On arrival at Kathmandu Airport you'll be greeted by your driver and whisked away to your authentic Nepalese accommodation. When you've freshened up and recovered from your flight, your Nepal holiday package will really begin and you can take a stroll around the area to soak up the atmosphere, perhaps find a good spot to eat. Definitely check out one of the many rooftop restaurants Thamel has to offer. Your hotel, located just outside the centre of Kathmandu is spacious and full of character. It has lots of authentic detail and a beautiful serene courtyard garden. 

You'll have plenty of time today to explore Kathmandu on the second day of your Nepal holiday package. We can definitely recommend a visit Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath and Swayambunath. It's easiest to take a taxi and travel between the different locations, or negotiate a fixed price with the taxi driver for a tour to all the sights. If you like, we can arrange a guided tour for you - just ask one of our travel specialists.

Durbar Square is the ideal starting point from which to explore this ancient city. You'll see quite a few inspiring temples here. Take a seat on the steps of one of the many temples and just watch the locals going about their daily activities. You can also visit the temple complexes Swayambunath and Pashupatinath (the most holy Hindu pilgrimage site in Nepal). The Bouddhanath temple, a Tibetan Buddhist monument, is one of today's highlights of your Nepal tour package. It's one of the largest stupas in the world. Most of the religious sites are adorned with colourful fluttering prayer flags.

After breakfast, you'll set off on the 5 hour private car drive to Chitwan National Park for the next stop on your Nepal holiday package. After a short briefing, there's time to freshen up in your bungalow and grab some lunch. In the afternoon, you'll have your first elephant safari. Perched high on the back your elephant you'll be safely out of reach of anything lurking in the high grass. If you're lucky, you'll spot your first rhino, although there's a better chance of seeing them on foot on your walking safari tomorrow morning. If a rhino dares approach the elephant, it won't be long before the elephant shows him who's boss with a loud bellowing sound. It's just the subtle way they let the rhinos know he's a little too big for them to mess around with. 

Chitwan is at its most beautiful at dawn, when the early morning golden light sweeps across the plains. The river is even more magical. Working elephants stride through the water, rickety ferries glide downstream and rhinos graze in the grass. On the Nepal holiday package today, you'll start off with a guided walk through the jungle, hiking along narrow paths through the forests and plains where the high grass seems almost impenetrable.

It's scary but exciting to know that the grass could be a hiding spot for rhinos, leopards and tigers, but don't worry - the experienced guides know what they're doing. As sweet and harmless as the rhinos seem, don't underestimate them. They have very poor eyesight, and they tend to storm into any unfamiliar noise or smell - so follow your guide's instructions very closely indeed. Later on there will be a guided jungle walk and crocodile canoe safari or another elephant safari. Please note that the exact order of these itineraries may change according to weather and local operation. 

Depending on what you did yesterday on the Nepal holiday package, this morning there will be another jungle walk or another safari. Then, you'll drive on to Pokhara, a friendly little town on a lake where you will be able to prepare for your trek. You'll stay in a comfortable hotel with views of the mountains and the lake. In the afternoon there's time to stroll through the narrow streets or visit the colourful market where women in vibrant clothes try to sell you their chickens and spices.

After breakfast, our driver will pick you up for the 1-hour drive to Birethanti Village, the starting point of the trekking section of your Nepal holiday package. On the way you'll see the high peaks of the Himalayas emerging in the distance as the road winds its way up to the starting point of your trek. Packed with your camera, warm sweater and some water, you'll head off on a broad path up into the hills, accompanied by your guide and local porters. The villagers will wave goodbye to you as you slowly begin your ascent.

The path leads through a thick bamboo forest to lush green fields where cows with red plumes on their heads graze contentedly. You can stop off for some pictures or a drink on the way. After about 4 hours you'll arrive in Tirkhedhunga, a small village with a couple of shops, a wobbly hanging bridge across the river and waving children that follow you with curiosity. You'll spend the night in a basic lodge with running water, but don't expect a hot shower...

After a hearty breakfast, it's time to pack your things and head off on your Nepal holiday package trek. The first stretch is fairly easy, as you walk downhill into the valley. As you cross the Burungdi Khola, make sure to stop and admire this spectacular mountain river, which looks like a peacefully flowing stream but can fast become a wild churning rapid. The freezing cold melt water flows down from high up on the mountain. After this, you'll begin the most strenuous part of the trek. Heading up some stony steps, you'll slowly make your way to 2000m.

At the end of this strenuous climb you'll be rewarded with an amazing view of the snow-capped mountains rising up about the surrounding hills. The last part of the trek is pretty level and leads through a colourful and aromatic rhododendron forest. Once you reach Ghorepani, you can put your feet up, have a drink and relax. As you look around, you'll see colourful prayer flags blowing in the wind at the many temples and snowy mountain peaks in the background.

Day 10 of your Nepal holiday package will be pretty relaxed compared to yesterday. The trek leads slowly downhill on even paths. There's no climbing and plenty of spots along the way to lie back in the grass. You'll also come across several traditional tea houses where the cheerful local women invite you in to try their tea and get a taste of Nepal.

In the afternoon you'll arrive in Dhampus, which is also the main starting point for expeditions to the summit of Everest. You will stay in a basic lodge where you can swap stories with other trekkers, or just sit back with a mug of masala chai and enjoy the amazing view.

After breakfast, you will leave for Phedi where a minibus is waiting to take you to Pokhara. In Pokhara, you'll check into the same hotel you stayed in at the beginning of the trek. Any belongings you may have left behind will be there waiting for you. The rest of the day is free for you to chill out in this friendly town on the lake. On a clear day you can see the snow-capped peaks in the distance. You can rent a boat and row out onto the lake or grab a snack or perhaps a local curry in one of the many restaurants.

This morning you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast by the lake before being collected from your hotel and taken to the airport. You'll fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu in a small plane, so you'll be guaranteed a window seat. You'll have an amazing view of the snow-capped Annapurna mountains on one side of the plane, and if you're lucky you'll catch a glimpse of Mount Everest on the other.

On arrival in Kathmandu you will be greeted by our local agent and transferred to your hotel. You'll be pretty familiar with the city by now so it won't be hard to find your way to that great little restaurant you discovered during the first days of your Nepal holiday package. In the afternoon you can visit another temple or pick up some souvenirs for home at the local markets.

After breakfast this morning, your Nepal holiday package ends. You have seen the best of Nepal in 2 weeks (adding an overnight flight from the UK). If you're heading back to the UK today, we can arrange your transfer to the airport for you or perhaps another night in Kathmandu - just ask one of our travel specialsts. If you are continuing with your travels, we hope you have a brilliant time, and we would love to hear your feedback when you return. If you have any questions about this itinerary, feel free to call or email us. If you would like to request this itinerary, please fill out our quote request form.