Touch down at Tribhuvan International Airport, where crisp mountain air and distant ridgelines announce your arrival in Kathmandu. After completing arrival formalities and collecting your luggage, meet our representative in the arrivals hall for your private transfer into the city.

Settle into your hotel and take the remainder of the day at leisure to recover from the flight and ease into the rhythm of the Kathmandu Valley. The city’s soundtrack—fluttering prayer flags, bicycle bells, and temple chimes—offers a gentle introduction to Nepal’s cultural heart.

If energy allows, enjoy a relaxed stroll through Thamel or a nearby bazaar: narrow lanes lined with tea houses, spice shops, and handicraft stalls provide a colourful first taste of the city. Keep things unhurried today—hydrate, stretch your legs, and let anticipation build for tomorrow’s deeper exploration.

Practical note: carry some NPR for incidentals and ensure roaming or a local e-SIM is active for easy coordination with your guide.

At first light, consider the spectacular Everest mountain flight—an optional experience at extra cost, bookable during the online booking process. Weather permitting, you’ll soar along the Himalayas for close-up views of serrated snow ridges and the Everest region’s towering giants, a breathtaking panorama that brings the scale of the mountains into sharp relief.

Later, delve into the cultural heart of the Kathmandu Valley. Begin at Kathmandu Durbar Square, where royal palaces, pagoda-roofed temples, and carved courtyards reveal centuries of Newari artistry. Continue to the great mandala of Boudhanath Stupa, circling with pilgrims as prayer wheels hum and butter lamps flicker. Conclude at hilltop Swayambhunath—the “Monkey Temple”—its all-seeing eyes gazing over the city, prayer flags fluttering against Himalayan skies.

Practical note: the Everest flight is weather-dependent; if conditions are unsuitable, it may be delayed or cancelled. A window seat is recommended for the best views.

Leave Kathmandu after breakfast and descend from the hill-ringed valley onto the highway that threads its way towards Nepal’s southern plains. The road carves along the Trishuli River, past terraced fields, forested ridges, and roadside tea houses where steam curls from kettles and prayer flags twitch in the breeze. Expect photo stops at river lookouts and market towns as the scenery shifts from cool mid-hills to the warm, lowland Terai.

By early afternoon you roll into the outskirts of Chitwan, where the landscape opens to broad grasslands, sal forests, and meandering waterways. Settle in and take time to unwind—listen for parakeets in the trees and spot egrets lifting lazily from the riverbanks as the light softens.

As evening approaches, consider a gentle stroll along the Rapti River embankment or a guided village walk to meet members of the local Tharu community. Sunset often washes the floodplains in amber, a tranquil prelude to tomorrow’s wildlife adventures inside Chitwan National Park.

Practical note: the drive typically takes 5–6 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. Keep water and light snacks handy, and have your daypack accessible for camera, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Wake to birdsong and mist lifting off the Rapti River before setting out on a morning jeep safari in Chitwan National Park. With your naturalist, scan the tall grasslands and sal forests for the park’s headline species: the one-horned rhinoceros, shy sloth bear, herds of spotted deer, troops of langur, and—on rare, golden-luck mornings—the Bengal tiger moving silently through the reeds.

Return to the lodge late morning to unwind and compare sightings over a relaxed break. The heat of the day is perfect for a pause: recharge, review photos, and listen to the jungle’s midday chorus from the shade of the garden.

In the afternoon, glide along a calm stretch of the river on a guided canoe (as arranged by your lodge), watching for elegant gharial and stockier mugger crocodiles basking on sandy banks. Kingfishers flash electric blue, egrets stalk the shallows, and bee-eaters hawk for insects in the warm light.

Later, take a short guided nature walk or visit a community forest lookout for quiet birdwatching—hornbills, woodpeckers, and raptors are frequent highlights. As dusk falls, a traditional Tharu cultural programme often rounds off the day, sharing rhythms and stories from the indigenous communities who call the Terai home.

Practical note: wear neutral-coloured clothing, a hat, and closed footwear; carry insect repellent and a light rain layer (leeches are possible in the monsoon). Binoculars greatly enhance wildlife and bird sightings. Optional private experiences (e.g., sundowners by the river or night walks where permitted) may be available at extra cost.

Depart Chitwan after breakfast and head north on the Prithvi Highway, leaving the warm Terai plains for Nepal’s mid-hills. The road traces river valleys and terraced slopes, tea stalls and hamlets flashing by as the air cools and the horizons widen. Near Dumre, turn uphill on a winding lane that climbs to the ridge-top town of Bandipur, poised high above the Marsyangdi Valley.

