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.

If we’re not feeling jet-lagged, we can take some time to explore Kathmandu’s medieval backstreets, discover temples dating back to the 16th century, make your way down to Thamel, the main tourist hub in Kathmandu and a great place to dine.  There are myriads of options to choose from like New Orleans Cafe, Rum Doodle, Bear Garden etc just to name a few. Enjoy your evening and get some rest as the adventure begins tomorrow!

Accommodation: Hotel Manaslu

Kathmandu Darbar Square – Swayambhunath – Patan

Your local tour guide will meet you at the hotel and introduce you to the cities of Katmandu Valley. You begin your morning visiting Kathmandu’s main sites, including Durbar Square, Teleju Temple and the House of the Living Goddess. Durbar Square (UNESCO Heritage site), one of the old capitals of the Kathmandu valley, is a synthesis of Hindu and Buddhist temples, stupas and statues, and is often the site of festivals, marriages and other ceremonies. Kathmandu’s Durbar (palace) the heart of the capital was where the city’s kings were once crowned and legitimized, and from where they ruled. Next, you climb the many steps to Swayambhunath (UNESCO Heritage site) known by the name ‘ the monkey temple’ with its commanding views of Kathmandu (at 1420 m), its whitewashed stupas and its unique synthesis of Buddhism and Hinduism. From here you can see the mighty Himalaya rising above the valley. Journey to nearby Patan (UNESCO Heritage site), the city of arts and architecture founded in AD 250 and known for its fine works in bronze, silver and copper. Many of these treasures can be seen in the new Patan Museum. Time permits also visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp to watch a demonstration in carpet weaving.

Accommodation: Hotel Manaslu
Meal: Breakfast

Today you will drive 1 Hrs. 15 min. (34 km) on Araniko Highway to Panauti and en-route you will visit Bhaktapur. The UNESCO-protected Bhaktapur city is a great example of arts and crafts dating to the medieval age. On the other hand Panauti will offer you a great chance to admire not only the architecture, but also wonders of nature.

In Bhaktapur you will explore Bhaktapu Bhaktapur, an important and fascinating World Heritage Site, made up of three large squares filled with shrines, temples and activity; Bhaktapur is the essential Newari city with some of the finest architecture in Nepal. In its heyday (14th-16th centuries) Bhaktapur was the most powerful of the Kathmandu Valley kingdoms and its capital for 300 years. Despite earthquakes and frequent rebuilding, Bhaktapur today retains a medieval feel; its neighborhoods are still caste oriented and centered around the old ponds or tanks (built to store water for drinking, washing and religious ceremonies) and which continue as a social focal point. Local people here are predominantly farmers or engaged in the traditional crafts of pottery, metalwork, art and woodwork which have supported the city since its establishment in the 12th century to service the trade route between Tibet and India and remain active industries. A fascinating place to explore! You will spend about 3 hours here and continue your journey to Panauti.

Panauti was a commercial town in medieval time, but now it is very much at clam. With a very well preserved backwater and a fascinating place to explore with interesting temples and impressive Rana mansions which have been restored. There are 03 rivers including Brahmayani, Roshi & Punyabati. This town was derived from the holy river of Punyabati. Here is metal works and agriculture with beautiful rice terrace, where we can see agriculture base culture & lifestyle. Panauti local people celebrate several festival and fairs here. There are stupas , stone art and temples around with beautiful woodcarvings. Panauti offers the beautiful Hindu Temple i.e. Indreshwor Mahadev (12-13 centuries) which has single plinth base, pagoda type with 03 storied, 03 main gates & 06 tundals. The temple dedicated Shiva destructed god in Hindu pantheon. The festival that is most celebrate is like 12 years Makara Mela, Swosthani Purnima & Shivaratri. After taking time enough to explore your guide will bring you back to Kathamdnu.

Accommodation: Hotel Manaslu
Meal: Breakfast

The Highlights of Nuwakot

Your local guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive to Nuwakot, the best for historical and cultural point of view. About 80 km north of Kathmandu and will take around 3 hrs to arrive Nuwakot which, offers the breathtaking views of the northern Himalayan ranges including Manaslu to Langtang Range. It was once on a major trade route to Tibet, one of the most thriving commercial hubs of Nepal, and regarded as the Western gateway to the Kathmandu valley. You should be arriving to your hotel around lunch time. Rest of the day at leisure & relax. Overnight stay in Nuwakot.

