Nepal in a Nutshell

Wander between cobbled streets and scattered temples in the atmospheric medieval cities of the Kathmandu Valley, feeling utterly lost in a timeless daydream. Combining the enchanting chaos of Kathmandu with nearby Bhaktapur and Patan and get straight to the heart of mystical valley culture. Weave between fluttering prayer flags, watch monkeys scamper through temple complexes and kids play with paper kites in the cobbled streets.

Set off on an adventure in search of the one-horned rhino. Glide along twisting rivers in a canoe at dawn, watching golden light flood the plains, and watch elephants gather at the shores in the early morning haze. The lush subtropical lowlands of Chitwan National Park are bursting with wildlife and adventure, so get your binoculars at the ready. Take a walking safari, sleep in a scenic bungalow and sail past crocodiles sunning themselves on the riverbank. It’s a rustic outdoor experience that will bolt your eyes wide open.

Relax in peaceful Pokhara, where snowy peaks reflect in the calm waters of the Phewa Lake, prayer flags flutter and Buddhist chants seep from every doorway. It’s a laid-back place with a fairytale feeling, dozens of ramshackle, arty cafes and an endless list of adventures in store. Take a white knuckle rafting trip, paraglide over the rippling lake or rent a boat and paddle through the tranquil waters, surrounded by the Himalayas on all sides. After a day spent exploring, stretch out in the sunshine on the shoreline and let it all sink in. Pokhara feels tinged with magic, making it very hard to leave.

Take a short trek through forests and villages for an epic sunrise view. Watch colours paint the sky and clouds drift below you as dawn breaks over Poon Hill, perched between snow-tipped Himalayan peaks. Over five days, you’ll climb twisting stone staircases, hike through the lush foothills and get a real taste of trekking in Nepal. You’ll set off to catch the sunrise well before dawn, trekking in the dark with your guide and your head torch. Watching golden light flood the snowy peaks as the sun creeps up between the mountains, your efforts will be rewarded a thousand times over.

Back in Kathmandu you’ll spend another night in the same hotel. For your last meal in Nepal why not head into the Thamel district and tuck-in to a delicious thali?

The following day we’ll arrange for a private transfer to take you to the airport ready for your flight back to the UK.