Luxury Highlights Tour of Nepal
Nepal

A driver will be sent to collect you on arrival at Kathmandu airport and to bring you back to the hotel.  Please provide travel plans on booking and we will arrange the pick up and transfer.

This is a one day guided sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu Valley visiting three out of the seven World Heritage Sites. You will start off by visiting Patan Durbar Square then drive to the Buddhist stupa at Boudhanath followed by the last stop of the day at the Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath. The tour is likely to finish around 4pm and the rest of the day is free to further explore Kathmandu.

Three major towns are located in the valley, Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, each having a great artistic and architectural tradition. Kathmandu is the capital and the largest city in the country. Patan, the second largest is separated from Kathmandu by a river. Bhaktapur, the third largest, is towards the eastern end of the valley and its relative isolation is reflected in its slower pace and more distinctly mediaeval atmosphere.

In the Valley the landscape is dramatically sculpted by the contours of the paddy fields. The towns and villages are alive with the colours of farm produce, ranging from pyramids of golden grain to the vivid reds of chilli peppers laid out on mats to dry in the sun. In the streets and towns there is a constant bustle of activity, especially in the bazaars and markets where the farmers sell their vegetables and fruit.

Everest mountain flight always takes off early in the morning to maximise your chances of getting clear views of the mountains before cloud build up later in the day. This normally means a pick up from your hotel around 5.30am and once through the busy domestic terminal you should be airborne by 6.30am

Later in the morning you are driven by private vehicle to Bandipur. This small town is located on a ridge above the Kathmandu to Pokhara road and has superb views of the Himalayan peaks to the north (Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal).

Bandipur has been considerately developed for tourists whereby some of the old houses have been carefully converted to hotels and there are thankfully few concrete buildings like elsewhere in Nepal. Compared to the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu Bandipur is very peaceful place as vehicles are not allowed into the main square.

After breakfast you will continue your drive to Pokhara and onto the wonderful Shangri La Village Resort. There are superb views from this hotel to the snowy Himalayan peaks including Annapurnas. In the afternoon you can either relax at the resort around the swimming pool or explore the town of Pokhara.

It is worth waking early to see the mountain views that at their best in the morning. After breakfast you have the option to take a boat trip across Phewa Lake and walk up to World Peace Stupa overlooking Pokhara with superb views of Annapurna mountain range.

After breakfast, you will be driven to Lumbini airport for the flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival there is a short drive to Namo Buddha on the rim of the Kathmandu valley where there is a superb mountain panorama from the wonderful Namo Buddha Resort.

Today you have the option to walk to Dhulikhel or to drive by car. If you decide to walk the trail takes you through traditional villages with mountain views.

Transfer to Kathmandu airport for your flight back home.  End of trip.