similar

Included Meals: Breakfast

• Today brings you closer to the Himalayas as you venture into the foothills of the Annapurna range.

• Take a short transfer of approximately 45 minutes to Kande, where your hike begins.

• Follow a well-laid stone trail ascending through the hills to a ridge and the scenic Australian Camp, where magnificent views of the Annapurna range unfold.

• Continue along the trail as it descends through forested landscapes towards Dhampus, another picturesque mountain village with sweeping Himalayan views.

• Enjoy approximately two and a half hours of hiking amid forests, villages and mountain scenery.

Accommodation: Dhaulagiri View Hotel 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• Wake to the extraordinary sight of the Himalayas illuminated by the first morning light, with time to savour the views over breakfast.

• Begin the day’s hike along an old mountain trail, descending primarily via stone-paved steps while enjoying views across the Pokhara Valley.

• Continue through forests and farmlands before reaching the roadhead at Phedi.

• From Phedi, drive back towards Pokhara before continuing to the charming hilltop town of Bandipur.

• The day’s hike takes approximately one and a half hours.

Accommodation: The Old Inn

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• Begin the morning with a leisurely stroll through Bandipur as the town comes to life, offering an intimate glimpse into the relaxed rhythm of Nepal’s middle hills.

• Find a quiet spot in the traffic-free bazaar, sip a cup of tea and watch local life unfold around you.

• Spend the remainder of the day at leisure or, for a more active experience, embark on a hike to the traditional village of Ramkot, taking approximately four to five hours.

Accommodation: The Old Inn

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• Leave the middle hills behind as the landscape transforms dramatically into the warmer, subtropical lowlands of the Terai, leading towards Chitwan National Park.

• Discover one of Asia’s renowned wildlife sanctuaries, home to greater one-horned rhinoceros, deer, monkeys and an extraordinary diversity of birdlife, with the elusive Bengal tiger also inhabiting the park.

• Explore the wilderness on a jeep safari, or take a guided birdwatching walk through the park’s diverse habitats.

• Enjoy a hosted lunch in a local Tharu village before drifting down the Rapti River by traditional dugout canoe, keeping watch for mugger and gharial crocodiles along the riverbanks.

• Visit a nearby Tharu community and gain insight into local traditions, with opportunities to experience rural life through farming, traditional weaving with elephant grass and Tharu-style cooking.

Accommodation: Hotel Green Park 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• Begin the journey back towards Kathmandu, retracing the road from the lowlands into Nepal’s middle hills.

• Within approximately 45 minutes, watch the flat landscapes of the Terai give way to winding mountain roads following the Trishuli River.

• Pause along the way for lunch and a chance to stretch your legs before continuing the journey.

• As the river disappears from view, the road steadily climbs towards the rim of the Kathmandu Valley, signalling your return to the capital.

Accommodation: Shanker Hotel

Included Meals: Breakfast

• Your Himalayan journey comes to an end today, leaving you with memories of Nepal’s sacred sites, mountain landscapes, wildlife and warm hospitality.

• Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and some final time at the hotel before your private transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport.

• We will assist you with your departure arrangements, ensuring a smooth and comfortable journey home.

Included Meals: Breakfast