You'll see: Kathmandu - Patan - Bhaktapur - Dhulikel - Nagarkot - Chauradi - Chitwan - Bandipur - Pokhara - Tirkhedhunga - Ghorepani - Pokhara - Kathmandu

Unexpected Nepal is our most comprehensive Nepal itinerary. You'll experience Nepalese culture, take a rafting trip into the jungle, wash elephants and watch the sunrise at 3190m. You'll visit the royal cities in the Kathmandu area, travel via Chitwan National Park to Pokhara, the starting point of your four-day trek. On the way you will be staying in cosy guesthouses with some amazing views, camp on the river banks, stay at home with the local Tharu, a jungle lodge with elephants roaming outside your window and mountain lodges surrounded by the giants of the Annapurna mountain range. Unexpected Nepal will show you all the hidden secrets of this magical country.

On arrival at Kathmandu Airport you'll be greeted by your driver and whisked away to the buzzing area of Thamel. When you've freshened up and recovered from the inevitable jetlag, take a stroll around the area to soak up the typical Nepalese atmosphere and 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 full of character and has a beautiful serene courtyard garden.

You'll have plenty of time today to see Kathmandu with your guide. Your sightseeing tour will take you to Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath and Swayambunath. Durbar Square is the ideal starting point from which to explore this ancient city. Take a seat on the steps of one of the many temples and just watch the locals going about their daily activities. You will also visit the temple complexes Swayambunath and Pashupatinath. The Bouddhanath temple, a Tibetan buddhist monument is one of the highlights of today's tour. It's one of the largest stupas in the world. You may feel all templed-out at the end of the day but you'll definitely have a better idea of significant role religion has in Nepalese daily life.

Today, you will head out of the city with your driver to explore the cities of Bhaktapur and Patan. You can opt for an excursion to Nagarkot or Dhulikhel. Patan, just south of Kathmandu is known for its many ancient squares where rice is laid out to dry and children run around playing with paper kites. You will also spot lots of old-fashioned water pumps throughout the city. It's like being in a medieval time-warp. This is also your final night in Kathmandu.

Travel time: approx 4 hours by car and 2 hours trekking

In the morning you will be picked up at your hotel by our driver. Weaving through the heavy traffic you'll head out of the city to the quiet village of Panauti in about 4 hours. From here you'll continue on foot to the holy Namobuddha, which means 'Hail to the Buddha'. The name of the stupa is linked to one of the 'Jataka' legends recounting the previous lives of Buddha. It's one of the most important pilgrim sites in the valley, particularly for Tibetan buddhists. The many flags and pilgrims dressed in colourful robes form a vibrant display around the bright white dome of the stupa.

After lunch (not included) in one of the small restaurants you will set off on a hike through the countryside to Dhulikel. Passing through fields and small villages you get a good impression of rural life in Nepal. Dhulikel is a beautifully preserved Newari town made up of traditional stone houses of about 4-5 storeys high. Traditionally they're home to large families with often as much as 50 relatives all living under one roof. You will be staying in a small hotel with great views of the surrounding mountains. The view is particularly beautiful at sunrise.

Travel time: approx 5 hours trekking

After a night in Dhulikel, the trek continues to the village of Nagarkot, the highest point in the Kathmandu Valley. It's a scenic walk of about 5 hours through green terraced fields and, if the weather's clear enough, fantastic views of the mountains. Nagarkot, which lies to the north-east of Bhaktapur and approx 30km to the east of Kathmandu was once a military post but is now a popular destination for walkers and cyclists. The village has a great panoramic view of the Himalayas and on a clear day you can see the Annapurnas and even Mount Everest in the distance. The view is particularly memorable at the end of the day, when the sun slowly sets beyond the horizon and the mountains glow in the evening light.

Travel time: approx 4 hours

Today the trek continues downhill to Bhaktapur, again passing through fields and farmland. After about four hours you will reach Bhaktapur. Have a drink and rest your feet on one of the many rooftop terraces the look out across Durbar Square before setting out to explore the town. Durbar Square is the central town square which is also where you'll find museums, temples and galleries selling traditional tankas; colourful paintings depicting the life of Buddha and other religious scenes. In the middle of the square is the 30m high Nyatapola Temple, the highest temple in Nepal.

