Wildlife wonders: Nepal in two weeks

Itinerary in brief: 

• 3 nights Kathmandu
• 2 nights Chitwan National Park
• 3 nights Pokhara
• 3 nights Bardia National Park
• 2 nights Nagarkot
• 1 night Kathmandu

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart UK from your chosen airport. 

Included: International flights

Day 2: Arrive Kathmandu 

On arrival, you’ll be met and taken to your hotel, checking in for two nights. Kathmandu is a beguiling city, with twisting alleys and bustling markets, as many idols as men and as many temples as houses. The concentration of art, culture and tradition that is found in the Kathmandu Valley, is hard to come across anywhere else in the world.  

Included: Breakfast, transfers, 4* hotel  

Days 3 & 4: Kathmandu    

After breakfast, you’ll head out to explore Kathmandu with your guide. First you’ll visit Durbar Square, full of temples, monuments and ancient palaces in the heart of the city. You’ll see the Taleju Temple, towering over you at over 40m high, Kumari, the temple dedicated to Lord Ganesh and the giant pagoda, Kasthamandap, said to have been build from a single tree. Next, you’ll head to the famous monkey temple, Swayambhunath, which sits atop a hill overlooking the valley. The oldest reference to this stupa is from the 5^th Century but it could date back even further. Finally you’ll visit Patan Durbar Square, around 5km from Kathmandu, where you can admire the Newari architecture and various temples, filled with stone carvings, metal statues and dozens of Hindu and Buddhist monuments. 

If you’d like to, we can also book a scenic flight to see Mount Everest. You’ll soar over the Himalayas, looking down upon the tallest peak in the world, as well as the majestic ranges around the famous mountain. It’s a spectacular way to experience the Himalayas if you don’t have time for a trek. If you’d like to add on this experience, just ask!

Included: Breakfast, guiding, 4* hotel     

Day 5: Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park         

After breakfast, you’ll be driven back to the airport for the short flight to Chitwan National Park. On arrival you’ll be driven to your accommodation, Bahari Jungle Lodge, where you’ll check in for two nights. This afternoon you’ll head out on a jeep drive to look for wildlife. Set in the foothills of the Churia Ranges, Chitwan is a wilderness of jungle and forest where elephants and rhino wander amongst the lush undergrowth. Tigers are rare but can be spotted if you are lucky!

Included: Breakfast, internal flights, transfers, guiding, dinner, Bahari Jungle Lodge       

Day 6: Chitwan National Park      

You’ll spend the day searching for wildlife and exploring the lush forests of Chitwan. Birdlife is thriving here and bird watchers will have over 450 species to look for in the early mornings and magical twilight times. You’ll be able to enjoy a jungle walk, exploring different areas from the flood plain grasslands to the dense Sal forests. Walking around disturbs the animals less, as well as giving you the opportunity to learn about the plants and herbs in the forest. You’ll also get to go on a dugout canoe along the river, looking for gharials, a type of crocodile, as they float with their babies on their noses.  

Chitwan is famous for its one-horned rhinos, as well as being a protected area for the Bengal tiger. Look out for elephants in the undergrowth, pulling down vines with their trunks while they eat, and hornbills soaring through the air in a rush of flight. 

Included: All meals, guiding, Bahari Jungle Lodge            

Day 7: Fly to Pokhara

After breakfast, you’ll be taken to the airport for the short flight to Pokhara. Known as the ‘jewel of the Himalayas’, Pokhara is nestled amongst a backdrop of snowy peaks, serene lakes and lush greenery, with something for every visitor, whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation. It’s the start point of many of Nepal’s most famous treks and has been luring mountain climbers for decades. 

After checking into your hotel, you’ll head out to visit Tibetan Refugee Camp, to learn about the history of Tibet and their home in Nepal since the 1960s. It’s a wonderful way to interact with the community and learn about their plight. You’ll also take a short hike to the World Peace Pagoda, with spectacular views over Phewa Lake. 

In the evening, you’ll take a boat ride on the lake – sit back and soak up the views of colourful boats along the shoreline, clear fresh water and the surrounding mountains. You’ll also have the chance to explore the lakeside souvenir shops and restaurants. 

Included: Breakfast, internal flights, transfers, touring, 4* hotel                

Day 8: Pokhara hike

Today you’ll be up early to visit Sarangkot village, a small hill station near Pokhara. With panoramic views of the Himalayas you can enjoy the best sunrise views over the mountains, Pokhara City and Phewa Lake from the top of Sarangkot. 

In the afternoon, you'll head off to enjoy the day hike from Sarangkot to Naudanda, one of the best hiking trails in this area. The walk takes around 3-4 hours and as you go you'll discover rural village life and enjoy the fantastic mountain views of the Annapurna range including Annapurna, Fishtail/Machhapuchchhre) and Dhaulagiri. You'll get a great taste of trekking in the Himalayas without embarking on a multi-day walk. 

