Classic Nepal

13 Days / 12 Nights from £2195/ $2854 per person

Experience the Himalaya on this Classic Nepal tour that combines spellbinding mountain vistas with Nepal’s distinct artistic heritage, lush jungles and picturesque hilltop villages. Begin your enchanting Classic Nepal tour with a visit to ancient royal cities of the Kathmandu Valley and marvel at the artistic achievements of the Newaris at the quaint mountain town of Bandipur in the heart of Nepal. Then, embark on a 3-night trek through the foothills of the Annapurnas and gaze at the stunning snow-covered peaks stretching from Dhaulagiri (8,167m) – the seventh highest peak to Manaslu (8,156m) – the eighth highest peak. As well as endless views of the Himalaya, the walk will offer you the chance to observe the daily life of the locals and visit the unspoiled village of Pothana that has a distinct Tibetan vibe. Next, drive to the historic town of Gorkha, where you will visit the ruined 18th century fortress and learn about the making of the Gorkha Empire as well as the unification of Nepal during King Prithvi Narayanan Shah’s regime. Then, enjoy thrilling jeep safaris through the low-lying sub-tropical forests of Chitwan National Park and search for one-horned rhinoceros, wild elephant as well as other wildlife, before concluding your Classic Nepal tour with two nights at the delightful hill station of Dhulikhel, which is an excellent base to relax and enjoy stunning Himalayan panoramas or explore the charming medieval villages nearby on foot.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day	Location/Route	Overnight	Sapphire Hotels	Diamond Hotels
Day 1	Arrive Kathmandu Airport. This afternoon explore Kathmandu Durbar Square.	2 nights Kathmandu	The Inn Patan	Dwarika’s Hotel
Day 2	Morning tour of Patan. Afternoon tour of Kathmandu including visit to the Swayumbunath shrine and the Bodhnath Stupa. This evening witness the atmospheric ‘Aarti’ ceremony at the Pashupatinath Temple Complex.
Day 3	Drive to the small town of Bandipur. In the afternoon explore the main square, visit old temples and stroll through the charming backstreets.	1 night Bandipur	The Old Inn Bandipur	The Old Inn Bandipur
Day 4	Drive to Pokhara and embark on a 3-night trek along the foothills of the Annapurnas. Today, you will walk along the ridgeline to the village of Birethati (1,025m).	3 nights The Annapurna Foothills	Ker & Downey Nepal Mountain Lodges	Ker & Downey Nepal Mountain Lodges
Day 5	Trek through terraced farmlands to Majgaon village (1,400m).
Day 6	Trek through beautiful rhododendron forests and secluded villages to Dhampus village (1,525m).
Day 7	Descend through terraced farmland to Pokhara (1,000m). Then, enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Phewa Lake, before driving to Gorkha.	2 nights Gorkha	Gorkha Gaun Resort	Gorkha Gaun Resort
Day 8	Spend the morning discovering the historic town of Gorkha. The afternoon is at leisure.
Day 9	Visit Manakamana Temple, before driving to Chitwan National Park. Late afternoon jeep safari.	2 nights Chitwan National Park	Kasara Resort	Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge
Day 10	Early morning and late afternoon wildlife viewing.
Day 11	Early morning jeep safari. Later, drive to Dhulikhel, a charming hill station in the Kathmandu Valley.	2 nights Dhulikhel	Namo Buddha Resort	Dwarika’s Resort
Day 12	Today is at leisure. Alternatively, enjoy a scenic hike to Namo Buddha Monastery and the Changu Narayan Temple.
Day 13	Transfer to Kathmandu International Airport. Farewell to Nepal.

Day 1

Location/Route :

Arrive Kathmandu Airport. This afternoon explore Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Overnight :

2 nights Kathmandu

Sapphire Hotel :

The Inn Patan

Diamond Hotel :

Dwarika’s Hotel

Day 2

Location/Route :

Morning tour of Patan. Afternoon tour of Kathmandu including visit to the Swayumbunath shrine and the Bodhnath Stupa. This evening witness the atmospheric ‘Aarti’ ceremony at the Pashupatinath Temple Complex.

Day 3

Location/Route :

Drive to the small town of Bandipur. In the afternoon explore the main square, visit old temples and stroll through the charming backstreets.

Overnight :

1 night Bandipur

Sapphire Hotel :

The Old Inn Bandipur

Diamond Hotel :

The Old Inn Bandipur

Day 4

Location/Route :

Drive to Pokhara and embark on a 3-night trek along the foothills of the Annapurnas. Today, you will walk along the ridgeline to the village of Birethati (1,025m).

Overnight :

3 nights The Annapurna Foothills

Sapphire Hotel :

Ker & Downey Nepal Mountain Lodges

Diamond Hotel :

Ker & Downey Nepal Mountain Lodges

Day 5

Location/Route :

Trek through terraced farmlands to Majgaon village (1,400m).

Day 6

Location/Route :

Trek through beautiful rhododendron forests and secluded villages to Dhampus village (1,525m).

Day 7

Location/Route :

Descend through terraced farmland to Pokhara (1,000m). Then, enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Phewa Lake, before driving to Gorkha.

Overnight :

2 nights Gorkha

Sapphire Hotel :

Gorkha Gaun Resort

Diamond Hotel :

Gorkha Gaun Resort

Day 8

Location/Route :

Spend the morning discovering the historic town of Gorkha. The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 9

Location/Route :

Visit Manakamana Temple, before driving to Chitwan National Park. Late afternoon jeep safari.

Overnight :

2 nights Chitwan National Park

Sapphire Hotel :

Kasara Resort

Diamond Hotel :

Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge

Day 10

Location/Route :

Early morning and late afternoon wildlife viewing.

Day 11

Location/Route :

Early morning jeep safari. Later, drive to Dhulikhel, a charming hill station in the Kathmandu Valley.

Overnight :

2 nights Dhulikhel

Sapphire Hotel :

Namo Buddha Resort

Diamond Hotel :

Dwarika’s Resort

Day 12

Location/Route :

Today is at leisure. Alternatively, enjoy a scenic hike to Namo Buddha Monastery and the Changu Narayan Temple.

Day 13

Location/Route :

Transfer to Kathmandu International Airport. Farewell to Nepal.

Tour Highlights

Discover the beautiful medieval palaces and temples of the Kathmandu Valley.
Stroll through Bandipur’s timeless Durbar Square.
Trek through the Annapurna Foothills in style and gaze at the jaw-dropping 8000 m Himalayan peaks.
Explore the historic town of Gorkha.
Search for the endangered one-horned rhinoceros in the wild at Chitwan National Park.
Relax in comfort at Dhulikhel and enjoy stunning Himalayan panoramas.

Extend Your Stay

3 nights: Explore Lumbini and walk in the footsteps of the Buddha
5 nights: Discover Lower Mustang's otherworldly Himalayan landscape
5 nights: Discover Lhasa

Route Map - Classic Nepal