On arrival, check into your characterful guesthouse and step out into Bandipur’s traffic-free bazaar, a lovingly preserved parade of Newari merchant houses with carved timber windows, slate roofs, and flagstone streets. The pace is unhurried; flowered balconies, tiny shrines and café terraces create an atmosphere of timeless charm.

Spend the afternoon exploring on foot: wander to the open field of Tundikhel for sweeping views, or follow a short trail to the hilltop Thani Mai Temple, a favourite for sunset as ridgelines fade to indigo. On clear days, a serried panorama of Annapurna, Manaslu and Dhaulagiri shimmers on the northern skyline. If you’re feeling adventurous, an optional visit to Siddha Gufa (one of Nepal’s largest caves) can be arranged locally with a guide.

As evening falls, sample rustic Newari cuisine in a courtyard eatery and soak up the lantern-lit ambience of this beautifully restored hilltown—an evocative pause between jungle plains and high mountain country.

Practical note: the drive typically takes 4–5 hours depending on traffic and road works. Pack layers for the cooler hill climate and comfortable footwear for Bandipur’s stone lanes and viewpoints.

After breakfast, bid farewell to Bandipur and descend the ridge road to rejoin the Prithvi Highway, tracing river valleys west towards Pokhara. The journey winds past terraced fields, forested slopes, and hamlets where tea houses steam into the cool morning air. As the road skirts the Seti Gandaki, horizons open and the air softens—an inviting prelude to Nepal’s beloved lake city.

Arrive in Pokhara late morning and check into your hotel near tranquil Phewa Lake. With the rest of the day at leisure, ease into the city’s unhurried rhythm: wander the cafés and boutiques of Lakeside, or stroll the promenade where colourful wooden boats dapple the water and, on clear days, the Annapurna range shimmers like a mirage on the northern skyline.

If energy allows, consider a gentle boat ride to the tiny island Tal Barahi Temple, or a short afternoon drive up to the World Peace Pagoda for sweeping views over lake and mountains. As sunset washes the valley in gold, settle on a terrace with a cup of Nepali tea and watch the peaks blush into twilight.

Practical note: the drive typically takes 2.5–3.5 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. Keep a light jacket handy for changing temperatures and have your camera ready—clear spells can deliver spectacular mountain views en route.

Begin your exploration of Pokhara with a visit to hilltop Bindhyabasini Temple, a serene shrine dedicated to the goddess Bhagwati, where morning bells and sweeping views set a tranquil tone for the day.

Continue to the thundering cascade of Davis Falls, then cross the road to descend into the sacred Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, where a revered Shiva lingam rests in a natural limestone chamber and the roar of the hidden waterfall echoes through the caverns.

Next, delve into the region’s mountaineering story at the International Mountain Museum, home to insightful exhibits on Himalayan geology, culture, and climbing history. Later, drive up to the ridge-top World Peace Pagoda for panoramic vistas of Phewa Lake and the Annapurna range—on clear days the views are breathtaking.

Round off the afternoon with a gentle boat ride on Phewa Lake, gliding across mirrored waters to the tiny Tal Barahi Temple set on an island. As the sun dips, cafés and promenades around Lakeside make an inviting spot to unwind and watch the peaks blush with alpenglow.

Optional at extra cost: tandem paragliding from nearby ridges, an exhilarating zip-line experience, or a guided cycling loop around the lake’s quieter shores (weather permitting).

Leave Pokhara after breakfast, tracing the valley road past paddy terraces and river gorges toward Nayapul. From here, the route climbs via Kimche on a narrow mountain road, switching back through forested slopes as the air cools and the horizons widen. Expect a combination of scenic driving and short walks as required, depending on road conditions.

Arrive in Ghandruk (approx. 2,010 m), a picturesque Gurung village of slate-roofed houses and flagstone lanes, poised like a balcony above the Mardi and Modi river valleys. On clear days the ice-bright faces of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and sacred Machapuchare (Fishtail) dominate the northern skyline—so close it feels you could trace every ridge.

Spend the afternoon wandering the stone lanes and terraced fields, pausing at small shrines and tea houses draped with drying maize and chilies. Visit the modest Gurung Museum (time permitting) for a snapshot of local dress, tools, and traditions, or take a gentle ridge walk for wide-angle views over the quilt of villages stitched into the hillsides.

