Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Kathmandu - Bandipur - Pokhara - Birethanti - Majgaon - Dhampus
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With your hiking gear packed and ready to go, head to the airport, speed through security and enjoy some nibbles and refreshments in the airport lounge as you prepare to depart. Flight time to the Nepalese capital is about 13 hours, including a layover in a major airport hub, so you’ll spend tonight travelling and touch down tomorrow.
Rise and shine to sweeping views of the Kathmandu Valley as you prepare to land. An English-speaking member of airport staff will be waiting to meet and greet you, before leading you through arrival formalities. A private driver will then whisk you into the heart of the capital and to your first hotel: a contemporary Nepalese-style property in the city centre, fit with excellent facilities.
You only have two days here in Kathmandu, so after settling in and freshening up, head out with a private English-speaking guide to make the most of your first day. Your first stop is Durbar Square, one of three UNESCO-listed squares of the same name in Nepal, home to royal palaces and Hindu temples. The most popular sites here include Kasthamandap, a Shivaite temple founded in the 16th century, and Hanuman Dhoka, a palatial and devotional complex from the 16th and 17th centuries. It is also here that you are in for a chance to catch a glimpse of Nepal’s most prominent living goddess, the Kumari, as she looks outside the window of her home, Kumari Chok. This young girl is believed to embody the goddess Durga until she draws blood, at which point she rejoins society as a mortal and a new goddess is selected.
Your next stop today is Swayambhunath, an ancient stupa that stands high in the Kathmandu Valley. It is one of the most ancient and captivating holy shrines in the valley, dating back to at least the fifth century. On each side of the main stupa is a pair of all-seeing eyes, as well as third eye that signifies the wisdom to look within. The myths and legends to be discovered are plentiful, and your guide knows them inside and out.
On today’s agenda: private visits to Pashupatinath temple and the Bodnath stupa, followed by a day trip to the charming city of Patan. Your first stop is Pashupatinath, a beautiful riverside temple complex and, unusually, an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists alike. Take your time weaving in and out of temples, stupas and pagodas, listening to the fascinating tales that have taken place here. Make sure to keep an eye out for Sadhus, colourfully-dressed men with artfully-painted faces who have renounced everyday life and almost all worldly possessions.
Continue on to the monumental Boudhanath stupa, which dates back to the 14th century. Representing the elements of the Buddhist cosmos – earth, water, fire, air, ether – this sacred site spurred the founding of many local Tibetan monasteries. It is one of the world’s biggest stupas and is fascinating to stroll around in the presence of pilgrims and monks. Do make sure to circumnavigate the stupa clockwise, with the stupa on your right, as this is an ancient expression of respect.
Switch things up for the afternoon as you swap the capital for the charming nearby city of Patan. Affectionately nicknamed Lalitpur, ‘the wonderful place’, in reference to its high concentration of temples, shrines, monuments, beautiful architecture and skilled artisans. From the UNESCO-listed Durbar Square rise more than 130 pagodas and 55 temples. There’s a lot to see and do here and your private driver-guide will enable you to see as much or as little as you please. We particularly recommend taking the time to explore the palace, which overlooks the square; the splendid Krishna Mandir, a 17th-century shikara?style temple (a style more common in India); and the temple of Bhimsen, which is dedicated to the god of trade among the Newars (people of the Kathmandu Valley). Patan is also renowned for its Buddhist sanctuaries, including Hiranya Varna Mahavihar (‘the Golden Temple’) and Minnath Mandir, a traditional Buddhist monastery. Both date back to at least the 16th century and are dedicated to the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, the earthly embodiment of the virtue of compassion.
Wave goodbye to the hustle and bustle of the capital as you embark on a five-hour journey through the picturesque Kathmandu Valley, with its scenic views and traditional villages, to Bandipur. This beautiful hilltop village charms visitors with its scenic ensemble of quaint architecture, cobbled streets and luscious greenery. Settle in for one night in a cosy traditional inn and spend the rest of today exploring Bandipur. Some of our favourite spots here include the 18th-cenury Padma Library, the two-tiered temple of Bindhyabasini and the bustling bazaar, which is frequented by locals and tourists alike. Finally, if they’re in season, make sure to sample some local oranges – they’re considered the tastiest in Nepal.
