Nepal Highlights Journey
9 Days: Kathmandu - Dhulikhel - Pokhara
The Trehan Journeys Difference
- Suites with Views at the Best Luxury Hotels
- Relaxed and Flexible Pace. You Decide How Your Day Goes
- A Top National Guide Accompanying You Throughout Your Journey
- Special Access to Unique Experiences
- Dedicated Specialists to Assist in Planning, and While Traveling
- Flexible Daily Activities and Experiences Per Your Preferences
- Business Class Flights During Your Journey (where available)
- Unique Cultural Experiences Not Offered by our Peers
Day 1. Arrive at Kathmandu
Overnight – Dwarika's Hotel
Once upon a time, a modern jetliner landed at Nepal Airport.
This itinerary assumes an arrival in the late morning or early afternoon. Trehan Journeys will be happy to guide and/or assist you with planning your international flight logistics. Our services begin with your luxury VIP greeting as you disembark at Kathmandu airport. You are greeted after you exit from your plane and are escorted through the complete arrival process, including immigration, baggage claim, and customs. You are driven to your boutique luxury lodging in Kathmandu and assisted with your check-in.
If your arrival at your lodge is a little before 3pm, an early check-in may be possible, but is not guaranteed. If it is much before 3pm, and additional night’s stay can be added, enabling you to check in at arrival. For most of our South Asian destinations, we recommend a day at leisure upon arrival so as to both recuperate from your international flights, as well as to build a cushion for unexpected flight delays. As all Nepal bound flights originating from the United States connect somewhere and most of them arrive in Kathmandu in the morning or very early afternoon, we schedule your arrival day as your day of leisure.
You are at leisure for the rest of this day to enjoy the facilities, dining and spa at your beautiful lodge, or to enjoy walks around the surrounding area. For guests who are certain that they will want to explore on this day, your Tour Director Guide can be available to explore Kathmandu if you let us know during your tour reservation process.
Welcome to an ancient Himalayan Country that offers a fascinating culture, incredible scenery, very warm and friendly people, great trekking opportunities, and a whole lot more. With the exception of the fairly congested Kathmandu Valley, Nepal has charming and laid-back cities and towns, along with picturesque wildlife parks that are home to many endangered species.
The unfortunate picture of the effects of the 2015 earthquake as painted by the media, like much of what they do, is severely exaggerated. For example, the three ancient UNESCO World Heritage religious structures in Kathmandu survived with very little or no damage. The three Durbar Square’s (all of which are also individual UNESCO World Heritage Sites) in the queen cities of the Kathmandu Valley did suffer more damage, but most of their monuments are still standing and still provide wonderful insights into the local culture. You may want to leave part of your baggage at your lodging in Kathmandu as you will return here for your Kathmandu exploration, and the Nepal flights have weight restrictions.
Day 2. Kathmandu – Dhulikhel
Overnight – Dwarika's Resort
You are assisted with your checkout in the morning and driven to Bhaktapur, a UNESCO world Heritage Site, for a guided exploration. Bhaktapur lies on the way between Kathmandu airport and Dhulikhel and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the Kathmandu Valley’s three queen cities, and its name translates as The City of Devotees. Although this queen city suffered more damage than the two others during the earthquake, there is more than enough remaining to marvel at as you walk around the ancient square with its unique architecture and charming temples. The architecture and culture here is different from what you will experience in most of Kathmandu, as ancient Newari architecture and culture are found here in their purest form.
