100% customisable travel idea
The majesty of Nepal Hiking at the foot of the Himalayas
Nepal - Kathmandu - Pokhara - Annapurna
100% customisable travel idea
Nepal - Kathmandu - Pokhara - Annapurna
100% customisable for you
Night on board, arrival the next day.
Customised meet and greet in English and assistance with formalities. Transfer to Patan. Stay for two nights in a peaceful neighbourhood. Your accommodation is a traditional Newari house. The central courtyard is paved with grey-blue stone. Galleries run around the sides of the courtyard. The rooms are simple and comfortable, enhanced by exposed timber beams, traditional woodwork, and wooden floors or terracotta tiles. The restaurant serves beautifully cooked Nepalese food for you to try (maybe for the first time).
In your itinerary - Private tour of Patan and Lalitpur. The country's third largest city has a rich cultural heritage in its historic centre. Around Durbar Square, there are over 100 towers and 50 temples. The Royal Palace overlooks the square, as does Krishna Mandir, a 17th century Shikhara style temple. From the same period, there is also the Bhimsen temple, dedicated to Bhimsen, a heroic warrior from the Mahabharata, and the Newar the god of commerce and trade, and the Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The erotic sculptures found in the Vishwanath Temple are an interesting example of exquisite craftsmanship. With your guide, you’ll also learn about Buddhist monasteries. You’ll visit the Hiranya Varna Mahavihar or Golden Temple from the 15th-century, and Minnath Temple from the 16th century, both dedicated to Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.
In your itinerary - Private tour of Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa, Bhaktapur and Changu Narayan. With its riverside location, cremations, sadhus, cows and atmosphere, Pashupatinath Temple is a bit like Benares. Its current Nepalese pagoda style dates from the 17th century. Lord Shiva is worshipped in the temple as Pashupati, the "Lord of Animals". The monumental Boudhanath Stupa dates from the 14th century. The stupa represents the five Buddhist elements with earth at the base, then water, fire, air, and ether, and the path to enlightenment. It was the inspiration for many of the Tibetan monasteries founded nearby. Southeast of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Nepal’s most important city until the 18th century, is renowned for its ancient Newari culture. The old urban layout is very much in evidence here, with buildings developed logically around a square with a well. A magnolia grove shelters the Changu Narayan temple, which has the oldest inscription in Nepal on a fifth century pillar. The temple is dedicated Vishnu, but Shiva, Ganesh, Kali and Krishna are also worshipped by the faithful. The richly decorated temple features classic Nepalese architecture, which differs from the usual pagoda and Shikharastyles. You will have a guide with you on the tours.
Transfer to Bandipur. Stay for one night in the bazaar. Bandipur was, and still is, a trading post. With its orange bricks and impressive carved woodwork, the hotel is a fine example of Newari style. The interior has also been designed in keeping with local traditions. The rooms are not very large, but they are well equipped and comfortable. From the terrace, there are views of Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas, Manaslu and Langtang. Nothing less would do! The homemade food is a true reflection of the clientele, who are Nepalese and American. Both cuisines are simply presented and well cooked.
The hill station has beautifully preserved buildings and a picturesque charm. The locals are proud of their library, which you can visit. Bindhyabasini Temple, devoted to an eight-armed goddess, which is the reincarnation of Kali, is also worth a visit You might be surprised to see local oranges growing here. They seen to grow well in the climate with a helping hand from the farmers.
In your itinerary - Four day trek. Transfer to Pokhara. Meet your private mountain guide who speaks English. Leave most of your luggage in Pokhara and only take your hiking gear with you (some of which is provided). Transfers and sherpas are booked. You only carry what you need for the day. Today, you walk for about two hours from Nayapul. Overnight stay on a promontory above the Modi River, not far from Birethanti, 2,026 metres (6,647 feet) above sea level. The view of Machhaphuchhare, or the Fish Tail, 6,993 metres (22,943 feet) high, is astonishing in every sense of the word. You’ll be delighted to find a comfortable room at the lodge, with a private bathroom and hot water. The local home cooked food is delicious and nourishing.
The hike continues along the Modi River. It's a half-day moderate level walk today. You pass through woods and hamlets. At the end of the walk, a new lodge awaits you on the edge of Majhgaon village, 1,408 metres (4,619 feet) above sea level. Your lodge is a beautiful Gurung house with grey stone walls and walnut-stained woodwork. Conditions are similar to the day before. There's a large, well-kept garden. The mountain setting is genuinely majestic. It’s the little details that make great journeys. Providing a hot water bottle to warm the bed is a thoughtful touch that is much appreciated. The long table where the guests sit together for meals, and the fireplace, instantly create a sense of community. It's a welcoming atmosphere where trekkers can slowly get to know each other. Solar panels mean that there is always electricity. In the nearby village of Tanchok, a small museum documents traditional life in the region.
