After passing through Customs and Immigration at Kathmandu airport, Nepal's only international airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your luxury hotel.
The remainder of the day is at leisure.
In the evening enjoy your first experience of Nepalese food in the hotel's restaurants.
Overnight in Kathmandu
Kathmandu (population of 1.5 million) is the capital of Nepal and is easily the country’s biggest and most cosmopolitan city: a melting pot of a dozen ethnic groups. Regarded by many as an 'open-air museum', Kathmandu is home to seven of Nepal's ten World Heritage sites., and rich in history, culture, and temples. Kathmandu is the political, commercial, and cultural hub of Nepal a
Today, after breakfast you will be guided to some of the outstanding sights, including the famous Durbar Square, one of the country’s most significant. Built between the 12th and 18th centuries by the Malla kings, the durbar or plaza, with its palaces, courtyards, and temples is a daily exhibition of the symbiosis of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Tantrism, which pervades Nepalese culture.
Another of these sites could be the Swayambhunath, allegedly the oldest shrine in the world, reached by climbing 400 steps. There are vast panoramic views of the city from this 5th-century temple stupa.
And then there is the temple of Pashupatinath, on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. with its beautiful architecture and spinning prayer wheels. From there you could move to the impressive 14th century Bouddhanath Stupa, one of the holiest of Nepal’s Buddhist sites. in these settings, your guide will be able to give you an insight into Nepal's Buddhism as well as the local thangka art which is an intricate and very detailed painting depicting different gods and deities.
Another option (at your own expense) would be a flight over the city and local mountain ranges. From a small aircraft or helicopter memorable views of snow-capped peaks, glaciers and valleys can be seen and even Mt Everest.
Dinner in your hotel
Overnight in Kathmandu
After a leisurely breakfast, your exposure to the delights of Kathmandu and its surrounds will continue.
Your guide will take you to Lalitpur (Patan) to the south of Kathmandu, for the day, an ancient city in its own right, with interesting arts and architecture.
Visit Patan's Durbar Square with its palaces, shrines, and temples bustling with orange-clad sadhus, pilgrims and flower sellers (durbar squares are a generic term for the plazas opposite Nepalese royal palaces and can be found throughout the country).
There will be the opportunity to explore many of Patan's historic monuments including the Hiranya Verna Mahabihar (the Golden Temple), Krishna Mandir, the Royal Baths, and Mahaboudha.
The Patan Museum, housed in a beautifully restored Malla palace, has exhibitions of Nepal's cultural heritage and art history, including metalwork and sculptures from Hindu and Buddhist deities, typical of Patan’s traditions.
Overnight in Kathmandu
Today, after breakfast, you will leave Kathmandu and you will be taken by your guide to Dhulikhel.
On the way, you will stop in the enchanting 9th-century, fortified city of Bhaktapur, also known as the 'City of Devotees'. You will have the opportunity to watch the locals in the town square and study the Palace of Fifty-Five Windows amongst some stunning architecture.
From Bhaktapur, you will travel on to Dhulikhel, an ancient Newari town nestled in the foothills of the Pachkhal Valley (the newars are the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu district).
Check in to your hotel and relax.
Dinner in your hotel
Overnight in Dulikhel
Wake to spectacular sunrise views over the great Himalayan ranges. After a sumptuous breakfast, embark on a morning hike through rural hamlets, forests and rice paddies to Balthali village. Enjoy true Nepalese hospitality in a village home for lunch, before returning to Dwarika’s Resort.
This afternoon, explore your way with a choice of activities (additional charge). You can discover the charm of rural life along the walking trails, venture into the forest to seek out native birds and medicinal herbs or learn about Nepalese terrace farming at a local organic farm.
Return to Kathmandu and fly to Bharatpur and take the scenic drive to Chitwan National Park, Nepal’s most famous wildlife reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive at your safari lodge, where rustic villas face the rushing Rapti river and the forest beyond.
After lunch, glide down the Rapti River by canoe taking in beautiful views and enjoy the unique eco system around the river and flood plains. Keep your camera ready for rhino, gharial and exotic birdlife while naturalists explain the world around the water. Later, enjoy sundowners on the riverbank.
Leave the wildlife sanctuary behind and drive to Bharatpur for flight to Pokhara, an enchanting town in the foothills of magnificent Mt Machhapucchre. Visit the nearby Tibetan Refugee Camp for a fascinating insight into Tibetan life.
Continue to the Pavilions Himalaya Resort in a tranquil valley alongside a meandering river. Relax at your villa, inhale the clean mountain air, and enjoy one of the finest mountain panoramas in the world before a delicious dinner at your hotel
Rise early and drive to the hilltop village of Sarangkot, balanced on the mountainside ridge at an altitude of 1,600m, for a breathtaking sunrise over the Annapurna range.
Return to your resort for breakfast and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Stroll through the maze of markets and stall of Pokhara, soak in the views of peaceful Lake Phewa at one of the many cafes or for the more adventurous, Pokhara is one of the best places in the world to try paragliding.
Leave your Himalaya resort behind and fly to Kathmandu. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring at your own pace. Perhaps take a cycle rickshaw through Ason Market one of the region’s oldest and most famous bazaars, meander through markets to pick up some last-minute mementos, visit Durbar Square and the gilded roofs of Teleju Temple, or simply unwind in the luxury of your hotel.
arewell Nepal as you transfer privately to the airport for your onward journey.
