Complete Nepal Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival Kathmandu
Day 2 Kathmandu Sightseeing
We take you to the most beautiful and interesting places of Kathmandu, the Hindu and Buddhist stupas and temples Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Bodnath.
Swayambhunath is located on a hill west of the city and is reached via an endless staircase that is occupied by beggars and countless monkeys. The temple is therefore known as the monkey temple. Upstairs you have a wide view of Kathmandu and in the distance you see the peaks of the Himalayas. The stupa is similar in structure to that of Bodnath. The eyes of Buddha here overlook the entire Kathmandu Valley.
The Pashupati temple is one of the holiest Hindu shrines. Pashupati is a manifestation of Shiva and the temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Bagmati. The main temple is only accessible to Hindus, but from the opposite bank we have a good overview of the complex and we see corpse burns. Sick people are waiting for their death here in small death houses.
Hindus are cremated in public on the ghats and sometimes it is emotional. The remains of the corpse burning are pushed into the sacred Bagmati river.
Around the complex we often see many saddhas, holy men in orange robes, with painted faces and very long hair, showing their skills as a snake charmer or just begging for money. They are very photogenic but want money for a photo.
From Pashupatinath we walk to Bodnath in about 45 minutes.
The world famous stupa of Bodnath is an overwhelming structure of around 40 meters high and 100 meters in diameter. The stupa has a beautiful white dome and is decorated with thousands of prayer flags. Above the white dome, the all-seeing eyes of Buddha look piercingly at you. Especially in the evenings Buddhists walk around the stupas and butter lamps can be lit. In the vicinity of Bodnath are a number of Buddhist monasteries that are definitely worth a visit.
Day 3-4 Kathmandu - Nagarkot, Nagarkot - Kathmandu
The morning is at leisure. For example, you can visit Durbar Square.
On foot or by rickshaw you can go to Durbar Square with its beautiful temples and the old palace. Durbar Square is in the middle of the old town. On the square we find the accommodation of the living goddess Kumari, decorated with beautiful carvings. Near the square are also the Narayan, Mahadeva and Parvati temple and the Kastmandap.
The Durbar Square is a tourist attraction and is therefore full of stalls selling numerous souvenirs.
In the afternoon we leave by taxi to Nagarkot . The distance between Nagarkot and Kathmandu is only 32 kilometers. The taxi ride takes you past Bhaktapur and other small villages. You drive through beautiful grain and rice fields and see banana and orange plantations.
The last part to Nagarkot is a spectacular climb of a few kilometers.
Nagarkot is situated at the top of a ridge (at approximately 2200m) on the edge of the Kathmandu valley and in clear weather many Himalayan peaks including those of Mount Everest are visible. Sunrise and sunset are truly unforgettable here in clear weather.
On the way back we visit the Changu Naryan temple. The temple dates from the 4th century and is dedicated to Vishnu. It is a beautiful example of Nepalese architecture.
After returning to Kathmandu, the rest of the day is free.
Day 5 Kathmandu - Rafting Trisuli - Pokhara
Rafting Trisuli - The Trisuli is a calm river that is suitable for people who go rafting for the first time and for families.
The Trisuli runs along the main road from Kathmandu to Pokhara and is therefore easily accessible.
Rafting trips on the Trisuli are possible throughout the year.
If you prefer not to go rafting, it is possible to go directly to Pokhara and enjoy a day off at Phewa Lake.
We spend the night in Pokhara near Phewa Lake in a luxury hotel with its own toilet, bathroom, TV etc.
Day 6-10 Trekking in the Annapurna Mountains
Short and not too heavy trekking in the Annapurna Mountains where you visit one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Himalayas; Poon Hill (3210 m). During this fully arranged trek we stay in lodges and guesthouses. Your luggage is transported by carriers.
Poon Hill is a famous vantage point in the Annapurna region. The sunrise is world famous for a reason. From Poon Hill you can see a large number of Himalayan peaks from both the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna chains during a beautiful sunrise.
The trek itself offers much of all the beauty that Nepal has to offer. We walk along rivers, waterfalls and through valleys. Occasionally we pass long suspension bridges. You will meet the local Gurung people who have built their villages on terraced hills.
Especially in the spring, rhododendron forests are beautiful here and you always look out over the world's highest mountains.
Trekking * Pokhara - Naya Pull - Birethanti - Tikhedunga (1570m)
After breakfast we start with an hour and a half taxi ride to Naya Pull. The backpacks are charged and we start the tour. After a messy part through villages with countless shops we arrive at a large suspension bridge. On the other side of the bridge is the village of Birethanti and here we feel the trek really begins. We walk through subtropical hilly landscape and beautiful forests that are richly covered with mosses and ferns.
