Hilltops and Village Tour of Nepal

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, our guide will greet you and transfer you to the hotel. Later in the day, we will explore Kathmandu Durbar Square and experience the unique culture of the city. We will take a walk past Indra Chowk and Asan markets, and then enjoy a delicious dinner with a delightful cultural performance at a traditional Nepalese restaurant. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Drive east to the outskirts of Kathmandu to Bhaktapur, a medieval walled city filled with ancient red brick buildings with narrow streets. Full of temples, intricately carved statues, and architecture, devoid of traffic and pollution. Although many buildings were destroyed in the 2015 earthquake, the main attraction remains as it ever was. In Bhaktapur, we will visit the Durbar Square, a conglomeration of stone, metal, and wood carving, the palace of fifty-five windows, and Pottery Square. We can see potters working with their traditional wooden wheels giving various shapes and sizes to clay. After the visit, we continue our journey to Namobuddha. We will stop at Dhulikhel (1500m) for a panoramic view of mountain peaks and drive to Nomobuddha, one of the three most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal. Known to Buddhists as Tamangligi, the spot where Buddha, in one of his previous birth, fed himself to a starving tigress that was close to death from starvation and unable to feed its cubs. Overnight in Namobuddha.

Today, we will embark on an adventure to discover the local villages that thrive around Namobuddha. During our short hike, we will have the chance to explore homes, meet locals, and understand their unique way of life, enjoying the stunning views of the terraced fields and the vibrant hills that are complimented by the beauty of the snow-capped mountains. Later, we can savor a delicious local lunch before making our way to the Namobuddha Thrangu Tashi Yangtsi Monastery for a short ridge walk (optional) that will provide us with incredible views of the valley. Overnight in Namobuddha.

This morning we will take an amazing flight to Pokhara, during which we can enjoy the stunning views of Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Annapurna, and Machhapuchre Mountains. Upon arrival, we will take a boat ride on Phewa Lake, followed by a short hike up to the World Peace Pagoda and enjoy the beautiful view of the Pokhara Valley and the Phewa lake. Afterward, we shall continue to Sarangkot where we will check in to our hotel and admire the glorious colors of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machhapuchre Mountains as the sun sets beyond the horizon. The evening is free to rest and enjoy this magical moment. Overnight in Sarangkot.

Start your morning in a spectacular way and experience the beauty of sunrise from Sarangkot (1590m). After breakfast,  we will take a leisurely 2-hour downhill hike, past several villages along the way before meeting the car back to Pokhara. We will spend a day exploring Devis Falls, Gupteshwor cave, Tibetan Refugee Centre, International Mountain Museum, and the picturesque Phewa Lake. With ample amounts of time in hand, discover the local culture and pick up some souvenirs in the street shops. Our guide and driver will be there at standby to transfer you to the hotel. Overnight in Sarangkot.

Today, we shall drive to the historic village of Bandipur, located just off the Pokhara–Kathmandu highway at Dumre. This living museum of Newari culture has been beautifully preserved, exuding a timeless charm with winding, narrow lanes of tall 18th-century buildings and small cafes. Explore the cobblestone streets and discover its colorful houses representing the architectural heritage of the village, visit the temples, or take a stroll to the viewpoint, where you can marvel at a picturesque view of the Annapurna range, the Langtang peaks to the east and Dhaulagiri in the west, and the valley below. Overnight in Bandipur.

We shall drive to Kathmandu along the Trishuli river and arrive at Kathmandu during lunch time. After lunch, we will visit Boudanath Stupa and the Pashupatinath temple. Boudanath stupa is the largest buddhist stupa in Nepal. Circumambulate along with the pilgrims and visit the monasteries around. Then we shall take a short drive to visit the  Pashupatinath temple, the holiest hindu temple in Nepal. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight.