This tour flies from Istanbul to Kathmandu and combines the Himalayan foothills of Nepal in one route. Kathmandu brings Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple and Bouddhanath Stupa. The route continues through the mountain town of Bandipur to Pokhara, with a boat tour on Phewa Lake, before Chitwan National Park offers an elephant-back safari and a canoe tour on the Rapti River, closing with the Tharu Dance Show.
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Four areas in ten days: this Nepal Himalaya tour ends with a safari in Chitwan. In the Kathmandu valley the temples of Pashupatinath and Bhaktapur are seen, and the route continues to the hill town of Bandipur. In Pokhara there is Devi Falls and a boat trip on Phewa Lake. Chitwan National Park brings an elephant safari, a canoe ride on the Rapti River and a Tharu cultural show. Seven nights of accommodation and dinners are included.
01
Durbar Square
The royal-era palace complex and temples of UNESCO-listed Durbar Square are explored.
02
Elephant-back safari
An elephant-back ride through Chitwan National Park, spotting deer and monkeys along the way.
03
Boat tour on Phewa Lake
The temple at the middle of Phewa Lake is reached by boat, mountains reflected in the water.
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Planning your budgetLunches, the departure tax for travel abroad, personal expenses and the visa fee are not included in the tour price. Gratuities for the guide and driver, averaging 80 USD per person in total, are recommended. See details →
Accommodation is at the 4-star Lo Mustang Hotel in Kathmandu. Our first stop is Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), a Buddhist temple on a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley. We will stay overnight at the 4-star Lo Mustang Hotel in Kathmandu.
The line shows the order of overnight stops; it is not the actual road or flight path. Map: Natural Earth, GeoNames.
01DAY 1 - FRIDAY / Istanbul → KathmanduDeparture from Istanbul via Sharjah on an overnight flight to Kathmandu.
Overnight flight to Kathmandu
We meet at the international terminal of Istanbul Airport at 15:30. At 18:45, we depart for Kathmandu with Air Arabia, connecting via Sharjah. We spend the night on board.
02DAY 2 - SATURDAY / ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU AND INTRODUCTORY TOURDurbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka and Thamel Market.
Kathmandu · night 1
First steps in Kathmandu
We are met on arrival in Kathmandu at 09:10 and transferred to the hotel. After some rest, we set out around midday for a city tour.
At UNESCO Durbar Square, we see the palace complex and temples from the royal era and observe daily life in the square. At Hanuman Dhoka, we explore the historic site where the old palace buildings stand. At Thamel Market, we get to know life in Nepal among stalls selling local handicrafts, spices and souvenirs.
In the evening, we gather at a local restaurant for a get-to-know-you dinner. We stay at the 4-star Lo Mustang Hotel in Kathmandu.
03DAY 3 - SUNDAY / TEMPLES and BHAKTAPURPashupatinath Temple, Bouddhanath Stupa and the streets of Bhaktapur.
Kathmandu · night 2
Temples and Bhaktapur
Pashupatinath Temple is one of Hinduism's sacred temples. Located on the banks of the Bagmati River, the temple is a place where you can observe traditional funeral ceremonies.
Bouddhanath Stupa is a large Buddhist temple. Here you can see prayer wheels and monks walking quietly.
Bhaktapur is a historic city known for its woodcarving and protected by UNESCO. In its narrow streets, you can observe traditional daily life up close.
A local menu is served for dinner in Kathmandu.
Accommodation is at the 4-star Lo Mustang Hotel in Kathmandu.
04DAY 4 - MONDAY / KATHMANDU Hidden Sides of Kathmandu TourSwayambhunath, Ason Market and Kumari Garden.
Kathmandu · night 3
Kathmandu's hidden corners
After breakfast at our hotel, we set out on a private half-day tour of Kathmandu.
Our first stop is Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), a Buddhist temple on a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley. Known for its stupa and panoramic city views, the temple is home to freely roaming monkeys, and we will see monks praying around it.
At Ason Market, Kathmandu's local shopping district, we will observe daily life among spices, textiles and fresh flowers.
At Kumari Garden, we will view the exterior of the historic residence where Kumari, Nepal's living goddess, lives.
There will be free time in the afternoon. Guests can do some last-minute shopping or relax in cafés.
We will have dinner at the hotel.
We will stay overnight at the 4-star Lo Mustang Hotel in Kathmandu.
05DAY 5 - TUESDAY / KATHMANDU → BANDIPUR (4 HOURS)Balcony houses facing the Himalayas and a walk in the village square.
Bandipur · night 4
On to mountain-town Bandipur
Travel by road to the mountain town of Bandipur. Known for its houses with balconies overlooking the Himalayas and its traditional architecture, the town offers a chance to relax in a quiet setting. In the late afternoon, take a walk in the village square and stop for tea at local cafés. Local dishes are served for dinner at the mountain hotel. Overnight accommodation is at the 4-star The Old Inn Bandipur.
06DAY 6 - WEDNESDAY / BANDIPUR → POKHARA (2,5 HOURS)Devi's Falls, Gupteshwor Cave and a boat tour on Phewa Lake.
Pokhara · night 5
Pokhara's falls and lake
After a short transfer, arrive in Pokhara. Visit Devi's Falls, a waterfall that flows underground, and the sacred, naturally formed Gupteshwor Cave, which runs beneath the waterfall. During the Phewa Lake Boat Tour, reach the temple in the middle of the lake as the mountains are reflected in the water. Dinner is served by the lake with views of the scenery. Stay overnight at the 4-star Swiss International Hotel in Pokhara.
07DAY 7 - THURSDAY / POKHARA → CHITWAN (4,5 HOURS)Elephant-back safari and a canoe tour on the Rapti River.
Chitwan · night 6
Elephant safari in Chitwan
We travel by road down to Chitwan National Park. We stop for lunch and a rest.
On an elephant safari, we ride into the forest on elephant back. Along the way, we may see deer, wild boar and monkeys, and, if we are lucky, a rhinoceros.
During a canoe tour on the Rapti River, we glide quietly along, observing crocodiles and water birds.
We have dinner outdoors on the hotel grounds. We stay at the 4-star Green Park Chitwan.
08DAY 8 - FRIDAY / CHITWAN NATURE AND CULTURAL PROGRAMBirdwatching, the elephant care center and the Tharu Dance Show.
Chitwan · night 7
Nature walk and Tharu dance
The morning includes a nature walk and birdwatching. At the elephant care center, visitors observe the elephants’ natural care and feeding routines firsthand.
In the evening, watch the Tharu Dance Show. The local indigenous Tharu people introduce their culture through traditional dances in colorful costumes accompanied by music. Dishes from Tharu cuisine are served for dinner.
Accommodation is at the 4-star Green Park Chitwan hotel.
09DAY 9 - SATURDAY / CHITWAN → KATHMANDU AND RETURNReturn to Kathmandu, last-minute shopping and an overnight flight.
Back to Kathmandu and farewell
In the morning, we return to Kathmandu by road. The journey takes approximately 5 hours. We do some final shopping in Kathmandu and say our farewells. At 18:00, we transfer to the airport. At 21:15, we depart on our return flight with Air Arabia via Sharjah. We spend the night on board.
10DAY 10 - SUNDAY / ARRIVAL IN ISTANBULArrival at Istanbul Airport completes the Nepal tour.
Journey's end
Our tour ends upon arrival at Istanbul Airport at 13:40.
STAYS IN 4 CITIES
Where will you stay?
Lo Mustang Hotel & Resort · The Old Inn Bandipur · Swiss International Hotel · Green Park Chitwan
