Arrival in Kathmandu. Walk through Boudhanath and surrounding neighborhood; 2-3 hours, easy

After meeting your guide in the lobby of the hotel you proceed to visit Boudhanath, Nepal’s largest Buddhist Stupa, where, by late afternoon, monks and nuns are circling the sacred monument, spinning its prayer wheels. This stupa is the holiest outside of Tibet and was built in the 14th century. Your guide will explain the significance of this stupa in Tibetan Buddhism and will also explain the cardinal points, the five elements which are personified in the stupas architecture and the symbolic numbers that are also represented, such as the nine levels of the cosmos, the thirteen rings, and the irregular sixteen-sided wall.

You are welcomed to Nepal at dinner in the hotel’s elegant dining room.

Transfer to the Pokhara Valley. Walk to Sanctuary Lodge; 3-4 hours, moderate

After breakfast at your resort, you transfer to Kathmandu’s domestic airport for the 25-minute flight to the city of Pokhara, the capital of Western Nepal (at an elevation of 3,300 feet). The flight path follows the Western Nepal Himalayas, offering spectacular views of the snow-capped Annapurna Mountains. After a briefing, you transfer by road about one hour, with guides and porters, to the trek start point. The walk begins along a ridgeline in the lower foothills of the Annapurna Range, with broad views over the Pokhara Valley. The route then drops to the Modi River Valley, where the Sanctuary Lodge (3,470 feet) your home for the night, is located. Passing tiny mountain villages, you encounter colorful donkey trains and meet schoolchildren, all the while accompanied by the sounds of the nearby river. With magnificent views of the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain, or Machhapuchhre, as it is locally known, you enjoy lunch on the lodge’s terrace. Later, you may choose to take an optional walk to the village of Birethanti, or to explore the surrounding river valley. Tonight a traditional Nepalese meal is served by candlelight in the lodge’s dining room.

Birethanti to Gurung Lodge; 4 hours, moderate

Following a leisurely breakfast including fresh baked breads, homemade preserves, and honey, you leave Sanctuary Lodge en route to Gurung Lodge (4620 feet). The 2-hour walk takes you through forested hillsides with views of the valley below. The Gurung lodge is built along the lines of a traditional Nepalese village, and every room has spectacular views of the surrounding valley and mountains. After lunch at the lodge, perhaps a tantalizing soup, rice, bread, fresh fruit, and tea, you make your way to the nearby village of Tanchok. Here, you are welcomed to a talk at a historic house that has been turned into a museum and illustrates traditional village life with its collection of tools and implements of the region. There is also time to visit an elementary school. Returning late afternoon to the lodge, there is time to relax and enjoy a drink overlooking the view before dinner.

Majhgaun to Basanta Lodge; 3-4 hours, moderate

This morning’s route takes you through the unspoiled village of Patlekhet, passing through subtropical forest that includes tree orchids, rhododendrons, and magnolias. Along the way, you make a stop at the village of Pothana, where many Tibetan traders live and sell their crafts. Approximately 3-4 hours of walking brings you to Basanta Lodge at 5,000 feet. From the lodge and its lovely gardens, there are sweeping views of the entire Annapurna Range, which you can enjoy over lunch at the lodge. Afterwards, you may choose to take an optional walk through the old village of Dhampus. Tonight you enjoy one last dinner in the heart of the mountains.

Basanta to Pokhara; 1-2 hours, moderate

You depart the lodge this morning and walk along a ridge before descending through the wooded hillside and terraced farmland to the valley floor, walking for approximately 1-2 hours. You are met and transferred by coach about 30 minutes to a lovely resort in Pokhara, arriving in time for lunch. Situated at the base of the Annapurna Range, every room offers spectacular mountain views, as well as its inviting swimming pool. This afternoon Pokhara’s beautiful Phewa Tal Lake invites exploration—on the trail along its shore, and of the many Tibetan artisan’s shops nearby. In the evening, you enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Seti River Rafting; 2-3 hours

The start of the river rafting portion of the tour begins with a transfer from Pokhara to the raft launch site of Damauli, a drive of about 1-2 hours through the countryside. Here you meet your experienced boat crew, who provide a thorough safety and rafting briefing prior to the float down the remote Seti River, including paddling techniques. With no road access, the river, along with the surrounding valley, are pristine and rich in wildlife. River travel affords a unique perspective on village life along its banks, as well ample opportunity for bird watching. Midway along the river journey, you stop at a sandy beach for a picnic lunch. Later in the afternoon, you arrive at the remote, yet well-provisioned campsite with its safari-style tents complete with beds, changing room, veranda, and an attached bathroom. After relaxing, and perhaps taking a short stroll along the river, you enjoy a dinner of simple but plentiful Nepalese cuisine in the riverside dining tent.