After this you will continue on with your hour and a quarter journey to the ancient mountain town of Dhulikhel. Arrive at your boutique luxury mountain resort and you are assisted with your check-in. Your upgraded suite has organic local charm and spectacular views from its private outdoor spaces. The top-rated Himalayan Resort offers a variety of wonderful Wellness Packages and your Trehan Journeys Concierge can provide you with information after you have reserved your tour – we recommend additional time at the resort for those guests who want more than just spa therapies and some yoga. The following activities are included as part of your suite’s benefits as per the resorts usual policies, but Trehan Journeys does not guarantee any of these activity’s will be available during your stay:
-Use of Himalayan Salt Room
-Use of Crystal House
-Use of Chakra Sound Therapy Chamber
-Use of Meditation Maze
-Use of Garden of Nine Planets
-Group Yoga Session
-Group Meditation Session
-Group Pottery Session
-Group Cine Therapy Session
-Visit to the farm
-Art and Painting Session
-Consultation with Ayurvedic Doctor
The scenic town of Dhulikhel has been an important trading post between the Kathmandu Valley and Tibet for many centuries and the views of the Tibetan and Nepalese Himalayas have to be seen to be believed. Over twenty of the tallest peaks of the Himalaya’s can be seen from different vantage points in the town, including Mt. Lhotse (8516 m – 27939 ft) and the spectacular Annapurna (8091 m – 26545 ft). Please note that the best time for good visibility of the distant Himalayas is at sunrise.
Day 3. Dhulikhel
Overnight – Dwarika's Resort
Proceed for a guided exploration of the fascinating small town of Dhulikhel. Explore the ancient Mewari houses and centuries old settlements like Shrikandapur, as well as some of the ancient temples and Buddhist Stupas. Intricate Mewari architecture is found here in one its purest forms and the culture is laid back and welcoming. Tiered valleys of flowers and cultivation dot the surrounding mountains and Dhulikhel is a golden opportunity for hiking – your guide can take you on gentle or more strenuous walks based on your preferences. One of your favorite experiences will be your visit to the part of town where pony trains from the higher peaks of Tibet arrive on a regular basis and these nomadic visitors bring their unique wares to sell and barter with the locals.
Day 4. Dhulikhel – Kathmandu Airport – Pokhara
Overnight – The Pavilions Himalaya Lakeview
You are assisted with your check-out from your resort and you are driven to the Kathmandu airport and assisted with boarding your flight to Pokhara. Arrive at Pokhara and you are driven to your boutique luxury tented camp and assisted with your check-in to your upgraded tented villa with its wonderful lake and mountain views. Your wonderful camp has only 8 tented villas and you will stay in the top villa category. Wonderful nature activities, village walks, and the spectacular views are part of your stay here. The town of Pokhara is about a half hour drive.
The Annapurna Region is one of those beautiful places where one can stay for a week or longer just to relax and rejuvenate in the natural beauty and relaxed ambiance, similar to South Asian towns like Kochi and Leh (Ladakh) in India, Luang Prabang in Laos, Chiang Mai in Thailand, and Thimphu in Bhutan.
You don’t have to relax in Pokhara – it is an area of lakes and mountains, and the valley and surrounding Himalayas offer some of the world’s best trekking, paragliding, and hand gliding. There is kayaking and white-water rafting, zip lining, the Pokhara Ultralight (for a unique gliding experience), mountain biking, and a whole lot more. This itinerary includes a day where our guests are at leisure to relax, or have us include one or more of the above-mentioned activities. Extended stays can easily be facilitated, for more relaxation and/or other activities. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificence of the holy summit of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain) at 22,890 feet (6,977 m) are sights one has to experience to appreciate. The summit of the mountain has never been scaled – there was an attempt in 1957 when climber came withing about 500 feet, after which Nepal banned any future attempts due to the sanctity of the mountain.
Pokhara is a part of most Nepal trekking itineraries, as much of that occurs in the Himalaya’s surrounding the Pokhara valley. A very popular gentle trekking itinerary are the treks that used to be called the Sanctuary Lodge treks. These can be overnight (with 1 lodge) or multiple nights (with more lodges). The treks are 3 to 4 hours a day of not too strenuous walking, with spectacular views, charming pastoral stops at unique Gurkha villages, and a lot more.
