Colours of Nepal

On arrival in Kathmandu we'll transfer you to your hotel. Once you've settled in, join your fellow travellers for a welcome drink in the bar and a briefing about what you'll experience on your adventure in this awe-inspiring country.
Begin your explorations on an evening walk, with dinner included. We'll start at the ancient Ason market square, surrounded by a cluster of temples, shrines, palaces and courtyards dating back to the 12^th century. We'll then make our way to Durbar Square, where we'll discover ancient Newari architecture, many temples, including the Temple of Lord Machhendranath, the Aakash Bhairav Temple and the House of the Living Goddess Kumari. We'll also explore Itumbahal, a maze of open squares and narrow alleys, home to the largest Buddhist monastery courtyard in Kathmandu. Our tour ends with visits to the colourful market of Indrachowk, traditionally a centre for the sale of blankets and cloth, and the Annapurna Temple, dedicated to the goddess of abundance and held aloft by four life-size elephant statues.

We've a busy day ahead, with our sightseeing starting at the shrine of Pashupatinath. Stood on both banks of the Bagmati River, it is dedicated to a manifestation of Shiva known as the Lord of the Animals. We'll see the main temple with its pagoda-style roof and a huge bronze statue of Nandi – Shiva's bull. This is a major site of pilgrimage for devotees of Lord Shiva, including Naga Sadhus, who with their dreadlocked hair and naked bodies smothered in ash, are a mesmerising sight.
We will further immerse ourselves in Kathmandu's spiritual traditions with a visit to the Boudhanath stupa. The largest in Nepal, this is also the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside of Tibet and an important pilgrimage site.
Our next stop is at the ancient Swayambhunath stupa, perched on top of a hill and boasting a glittering golden spire. Decorated with the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha, it is an iconic symbol of Nepal and can be reached via 365 steps. Inside the Shantipur Temple here is said to live the 8^th century Tantric master Shantikar Acharya, whose meditation techniques are said to have preserved his life for centuries.
We'll end the day with a visit to the SASANE Sisterhood of Survivors project. Every year, thousands of Nepalese women and girls become victims of human trafficking. SASANE is a non-profit organisation set up to support survivors, providing them with training and skills to get their lives back on track and to help others in similar situations. During our visit, we'll meet some of the women and learn from them how to prepare momos, traditional Nepali dumplings.

There's a long drive ahead of us today as we journey by road to Bandipur but once out of the city, the sights are impressive. We'll pass through ancient stone villages backed by steep rice terraces and mountains, and look out for the Trishuli River and the enormous Marshyangdi hydroelectric power plant.
Bandipur sits high on a ridge and offers amazing views of the Himalayas. Time has seemingly stood still here and this hilltop town is a living museum of Newari culture, where ancient architecture, temples, shrines and traditional ways of life can be experienced.  

On a tour of Bandipur today we'll discover traditional homes and the former fort of Purano Kot. We'll also head to a temple where the locals pray for rain during droughts. A two-hour guided walk, with included picnic, then takes us to Ramkot, a typical Magar village untouched by modern developments. Another couple of hours along an easy trail is the pilgrimage site of Chabdi Barahi.
Next, there's time to relax as we transfer by road to Pokhara, so sit back and enjoy views of the Madi River, deep rocky gorges crossed by suspension bridges and the Seti Valley. The city once sat on a busy trade route between India and Tibet, and even today mule trains, which bring in goods from remote regions, can still be seen camped on its outskirts. This is also the homeland of the Magar and Gurung people, who have earned worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers. The area is also famed for its natural beauty, surrounded by serene lakes and towering Himalayan peaks.
This evening we'll head to the Tashi Palkhiel handicraft centre to find out about the traditional arts and crafts of the Tibetan Plateau. We'll discover how local people make Tibetan carpets and learn about the importance of symbols and images in daily life. We'll also attend the Pema Tsal Sakya Buddhist School and Monastery, where we'll take part in a pooja – a prayer ceremony performed by the monks. Our evening comes to an end as we join a local family for a meal of Tibetan specialities, including Tsampa – roasted barley flour – butter tea and traditional bread.     