Included: Breakfast, guiding, 4* hotel      

Day 9: Pokhara 

After a delicious meal, you’ll head off to explore Pokhara, starting at the Nepal Mountaineering Association. Here, you’ll learn about the history of mountain climbing in this area before exploring the Bindabasini Temple with its colourful views over the city below. You’ll be able to explore the traditional bazaar, haggle over pretty bangles and scarves and enjoy friendly interactions with the locals. 

In the afternoon you’ll leave the city and explore Seti River Gorge, where you can stand on the bridge and watch the turbulent river rush through the gap before visit Devi’s Falls, a beautiful waterfall nearby. Across the road, you’ll also see Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, with a huge stalagmite that is worshipped as a Shiva lingam. 

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel      

Day 10: Fly to Bardia National Park 

After breakfast, you'll be driven to the airport for the short flight to Nepalgunj. On arrival, you'll be driven to Tiger Tops in Bardia, checking into the jungle lodge for three nights. As you drive to the Lodge you'll cross the Babai River, where Marsh Mugger Crocodiles lie on the banks warming in the midday sun. Once at Karnali Lodge, a hot Nepali lunch will be served.

In the late afternoon, you'll head out on a dusk jeep safari to the National Park in search of elusive tigers and leopards. Tigers hunt in the cool of the day so dusk is a great time to catch a glimpse of the great cats patrolling their territories. You'll be out for around 2.5 hours looking for wildlife with your experienced guide who will provide in depth knowledge of the local fauna and flora of Bardia National Park. Your evening will be spent with cocktails around an outdoor fireplace before moving into the Ghol Ghar (Nepalese dining room) for delicious dinner to end the day. 

Included: All meals, transfers, internal flights, guiding, TigerTops Bardia      

Days 11 - 12: Bardia National Park

Each day you'll enjoy a delicious breakfast beneath the shady mango trees, tucking into fresh fruit, yoghurt, bacon and eggs. 

One morning you'll enjoy a peaceful water safari along the Karnali River. Cruising on the wide expanse of the river, pockets of rapids propel the boats along as gentle waves lap at the sides. Sitting inside a hand-carved boat, keep your eyes peeled for a variety of birdlife and wildlife. On top of the list is the endangered fish-eating Gharial crocodile and its more sinister relative, the Marsh Mugger. 

Another morning you'll enjoy a jungle walk - getting up early and choosing a sturdy bamboo walking stick before you head off to explore. Walking down a jungle path enclosed by the Sal trees, listen out for the sounds of orioles and hornbills. We will take you to one of the many “hides”, where patience is key, as you settled own with a cup of tea and wait for any movement, maybe a rhino, maybe a jungle cat! 

Back at the lodge you'll dine on a filling Nepal-style lunch, after which you might want to head to relax in a hammock with your book and have a snooze. In the late afternoon, when the weather is cooler and the animals become active again, you'll meet with the naturalist for a jeep safari in the national park. Exploring in the vintage Land Rover, you'll be looking out for wildlife like  deer, birds, monkeys, and the endangered one-horned rhinoceros. You also have a good chance of spotting a Bengal tiger amongst the grasses. 

As the days draw to a close, you'll stop for a drink from the cool box, soak up the last of the rays bursting their way through the canopy as you head back to the lodge, spending the last moments of the day looking for a glimpse of a sloth bear or wild boar. 

Included: All meals, guiding, TigerTops Bardia

Day 13: Travel to Nagarkot

After a leisurely breakfast, you'll head back to Nepalgunj in time for your flight to Kathmandu. On arrival, you'll be be met and driven to Nagarkot, a sleepy town that enjoys spectacular sunrise views of the Himalayas. If you're lucky, you can even spot Mount Everest out with its snow-topped peaks on a very clear day from an observation tower at the very top of the village’s hills.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flight, 4* hotel      

Day 14: Nagarkot

This morning you'll head out on a day hike to Changunarayan, along a hiking trail that descends gradually from Nagarkot. You'll trek through terraced fields and forests to the ancient town of Changu Narayan, which is home to one of the oldest Hindu temples in the Kathmandu Valley. Along the way, you'll be able to enjoy the peaceful countryside and stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys. The Changu Narayan temple is famous for its intricate carvings and sculptures; it's one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus in Nepal.

The entire trek is about 12 km and takes around 5-6 hours to complete, depending on the pace of the trekker. After you've finished, you'll be picked up by your vehicle at Changunarayan n drive back to Nagarkot. 

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel      

Day 15: Travel to Kathmandu     

After breakfast, you’ll be driven to the airport for your flight to Kathmandu. On arrival, you’ll be driven to Bhaktapur, to explore the city. Named as the City of Devotees, this place is a hub oof medieval art and architecture. Around 9 miles away from Kathmandu, it is shaped like a conch shell, with the Durbar Square in the heart of the streets. You’ll visit the Nyatapola Temple, with five terraces making up the pagoda, as well as the 55 window palace that overlooks the square. 

In the evening you’ll head back to Kathmandu for your final night in the city – why not head out for a delicious dinner to celebrate your final night in Nepal and begin to get excited to arrive in Bhutan tomorrow.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, touring, 4* hotel          

Day 15: Depart Kathmandu 

This morning you'll be driven to the airport in time for your flight home. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, 4* hotel 

Day 16: Arrive UK