Nepal: The Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan & Pokhara

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) and make the overland transfer into the city. The day is for settling in and acclimatizing to the capital's energy and altitude. The evening offers an introduction to Nepali wellness traditions with a sound bath demonstration, followed by a multi-course vegetarian meal exploring the country's diverse regional flavours.

The day is dedicated to exploring the Kathmandu Valley's key religious and historical sites. The first stop is Bodhnath Stupa, a massive 5th-century mandala that is one of the most significant Tibetan Buddhist sites outside Tibet; pilgrims and monks circumambulate the structure, spinning prayer wheels.

From there, the route continues to Bhaktapur, the region's medieval capital. Its Durbar Square is a dense collection of wood-carved temples, pagodas, and palaces, preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage site and offering a window into the city's Malla-dynasty apogee. The local markets are known for ceramics and a distinctive homemade yogurt called khopa dhau.

The morning begins with a climb to Swayambhunath, an ancient stupa complex on a hilltop overlooking Kathmandu, known for its resident population of rhesus macaques. Later, there's an opportunity to learn about the preservation of traditional weaving with a representative from the Himalayan Indigenous Society, focusing on the craft of the Lowa people from Upper Mustang.

The day concludes with a one- to two-hour drive to Pharping, a key Buddhist pilgrimage site south of the city. The night is spent in a monastery guesthouse, offering a direct look at monastic daily life, including evening prayer services. A cooking demonstration focuses on making traditional Nepali momos.

An early start at the monastery allows for listening to the monks' pre-dawn chants before watching the sunrise over the valley from the monastery roof. Afterwards, a 3.5-hour overland journey heads west towards the Trishuli River. The final approach to the village of Kurintar requires a 30- to 45-minute hike up a forested trail to reach the lodge, which sits on a ridge with views over the river. Porters carry the main luggage. The afternoon is free for walks through the surrounding countryside and nearby villages.

After hiking back down from the lodge, the route continues south into Nepal's Terai lowlands. The destination is Chitwan National Park, the country's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site established in 1973. This subtropical ecosystem is a critical habitat for the greater one-horned rhinoceros and the Bengal tiger. After settling into a lodge on the banks of the East Rapti River, the first wildlife excursion is a river safari on a flat-bottomed boat. This is a quiet way to observe aquatic birds, gharial crocodiles, and other fauna along the river's edge.

Today is dedicated to exploring Chitwan's grasslands and Sal forests. The primary activity is a jeep safari, which offers the best chance of spotting the park's larger mammals, including rhinos, elephants, monkeys, and, with luck, a Bengal tiger. A meeting with a 'tiger technician' from the Nepal Tiger Trust provides context on the research and conservation efforts inside the park, including how the animals are tracked and monitored. A visit to a Tharu village on the park's border offers a glimpse into the local farming culture. The day concludes with a traditional Tharu cultural dance performance back at the lodge.

The journey turns north, climbing from the Terai lowlands to Pokhara. This city, sitting at an altitude of 827 metres, is famed for its location on Phewa Lake and its clear views of the Annapurna mountain range. Historically, it was a stop on the trade route between India and Tibet, a legacy still visible in the mule trains that sometimes arrive from remote Himalayan regions. An orientation walk introduces the lakeside area and its main points of interest, with the rest of the day free for independent exploration.

The day starts before dawn with a drive to Sarangkot, a village perched on a ridge above Pokhara. A short hike leads to the main viewpoint, a classic spot to watch the sunrise illuminate the peaks of the Annapurna Himalaya. Back in Pokhara, a steep forest path climbs to the World Peace Pagoda, a large white stupa built by Japanese Buddhist monks after World War II. Later, a visit to the Tashiling Tibetan refugee settlement, established by the UN in 1964, provides insight into the community's history through its photo gallery, followed by a traditional Tibetan lunch at a local restaurant.

A short morning flight connects Pokhara back to Kathmandu. The afternoon is free for independent exploration. Options include shopping for trekking gear or souvenirs in the labyrinthine streets of the Thamel district, or visiting Pashupatinath Temple. As Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple complex, it is located on the banks of the Bagmati River, where open-air cremations are a daily ritual.

The trip concludes today in Kathmandu. There are no planned activities, allowing for departure at any time. Check-out from the hotel is typically around noon, after which arrangements can be made for transfers to the airport.