Accommodation:  The Famous Farm
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

After your leisurely breakfast walk to remarkable historical hill town Nuwakot bearing a special importance in the history of Nepal. It was once on a major trade route to Tibet, it has since become one of the most thriving commercial hubs of Nepal, and was by many regarded as the Western gateway to the Kathmandu valley. King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the founder of modern Nepal, planned and launched several unification campaigns from here some 260 years ago. A pagoda style building popularly known as seven-story Nuwakot Palace stands as a landmark of Nuwakot. With strategic hilltop viewpoint, it is rarely frequented yet pristine historical hill town offering the opportunity for learning history and culture.

Seven Story Palace in Nuwakot is the center of attraction for the visitors. It was built in 1762 AD on the name of ”DurgaRatna”. However, it has eventually been renamed and become famous as the Seven Story Palace after fallen of two story in the earthquake of 1934. Strategically placed and impressively built, this palace is of extreme historical importance and is still regarded as a model of architecture. With 5 feet thick walls and towering seven stories above the streets, the palace was built to withstand the strongest of forces.

A testimony to its historical significance is that it was in this Palace that King Rana Bahadur Shah welcomed the British representative, Mr. William Kirkpatrick, in 1793, just after the war between Nepal and China. In addition, here, in 1816 AD, King Gribanyoddha received a letter of credential from Mr. E. Gardner, the first representative of the UK to visit Nepal. The massive quake of 2015 badly hit the palace square locals have initiated campaigns to restore the historic and cultural significance of this landmark. Rangamahal (The Palace of Malla King) and Bhairabi temple are the other attractions. Situated just east of the Seven Story Palace, Rangamahal is made of beautiful oily bricks with fine wooden carvings.

Since Nuwakot was jointly ruled by the Malla kings of the Kathmandu valley, Rangamahal was built for the purpose of a recreation spot for the three kings of the valley. Four story palace is known as Garadghar. It is situated facing the Seven Story palace and is believed that the King Prithvi Narayan Shah built it in 1762 as a Tilingaghar(Store of weapons). Featuring a unique Nepalese architect of Pagoda style, it stands majestically in the town and remains at the center of attraction for the visitors. You can spend enough time in Nuwakaot. If it’s not too much you also have an opportunity of doing the village walk until the Malika hill 1450 m, which offers the wide view of the land terraces along with the distant mountains. You will return to back to your hotel. Rest of the day free for your individual activities.

Accommodation:  The Famous Farm
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

It is a beautiful journey on the Katmandu- Pokhara highway, through Nepal’s middle hills to Astam Village after Pokhara. By making an early start we aim to reach Hana No Le Resort late in the afternoon. En-route, you will make stop in Pokhara for lunch followed with a visit to Pokhara International Mountain Museum. Pokhara itself is one of the most popular tourist spots in Nepal, due to its situation on the lakes, beneath the Annapurna and Fishtail Mountains.

If you want to explore in depth the cultural activities of the country in chronological order, in especially in anthropology, geography, the first pioneers of mountaineering, then this Museum is the right place to go for knowledge. The museum provides a wide range of informative topics, among which you will surely find one that suits you. If time permits, you can visit other important sites in Pokhara. Pokhara is a paradise where you can find many different activities in one place; Phewa Lake invites those who love boating and paragliding. With its gloomy history, David Falls with its underwater waterfall is popular.

Your hotel Hana No Le Resort in Astam Hill, a small mountain village, 17-km apart from Pokhara. It is located on a hillside & you will stay for three nights here.

Accommodation: Hana No Ie Resort
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rest of your two days here in Astam you are free to explore enjoy on your own or with your guide and discovering and Harmonizing with the Tradition and Nature of the middle hills. Hananoie provides several activities so that you can enjoy the Himalaya and the lifestyles of the people here. Your hotel facing to the Himalaya provides 180°panoramic views of 7000-meter class Annapurna range, downhill rivers and villages. Rest of the day free for your own activities.

