Trips

Kathmandu

Border Information: If you are joining the trip in Kathmandu, you will most likely enter Nepal at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (IATA code: KTM). Wrapped around the Himalayan mountain range is the remarkable country of Nepal. It is the birthplace of the Buddha and is a land of legend and beauty. Within its narrow confines Nepal contains an utterly spectacular variety of culture and landscapes. Nepal has a stunning natural beauty and a simple charm. There is an important group meeting at 6:00pm. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where and when this important meeting will take place. Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Kathmandu before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Kathmandu. In Kathmandu we stay in a good quality hotel. Hotel for the night: Hotel Tibet Hotel Tibet Lazimpat Road Kathmandu 44600 Nepal Tel - +977 1442 9085 About Kathmandu: Kathmandu is the magnificent and evocative capital of Nepal - situated on the shores of the Bagmati river, it's a lively, bustling place where ancient collides with modern to create an exhilarating melting pot of sights, sounds and smells. Today's modern jumble of concrete buildings and busy streets has built up around the medieval old town, where wandering through the winding alleyways is like taking a step back in time. The heart of the old city is the magnificent Durbar Square, where Nepalese Royalty used to be crowned, and today it's a good spot to sit and watch the world go by. The buildings here date from the 17th and 18th Centuries, although many of the original structures were even older and many suffered from earthquake damage over the last few centuries. Other sights worth visiting are the Temple of the Living Goddess, the Royal Palace, the Pashupatinath Hindu temple, Boudhanath Buddhist stupa and Swayambunath (the Monkey Temple), all of which are set against the magnificent Himalayan backdrop. When all the sightseeing gets a bit too much, you can kick back and relax in the numerous cafes and bars around the tourist areas of Thamel and ‘Freak Street'. 

Kathmandu

Today is a free day to explore the incredible city of Kathmandu, soak up its atmosphere, and visit its historical sites. Activity Approximate Cost 2 night stay at the 5 star Dwarika Hotel NPR 250 Enjoy a scenic flight over Mount Everest NPR 200 Discover Kathmandu on a guided city tour NPR 100 Feast on a 9 course traditional Nepali meal NPR 750 2 nights to enjoy the sights of Kathmandu NPR 250 Visit the former royal palace of Narayanhiti and see the crown jewels of Nepal NPR 500 Visit the sacred Hindu Pashupatinath Temple, dedicated to Nepal's unofficial national deity NPR 1000 Get out of the city and explore the nearby national park of Sundarijal, and see its idyllic waterfalls and rock formations NPR 250 Visit the beautiful and tranquil Durbar Square in the nearby medieval town of Bhaktapur, and visit its nearby museums NPR 750

Nuwakot

Today our journey begins with a drive to the historic village of Nuwakot, one of Nepal’s hidden gems nestled in the central hills of the country. Full of ancient temples and palaces, Nuwakot has a beautifully serene atmosphere and rustic ambience - perfect for getting a taste of the calm pace of rural Nepalese life. In Nuwakot we will stay in a hotel based inside an old manor house. Estimated Drive Time - 4-6 hours (please note that all drive times given here are the approximate number of hours that the truck will be in motion only, and does not include any time taken for coffee or lunch stops, border crossings, photo stops, activities en route, comfort breaks, shopping stops, toilet stops, etc. The times given are approximate estimates only and whilst given with the best of intentions, the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!). About Nuwakot: The beautiful and serene village of Nuwakot is nestled amongst the mountains of central Nepal - in fact, the village has the interesting honour of being the most centrally-located settelment in the country. The town contains some historic treasures, most notably the 18th-Century Nuwakot Palace and Bhairab Temple - a UNESCO World Heritage site that once cemented the area as the capital of the valley and a vital stop along the trade route between Tibet and Kathmandu.

Nuwakot

Today is a free day to explore the stunning village of Nuwakot and its surroundings. Activity Approximate Cost Freely explore the historic Nepalese village of Nuwakot and visit its 18th-century palace, once an important stop on the bustling TibetanKathmandu Valley trade route. Free

Pokhara

Today we will spend a little more time enjoying the serenity of Nuwakot, before taking a short drive to Nepal's second city - the adventure town of Pokhara! In Pokhara we will stay in a local guesthouse. Estimated Drive Time - 2-3 hours. About Pokhara: Set in the Himalyan foothills of Nepal, Pokhara is one of the most picturesque towns in the entire country. Set on the edge of Lake Phewa, the town has the spectacular backdrop of the snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna Massif - three of the world's tallest mountains (Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Manaslu) are within 50kms of the city! The city was an important stop along the trading route between India and Tibet, and was a commercial centre for the Kingdom of Kaski in the 17th and 18th Centuries. Today Pokhara is the second-largest city in Nepal and home to a large Tibetan diaspora - there are a myriad of activities available for visitors, including biking, rafting, trekking and boat trips on the lake. 

