Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu.

(Altitude 1310m/4,296 ft)

Book your international flight on your own or ask us for help. You may apply your Nepal visa upon arrival if you don't have one yet. Prepare US$ 40 for visa fee and one passport size photo to attach on the application. After clearing immigration and custom, follow the exit sign and meet Highland Asia representative outside the airport. We are then transferred by van to  Dwarika Hotel (15 minutes). Dwarika Hotel is housed in magnificent buildings of intricately carved wood and terracotta work and draws upon the spirit and hospitality of the Nepalese people to create an environment of intimate luxury and fine service. The philosophy of the Dwarika’s Hotel is to preserve the traditional heritage and architectural achievements of the beautiful Kathmandu Valley.

Depending on availability of time and your interest, this afternoon, we may visit Kathmandu Durbar Square with former Royal Palace complex and a cluster of ancient and medieval temples around. The palace and temples demonstrate intricately carved wood works in their balconies and windows. Of all the temples of Durbar Square, the most prominent are the temple of Living Goddess-Kumari and the legendary Kasthamandap Temple-which is believed to have been built of single tree trunk! We take a relaxed stroll in the Durbar Squares and narrow alleys of the areas around. We will walk through the vibrant streets of Assan and Indrachowk-the traditional bazaars of Kathmandu. In the evening, we are joined by local Highland Asia manager for welcome dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant amidst folklore dancing.

Dwarika Hotel

Meals: Dinner

Day 02 Explore Kathmandu.

Following breakfast, we visit Patan City-famed as the City of Arts and craft. The dramatic setting of Durbar Square with palace and beautiful temples and the houses with traditional architecture gives you the feel of traveling in a medieval time. We walk through the narrow cobbled streets with metal, wood and thangka painting workshops and jewelry and handicrafts outlets lined up in both sides. We poke into the workshops and meet the artisans. We visit the religious centers of Patan such as Golden Temple, Kumbheshwar Temples, Mahaboudha Temples, to name few, and watch the rituals and rites there. The temples are testimony of rich architectures of the medieval times.

From Patan, we take a short drive in the outskirts of the city to visit Bungamati-a laidback Newari village where we feel that time has stood still here. We walk on the cobbled street through the village with dry vegetables hanging from the balconies, ducks and roosters wandering, children running around, women washing clothes in the public or drying the paddies and elderly people chatting in the paatis (public pavilion). On the way back, we stop in Tibetan Self Help Center to see Tibetan refugees weaving rugs and making other handicrafts.

In the afternoon, we visit Boudhanath Stupa which is believed to be the largest stupa architecture in the world! With an octagonal base symbolizing the Buddhist cosmos, the stupa is a giant white dome with 13 stepped golden spire and a parasol atop. The stupa dominates Kathmandu skyline and is a foremost attraction of the city. There are numerous Buddhist monasteries associated with different Tibetan Buddhist schools. The area is dominantly Tibetan and reminds of the Barkhor area of Lhasa. The final stop of the day is Pashupatinath Temple-the holiest Hindu pilgrimage destination in Nepal. The temple is situated on the bank Bagmati River-a tributary of the sacred, Gangjes. Admission to the temple courtyard is reserved for the Hindus only but we can still view the complete temple premises and the activities in here from the eastern embankment of the river. We will also see the Hindu cremation services on the bank of the river.
If we wait until dusk or little later, we will get opportunity to watch the Aarati ceremony with oil lamps. The priests and devotees swing the oil lamps in air, sing the prayer songs and dance to appease the deities.

Dwarika Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

Day 03 Bhaktapur, Changu Narayan and Nagarkot.

(Altitude 2000m/6560 ft.)

Following breakfast, we drive to Bhaktapur -the smallest and the best preserved of the three medieval principalities of Kathmandu Valley. We visit the Durbar Square with former palaces and temples with rich wood carving and stone sculptures. The Golden Gate of the palace is considered the masterpiece metal work in the entire Nepal. We walk through the narrow alleys, stopping in the temples and monasteries and poking into the workshops of carvers and painters. We will also visit the pottery square and learn the traditional ceramic pottery making process.
From Bhaktapur, we take a short drive through the paddy fields to Changu Narayan Temple situated north of Bhaktapur. This is a multi-roofed pagoda style temple with rich wood carving in the struts and beautiful stone icons in the premises. The temple also has a 5th century stone inscription which is the first recorded history of Nepal ever found. From Changu Narayan, we hike through the villages and terraced fields and occasionally on the dirt jeep tracks to the hill resort of Nagarkot. Nagarkot, situated at an altitude of 2000m (6, 560 ft.) is well known for stupendous views of the Himalayas. Accommodation in the comfortable cottages of Fort Resort, built in purely local architectural style.

