Highlights Tour of Nepal

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be warmly welcomed by a representative of Monkvana | Himalayan Monks Sp. z o.o., operating through its local partner, Jagadamba Holidays. Our representative will be waiting with an official Monkvana sign and a traditional marigold garland to welcome you to Nepal. Lunch is at your own expense, and your guide will be happy to assist you in choosing a suitable restaurant according to your preference.

You will then be transferred by private vehicle to your hotel. Stay in Thamel at Hotel Kailash Kutee in a twin-sharing room with a private bathroom, with breakfast and dinner included. For late-night arrivals, transportation will be arranged according to your arrival time. Your representative will also provide information about the tour briefing and group meeting. During the briefing, we will review your travel plans and included services and introduce you to your trekking or tour guide. Before the journey begins, all participants will complete the required travel and liability forms. Any outstanding tour balance should also be settled during the meeting.

Complimentary Monkvana Welcome Exploration Tour

For guests arriving in Kathmandu before 3:00 PM on Day 1, we warmly invite you to join our complimentary Monkvana Welcome Exploration Tour. This relaxed walking experience is offered as a special welcome to Nepal and provides an opportunity to discover the historic heart of Kathmandu soon after arrival.

The tour begins with a gentle walk to Basantapur Durbar Square, the former royal palace area of Nepal and one of the historic centres of Kathmandu. Here, you can explore the palace courtyards, temples, and surrounding heritage streets before continuing through the lively local markets of Indra Chowk and Ason Bazaar.

These traditional markets are an important part of everyday life in Kathmandu, where local people shop for a wide range of goods used throughout different stages of life, including everyday household items and products associated with religious and cultural occasions. After exploring the markets and experiencing the atmosphere of old Kathmandu, we return to the hotel. The Monkvana Welcome Exploration Tour offers a gentle introduction to the city and a chance to experience the local side of Kathmandu beyond its main tourist attractions.

After breakfast, around 9:00 AM, begin your guided UNESCO Heritage Site sightseeing tour from your hotel in Kathmandu. Today’s sightseeing covers three of the Kathmandu Valley’s major cultural landmarks: Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple. The tour begins with a drive to Bhaktapur Durbar Square, followed by Boudhanath Stupa, with Pashupatinath Temple as the final visit of the day. Your experienced local guide will accompany you throughout the tour, providing cultural and historical insights into each heritage site.

Upon arrival in Bhaktapur, explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former royal centre renowned for its well-preserved Newari architecture and medieval urban heritage. Discover the 55-Window Palace, Golden Gate, Nyatapola Temple, and Dattatreya Square, along with traditional courtyards, temples, stone sculptures, and intricately carved wooden buildings. Stroll through the surrounding old streets to see local pottery and traditional crafts, and sample the famous Juju Dhau (King Curd), a speciality of Bhaktapur.

Continue to Boudhanath Stupa, one of Nepal’s largest Buddhist stupas and an important centre of Tibetan Buddhist culture. Walk around the sacred stupa with pilgrims and devotees, observe prayer wheels, colourful prayer flags, and nearby monastery activity, and experience the peaceful atmosphere of this important Buddhist landmark. Lunch is at your own expense, and your guide will be happy to assist you in choosing a suitable restaurant according to your preference.

After lunch, visit Pashupatinath Temple, one of Nepal’s most sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located beside the Bagmati River, the extensive temple complex features traditional pagodas, shrines, courtyards, and important religious spaces. Your guide will explain the cultural significance of the site, as well as the Hindu rituals and traditional cremation ceremonies observed along the river.

After completing the sightseeing, return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. You may relax or explore the nearby streets, shops, and cafés of Thamel. Stay overnight at Hotel Kailash Kutee or a similar standard hotel in Thamel, with a deluxe twin-sharing room and private bathroom. Breakfast and dinner are included.

After breakfast, leave Kathmandu and set out on a scenic journey towards Bandipur, with a fascinating historical stop at Gorkha Durbar along the way. The drive follows the Prithvi Highway through Mugling and Abu Khaireni, passing rivers, forested hills, terraced farmland, and traditional settlements before reaching the historic hill town of Gorkha. From here, continue towards Bandipur, one of Nepal’s best-preserved Newari hill towns. The full journey covers approximately 195 km and takes around 7–8 hours, including the visit to Gorkha Durbar.

Upon reaching Gorkha, visit the historic Gorkha Durbar (1,097 m), dramatically situated on a hilltop above the town. The former royal palace is closely associated with King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who was born in Gorkha in 1723 and later led the campaign that unified the principalities into modern Nepal. The palace complex is reached by climbing approximately 1,500 stone steps and includes the Kalika Temple and Gorakhnath Temple. From the hilltop, enjoy views across the surrounding hills and, in clear weather, towards Manaslu (8,163 m) and Himalchuli. Lunch is at your own expense, and your guide will be happy to assist you in choosing a suitable restaurant according to your preference.