Another half-day walk through the forest. You pass through the village of Pothana, where Tibetan traders have settled. Finally you reach Dhampus, 1,499 metres (4,918 feet) above sea level. All around, terraced fields line the steep slopes. The patience and hard work reflected in this landscape are impressive. The mountain farmers have worked hard to create their community. If you feel up to it you can walk on a bit further through dense forests of conifers, bamboo and rhododendrons. Once again the conditions here are similar to before. The house looks like a Nepalese longhouse and overlooks the Annapurnas. Suffice it to say, enjoying a drink on the lawn as the setting sun turns the peaks pink and gold is one of those moments you will never forget. Last night in the mid-altitude mountains.
End of the trek and transfer to Pokhara. Overnight stay in the south-western part of the city, just a few hundred metres from Phewa Lake, with the high mountains beautifully reflected in its waters. As always the Annapurnas provide an impressive backdrop to the hotel. The buildings are in a traditional style with stone walls, carved woodwork and balconies. A large blue swimming pool stretches across the garden. Inside, the spaces are simple. The rooms are clean, unfussy and comfortable. Everything is to an international standard with a few Nepali flourishes. The food is cosmopolitan and beautifully prepared by a team of professionals in the kitchen. The spa offers a lovely range of treatments, with therapeutic mud wraps, flower baths and massages. There is a sauna. And there is a gym too with high quality equipment.
In your itinerary - Hike to the World Peace Stupa. The Peace Stupa in Pokhara is undoubtedly in the most glorious location, but it is not the only one. There are 80 of them in total, scattered across the world. They are open to everyone, to promote universal peace, each in their own way. Here, this noble idea has a setting equal to its ambitions. You approach the site by car, then walk up to the monument with a private guide who speaks English. The path is a quite steep, but it’s well worth the effort. Around the white stupa is a garden of Himalayan flowers. In the background, it's the Annapurnas again.
Transfer to Gorkha. Stay for two nights overlooking Manaslu. Your accommodation is a hamlet with stunning views of the distinguished mountain. The cottages are built in the traditional way, with stone walls, slate floors and roofs. The furnishings are simple and comfortable. The rooms have everything you need. And the atmosphere is quite special. In the restaurant they serve Himalayan international cuisine with a local touch. Upstairs there is a terrace which naturally becomes a meeting place. Everything here is eco-friendly. The basic tenet is reduce, reuse and recycle. This sustainable approach only enhances your stay. It ensures that you feel satisfied and calm and want for nothing. Of course, the magnificent vastness of the landscape helps.
In your itinerary - Hike around Gorkha. This hike, with a private guide, takes you over hills and valleys, through pretty woods and small fields, to Gorkha Durbar, the nearby palace. It was built by Ram Shah, the Gorkha King, in the 17th century. In the following century, Prithvi Narayan, the unifier of modern Nepal, was born there. The monument is a particularly important symbol of national identity. A prime example of Newari architecture, the Gorkha Durbar complex houses the Kalika Temple, dating from the 17th century. The temple is adorned with intricate wooden carvings depicting animals of all kinds. The palace museum showcases ancient weapons and documents related to the founding of Nepal. While the palace is one of the highlights of the trek, with splendid views of Manaslu, the Annapurnas and Ganesh Himal, the valley itself is also very beautiful.
Transfer to Kathmandu. Back in the heroic days of trekking from Kathmandu, your accommodation only had thirteen basic rooms. Things have changed a bit since then. There are a lot more rooms now, but the house has managed to build on its history and keep its spirit. The neighbourhood itself has retained a bit of a backpacker vibe. The rooms are still simple in the historic building and a bit better equipped and decorated in the new wing. Regardless of this, there's a basic level of comfort throughout. And the property is imbued with a certain sense of decorum. The cafe and restaurant serve expertly prepared, cosmopolitan cuisine. The restaurant is a little more sophisticated, with candles on the table. Massages are available for guests.
In your itinerary - Private tour of Durbar Square and Swayambunath. The main attractions on Durbar Square are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Kasthamandap is an ancient wooden temple dedicated to Shiva and founded in the 16th century. Hanuman Dhoka is a palace complex from the 16th and 17th centuries which is home to various temples. Kumari Chowk is the residence of Kumari, a living goddess embodying Durga, an avatar of Parvati and a consort of Vishnu. Swayambunath is a Buddhist temple founded at the beginning of the 5th century. On each of the four sides of the great stupa are three eyes representing wisdom, compassion and the all-seeing ability of the Buddha. You will have a guide with you to provide further details.
Transfer to the airport and flight home.
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