Pokhara was a key stop on a busy trade route that extended from India to Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen camped on the outskirts of the town, bringing goods to trade from remote regions of the Himalaya. This is the land of the Magars and Gurungs, hardworking farmers and fierce warriors who have earned worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers, and who are also will be your guides in case you opt for treks in the Himalayan Annapurna Range. The British Army has long recruited soldiers from this region, and continues to do so today. The Gurkha soldiers serve in the British army, and can then either retire in the United Kingdom with full benefits and a pension, or choose to return to Nepal and enjoy the added benefit of converting the pound into Nepalese currency. The small boutique tourism area around Phewa Lake (the lake is part of your amazing view from your lodge) is full of charming little café’s, bars and souvenir shops, and can be a fun destination for one evening.
Day 5. Pokhara
Overnight – The Pavilions Himalaya Lakeview
Explore the old trading area in the town of Pokhara. Decorated pony trains from the Kali Gandaki trade routes are supervised by men from the mountains that live a lifestyle from centuries ago. You will walk through the bazaar which is alive with the multiple dialects and the animated bartering of these tribals. You will also visit the Bindhyavasini Temple and the fascinating Butterfly Museum located in the grounds of the university.
After a break for lunch, you will enjoy a cruise on Phewa Lake. You will go past the simple three-story villa where the King of Nepal maintains his winter home. Stop at the small golden temple to the Hindu god Varaha which is nestled in foliage on an island in the center of the lake. You will see many fishermen and other pilgrims take their long canoes (carved from tree trunks) to the island to visit the shrine. Pokhara is at an elevation lower than Kathmandu, and has a much more tropical feel to it, which leads to the amazing diversity of bright flowers that adorn much of the valley.
Day 6. Pokhara – Kathmandu
Overnight – Dwarika's Hotel
You are assisted with your checkout in the morning and driven to the Pokhara airport and assisted in boarding your flight to Kathmandu. Your flight may offer you spectacular views of the tallest Himalayan Ranges. Upon arrival you are driven to the Swayambhunath Temple and Pagoda, Kathmandu’s signature monument, with the expressive eyes and nose painted on all four sides of its unique crown that are visible from almost all the Kathmandu Valley. With a history that may go back as far as 2500 years, this ancient complex is obviously a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is built on a hilltop.
Devout Nepalese walk up the hill from the base (365 steps), but most of our guests prefer to drive up almost all the way up and then use the few steps on the other side of the hill. Although a couple of the smaller surrounding monuments were damaged during the 2015 earthquake, the main structure still stands, along with other smaller shrines and monasteries surrounding it.
After this you are driven to your gorgeous boutique lodge and assisted with your check-in at Kathmandu’s finest luxury lodging. This boutique lodge has wonderful facilities, a great location, and amazing service. Your upgraded suite is gorgeous, with terracotta tiled floors and organic local elements throughout.
Day 7. Kathmandu
Overnight – Dwarika's Hotel
Weather permitting, you will experience the Everest flight this morning with private assisted transfers between the lodge and the airport. If weather conditions result in the flight getting cancelled, it can be substituted for the following day.
Continue your tour of Kathmandu city with the Boudhanath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is one of Kathmandu’s two landmarks. This is the largest stupa in Nepal and a major pilgrimage destination for Buddhists. Said to have been built just after Lord Buddha’s departure from the world about two and a half millennia ago, the stupa has multiple legends associated with it in both Nepalese and Tibetan Buddhism. The influx of Tibetan Buddhists escaping China’s control over the last six decades has transformed the area around it as many of them have settled here, and have also built over 50 Gompa’s (monasteries) around the Stupa. Exploring the stupa and its colorful surrounding areas is a highlight for any visitor to Kathmandu. The spire of the stupa and a few other areas received some damage in the 2015 earthquake but this has now been repaired.
