Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu/Visit Swayambhunath Stupa and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Evening Nepali dinner with folklore dance show.

Kathmandu Altitude 1310 m/4, 297 ft.

Meet your guide upon arrival at Kathmandu airport. You can obtain Nepali visa upon arrival if you don't have obtained one yet. Don't forget to bring one passport picture and US$ 25 cash to pay in visa fee.After clearing immigration and custom, meet our local representative outside the airport and transfer by van to your hotel in the city.

After wash and change, set out with our guide to explore the wonders of Kathmandu-which was formerly known as Kantipur-which means the city of beauty.Begin from the 2000 year old Buddhist shrine of Swayambhunath Stupa situated on a hillock about 260 ft above the valley floor. Revered by both Hindus and Buddhist, the monument is a glittering golden spire on a large white lofty dome. There are numerous shrines and monasteries around. We can also enjoy panoramic views of the valley and the mountains from here.

We descend and drive in to the heart of the city to visit the Durbar Square with former Royal Palace and an array of temples rich in wood carving, metal works and stone sculptures. While the interior of the palace that houses some museums is not so appealing, but the exterior and the environs are amazingly beautiful. We visit Kumari House, the residence of Kumari-the Living Goddess of Nepal who is the manifestation of Goddess Taleju-the patron of the rulers of Nepal! On request, the goddess gives a quick audience from her window. Kumari is replaced once she reaches puberty.

Other interesting temples are the legendary Kasthamandap Temple which is believed to have been built of a single tree trunk, the Shiva Temple, Shiva Temple, Shiva Parvati Temple, Jagannath Temple etc.

We take tricycle rickshaw ride through the traditional bazaars of Indrachowk and Assan and end up in touristy Thamel where most budget lodging, restaurants, handicraft stores and bargain places are located. Tonight, you are joined by our local staff for a Nepali welcome dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant where you can also enjoy Nepali folklore dancing shows.

Yak N Yeti or De l'Annapurna Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

Day 02 Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Patan City and Kirtipur Village.

This morning, you can go for an hour long Everest view flight. Everyone gets window seat from where you will enjoy eye level view of Mount Everest and other majestic peaks of the Himalaya. Currently, one hour long flight costs US$ 175 plus you need to pay the roundtrip airport transfer which costs $20.

After the flight, you will return to hotel for the breakfast and after that, we set out to explore the palaces, temples and monasteries of Kathmandu valley. We begin from Pashupatinath Temple-one of the holiest Hindu Temples in entire South Asia. The temple is situated on the bank of sacred Bagmati River which is a tributary of sacred Ganges. Admission to the temple is reserved for Hindus only, yet we can have close up view of the temple from other side of the river. The temple and the surroundings are vibrant with rites and rituals performed by Hindu devotees. We will also have opportunity to watch the Hindu cremation services in the bank of the river.

The next stop would be the giant Boudnath Stupa-Asia’s one of the largest Buddhist shrine. The stupa with 100m (328 ft) diameter and 40 m (130 ft) height can be spotted from many views points in Kathmandu. There are a number of Buddhist monasteries around and the area is dominantly Tibetan in character and reminds very much of Barkhor area of Lhasa.

After lunch break in Boudhanath, we head to Patan City-famed as the City of Arts and craft where we visit its Dubar Square with former palaces and medieval temples with intricate carvings. We browse through the narrow streets with handicraft stores, jewelers, crafters, thangka painters, lined up in both side and visit some of the olden temples and monasteries of Patan. We take chance to take a peek inside the workshops of wood carvers and metal crafters.

From here, we take short drive in the outskirts to visit the traditional village of Kirtipur where majority of the population are farmers. The village, despite being in close proximity with the capital, remains decades behind in time. We walk through the stone paved streets and visit Baghbhairab and Uma Maheshwara Temple. We will also sneak a peek into a private house and have some  insight into their life. Kirtipur also provides a panoramic views of the valleys and snow capped mountains. We return to the hotel late afternoon.

