Jungle Nights and Ancient Sites
Itinerary
Days 1-4 – Kings and gods of the valley
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 getting 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.
Days 4-6 – Chitwan jungle and rhinos
Next, we’ll arrange your bus ticket to Chitwan National Park. All you’ll need to do is make your way to the bus station. It’s an early morning departure, around 8am, and the journey takes roughly 7 hours. 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.
Days 6-7 – Into the jungle with the Tharu
Next you can choose whether you’d like to walk or drive to the nearby Tharu village. Sleep in a jungle tower, cook with the gentle Tharu people and learn about their way of life. This trip will give you a glimpse of real jungle living and bring you closer to the welcoming Tharu community, with their own unique language and customs. It’s a heartwarming and eye-opening experience. You’ll stay in a simple stilted hut buried in the jungle and catch a beautiful sunrise over the tropical forest.
Days 7-9 – Hiking to ancient Newari villages
After your time in Chitwan you’ll travel by private transfer roughly 3-4 hours to Bandipur. Take a breather from the tourist trail in a sleepy mountain village flanked by snowy peaks. Trek between forested hills and rocky cliffs, meeting the friendly locals as you walk. You’ll stay in a small hotel packed with atmosphere, wander past kids playing in the streets and lie back in the grass for a picnic complete with panoramic views. Bandipur is a brilliant place to get off the beaten path for a few peaceful days at the foot of snow-tipped Himalayan peaks. With a gentle pace and welcoming Newari people, you’ll feel at home in no time.
Days 9-11 – Peaceful Pokhara
After your time in Bandipur you’ll travel by private car to Pokhara, which should take roughly 3 hours. 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.
Days 12-14 – Dhulikel & Nagarkot
Next, you’ll jump aboard the tourist bus for the journey to Kathmandu. We’ll organise the tickets in advance. All you’ll need to do is make your own way to the bus station. The bus leaves around 8am and the journey takes about 8 hours. Here, you’ll spend another night in the same hotel as you started in and the following day you’ll travel to Nagarkot.
You’ll travel to Dhulikel, a beautifully preserved Newari town, made of traditional stone houses. The travel time here is about an hour. After Dhulikel, you’ll continue to the village of Nagarkot; the highest point in the Kathmandu Valley. This journey usually takes about 2 hours. If the weather’s clear enough, you’ll be treated to fabulous view of the mountain ranges. The village offers visitors a breathtaking panoramic view of the Himalayas. The view is simply idyllic at the end of the day when the sun slowly sets behind the horizon, casting a fiery glow in the evening sky. You’ll spend the night in a simple, cosy guest house in Nagarkot.
Next, you’ll travel by private car back to Kathmandu, roughly a 2 hour drive, where you’ll spend another night. On the final day of your trip we’ll arrange for a private transfer to take you to the airport for your flight home.
Accommodation
For this itinerary we offer the following options
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