Compare Nepal: Himalaya Highlights by G Adventures vs Best of Nepal by Indus Travels

Day 1 Kathmandu

Arrive any time. Arrival transfer is included. Enjoy a relaxing wellness experience with a sound bath demonstration followed by a six-course vegetarian welcome feast tonight, savouring the diverse flavours of Nepali cuisine.

Day 2 Kathmandu

Spend the day exploring Kathmandu, the colourful capital of this Himalayan nation. Pay a visit to Bodhnath Stupa, the holiest Tibetan Buddhist shrine outside of Tibet, and explore the wood-carved temples, pagodas, and palaces of Bhaktapur, Nepal’s medieval capital.

Day 3 Kathmandu/Pharping

Venture to the ancient hilltop temple of Swayambhunath, decorated with vibrant prayer flags and home to troops of rhesus monkeys. Later, we’ll hear about National Geographic Grantee Chhing Lhomi’s efforts to preserve the weaving traditions of the Upper Mustang region through her work with the Himalayan Indigenous Society, a Kathmandu-based nonprofit. Then depart for nearby Pharping, known for its Buddhist pilgrimage sites, and settle into a tranquil monastery guesthouse for the night. Get an insider’s view of monastery life, and enjoy a chanting and prayer service; or opt to take a walk in the monastery’s peaceful grounds. Enjoy a cooking demonstration at local community restaurant and learn how to make Nepalese momos (dumplings). Afterwards, taste your delicious creations.

Experience the serenity of a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. The monastery guest house offers comfortable accommodations in a peaceful setting with balconies and private western-style bathrooms. There are approximately 200 monks in residence following the Nyingmapa tradition. This is a new monastery (2006), and income from the guest house directly supports it.

Please note that on select departures, the itinerary may be re-ordered to have the Monastery visit at the end of the itinerary.

Day 4 Pharping/Kurintar

Rise at dawn to listen to the monks’ morning chanting, and witness a stunning sunrise. Then drive to the small riverside village of Kurintar and hike to our lodge, nestled on a forested hill overlooking the Trishuli River. Opt to relax by the pool or take a guided walk through the surrounding countryside, stopping at local villages.

Arrive at our remote lodge, which sits on a ridge amidst the hills overlooking sandy beaches and a river. Forests cascade down the hillsides, enclosing tiny settlements of tribal people.

The lodge is only accessed by foot, so please expect a walk of approx. 30 to 45 minutes. Porters will be hired to carry our bags but please pack what you need for the night, as we will leave our larger bags in the vehicle.

Day 5 Kurintar/Royal Chitwan National Park

Today, we travel towards Chitwan National Park, Nepal’s oldest wildlife reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The park is home to 68 recorded mammal species, including the one-horned rhino and the Bengal tiger, as well as hundreds of species of birds. Check in to our lodge, located on the banks of the East Rapti River. After lunch, board a traditional flat-bottomed boat for a river safari, keeping your eyes out for aquatic birds, crocodiles, and other riverine fauna.

Spend two nights enjoying cultural and wildlife excursions in and around Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP), the oldest national park in Nepal. Established in 1973, it became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. Within its area of 932km² (579 mi²), RCNP is home to at least 43 species of mammals, 450 species of birds, and 45 species of amphibians and reptiles, including sambars, chitals, rhesus monkeys, tigers, and langurs.

The specifics and order of activities may change, depending on the season and local conditions. Your CEO will confirm the exact activities and timing with the naturalists upon arrival at the lodge.

Day 6 Royal Chitwan National Park

Spend the day exploring Chitwan National Park on a variety of excursions; activities differ depending on the season. Set out on a jeep safari through the grasslands and forests, seeking out rhinos, leopards, elephants, monkeys, and the elusive Bengal tiger. Meet with a “tiger technician” from the Nepal Tiger Trust, a nonprofit dedicated to the protection and conservation of these majestic cats. Visit a farming village bordering the park for a glimpse of rural life, and return to our lodge this evening in time for a dance performance by the local Tharu people.

The jeep safari is often prohibited during monsoon season by the park authorities; monsoon season is from June-September, and sometimes it can last till October. When the park is inaccessible, we will search out wildlife in the surrounding forest which is unfenced and just as likely to view animals. Boating is also subject to the water levels and local conditions on the Rapti River.

