All of Nepal Himalayas In One Adventure

You can apply for a Nepal visa on arrival. Currently, a 15-day valid visa costs $25 and requires one picture. After clearing immigration and custom, you can meet your guide and driver at the arrival gate and transfer to the hotel in the city.

You will have time to settle into your room before we leave for sightseeing. We start with the 2,000-year-old Swayambhunath Stupa atop an 80-meter-high hillock in the western part of the city, a shrine to the evolution of Kathmandu Valley and its civilization. Then to Durbar Square of Kathmandu, in the heart of the old town. The Durbar Square includes the former Royal Palace complex and a cluster of ancient and medieval temples, all rich in art and architecture. We visit the Kumari House, the residence of the Living Goddess of Nepal. The last earthquake in Apr 2015 destroyed the palace, and some temples here and restoration works are currently underway, but there are quite a few other monuments to see around.

We’ll walk through the vibrant markets of Indrachowk and Assan, then to Thamel, the tourist hub of Kathmandu, and home to all manner of budget accommodations, restaurants, and curio shops.

Our day ends in a typical Nepali restaurant, for a welcome dinner and folklore dancing.

Optional: Everest view flight for $215, including airport transfer. It is a one-hour long flight that takes you over the Everest region and offers an eye-level view of majestic peaks, including Mount Everest. The flight is usually early morning, and booking is required.

After breakfast, we proceed for the exploration of the valley. Today, we visit  Bhaktapur, Pashupatinath, and Boudhanath Stupa.

Bhaktapur is the best preserved of the three medieval principalities of Kathmandu Valley. We enter the city from its eastern gate and walk through the pottery street and arrive at Dattatreya Square with an ancient temple and a monastic complex. All the houses and temples exhibit beautiful wood carving. The peacock window of Pujarimath Complex is the masterpiece wood carving in Nepal. Continuing on the brick-paved street, we arrive at Taumadhi Square where rises an impressive five-storied Nyatapola Temple that survived two major earthquakes of Nepal. Finally, we enter the Bhaktapur's Durbar Square that constitutes the former palace and many temples with intricate wood carving and beautiful stone sculpture. The Golden Gate-the main entrance is the masterpiece metalwork of Nepal. We will visit the palace museum, the courtyard and the Royal Bath Tank of the palace complex.

Next stop will be at Pashupatinath Temple- the holiest Hindu Temple of Nepal. The temple sits on the bank of sacred Bagmati River which is also one of the tributaries of holy Ganges. Admission to the main temple sanctum is for Hindus only, but you can view the temple and activities in its courtyard from another side of the river.

The final stop of the day is at Boudhanath Stupa- which is claimed to be the tallest Buddhist stupa in Asia! The stupa is believed to be one of the "must visit" site for all Buddhists in their lifetime. Several monasteries belong to different schools of Buddhism. The area is predominantly Tibetan and reminds of Barkhor area of Tibet.

We will have an early morning breakfast and then transfer to the rafting put-in point (about 3-hours drive from Kathmandu). We’ll get a briefing from the rafting guide about the river, paddling, and safety techniques before we set off. All equipment, such as life vest, helmet, dry bags, spray suits, and booties, is included. Depending on the water level, the rafting trip lasts in two and a half to four hours, plus we will have an hour break for picnic lunch by the riverside. The river, with rapids between Class II to III, will be rewarding for both beginners and rafting enthusiasts. 
We meet our transport at the rafting finish point and then transfer to Bandipur - a small medieval-looking town on the mountain slope. 

On clear weather, Bandipur offers spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains. 
After breakfast, we proceed for sightseeing and exploration. We first visit the Khadga Devi Temple, the most sacred and auspicious temple in Bandipur. Then we head up to the Martyrs Memorial Area, which honors seven men from Bandipur - killed during the anti-Rana revolt of 1951 and then down to the shrine of Paarpani Mahadev (Shiva). This Shrine is significant because it is he who receives appeals for rain from Bandipurays during dry spells. We return to the bazaar along the main trail and visit the two other famous 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 exciting tour-and-talk on the history and method of silk-harvesting in the Nepali hills.

After breakfast, we leave for Pokhara (40 miles, 3-hours). Pokhara, situated in the lap of western Himalaya, is often referred to as the capital of nature! 

We spend the rest of the day exploring the local attractions. We will enjoy a boating trip in Lake Fewa to visit the Island temple of Goddess Barahi. Fewa Lake is the second largest lake of Nepal (Rara Lake in Mugu District is the largest) and is the foremost attraction of Pokhara.
Next, we visit the Bindhebasini Temple, the most famous religious shrine for rituals and worships for Hindu devotees. This white dome-like structure dominates a spacious courtyard built atop a shady hillock. It is dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati, a manifestation of goddess Durga. The verdant grounds make a little picnic area. On Saturdays and Tuesdays devotees flock there to offer sacrifices and it takes on a festive scene.

