Explore Nepal

Upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and transferred to your hotel.

This morning we start our sight-seeing program and cover Bhaktapur, the medieval city of devotees and the preserved of all the old cities of Kathmandu Valley. From here we visit two very important religious centers: Pashupatinath temple for the Hindus, nearby along the banks of the river Bagmati is the cremation area for the dead. Bodhnath is possibly the largest stupa in the world and a center for Tibetan school of Buddhism.
In the afternoon we continue our tour with a visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square, the palace of the Malla and then the Shah kings of Nepal. Places of interest here are the Kasthamandup, a medieval rest house said to give Kathmandu its name, Kumari Temple, abode of the virgin goddess. From here we visit Swoyambhunath stupa, on top of a hill overlooking Kathmandu valley. In the evening we have a Nepalese cultural show accompanied by a typical local dinner.

In 1980 H.R.H. Prince Charles (before he married!) embarked upon a 3 day Royal Trek especially designed for him, and we shall now trace his footsteps! After breakfast, a short flight takes us to Pokhara, where we are welcomed by our Sherpa guide who will lead us on our 3/4 hour first day journey through the hills and villages of Chetris and Bahuns. The mountain views of Dhaulagiri to our East and Manasalu to the west are truly spectacular. We stay overnight in camp at Kalikathan and are completely catered for by our attentive trekking staff.

Through Thulokot towards Shyaglung, the scattered villages and honest farming country of Gurung provide the bulk of recruits for the British and Indian Gurkha regiments. It’s a fascinating day of interest and endeavor which we’ll no doubt be reflecting upon around the camp-fire, as we dine and camp in Shyaglung.

It’s downhill today (thankfully!) as we descend towards the Pokhara valley and see the lakes of Rupa and Begnas beneath us. After a lakeside lunch we are coached to Pokhara, where it’s “goodbye” comfort and luxury of the hotel. A real bed!!

That’s enough relaxing! An early start for a very full day. After breakfast we leave Pokhara for the 3 hour drive to the village of Baireni where we meet our raft crew, and explore the local Hindu temple while they prepare our new mode of transportation. Our first river rafting day is a leisurely and interesting one, as we negotiate several small “drops” in the river, and lunch on one of the quiet and secluded beaches. As we near Gajuri, our crew will set-up camp for us, and prepare a delicious camp-fire meal. We’ll meet the friendly locals and generally reflect upon an eventful day.

Another fascinating day of contrasting sights, smells and sounds as we glide past the many aspects of river life, simple farming and more sophisticated terraced cultivation. Thick forests alternate with open land areas, and we “shoot” the rapids of the Three Goddesses of Buri Gandaki as we approach our night camp at Charaudi. Overall, it’s a pretty sedate prelude to the “white-knuckle” day tomorrow! Again, we’ll eat under the stars and meet the locals.

It’s “hold-on-to-your-hair-time” as soon as we leave camp, as we negotiate one of the most exciting white water stretches in the world! So don’t have a heavy breakfast – you won’t forget this in a hurry! After the morning excitement we then glide more sedately and marvel at the changes in our scenery. The high gorges and steep canyon walls, small waterfalls and lush grottoes contrast with the rapids and provide a welcome interlude for lunch. We bid farewell to our skilled Rafters as we approach Kuringhat, and are then driven to the Wildlife Resort in the heart of the Royal Chitwan National Park. In the afternoon, we board our elephants (yes! Elephants!) for a jungle safari, where we shall be photographing rhino, crocodile, endless varieties of exotic birds, deer, leopard, bear. sloth and hopefully, the Royal Bengal Tiger. A unforgettable day is climaxed by a slide presentation followed by dinner at the jungle resort. Overnight at the lodge.

Another exciting day at the jungle resort with jungle walks, canoe trips bird-watching and village tours on the itinerary. ur last night at the jungle resort and special and very colorful local dance troupe visit us.

We’ll awake with the sunrise today. It’s our chance to get those special shots of the animals as they stretch and emerge into the wild. Then it’s breakfast and “home” to Kathmandu and the welcome luxury of the hotel.

Your last full day in Nepal – we’ll leave it free for you to buy those things you promised yourself or just do whatever you feel like.

We are free today until our departure transfer to the airport.