Kathmandu Valley Heritage Tour
with Chitwan National Park

Nepal, the landlocked multiethnic, multilingual country, is situated north of India in the Himalayas. The Kathmandu Valley, at 1,400m, is a bowl-shaped valley where Hinduism and Buddhism have coexisted from time immemorial.

• Fly to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal
• Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, having cleared immigration and collected your luggage, our representative will greet you with a paging board bearing your name
• Transfer to your pre-booked hotel
• Rest of the day at leisure — settle in and explore the neighbourhood
• Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu

Swayambhunath literally means 'Self-Existent One.' Believed to have been established more than 2,500 years ago, an inscription dated 460 AD states that construction was carried out by King Manadeva. By the 13th century it had developed into an important Buddhist learning site. Also known as the Monkey Temple for the holy monkeys living in the North West.

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Morning: Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square (UNESCO) — located in the heart of the old city, home to around 50 temples. Explore the 17th-century Durbar complex, Hanuman Dhoka, Parvati Temple, the Great Bell and Drum, Bhairav, and Taleju Temple. All around, the hustle & bustle of the market place
• Swayambhunath Stupa (UNESCO) — the ancient Buddhist stupa atop a hill, featuring the iconic all-seeing eyes of the Buddha. Known as the Monkey Temple, it offers panoramic views of the entire Kathmandu Valley
• Afternoon: Visit Patan Durbar Square (UNESCO) — the old Newar city showcasing the historic Durbar Square, the Golden Gate, the sky-piercing Temple of Taleju, the statue of Yogendra Malla, Krishna Mandir, Sati Temple, Hiranya Varna Mahabiar (the Golden Temple), and Mahabouddha
• Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu

Chitwan National Park is approximately 160 km south of Kathmandu and one of the premier national parks in Nepal. This World Heritage-listed reserve protects more than 932 sq km of forests, marshland and grassland, making it one of the best national parks for viewing wildlife in Asia.

• After breakfast, drive to Chitwan (approximately 160 km, 5–6 hours)
• Upon arrival, lunch & check-in at your jungle resort
• Afternoon: Visit Tharu Village — explore the nearby Tharu village and observe their typical and special culture. Understand their way of farming and how they build their houses with local traditional materials only
• After returning, free time for relaxation
• Evening: Slide presentation by one of our jungle experts — introduction to the history and wildlife of Royal Chitwan National Park. Your questions are most welcome!
• Dinner & Overnight: Hotel in Chitwan

You'll have an excellent chance of spotting one-horned rhinos, deer, monkeys and some of the more than 500 species of birds. If you're extremely lucky, you may spot a leopard, wild elephant or sloth bear — though it's the once-in-a-lifetime chance to spot a majestic royal Bengal tiger that is the premier attraction.

• Early Morning: Wake-up call followed by tea or coffee
• Elephant Back Safari — short drive to the jungle for a ride on elephant to explore the wildlife. Spot the one-horned rhinoceros, several types of deer, monkeys, wild boar, bison, sloth bear, leopard, and if lucky, the royal Bengal tiger. This exciting ride lasts 2½ hours
• Back to hotel for Breakfast
• Elephant Briefing & Bathing Program — learn more about these fascinating animals during a visit to the elephant stables, followed by elephant bathing in the river
• Lunch at resort
• Boating on Rapti River (subject to weather & water level) — start boating in a traditional patela boat for about 45 minutes, a silent trip to view aquatic birds, crocodiles, gharials, and animals of the river banks
• Evening: Tharu Stick Dance — farmers of nearby villages show their traditional skills and dances
• Dinner & Overnight: Hotel in Chitwan

After two magical days in the jungle, you'll drive back to Kathmandu — the cultural and political capital of Nepal, where ancient traditions are zealously guarded while embracing modern technology.

• After breakfast, drive back to Kathmandu (approximately 160 km, 5–6 hours)
• Transfer to hotel & check-in
• Afternoon free time for rest or independent exploration
• Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu

The 45-minute Mountain Flight offers the closest possible aerial views of Mount Everest and the Tibetan Plateau. You'll see peaks like Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,463m), and Annapurna (8,091m) — the next best alternative to climbing for those restricted by time.

• Early Morning (Optional): Everest Mountain Flight — a 45-minute flight offering breathtaking views of the Himalayan range including Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Annapurna. *Weather permitting*
• After this lifetime experience, return to the hotel for breakfast
• AM: Visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square (UNESCO) — located 18 km east of Kathmandu. Highlights include the Lion Gate, the Golden Gate, the Palace of Fifty-five Windows (built in 1427), and the magnificent Nyatapola Temple
• PM: Visit Pashupatinath Temple (UNESCO) — the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu, dating back to 400 AD. Situated on the banks of the Bagmati River, the richly-ornamented pagoda houses the sacred linga of Lord Shiva. Thousands of pilgrims from across the world come to pay homage
• Boudhanath Stupa (UNESCO) — the Vatican of Tibetan Buddhism, the world's largest Buddhist stupa built in the 14th century. Circumambulate the base surrounded by 108 small images of Dhyani Buddha Amitabha and prayer wheels. Explore the surrounding monasteries of the four Tibetan Buddhist orders
• After sightseeing, return to the hotel
• Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu

Nepal can be divided into three ecological zones — the lowland, the midland and the highland. From the bustling temples of Kathmandu to the wild jungles of Chitwan, this tour has shown you the best of Nepal's cultural and natural heritage.

• Breakfast at the hotel
• In-time transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport to connect your onward flight
• Tour concludes. Carry with you the timeless beauty of Nepal — the chanting at Swayambhunath, the wood carvings of Bhaktapur, the sacred energy of Pashupatinath, and the thrilling wildlife of Chitwan.