Yak N Yeti or De l'Annapurna Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

Day 03 Explore Bhaktapur and drive to Nagarkot

(Altitude 2000m/6, 560 ft, 32 km/20 miles)

Following breakfast, we check out hotel as we overnight in Nagarkot today. About half the way to Nagarkot, we stop in Bhaktapur-one of the three medieval principalities of Kathmandu valley and the best preserved one. Bhaktapur, with its Durbar Square with beautiful palaces and temples with intricate wood carving and fabulous stone sculptures and brick paved streets looks like an open air museum!The major attractions in Bhaktapur are the Palace of 55 windows, the giant Taleju Bell in front of the palace, the golden gilded gate with beautiful metal works in its semi circular pediment, the royal bath tank inside the palace, 5 storied Naytapola temple that survived the earth quake of 1934, Duttratraya Temple, and Pujarimath complex with Peacock window-the masterpiece woodcarving in Nepal.

We walk through the narrow alleys with private houses in both sides, and visit potter’s square where we learn the traditional methods of pottery making. We will also take chance to stop by a wood carvers’ workshop near Duttratraya. After spending good amount of time in Bhaktapur, we leave for Nagarkot, Now, the road zigzags and climbs through the terraced farmlands, juniper and pine trees, and beautiful villages to the ridge top of Nagarkot. On a clear weather day, we are greeted by superb views of the snowcapped mountains. We check in hotel and after some refreshment, we take light stroll in the neighboring areas.

Overnight the Fort Resort

Meals: Breakfast

Day 04 Chitwan National Park

(Altitude 492 ft. distance 120 miles, 6 hrs).

We get up early morning for sunrise views. The blushing mountains with the first kiss of morning sun and the panoramic views of the valleys create an exhilarating scene. Take leisurely walk in the environs and after breakfast, we pack and leave for Chitwan National Park-Asia's one of the most famous game park-known for the preservation of Great One Horned Rhinoceros.
About 4 hour drive from Kathmandu, we will stop in Kurintar for cable car trip to the temple of Goddess Manokamana-known for fulfilling the wishes of her visitors! Every day, thousands of Hindu devotees flock into the temples with offerings that may include goats and chickens.
Upon arrival at Chitwan National Park, we settle into our bungalow accommodation and soon after lunch, we go for elephant safari or nature walks or for jungle drive depending on your arrival time in the resort. Elephant ride takes you deep into the jungle for viewing and photographing wildlife. Jungle walk is an opportunity to  experience the abundant bird life and the flora and fauna of the park. If the water level in the river is low, we can take jeep safari. The area from Kasara to Sukhebar is considered as the best area for the jungle drive, where chances of seeing bison (Gaur), sambar deer and Royal Bengal Tiger is very high compare to other area of Chitwan national Park. If you are lucky you may see the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger both on nature walk as well as on elephant safari.

In the evening before dinner, the slide presentation about the flora and fauna of Chitwan National Park will be organized by our well trained senior naturalists. You will have opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the flora and fauna of Chitwan National Park.

Tigerland Resort

Chitwan National Park,
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 05 Jungle safari rides in Chitwan National Park

Early morning you will be mounted on elephant back and taken for a jungle safari for 2?3 hours penetrating through dense grasslands to view wildlife in their natural habitat.  After breakfast, you are taken to our elephant stables where a senior naturalist briefs about the interesting and unbelievable habits of elephant. Here one may witness the rare scene of the elephants at bath.

After lunch at the resort, you may chose to take rest or take a drive through the jungles in four wheel drive jeep followed by a canoe ride down the Rapti River. The river ride provides opportunity of viewing the gharial crocodiles as well as the mugger crocodiles, fresh water dolphins, otters and varieties of water birds. Or you may also go for a nature walk or birding with one of our naturalists to know more about the flora of the Chitwan National Park. Those on canoe ride are taken back to the resort four wheel drive jeep from the end?point.

