The Best-selling Nepal Tour

This morning, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel, and let’s continue our Kathmandu sightseeing. 

Let’s first go to Kathmandu Durbar Square, one of the three Palace Squares in Kathmandu Valley, built from 15th to 19th century AD. The magnificent red-brick and wooden temples, the flying doves, and the chatting or meditating locals, together form a classic scene on the square. Stepping inside the Hanuman Dhoka Royal Palace, you can enjoy a panoramic vista of the whole square from the top of Basantapur Tower, and admire the wood carvings and old stelae.

Then, we’ll walk through the bustling square Indra Chowk to an old Newari traditional market, Asan Bazaar. See the stalls selling saffron and curry powder, discover delicate censers and Buddha beads, and touch the real life of Kathmandu.

★ Hands-on Experience: A Nepali Home-cooking Class

Follow your guide to visit a local family, where the host will warmly invite you to learn how to cook traditional Nepali dishes, such as the classic Nepali dumplings – momo, and dal bhat featuring lentil curry soup with rice. Soon you can unveil the secret of making the stew: simmer the lentils with turmeric, garlic, and cumin. The host will show you how to eat them with the right hand, and will also offer you spoons and forks if you need. 

In the afternoon, let’s drive to visit Patan Durbar Square, the “City of Fine Arts”. Red bricks created the skeletons of the buildings, and the wood carvings, stone sculptures and gilded decorations will take you back to the glamorous eras. Walk to the Golden Temple, and marvel at the brilliant Newari metal art through the golden roofs and bronze statues. Inside its quadrangle, you can see a shimmering three-storied Newari structure, and learn about ancient myths from the gilded carvings of deities. Last, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Ramada Encore by Wyndham Kathmandu Thamel (4 stars), or Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu (5 stars)

After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel for your private car transfer to the airport, where you’ll take a 1-hour flight to Pokhara, the second largest city of Nepal. Upon arrival, your local guide and driver will pick you up and escort you to your hotel. 

After a short rest, your guide will accompany you on a leisurely walk at Pokhara town, where cattle and motorcycles share the alleys among colorful buildings. If it’s sunny, you can look up to the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. Then, let’s hop on a brightly colored Doonga wooden boat on Phewa Lake, the “heart” of Pokhara city. Floating on the peaceful lake, you can admire the elegant views of Mt. Annapurna and Mt. Fishtail in the distance, and see their reflections shattered by fish in the water. Let’s land on the small island in the lake and visit Barahi Temple, dedicated to the Hindu guardian goddess, Barahi. You may encounter local women offering coconuts, flowers and butter lamps to the goddess. After the boat tour, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel. 

► Recommended Activity (at your own expense)
Paragliding is one of the most popular experiences in Pokhara. It can be a memorable adventure to enjoy sweeping views of the lake, rice terraces and mountains. The best time is from October to April, and the cost is generally around NPR 8,500 (USD 56) for a 20 to 30 minutes’ flight. If interested, you can book it from a licensed local operator by the lake or via your hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Soaltee Westend Lakeside, Pokhara (4 stars), or Hotel Pokhara Grande (5 stars)

It is recommended to get up early this morning, and your guide and driver will accompany you to Sarangkot Hill, the highest point of Pokhara Basin, for a splendid sunrise over the Himalayas! From the viewpoint, you can enjoy the awe-inspiring scenery of the Annapurna mountains, and watch them turn golden red one by one as the sun rises.

After that, return to your hotel for breakfast, and then visit Bindhyabasini Temple with your guide. The Hindu goddess Bindhyabasini is enshrined here. It’s said that in the 18th century AD, the King sent people to bring a statue of the goddess back from India. While returning, they made a stop at the spot where we are now, but couldn’t move the statue the next day! The King thought it was the goddess’ wish and thus built a temple here.

Next, let’s visit the World Peace Pagoda, jointly constructed by the Buddhist communities of Japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. 
► For Your Information: If you wish to add an easy hiking experience, we can arrange a 1 to 2-hour hike down from the World Peace Pagoda to Phewa Lake. It’s up to you and based on your physical condition. There is no additional cost for this activity. 