After exploring Gorkha Durbar, continue by road to Bandipur 91,030 m), a beautifully preserved hilltop town known for its traditional Newari architecture and historic trading heritage. Explore the brick-paved main street, traditional three-storey houses, carved wooden windows, and historic façades. If time permits, take an approximately 15-minute walk to Thani Mai Temple, a hilltop viewpoint offering views towards Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, Lamjung Himal, and Manaslu, particularly around sunset. Bandipur is situated at approximately 1,030 m. Stay overnight at Bandipur Village Inn or a similar standard hotel, in a deluxe twin-sharing room with a private bathroom. Breakfast and dinner are included.

Start the morning with an early Bandipur sunrise. From viewpoints around Tundikhel or Thani Mai Temple, enjoy the changing colours of the hills and, in clear weather, views towards the Himalayan ranges. After sunrise, return to the hotel for breakfast before continuing your exploration of Bandipur.

After breakfast, explore Bandipur Old Town, known for its well-preserved Newari architecture, brick-paved streets, traditional three-storey houses, carved wooden windows, and historic façades. Walk through the main bazaar and surrounding lanes, discovering local shops, courtyards, and traditional buildings. Continue to Thani Mai Temple, a hilltop shrine with wide views of the surrounding landscape and, on clear days, the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Langtang ranges. You may also visit Khadga Devi Temple, an important local Hindu shrine, before having lunch in Bandipur.

After lunch, drive from Bandipur to Pokhara, covering approximately 72 km in 2–3 hours. The scenic journey passes through green hills, terraced farmland, traditional villages, and river valleys before reaching Pokhara, a lakeside city known for its beautiful natural setting, Phewa Lake, and spectacular views of the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). Upon arrival in Pokhara, check in at your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. You may take a relaxed walk around Lakeside and Phewa Lake, explore the nearby cafés and shops, or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the city. Stay overnight at Hotel Silver Oaks Inn in a deluxe twin-sharing room with a private bathroom. Breakfast and dinner are included.

Start early in the morning with a drive to Sarangkot for sunrise over the Himalayas. From this popular viewpoint above Pokhara, enjoy panoramic views of the Annapurna range, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Dhaulagiri, and Lamjung Himal as the first light reaches the surrounding mountains and valleys. On the way back to the city, stop at Seti Gorge to see the Seti River flowing through its deep and narrow gorge. Continue through Old Pokhara and visit Bindabasini Temple, one of the city’s important Hindu shrines, before returning to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, at around 10:00 AM, begin your guided sightseeing tour of Pokhara Valley, visiting some of its most important natural, cultural, and scenic attractions. Start with Devi’s Fall, a well-known waterfall where the water disappears into an underground channel, followed by Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, an important Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva located close to the waterfall. Continue to Pumdikot, home to the large Shiva statue and a hilltop viewpoint offering wide views across Pokhara Valley and towards the surrounding mountains. From Pumdikot, continue to the World Peace Pagoda, a Buddhist stupa on a hill above Phewa Lake, offering panoramic views of the lake, Pokhara Valley, and the Annapurna range. Lunch is at your own expense, and your guide will be happy to assist you in choosing a suitable restaurant according to your preference.

Complete the day at Phewa Lake, the natural centrepiece of Pokhara. Enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Phewa Lake and visit Tal Barahi Temple, located on a small island in the lake. Take time to enjoy the peaceful waterfront and, in clear weather, views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and the Annapurna range reflected in the water. Later, return to Lakeside and enjoy some free time to explore the cafés, shops, and lakeside promenade. Stay overnight at Hotel Silver Oaks Inn in a deluxe twin-sharing room with a private bathroom. Breakfast and dinner are included.

After breakfast, transfer to Pokhara International Airport to catch your flight to Kathmandu, scheduled for around 8:00–9:00 AM. The short flight offers beautiful views of the Himalayan ranges and the varied landscapes of central Nepal on clear days. Upon arrival at Kathmandu Airport, meet your driver and continue by road towards Panauti. Lunch is at your own expense, and your guide will be happy to assist you in choosing a suitable restaurant according to your preference.

Explore Panauti, a historic Newari town in Kavre district known for its traditional architecture, narrow streets, historic courtyards, and ancient temples. Visit Indreshwar Mahadev Temple, one of the town’s most important historic temples, and walk through the old town to see traditional Newari houses, carved wooden details, and heritage buildings. Panauti offers an authentic glimpse into the cultural and architectural heritage of the Kathmandu Valley region away from the busier tourist centres.

After completing the sightseeing in Panauti, continue your drive to Namo Buddha. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and take some time to settle in. Namo Buddha is one of Nepal’s important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, set amid peaceful forested hills and rural surroundings. The area is known for its sacred monastery and long-standing Buddhist traditions.

