Welcome to Nepal! Upon arrival in Kathmandu a travel-to-nature Asia guide/representative will be at the airport to greet and take us to our hotel. Please look out for your name-card once you exit out of arrival area.

Time permits, explore Kathmandu’s medieval streets, including buildings dating as far back as the 16th century or you might go for a walk to Thamel – the main tourist hub in Katmandu and explore the area followed with dinner in a nice restaurant.

Accommodation: Hotel Yak & Yeti

Baudhanath – Pashupatinath – Bhaktapur

Weather permitting, we may start our day with an optional scenic mountain flight over the Himalaya to view Mt. Everest and many eastern ranges of Himalayas.

Visit Boudhanath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, where you observe Buddhist monks praying in the monasteries surrounding the stupa. After Boudhanath Stupa visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here we see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats.

Then the next highlight awaits us, the Royal City of Bhaktapur, a showcase of medieval Nepalese town life and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the Golden Gate to the Durbar square you stroll through the medieval bazar and labyrinthine streets, notice the many ornately carved windows for which the town is famous. Potters produce pottery in the open air. The rest of our time in Kathmandu is free for further exploration and some last-minute shopping in Thamel area near by your hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Yak & Yeti
Meal: Breakfast

After your leisurely breakfast drive to Kathmandu domestic airport to catch a short flight to Bharatpur in Chitwan (25 mins). Upon arrival at the airport we will be received by Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge representative  to the lodge at the edge of the Chitwon national Park arriving in time for lunch.

Arriving at the gate to Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge, we will be met by Tiger Tops staff with a welcome drink in the dining hall. Continue to the garden where the lunch will be waiting for us. After the lunch we will have a chance to settle in to our rooms and explore the lodge grounds – our large swimming pool beckons temptingly and it is easy to while away a sunny afternoon swimming and reading with a cool drink in hand. After tea and biscuts in the main area, we suggest you take a stroll to the Narayani river with the resident elephants and one of the  naturalists and watch the family of elephants bathe and frolic while you enjoy your sundowners. Return to the lodge for hot showers and cold drinks before dinner.

The Royal Chitwan National Park comprises 932 square kilometers of Sal and riverine jungle, a magnificent environment which contains a greater variety of wildlife than any other area of Nepal. Over 500 species of birds have been recorded here, as well as many mammals, reptiles and numerous insects. Mammals are likely to include the endangered Indian Rhinoceros, Wild Boar, Sambar, Muntjac, Spotted and Hog Deer, Rhesus and Hanuman Monkeys, whilst reptiles we may encounter include Marsh Mugger Crocodile and the fish-eating Gharial. Leopards, Sloth Bears, and Gaur (wild bison) are all fairly common and occasionally seen by the lucky ones! Chitwan has the largest population of Tigers in Nepal and although never easy to locate, we do have a chance of coming across one of these magnificent cats, especially in the evening when they are at their most active.

Accommodation : Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast is served al fresco beneath the shady mango trees – fresh fruit , yoghurt , eggs and bacon to get the day off to a perfect start. After breakfast, prepare for a river safari in the Narayani river. The outing commences with a nature walk or bullock cart ride through the riverine forest, followed by a scenic float down the river. Cruising on the wide expanse of the river, pockets of rapids propel the boats along as gentle waves lap at the sides. Sitting inside a hand – carved boat , keep your eyes peeled for a variety of birdlife and wildlife . Top of the list is the endangered fish – eating Gharial crocodile and its more sinister relative, the Marsh – Mugger.

A Nepali – style lunch will be served back at the Lodge , after which we might want to head to the hammock with a book for relaxation. Later in the afternoon , when the weather is cooler and the animals become active, meet with our naturalist for a jeep safari in the national park to get a taste of the jungle. We can ask questions without hesitation . The in-house  naturalist are extremely knowledgeable on the animals and the history of Chitwan National Park. During the safari you will encounter wildlife such as different species deer, birds, monkeys, and the endangered one – horned rhinoceros and hopefully the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger.

Accommodation: Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Buddha – the Light of Asia

It is a 3-4 hours drive on the east-west highway from Chitwon National Park to Lumbini. By making an early start we will aim to reach Lumbini before lunch, where we will transfer to Lumbini Buddha Garden Lodge for one night stay. This lodge offers simple en-suite rooms and is set in grassland habitat where there is some very good birdwatching – Sarus Cranes are found here, so be sure to have your binoculars ready!

Lumbini is located in the south-central Terai of Nepal and situated in the foothills of the Himalayas. For millions of Buddhists the world over, Lumbini evokes the kind of holy sentiment akin to the significance of Jerusalem to Christians and Mecca to Muslims. Lumbini is the place where Lord Buddha – the apostle of peace, and the Light of Asia – was born in 623 BC. The site (Lumbini Grove) was described as a ‘beautiful garden’ in the Buddha’s time and still retains its legendary charm and beauty. Recently, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site.

The farmlands of Lumbini have been identified as an important bird area, having high biodiversity and ecosystems unique to Nepal. Bird specialties include Sarus Crane, Lesser Adjutant, and Indian Spotted Eagle. Mammals that can be seen here include Nilgai Atilope, Asiatic Golden Jackal, Jungle Cat, and Grey Mongoose.

Overnight: Lumbini Buddha Garden Lodge
Meal: Breakfast

It is a beautiful 6-7 hour drive on the east-west highway from Lumbini to Pokhara. Although tiring, it is also a scenic journey and well worth it. Driving through the terai of lowland and middle hills of Nepal you will pass through a numerous of villages with incredible landscape.

We will stop for lunch at the beautiful town of Tansen. It is a hill station in Western Nepal overlooking the valley of Kaligandaki River to the North. This ancient hill town of Tansen offers a more tranquil atmosphere where the time moves slowly. The cobbled streets of the Tansen offers the lifestyle of people which is quite different from the city life.  The landscape rises from 250 to 2000 m in elevation and is home to different flora and fauna. It offers a panoramic view of high Himalayas from west to east such as Kanjiroba, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Mansiri, Ganesh and Langtang. 

Late afternoon we walk along the shores of the Phewa lake allowing us to enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Pokhara valley or sit and relax in a cafe with a book in front of  nice lake view restaurant. Overnight stay in Pokhara.

Accommodation: Fish Tail Lodge
Meal: Breakfast

Sarangkot – Himalayan Sunrise

Rise early in the morning, about 45 minutes drive up and 25 minutes hike take you to the top of Sarangkot, the brilliant viewpoint provides you an unobstructed sunrise over the high Himalayas and the wide range of spectacular panoramic scenery and close views of many mountains like Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, including views of the beautiful Pokhara Valley and Phewa Lake. Back to your hotel for breakfast.

After our leisurly breakfast transfer to the airport to catch our flight back to Katmandu. During our half an hour flight the view of the mighty Himalayan range, including the Annapurna, Ganesh, Langtang and Manasulu will be a life time experience. The remainder of our day is at leisure to explore this fabled city on our own and do some shopping.

Accommodation: Hotel Yak & Yeti
Meal: Breakfast

Transfer to airport for your homeward-bound flight.

Optional tour of Budhaneelakanta Temple if our flight is leaving in the afternoon.

Budhaneelakanta temple is located north edge of Katmandu Valley. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Vishnu (Narayan) Jalasayana, lying on Ananta Sesa, in the cosmic ocean. The Deity is over 1,000 years old. Lord Vishnu is about 5m (17 ft) long and is lying in a 13m (43 ft) long tank, as if floating, with His legs crossed. His four hands hold the four symbols of Vishnu: the chakra (disc), club, and conch-shell and lotus flower.

Meal: Breakfast