Pokhara

Today we will have a free day in the fantastic city of Pokhara. The area is famous for its myriad of spectacular waterfalls surrounded by fertile forests and towering mountains, for its fantastic choice of yoga and meditation retreats, and for its overwhelming choice of adventure activities from trekking to rafting to zip-lining to mountain biking! Activity Approximate Cost Take a boat out on Phewa Lake near Pokhara, basking in the spectactular mountain-and-forest scenery of one of Nepal's most beautiful spots NPR 500 Head out to the stunning Phewa Tal Lake on an unforgettable pony trek through the lush forests near Pokhara NPR 4000 Take an early trip to the summit of Sarangkot to witness the incredible sunrise while surrounded by some of the world's highest mountains, with the possibility of trekking downhill back to Pokhara NPR 4000 Visit one of Pokhara's beautiful ashrams to take a yoga or meditation course USD 10 Head out on an adrenaline-fuelled white water rafting expedition near the adventure town of Pokhara USD 40 Head out for an exhilarating mountain biking expedition in the mountains surrounding Pokhara USD 40

Annapurna Region

This morning we take a short drive out of Pokhara to the small village of Dhampus, where we start our 3-hour trek to our Annapurna eco-lodge. The lodge is dramatically located in the foothills of the mountains of Annapurna and Manaslu, and is a paradise for taking walks through the stunning Nepalese countryside. The trek is approximately 3 hours in total, and is relatively easy but is mainly uphill. The trek can be skipped by any individual if need be. In the Annapurna Region we will stay in a local eco-lodge. Estimated Drive Time - 1-2 hours.

Annapurna Region

Today we will explore the area around our eco-lodge, meet many of the locals, and get into the heart of the community. We will hopefuly visit a local school and give something back to the local community by helping to maintain their ingenious water systems. Activity Approximate Cost Get into the heart of a Nepalese rural community in the Annapurna region, visiting a local school and helping out with various sustainable development projects in the village Included in Kitty Head out on a fantastic trek along the ridge at the start of the Mardi Himal Trail, taking in the unreal vistas of Annapurna and Machhapuchhare in the mountain ranges nearby Included in Kitty

Bandipur

Today we will embark on a stunning walk along the ridge, taking in the incredible vistas of Annapurna and Machhapuchhare mountains in the background! We will stop at a small village for lunch and then take the steep downhill trail to rejoin our overland truck on the main road. From there, we will drive to the delightful town of Bandipur. The trek is approximately 5 hours in total, and is easy and relatively flat until the steep downhill section back to the main road which is a bit more challenging. The trek can be skipped by any individual if need be. In Bandipur we will stay in a fantastic local hotel. Estimated Drive Time - 3-4 hours.

Chitwan National Park

Today we will drive through stunning scenery down to the lowlands of Nepal and the Terai grasslands. Our destination is Chitwan National Park, where we will stay for the next 2 nights. If we arrive in good time we will make a visit to Bis Hajaar Tal, also known as 20,000 Lakes, which is a wetland area near the Royal Chitwan National Park. Here we will get the opportunity to see peacocks, wild boars, deer and there is also a slim chance of seeing tigers and rhinos. If we cannot visit the 20,000 Lakes area today we will make our visit tomorrow. In Chitwan we will stay in a local guest lodge. Estimated Drive Time - 2-4 hours. Activity Approximate Cost Explore the village of Chitwan on a tour by traditional ox and cart Included in Kitty Explore the heart of the incredible Chitwan National Park on a jeep safari (alternative to the 20,000 Lake excursion) NPR 3500 Elephant safari through the grasslands of Chitwan in search of Rhino & Tigers Included in Kitty Take a jeep safari around the stunning wetland area of 20,000 Lakes Included in Kitty Witness the fascinating and impressive local tradition of Tharu stick dancing Included in Kitty About Chitwan National Park: Chitwan National Park is situated in the central Nepali Terai, a huge nature reserve protecting hundreds of square kilometres of grassland and marshes. Home to over 700 species of animals in total, it's a fantastic place to look for wildlife - if you're very lucky then you may spot a heavily-armoured Asiatic Rhino, as well as sloth bears and even tigers! You can go on walking safaris, boat trips or travel by jeep in the National Park.

Chitwan National Park

Today we'll spend the day exploring the National Park by canoe and on foot, and there is the option to take a jeep safari! There will be an opportunity to see a traditional Nepali dance demonstration in the evening. In Chitwan we will stay in a local guest lodge. Activity Approximate Cost Explore the village of Chitwan on a tour by traditional ox and cart Included in Kitty Explore the heart of the incredible Chitwan National Park on a jeep safari (alternative to the 20,000 Lake excursion) NPR 3500 Elephant safari through the grasslands of Chitwan in search of Rhino & Tigers Included in Kitty Take a jeep safari around the stunning wetland area of 20,000 Lakes Included in Kitty Witness the fascinating and impressive local tradition of Tharu stick dancing Included in Kitty

Gorakhpur

Border Information: Exit Nepal at Belhiya, enter India at Sonauli. Today we enter the legendary country of India. India has so much to offer, from the beautiful landscapes of the Himalayas, to the amazing temples and coastlines, rich culture, and of course the food! This morning we have a fairly relaxed start to the day before packing up and driving to the border. We will cross the border to India and continue on a short drive to the town of Gorakhpur. We will stay in a local hotel in Gorakhpur. Estimated Drive Time - 8-10 hours.