When we say Hidden Nepal we mean it. Even the most hardened 'Nepalophiles' will struggle to know some of the hidden corners we'll take you to on this 16-day discovery tour through the best little-big country on Earth.
Join us on the tour of a lifetime around the seldom-seen side of some of Nepal's often-seen landmarks. Starting in Kathmandu, soak up its valley surrounds in Kirtipur and little Chobhar. Enter a time warp in the old capital, Bhaktapur. Onward to the Newari heartlands of hilly Bandipur, and then to the chilled, Annapurna gateway capital of Pokhara. Go boating on its dreamy lake, Phewa, before venturing to the India frontier to see Lumbini, birthplace of one Siddhartha Gautama, who would go on to become the Buddha.
Get up close to wildlife of the orange & black striped variety at the 1000 km sq Bardia national park. On top of all that, take interesting backroads to Kurintar, and its venerated temple to Parvati. While you're there, swing around and Manaslu and Annapurna will be gazing right at you.
Some tours are hidden in plain sight. And some places you won't want to leave. Nepal is one of them.
Kathmandu - Kirtipur - Chobhar - Pharping - Bandipur - Pokhara - Phewa Lake - Sarangkot - Lumbini - Bardia National Park - Butwal - Kurintar - Bhaktapur - Nagarkot
Accommodation (in this order):
Kathmandu - Nepali Ghar hotel (3 nights)
Bandipur - The Old Inn (1 night)
Pokhara - Glacier Hotel (2 nights)
Lumbini - Buddha Maya Garden (1 night)
Bardia - Bardia Tiger Resort (3 nights)
Butwal - Dreamland Gold Resort (1 night)
Kurintar - Riverside Springs Resort (1 night)
Bhaktapur - Hotel Heritage (1 night)
Nagarkot - Club Himalaya (1 night)
Nepali Ghar hotel (1 night)
Total: 15 nights/16 days
Arrive in Kathmandu where you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is free at your leisure. In the evening, why not venture out into the thriving district of Thamel, where you hotel is situated. The streets are narrow and atmospheric, and filled with bars and emporia. A fascinating place to wander around, and all within reach of your hotel.
Overnight in Nepali Ghar, Kathmandu
Meal plan: n/a
Enjoy an optional mountain flight (supplement payable and weather dependent), where you will see the closest possible aerial views of Mount Everest and the Tibetan Plateau. Later, continue to Patan and visit the UNESCO-listed Patan Durbar Square. Optional extra activities in Patan include wood carving, sculpturing and visiting the industrial area. Proceed to Boudhanath stupa where you can light butter lamps and get blessed by a monk. The rest of the evening is free at your leisure.
Overnight in Nepali Ghar, Kathmandu
Meal plan: Breakfast
In the morning, visit the ancient city of Kirtipur and the picturesque village of Chobhar. Continue to a monastery in Pharping, where you can light a butter lamp and be blessed by a monk. The rest of the day and evening is free to relax or to get out and see this fascinating place.
Overnight in Nepali Ghar, Kathmandu
Meal plan: Breakfast
Morning drive to the historic village of Bandipur that sits on top of a ridge in the Mahabharat range of hills, and values its responsible tourism and eco-friendly credentials. Bandipur remains very much a vibrant community and the town is a living museum of Newari culture. In the afternoon take a short walk around Bandipur and visit Tundikhel, from where you will have fantastic views across the entire Annapurna range as well as the Mansaslu, Dhaulagiri, Ganesh Himal and Langtang ranges.
Evening at your leisure.
Overnight in The Old Inn, Bandipur
Meal plan: Breakfast
Drive to Pokhara, and on arrival check in to the hotel. Proceed on a sightseeing tour around Pokhara, including a visit to the beautiful Devi's Fall and Gupteshwar Cave, one of the largest caves in Pokhara. Also see World Peace Stupa. In the evening, go on a boat ride around Phewa Lake. Rest of the evening at leisure to see Nepal's second city.
Overnight in Glacier Hotel, Pokhara
Meal plan: Breakfast
In the early morning, transfer to Sarangkot to watch the sunrise over the Annapurna range (weather dependent). Return to the hotel for breakfast before continuing on a full day sightseeing around Pokhara. Visit the pagoda-styled Bindabasini Temple and Gurkha Memorial Museum. Later, explore the International Mountain Museum, observing the records of past and present momentous mountaineering activities around the world. Rest of your evening at rest, or down by the lake in one of the many lakeside bars.
Overnight in Glacier Hotel, Pokhara
Meal plan: Breakfast
In the morning drive to Lumbini to visit the birthplace of Buddha and Buddhist monasteries in the area. Discover your surroundings, or rest later in the day.
Overnight in Buddha Maya Garden, Lumbini
Meal plan: Breakfast
Start your drive to Bardia National Park in the morning. The drive is a beautiful, though long, journey as you pass through forests and then through the mainly flat and rural Terai. The actual park entrance is at Ambassa which is situated close to the small village of Thakurdawa, 14km southwest along a dirt/gravel road from Ambassa on the Mahendra Highway. Check into the lodge and the rest of the day and evening is at your leisure.
Overnight in Bardia Tiger Resort, Bardia National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Start the day with a half-day jungle walk. This is an excellent opportunity to see the wild animals, including small mammals and birds. You will have a chance to wait in a tower for wild sightseeing without being obtrusive, and be accompanied by experienced naturalists and a wildlife tracker. The rest of the day will be a Tiger Tracking & Birdwatching tour where you will have the opportunity to spot a Royal Bengal Tiger and a great many species of birds found in the national park. Packed lunch will be provided and there are many excellent photographic opportunities. Evening of relaxation at the resort.