As sunset nears, make for a vantage point above the village: peaks blush rose-gold, roosters call from courtyards, and smoke curls from kitchen hearths—an evocative portrait of life in the mid-hills.

Practical note: the drive typically takes 3–4 hours total, varying with traffic and road works. Short uphill walks (15–45 minutes) may be required from the nearest drop-off. Pack layers for cooler evenings and wear sturdy footwear for stone steps. Permits (e.g., ACAP/TIMS, as required) should be arranged in advance.

Set out from Ghandruk after breakfast, leaving its slate roofs and flagstone lanes for a classic mid-hills traverse. The path drops on long flights of stone steps through terraced fields and pockets of rhododendron and oak, with occasional teahouses offering tea and views. As you descend towards the Modi Khola, the air warms and the soundtrack turns to river song and birdsong.

Cross a swaying suspension bridge above the glacial-green river, then begin a steady climb to the balcony village of Landruk, where whitewashed houses and tidy kitchen gardens look out to folded ridgelines. Pause here for refreshment or lunch, taking in glimpses of Machapuchare (Fishtail) and the Annapurnas when the weather is clear.

In the afternoon, the trail undulates across terraced hillsides and through breezy forest spurs, passing small hamlets such as Tolka before continuing towards Tanchock (Tanchok). Stone pathways thread between millet and maize, with water buffalo in the paddies and prayer flags bright against the green.

Arrive in Tanchock by late afternoon and settle into your simple, welcoming lodge. As the sun lowers, stroll to a nearby ridge for a last light show on the hills—a tranquil finale to a day rich in village life and valley views.

Practical note: allow around 5–6 hours of walking (including breaks), with a significant stair descent to the river and a steady ascent to the far side. Expect mixed terrain (stone steps, earth trails). Trekking poles help on the steps; carry water, sun protection, and a light layer for changing conditions. Necessary permits should be arranged in advance.

Set off from Tanchock after breakfast, following a classic mid-hill trail that rises steadily through rhododendron and oak. Birdsong threads the cool morning air as you climb towards the ridgeline at Deurali (approx. 2,100 m), where teahouses perch above terraced fields and, on clear days, the white walls of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and sacred Machapuchare (Fishtail) glow above the forested spurs.

From Deurali the path contours gently through woodland to the hamlet of Pothana, a welcome pause for tea and views. An optional short detour leads to Australian Camp (Thulo Kharka) for a wide-arc panorama of the Annapurnas—fields stitched with stone walls in the foreground, serrated snow peaks on the horizon.

Continue along the ridge before the trail begins its stair-stepped descent towards Dhampus (approx. 1,650 m). Stone lanes thread between traditional houses and kitchen gardens; prayer flags snap in the breeze; children call from courtyards while buffalo doze in the shade. On approach, the skyline opens again to a cinematic sweep of the Annapurna range and the graceful pyramid of Machapuchare.

Arrive in Dhampus by mid–late afternoon and settle into your lodge. As sunset washes the ridges in copper and rose, take a gentle stroll to a nearby knoll for one more Himalayan light show before dinner.

Practical note: allow around 4–5 hours of walking (including breaks). Expect a steady ascent to Deurali, undulating forest paths, then a prolonged stone-step descent to Dhampus. Sturdy footwear and trekking poles are recommended; carry water, sun protection and a light layer. Required permits (e.g., ACAP/TIMS, as applicable) should be in place.

Wake to dawn light washing over Machapuchare and the Annapurna range, then begin your descent from Dhampus. The stone-stepped trail threads between slate-roofed homes, kitchen gardens, and terraced fields where buffalo doze and women winnow grain. Birdsong and the clink of cowbells set an easy rhythm as you drop steadily towards the valley.

Continue down through pockets of rhododendron and oak to the roadhead at Phedi (or Kande, depending on conditions), pausing at small teahouses for a last hillside chai and wide-arc views across folded ridgelines. At the trail’s end, meet your vehicle for the short drive back to Pokhara.

Arrive in Pokhara by late morning/early afternoon and settle into your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure: stroll the Lakeside promenade, take a gentle Phewa Lake boat ride, or simply relax on a terrace as the mountains—when clear—shimmer above the water.

Practical note: allow around 1.5–2.5 hours of mostly downhill walking on stone steps, then 45–60 minutes by road to Pokhara (traffic/road works permitting). Trekking poles help on the descent; wear sturdy footwear and carry water and sun protection.