The Fort Resort

Meals: Breakfast

Day 04: A scenic flight to Pokhara, transfer to Nayapul and trek to Birethanti-Sanctuary Lodge

(Altitude 1100m/3608ft.)

Following breakfast, we are transferred to the domestic airport for flight to Pokhara-renowned as Nepal's capital for nature. It's a 35 minutes scenic flight that goes parallel to the Himalayas, offering breathtaking views of the western Himalayas at our right and rivers and valleys in the right. Upon arrival at Pokhara airport, we are met by our Guide and porter. Following a short briefing about the accommodation and facilities in the mountains and the trip itself, we transfer by road with our crews to Nayapul-the trail head for the trekking. The trail for some time goes along a ridgeline in the lower foothills of the Annapurnas with panoramic views of the Pokhara Valley and then drops to Modi Khola Valley ( Khola means river), where our Sanctuary Lodge is located. The location of the lodge serves as a perfect view point for Mount Machhapuchhre ( which means fishtail). Following a picnic lunch, we explore Birethanti -a small village set at the foot of the Modi Khola Valley at around 1,100 m. (Trek time 3-4 hours).

Sanctuary Lodge, Birenthanti
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 05: Trek to Gurung Lodge, Majgaon

(Altitude 1400m/4620ft)

Following a leisurely breakfast, we leave the Sanctuary lodge and head out to Gurung Lodge in Majgaun, approximately 2 hrs easy walking. The lodge is built along the lines of a traditional Nepalese village. Every room has spectacular views of the surrounding valley and mountains. After lunch at our lodge, we will visit Tanchok Village and visit a house turned ethnic museum where there will be a small talk program about the daily lifestyle of the villagers. We will also visit a local school and meet the children and teachers and learn about the schooling system. Children love to try their English with the visitors.

Gurung Lodge, Majgaon.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 06: Trek to Basant Lodge, Dhampus

(Altitude 5000 ft / 1525 m).

We will enjoy breakfast with splendid views of the mountains and the surroundings in the morning. After breakfast, we find ourselves back on the trail and we trek through the unspoiled village of Patlekhet. The trail goes through sub-tropical forests that include tree orchids, rhododendrons and magnolias. There will be a variety of birdlife to look out for as well as incredible mountain views. Trekkers in the Spring will be blessed with the colorful flowers. Along the way, we will stop at the village of Pothana where many Tibetan traders live and sell their souvenirs. In about 4 hours or little less, we arrive at the Basanta Lodge in Dhampus. The lodge is centered round am old Gurung village house and offers sweeping views of the entire Annapurna Range. After lunch at the lodge, we might go for an optional walk in the village or just relax at the lodge gazing the mountains and terraced landscape.

Basanta Lodge, Dhampus.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 07: Trek to Phedi and transfer by vehicle to Pokhara

(Altitude 890m/2920ft.)

The last day of the trekking is easy and short ( less than 2 hrs). Following breakfast, we bid farewell to the friendly staff of Basant Lodge and descend through the wooded hillside and terraced farmland to Phedi at the valley floor. We meet our transport here and then transfer to Pokhara Lodge (45 minutes). On the way, you may want to stop in Tibetan refugee camp and pay visit to the monastery.

We’ll arrive at the Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge Lodge in time for lunch. This boutique lodge is just half an hour's drive from Pokhara in western Nepal. Situated on a spectacular hilltop ridge a thousand feet (305m) above the Pokhara Valley, it has panoramic mountain views of Machhapuchhare, and three of the world's 8,000m (26,000ft) Himalayan peaks, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu.

Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 08 Explore Pokhara

Enjoy morning tea or coffee with serene views of the mountains. We may go for a pre-breakfast birding tour or take some light exercises. Following breakfast, we have a number of options from a day walk to Thuloswara Gurung Village – or a shorter walk to the charming Begnas Lake. Both the trails take us through several local villages, forest and terraced farmlands. Or maybe you would rather drive down to Pokhara and consider options of a Micro light Mountain Flight or even try your hand at a tandem paragliding flight soaring amount the eagles ( Additional cost, advance reservation is required). Or just grab a book from Col. Jimmy ’s Library and relax by the pool watching the mountains reflected in the pool’s clear water.

After lunch, go for sightseeing in Pokhara, explore the mysterious cave, thrilling waterfall and gorges and visit the ethnic and mountaineering museums or just take relaxed stroll in the Lakeside Bazaar for souvenirs.

Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 09: Bandipur Village

(Altitude 1030m/3778 ft, 62km/39 miles, 2.5 hrs)

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Pokhara and head out to the lesser known Bandipur. We arrive at Dumre (56 km/35 miles) in about 2 hrs and then we follow a rough road for another 6 km (3.75 miles) and arrive at Bandipur. We have also option of hiking from Bimal Nagar to Bandipur and visiting Siddha Gupha-Nepal's longest cave ever found (2 hrs). If it's raining, the trail can be slippery and blood sucking leeches will be in action.

Upon arrival, we check in our accommodation housed in a traditional building and after wash and change, we set out to explore the town and the surrounding villages. Once on a trading route to Tibet and India, Bandipur maintains its cultural appeal and architectural purity. 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 sons 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 Bandipurays during dry spells. We return to the bazaar along the main trail, and visit the two other important temples -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. We will also visit 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.

Gaunghar Resort, Bandipur

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Seti River Rafting.

We will have a leisurely morning breakfast and then we prepare for the rafting trip. Please, pack separately the clothes and necessities for a night camping as the remainder of the luggage will go by car. We are transferred to the rafting put in point in Damauli which is a bit of backtrack on the highway to Pokhara. There will be a briefing session conducted by the Rafting crews about the trip, paddling and safety techniques before we set off. All equipment, such as life vests, helmets, dry bags, spray suits and booties, is included. Depending on the water level, the first day of the trip will last in 2.5 to 3 hours plus we will have an hour break for picnic lunch by the riverside. We arrive at Seri River Camp around 2 to 3 p.m. The camp consists of safari-style tents with beds, a changing room, a verandah and an attached bathroom. Soon we arrive at the camp, we will be served hot tea or coffee. All meals, including drinking water and soft drinks, tea or coffee are included.

Seti River Camp

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11: Rafting-Chitwan National Park.

(Altitude 150m/492ft)

Following breakfast, we set off on the river again. There are five Class II rapids, which are 50 m long or less. The remainder of the trip is a relaxing float down that allows you to sit and enjoy the surrounding nature and countryside. Depending on the water level, you should spend between two and three hours on the raft and usually, we conclude the river trip in Gaighat where we meet our transport and then we drive about an hour to Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge in Chitwan National Park. Tiger Tops is the pioneer of the safari lodges in Chitwan National Park and offers tree houses or private bungalows with en suite bathrooms with solar heated water.

Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12: Embark on jungle safari rides at Chitwan National Park.

We have a full day to embark on various jungle safari rides that includes jeep safari, elephant ride, nature walk etc. All activities are led by university graduate naturalists with years of experience in the park. Chitwan National Park is recognized for conservation of Great One Horned Rhinoceros which was almost extinct in the 70s. Chitwan is also home to more than 100 Royal Bengal Tiger. Other wildlife includes sloth beer, 4 species of deer, 2 species of monkeys, 2 species of crocodiles and more than 600 difference species of resident and migratory birds.

Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 13: Flight back to Kathmandu

In the morning, we can take one hour long bird watching tour. Chitwan National Park provides habitat to more than 600 different species of resident and migratory birds. Within a span of one hour, we will be able to spot more than 30 different species of birds. We return to our resort, pack up the luggage and come to the breakfast table, as we will be flying back to Kathmandu.
After breakfast, we are transferred to Bharatpur Airport ( 45 minutes). It's a 25 minutes scenic flight that whisks us into Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, we meet our transport and we are transferred to our hotel.

Dwarika Hotel

Meals: Dinner

Day 14: Departure.

Transfer to the airport for flight back home.