Namaskar and welcome to Nepal! Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), you’ll be met by a tour representative and transferred to your hotel. Meet your fellow travellers at a pre-trip briefing at 5pm, and then the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure – get out and explore the city’s streets, steeped in ancient mystery and jam-packed full of vivid sights and sounds.
After breakfast, begin your hands-on tour of Kathmandu’s spectacular sights with a full-day guided tour. Begin at the sprawling Pashupatinath Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in the city, classed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and lavishly dedicated to Lord Shiva. Continue to Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas (circular burial sepulchres most commonly found in Buddhism) in the world and a significant pilgrimage site, and then to Swayambhunath, a stupa adorned with colourful prayer flags and home to a large clan of monkeys that locals now consider holy. End at Kathmandu Durbar Square, famous for its exquisite architecture and once home to kings.
In the afternoon you'll have the option to take a scenic hour-long flight, soaring into clouds to soak up awe-inspiring views over Mount Everest and the mighty Himalayas (additional charges apply).
Optional Activity:
- Mount Everest Scenic Flight (from A$290 per person).
Today you’ll leave Kathmandu behind as you travel approximately three hours west to the small village of Charaudi, located on the picturesque banks of the fast-moving Trishuli River. Named after Shiva’s trident, legend states that the deity drove his weapon into the Himalayas, creating three powerful springs – the source of the river’s might. What a place to go rafting!
Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by experienced guides, given all the necessary instructions and safety briefings, and launched on an exhilarating river journey upon the white waters of the Trishuli. It’s a stretch famous for its thrilling rapids and scenic beauty, and you'll cover a large swathe of the river in the approximately three-hour experience, finishing at your riverside accommodation for lunch. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure, surrounded by extraordinary alpine beauty from every direction.
Enjoy breakfast at the resort before transferring to Chitwan. The journey takes around three hours, descending from mountainous terrain to the warm, lowland plains at the foot of the Himalayas. It’s a region rich in natural beauty – the UNESCO World Heritage-listed expanse boasts the world’s largest population of endangered Bengal tigers and single-horned Asiatic rhinos.
Check in at your accommodation and enjoy the afternoon at leisure soaking up the natural splendour of Nepal’s most spectacular national park. Laze by the resort’s pool, take a walk through the lush gardens or simply sit back and listen to the birds call as the afternoon melts away.
Enjoy a full day on safari in the Chitwan wilderness. Journey into the dense jungle, witnessing the abundance of natural flora and fauna as you travel – rhinos, wild deer, monkeys and, if you’re lucky, tigers – they all call Chitwan home. After reaching the serene Rapti River, embark on a canoe ride through the waters, observing crocodiles, the park’s wonderful birdlife and secret marine worlds. After disembarkation, continue on a guided nature walk through the park. With expert naturalists as your guide, discover the sheer diversity of flora and fauna found within the jungle and learn about the park’s ecosystem.
Next up is Chitwan’s Elephant Breeding Center, where you’ll learn about the massive conservation efforts underway to save the endangered Asian elephant. Depending on the season, you may be lucky enough to spot a baby elephant frolicking. As evening falls, you’ll be introduced to the Tharu community (the local people indigenous to the forested Terai region) and enjoy an evening of music and dance.
After breakfast, leave Chitwan and travel approximately four hours towards Pokhara, a picturesque lakeside city cradled by the Annapurna mountain range. The road there is jaw-dropping – as you climb in altitude, sweeping Himalayan vistas reveal themselves.
If Kathmandu is the cultural hub of Nepal, Pokhara is its centre of adventure. An enchanting city nestled beneath the snow-crested Annapurna massif in a tranquil valley, it is the starting point for many of Nepal’s most popular treks. Pokhara is a place of remarkable natural beauty, while the mountains' reflections in Phewa Lake create an ambience of peace and magic. Upon reaching the city, check in to your accommodation and soak up more glorious views – it’s truly one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Drive approximately three hours west to Ulleri, a small mountain village renowned for its terraced fields and spectacular views. It holds an ideal position as a stopping or starting point for treks navigating the Annapurna South. Head out for a roughly four-hour trek across five kilometres of mountainous terrain, hiking through lush rhododendron forests, tiny villages and stone staircases as you ascend toward Ghorepani, an ancient rest stop for traders needing to water their horses. Stay the evening and enjoy views over the mighty stretch of both the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
Please note: Your trek today is approximatey four hours in length, covering a distance of five kilometres. Maximum altitude reached is 2,874 metres.
Wake up early and continue your trek toward Poon Hill, famous for its spectacular sunrise views over the Himalayas. It’s an approximately two-hour rountrip journey, but well worth it – you’ll be rewarded with painterly vistas of the surrounding ranges lit by the rising sun. Enjoy your time here before descending back to your accommodation for breakfast.
After breakfast, hike for approximately six hours towards Tadapani, a picturesque village hidden high in the mountains. Even in a land legendary for mountain views, Tadapani is something special – the sheer height, scale and natural majesty of the region must be seen to be believed.
Check in to your Tadapani accommodation and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Please note: Your trek today is approximatey six hours in length, covering a distance of 10 kilometres. Maximum altitude reached is 3,210 metres.
Your trek today takes you through terraced fields, quaint villages and spellbinding forests towards Ghandruk, a traditional Gurung village famous as a base camp for the region’s many spectacular climbs. Explore the village – including the Gurung Museum, celebrating the culture of the indigenous peoples of the region – before receiving transfer back to Pokhara.
After checking in for the night, enjoy an afternoon of leisure in the city your way – you might choose to indulge in a spa treatment at your hotel, take a boat ride on Phewa Lake, or simply wander the city and soak in every tremendous view.
Please note: Your trek today is approximatey five hours in length, covering a distance of 9.5 kilometres. Maximum altitude reached is 2,012 metres.
Today you will embark on a full-day tour of the natural and historic wonders of Pokhara and the beautiful region surrounding Phewa Lake, the second-highest lake in the country. Visit Tal Barahi, a small island temple located on the lake’s waters, before heading to Devi's Falls, a thrilling cascade that plunges into an underground tunnel beneath the lake, passing through Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave – your next stop and a site particularly sacred to Shiva.
You’ll also stop by the Seti River Gorge, another natural wonder touched by the fast-moving waters. If time permits, enjoy a visit to the International Mountain Museum, celebrating and memorialising mans efforts to mountaineer in the Himalayas, and the World Peace Pagoda, a stupa designed to inspire unity in peace throughout the world.
After breakfast, transfer back to Pokhara Airport, where a domestic flight will whisk you over the Himalayas and back to Kathmandu. After touchdown and your return to your Kathmandu accommodation, enjoy the afternoon at ease – visit local markets, explore the city’s countless storied streets or rest at the hotel. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner and cultural performance at a typical Nepalese restaurant and celebrate your successful adventure with the friends you’ve made along the way.
Enjoy one final breakfast in Kathmandu before your transfer to Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) for the next leg of your journey.