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Map of Experience Nepal including Nepal

Feel both the serenity and the adrenaline of Nepal on this in-depth adventure.

Capture the spirit of Nepal on a stupa-endous journey rich in history, culture, and spiritual exploration. Witness the wind catch prayer flags amid mountainous backdrops, trek through changing landscapes to beautiful Buddhist monasteries, explore ancient trading towns deep in the Kathmandu Valley, and relax in a village retreat surrounded by Himalayan vistas. Then, before you get too zen – experience the thrill of rafting down the Trisuli river and spend a night camping under the Nepalese stars. From the labyrinth of bustling bazaars that crowd Kathmandu to the tranquil ambiance that encircles hill-top temples, it will be hard not to feel enlightened on this breathtaking adventure, Namaste!

Start
Kathmandu, Nepal
Finish
Kathmandu, Nepal
Destination
Nepal
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
HNSC
Physical rating
Ages
Min 12
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Whether it's hiking, driving or white-water rafting, this trip will let you experience Nepal's stunning natural beauty from all angles.

  • Be enchanted by the heart-warming people of Nepal on an overnight stay in a hill-top village retreat, surrounded by rustic farms and overlooking the mighty Himalayas.

  • Discover hidden gems far removed from Kathmandu's bustle, like the pilgrimage site of Namobuddha and the vineyard region of Pataleban.

  • Feel the adrenaline rush on a two-day white-water rafting adventure – spend the night camping under the Nepalese stars on the banks of the Trisuli River.

  • Beginning and ending in Kathmandu, there's more than enough time to discover the Nepali capital's staggeringly rich cultural and artistic heritage.

Is this trip right for you?

  • There are some long travel days on roads that seem to be permanently under construction. What looks like a short distance on a map can take an unexplainably long time to complete. Plenty of patience (and maybe some good podcasts at the ready) will go a long way toward your enjoyment of the journey.

  • This trip does not go to high altitude, so if you were hesitant to explore Nepal because for this reason you should have little trouble acclimatising on this tour.

  • As there as an included rafting activity, please speak to your leader in advance if you are not a confident swimmer. There is also the option to sit out this activity and instead spend time relaxing at the campsite.

  • While at the Trisuli river we have an included night of camping. This is at a permanent campsite where tents, mats and sleeping bags provided and toilet facilities are basic.

  • Outside of the main cities, Nepal can be a quiet place, with few ‘tourist’ attractions and options for organised activities. There is plenty of time for your own exploration or relaxation. Don't expect each day to be action-packed, but be ready to seek out your own, more simple cultural experiences.

  • As we stay in some locations where there are few options for eating out, some meals may be set menus rather than being able to choose from a variety of options.

  • If you would prefer a cultural trip in Nepal in Comfort style, check out our Classic Nepal (HNKA)

Nepal Kathmandu
Nepal bhaktapur male pax walking
nepal woman rice field paddy
Nepal Balthali Village
Nepal Trisuli River

Itinerary
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Namaste! Welcome to Nepal. With no planned activities until your welcome meeting at 6 pm, if you arrive early, why not head out and explore. Kathmandu is an incredible mixture of legend and modern development with a rich artistic and cultural heritage. Narrow lanes lead to small squares and courtyards where ornately carved balconies overlook shrines and temples. Buzzing markets and bazaars are the centre of Nepali life where stalls and small hole-in-the-wall shops sell everything from bangles to Buddhas to beetroot. After the meeting, why not get to know your new travel buddies over a plate of momo – Nepal’s answer to dumplings!
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Kathmandu - Rickshaw Night Explorer Urban Adventure - USD55
  • Kathmandu - In Focus: Cook in Kathmandu Urban Adventure - USD66
  • Kathmandu - Kathmandu Living Urban Adventure - USD66
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

This morning, take a walking heritage tour of Kathmandu’s old bazaars, Hanuman Dhoka and Durbar Square. The labyrinth of backstreets and alleys leading from one bazaar, or ‘chowk’, to another are a true highlight of the city's character. Continue with a visit to one of the holiest Hindu temples in the world – Pashupatinath – and let your leader bring the fascinating story behind this temple to life. Nearby is the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal, follow the pilgrims' circle around the stupa, spinning the prayer wheels. If you like, take the opportunity to offer your prayers to Lord Buddha by lighting a traditional butter lamp at the main entryway to the stupa. There may be the option for lunch at a roof-top restaurant with an enticing view over the Stupa, followed by free time this afternoon and evening to continue exploring Kathmandu at your own pace.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kathmandu - Bodhnath Stupa
  • Kathmandu - Pashupatinath Temple
  • Kathmandu - Durbar Square
Optional Activities
  • Kathmandu - Everest Scenic Flight - USD240
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Journey further afield from chaotic Kathmandu to the medieval town of Bhaktapur (approximately 30 minutes). Bhaktapur preserves the old-world charm of the Kathmandu Valley, timeless craftsmanship is evident in its temples and squares, and its people are still fiercely devoted to the ways of life and faith passed on from their ancestors. Enjoy an afternoon walking tour of the town, including the temples of Taumadhi Tole and Durbar Square, then spend the rest the time exploring on your own or with your travel companions. Tonight, you’ll stay in Bhaktapur.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bhaktapur - Leader-led walking tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Head to the fringes of the Kathmandu Valley, stopping at the ancient town of Panauti before reaching Khopasi (approximately 45 minutes). From here, you have the option to stretch your legs on a 1-hour hike through thick forest or continue by 4WD (approximately 20 minutes) to the hill-top village of Balthali. A world away from the ‘Coca Cola’ hub of Thamel, this peaceful community nestled within a setting of verdant hills and lush rice-paddies remains largely undiscovered, soak up the tranquil ambiance as you relax in your accommodation for the night, with its commanding views of villages and farms and the mighty Himalaya rising on the horizon.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Panauti - Leader-led walk
  • Kathmandu Valley - Hike from Khopasi to Balthali
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Pack a day pack ready for your hike today, while your main luggage will be transported to your next destination – Namobuddha. Begin by descending from the resort before making your way off-road, cut through the vast terraced fields, followed by another sharp descent. Continue along the trail bridge, where you’ll meet a steep, uphill winding track through open pastures and on to the dirt track that leads to Panauti. Pass a few villages, briefly entering a dense forest, then prepare to be wowed by the revered Buddhist pilgrimage site of Namobuddha. Visit the stupa and impressive Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery before settling into your accommodation for the evening and treating yourself to a well-earned rest.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kathmandu Valley - Hike from Balthali to Namobuddha
  • Namobuddha - Thrangu Tashi Yangtze Monastery
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
The walk today will take approximately 3-5 hours depending on the group fitness level and the track conditions. If you would prefer not to take part in the walk today, then you can choose to travel to Namobuddha with the luggage.