Next, we stop in Pokhara's colorful traditional Old Bazaar, with its ethnically diverse traders. The temples and monuments show a close architectural connection with the Newari styles of Kathmandu valley. The market area is full of shops selling commodities ranging from edibles to cloth to cosmetics to gold. It is a pleasant and shady spot to stroll around.

We will visit the startling gorge of Seti River at Mahendrapul. This place provides a perfect view of the river’s surging rush and deep canyon created by its powerful flow. Amazingly, at specific areas, the river appears hardly two meters wide. However, its depth is quite beyond imagination, over 20 meters.

Nearby is the Gurkha Memorial Museum. Gurkha or Gorkha is the term referred to the Nepalese soldiers known for their bravery. The museum commemorates that bravery and the accomplishments of the Gurkha regiments. Aided by sound effects, the museum displays Gurkha history from the 19th-century Indian Uprising, through two World Wars to current-day disputes and peace-keeping missions. And with a fascinating display on the Victoria Cross medal winner Gurkhas!
Depending on available time and interest, we may or may not visit all the attractions listed above.

Following breakfast, meet your trekking guide and porters. There will be a briefing about the accommodation and facilities in the mountains and the trip. We will then travel by car with our crew, to Nayapul, the trailhead for the trekking. The trail sometimes goes along a ridgeline in the lower foothills of the Annapurnas with panoramic views of the Pokhara Valley. It then drops to Modi Khola Valley (Khola means river), where our Sanctuary Lodge is located. The location of the lodge serves as a perfect viewpoint for Mount Machhapuchhre (which means fishtail).

Following a picnic lunch, we can explore Birethanti, a small village set at the foot of the Modi Khola Valley at around 1,100 meters. (Trek time, three to four hours).

(4620ft./ 1,400m) (2nd day of trekking)

Following a leisurely breakfast, we leave the Sanctuary Lodge and head out to Gurung Lodge in Majgaun, approximately 2 hours of easy walking away. 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 can visit Tanchok Village with its house-turned-ethnic museum dedicated to sharing the daily life and culture of the villagers. We can also visit a local school, meet the children and teachers, and learn about the school system. Children love to try their English with visitors.

(5000 ft. /1525 m). (3rd day of trekking)

We will enjoy breakfast with splendid views of the mountains and the surroundings in the morning and then re-join the trail through the unspoiled village of Patlekhet. The trail goes through sub-tropical forests that include tree orchids, rhododendrons and magnolias, a variety of birdlife, and incredible mountain views. Trekkers in the spring will enjoy 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 four hours or a little less, we arrive at the Basanta Lodge in Dhampus. The lodge is centered around an old Gurung village house and offers sweeping views of the entire Annapurna Range. After lunch at the lodge, we might go for a free walk in the village or relax at the lodge gazing the mountains and terraced landscape.

(2919 ft. /890 m) (Fourth and last day of trekking)

The last day of the trekking is easy and short, less than two hours. 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 drive to Pokhara, just 45 minutes away. On the way, we might stop in Tibetan refugee camp and visit its Buddhist monastery.

Check-in hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure.

After breakfast, we leave for Chitwan National Park. It's a scenic road trip for about 5 hours or a little more.

Chitwan National Park is the first national park of Nepal and is recognized by UNESCO as the World Heritage Site. The park covers an area of 360 square miles and has diverse flora and fauna. The park has Royal Bengal Tiger; leopard, sloth bear; Great One Horned Rhinoceros; four species of deer, including the Sambar; wild boar; two species of monkeys; two species of crocodiles; and more than 600 species of resident and migratory birds.

After lunch and followed by some rest, your guide will take you for a nearby Tharu Village tour. Tharu people are the aboriginal inhabitants of Chitwan, and many of them still follow their centuries-old lifestyle and traditions.

Evening time is to relax in the riverside deck and watch the sunset. You may also see rhinoceros and other wildlife in the riverside. Before dinner, there will be a slideshow presentation on flora and fauna of the park.

Chitwan National Park is the first national park of Nepal and is recognized by UNESCO as the World Heritage Site. The park covers an area of 360 square miles and has diverse flora and fauna. The park has Royal Bengal Tiger; leopard, sloth bear; Great One Horned Rhinoceros; four species of deer, including the Sambar; wild boar; two species of monkeys; two species of crocodiles; and more than 600 species of resident and migratory birds.

Based on the season and availability, our activity options include an elephant safari, nature walk, and canoeing trip. Most commonly sighted animals are rhinoceros, deer, monkeys, wild boar, and crocodiles.

We may also visit the Gharial Conservation Project based in the park headquarter.

Early in the morning, we can take an hour-long bird watching tour to see what we can of those 600 different species of resident and migratory birds. Within one hour, we will certainly be able to spot more than 30 different species of birds before we pack up for our flight back to Kathmandu.

Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, you are met and transferred to the hotel. Balance of the day is open to pursuing your interests.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in time for your flight to next destination.