Tigerland Resort

Chitwan National Park,
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 06 Chitwan to Bandipur by vehicle

(Altitude 1100m/3608 ft, distance 55 miles, 3 hrs)

If you are a morning riser, we recommend a guided bird watching trip before breakfast. Chitwan National Park is paradise for bird watchers. More than 600 different specifies of residential and migratory birds are found in Chitwan National Park. If you missed the safari on day 01 at Chitwan due to late arrival, you can go for elephant safari this morning.

After breakfast, you bid farewell to the staff and head to Bandipur. It's a little more than 3 hours scenic drive. The road follows the rivers, goes through the terraced farmland and villages and ultimately brings us to the medieval looking Bandipur village. Bandipur once was a vibrant town on the Nepal-India trade route but after construction of modern road in the 70s, it lost its attention. But because of its hilltop location, preserved, old time cultural atmosphere and mild weather and great mountain vistas, its drawing attention of the travelers. This town is still very less visited by foreign tourists and worth visiting.

We check in our boutique heritage style accommodation and after wash and change, we set out to explore the wonders of the area. On a clear weather day, Bandipur affords magnificent views of the central Himalayas and the Marshyangdi Valley. We begin with a visit to the Khadga Devi Temple, the most sacred and auspicious temple in Bandipur. Then we head up to the Martyrs Memorial Area, which honors seven Bandipur men who were killed during the anti-Rana insurrection of 1951. Then we head down to the shrine of Paarpani Mahadev (Shiva), who receives appeals for rain from Bandipure villagers during dry spells. We return to the bazaar along the main trail, and visit the two other important temples of Bandipur: Bindebashini and Mahalaxmi. The rich wooden carving and detailed brass-work that adorn the temple are replicas of those found in the many old pagoda structures of the Kathmandu valley.

If you want a bit more active walking, then we recommend visit to the Silk Farm, which is less than half an hour’s walk towards the west. The staff there will give you an interesting tour-and-talk on the history and method of silk-harvesting in the Nepali hills. A quick descent to the bazaar will bring you to a unique and typical Newari town. The compact houses are built with bricks having tin or slate roofs. This is an impressive town with beautiful temples and palaces. Stroll the narrow lanes beneath traditional Newari wooden houses or sit in one of the many pati- pauwas (platform) and become part of an authentic Nepali experience.

Overnight in Old Inn

Meals: Breakfast

Day 07 Bandipur to Pokhara

(Altitude 2919 ft, distance 40 miles, 2 hr)

Following breakfast, we leave for Pokhara valley, situated in the lap of mighty Annapurnas and Fishtail. Pokhara with lakes, gorges, waterfalls, mysterious cave temples to gorgeous mountain views truly make the natural capital of Nepal!
We check our resort in the lakeside and set out to explore the wonders of the areas. We begin from Davis Fall where water cascades down from the lake and disappears into the earth! Opposite to the fall lies the mysterious cave of Gupteshwara Mahadeva. You may also want to visit the Tibetan Village and its monastery. In the evening take relaxed stroll in the lakeside.

Fishtail Lodge

Lakeside, Pokhara
Meals: Breakfast

Day 08 Explore more of Pokhara

Early morning, we will drive to Sarangkot (1,592m/5,222 ft.) for sunrise view and Himalayan Panorama.On a clear weather day, Sarangkot affords spectacular views of the western range of the Himalaya and the valleys. On the way back, we stop at Bindhebasini Temple-the most revered of the Hindu Temples in Pokhara. We will also stop at the vibrant Old Bazaar.

If you are keen on hiking, you can hike to the Peace Stupa at the ridge top towering over the Fewa Lake. Take boating trip in the Lake Fewa and visit the island temple of Goddess Barahi-probably the most visited of all temples in Pokhara. Depending on your interest, you can also visit the Mountaineering and National History Museums.

Fishtail Lodge

Lakeside, Pokhara
Meals: Breakfast

Day 09 By Flight to Kathmandu

After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for flight back to Kathmandu. Its 25 minutes scenic flight offering views of snow capped mountains. Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, you are transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day is open for you to pursue your own interests.

Yak N Yeti or De l'Annapurna Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 Depart Kathmandu

After breakfast, you will transferred to the airport in time.