After the Stupa you will enjoy a walk in Thamel, the main bazaar area of Kathmandu. Thamel is also where a lot of the inexpensive hostels and other budget lodging options are located, and its colorful alleys are always abuzz with activity. Locals and backpackers flock to this area to shop for a vast range of products, from daily requirements to souvenirs, from clothing to footwear to toys. There are also a large number of dining and street food options for the backpackers, ranging from local Nepalese delicacies to western fare.
After breaking for lunch, you are driven to the Kathmandu Durbar Square, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. A few of the ancient monuments here were damaged during the earthquake, but much of it remains intact. The monuments in the Square were built between the 12th and 18th centuries, and this is where, even today, most of the state ceremonies are performed. Start with a visit to the beautiful 17th Century three-story building called Kumari Ghar, which means the abode of the Living Goddess. Guests may want to spend a couple of minutes researching this ancient tradition before their visit. If you are fortunate, you may be graced with the anointed child’s appearance in an upstairs window. You will then explore the ancient square and its many monuments, with the opportunity to pose in front of Kal Bhairav, an ancient and impressive stone relief of Lord Shiva in one of his most fearsome manifestations.
Day 8. Kathmandu
Overnight – Dwarika's Hotel
Today you will experience a tour of Patan City, one of the three queen cities of the valley. Another UNESCO world Heritage Site, although some structures here were damaged or destroyed by the 2015 earthquake, much of the amazing historic site remains, and is more than well worth a visit. Patan is the city of fine arts, and you will start with an exploration of the Durbar Square. The museum here houses a collection of ancient bronzes and religious objects. Other noteworthy monuments are the impressive carvings at the 17th century Krishna Mandir and Mahavihar, and the 12th century Temple of the Buddha.
From here you will proceed for a tour of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world. Originally built around 2400 years ago, the spectacular temple was reconstructed by a Nepalese king in the 15th century after the original wooden structure was (purportedly) consumed by termites. A lesser-known fact among western visitors is that Nepal’s natives are primarily Hindus (over 80%), and Pashupatinath’s surrounding area is dotted with ancient Hindu shrines and ashrams, as well as a steady stream of pilgrims and worshippers.
Nepal’s holy river Bagmati flows through here and its banks are constant witnesses to Hindu ceremonies for the dead and the living. There is a cremation area where pyres are always present, and your Guide will ask you for a mindful approach in these areas. The main temple and most of the surrounding shrines received no damage in the 2015 earthquake.
Afternoon – You can return back to your lodge or continue exploring Kathmandu with your guide and chauffeur, who are available to you until 5 PM for further excursions – there are a lot of fascinating options which you can discuss with your guide, who will tailor your tour to fit your preferences.
Day 9. Kathmandu – International Flight
Overnight – Dwarika's Hotel
You are assisted with your check-out from your lodge by noon and driven to the airport for your international flight. Those departing later in the day, or at night, can ask us to reserve an additional day of lodging and any other services they may want. At the airport you will be introduced to your Airport VIP Services Representative who will escort you through the check-in process and then through customs and immigration, all the way until your boarding process begins.
Our services end at Kathmandu Airport.
| Destinations | Lodgings |
|---|---|
|
Kathmandu |
Dwarika's Hotel – Heritage Executive Suite |
|
Dhulikhel |
Dwarika's Resort - Executive Suite with Terrace |
|
Pokhara |
The Pavilions Himalaya Lakeview – Royal Lake View Tented Villa |
Winter 24/25 Availability is Limited
High Season Pricing Not Incl. Dec 20 – Jan 5
Please call us at 512 387 1111
Or send us Your Preferred Dates below
2 Guests (1 Suite/Room/Villa)
$10,900.00*
Please send us your preferred dates below.
4 Guests (2 Suite/Room/Villa)
$10,200.00*
Please send us your preferred dates below.
8 Guests (4 Suite/Room/Villa)
$9,600.00*
Please send us your preferred dates below.
These are Smart Fares. Cancellation and Change Fees Apply.
Prices subject to change until booked.