Nepal Highlights Tour

Detail Itinerary

• Day 1Kathmandu (Bhaktapur) arrival It’s arrival day today and a representative will meet you at the airport. You will be transferred to our hotel in Bhaktapur. There will be a tour meeting tonight at 6pm followed by dinner in Bhaktapur. Overnight in Bhaktapur. Included meals – dinner.
• Day 2BhaktapurKathmandu consists of three towns – Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. Each of these have UNESCO world heritage listed areas which preserve the history and architecture of the area. Bhaktapur is possibly the most well preserved of these ancient cities with temple studded squares, narrow streets winding between red brick houses and hidden courtyards filled with temples and statues. Part of the charm of Bhaktapur is that it is free from traffic as it’s streets are mostly pedestrian. It’s also famous for it’s pottery and the pottery square is filled with drying pots and open kilns.
  This morning we will watch the sunrise from the rooftop of our hotel and after breakfast we start our morning sightseeing tour with our city guide. We spend the morning sightseeing and visiting the temples and palaces of Bhaktapur. In the late afternoon we visit the World Heritage listed temple of Changu Narayan. It is the oldest temple in the Kathmandu Valley and sits on a hill above the valley surrounded by rice fields and farmland. Overnight in Bhaktapur. Included meals – breakfast.
  
• Day 3Bhaktapur - Nagarkot We travel by private mini-bus today to Nagarkot, it is a 1 hour drive just to the north of Bhaktapur on the hills surrounding the Kathmandu Valley. It’s a scenic drive through picturesque farmland overlooking the Kathmandu Valley. On arrival in Nagarkot we can explore the area, walk through local villages and just relax and soak up the views over the Kathmandu Valley and also the Langtang Range of snow capped peaks to the north. Overnight in Nagarkot. Included meals – breakfast.
• Day 4Nagarkot – Trisuli River rafting - Chitwan Before breakfast we will drive to the water tower sunrise viewpoint where we can enjoy beautiful views of the snow capped peaks of the Langtang range before returning to our hotel for breakfast. From here we head off to the Trisuli River to do a bit of white water rafting. Rafting is a fun and exciting diversion to our photography and we spend the morning paddling through valleys of terraced farms and small hamlets before stopping for a picnic lunch. After lunch we drive for 2-3 hours to Chitwan. It is located to the south near the border of India in the Terai (lowlands). Chitwan National park consists of 932 square km’s of virgin forest, grasslands and lakelands. It is the home of the one horned rhinoceros and also the Bengal tiger (rare) along with many species of deer, sloth bear, crocodiles, birds and many other wildlife. Overnight in Sauraha. Included meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Day 5Chitwan National Park Today we start the day with an early morning elephant safari through the jungle, we can enjoy watching the swirling mist rise through the thick jungle canopy and hopefully spot some rhino’s and other wildlife. From here it’s back to the hotel for breakfast. After this we can enjoy a bullock cart ride to a nearby village where we have the chance to meet and photograph some of the friendly locals and get a look at traditional village life. In the afternoon we embark on a canoe trip along the river. It’s a great chance to spot some crocodiles and bird life along the river. We end our trip at the elephant breeding center where we can see the elephants coming in for the evening and being fed and cared for by their handlers. In the evening we have a traditional dinner followed by a cultural show performed by local tribesmen. Overnight in Sauraha. Included meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Day 6Chitwan National Park This morning we have a sunrise breakfast picnic at the 20,000 lakes. We travel here by jeep and have the opportunity to watch the mist rise from the lakes as the sun rises in the morning. After breakfast we continue with a jeep safari through the park where we have the opportunity to spot some wildlife along the way. From here we travel back to our hotel where we have the rest of the day free to just relax. Or we may have the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the friendly elephants by helping bathe them in the river. Overnight in Sauraha. Included meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Day 7Chitwan - Bandipur After breakfast we travel to Bandipur for around 2-3 hours. Bandipur is a beautiful mountain town located on a hill with incredible views over the Himalayas and the surrounding area. It features historic Newari style traditional houses as it was once on the trans-himalayan trade route and there are no vehicles which spoil it’s quaint cobble stone streets. After having lunch we can have a stroll around this village and talk to the friendly locals. At sunset we can visit the oval viewpoint where we can watch the sunset over the valley with the peaks of the Himalayas prominent above. Overnight in Bandipur. Included meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Day 8Bandipur - PokharaBefore dawn we have the opportunity to walk to a hill above the town which is the home of a small temple. From here we can enjoy the first light glinting on the Himalayas to the north as well as the rising of the mist in the valley tinged with the first golden rays of the sun.
  After breakfast back at our hotel we travel by vehicle to Pokhara. Pokhara is a beautiful lakeside town that although touristy is very charming and laid back. Nestled by a picturesque lake with the Annapurna Range in close proximity dominating the views. We have the afternoon free to just relax or explore. At sunset it’s a great idea to head down to the lake to capture a beautiful sunset with the colorful boats dominating the scene. Overnight in Pokhara. Included meals – breakfast.
  
• Day 9PokharaWe start the day with sunrise at Sarangkot. This popular viewpoint features incredible views of the mountain ranges of the Himalayas to the north. Particularly iconic is the sight of Mt Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and the peaks of the Annapurna’s. Here we can watch the sunrise light up the snow capped peaks before enjoying breakfast and a little walk around to explore the area. From here we can visit the Tibetan Refugee camps and also to Devi’s Falls. In the afternoon we head out on a boat trip on the lake where we can further enjoy the views of the mountains reflected in it’s tranquil waters. Overnight in Pokhara. Included meals – breakfast.
• Day 10Pokhara to Kathmandu by bus 6 hrs This morning we return to Kathmandu by bus. It is a nice drive along the highway with beautiful countryside and villages along the way. On arrival in Kathmandu we have some time for a rest before heading out to SwayambhunathStupa (Monkey Temple), located on a hill in the northwest of the valley it features steep stairs on the way up. Swayambhunath is a significant site for both Buddhists and Hindus and has wonderful views of the city below. The stupa is magnificent with it’s stark white base with shiny golden top and striking Buddha eyes. We have the chance to capture the last light on the stupa, the sunset over the valley and hopefully the stupa as it is lit up in the evening. Overnight in Kathmandu. Included meals – breakfast.
• Day 11Kathmandu sightseeing Our sightseeing starts in the late morning when we can walk through the labyrinth of narrow streets past the local markets selling vegetables and local wares. Our destination is the Kathmandu Durbar Square and the Hanuman Dokha (the Royal Palace). We can wander through and see the ancient temples, see the home of the Kumari Princess and enjoy tea in one of the rooftop café’s watching the activity below. After lunch we travel to Pashupatinath – it is one of the most important places for Hindu’s in Nepal and is a popular pilgrimage place. This is where the cremation pyres are situated and we can witness a cremation on the banks of the river that flows through here. Equally enjoyable (and very photogenic) is the chance to take photo’s of colorful sadhu’s with their painted faces, colorful garb and dreadlocked hair. We end the day at Boudhanathstupa. This is a very important place for Tibetan pilgrims and we can marvel at this magnificent stupa as well as visit the monasteries that surround it. At sunset we have the opportunity to watch the sun setting with the magnificent vista of the stupa and the surrounding city from one of the rooftop café’s. Overnight in Kathmandu.Included meals – breakfast.
• Day 12Departure Day Today our trip ends. You will be escorted to the airport for your flight by one of our representatives. Included meals – breakfast.