Then, let’s head to Devi’s Fall, where the water pours down from the cliff, and disappears in the dark caves below. The underground river connects the fall with Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, Pokhara’s largest limestone cave, and eventually flows into Seti River. Going down the red spiral staircase to the cave, we’ll admire the dramatic stalactites and stalagmites, and see water fall into the cave. It’s slippery and damp inside, so please watch your steps. 

Your lunch will be served at a notable restaurant. In the afternoon, let’s visit a local school and get an insight into Nepal’s education system. If we happen to meet their holidays or festivals, we’ll visit the International Mountain Museum instead. Our last stop is Lake Begnas, the “breathing lake” known by the locals. This uncommercialized haven is surrounded by verdant mountains, with locals strolling or picnicking around. After that, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Soaltee Westend Lakeside, Pokhara (4 stars), or Hotel Pokhara Grande (5 stars)

After breakfast, get ready to leave for Chitwan National Park with your guide and driver. As the first royal reserve in Nepal, Chitwan National Park harbors precious wild animals and birds, including the endangered one-horned rhinoceros and Bengal tigers. The road trip takes 6 to 7 hours. Looking out of the car window, you can see the views shifting from terraced fields to tropical forests. It can get a bit bumpy during the ride, so take medicine if you are prone to carsickness.

Upon arrival, your guide will assist you with hotel check-in. For the rest of the day, you are free to have a good rest for your safari tomorrow, or rent a bicycle to explore the surroundings on your own. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Park Safari Resort (Jungle Resort) (4 stars), or Soaltee Westend Resort Chitwan (5 stars)

Today, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel for your full day safari in Chitwan National Park!

★ 5 Adrenaline-Fueled Adventures in Chitwan National Park

1. Early morning is the right time for bird watching! Pay attention to the kingfishers, whose long, red beak and striking blue plumage make them even more adorable. 

2. A cool jeep safari is also waiting for you! Grab your binoculars and discover spotted deer and wild peacocks. If lucky, you may encounter the endangered one-horned rhinos. As large herbivores, they won’t attack people. 

3. Enjoy a canoeing trip! Sit on a long, narrow traditional canoe, and listen to the sound of the paddle slicing through the water. Perhaps all of a sudden, you may find yourself face to face with a gharial crocodile.

4. Take an exciting jungle walk! Your guide will show you how to tell the traces of rhinos, deer and elephants through the droppings, urine trails, and claw marks. Always keep quiet as the animals may be surprisingly within reach.

5. Prepare to watch elephant bathing! You’ll have a chance to interact with them, and gently touch their rough skin.

► Warm Tips
1. Wear a mask while taking the open-top jeep in case it’s too dusty. 
2. Be sure to take sun protection, and bring insect repellent to protect from mosquitoes and leeches.

Late in the afternoon, follow your guide into a Tharu village, where you’ll watch a featured Tharu stick dance. There is no special stage but a wide-open space, and the villagers passionately dance around a bonfire and tap with their sticks. Join them to enjoy this beautiful night. Finally, your guide and driver will escort you back to your resort. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Park Safari Resort (Jungle Resort) (4 stars), or Soaltee Westend Resort Chitwan (5 stars)

This morning, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel for a 6-hour private car ride back to Kathmandu.

After arrival, we’ll visit another palace square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, where the red-walled temples, the alleys of pottery, and the old residences are well preserved, unspoiled by urbanization. Visit Kumari Temple, the house of Nepal’s living goddess, or specifically, the young girl who meets the 32 conditions of being the embodiment of the city’s guardian deity. Around 4 pm, you may get a glimpse of the serious yet innocent little girl. Besides, if time permits, we’ll explore the Dattatreya Temple, Nepal’s only temple that enshrines the trinity god - Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Afterward, you guide and driver will accompany you to your hotel in Kathmandu.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ramada Encore by Wyndham Kathmandu Thamel (4 stars), or Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu (5 stars)

Today, your guide and driver will escort you to Kathmandu Airport according to your onward flight schedule, and then see you off there. We wish you a safe journey!

Meal: Breakfast