14-day Nepal Adventure Tour

Arrival and welcome to Nepal

Arrival in Kathmandu. This afternoon we meet your guide and group at our guesthouse. And for those that have not arrived early, we help with check-in. Then we sit down for a short orientation meeting where you can ask any questions about Nepal and your upcoming adventure.

This evening you will get your first meeting with our amazing Sasane Sister guides followed by a traditional Nepali dinner with loads of opportunities to get to know your new travel buddies.

(Dinner included)

Chaotic markets and spiritual energy of the Newa-Buddhist Culture

We start the day with a traditional Nepali breakfast with our Sasane sister guides before we hit the hustle and bustle of Nepal and travel on public transport to Basantapur Durbar Square. Here we take a chaotic Thamel tour by rickshaw. This place has been the centre of the tourist industry in Kathmandu for over four decades starting from the hippie movement when many artists came to Nepal and spent weeks in Thamel. Formerly known as Tabitha Bahal, the maze of streets that make up Thamel is home to delicious and varied restaurants, a colourful and beautiful blend of craſt shops, trekking gear, and rainbow prayer flags.

We will wander Ason and Indrachowk marketplaces to get a glimpse of traditional Nepalese life. You’ll witness the bustle of the market, and see how locals purchase their local products and haggle for a bargain – enjoy the lively and vibrant atmosphere, it is a fun assault on the senses. Grab yourself an authentic lunch from any of the local street food markets.
In the afternoon we take a short drive towards Boudhanath – one of the biggest stupa in Nepal built in the 5th century and listed on the world heritage list by UNESCO in 1979. From the moment you step into the sanctuary, you’ll immediately feel the spiritual energy that comes from the place. The surrounding area is a spiritual hub of Tibetan life and culture in Nepal. Observe the beautiful dome-shaped stupa surrounded by brilliant colourful prayer flags; witness monks draped in maroon robes rolling the prayer wheels, burning incense, and flickering butter candles.

You will also visit Pashupatinath temple, a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the bank of Bagmati River. The word Pashupati means “the king of animals” and the temple is famous for its monkeys.

During the evening you can wander the streets and explore – find yourself more amazing street food or connect with your guide and group at a local cafe perfect for a group meal before we transport back to the guesthouse.

(Breakfast included)

Raſting on the Trishuli River

Aſter breakfast, you hit the road, leaving Kathmandu, for a scenic drive to Charaundi -Trishuli River. Here you get your first taste of Nepali adrenalin as we venture on a river trip up to Kurintar. Under the guidance of professional river guides, we  experience the exhilaration of riding the waves on this fast flowing river – rising from Langtang Himal with impressive gorges and exciting grade 2-3 rapids.

Coming off the river we stop for a delicious lunch break before continuing our trip on to the Newari town of Bandipur – one of central Nepal’s hidden havens. You will immediately feel like you have stepped back in time – the narrow streets are cobbled and lined on both sides with traditional wooden Newari houses. You will be stunned by the artistic buildings, and humbled by the simple yet happy life of locals as you stroll through the Bandipur bazaar. There are plenty of places to find an awesome meal with your group and guide (not included).

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Village of the Magar Ethnic group

This morning we start with a short hike to one of the most authentic villages in Nepal that is still untouched by modern development. We make our way through the Muchuk Village and incredibly photographic scenery to the village of Ramkot – inhabited by the indigenous Magar community who were originally descendants of Mongol interlopers. You get to experience a unique Nepalese society enriched with traditional culture, history, and the lifestyle of rural Nepal.

In the afternoon our hike brings us back to Bandipur and then a short drive on to Pokhara. This evening, Pokhara is popular for its highly decorated wonderful nightlife and live music performance around the streets of the lakeside. We suggest an early night as tomorrow is an early start!! (Easier said than done in this cool city).

(Breakfast included)

Overnight trek into the big Nepal mountains

We wake up at a ridiculous 4:30 am to get an incredible early morning sunrise at Sarangkot – where you get breathtaking views of the Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and Annapurna ranges. Get a ride for an Instagram overload!

We make up for the early start with a heartwarming breakfast, before heading to Kande. From here you hike through farm villages as the trail leads uphill on stone steps to Australian Camp also known as Thulo Kharka. It is said that during the late 80s, people from Austria found it so beautiful and they used to come and camp here for numerous days as it is so peaceful and unspoilt with the amazing views of the Himalayas. Austrian is difficult to pronounce for local Nepalese people so it then accidentally became an Australian camp.