Visit Namo Buddha Monastery, also known as Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery, and take time to appreciate the monastery complex, its traditional Buddhist architecture, and the tranquil surroundings. The remainder of the afternoon is free to relax or explore the peaceful area on foot. Stay overnight at Namo Buddha Guest House in a twin-sharing room with a private bathroom. Breakfast and dinner are included.

Start the morning early at Namo Buddha to enjoy the peaceful sunrise over the surrounding hills and Himalayan landscapes. After sunrise, participate in the morning Puja at Namo Buddha Monastery, also known as Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery, and experience the spiritual atmosphere of this important Buddhist pilgrimage site. Lunch is at your own expense, and your guide will be happy to assist you in choosing a suitable restaurant according to your preference.

After completing the morning Puja, return to the guest house for breakfast and check out. Then drive from Namo Buddha to Dhulikhel through scenic countryside, passing terraced fields, traditional villages, and green hills. Upon arrival in Dhulikhel, check in at your hotel and take some time to settle in. Stay overnight at Hotel Himalayan Horizon in a twin-sharing room with a private bathroom. Breakfast and dinner are included.

In the afternoon, explore Dhulikhel (1,550 m), a historic Newari hill town known for its traditional architecture, religious heritage, and panoramic mountain scenery. Begin with a walk through the old town and traditional bazaar, where you can see beautifully preserved Newari houses, intricately carved wooden windows, historic courtyards, narrow lanes, and local shops. Visit Narayan Temple and Harasiddhi Temple, two important historic shrines, and continue to Saraswoti Pokhari, a traditional pond reflecting the cultural character of the old town.

Continue towards Shanti Ban Buddha, home to a large Buddha statue, and walk towards the Kali Temple (Bhagwati Temple) on the hilltop. From the surrounding viewpoints, enjoy panoramic views across the green hills and, in clear weather, towards the Himalayan range. Along the way, experience the peaceful atmosphere, local religious traditions, and everyday life of this historic hill town. After completing the sightseeing, return to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.

After breakfast, depart Dhulikhel and begin your scenic drive back to Kathmandu, covering approximately 40 km in about 2–3 hours, excluding sightseeing stops. En route, make your first stop at Sanga, home to the impressive Sanga Shiva Statue, one of the world’s tallest statues of Lord Shiva, standing at 143 feet (43.5 metres) high. Admire the magnificent golden-coloured sculpture and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys before continuing towards the capital.

Upon arrival in the Kathmandu Valley, proceed to Patan (also known as Lalitpur), one of the three historic royal cities of the valley. Visit the historic Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its exquisite Newari architecture, intricately carved wooden temples, royal courtyards, and centuries-old palaces. Explore the Patan Palace, which houses the Patan Museum, featuring an impressive collection of bronze sculptures, religious artefacts, and traditional metalwork showcasing Nepal’s rich cultural and artistic heritage. Wander through the square and admire landmarks such as Krishna Mandir, Bhimsen Temple, and the ancient royal baths, reflecting the remarkable craftsmanship of the Malla dynasty.

Continue to Swayambhunath Stupa, famously known as the Monkey Temple due to the monkeys found around the hilltop complex. Perched on a hill overlooking the city, this ancient Buddhist pilgrimage site is one of Nepal’s most important religious monuments. The white stupa, adorned with the all-seeing eyes of Buddha, offers panoramic views of Kathmandu Valley and the surrounding hills. Explore the stupa complex, spin the prayer wheels, observe the colourful prayer flags, and visit the numerous shrines and temples that make Swayambhunath a sacred site for both Buddhists and Hindus.

After completing the sightseeing, continue to Thamel and check in at Hotel Kailash Kutee. In the evening, enjoy leisure time at your own pace. You may explore the lively streets of Thamel, Kathmandu’s popular tourist district, known for its cafés, restaurants, handicraft shops, trekking stores, and local markets. Take a relaxed walk through the narrow streets, browse for local handicrafts, souvenirs, clothing, and traditional products, or choose from the many restaurants offering Nepali and international cuisine. Stay overnight at Hotel Kailash Kutee in a deluxe twin-sharing room with a private bathroom. Breakfast and dinner are included.

As your journey through Nepal comes to an end, enjoy a final morning at your own pace and reflect on the varied landscapes, cultural heritage and local experiences you have encountered throughout the trip.

For your departure, a representative of Monkvana | Himalayan Monks Sp. z o.o., operating through its local partner Jagadamba Holidays, will meet you at your hotel approximately 3.5 hours before your scheduled flight and arrange your private transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.

Monkvana Complimentary Tour:
Travellers with an afternoon flight back home may join a complimentary morning sightseeing tour after breakfast. The tour starts at approximately 8:30 am and usually takes 2–3 hours, allowing enough time to return to the hotel and continue to the airport according to your flight schedule. The sightseeing programme is subject to the available time on the day.

Thank you for travelling with Monkvana | Himalayan Monks Sp. z o.o. and Jagadamba Holidays. We hope to welcome you again on another journey through Nepal and the Himalayas.