Arrive in Kathmandu

If you are arriving on this day, our representative will be there to greet you, assist with your luggage, and transfer you to your hotel.

The rest of the day is free for you to rest and settle in.

Overnight Baber Mahal Villas (Traditional Suite Room)
Meals: Dinner

Kathmandu/Exploration Day

If you are arriving this morning, you will have time to settle in at the hotel and rest for a bit. Your optional sightseeing excursions will begin after lunchtime.

Morning at leisure.

Lunch at Hotel Heritage in Bhaktapur

Optional afternoon activity: Bhaktapur city and Changunarayan Temple

Bhaktapur, founded in the ninth century, is shaped like a snail shell. The city has a number of temples, overlooked by a palace with 55 windows, built by King Bhupatindra Malla. Bhakatapur is the best preserved of the three original cities of the Kathmandu Valley — the other two being Kathmandu and Patan. We will also get to see the best example of a pagoda in the Nyatapola temple style.

Changunarayan is the oldest temple in Kathmandu valley, and its existence dates back to the 4th century. This temple is dedicated to God Narayan, or Vishnu — the preserver of creation to Hindus. The temple is full of magnificent artwork of metal, stone, and wood and is a great example of Nepalese architecture. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Official welcome dinner at Baber Mahal Villas.

Overnight Baber Mahal Villas (Traditional Suite Room)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Welcome Dinner 

Kathmandu / Nepal Youth Foundation

Optional morning activity: Patan City

Patan City, the city of arts and architecture, was founded in 250 A.D. and is known as “Lalitpur.” It is renowned for its fine works in bronze, silver, and copper. Visit Durbar Square, the Royal Baths, Mahaboudha, Krishna Mandir, and Hiranya Verna Mahabihar (the golden temple). A visit to the new Patan Museum is a must. The museum faces Durbar Square and is housed in a beautifully restored and renovated former Malla residential palace. The collection spans much of Nepal’s cultural history, primarily exhibiting metalwork sculptures from Hindu and Buddhist deities, typical of Patan’s tradition in craftsmanship. Written commentary explains their significance to Nepal’s art history, spiritualism, cultural heritage, and contemporary life.

Lunch at Swotha.

Afternoon visit: Nepal Youth Foundation.

Dinner at Baithak.

Overnight Baber Mahal Villas (Traditional Suite Room)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Kathmandu / Budhanilkantha – Shivapuri – Nagi Goempa Hike

Trek Start / End: Budhanilkanth
Grade: Easy
Highest Elevation: 2563 m/8408 ft.
Best time: All season (Except Monsoon): Day hiking
Trek Duration: About 5 hours

We will drive for about 45 minutes to Budhanikantha Temple which lies at the foothills of the Shivapuri hills, 8 km north of Kathmandu city. The large granite figure of Lord Vishnu, reclining on a bed of serpents known as “Nagas,” appears to be floating in the water. This stone statue of Lord Vishnu also represents profound serenity and utmost piece of mind.

From Budhanilkantha, we will walk up to the Shivapuri – Nagarjun National Park entrance at the southern boundary of the area where the army check post is located. Begin the hike towards Baghdwar, which is believed to be the source of the holy river Bagmati. The hiking trail takes you through the dense forest protected by the government, where over 500 species of vegetation can be found. After about 3 hours’ walk, we will arrive at Baghdwar, which is also the biggest water supply to the Kathmandu valley. A further half hour’s walk will lead us to the Shivapuri danda. Shivapuri is situated at an altitude of 2,563 m north of Kathmandu. It is the second highest hill around Kathmandu valley, after the famous Phulchowki hill.

Stroll around for some time, after which we hike to Nagi Goempa, a Buddhist monastery where about 200 nuns practice Buddhism.

After approximately two hours of a steep downhill hike through a narrow and dusty trail, you will reach Budhanilkantha, where your vehicle will be waiting to drive you back to Kathmandu.

Lunch: Picnic.

Dinner at Baber Mahal.

Overnight Baber Mahal Villas (Traditional Suite Room)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Kathmandu / Blessed Hope

11:00am – 1:00pm: Blessed Hope.

Lunch at Blessed Hope.

Optional afternoon activity: Pashupatinath and Boudhnath

Pashupatinath, the most sacred of all Hindu temples in Nepal, is situated on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple precincts but may look into premises from the opposite bank. It draws tens of thousands of pilgrims and devotees from Nepal and India during the festival of Mahashivaratri (the night of Lord Shiva).

Boudhnath is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bouddhanath Stupa is one of the most imposing landmarks of Kathmandu. This ancient stupa is built on a massive three-level, mandala-style platform and is the largest in the world. The base of the stupa is adorned with 108 small images of the Dhyani Amitabha Buddha and inset with prayer wheels. Thousands of pilgrims circle the stupa in a clockwise direction each day spinning the prayer wheels. Here you will be able to meet a local artisan who will give you an overview on the Thangka paintings and Buddhism.

Dinner at Tukche Thakali.

Overnight Baber Mahal Villas (Traditional Suite Room)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Kathmandu / Local Women’s Handicrafts and Day of Exploring

Your meeting with Sahin and her team at Local Women’s Handicrafts is scheduled for the morning of this day.

Lunch at Nepali Ghar.

Optional afternoon activities: Kathmandu City and Swoyambhunath

Optional activity 1: Kathmandu City. Take a rickshaw ride to visit Kathmandu’s Durbar Square. We will depart in rickshaws from Thamel for a 15-20 minute ride. The city’s rich and varied cultural legacy began during the 14th century under the Malla Dynasty. Patronized by the nobility, Newar artisans constructed temples, monasteries, and elaborate courtyards, which are a fascinating architectural history of the city. Visit Durbar Square and Taleju Temple, with its gilded roofs. Stop at the House of the Living Goddess (Kumari).

Optional activity 2: Swoyambhunath. This is the oldest shrine in the world, established more than 2,500 years ago. It is situated on top of a high hill, where legend says that Manjushri discovered a lotus growing in the ancient Kathmandu Valley Lake. Swayambhunath commands a superb view of the valley below. The four sides of this ancient structure are painted with the compassionate eyes of Buddha. Between the eyes is a mystical third eye symbolizing true wisdom. The nose, appearing as an incomplete question mark, is the Nepalese number of one — a symbol of unity.

These activities could also be planned for August 23 or August 25 if you prefer to save more time for visiting Local Women’s Handicrafts this day. You will need at least a half-day to do both of these activities.

Dinner at Le Sherpa.

Overnight Baber Mahal Villas (Traditional Suite Room)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Departure

Upon checking out of your hotel, our representative or guide will accompany you on your transfer to the airport, which will be scheduled according to your departure time.

If you will require a room beyond the afternoon/evening, please contact Bethany (bethany@elevatedestinations.com) to make arrangements.

If you would like to extend your travels in the region, please check out Extend your Travel for some ideas!

Meals: Breakfast