Highlights of Nepal Itinerary

Namaste and welcome to Nepal!

Arrive in Kathmandu, and after immigration, baggage, and customs, exit the arrival hall. A Geringer Global Travel representative will greet you with a placard bearing your name. You will be assisted and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, explore Pashupatinath and Boudhanath. Pashupatinath is one of the most revered Shiva temples in Nepal. Boudhanath, the 36-meter-high stupa of Boudha, is massive and dominates the skyline in the area. With countless monasteries, it is the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal.

After lunch, visit Patan Durbar Square to experience Newari art and architecture. Visit the old royal palace and artistically designed temples. The museum in the palace houses a fine collection of metal crafts, wood carvings, and a precious Malla-era throne.

Visit the Tibetan Bowl and Healing Center that specializes in sound healing therapy from handmade Tibetan bowls. The vibrations of the bowls are said to cure headaches, back pain, stress, and insomnia.

Dinner is at a Newari home. Experience the old – world charm as you are welcomed by your hosts in their heritage home. Learn to cook a traditional Newari meal. Your hosts will introduce you to the various ingredients, recipes, and processes required to cook Newari food. Enjoy your dinner as you hear intriguing stories and learn about their indigenous lifestyle, vibrant culture, and traditional practices.

Early morning transfer to the airport to enjoy the Everest Mountain Flight to catch a glimpse of twenty of the highest peaks to the east of Nepal including Mt. Everest. (Subject to weather conditions.)

Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Explore Bhaktapur and Swayambhunath Stupa. Bhaktapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu was one of the three kingdoms of Nepal. The place thrived and prospered owing to its location on the famous trade route between India and Tibet. Visit the four main squares of Bhaktapur: Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Pottery Square, and Dattatreya Square. Sample Ju Ju Dhau (King Curd), a specialty of Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Visit the Tony Hagen Museum which exhibits sculptures in stone, wood, and metal by local artists.

After lunch, visit the Swayambhunath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also called the Monkey Temple. The stupa has stood as a hallmark of faith and harmony for centuries with Hindu temples and deities incorporated in this Buddhist site. Swayambhunath is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site.

Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO Heritage Site, that has over 50 temples, palaces, and courtyards and dates back to the 12th to 18th centuries.

Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the market square and bazaars of the Thamel area.

Dinner is at Krishnarpan Restaurant, Dwarika’s Hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to Kathmandu Airport for the flight to Bharatpur.

Arrive in Bharatpur and drive to the lodge at Chitwan National Park (approximately 45 minutes).

Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was established in 1973. Historically, Chitwan was a popular hunting ground of the Nepali ruling class. The area in the national park south of the Rapti River is demarcated as a rhinoceros sanctuary. It is home to one-horned rhinos, sloth bears, leopards, tigers and over 450 species of birds.

Check into the hotel, followed by lunch.

Visit nearby Tharu Village. This ethnic community is indigenous to the southern plains of Nepal and its people are descendants of the kingdoms that existed here when Buddha was born.
Enjoy a session with a naturalist to understand the background data and history of the Royal Chitwan National Park as well as some other interesting topics relating to wildlife.

After breakfast, enjoy a jeep safari with an expert naturalist taking you inside the forest to search for several types of deer (spotted deer, barking deer, and hug deer), monkeys, wild boar, sloth bears, leopards and, if lucky, the Royal Bengal Tiger. The naturalist will point out different species of birds.

Return to the lodge for lunch.

The afternoon is reserved for a nature walk. This walking safari helps you explore, study, and unravel hidden secrets in the woods. The jungle walk offers a great chance of spotting wildlife. The walks are led by an experienced naturalist and the lodge’s local nature guide.

End your day with a sundowner at the confluence of the Rapti River.

After breakfast, enjoy another jeep safari in the park with a naturalist.

Return to the lodge for lunch.

After lunch, enjoy canoeing on the Rapti River inside Chitwan National Park and see crocodiles and other animals.

