Nepal Sacred Explorer: From Kathmandu to Pokhara

Welcome to Nepal, a republic known for its alpine adventures at Mount Everest and its Buddhist roots. People travel from all over the world to trek along the Himalayas and find spiritual solace among its villages. No matter your reason for making this journey, we are pleased you’re here with us to explore these ancient lands. Upon arrival, meet your guide and get this adventure started with a visit to the Temple of Pashupatinath. Led by a local monk, you’ll be taken through the grounds to the Boudhanath Stupa, which is the largest Buddhist Stupa in the world. Marvel at its terrace layers, pastel colors, and player flags adorning the sacred building. We’ll learn about its history then observe several thangkas which reflect the teachings and history of the Buddha. From here, we’ll have the privilege of experiencing a blessing ceremony with a Lama (a senior monk) at the monastery before heading to the hotel. You’ll have the entire night to yourself to get setted and enjoy the peaceful energy of Kathmandu.

We hope you’re well-rested and ready to explore because today, we leave Kathmandu for Chitwan. After breakfast, we’ll make the drive to our next hotel, stopping at Brigade Bridge for some sightseeing. We’ll take a short, guided walk around the village, as there are many trails utilized by the local residents. Our trek will take us through the village, passing fields of millet, mustard, potatoes, and other crops. This is also the place for birdwatching and enjoying the flutter of butterfly wings. From here, we’ll make our way to the resort and have lunch before visiting the nearby village of Tharu. With a guide, we’ll explore the lifestyle of the local tribes. What’s incredible is that the people here are immune to malaria and have been able to sustain their ways of living even before malaria was eradicated in the 1960's. Back at the hotel, we’ll watch a slide presentation from one of our jungle experts to learn the history and background of the Royal Chitwan National Park. All questions are welcome; the event preparing us for an exciting morning ahead. Enjoy dinner at the hotel, then rest up for our next adventure.

Rise and shine for a day of adventure in Chitwan! In the early morning hours, we’ll have the option of riding elephants or taking a safari Jeep tour through the park. Both options will allow us to immerse ourselves in the wilderness, catching glimpses of rhinos, tigers, boars, sloths, and much much more. We’ll return to the resort for breakfast to refuel then head back out for more jungle fun. Our afternoon will consist of a canyoning experience, a jungle walk with a local guide, and a Tharu home visit to hear more about the local culture. Along the way, we’ll stop at a local bar for a refreshing drink and eat a delicious lunch of fresh fish and shellfish. After a day of excitement, we’ll return to the resort for dinner and free time to rest.

Today will be full of excitement, as we pack up and travel to the city of Pokhara. Nestled in a tranquil valley on the mighty Annapurna Himalaya Range, Pokhara is also known as vacationer’s paradise. Here, nature is at her peak with mule trains passing through the center of town, just as they have for centuries, retaining an old-warm charm many of us seek to reclaim. After checking into the hotel, we’ll drop our bags and visit the World Peace Pagoda in Kalimati before visiting a local family of the Ex-Gurkha Army. We’ll hear stories from the family and participate in preparing dinner, where we can try our hand at making momo (dumplings). This day will leave our hearts and stomach full of joy, lulling us to sleep in a state of peace.

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll put our exploring shoes back on and head to the Phewa Power House to learn about the area’s first hydropower plant. From here, we’ll make our way to Damsadi Village and walk the area with a local Sherpa. While we marvel at the sights, he’ll share his climbing experience and stories with the group. Enjoy views of the Pardi River, Mount Annapurna, Mount Manaslu, Mount Dhaulagiri Himalayan Range, and the entire Pokhara Valley. From here, we’ll visit the International Mountain Museum that showcases all of the area’s mountains, where our Sherpa will tour us through the exhibits and answer all of our questions.

Awake before the sun and travel to the beautiful village of Sarangkot to watch the sunrise at a mountain overlook. On clear days, you can see an unobstructed view of the Himalayan Mountain Range. After a peaceful experience and time for pictures, we’ll head back to the hotel for breakfast and make the trek to Kathmandu. Once we arrive back in this vibrant city, you’ll have the rest of the day to do as you please. Wander around town, grab some souvenirs, and enjoy one final dinner in this idyllic location.

It’s been an incredible six days of exploration. From the city to the countryside, we’ve seen the history, the culture, and the beauty of Nepal. However, it’s time to pack up and head home. After breakfast, take your transfer to the airport and say goodbye to Nepal from the plane. We hope you had a stellar trip and will travel with us again soon!