The Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu Valley

Culturally rich and extraordinarily beautiful, the Kingdom of Nepal, offers a wealth of spectacular sights. This incredible journey into its fascinating heart begins in Kathmandu, taking in the heritage sites of the old city, before flying on to the mountain landscapes around Pokhara. We enjoy some of the richest wildlife viewing in Nepal, amongst the lush jungles of Chitwan National Park and home to the rare Bengal tiger before our return to the delights of the Kathmandu Valley. Here we stay at the charming mountain resort of Dhulikel situated in the mountains on the eastern edge of the Himalaya Range, a perfect retreat to relax, walk and unwind.

ITINERARY
Day 1 Fly to Kathmandu
Various choices of flights from Heathrow via the Arabian Gulf or Asia
Day 2 Arrive Kathmandu
Afternoon arrival into Kathmandu, Nepal’s fascinating capital city, transfer to the Shangri-La Hotel for two nights. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 3 In Kathmandu
We have a morning tour of Old Kathmandu including Durbar Square complex and a visit to Swayambunath Stupa, said to be one of the oldest Buddhist Stupas in the World, which is majestically set high on a hill over-looking Kathmandu Valley. In the afternoon we visit Patan, the City of Fine Arts including Hiranyavarna Mahavira; the Golden Temple of Lord Buddha. Finally we visit Bungamati, a typical Newari village of 16th century situated in the foothills of the southern side of the valley, inhabited by Newari farmers, whose second occupation is wood carving. Welcome dinner at a Kathmandu restaurant has been arranged (B,D)
Day 4 Fly to Pokhara
Morning flight to Pokhara (30 minutes) located in the Himalayan foothills close to the Annapurna Massif, a region blessed with breathtaking landscapes. The Pokhara valley is one of the most picturesque spots of Nepal. The beauty of the valley is enhanced by its lovely lakes Phewa, Begnas and Rupa, which have their source in the glacial region of the Annapurna Range of the Himalayas. The rest of the day may be spent in leisure or free to explore the lakeside area. Two nights at the Shangrila Village (B)
Day 5 Pokhara
Weather permitting this morning offers the chance for an unforgettable image of one of the region’s most breathtaking sights, sunrise over the Annapurna Ranges. Morning guided tour of Pokhara visiting Davi’s Falls, Gupteshwor cave, Bindhyabasini Temple and a visit to a Tibetan Handicraft centre. There will be a late afternoon boat trip on the tranquil waters of Lake Phewa, the second largest in Nepal (B)
Day 6 Pokhara – Chitwan
Morning drive to Chitwan National Park through the terraced rice fields and the small villages of the Tharu people with their ochre coloured mud houses with thatched roofs. The ethnic tribes of Tharu’s are the local inhabitants of Chitwan and are agriculturist by profession.
We arrive at the Park, the oldest in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This afternoon we have a Game drive to hopefully spot buffalo, sloths, leopards, marsh mugger crocodiles oandsome of the park’s 500 species of birds, including kingfisher, peacock, Indian roller and eagle. Three nights at the Safari Narayani Resort with lunch and dinner (B,L,D)
Day 7/Day 8 In Chitwan NP
We spend two full days enjoying the various activities on offer through our resort including an early morning elephant safari and a midday canoe ride on the Rapti River for an opportunity to view aquatic birds and see animals on the rives banks plus a visit to a crocodile breeding centre. An afternoon jungle (nature) walk accompanied by a trained. naturalist and the chance to see elephant bathing in the Rapti River, and to join in giving the elephants a scrub! (B,L,D)
Day 9 Drive to Dhulikhel
Full day drive with spectacular scenery to Kathmandu. Daman (2,400 m) offers the only unimpeded view of the entire Himalayan range; roughly 400 km of Himalayan panorama. Eventually we arrive at the Dhulikhel Mountain Resort. Situated in the mountains on the eastern edge of the Himalaya Range, this charming mountain resort presents us with the perfect retreat to relax. Two nights at the Dhulikhel Mountain Resort (B)
Day 10 In Dhulikhel
There is a choice of activities today from a short hike or a cultural walk to a nearby Newari village or simply relaxing outside your bungalow with 20 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens back-dropped by the breathtaking panorama of the Himalaya! (B)
Day 11 Visit Bodnath and Bhaktapur
Heading back to Kathmandu, we visit some of the valley’s important sites en route including the spectacular Hindu temple of Pasupatinath on the sacred Bagmati River. These holy waters are the setting for not only the ablutions of the devotees of Shiva, but are also the setting for one of Kathmandu’s most important cremation sites. From here we continue to the medieval city of Bhaktapur, a stunning collection of temples and palaces that evoke the very essence of the ancient Newari traditions of the Kathmandu Valley, before stopping at the imposing stupa at Bodnath. This 40 metre high structure is one of the largest on the planet, a spectacular edifice of white stone, festooned with prayer flags and decorated with the omniscient eye of Buddha. Overnight at the Shangri-La hotel. Farewell dinner at a Kathmandu restaurant (B,D)
Day 12 Fly to London
Transfer to Kathmandu international airport for flight home