TOUR LEADER
Hamish Van Gruisen
TOUR DATE: 9 OCTOBER – 20 OCTOBER 2024
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £1,490
Price Includes
- Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary
- Breakfast daily; 7 lunches; 8 dinners
- Domestic flights
- All entrance fees, visits, excursions and transportation as per the itinerary
- Gratuities in restaurants for included meals; gratuities to driver/s; porterage
- Gratuities to guide/s
- Local English-speaking guide/s
- The services of your tour leader throughout
Price Excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas
- Items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls / laundry etc.)
- Government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme on 20/11/23
London / Doha
Suggested flights (not included in the cost of the tour) Qatar Airways QR 4 departing London Heathrow at 15.05 hrs arriving in Doha at 23.50 hrs.
Doha / Kathmandu
Connect to Qatar Airways QR 648 departing Doha at 01.00 hrs arriving Kathmandu at 08.30 hrs. Transfer to Dwarika’s Hotel where three nights are spent. Dwarika’s is a palace complex style hotel with architecture that recalls the Durbar squares, temples, courtyards, stupas and tall houses with intricately carved windows of a 15th century Nepalese town, complemented, of course, by 21st century amenities and comforts. The spacious guest rooms and suites are all individually designed and decorated with traditional fabrics and accessories. There are three restaurants which all use ingredients from Dwarika’s own farms. Facilities include a swimming pool inspired by 12th century Malla Dynasty baths, the Pancha Kosha Himalayan Spa and a Yoga and fitness centre.
Lunch under own arrangements. Afternoon city tour of Kathmandu including the famous UNESCO Pashupatinath Temple which is considered one of the most sacred temples of the Hindu faith, serving as the seat of the national deity, Lord Pashupatinath, and famous for its burning ghats. Also visit the great white stupa at Boudhanath, one of the world’s largest stupas and the most important Tibetan Buddhist monument outside Tibet. Nepali dinner at Dwarika’s Hotel’s Krishnar Pan restaurant.
Kathmandu
Visit Swayambhunath, the ‘Monkey Temple’, the oldest shrine in the world established more than 2,500 years ago, situated on top of a high hill, and commanding superb views of the valley below. The four sides of this ancient structure are painted with the compassionate eyes of Buddha. Continue to Patan by crossing the Bagmati River. Visit Durbar Square in Patan, city of arts and architecture, founded in 250 AD and known as Lalitpur. It is renowned for its fine works in bronze, silver, and copper Lunch at Chez Caroline’s. Return to Kathmandu for an afternoon rickshaw ride around Durbar Square before continuing to the shopping district of Thamal.
Afternoon to either go shopping, explore Kathmandu further or take in the atmosphere. Dinner under own arrangements in Thamal.
Kathmandu
Optional dawn flight from Kathmandu airport over Mount Everest (8,848 metres) during which you will have a bird’s-eye view of the highest peak in the world and the Himalayan panorama. Return to the hotel for breakfast.
Transfer to Bhaktapur for lunch in a local restaurant. Explore Bhaktapur, an ancient Newar town which is the third largest in the Kathmandu Valley and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its rich culture, temples, and wood, metal, and stone artwork. Return to Kathmandu and dinner under own arrangements.
Kathmandu / Pokhara
Transfer to Kathmandu Airport for a flight Pokhara and transfer to Lakeside which is situated besides Phewa Tal Lake. Enjoy some free time for shopping and lunch under own arrangements.
Afternoon transfer to the Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge where three nights are spent. Situated on a spectacular hilltop ridge above the Pokhara Valley, the lodge has stunning mountain views. Accommodation is in hand-cut stone bungalows, set in natural gardens around the hilltop. The lodge’s spa services include massage, yoga, and meditation. Dinner at the lodge.
Pokhara
Ridge-top walk through the natural beauty of the Annapurna Mountains with breath-taking views. Stop for a picnic lunch en route.
Return to relax or enjoy the lodge’s facilities. Dinner at the lodge.
Pokhara
Day to enjoy the various activities on offer at the lodge including more walks which may include bird watching or visiting a local village or relax and have a massage.
Lunch and dinner at the lodge.
Pokhara / Chitwan
Transfer to Pokhara Airport for a flight to Bharatpur. On arrival transfer Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge where three nights are spent. The lodge is situated on the boundary of Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the country’s most visited national park. Inspired by the longhouse style of Tharu architecture and built from local materials, comfortable ensuite guestrooms overlook the picturesque Terai landscape. The lodge garden provides the perfect tranquil settings for al fresco meals, with superb organic food prepared with home grown ingredients, and afternoon relaxation by the swimming pool.
Lunch at the lodge. Enjoy a wide range of activities offered by the lodge, in and around the National Park and the surrounding villages. These include bird watching and a variety of safari activities with the experienced naturalists or spending time getting to know the resident herd of elephants with their mahouts. Dinner at the lodge.
Chitwan
Take a morning jeep safari inside the National Park with a chance to spot game such as the one-horned rhinoceros, Royal Bengal tiger, leopard, sloth bear, various species of deer, monkey and birds.
Lunch at the resort. Visit a local Tharu village. Dinner at the resort.
Chitwan
Morning boating safari on the Narayani River to see various birds and crocodile species and other animals alongside the banks.
Lunch at the resort. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner at the resort.
Chitwan / Kathmandu
Transfer to Bharatpur Airport for a domestic flight to Kathmandu. Check into Dwarika’s Hotel where a further night is spent. Remainder of the day at leisure for shopping and relaxation at the hotel.
Lunch under own arrangements. Dinner at the home of long-term local resident and Hamish’s aunt, Lisa Choegyal.
Kathmandu / Doha / London
Transfer to Kathmandu Airport. Suggested flights (not included in the cost of the tour) Qatar Airways flight QR 653 departing Kathmandu at 11.00 hrs arriving at Doha at 13.15 hrs. Connect to Qatar Airways QR 15 departing Doha at 15.05 hrs arriving London Heathrow at 20.25 hrs.
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