You may choose to rise early this morning to ascend on an optional scenic helicopter flight (surcharges apply), granting you dramatic views of the world’s highest peak. Should you wish to add to the indulgence, touch down at the Hotel Everest View to enjoy breakfast overlooking Everest. After breakfast, meet your group at 8am in the lobby and set off on a guided sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu Valley. Start at Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest spherical stupas in the world and a key pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists.
Continue to Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple complex located on the banks of the Bagmati River. Then visit Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple, one of the holiest Buddhist stupas in the country with Hindu statues, deities and iconography incorporated throughout the complex.
The day culminates at Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site lined with former royal palaces, courtyards and shrines that reflect centuries of Newari architecture. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon to relax.
After breakfast, depart Kathmandu and head south on a scenic drive to Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed reserve and one of the best places in Asia to spot wildlife, including the elusive Bengal tiger and one-horned rhinoceros. Descend from the valley through terraced hillsides and into the subtropical plains of the Terai region.
Upon arrival, check in at Barahi Jungle Lodge, an elegant eco-lodge located on the banks of the Rapti River, just outside the park boundaries. After an orientation session, the rest of the day is free to enjoy the serene jungle setting and perhaps watch the sunset over the river.
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours
Rise early for a full day of wildlife experiences inside Chitwan National Park. Begin with a morning safari in a jeep, exploring the park’s dense sal forests and grasslands in search of rhinos, deer, monkeys and, with luck, sloth bears and leopards. A canoe ride on the Rapti River follows, offering a chance to spot crocodiles, river birds and perhaps gharials, a rare fish-eating crocodile species native to the region.
Later, take a guided jungle walk. In the afternoon, visit a local Tharu village to learn about the culture of this Indigenous community. After dinner, enjoy a Tharu dance performance back at the lodge.
Chitwan National Park safari
Depart Chitwan after breakfast and drive north to Pokhara, a picturesque lakeside city set against a dramatic Himalayan backdrop. The journey takes you through lush countryside, small villages and river valleys. On arrival, check in to your accommodation, complete with a backdrop of rolling mountains. In the evening, you’re free to explore Pokhara’s Lakeside district at your own pace, a relaxed area filled with cafes, bookshops and boutiques lining the shores of Phewa Lake.
Travel time: Driving – approx. five hours
Begin the day with an early drive to Sarangkot, a hill station known for its panoramic sunrise views over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. After returning to the hotel for breakfast, set out on a guided hike from the shores of Fewa Lake up to the World Peace Pagoda. This Buddhist monument, built by Japanese monks, looks out over the lake, city and snow-capped mountains beyond.
Continue exploring Pokhara with visits to Davis Falls, a waterfall that plunges into an underground tunnel, and nearby Gupteshwor Cave, home to a sacred Shiva shrine. End the day at a Tibetan refugee camp, where you’ll gain insight into the Tibetan community’s history in Nepal. More than just a place of refuge, these settlements are centres for culture, handicrafts and community living.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
Pokhara exploration
After breakfast, transfer to Pokhara’s domestic airport for your included flight back to Kathmandu. Upon landing, depart the city once more – this time heading to Nagarkot, a hilltop village east of the capital. Famous for its sweeping views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest on clear days, Nagarkot is a peaceful escape from the urban sprawl. Check in to your hillside resort with expansive terraces and mountain vistas. Spend the evening relaxing in the crisp air and enjoy a farewell dinner with your group at the hotel as the sun sets over the distant peaks.
Travel time: Flight – approx. 30 minutes / Driving – approx. two hours
Start the day early to catch the sunrise over the Himalayas, a breathtaking moment if the skies are clear. After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll be transferred by private vehicle back to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) for your onward journey.
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours