Himalayan Footsteps

Experience Nepal I

Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, The Valley Rim, Panauti, Namobuddha, Dhulikhel, Pokhara, Sarangghat, Gaighat, Chitwan

Go on a real adventure to experience Nepal in all possible ways. You will explore Kathmandu Valley on mountain bike, then go rafting to savour the stunning scenery alongside the river and finally spend some days in Chitwan National Park, where you can go for canoeing, elephant safari and spot a great variety of wildlife.

Itinerary

Day 01 Depart UK [hr] Day 02 Arrive Kathmandu Meet our representative at the airport and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is free. [hr] Day 03 – B L Kathmandu |Swayambunath and Western Valley trails -Mountain Biking After a hearty breakfast this morning, leave your hotel and cycle towards Swayambunath, otherwise known as the Monkey Temple for its many resident monkeys. You will leave your bikes at the base of the Swayambhu hill and earn merit by climbing up the stairs to the Stupa. Your guide will show you around and tell you about the significance and the legends of this amazing holy site. You then continue by bike and head out of the city to explore the trails on the western side of the Kathmandu Valley. Take a break and enjoy a picnic lunch in a nice spot where you will see the high mountains of the Himalayas if the weather is clear. Rounding off the day you find your way back into the city and your hotel through little backstreets, seeing a Kathmandu that few visitors get the chance to see. The evening is free for you to relax or explore some of the many good restaurants and bars of Thamel. [hr] Day 04 – B L Kathmandu | Bhaktapur| the Eastern Valley trails -Mountain Biking After breakfast this morning you cycle out of the city through small alleys and backstreets, past the airport and suddenly you will find yourself in the countryside. You will ride through fields and villages to Bhaktapur, or Bhadgaon as it is also called. This stunningly preserved ancient city vividly shows the rich and living heritage of the Kathmandu Valley like no other place. Your guide will let you in on its secrets. You finish off your sightseeing with lunch in a wonderful café, overlooking one of the most famous squares of Bhaktapur. After lunch you will ride up to the oldest temple in the Kathmandu valley, the Changu Narayan temple. Here you will take a visit to the old village and ancient temple, before continuing on trails and backroads back into the city, getting back to your hotel in the late afternoon. You will again have the evening free to try a great restaurant of your choice. [hr] Day 05 - B L D Kathmandu |Patan |The Valley Rim -Mountain Biking After breakfast you will leave your hotel and cycle through the old part of Kathmandu before crossing the bridge over the Bagmati River. You then head through the old city of Patan, through courtyards and alleys to Durbar Square, where your city guide is waiting for you. After getting to know this magnificent ancient city with your guide, you will head east out of the city towards the edge of the valley. From Lubhu, you start the big climb towards the Valley Rim, where you will find your hotel right at the top. From here you will have stunning views of the valley far below and the Himalayas beyond! [hr] Day 06 - B L D The valley Rim | Panauti |Namobuddha|Dhulikel -Mountain Biking Today you will have to leave your hotel in the morning and finish the ascent to Lhakuri Banjyang, leaving the Kathmandu Valley behind. The fun really begins with the following 15 km mostly downhill ride to Panauti, an ancient Newar town where you will stop to have a look around. You continue through the beautiful Panauti Valley towards Namobuddha, through orchards of orange trees. The final climb to Namobuddha is challenging but will take you through a beautiful forest. Take a short break to visit the important Stupa at Namobuddha before continuing to Dhulikhel. Your mountain biking tour ends here and you will check into your hotel for the night. [hr] Day 07 - B Dhulikhel | Kathmandu After breakfast drive back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is free for exploration on your own. [hr] Day 08 - B Kathmandu | Pokhara In the morning you will leave for your 30 minute flight to Pokhara, which is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. Meet our representative at the airport and transfer to hotel. [hr] Day 09 - B Pokhara In the early morning drive to Sarangkot, a beautiful village best known for its sunrise. On a clear day you will have an unobstructed view of the Himalayan mountains. Return to hotel for breakfast. A shirt boat trip will take you to the opposite side of Phewa Lake, from where you will hike to the World Peace Pagoda. It is located high above Pokhara. The rest of the day is free for you to relax by the lakeside or explore the area on your own. [hr] Day 10 - B L D Pokhara| Sarangghat -Rafting Drive to Damauli, from where you will start rafting to Saranghat (approximately 3.5 hours). This rafting trip on the river Seti is one of the most beautiful short river expeditions available in Nepal. The warm waters of this river are heated naturally with the help of underground springs and geothermic activity. The generally gentle river has plenty of small and straightforward rapids. Class-II ending with Class-III rapids. Stay overnight camping under the stars on the banks of the river. [hr] Day 11 - B L D Sarangghat|Gaighat |Chitwan National Park -Rafting Today you will go rafting for another 3 to 4 hours to the end point in Gaighat. Upon arrival transfer to Chitwan National Park. Take a tour to a nearby ethnic Tharu village where you will learn more about the life and lifestyle of the Tharu. Visit the National Park Visitor’s Centre where you can learn more about the history of the National park and about wildlife. In the evening enjoy the spectacular sunset from the bank of Rapti River before being entertained by a Tharu Cultural Dance presentation by the local villagers or a slideshow presentation. [hr] Day 12 - B L D Chitwan National Park Today you will take a canoe ride along Rapti River. This is an excellent opportunity for birdwatching and you might even see two rare species of crocodile: the Marsh Mugger and the Gharial Crocodile. Later go for a jungle walk, before making friends with an elephant: You will have the chance to go elephant bathing on the back of your new friend and play with it in the water. Afterwards take a safari on elephant-back. Stay overnight at the safari lodge. In the evening enjoy a Tharu Cultural Dance presentation or slideshow presentation. [hr] Day 13 - B Chitwan|Kathmandu After breakfast, fly back to Kathmandu. In the afternoon visit Pashupatinath, one of the most important Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world. It draws wandering Sadhus from all over India. A short walk away you will find Boudhanath, one of the largest Buddhist Stupas in the world. Around here you will experience vibrant and unfettered Tibetan culture from the large community of Tibetan exiles. Today’s tour is an ideal experience to compare and contrast the different faiths but also see how they overlap and exist in harmony. [hr] Day 14    - B Kathmandu Today is free for leisure activities. Enjoy a traditional farewell dinner with cultural programme in evening. [hr] Day 15 - B Depart Kathmandu Drive to the airport, your guide will help you and bid you farewell.

