Iconic Nepal

Once you clear Customs, you step into the receiving area, where you will be met by a member of our staff and transferred to your hotel. “Namaste” is the greeting you will receive from the friendly Nepalese people, a traditional Hindu greeting, derived from Sanskrit, which means “I salute the soul (God?) within you.” This afternoon head out on a walking tour to explore historic ‘Old’ Kathmandu. Like Lhasa in Tibet, Kathmandu conjures up images of the ultimate mysterious and exotic travel destination. Located in Central Nepal, the Kathmandu Valley is the center of Nepali cultural and political life. Indeed, the Kathmandu Valley has been a hub of civilization for over two millennia. Kathmandu is living history, where the modern and ancient continue to mingle. It is an unforgettable experience to wander the mysterious bazaars of old Kathmandu. You will visit Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka, the ancient palace of the Gorkha Kings (pictured below) and the old bazaars of Thamel. In the evening have tour briefing followed by a “traditional Nepali” cultural welcome dinner.

Dwarika Hotel (B, D)

This morning head out of Kathmandu City to explore and photograph World Heritage site, the Temple town of Bhaktapur. This town was the on location backdrop for Bertolucci’s movie, “Little Buddha.” Said to have been designed in the ninth century in the shape of the Hindu god Vishnu's conch shell, Bhaktapur is Kathmandu Valley's most medieval city. Due to its independent development and the greater attraction of Kathmandu and Patan for hill-tribe immigrants, Bhaktapur has retained its character and identity better than the other two major cities in the valley. Visit ancient temples and palaces resplendent with intricately carved windows and latticework- brilliant examples of traditional Newar craftsmanship (a German aid project has been very active in restoration of Bhaktapur's masterpieces). Kathmandu is home to the great Hindu temple at Pashupatinath, located on the banks of the Bagmati River. This is a major pilgrimage site for the followers of Shiva, drawing Hindu faithful from around the world. Although the temple is off-limits to non-Hindus, travelers can still visit the temple precincts and view the temple from the opposite bank of the Bagmati. From here, one can see the temple’s cremation ghats and witness first-hand the Hindu cycle of life.

Dwarika Hotel (B)

You rise early this morning for the dawn Mt. Everest-view flight with a Sherpa Climber as your guide. These turbo-prop pressurized aircraft have been specially outfitted with large viewing windows (every passenger has a window seat) and follow a flight path that parallels the high Himalaya all the way to Everest and back (you will also be invited into the cockpit for a short duration). Accompanying you on the flight will be one of our Sherpas who has climbed Everest. Your Sherpa guide will keep you informed of all the names and climbing routes of the peaks as you fly by them. On return to your hotel, have breakfast with the Sherpa Guide and get all your questions on climbing Everest answered. The eyes of the Lord Buddha gaze serenely upon the Kathmandu Valley from atop the photogenic stupa at Swayambunath, also known as the Monkey Temple. Although Nepal is the world’s only Hindu kingdom, the Buddhist faith is prevalent throughout the country. Indeed, some of Kathmandu’s most renowned sites are Buddhist. The large Buddhist stupa at Bodnath, a World Heritage Site, is equally renowned. The stupa is one of the world’s largest, dating back to the 6th century. Located on the old trade route from Nepal to Tibet, Bodnath is also home to a sizeable Tibetan community and is a wonderful place to witness traditional Buddhist ritual, as well as to shop for Tibetan arts and crafts.

Dwarika Hotel (B)

You have the morning to continue your exploration of this historic city. An early afternoon fight across the foothills of the Himalaya brings you to Pokhara, the second largest city in Nepal. Nestled in the lushly forested Pokhara Valley, the city of Pokhara is surrounded by the towering Himalaya mountain range, including several of the range’s legendary peaks – Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, the iconic fish-tail peak of Machhapucchare, and of course, the redoubtable Annapurnas. Met on arrival in Pohkara and transferred (an hour drive) to the Pavilion Himalaya. After check-in you have the option of taking an hour long hike to visit some of the nearby villages or visit the organic farm combined with a discovery about the eco-sustainable project of the resort.