Day 7 Royal Chitwan National Park/Pokhara

Drive to Pokhara, an enchanting town set on the shores of turquoise-hued Phewa Lake against a backdrop of snowcapped Himalayan peaks. Enjoy a guided walk around the city, and opt to have dinner at a popular local restaurant.

Nestled in a tranquil valley at an altitude of 827m (2,713 ft), beautiful Pokhara lies on a once vibrant trade route between India and Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen bringing goods to trade from remote regions of the Himalayas. This enchanting city has several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panoramic views of Himalayan peaks. It's a popular place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Day 8 Pokhara

Venture to Sarangkot village early this morning and hike to the famed Sarangkot lookout to witness a breathtaking sunrise over the Annapurna Himalaya. Back in Pokhara, climb up a lush forest path to the gleaming white Peace Pagoda, built by Japanese monks after World War II. Later, visit a Tibetan refugee settlement, established by the United Nations in 1964. Learn about the history of the community on a walk through their photo gallery, and enjoy a traditional Tibetan lunch. In your free time, opt to take a boat tour of Phewa Lake.

The hike up to the World Peace Pagoda can be quite strenuous and is all steps up and back down. If you are not feeling so energetic, please let the CEO know and you can opt out of this activity.

Day 9 Pokhara/Kathmandu

Catch a flight back to the capital, Kathmandu. Enjoy time to shop in the bustling Thamel district, or choose to visit Pashupatinath Temple, the most sacred Hindu temple complex in Nepal.

Enjoy free time in the afternoon for exploring. Visit the burning ghats at Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath, or the monkey temple. Kathmandu is fascinating at every turn, and some travelers prefer to just wander, seeing where the city may lead them.

Day 10 Kathmandu

Depart at any time.

Feel free to depart at any time today, but remember that check out time from the hotel is 12:00pm.

Today make your own way to your gateway airport to board your international flight to Nepal via another gateway. Enjoy in-flight meals and services on your overnight flight 

On arrival in Kathmandu today you will be met and transferred to your hotel.  Nepal’s capital city enjoys an exquisite setting amidst snow-covered mountain peaks, friendly locals, several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a series of ornate stone temples dating back hundreds of years. Overnight in Kathmandu

Day at leaisure , perhaps joing our optional tour. 

This morning travel overland to Chitwan National Park (CNP), a World Heritage Site in Terai, the subtropical southern part of Nepal.  A total of 68 species of mammals, 544 species of birds and 126 species of fish have been recorded in the park, but it is especially renowned for its protection of the One Horned Rhinoceros, the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Gharial Crocodile. Overnight in Chitwan

Today your experienced guide will take you into the park to search for some of the incredible animals that live here, including the Great Asian One-horned Rhinoceros, Leopard, and Sloth Beer, deer, monkeys, wild boar and 460 different species of birds. Royal Bengal Tiger, being territorial and nocturnal in behavior, will normally not appear during the day, but sometimes your luck can do wonders and you may have an unforgettable sight of the king of the forest. You may also be able to paddle in a dugout canoe to the point where three rivers meet; the perfect place to see the park’s diverse birdlife and maybe even some crocodiles.  Later today you may have the chance to see a Stick Dance, a centuries-old dance performed by members of the Tharu tribe. Overnight in Chitwan

Resting deep in the Himalayas around 200 km west of Kathmandu is Pokhara, Nepal’s most popular holiday resort and your destination for today.  Pohkara offers a range of exhilarating outdoor activities as well as numerous scenic spots where you can simply relax and unwind; from sitting by the peaceful lake and taking in the view of the extraordinary surrounding mountains to visiting cultural villages, there is plenty to keep every visitor occupied. Overnight in Pokhara

Today you can enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of Pokhara city.  You will see Pokhara’s most important sights, enjoy spectacular views of the Himalayas and experience an unforgettable boat ride on the beautiful Phewa Lake. Overnight in Pokhara

This morning travel overland to Dhulikhel, an authentic Nepalese town at the far east of the Kathmandu Valley where the culture and traditions of the local Newari people have stayed strong. It is one of the best spots in the country from which to admire the magnificence of the rugged Himalayan peaks.  The charming old town boasts two lovely temples in distinct Vishnu and Hari Siddhi styles, and a Kali temple set on a hilltop above the town.  Enjoy the town at your leisure. Overnight in Dhulikhel

Today you will be transferred back to Kathmandu Tribhuwan International Airport for your onward flight.            

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