Our day begins early as we make our way to Sarangkot to take in sweeping views of Himalayan peaks at sunrise – a truly unforgettable experience.
After time to enjoy breakfast and relax back at the hotel, we'll set off on a sightseeing tour of Pokhara. Highlights include David's Falls, the Bindabasisni Temple and the Seti Gorge, a deep chasm carved by the Seti River. We'll also visit a Tibetan refugee camp, where you can purchase handmade jewellery, wood carvings, rugs and other unique souvenirs.

We'll spend today travelling along the Prithvi Highway into the central hills, where you'll see deep gorges and fast-flowing rivers. We'll continue on to Chitwan, home of Chitwan National Park, which is located in the foothills of the Churia Mountain Ranges and famed for its variety of wildlife.

Chitwan is home to the Tharu people, and we'll begin our full day of outdoor activities with a walk around a traditional village to get an insight into their unique lifestyle. We'll then head off on a thrilling jungle safari in an open-top vehicle which takes us into dense forest. Keep your cameras at the ready and your eyes peeled for sightings of wild boar, elephant, striped hyena and langur, among other species. If you're really lucky you might spot the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros and the elusive royal Bengal tiger.
Our next exciting adventure is a guided tour by canoe to look for crocodiles on the riverbank and many species of exotic birds.
This evening we'll be treated to a performance of Tharu cultural dance.

An early morning flight takes us back to Kathmandu today, where we'll visit Bhaktapur – or the City of Devotees. Here there are three squares filled with ornate temples and architecture dating back to the 12^th century, which shows us how the entire Kathmandu Valley would have looked in the medieval period. You can also watch as traditional crafts, from pottery to woodwork, are created.

Patan is our destination today, a city filled with wood and stone carvings, ornate architecture including dozens of Buddhist and Hindu temples and more than 1,200 monuments. Also known as a centre for arts and crafts, we're going to get crafty here ourselves!
Our first stop is Patan Community Homestay, where you'll be welcomed as a special guest. You'll then attend an art or ceramics class where, with the help of a local artist, you can create your own unique souvenir to take home with you. Lunch is taken back at the homestay, and will be a Nepali speciality or dal bhat, which is a dish of steamed rice, vegetables and lentil soup.
Patan boasts a long and colourful history, and for many years its importance eclipsed that of Kathmandu. By the 7^th century, it was one of Asia's main Buddhist centres, attracting pilgrims, scholars and monks from India, Tibet and China. You'll see its highlights on an included tour this afternoon.
This evening, we will gather to enjoy a Newari feast – a fitting way to bid Nepal farewell. Up to 15 dishes will be served and we will eat the traditional way, using our hands rather than utensils, and sat on a handmade carpet.

Today we'll transfer you to the airport for you return flight to the UK.

​You'll arrive back in the UK today.

Please note that the itinerary for 2020 will differ slightly from that shown here. Day 2 has been left free for you to spend at leisure. All the sightseeing in Kathmandu will now take place on day 3.

The Old Inn is a restored traditional Bandipur house, and truly gives an authentic Nepalese experience to its guests. Its exterior features a stone staircase that leads up to the different floors of the property. On the front there is also an array of natural plant life that looks intertwined with the building itself. There is a restaurant and bar and the personable service of the staff will enhance any stay. Rooms are simplistic and charming in their style, and wooden features are prominent.

The Waterfront Resort overlooking the Phewa Lake has incredible lake view from each of its 58 deluxe rooms. Each room with a lake-view balcony is the perfect place to relax and unwind. It provides high-speed Internet access, delightful dining options and an outdoor swimming pool alongside with business and event facilities to handle conferences, meeting and cocktail celebrations. The hotel is only a 10-minute ride from the airport, and just 15-minute walk from the busy tourist hub or 5 minutes taxi ride. There is also free shuttle service into Lakeside provided by hotel at intervals throughout the day.

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The 4-star Hotel Himalaya is situated in Kathmandu, boasting a 180 degree panoramic view of the Himalayas.

Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar, tennis court and a swimming pool. Bedrooms have private facilities, air-conditioning, hairdryer, safe, TV, minibar and tea/coffee-making facilities.