Nepal: Sacred Valleys and Hidden Kingdoms

On arrival in Kathmandu, you are met and transferred to your hotel, set within the broad bowl of the Kathmandu Valley. The remainder of the day is deliberately unhurried, allowing time to recover from the journey and absorb the city’s distinctive rhythm. Incense drifts from neighbourhood shrines, prayer wheels turn beside busy streets, and daily life unfolds amid courtyards and temples that speak of an enduring civilisation. In the evening, dine at a well-known local restaurant in Thamel, the city’s most animated quarter, before a gentle walk through its narrow lanes offers a first glimpse of contemporary Kathmandu layered over its ancient foundations.

Overnight at Dwarika’s Hotel – (First Class, luxury)

Meal plan: Bed and Breakfast

Begin the morning with a private tea session at Dwarika’s restoration workshops, offering insight into Newari architecture, woodcarving and the conservation traditions that underpin much of the Valley’s heritage. Late morning, travel to Bhaktapur, one of Nepal’s most complete medieval cities. Following a short cultural presentation and lunch, explore its atmospheric squares — Durbar, Pottery and Dattatraya — where artisans continue age-old crafts in narrow brick-lined streets. Bhaktapur’s careful restoration stands as a testament to community-led preservation and cultural resilience. Return to Kathmandu in the early evening for dinner before retiring to your hotel.

Overnight at Dwarika’s Hotel – (First Class, luxury)

Meal plan: Bed and Breakfast

Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, once the seat of royal power, including Hanuman Dhoka and the Kumari Ghar, home of the Living Goddess. A short rickshaw ride through the old city’s lanes offers an intimate view of daily life. Continue to Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple complex, before visiting the former royal palace at Narayanhiti. After lunch, ascend to Swayambhunath, the Monkey Temple, where Buddhist and Hindu symbolism coexist above the city. In the early evening, attend a private arati ceremony at a little-visited local temple, providing a quiet, contemplative close to the day.

Overnight at Dwarika’s Hotel – (First Class, luxury)

Meal plan: Bed and Breakfast

Drive west to Gorkha, passing through fertile hills and river valleys. After lunch, explore Gorkha’s hilltop palace, the ancestral seat of the Shah dynasty, offering expansive views across the surrounding countryside. Later, visit the lower palace and museum at Tallo Durbar, and if fortune allows, witness a local military parade in the town square — a reminder of Gorkha’s enduring martial tradition.

Overnight at Gorkha Gaun Resort. (Standard grade -Traditional Nepalese)

Meal plan: Half Board

Travel towards Pokhara, stopping at Bandipur, a beautifully preserved Newari hill town once central to trans-Himalayan trade. Enjoy lunch at a heritage inn and time to stroll its quiet streets, framed by distant Himalayan views. Continue to Pokhara, where lakeside calm and mountain silhouettes mark a transition towards Nepal’s highlands.

Overnight at Sarangkot Mountain Lodge. (First Class – Traditional hill resort)

Meal plan: Half Board

Drive north through the Kali Gandaki Gorge, often described as the deepest in the world, arriving in Jomsom. The remainder of the day is at leisure, with optional guided walks to nearby villages or time to unwind at the lodge, preparing for deeper exploration of Mustang.

Overnight at Shinta Mani Mustang. (Bill Bensley, Worldclass opulent luxury)

Meal plan: Full Board

Guided excursions to Jharkot, Jhong and Kagbeni reveal cliffside settlements, monasteries and restored houses that reflect centuries of adaptation to altitude and climate. A rooftop lunch offers sweeping mountain views, followed by an introduction to Mustang’s distinctive textiles and arts.

Overnight at Shinta Mani Mustang. (Bill Bensley, Worldclass opulent luxury)

Meal plan: Full Board

Drive across eroded plateaux to Lo Manthang, arriving at this remarkable fortified town. In the afternoon, explore its narrow lanes, palace and traditional houses, gaining insight into a culture shaped by centuries of isolation.

Overnight at The Mandala Hotel. (Standard grade -Traditional Nepalese)

Meal plan: Half Board

Jampa Lhakhang, Thubchen Gompa and Chode Monastery, each revealing layers of religious art and history. The afternoon is free to absorb the atmosphere of this remote capital.

Overnight at The Mandala Hotel. (Standard grade -Traditional Nepalese)

Meal plan: Half Board

Travel to Muktinath, revered by both Hindus and Buddhists, where elemental forces and belief converge. Time at leisure to explore the pilgrimage site.

Overnight at the Lo Mustang Himalayan Resort, Muktinath. (Standard grade -Traditional Nepalese)

Meal plan: Half Board

Drive south through mountain passes and valleys, returning to Pokhara by late afternoon.

Overnight at Temple Tree Resort. (Standard grade -Traditional Nepalese)

Meal plan: Half Board

Drive to Chitwan National Park, where afternoon activities introduce Nepal’s most celebrated wildlife reserve.

Overnight at Taj Meghauli Serai. (Luxury Wildlife Lodge)

Meal Plan: Full Board

Jeep safaris, river excursions and guided walks reveal rhinos, birdlife and dense sal forests.

Overnight at Taj Meghauli Serai. (Luxury Wildlife Lodge)

Meal Plan: Full Board 

Drive back to the capital, with the remainder of the day at leisure for reflection or final exploration.

Overnight at Kathmandu Marriott Hotel. (First Class – modern city hotel)

Bed and Breakfast