Accommodation: Hana No Ie Resort
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After your early breakfast drive to Pokhara domestic airport to catch a short flight to Bharatpur in Chitwan (20mins). Upon arrival at the airport you 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, you 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 you. After the lunch you will have a chance to settle in to your 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 kilometres 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
Meal: 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 th e 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 you might want to head to the hammock with your 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. Donot hesitate to ask questions . 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
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

It is a 3-4 hours drive on the east-west highway from Chitwon National Park to Lumbini. By making an early start you will aim to reach Lumbini before Lunch, where you 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.

Accommodation: Lumbini Buddha Garden Lodge
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning you will embark on your day-long drive, westwards towards the Bardia National Park. Although long, it is a very scenic drive that will take us across the terai, through numerous small Nepalese communities and across several ranges of forested hills, including the Churia range. Once again you aim to arrive in Bardia late in the afternoon from where you will transfer to your accommodation at Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge for three nights stay. Rest of your day you spend leisurely.

Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge is located on the periphery of Bardia National Park. An area of extraordinary beauty and abundant wildlife, a visit to Karnali Lodge is a journey of off-the- beaten path adventure.

Accommodation: Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Lodge Operation In-charge will organize your daily activities based on your interest and preferences.

Bardia National Park is the largest national park in the Terai, a beautiful, unspoiled wilderness of sal forest, grassland and alluvial washes cut by the many fingers of the Karnali River. Largely unpopulated, it is often described as what Chitwan National Park was like 30 years ago, before its commercial development. One can raft through the park for hours on end and not encounter another person.

Park Consisting of magnificent Sal and riverine forests, and extensive grasslands, the park’s 936 square kilometers are home to Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, a few Blackbuck, Spotted Deer (Chital), Sambar, Barking and Hog Deers, Nilgai, Wild Boar, Sloth Bear, Serow, Goral, as well as the Marsh Mugger Crocodile and the endangered Gharial. Nearly 400 species of birds occur in the park and during your time here you will hope to find such species as Great Black-headed Gull, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Crested Kingfisher, Wallcreeper, Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Greater Racquet-tailed Drongo and Scaly-bellied Green Woodpecker. Bardia is bounded to the west by the Karnali River, the largest in Nepal, and this enables us to explore the park by raft, as well as by jeep and on foot. A network of game trails in the park allow one to explore the abundant wildlife of the jungle.

Early morning and late afternoon excursions by jeep to remote regions of Bardia offer good chances of glimpsing a , Sloth Bear or wild Elephant as well as large herds of Chital. An inflatable raft trip down to the southern boundary of the park is a tranquil way of viewing the birdlife and water-oriented animals such as Smooth Otters, Marsh Muggers and Gharial Crocodiles. The Karnali River is also one of the best areas in Nepal to view the highly endangered Gangetic River Dolphin. It is also possible to leave the park and cross the Karnali by an impressive, but somewhat out of place, suspension bridge and take a hike up the Karnali Gorge along an old trade route. Here there will be the opportunity to meet traders with their pack trains of sheep and ponies carrying goods from northern Nepal and Tibet.

Accommodation: Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depending on the time of your return flight to Kathmandu, there might be time in the morning for some last minute bird and mammal viewing.

You will make the two hour drive to Nepalgunj Airport, from where we catch your one hour return flight to Kathmandu. If the weather is clear, you will have another opportunity to admire the snow-capped peaks of the Great Himalaya as as you head east past Annapurna, ‘Fishtail’ and Langtang. You will enjoy your last day in Magical Katmandu with plenty of time for shopping in Thamel the main tourist area of Kathmandu. Thamel is a myriad of banners, signs, music shops, bakeries, internet cafes, restaurants, bars, hotels, shops of all imaginable varieties and eccentrically clad backpackers. Or simply enjoy your hotel ambience & relax. In the evening enjoy 6-course dinner at Krishnaarpan Restaurant at Dwarika’s Hotel, one of Katmandu’s excellent Nepali restaurants and farewell.

Accommodation: Hotel Yak & Yeti
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Transfer to airport for your homeward-bound flight.

Meal: Breakfast