Arriving at Tribhuwan International Airport is an experience in itself. Don’t let it put you off, as our airport representative will be waiting to welcome you with your name written on a placard. Depending on traffic, the drive to your hotel takes about 20-30 minutes.

The day is spent visiting some of the major World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu. More…

You will have plenty of time in the afternoon to prepare for your trip and check that you have everything you need. You might want to visit Thamel, the tourist hub of Nepal where you can easily find all you need for trekking. Or if you just want to relax, there are many cafes and bakeries serving excellent local tea and coffee. It is best to avoid the street food, however, unless you have a very strong stomach.

Starting the day by visiting Bhaktapur, this is one of the most fascinating and important World Heritage Sites in Nepal. The historic centre is made up of three large squares filled with shrines and temples, Newar architecture and fine art. Famous for its clay pots and exquisite wood carvings, Bhaktapur is also legendary for its colourful festivals and its delicious and unique cuisine. Bhaktapur retains its medieval feel and the local people are still engaged in farming and traditional crafts like pottery, metalwork, art and woodwork which have supported the city since it was established in the 12th century. This is a ‘must see’ place to explore! You will be shown the magnificent Golden Gate in Durbar Square (square of the palaces), the Palace of 55 Windows, the Nyata Pola Temple, Newar houses and pottery square. Although the town was damaged in the 2015 earthquake, there has been a lot of work to repair the old buildings.

You are then taken to Panauti where you stay with a family in a homestay. Panauti is an old traditional Newari town in the Kathmandu Valley where you can see a large number of Hindu and Buddhist religious monuments and temples. Originally a small state given by King Bhupatindra Malla as a dowry to his sister, it has not changed much in centuries. You have plenty of time to explore the narrow streets and medieval ghats with your homestay hosts. Situated at the confluence of the two rivers Rosi and Punyamati, it has been regarded as an important religious site since very early times. Famous for its 40 temples and 28 festivals, the temples are dedicated to various and are deities spread around the small one-kilometre town centre. (Panauti Homestay)

It is quite a long day on the road as you are driven to Barauli, a village in Chitwan where you spend the next couple of nights. Located close to the Rapti River in Meghauli, you see the wildlife in and around Chitwan National Park during the two days of your stay here.

In the evening, take a stroll through the local village, and interact with locals to learn something about their way of life. Accommodation is provided in twelve little cottages that have been built by the villagers,  simply furnished and with attached bathrooms, they offer everything for a comfortable stay. The village women, who are also the owner of each cottage, live nearby the homestay so that they can take care of their guests as staying at their homes. Enjoy the local welcome ceremony by the Tharu community people and cultural dance performed by the villagers.  (Barauli Community Homestay)

Chitwan National Park was the first national park in Nepal and was set up 1973. It was made a World Heritage Site in 1984. With an area of over 932 km2 and an altitude of between 100 m to 815 m in the Churia Hills, it is home to 68 species of mammals. You may see the “king of the jungle,” the Bengal tiger as this is reported as being one of the best tiger habitats in the world. More commonly sighted are the one-horned rhinoceros, sambar deer, red muntjac, hog deer, rhesus monkeys, Hanuman langurs and wild elephant.  You will be taken on a jungle jeep safari and a nature walk, visiting a local village outside the national park and can ride on an elephant. (Barauli Community Homestay)

You return to Kathmandu and to Patan, where you stay with a family. Patan is now part of Kathmandu but used to be one of the three independent kingdoms. The houses here are built in traditional design, with thick walls and beautiful wood carved windows and doors. (Patan Homestay)

Take a stroll around with your host to explore the rich history and culture of this part of the city. Very different in character from the rest of Kathmandu, Patan’s Durbar Square is surrounded by the most superb of Newar architecture. It is a beautiful ensemble of temples and shrines beside the old royal palace that now serves as a little museum. In Patan, you can see a mixture of both Hinduism and Buddhism, with people worshipping in both at the same time. Renowned for the “Birth to Death” shops, these are where to shop for every little item that Nepalese rituals require from birth to death. There are many interesting festivals and traditions that are observed here.  (Patan Homestay)

Today you visit a couple of very typical Newari villages not far out south of the city. These two villages have not changed much from its early days. As you walk the streets of Bungamati, you can see plenty of wood crafts and sculptures which might be a perfect handmade souvenir. Khokana is another small village that is very popular for its traditional way of producing mustard oil and its lovely little local temples. (Patan Homestay)

You are taken back to your hotel in Kathmandu and have the rest of the day free. You can visit Swayambunath Temple, otherwise nicknamed the ‘Money Temple’. On a hill overlooking the city, it is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the country. Not for the faint-hearted, there are 350 steps to the top, though you can cheat and take the back route, though less steep it doesn’t offer such good views. Lose yourself in Asaan, the area between Thamel and Kathmandu’s Durbar Square which is a warren of narrow streets where Nepalis come to shop for everything from the kitchen sink to saris and vegetables. Why not visit the elusive Kumari in Durbar Square, or go shopping in Thamel where you can find all sorts of souvenir shops selling handicrafts, local organic tea and coffee and other mementoes.

You transfer to Tribhuvan Airport to connect with your onward flight. Please note that you should check in three hours prior to your flight time.