In the evening, enjoy a cultural performance by the Tharu Community. Tharu Dance is an amazing way of expressing the significance of festivals, farmland, and the tradition of families in the life of the Tharus.

After breakfast, transfer to Bharatpur airport to connect for the afternoon flight to Pokhara.

On arrival in Pokhara, transfer to your hotel. Pokhara is the third largest city in Nepal. It is the starting point for most of the treks in the Annapurna area. This city has several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panoramic views of Himalayan peaks.

After lunch, visit the International Mountain Museum to learn about the mountains and history of mountaineering.

After breakfast, visit the Gurkha Museum that honors Nepal’s most storied warriors. Interact with an Ex – Gurkha Army personnel over a cup of tea or coffee.

Visit the Gandharba community, an ancient caste of musicians, who are at risk of extinction as modernization takes over the traditional music and entertainment in rural Nepal.

After lunch, visit the World Peace Stupa, the massive Buddhist stupa, which was constructed by Buddhist monks from the Japanese Nipponzan Myōhōji organization. Besides being an impressive sight in itself, the shrine is a vantage point that offers spectacular views of the Annapurna range and Pokhara city.

Enjoy a boat ride on Phewa Lake. On the way to the hotel, visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp. These refugee camps were built for the thousands of Tibetan refugees that came to settle in Nepal after the Chinese takeover.

After breakfast, drive to Nayapul. Trek to Birethati (approximately 2 hours) to Sanctuary Lodge. The walk will follow a ridgeline in the lower foothills of the Annapurna with surrounding views of the Pokhara Valley. This route then drops to the Modi River Valley, where the Sanctuary Lodge is located.

Check into the lodge and spend the rest of the day relaxing in the serene environs. With stunning views of the sacred Fishtail Mountain in the distance, this stylish lodge at 3,600 feet was handcrafted by local artisans.

After breakfast, check out of the Sanctuary Lodge and trek to Gurung Lodge. The lodge is built along the lines of a traditional Nepalese village. Every room has spectacular views of the surrounding valley and mountains. Trek time to the lodge is 2 hours.

After lunch at the lodge, visit the local village of Tanchok. Take a walk through the village, set among the terraces. The villagers will be very curious about you.

After breakfast, the full day is at leisure for independent activities to explore the surrounding area.

If you want, you can go bird watching and explore the local flora. If you love trekking, then trek to Gurung hill, from where you can view the mountains. While trekking to the viewpoint, admire the view of the surrounding valleys, meet local people, and get an insight into their culture and lifestyle.

After breakfast, check out of the lodge and trek down along the ridge to Lumle (approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes). On reaching Lumle, drive to Pokhara (approximately 40 minutes).

On arrival in Pokhara, transfer to The Pavilions Himalayas Lake View Tented Camp.

In the afternoon, enjoy bird watching in Chisapani Forest and a nature village walk. Spot some unique birds and take in the breathtaking views of the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhre Mountains.

After breakfast, check out of the camp, and transfer to Pokhara Airport to connect for the flight to Kathmandu.

Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to the resort in Dhulikhel (approximately 1 hour).

Spend the rest of the day at leisure admiring the surroundings or indulge in various treatments and activities at the resort (on direct payment).

Early morning, enjoy the stunning sunrise views from the hotel.

After breakfast, visit Namo Buddha (1 – hour drive). Namo Buddha is situated on a hill and is known for the Buddhist monastery. Namo Buddha is an important site to visit in Nepal to learn about the story of Buddha and his various forms.

Return to your hotel for lunch and spend a relaxed afternoon enjoying in – house activities (on direct payment).

After a leisurely breakfast, check out of the resort and transfer back to Kathmandu.

After lunch, the day is free to explore the buzzing Thamel area. Later in the night, you will be assisted and transferred to Kathmandu International Airport to connect for your flight back home.

Day rooms are available at Aloft Hotel, Kathmandu until departure time to the airport.