The Remote Kingdoms of Nepal

Arriving in Kathmandu, you are met and transferred to your hotel, set within the broad bowl of the Kathmandu Valley — a landscape shaped by centuries of trade, belief and artistry. The remainder of the day is deliberately unhurried, allowing time to recover from the journey or simply begin absorbing the city’s atmosphere.

Prayer flags flutter between rooftops, incense drifts from neighbourhood shrines, and daily life unfolds amid temples and courtyards that speak of an enduring civilisation. This gentle introduction provides space to adjust to Nepal’s pace and altitude, while quietly setting the tone for a journey that will move from sacred urban landscapes to some of the most remote regions of the Himalaya.

Overnight at the Kathmandu Marriott Hotel.

Begin at Boudhanath Stupa, one of the most important Buddhist monuments in the Himalayan world, encircled by monasteries along the ancient Tibet–Kathmandu trade route. A traditional lama welcome offers a meaningful encounter with local monks and a moment of quiet reflection beneath the stupa’s watchful eyes.

Continue to Patan Durbar Square, the historic city of artisans, where palace courtyards, stone temples and finely carved wooden façades reveal the sophistication of Newari design. A private singing-bowl session introduces the resonant sounds long associated with Himalayan healing traditions.

In the afternoon, explore Kathmandu Durbar Square, once the ceremonial heart of royal power. Carefully restored after the earthquakes of 2015, its palaces, temples and courtyards — including the shrine of the Living Goddess — stand as symbols of resilience. The day concludes with a walk through Ason Bazaar and into lively Thamel, offering a vivid glimpse of contemporary Kathmandu.

Overnight at the Kathmandu Marriott Hotel. (B)

Leaving the Kathmandu Valley behind, travel west towards Pokhara, following river corridors that cut through the Himalayan foothills (200 kms - 6 hours). The journey unfolds through terraced hillsides, villages and deep gorges, offering insight into everyday life beyond the capital. While parts of the road reflect Nepal’s ongoing infrastructure transformation, the changing scenery provides a compelling introduction to the country’s geographical diversity.

By mid-afternoon, arrive in Pokhara, a relaxed lakeside town set beneath the great wall of the Annapurna range. On clear days, the first Himalayan peaks appear dramatically on the horizon, hinting at the high-altitude landscapes yet to come. The remainder of the day is at leisure, perhaps to stroll along Phewa Lake or simply absorb the calm before the journey continues north towards Mustang.

Overnight at Temple Tree Resort & Spa. (B)

After breakfast, depart Pokhara and travel north-west, following the Kali Gandaki River as the landscape begins to narrow and rise. Subtropical hills give way to steeper valleys, and the silhouettes of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna gradually assert themselves on the horizon. En route, pause near Jomsom in the picturesque village of Marpha, known for its whitewashed houses and apple orchards, for lunch.

Beyond Marpha, the final 30–40 minutes of the journey to Kagbeni become increasingly dramatic as the valley deepens and the mountains close in. By late afternoon, arrive at Kagbeni, a medieval settlement guarding the entrance to Upper Mustang. With its mud-brick houses, narrow alleyways and fortress-like appearance, the village feels suspended between worlds.

Visit the 14th-century Kag Chode Thupten Samphel Ling Monastery, the spiritual heart of the community, before settling into your lodge. As evening falls, the silence and clarity of this high desert environment offer a powerful contrast to the greenery left behind.

Overnight at Red House Lodge or similar. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, depart Kagbeni and continue north into Upper Mustang, the landscape growing ever more austere and elemental. The road follows ancient trading and pilgrimage routes, climbing steadily across high, windswept passes as the broad plateau of Upper Mustang gradually reveals itself.

By late morning, the walled city of Lo Manthang comes into view, rising unexpectedly from the surrounding desert like a mirage. Once the capital of the independent Kingdom of Lo, the town remains remarkably intact, enclosed by defensive walls and home to fewer than a thousand inhabitants.

