Ancient Cities of Nepal

Arrive Kathmandu

Upon arrival in Kathmandu you’ll be met by your guide who will accompany you to your hotel. The rest of your day will be at leisure.

Historic tour of Kathmandu, Newari architecture in Kirtipur, Chobar Gorge

Surround yourself with Kathmandu’s fascinating history on a morning walk to several significant sites. Wander around Durbar Square (the traditional heart of the capital), where the city’s kings were once crowned, and through a labyrinth of lanes lined with shrines, temples, teahouses and markets. See the Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu’s Royal Palace); Itum Bahal, which boasts the largest ‘bahal’, or Buddhist monastery courtyard, in the old town; and the intricately carved Kumari Chowk, home to the young Kumari or living goddess. Hike to UNESCO-listed Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple) to see a fascinating mix of Buddhist iconography and Hindu deities, and the extraordinary eye mural that stares down over the Kathmandu Valley. In the afternoon, head out to the UNESCO-listed Newari town of Kirtipur, where traffic-free streets are dotted with ancient temples and beautifully preserved Newari buildings. On your way back to Kathmandu, stop at Chobar Gorge where legend tells how Manjushri, the god of wisdom, emptied the valley of water.

Temple wanders in Bhaktapur, Panauti homestay

Head out early for Bhaktapur: one of the Kathmandu Valley’s former royal cities, and home to some of the finest religious architecture in Nepal. Although many ancient buildings were destroyed during the 2015 earthquake, the city still boasts more temples than neighbouring Kathmandu and there’s plenty to see. Wander through narrow streets to see courtyards filled with fired clay pots, women sitting weaving cloth, and craftsmen carefully chiselling timber into furniture and statues. After losing yourself among Bhaktapur’s alleyways, continue to Panauti where a group of families have established a joint home-stay program. Spend the night as the guest of a local family in a typical home, where you’ll learn to cook local dishes as you help prepare dinner, before settling down to enjoy the meal together.

Artisan Newari villages, Neydo Tashi Choeling monastery stay

Journey to the historic Newari villages of Bungamati and Khokana, where life has remained virtually unchanged for generations. Bungamati’s residents are keeping the region’s wood-carving traditions alive through their work, and the main square is dotted with workshops and showrooms. Nearby Khokana has earned a reputation for producing high quality mustard oil using age-old methods. Continue south to the Neydo Tashi Choeling monastery, where you’ll spend the night in their comfortable guest house. Staying overnight immerses you in the daily lives of the resident monks. You can join them in the main hall for the early morning and evening ceremonies, meditate and eat alongside them, and soak up the spiritual silence. There are various walks you can make to a number of nearby, smaller monasteries too, which enrich your experience even further.

Monastery morning, cable car ride, Bandipur hilltop village

Early risers can join the resident monks for morning prayers if they wish, before leaving the monastery and heading north west. As you get further from the bustle of Kathmandu, the views open out to reveal an expanse of mountains and rolling countryside. Pass the Trishuli River and the massive Marshyangdi Hydroelectric Project powerhouse en route, and glimpse ancient stone villages backed by steep rice terraces and towering mountains. At Kuringtar, ride the exhilarating cable car up the hillside to the Manakamana Temple, dedicated to the goddess Bhagwati, who Nepalis believe has the power to grant wishes. Stroll around the temple, enjoying the phenomenal views, before taking the cable car back down and carrying on to Bandipur, where the rest of your day will be at leisure. Many of the traditional buildings around the bazaar have been transformed into cafes and restaurants, where you can easily while away the hours watching the bustle go by.

Hiking around Bandipur, temple or village visit

The forested hillsides surrounding Bandipur are packed with tempting hiking trails, and one of the most popular is a gentle, 20-minute trek west to Purano Kot: an old fort and small temple. A new temple has been built nearby, and locals believe that praying here during times of drought will bless the farmers with rain. If you’re looking for a longer trek, the small village of Ramkot is a two-hour hike west, passing through the timeless villages of Muchuk and Mukundeswari en route. The residents of Ramkot, who belong to the Magar tribe, still live in traditional round houses and rely on healers and shamans for their well-being. Depending on your mood and energy levels, you can explore the hills all day, or just head back to town to relax.

Mountain drive to Pokhara, Bindyabasini Temple, Seti River Gorge

Take the main Prithvi Highway west to Pokhara, keeping your camera handy to snap the views of the steep, rocky gorges on the road between the Madi River and vast Seti Valley. There’ll be time to freshen up at your hotel before heading out on a gentle afternoon’s exploration, wandering around the delicately gilded 17th century Bindyabasini Temple, and peering into the Seti River Gorge.

Annapurna mountain day trek, panoramic views from Sarangkot Hill

Pokhara is the starting point for exploring the epic Annapurna mountains on foot, but you don’t need to pack a tent and disappear into the peaks for days (unless you want to!), as there are a number of scenic day treks through the foothills. The day trek to Sarangkot Hill offers, without doubt, the most incredible view of the Annapurnas. On a clear day, the multiple mountain panorama includes Machhapulchhare – also known as Fish Tail Mountain due to its distinctive shape (6,997m), Hiunchuli (6,441m), Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna III (7,555m), Annapurna IV (7,525m) and Annapurna II (7,937m). An impressive roll call! Drive just outside Pokhara to Naudanda, where the trek begins. From there it’s a fairly gentle three-hour hike, following a gently undulating ridge. Stop along the way, and at the top of Sarangkot Hill, to capture the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, low-lying lakes, and small villages. Having absorbed the vistas, and taken endless photographs, return to Pokhara and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

At leisure in Pokhara

Spend a day at leisure soaking up Pokhara’s laid back atmosphere, or get active on a walking trail around the town. Take a short two-hour trek into the surrounding countryside to local villages, or opt for a more challenging day hike higher into the mountains. Thrill-seekers can go white-water rafting on the Upper Seti River, or paraglide on thermals above Sarangkot Hill. If all that sounds a bit too energetic, opt for a visit to a nearby Tibetan community, or perhaps stroll to the lake, hire a paddle boat and gently scull across the still water. For the ultimate experience, and an unbeatable close-up view of the Himalayas, book a once-in-a lifetime helicopter flight to Annapurna Base Camp.

Patan temple & artisan tours

Fly to Kathmandu on to Patan, where you can spend the afternoon strolling through the town’s narrow alleyways, marvelling at the distinctive architecture and ancient sites. Visit the excellent museum packed with bronzes, sculptures and archive photos in the Royal Palace of Patan, and the Indian-style Krishna Mandir temple built entirely from carved stone, as well as some of the city’s other 180 extraordinary temples and monasteries. Wander between local artisans’ workshops, admiring the traditional metalwork and thangka paintings, before strolling back to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Depart Kathmandu

Check out and transfer to Kathmandu Airport for your onward flight.