During hikes, we actively get involved in cleaning up the trash on the route. Your guide will organise eco-bags and tongs to stash all the waste during hiking. Tonight we spend the evening telling stories around the campfire before settling into your tent in the massive Nepal mountains – this is what we came for, awesome!!!

(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Amazing experiences in the mountains

Wake up to the cheerful chirping of the birds and the smell of tea and local breakfast after a wonderful deep sleep in your cosy tent. This morning is a short trek to Syangja (a community less travelled) to experience traditional rural villages. There is an opportunity to watch the daily lives of the villages from milking the buffaloes to their daily work on the farm.

From Syangja there is the option to:

Spend an amazing day with a Mother’s Group. This incredible voluntary women’s group are a vulnerable and indigenous group running various small initiatives like safe drinking water (pipeline installation), organic food growth and production, sanitation and hygiene awareness initiatives. They focus on gender equality and other local awareness for women in rural communities. You will experience a traditional Nepali welcoming and then get actively involved in a few of their initiatives plus an awesome traditional Syangja lunch.

Or, for those that just want more of the famous Nepali adrenalin juice, there is the alternative option of an exciting mountain bike trip along Pame Beach – a side bank to Fewa Lake which follows the origin of the lake itself. Here we recommend a seafood lunch (not included) at Pame Beach with a pint and watch the sun sunsetting.

Both are amazing experiences and really hard choices. Tonight we return to Pokhara and for those that were sensible the other night perhaps tonight is the night to hit the bright lights and bars around the lake.

Meals: Breakfast and (lunch for those with Mothers Group only)

Day trip to Phewa Lake, the World Peace Pagoda and Hyangia

After a refreshing breakfast, you head off with your group for a scenic cruise on Phewa Lake. The image of Fishtail Mountain in the crystal clear and calm water of Phewa Lake is epic. We get off the boat in the middle of the Lake on the island of the Barahi temple. You will have time to visit the temple before re-boarding and heading further across the lake.

Here a walking path takes us through a dense forest filled with pine trees, Cyprus trees, and wildflowers to the impressive gleaming-white World Peace Pagoda. The pagoda is a massive Buddhist stupa and is situated on top of a hill that offers panoramic views of the Annapurna range and Pokhara city.

From here we connect with our vehicle for a tour around Pokhara. You will visit Devis Falls, also locally known as Patale Chhango which means “Underworld Waterfalls” and the limestone Gupteswor Cave complete with a Shiva temple inside before visiting a Tibetan Refugee Camp in Hyangja.

This village is surrounded by colourful prayer flags that reflect the Tibetan culture all over Hyangia and is home to numerous Tibetan monks. You can hear the rumbling of the monks chanting their prayers as we spend time in the local community to learn about Tibetan culture, religion, traditional food, and amazing stories.

If time allows (and other civil matters) this evening we aim to meet the Nepali police and learn from survivors on many of the societal risks (and effects) facing Nepalese women. Please note: pressing police matters or the weather affecting the timing of the day cause unexpected changes in the itinerary.

(Breakfast included)

Chitwan National Park and Tharu Village

Today we are back on the road as our journey continues to Chitwan National Park – one of the most beautiful and well-known wildlife parks in Asia that boasts abundant natural wildlife. The park comprises diverse forests and grassy marshland with creeks and pools that welcome more than 50 different species of protected mammals and 450 different species of birds!

We will enjoy a delicious local lunch at the resort. before heading to a Tharu village for a walking tour. The Tharu people are indigenous to the area, and their culture is unique to elsewhere in Nepal. There is time to visit to the Tharu Cultural Museum or get to observe the local liquor making process (both entrances are not included). During our walk, a local naturalists introduces us to the social and cultural aspects of the villagers and their lifestyles.

(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Rivers, wildlife and dancing

Sorry but this morning we have an early wake-up call to get ready for the day’s activities. It is not like you are on holiday or anything. Aſter breakfast, you will be taken on a boating tour in a traditional Patela boat – serenely along the Rapti River. You can expect to see numerous aquatic birds, Gharial crocodile, and other wild animals on the river banks.