The Pavilion (B, D)

Start the day with either a complimentary yoga class (90 minutes) by our yoga master or head to our organic farm, get close to the animals and try your skills at milking a cow or a buffalo and collect your fresh eggs (for your breakfast!). Later in the morning head out through the paddy fields for a 20-minute hike, cross the Fursi Khola river and walk up to the FAB Hospitality school. Team up with the students (those learning to become a chef), have a cooking class and prepare your own local Nepali lunch. Enjoy lunch in their company. FAB Hospitality School is a project of Right4Children run and managed by GATE college. The school provides job skills training opportunities related to hospitality industry for the disadvantaged youth and youngsters subject to domestic slavery, child labor and exploited background. After lunch, drive (about 35mins) to Matepani Ghumba which is an important religious, cultural and heritage site of Pokhara.

This is a splendid Buddhist monastery on top of a small forested hill above Matepani in the east of Mahendrapul, center of Pokhara. Once there, one finds oneself lost in time amid the chanting of Lamas, the colossal guardian images of the Buddha and two other accompanying gurus and a prayer house with exquisitely carved columns and friezes are very much worth seeing. A private audience and blessing with the Head Abbot can also be arranged.

The Pavilion (B, L, D)

Wake up early for breakfast before departing for a full day trek to Peace Pagoda and for lunch at The Pavilions Himalayas Lake View Villas.

You will depart guided by a professional guide and naturalist who will take you through an uphill hike through paddy fields, passing local village houses (which are of Brahmin caste). Reach the summit and discover the stunning view of Phewa Lake and the majestic Annapurna Himalaya Range. Walk towards the World Peace Pagoda, the largest Buddhist stupa in the area. There are a hundred Peace Pagodas built around the world and this one in Nepal was actually the 71st Pagoda that was constructed. This project initiated soon after World War II by Nichidatsu Fujii, a Japanese monk, who was greatly inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, to inspire World Peace. There are three Pagodas built in the U.S. – San Francisco; Grafton, NY; and Leverett, MA.

Travel down to a Gurung village through the paddy fields and reach the Pavilions Himalayas Lake View Tented Villas. This satellite property of the Pavilion Farm offering wonderful views of Phewa Lake. You will be welcomed by the team with a traditional drink and a 3 course meal before returning back to the Pavilions Himalayas - The Farm.

The Pavilion (B, L, D)

Wake up pre-dawn and drive 40 min to see the sunrise on the Himalaya from Sarangkot (5,400 ft) offering excellent panoramic mountain views. Have a picnic breakfast at Sagarkot before hiking (3 hours) back to Pokhara Valley.

Enjoy the afternoon at the pool bar or go boating on the lake.

The Pavilion (B, D)

After breakfast continue your overland journey, now heading to the “Terai” the plains of Southern Nepal. A five hour drive brings you to Chitwan national Park. Here you will be staying in a Taj Safari lodge. The Meghauli Sarai is set on the banks of the Rapti River overlooking the core zone of this spectacular lush landscape with the lower Himalayan ranges as the backdrop.

Taj Meghauli Sarai (B, L, D)

You have two days to leisurely explore the Nature Preserve and enjoy the serene setting of your hotel. Chitwan is the last surviving example of the natural ecosystems of Nepal’s sub-tropical lowland ‘Terai’ region, wedged between two river valleys at the base of the Siwalik range of the outer Himalaya. It’s an excellent place to view one-horned rhino and Indian elephant as well as hundreds of different species of birds. Chitwan became a national park in 1973 and was granted a World Heritage Site in 1984 since when the populations of rhino and tiger have increased. You will undoubtedly see rhino, and possibly other large mammals such as sloth bear, wild boar, sambar, spotted deer, gaur, mongoose and a large numbers of langur monkeys but tiger remain extremely elusive and sightings are rare. The park can be explored in a variety of ways; on foot, by boat and on elephant back during morning and afternoon safaris. You'll be woken early to set off into the cold and mist through the grasslands and Sal forest. As the sun gets stronger and the fug lifts, on a clear day your wildlife viewings may be against the backdrop of the Himalaya in the far distance - wonderful and quite extraordinary.

Taj Meghauli Sarai (B, L, D)

After breakfast you are transferred to Bharatpur airport for your flight back to Kathmandu. Balance day at leisure.

This evening enjoy a traditional Nepalese farewell dinner.

Dwarika Hotel (B, D)

Depending on your international flights, you will be assisted in your transfer to the International Terminal and check-in for your outbound flight.