Explore Nepal Tour

With a licensed city guide, we begin at Kathmandu Durbar Square, the old royal palace complex of the Malla and Shah kings and home of the Kumari, the living goddess. Next we climb to Swayambhunath, the hilltop stupa with sweeping valley views and resident monkeys. After lunch we visit Pashupatinath, Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple on the banks of the Bagmati River; non-Hindus view the main shrine from the opposite bank. We end at Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world, joining pilgrims on their evening circuit. Overnight in Kathmandu.

This morning we cross the Bagmati River to Patan, the city of fine arts, where the Krishna Mandir, the Golden Temple and the Patan Museum show Newar craftsmanship at its best. We continue east to Bhaktapur, the best-preserved of the valley's three royal cities, to see the five-storey Nyatapola Temple, the 55-Window Palace and the potters at work in Pottery Square. Try juju dhau, the city's famous curd. Late in the afternoon we drive about an hour up to Nagarkot on the valley rim for sunset over the Himalaya. Overnight in Nagarkot.

Rise early for sunrise from Nagarkot, when the first light catches a long line of peaks including the Langtang and Ganesh Himal ranges. After breakfast we follow a gentle trail of about 3 hours, mostly downhill, through terraced farmland and small villages to Changu Narayan, one of the oldest Hindu temples in Nepal and the seventh of the valley's World Heritage monument zones. Travellers who prefer not to walk can drive instead. From here it is a short drive back to Kathmandu, with the afternoon free for shopping or rest. Overnight in Kathmandu.

We leave Kathmandu after breakfast and follow the Prithvi Highway down the Trishuli River valley, then turn south at Mugling towards the plains of the Terai. The drive takes 5-6 hours depending on traffic and road works. On arrival at our resort near Sauraha, on the edge of Chitwan National Park, we have lunch and settle in. In the late afternoon, a naturalist guide leads a walk to a Tharu village to learn about the indigenous people of the Terai, followed by sunset on the banks of the Rapti River. Overnight in Chitwan.

Chitwan was Nepal's first national park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The day starts with a dugout canoe ride on the Rapti River, looking out for gharial and mugger crocodiles and kingfishers, followed by a guided jungle walk. After lunch, a jeep safari takes us deeper into the sal forest and grassland, where one-horned rhinoceros, spotted deer, wild boar and many bird species are regularly seen. Tigers and sloth bears live here too, though sightings are rare. In the evening, watch a Tharu cultural dance programme in the village. Overnight in Chitwan.

After an early breakfast we drive north to Mugling and west along the Prithvi Highway to Pokhara, Nepal's lakeside city at the foot of the Annapurna range. The journey takes 5-6 hours, with stops for tea along the way. After checking in at your hotel near Phewa Lake, take a relaxed stroll along the lakeshore, where the snow peak of Machhapuchhre, the Fishtail, often appears above the water on clear afternoons. Dinner tonight is your choice from the many lakeside restaurants. Overnight in Pokhara.

An early drive takes us up to Sarangkot (about 1,600 m) for sunrise over Dhaulagiri, the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre. Back in town after breakfast, we visit Devi's Fall, the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave across the road and the International Mountain Museum, which tells the story of Himalayan climbing. In the afternoon, take a boat to the island temple of Tal Barahi, then cross Phewa Lake for a hike of about 45 minutes up to the World Peace Pagoda, with views back over the lake and city. Overnight in Pokhara.

After breakfast we transfer to Pokhara airport for the 25-minute flight back to Kathmandu, with the Himalaya stretching along the northern horizon on clear days. If you prefer the road, the scenic drive takes 6-7 hours. The afternoon is free for last-minute shopping in Thamel or Boudha for thangka paintings, pashmina, singing bowls and tea, or simply to rest. This evening we gather for a farewell dinner with a cultural performance, a good chance to share stories from the journey. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Your tour ends today. Depending on your flight time, there may be a chance for a final walk around Boudhanath or a last cup of masala tea before our team drives you to Tribhuvan International Airport, ideally about three hours before an international departure. If you would like to extend your stay, we can arrange a mountain flight past Everest, a short trek in the Annapurna or Langtang regions, or onward travel to Tibet, Bhutan or India. We hope to welcome you back to Nepal soon.