Aſter a delicious lunch, get ready to ride a safari jeep through the wilderness, experiencing the real local wildlife for themselves. Observe birds, one-horned Rhinoceros, countless species of deer, bison, and if lucky, even the Royal Bengal Tiger.

In the evening, we return to our guesthouse to enjoy the local Tharus from the village showcasing their traditional Tharu stick dance. The dance is an age-old tradition of the Tharus and is usually performed to appease the gods during religious festivals. Join in the dancing yourself, and enjoy a scrumptious dinner aſter the program.

(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Stay in a Buddhist Monastery

Today we take a drive to Pharping monastery. Tucked away in the Himalayas of Nepal and amidst the most incredibly scenery is this amazingly peaceful Buddhist Monastery. The Dakshinkali is purposely situated close to the Asura Cave where Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche, as he is known affectionately, meditated and achieved the highest level of realisation.

It is the perfect place to indulge in your inner meditation and experience monastic life. Dakshinkali monastery is home to almost 200 monks who study and practice Buddhism and there plenty of opportunity to view the monks’ early morning and evening chanting. In fact, we even stay in this this incredible monastery to dine with the monks.

(Breakfast and dinner included)

Tonight we overnight in an awesome homestay with your local Nepalese hosts

Leaving behind the Dakshinkali monastery and our new inner being we head today to the beautiful medieval town of Panauti, one of the oldest towns in Nepal, with many temples dating back to the 15th Century or earlier.

Here we are welcomed by our local hosts with garland and vermilion and an exciting authentic local experience. You will witness the finest arts and culture with a brief tour of the old part of the town – walking along the narrow cobbled alleyways, beautifully carved windows, struts, and doors, and Newari lifestyles that will leave you mesmerized. Visit the Indreshwar Temple, one of the largest and tallest pagoda-style temples in Nepal dating back to the 13th century and the Brahmayani Temple. There are over 40 temples and 28 annual festivals in Panauti. If your trip coincides with one of the local festivals, you get an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in colourful local cultures.

In the evening, you get to try out cooking some Nepali recipes during a cooking class in your host’s kitchen. Can it get any more local than this??

(Breakfast and dinner included)

Adrenalin time

Aſter a typical Nepali breakfast, you will bid farewell by the host family. Then you take a scenic drive to the
Last Resort. Situated in Bhote Koshi above the gorge of the Bhote Koshi River which lies in the Nepal/Tibet border, this magnificent resort is ideal for relaxing, undertaking adventure activities, lounging at the plunge
pool or reading the book amidst the beautiful nature.

Upon reaching at the resort, spend your afternoon exploring or choose undertake adrenaline-fuelled activities like bungee, canyon swing, canyoning, white water rafting, tandem swing and many more.

Tonight you spend the night in a permanent tent site listening to the rumbling sound of Bhote Koshi River – stay late enjoying the campfire with your long drinks.

(Breakfast and dinner included)

Visit the open museum of Bhaktapur

Today we are heading back to Kathmandu via the city of Bhaktapur, a city also known as the open museum. One of the three medieval cities in Kathmandu Valley, Bhaktapur is home to some of the best conserved historical palaces in Nepal.

Bhaktapur’s people are renowned for their pottery and hand-woven fabrics, including the traditional local red and black saris. We will take a short walk at Pottery Square to witness the potters using traditional ways to craft their wares in the open air. You will get the opportunity to spend time with a potter and learn. You can then dedicate a few hours to make your own cup or bowl of your choice and take it home with you (you will need to pay a small price for the materials to take the pottery home).

While Bhaktapur you must try Juju Dhau – a local type of yogurt that Bhaktapur is especially famous for – it will be the best yogurt you’ve ever had.

Tonight on returning to Kathmandu we spend our last evening together and enjoy a cultural show with a traditional Thakali dinner prepared by your amazing Sasane sister guides at our guesthouse. You have spent an incredible 2 weeks getting to know the sisters, hearing their stories, and cherishing their love of Nepal and desire to share it with you, plus meeting your new travel friends from all over the world. It is both a joyous and tearful evening.

(Breakfast and dinner included)

This morning you are free to transfer to the airport at your leisure. The U.Crew can help you pre-book a transfer. Of stay for some more nights and get involved in an awesome social graffiti project.

(Breakfast included)