Eleven days in Nepal — the sacred monuments of Kathmandu, medieval Bhaktapur, a jungle safari in Chitwan, and sunrise over the Himalayas from Sarangkot.
Highlights
- The sacred Boudhanath stupa, a centre of Tibetan Buddhism
- Pashupatinath, Nepal's holiest temple, dedicated to Shiva
- Medieval Bhaktapur, ‘the City of Devotees’
- A jungle safari in Chitwan National Park (UNESCO)
- Sunrise over the Himalayas from Sarangkot
- Durbar Square, and Patan, ‘the Beautiful City’
Itinerary
Athens – Kathmandu
We gather at the airport and fly to Kathmandu, via a connecting airport.
Kathmandu
We arrive in Kathmandu, a city of two million spread across the valley that bears its name, having long since absorbed the once-independent kingdoms around it. Here, at the foot of the Himalayas, two worlds meet: the Hindu and the Buddhist.
Boudhanath, Pashupatinath & Bhaktapur
Our tour begins at the sacred Boudhanath stupa, a landmark of the city and a centre of Tibetan Buddhism, then Pashupatinath, Nepal's holiest temple. In the afternoon we make for historic Bhaktapur, ‘the City of Devotees’, with its cobbled streets and red-brick houses. The day closes with dinner at a local restaurant and traditional Nepali dancing.
🍽 Breakfast, Dinner
Kathmandu – Chitwan
After breakfast we drive to Chitwan National Park, a natural site on the UNESCO list. In the afternoon, a walk through the village of the Tharu people.
🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Chitwan
The day belongs to Chitwan National Park: a jungle safari among mammals, birds, reptiles and water-dwelling species of every kind. The subtropical climate feeds a rich, dense vegetation.
🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Chitwan – Pokhara
We leave for captivating Pokhara, on the shore of Phewa Lake, Nepal's second largest. Pokhara holds the summer residence of the country's kings and has long been a resort town.
🍽 Breakfast, Dinner
Pokhara & sunrise at Sarangkot
A day given to the landscape. We drive to Sarangkot for Nepal's famous sunrise over the Himalayas — a sight that stops the breath.
🍽 Breakfast, Dinner
Pokhara – Kathmandu
We leave Pokhara for Kathmandu, a long drive through village after village, with endless glimpses of a daily life that holds the eye. We reach our hotel in the afternoon.
🍽 Breakfast, Dinner
Durbar Square & Patan
A visit to Durbar Square, in the heart of old Kathmandu, where the whole complex is under UNESCO protection. On its southern side stands Kumari Chowk, home of the Raj Kumari, the living goddess. We continue to Patan — Lalitpur, ‘the Beautiful City’ — a paradise of the fine arts, with Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries.
🍽 Breakfast, Dinner
A Buddhist temple & Thamel
A visit to a Buddhist temple, to see the monks' life and customs from the inside. For the evening we suggest a walk through Thamel, always crowded and alive.
🍽 Breakfast, Dinner
Kathmandu – Athens
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the return flight via a connecting airport. We land in Greece the same day.
🍽 Breakfast
Included
- Economy-class flights with Turkish Airlines
- Stay in selected 4*sup & 5* hotels — in Kathmandu the DUSIT PRINCESS 5*, in Chitwan the Green Mansion Jungle Resort, inside the national park
- Half board daily, and full board in Chitwan
- Transfers, guided tours and excursions as described in the programme
- A local representative / escort
- Public liability insurance
- Free travel insurance, including Covid-19 cover
- VAT
Not included
- Entry visa: roughly €30, payable in Greece
- Drinks and soft drinks with meals
- Anything not listed under what is included, or listed as optional
Notes
- The flight goes via a connecting airport.
- The order of the programme may change, though nothing is left out.