After lunch, you can head out to explore the area on your own. Bhaktapur has hardly changed since the Middle Ages. Throughout the town you'll find plenty of medieval buildings with beautiful wood carvings and because the town is largely pedestrianised it feels almost like a huge open air museum.  We've deliberately planned an overnight stay in Bhaktapur in this itinerary so you can explore the town outside of peak hours. With most of the tourists gone, the town suddenly becomes quiet and peaceful you get a feel of what the place was like hundreds of years ago. Wandering through the narrow alleyways, you pass local women spinning wool behind their spinning wheel and threshing rice by hand. You'll be staying in a small cosy hotel on right on Durbar Square.

Travel time: approx 3 hours by bus/ private transportation and approx 3 hours rafting.

Today you'll drive from Bhaktapur to Charaundi by minibus. When you arrive in Charaundi you can grab a bite to eat in one of the many restaurants. After lunch and a brief instruction on the rafting it's time to hoist yourself into your life vest, hop into the rubber raft and make your way downstream. You'll need a couple of serious rapids to get the hang of effective paddling so don't expect to stay dry. The Trisuli has a couple of serious class 3 rapids, but there are plenty of calmer stretches where you can gently float along enjoying the scenery of remote river valleys and canyons. In the evening you'll set up camp on the river bank and enjoy a hard-earned tasty dinner.

Travel time: approx 3 hours rafting

In the morning it's another 3 hour rafting trip downstream. Slowly, the vegetation becomes more jungle-like and eventually you will arrive in the Royal Chitwan National Park. You'll check in to your bungalow and after lunch you will head off on an elephant safari. Perched high on these impressive animals, you'll have a great vantage point from which to spot the many animals hidden in the high grass. With a bit of luck you'll see your first wild rhino, although it's actually easier to spot them on foot. The scenery in Chitwan is very impressive. On the plains you have a great view of the lowlands to the foothills with the peaks of the Himalayan giants in the background. After sunset it's drinks round the campfire, listening to the sound of the river and hyenas howling in the distance.

Chitwan is at its most beautiful at dawn when the early morning golden light seeping across the plains gives it a mystical atmosphere. Working elephants stride through the river, rickety ferries glide to the other side and rhinos grazes in the grass. 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 a little scary knowing that this grass could be a hiding spot for rhinos, leopards and tigers, but luckily the experienced guides know what they're doing. If a rhino gets too close you're quickly directed to scramble up the nearest big tree. As sweet and harmless as those rhinos may seem, don't underestimate them. Because they have very poor eyesight, they tend to storm into any noise or smell they're not familiar with so it may be wise to follow your guide's instructions very closely. Depending on how the day unfolds (and, most importantly, the weather), later on there will be a "crocodile walk" with canoe trip or another elephant safari.

Sapana Village is more than a hotel - it's also an important employment project for the locals. You will find several tiny workshops where the indigenous and poorest part of the population, the Tharus, make and sell their arts and crafts.

There are also plans to build a library, a school and a medical post here. We're therefore very excited to have joined forces with Sapana Village in order to help them make these plans a reality. We run this very special jungle module in partnership with the Tharus, and it's one of our favourite Nepal experiences. You'll start with a relaxing 'elephant bath'. Armed with a brush you'll get to work scrubbing off all the dirt. The elephants clearly love all the pampering and rest assured they'll give you a thorough rinse-off with their trunks once you're done!

Once you've dried off you'll head into the jungle with your guide. You're guaranteed a very warm welcome in the local Tharu village. The Tharus are the indigenous people of this jungle and they are also Buddhist. The enlightened prince's son Gautama Buddha was a Tharu himself. The Tharu will tell you all about the jungle and their way of life. The fact that you really get the time to get to know these wonderful people is what makes this module so enjoyable. Together you will prepare the evening meal and as the sun sets the fire is lit, drums and rice wine appear and the party continues into the early hours...

You will spend the night in a 'jungle tower' on the edge of the village (see images at the bottom of the page). The house which was made by the Tharu, is built on stilts so don't worry about any jungle wildlife paying you an unexpected visit in the middle of the night. Your room is basic but comfortable enough and you will soon find yourself lulled to sleep by the sounds of the jungle...

You'll get off to an early start this morning, so you can expect to arrive in this pretty town in the early afternoon. You immediately feel like you've stepped into a time machine - the streets are narrow and cobbled and lined on both sides with the traditional wooden Newari houses. Curious faces will peek out and as you drive past you, the first smiles appear...

You will be dropped off at a welcoming mountain hotel where you will be staying for 2 nights. The hotel as a colonial atmosphere, a spectacular view and great food to boot. It's surrounded by a wonderfully aromatic pine forest and somewhere among the trees you'll find a pool. When we visited it wasn't filled but perhaps you'll be in better luck.