Overnight in Bardia Tiger Resort, Bardia National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
After breakfast in the resort embark on a full day jeep safari inside Bardia National Park. This is an excellent opportunity to see wild animals including many other smaller mammals that have made Bardia their home. Packed lunch will be provided. Visit the crocodile breeding centre. Later witness a cultural dance by the local Tharu people at the resort. Evening at rest in your resort.
Overnight in Bardia Tiger Resort, Bardia National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Morning drive to the administrative heart of the Lumbini district, Butwal. This town represents the halfway point on the road journey between the park at Bardia and Kurintar. Check in at the hotel on arrival and the rest of the day and evening will be at your leisure.
Overnight in Dreamland Gold Resort, Butwal
Meal plan: Breakfast
Drive to Kurintar in the morning, stopping at the Jatayu Vulture Restaurant in Nawalparasi on the way. When you arrive at Kurintar, you can either take a trip in the cable car up to the beautiful Manakamana Temple, embark on a river rafting excursion along the river, or take a short hike to nearby villages. Settle into the evening at your new resort.
Overnight in Riverside Springs Resort, Kurintar
Meal plan: Breakfast
Leave Kurintar in the morning and drive to Bhaktapur, Nepal's old red brick capital. Check into the hotel upon arrival and the rest of the day and evening is free at your leisure.
Overnight in Hotel Heritage, Bhaktapur
Meal plan: Breakfast
In the morning, explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square. There are a range of optional activities available: Taste delicious Newari food at lunch; observe Thanka painting, a style of Buddhist painting on cotton or silk applique; or visit the first bamboo school in Nepal. In the afternoon, drive to Nagarkot. Once there, kick back and relax into your surroundings.
Overnight in Club Himalaya, Nagarkot
Meal plan: Breakfast
After breakfast, either drive to Changunarayan or hike (approx. 4-5 hours), and enjoy a walking day tour on the outskirts of Kathmandu Valley, exploring the local villages along the rural trail. On arrival, take an excursion in and around Changunarayan Temple. Later, drive to Kathmandu and enjoy a farewell dinner with Nepali food and a cultural show. Retire for the evening, or you can go out into the Kathmandu night.
Overnight in Nepali Ghar, Kathmandu
Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner
Transfer to the airport at the appropriate time for your journey home.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Nepali Ghar punctuates the new trend and breezes an ode to Nepalese traditional styles with its unique scale and color mosaic lending a continuum to the defining elements of traditional architecture. These elements afford a warm and homely environment for the visitors to carry back nostalgic memories to cherish the visit.
The Old Inn is a restored traditional Newari townhouse fitted with low ceilings and comfortable rooms. The house is filled with stories of the ancient trans-Himalaya trade routes and of store rooms crammed with merchandise from India and Tibet. With an "eagle's nest" vantage point high above the Trisuli Valley, the Inn supplies stunning, uninterrupted views of the Himalayas.
Glacier Hotel can be found beside Phewa Lake in Pokhara. The hotel bedrooms have a contemporary decor, along with modern comforts that include an ensuite bathroom, satellite television and wifi access. Guests at the Glacier Hotel can also enjoy the spa facilities, Cafe Lounge and Mediterranean Restaurant & Bar. The hotel's many terraces and balconies boast scenic views across the lake and surrounding forests.
Relax in the birthplace of Buddha where there is a lotus pond and multi-cuisine restaurant. With the sound of birdsong and spiritual hymns to wake you in the morning, take a stroll through the sacred gardens and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere that is so sacred to Buddhists.
Situated opposite the Bardia National Park, you can hear a harmony of animal and bird sounds coming from the park at night. The resort is surrounded by beautiful, peaceful gardens and is fully equipped with comfortable rooms for you to have a relaxing, tranquil stay.
Situated 8 kilometers south from the bustling center of Butwal and surrounded by lush greenery, this resort is an idyllic getaway from the heat and traffic. It offers beautifully decorated and fully air conditioned rooms with views of the gardens from the large windows. Enjoy a range of Nepali, Indian, continental and Oriental cuisines with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. There is a gym, swimming pool and other sports facilities to keep you entertained, as well as cultural shows and folk dancing in the evenings.
The Riverside Springs Resort offers nature lovers solace in comfortable rooms, with a varied restaurant overlooking a luxurious swimming pool and the white sands of the Trisuli river beach. There are plenty of activities to get stuck into, from table tennis, cards, or pool indoors, to horse riding, a light hike, or swimming outdoors.
Hotel Heritage lies in Bhaktapur, not far from the iconic Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The design of the hotel has been inspired by Malla, Rana, Newari and Mihila heritage, along with Hindu and Buddhist traditions. The bedrooms have been furnished with authentic antique pieces that create a comfortable and unique Nepalese experience. The Kutumba Restaurant serves local delicacies along with continental options.
Club Himalaya lies at an elevation of 7,200 ft, boasting panoramic views of the mountains of Annupurna, Everest and Kathmandu Valley. The spacious bedrooms are furnished with modern comforts such as satellite television and air-conditioning. Each room has its own private balcony that provides beautiful mountain views. The hotel is home to an indoor pool, spa facilities and a selection of restaurants that guests are welcomed to enjoy during their stay.
Embrace native customs & culture of Nepal
Golden Triangle and the Himalayas
Traditional cultures and majestic Himalayan scenery
Journey through Nepal's rich cultural history
Graham & Barbara Wilson , Tailormade India & NepalFrom start to finish, the whole trip was well planned to our requirements. Everything went smoothly and the guides and drivers looked after our every need. We stayed in an interesting and diverse selection of excellent hotels. Throughout the trip, the company regularly checked that everything was going OK and that we were happy. We felt very looked after. Overall, a wonderful holiday above our expectations. We would use Travel the Unknown again.
