Wake up bright and early and begin your day with a visit to Bhaktapur, a 15th century city home to a 55-window palace and many other pagoda-style temples built by Malla kings and famous for the beauty of their wood carvings. Bhaktapur means city of the “devout people” and it is a UNESCO heritage site.  ​

Lunch will be at the historical Durbar Square area, after which you will be transferred to Changunarayan Temple — the oldest (5th century) pagoda-style temple in Nepal featuring intricate carvings of tantric deities. Hike in the countryside north of Bhaktapur (around 1.5-hours) through villages, followed by a visit to the temple.

Before your day concludes, visit a Buddhist scholar and linguist, where you will get the rare opportunity to have your questions about the religion’s traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices answered over a cup of chai or lassi.​

After breakfast, continue your hike along a steep trail (around 45 minutes) all the way up to the Kalinchowk Temple (3,850 m), an important Hindu pilgrimage site perched at the edge of the world.

Thereafter, trek along a ridge with incredible panoramic views of the expansive landscape, set against a backdrop of snowcapped mountains such as the imposing Gauri Shankar (7,134 m), the Annapurnas and Manaslu (8,163 m), among others.

After lunch at Kharka, cross the Tingsa-La Pass (3,600 m) and stroll through a dense rhododendron forest en route to your next campsite at Dhumthala (2,800 m) for the night.​

Tuck into a hearty breakfast before making your way to the banks of the Bhote Koshi river — considered to be one of the 10 best white river rafting places in the world — for a thrilling morning of intense white rafting.

With mountains and cascades on both sides, rafting down Bhote Koshi makes for a heady experience with frequent rapids downstream and sudden lifts.​

Break for lunch on the banks of the river before heading to Dwarika’s Resort in Dhuklihel, a Himalayan nirvana designed for pure relaxation, reinvigoration and reflection.

You can choose from a holistic buffet of activities and entertainment, engage in a group yoga session with Stephanie Bovis, or wrap up the day with a various range of activities available to you. For example in the​ Himalayan Salt Room, Chakra Sound Therapy Chamber or Meditation Maze among many more.

Option 1 (8D7N Kathmandu — Airport): Enjoy your morning at leisure. After checking out, make your way to Kathmandu for exciting day explorations, where you will visit a Buddhist monument and turn some prayer wheels, as well as monasteries in Bodhnath. Next up, travel to Patan, where we will have our lunch inside a peaceful historical courtyard. Patan was another kingdom within the valley of Kathmandu before the unification of Nepal in the 18th century. It is well known for its beautiful temples, and arts and crafts. Similarly, its small hidden Buddhist monasteries called vihar are things of beauty.

Option 2 (10D9N Pokhara extension): Hop on a 30-minute domestic flight to Pokhara — a metropolitan city located at the base of the Annapurna mountain region and gateway to the famous hiking circuit. A treasure trove of outdoor activities, go boating on the peaceful Phewa Lake, stopping at an island temple dedicated to the Goddess of the Lake called “Tal Barahi”. Spend the day hiking or cycling to a beautiful viewpoint at Shanti Stupa, a magnificent Buddhist stupa, before making a gentle descent down the valley.​

Take your time and enjoy breakfast at the resort’s terrace.

Head to the airport for a short flight to Kathmandu (30 minutes) to catch your connecting flight back home.

Bon voyage!