After breakfast today, head out of the Kathmandu Valley towards Pataleban in the Chisapani region (approximately 2-3 hours), a place hidden from the mainstream tourist routes and famous for one of Nepal's few wineries. Along the way, stop by Dhulikhel to explore the bazaar, temples and observe incredible panoramic vistas across the Himalayan peaks from an ideal viewpoint. Afterward, head to Sanga, home to Kailashnath Mahadev – the largest Shiva temple in the country – before settling into your resort accommodation for the next two nights, which boasts beautiful views across the surrounding vineyards, gardens, and distant mountain ranges.
Accommodation
  • Resort (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Dhulikel - Leader-led walking tour
  • Sanga - Kailashnath Mahadev Shiva Temple
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

After breakfast in the resort grounds, head out on a leisurely half-day hike with a local guide to Indra Daha, also known as Daha Chowk. The hike takes around 2 hours and passes through lush green forest – keep your eye out for the many species of birds as well as spotted deer and monkeys. If it’s a clear day, there's a good chance of witnessing spectacular views, including Langtang, Ganesh, and Manaslu mountains and if you’re lucky, you may even catch a panoramic view of Kathmandu Valley. Return to the resort for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at leisure.
Accommodation
  • Resort (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Leave Pataleban behind today and follow the Kathmandu road to the Trisuli River (approximately 1.5 hours), and the launching place for your two-day rafting experience. Meet the crew who will run through the safety training and prepare you for the adventure. The Trisuli River is an ideal introduction for first-time rafters, with reasonably calm waters and only minor rapids, meaning that you can relax and really enjoy the ride! Soak up the scenery (and the splashes) as you traverse impressive gorges and beautiful valleys. Depending on the water conditions, you will be on the river for approximately 4 hours with a stop for lunch. Tonight you’ll stay in a permanent tented camp on the riverside.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Trisuli River - Rafting
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Any important belongings should be left with your main luggage or concealed in dry bags. Life jackets, helmets, and all safety equipment provided. Spray jackets and personal dry bags are supplied. Should there have been heavy rain the proceeding days, the rafting activity may need to be cancelled for safety reasons and we will include an alternative activity instead.

Safety boats will lead the way and you will also have the crew in kayaks shadowing the main rafts. Before each rapid, the rafting guides pull ashore to inspect ahead and only then they decide whether to continue through or follow the safety boat on a smoother route.

If you’d prefer not to participate in the rafting experience, then you will be able to continue on to the campsite by vehicle and meet the group on the completion of their trip.

Tonight’s campsite will be twin share tents, sleeping bags and mats will be provided.

Wake up early for tea and coffee, maybe take a stroll along the river and get ready for another fantastic day. After breakfast, prepare for the river again and hit the rapids for another few hours of rafting before enjoying lunch at the finishing point in Kuringhat, where your driver (and your dry clothes) also await. Pack up and pile in the vehicle and drive back to Kathmandu (approximately 3-4 hours) where you’ll arrive late afternoon. Perhaps go for one last wander through the bazaars in Thamel before joining your group for an optional final dinner to celebrate your trip.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Trisuli River - Rafting
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Your tour ends after breakfast today and there are no further activities planned.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nights), Resort (2 nights), Guesthouse (3 nights), Camping (1 night)

Included activities

  • Kathmandu - Bodhnath Stupa
  • Kathmandu - Pashupatinath Temple
  • Kathmandu - Durbar Square
  • Bhaktapur - Leader-led walking tour
  • Panauti - Leader-led walk
  • Kathmandu Valley - Hike from Khopasi to Balthali
  • Kathmandu Valley - Hike from Balthali to Namobuddha
  • Namobuddha - Thrangu Tashi Yangtze Monastery
  • Dhulikel - Leader-led walking tour
  • Sanga - Kailashnath Mahadev Shiva Temple
  • Trisuli River - Rafting

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Experience Nepal trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 3,4,5 (Guesthouse) and Day 8 (Camping) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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