Layover day on the Seti River. Optional walk to Dharampani; 3 hours, moderate to challenging with an elevation gain of 1,500 ft

Today is a relaxing layover day at the Seti River Camp, and this morning you may choose to join your guide(s) on a walk through the surrounding forest to the remote Gurung village of Dharampani. The trail ascends through a forest, skirting a small stream, with views of the river below as you approach the ridge. Returning to the camp for lunch, the afternoon is free for you to stroll along the riverbank in search of birdlife, through the landscaped gardens, or simply relax in a hammock or the tree house. This evening, after dinner, you gather around an open driftwood fire, a true safari-style river camp experience.

Seti River raft; 2-3 hours. Transfer to Chitwan National Park

After a final riverside breakfast, you board the rafts for a 2-3 hour float to the rafting end-point. On completion of the rafting, you transfer by coach approximately 2 hours to the Chitwan National Park, with a stop for lunch en route, to begin the safari portion of the tour. Chitwan, meaning “heart of the jungle,” was for decades the royal hunting grounds of Nepal’s ruling class. Established as a national park in 1973, and declared a World Heritage site in 1984, it is one of the best habitats for the Bengal tiger in the world; and also home to 43 mammal species and over 500 bird species. Upon arrival at your safari camp on a bluff overlooking the Rapti River with the national park beyond, an introductory briefing is given prior to the afternoon elephant safari—your adventure atop an elephant through one of Asia’s most fascinating natural parks in search of rhinoceros, tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and many other jungle animals. Later, you share stories over drinks on the patio, and then proceed to dinner in the safari camp’s inviting dining room.

Transfer to Kathmandu. Tour of Pashupatinath Temple; 2-3 hours, easy

Today you awaken for early morning game viewing, which is the ideal time, followed by a copious breakfast at the camp. After, a short transfer brings you to the Bharatpur Airport for the 30-minute flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you proceed to Pashupatinath Temple, with its astonishing architectural beauty, it stands as a symbol of faith, religion, culture and tradition. Regarded as the most sacred temple of Hindu Lord Shiva in the world, Pashupatinath Temple’s existence dates back to 400 A.D. The richlyornamented pagoda houses the sacred linga or phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. Thousands of pilgrims come from all over the world to pay homage to this temple. This evening you gather for a talk given by a Sherpa who has climbed Mount Everest, who joins you for a farewell dinner, celebrating your adventures throughout his fascinating country.

Kathmandu. Everest Mountain Flight and Kathmandu Valley

Early this morning, transfer to the domestic airport; this is where you board the plane for the spectacular 45-minute sightseeing flight to the Everest region. As the aircraft heads east the first peak you see is Gosaithan, also called Shisha Pangma, which stands at a majestic height of 26,289 feet. As the plane flies farther east and closer to the Everest region you also spot Choba-Bhamare, which at 19,465 feet is one of the smaller mountains in this area, yet is singularly stubborn as it has never been climbed. Gauri-Shankar, the mountain next in view, which at 23,405 feet, is very spiritual and said to be protected by Lord Shiva and his consort Gauri. This mountain was not summitted until 1979. Next comes Chugimago, Numbur, and Karyolung, all at over 20,300 feet. Cho-Oyu is the eighth highest mountain in the world and looks stunningly beautiful from the window of the aircraft. Next comes Gyanchungkang, considered very difficult to climb at 26,089 feet. As you fly closer and closer to Everest itself you see Nuptse, which translates as West Peak, signifying its direction from Everest. Finally, last but not least, there is Everest in full view, the tallest mountain in the world at 29,029 feet. Much has been written about this amazing mountain, but to actually witness it virtually face-to-face is an unforgettable experience.

After your incredible sightseeing flight, you return with your guide to Kathmandu, and continue on to Bhaktapur, one of the ancient Nepalese capitals of the Kathmandu Valley up until the 15th century and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Closed to vehicles; the beautifully preserved city is a maze of architectural riches, old temples, shrines, and traditional homes. On the old trade route between Tibet and India, it is known for its traditional handicrafts and practicing artisans. Visit the Nyatapola Temple, the tallest in Nepal, built by King Bhutatindra Malla in 1708 and also view the Palace of the Fifty-Five Windows, with its famous Barking Bell and the Golden Gate, which is said to be the most beautiful and richly molded gate of its kind in the Orient. After touring more of its preserved center, you continue to Patan (also a UNESCO World Heritage site) for a late lunch at the fascinating museum that holds many of Nepal’s traditional sacred art treasures in a former palace of the Malla kings of the Kathmandu Valley. A center of Buddhist and Hindu culture, it is also one of the old capitals of Nepal. Later in the afternoon, you make your way to Thamel, Kathmandu’s central shopping district, where you can do any final shopping. An earlier dinner tonight is in a special place, a former palace garden known as the “garden of dreams.”

Departure

After breakfast, complimentary transfers are provided to Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, for your journey home.