Trekking * Tikhedunga - Ghorepani (2850m)
We have to climb almost all day. From Tikhedunga at an altitude of 1500 meters we rise through beautiful forests to Ghorepani. Along the way there is a chance that we see monkeys. Long ascents on steps are alternated with short steep descents. As the day progresses, the panoramic views of the peaks of the Himalayas become more and more numerous. In Ghorepani, a village that consists mainly of lodges, the view of the steep walls of the Annapurna is impressive. Furthermore we see the sacred Macchapuchare (fish tail) and the Dhaulagiri. In the afternoon during the sunset the tops of these giants turn bright orange.
View for big PictureTrekking * Ghorepani - Tadapani (2590m)
We get up very early today. Still in the dark we climb to the most famous vantage point of Nepal, Poon Hill (3210m). We are not the only one above, almost all walkers in Ghorepani follow our example. The sunrise is amazing here, the view of slowly orange-colored mountains such as the Dhaulagiri, Annapurnas and Macchapuchare is overwhelming.
After breakfast we walk over a ridge through dense forests and occasionally we can take a look at the 7219 meter high Annapurna South. Behind us we keep a view of the Dhaulagiri for a while. The long descent to the Bhurundi Khola we have to pay for immediately with a steep climb. Once upstairs we are immediately in Tadapani, a village that consists of a number of lodges. We will spend the night here. The Hiunchuli, Annapurna South and Macchapuchare determine the image.
Trekking * Tadapani - Ghandrung (1950m)
Today we take it easy, through beautiful forests we continue our way towards Ghandrung. Ghandrung is a lively elongated Gurung village and there are many restaurants, guesthouses and shops.
From the terrace in front of our 'hotel Milan' lodge we enjoy a magnificent view of Hiunchuli, Macchapuchare and Annapurna South.
Trekking * Ghandrung - Birethanti - Pokhara
After a few hours of descending along wide paths, along terraced rice fields and through small villages we reach Birethanti. Here we cross a suspension bridge and ascend slightly to Chandrakot. Suddenly we are on the road between Pokhara and Beni and our trek in the Annapurna region has ended.
With a bus or taxi we will be dropped off at our hotel in Pokhara. On the shores of the beautiful Phewa Lake we can recover from an unforgettable trip for the rest of the day. There are also numerous restaurants and souvenir shops. Very popular is taking a boat trip on the beautiful Phewa lake. It is also possible to rent bicycles, visit a bat cave or of course just laze on the shores of the lake and do some shopping. In the evening you can go out for dinner in one of the numerous restaurants on the shores of the lake. In a number of restaurants it is possible to combine food with a typical Nepalese dance and singing evening.
Day 11-13 Pokhara - Chitwan National Park (Sauraha) - Kathmandu
Chitwan National Park
This park is one of the most beautiful and famous game parks in Asia and is located in the southern Terai on the border with India. A safari in this subtropical park is ideal to combine with a rafting trip on the Trisuli or a stay in Pokhara. Rhinos, crocodiles, monkeys and Bengal tigers live in the park. Furthermore, there are more than 450 different species of birds and almost 70 species of butterfly in the park.
We stay in Sauraha, a village on the edge of the National Park. On the cozy banks of the Rapti river we enjoy an unforgettable sunset. During the day we see the tame elephants of the park take their daily "dive" in the river.
The package that we offer is ideal as an introduction to Chitwan. You will stay in a luxury resort on the edge of the park. The outward and return journey by bus, full-board stay in the resort (double room), and a complete program with guidance from an English-speaking guide are included.
The program that we offer you in Chitwan consists of:
guided tour, introduction to Tharu culture including a visit to typical Tharu homes built using elephant grass. Visit to an elephant enclosure and training center and Chitwan museum
Evening Tharu cultural program (1 hour) with singing and stick dancing
canoe trip in a tree canoe over the Rapti river
jungle walk (about 3.5 hours)
elephant tour through Chitwan
bird spotting during a walk along the banks of the Rapti river
Optionally you can choose to extend your stay in the park by one day. Hereby you can make a 3-4 hour jeep safari (4WD) through the park.
During your stay in the Chitwan NP it is also possible to stay in the park itself. It naturally enhances the experience but is more expensive. Contact us for the extra price.
Day 14 Kathmandu - sightseeing Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur is the most original of the three royal cities in the Kathmandu valley. The movie Little Buddha was shot here. Bhaktapur is known for its potter's square, where thousands of pots are drying. Another attraction is the Sun Dhoka, the golden gate. The Nyatapola Temple is the largest temple in Bhaktapur. The pagoda roof, which is more than 30 meters high, has five floors and stands high above all other buildings in the city. Two by two lined up images of guards flank the stairs to the temple. Beautiful souvenirs are for sale at the silversmiths and jewelers in the city. Immediately outside the city begins Nepalese country life that seems to have not changed for centuries.
After returning to Kathmandu, the rest of the day is free.
Day 15 Kathmandu - departure
Depending on your departure time to your next destination, you can do your last shopping today or stroll through the streets of Kathmandu.
The day is free. About three hours before departure time you will go to the airport by private vehicle.