Today marks the beginning of the hiking chapter of this Nepal adventure as you are privately transferred three hours to the charming lakeside city of Pokhara. Thanks to its location on the edge of the sweeping Annapurna region of the Himalayas, the city has become a haven for adventurous travellers and mountaineers. Here you’ll safely store away your belongings, as you’ll be hiking through the hills for the next four days. You’ll then be met by a private English-speaking mountain guide and kitted out in any missing hiking gear before heading off. Transfers and porterage is also provided, so you’ll only be carrying on your back what is needed for each day.
Ease into the expedition with a gentle two-hour walk to Nayapul, winding your way to a beautiful lodge nestled on a promontory overlooking the Modi River. From here, the view of Machapuchare, with its fish-tail peak, is exceptional. Spend the rest of this evening enjoying some delicious home-cooked food in front of a cosy wood burner.
Make sure to fuel up at breakfast this morning as you have half a day of walking ahead of you. Today’s trail continues along the banks of the tranquil Modi River, as well as passing though varied woodlands and mountain hamlets. The day’s end lands you in a lovely lodge surrounded by beautiful gardens. Traditional food is served in a communal area around a fire, making it possible to meet fellow hikers. If you have some energy left in the tank, head to the local village of Tanchok to visit a small museum dedicated to the traditional way of life in this highland region.
Another half-day walk through the enchanting foothills of the Annapurna mountains leads to Dhampus, a scenic village perched on a ridge overlooking the Pokhara Valley, as well as the peaks of Annapurna and Machapuchare. Along the way, you’ll pass through Pothana, a small village settled by Tibetan merchants. Spend the rest of your afternoon soaking in the charms of Dhampus. You can explore beautiful terraced farmlands that are carefully cared for by this remote community of Nepalese farmers and courageous hikers. Then, settle in for an aperitif in the garden to watch the sun set over the valley, painting the snowy facades in the distance in glowing hues of pink and gold. Once again, dinner is based on local cooking traditions and has been finessed over generations to nourish and fuel weary mountaineers.
Today marks the end of the hiking portion of this itinerary as you are privately transferred back to Pokhara for a day of well-deserved rest. Your home for tonight is a contemporary hotel located on the shores of Lake Phewa that offers facilities that you might have missed over the last few days, including an international restaurant and quality spa. The rest of today is yours to play with, so you can be as busy or restful as you please. Head to the lake for a boat ride, go shopping for some final souvenirs or simply relax on the shores and enjoy the views.
After breakfast this morning, you’ll be collected from your hotel and privately transferred to Gorkha, which will take about two hours. Settle into your hotel here on arrival, with its eco-friendly focus and comfortable rooms. Refuel with some traditional Himalayan cuisine at the restaurant and relax for the rest of the afternoon ahead of your active day tomorrow.
This morning, it’s time to lace up your hiking boots and head for the trails around Gorkha. Alongside an English-speaking guide, you’ll trek through forests and hills to reach the historic landmark of the Gorkha Durbar; built in the 16th century, this impressive all-in-one palace, temple and fort sits at an altitude of 3,280ft and is regarded by many as the crowning jewel of Newari architecture. As well as visiting this splendid site, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the Manaslu, Annapurna and Ganesh Himal mountains along the way.
Today, you’ll leave Gorkha and be transferred two hours to Kathmandu, the last stop on your Nepal adventure. Settle into the same hotel you stayed in at the beginning of the trip and spend the rest of today discovering some cultural spots in and around the capital. In the company of a private driver-guide, visit Bhaktapur, a beautifully designed city that acted as the nation’s capital until the 18th century. The city displays ancient urban planning in all its might: homes, temples and monasteries are developed around a square peppered with wells. It is also here that you can visit the third of the nation’s UNESCO-listed Durbar squares, which offers the same kind of palatial architecture as those in Kathmandu and Patan. A little to the north of Bhaktapur is Changu Narayan, one of the oldest temples in the country. The two-tiered structure was an important milestone in ancient Nepalese architecture and even displays the oldest inscription in Nepal on a fifth-century pillar.
Sadly, the time has come to pack your souvenir-filled bags for the final time and embark on the journey home. After one last delicious breakfast at the hotel this morning, you’ll be collected and driven back through the winding Kathmandu valley to the capital’s international airport. Flight time back to the UK is around 13 hours, including a layover in a major hub city. Most flights depart in the early afternoon, so you’ll spend the rest of today on board and touchdown on home turf later this evening.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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