Season

J F M A M J J A S O N D (Month to visit with Bold letter) 14 Nights/15 Days Hotel |Camp From £1118 p/p* *on twin share basis Costs Include Twin sharing standard hotel accommodation Meals as in itinerary All surface transportation by private non AC vehicle except public transfer from Gaighat to Chitwan Domestic airfares 1 Night/2 days rafting with camping arrangement 4 nights/5 days mountain biking trip with Mountain Bike, guide and mechanics Entrance fees at monuments for one time entry Sightseeing tours with English speaking guide as per program Nepali farewell dinner with cultural program Costs Exclude International flights Nepal visa fees Tips

Map

Included

Read the FAQ about Nepal >

Image
"What a wonderful holiday, from the moment we were picked up and taken to the airport we have been exceptionally well looked after. Our hotels were clean and welcoming, our guides were friendly and knowledgeable. You pieced together an itinerary that was a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, culture and wildlife, temples and gardens. If we pieced together this holiday ourselves it would have been a shadow of the holiday that you created for us. Our time in Nepal was incredible value and our memories will last a lifetime. We will be recommending Himalayan Footsteps to all of our friends and colleagues, thanks again, now can we talk about Bhutan?"

Share online

Always wanted to go to Nepal?
Contact Us Now

Talk to someone who knows about Nepal

At Himalayan Footsteps we’ve all been to the Himalayas, so let us give you a call to tell you more about it. Fill in some information here and we’ll get back to you.

With Himalayan Footsteps . . .

You're protected
Image
And Nepal is too
Image
Read more about our Ethical Policies