When you've satisfied your appetite with a tasty lunch you'll have time to explore the surroundings in the afternoon. The centre is a 15 minute walk and on the way you will see farmers working the land with an ox, old women shuffling by carrying huge baskets on their back. The stubborn goats and balding chickens seem to be completely unfazed by your presence. Looking round it's hard to imagine Bandipur was once an important trading town on the route from India to Tibet.

The Bindabasini Mandir (=temple) is well worth a visit. This is the home of Bandipur's patron goddess Durga and it's particularly interesting for its intricate woodwork carvings. Then walk on through dusty streets to the Thani Mai Temple, perched on a hilltop to the west of the city and with fantastic view over the mountains and the town itself. In the evening head for one of the small local restaurants in the centre. Don't expect an extensive menu, but you'll always be served a very warm welcome.

Travel time: approx 6 hours

The next morning you'll have breakfast al fresco. From the balcony you'll look out across the snowy peaks of the Annapurna to name a few. The morning sun climbs higher and the mist slowly rises from the mountains.

Later that morning you will be picked up by an english-speaking guide for your walk to the village of Ramkot. As soon as you leave Bandipur the hills get greener and more rugged with some steep cliffs, rocks and beautiful terraces. Excited children will follow you shouting "Namaste". They love having their picture taken with you and then seeing themselves in the screen of your digital camera.

Travel time: approx 4 hours

From Bandipur, you'll travel on to Pokhara today. As you follow the winding road up through the mountains, you'll notice the air getting cooler. Pokhara stands at 885m and you can see the white mountain peaks getting closer. The scenery gets ever more beautiful so stop off to take some pictures - it's a good moment to enjoy a hot cup of tea served by the cheerful local women in the small tea houses along the road.

In Pokhara you can enjoy the view across the lake. On a clear day you can see the high mountain peaks glistening in the sun in the distance. Rent a boat and paddle out onto the lake, visit a temple or just chill out and enjoy the atmosphere in one of the many local restaurants.

Travel time: approx 2 hours by car and 4 hours trekking

After breakfast, our driver will pick you up for the 2-hour drive to Birethanti. 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 the trek. Packed with your camera, warm sweater and some water you head off into the hills, accompanied by your guide and local porters. The villagers will wave you goodbye 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 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 sleep in a basic lodge. There's running water but don't expect a hot shower...

Travel time: approx 6 hours trekking

After a hearty breakfast, it's time to pack your things and head off on your 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 meltwater 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. On arrival in Ghorepani, you can put your feet up, have a drink and relax. As you look around, you see colourful prayer flags blowing in the wind at the many temples and snowy mountain peaks in the background.

Travel time: approx 8 hours trekking

It's an early start this morning so as not to miss the sunrise at Poon Hill. After breakfast you start the 1-hour climb to the top at 3190m. Once you reach the top, sit yourself down on a nice comfy rock and watch as the sun slowly colours the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri a deep orange. It's enough to give you goose bumps...

When the sun's up the trek continues to Ghandrung. You'll meet a lot of local villagers on the way. Everything is lugged up the mountain, from sacks of rice to live chickens in big baskets, even entire beds. The local men all wear simple flip-flops but they're still a lot faster than us tourists in our posh hiking boots. On the way you pass through fertile fields where you can see farmers working the land. At the end of the afternoon you reach a small Gurung village where you will spend the night in a basic lodge.

After a last relaxed lakeside breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. It's a small aircraft so you're guaranteed a window seat to enjoy the amazing views of the Annapurna range on the one side and, with a bit of luck, a glimpse of Mount Everest on the other.

On arrival in Kathmandu, your driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel. You'll be pretty familiar with the city by now so you won't have any problem finding your way back to that great little restaurant you discovered when you first stayed here at the start of your trip. In the afternoon there's time for a final bit of sightseeing, or visit the local markets for those last-minute souvenirs.

Your itinerary ends after breakfast this morning, and you'll either continue travelling in Nepal, fly into Delhi to explore India, or head in the direction of home. If you're beginning your journey home, we can arrange your airport transfer on request. Once you're home, we'd love to hear just how your trip went. You can always extend your stay in Nepal if you like - just ask one of our travel specialists for some options.

If you have any questions about this itinerary, please call or email us. If you would like to request this itinerary, please fill out our quote request form.