After checking into your hotel, spend the afternoon exploring Lo Manthang on foot. Narrow lanes lead to ancient monasteries, traditional houses and the old royal palace, offering an intimate introduction to a place that remained closed to outsiders until the 1990s.

Overnight at Mandala Hotel or similar. (B,L,D)

Exploring entirely on foot, begin with visits to the town’s most important monasteries, each revealing a different layer of Mustang’s religious life. Jampa Lhakhang, dating from the early 15th century, is the oldest and most revered, while Thubchen Gompa impresses with its vast assembly hall and richly painted interiors. Nearby Chode Gompa remains an active Sakya monastery, long central to the spiritual governance of the Kingdom of Lo.

Behind Chode lies the Monastic Museum, housing an exceptional collection of ancient manuscripts, thangkas and Bonpo texts, many of which survived both political upheaval and the earthquakes of 2015. Passing the exterior of the former royal palace, your walk continues through residential lanes where daily life unfolds much as it has for generations.

The afternoon is left unhurried, allowing time to absorb the atmosphere of this once-forbidden city, where spiritual practice and everyday life remain closely intertwined.

Overnight at Mandala Hotel or similar. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, drive north-east to the Chhoser region, an area famed for its dramatic cliffs honeycombed with ancient man-made caves. At Jhong Cave, climb through stone stairways and chambers that once sheltered entire communities, offering insight into how people adapted to life in this harsh environment over a millennium ago.

Continue to Garphuk Monastery, one of Upper Mustang’s oldest religious sites, associated with early Buddhist meditation practices, before visiting Nyphu Monastery, carved directly into the rock face and restored in recent years. These sites, set against a stark high-desert backdrop, convey both isolation and spiritual intensity.

A simple local lunch is taken in one of the surrounding villages before returning to Lo Manthang in the afternoon. The remainder of the day is free, perhaps for quiet reflection or further exploration within the town walls.

Overnight at Mandala Hotel or similar. (B,L,D)

Depart Lo Manthang after breakfast, retracing your route south through the wide plateau of Upper Mustang. En route, pass the ancient settlement of Jhong, with its ruined fort and Sakya monastery, and enjoy expansive views towards the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.

By afternoon, arrive at Muktinath, set at 3,710 metres and explore the sacred precincts of revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. For Hindu pilgrims, it is sacred to Lord Vishnu as Mukti Narayana, a place of liberation; for Buddhists, it is known as Chumig Gyatsa, associated with Avalokiteshvara and the life-giving presence of water. Visit the temple complex, where flaming gas vents, holy springs and mountain air combine to create a uniquely powerful spiritual atmosphere.

Overnight at a local lodge in Muktinath. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, begin your descent south. The route passes through traditional Thakali villages such as Jharkot, with its ancient monastery, and Lubra, one of the last strongholds of the Bon faith in Nepal. As the road continues, the landscape changes markedly, opening into the immense Kali Gandaki Gorge, often described as one of the deepest in the world, lying between the towering massifs of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.

The drive reveals Nepal’s extraordinary geographical diversity, transitioning from alpine terrain to warmer foothills. By afternoon, arrive once more in Pokhara, its relaxed pace and lakeside setting offering a welcome contrast to the high-altitude regions of the journey.

The remainder of the day is free to enjoy Pokhara at leisure — perhaps a walk along Phewa Lake, time in a café overlooking the water, or simply rest after days of mountain travel.

Overnight at Temple Tree Resort & Spa. (B)

After breakfast, travel back to Kathmandu, following rivers and valleys eastward through rural Nepal. The journey offers time to reflect on the landscapes, communities and traditions encountered, from the sacred valleys and hidden kingdoms of Mustang to the lush lowlands below the Himalaya.

On arrival in the capital, the remainder of the day is at leisure for final shopping, quiet walks or a farewell dinner, bringing this journey through Nepal’s cultural and geographic extremes to a thoughtful close.

Overnight at the Kathmandu Marriott Hotel or similar. (B)