After breakfast, transfer to Pokhara Airport for your short, scenic flight to Kathmandu. On clear mornings, ridgelines and snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges unfold beneath the wing—an unforgettable farewell to the lake city.

On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, meet our driver for a warm meet-and-greet and a private transfer straight to the hilltop retreat of Nagarkot. The road climbs through pine forests and terrace-lined hillsides, opening to expansive views across the Kathmandu Valley as you gain height.

Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. As afternoon light softens, stroll to a nearby viewpoint (or the View Tower area) for sweeping Himalayan vistas; on exceptionally clear days, the chain can stretch from Dhaulagiri in the west to Everest in the east. Sunset often paints the peaks in rose and amber—Nagarkot’s signature spectacle.

Practical note: the flight takes around 30 minutes (weather-dependent). The drive from Kathmandu to Nagarkot typically takes 1.5–2.5 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. Pack a light jacket—temperatures are cooler at altitude, especially at dawn and dusk.

Wake to the hush of pine-scented air and far horizons in Nagarkot, Nepal’s classic ridge-top retreat. When the weather is clear, the morning light reveals a magnificent sweep of the Himalayas—snow-bright summits rising above folded hills, prayer flags stirring in a gentle breeze, and terraces stepping down into the valleys below.

Keep the pace unhurried. Wander to a local viewpoint (or the View Tower area) for wide-arc panoramas, then amble along quiet lanes lined with pine and rhododendron, passing small shrines and hillside hamlets. The ridge paths lend themselves to easy, scenic strolls with frequent places to pause, breathe, and simply take in the vastness.

If you’re up for a little more exploration, consider the gentle ridge walk towards Telkot or continue on the classic contour to Changu Narayan (for experienced walkers). These trails thread through terraced fields and village life—buffalo in courtyards, chilies drying on verandas, and children waving from stone steps—set against distant, shimmering peaks.

As afternoon turns golden, return to your vantage point for sunset. On clear evenings, the light catches the high ranges in shades of rose and amber before fading to indigo, with the valley lights pricking on below—a tranquil, lingering finale to your hilltop day.

Optional at extra cost: arrange a guided hike along the ridge, a mountain-bike outing on rolling country roads, or a relaxed spa session back at your hotel (subject to availability).

Practical note: temperatures are cooler on the ridge—carry light layers, sun protection, and water. Weather can change quickly; clear mountain views are most likely at sunrise.

Depart Nagarkot after breakfast, descending the ridge road with wide views over terraced hillsides towards the medieval city of Bhaktapur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its brick lanes, carved timber facades, and temple-studded squares.

Begin your guided walk in Bhaktapur Durbar Square, where the elegant 55-Window Palace, golden gateways, and guardian stone figures speak to the city’s royal past. Continue to Taumadhi Square to admire the five-tiered Nyatapola Temple—Nepal’s tallest pagoda—before wandering to Pottery Square, where wheels spin and clay vessels dry in the sun. Round off at the atmospheric Dattatreya Square, flanked by monasteries and woodcarvers’ workshops.

After your visit, drive onwards to Kathmandu and check into your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure—stroll a nearby bazaar for handicrafts, pause in a courtyard café, or simply unwind before tomorrow’s journey.

Optional at extra cost: a short pottery workshop in Pottery Square or a woodcarving demonstration with local artisans (subject to time and availability).

Practical note: the drive from Nagarkot to Bhaktapur typically takes about 45–75 minutes depending on road conditions; Bhaktapur to central Kathmandu is usually 45–60 minutes. Wear comfortable footwear for uneven stone lanes.

Savour a final morning in Kathmandu—perhaps a gentle stroll to a nearby shrine, a last cup of Nepali tea, or a brief wander through a local bazaar for keepsakes—before preparing for your journey home.

At the agreed time, meet your driver for a private transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport. As the road threads through the Kathmandu Valley, rooftops and temple spires slip by and the hazy outline of hill ridges fades into the distance—a quiet curtain call on days filled with culture, wildlife and Himalayan vistas.

On arrival at the airport, complete departure formalities and continue to your gate. Carry with you the warmth of Nepali hospitality, the colour of market lanes, and the sweep of snow-bright peaks—a journey to remember.

Practical note: keep your passport, e-tickets, and any departure forms handy; allow ample time for security and check-in, especially during peak periods.