Day 3
Today you experience something most people never will, a flight to the Himalayas to see majestic Mount Everest. Twice the size of the Alps, their sheer immensity is mind-blowing. Carrying just 16 passengers, our aircraft flies over peaks and clouds bathed in an early morning golden glow. The 45-minute flight offers an incredible panorama and you can take a photograph of the world’s highest mountain from the cockpit.
Later this morning we’ll take the scenic drive to Chitwan National Park, Nepal’s most famous wildlife reserve and one of the finest in Asia. Overlooking the lush forested valley and the nearby Rapti River, the three-star Tigerland Safari Lodge, where we stay for two nights with full-board, is a real opportunity to experience and savour these peaceful surroundings.
After dinner, a slide show brings the huge variety of flora and fauna of the reserve to life.
Day 4
Viewing wildlife in its natural habitat is often a life-changing experience. Rising early, as the sun breaks and accompanied by a unique ‘dawn chorus’, we cross into the reserve in small jeeps and your naturalist guide should help you spot rhino, wild boar and if you’re very lucky, sloth bears. We return to the hotel for breakfast. After lunch, we have the option of a trip by dugout canoe to a crocodile farm, returning on foot along the riverbank. This evening we enjoy a BBQ dinner at the lodge.
Day 5
We drive north towards the small town of Pokhara in central Nepal. Inhale the clean air, taking time to fully comprehend the staggering beauty of an area surrounded by some of the world’s highest mountains.
This afternoon, we take a boat ride across Lake Phewa for unbeatable views of the Annapurna mountain range. Watch reflections of their dazzling white peaks sparkle in the mirror-like water and listen to the soothing sound of silence. This is probably one of the finest mountain panoramas in the world.
We stay for two nights at the four-star Pokhara Grande Hotel with breakfast.
Day 6
Wake up early today and catch the sun rise over the Annapurna range, a truly magical experience. Watch the mountain peaks turn from soft pink to shimmering gold as the sun climbs higher in the clear blue sky. There are twelve peaks in the world higher than 25,000 feet, eight of them are in Nepal and from this spot, on clear days, you can see three of them. Truly staggering!
Later in the morning we’ll visit the charming small Gurkha museum and the Devil’s waterfall.
The rest of the day is free to relax and potter about this charming lakeside town, with plenty of opportunities to bargain for local handicrafts, try out some of the many restaurants and take in the amazing views.
Day 7
Today we fly back to Kathmandu and visit the famous 14th century Boudhanath Stupa, Tibetan in origin and one of the holiest of Buddhist sites. The gentle sound of chanting and praying fills the air, while traders sell lamps, cloth and all sorts of fascinating goods in an enchanting kaleidoscope of colour and noise.
We stay again at the Aloft Hotel.
Day 8
Hopefully we’ll have another chance to see the Himalayas from above on our flight from Kathmandu to Paro in Bhutan.
On arrival, and after an included lunch, we drive to Bhutan’s small capital, Thimphu, staying three nights at the centrally-located five-star Le Meridien hotel with breakfast.
Day 9
We explore this charming city, enjoying the panoramic views from Buddha Point, visiting the charming Folk Heritage museum and walking through the bustling local markets, full of locals in their colourful national dress. After our included lunch, we’ll visit the King’s Memorial Stupa, also known as Thimphu Chorten, the impressive landmark is hard to miss, with an ornate structure and regal, gold spires. Many locals come here to pray on a daily basis, walking round the Stupa in a clockwise direction and turning the huge, multi-coloured prayer wheels. Afterwards we have the opportunity to watch the Bhutanese practicing their national sport, Archery.
Day 10
This morning we’ll drive over the Dochu-La Pass to the small town of Punakha to see the most famous ‘Dzong’ (monastery-fortress) in Bhutan. It’s a vast edifice, bordered by two rivers and still very much an active monastery with lots of saffron-robed monks going about their daily duties.
After a picnic lunch, we’ll also enjoy a scenic walk through the nearby rice terraces to a local fertility temple, before we return to our hotel in Thimphu.
Day 11
On the way to Paro we visit the Bhutan National Museum, beautifully housed within a traditional Dzong monastery.
After our included lunch, we’ll visit a local Bhutanese home just outside Paro and enjoy some free time in the compact town centre.
Our hotel for two nights is the five-star Le Meridien Hotel, with breakfast, in a quiet location about 15 minutes’ drive from Paro and overlooking the Paro River.
Day 12
Today we visit everyone’s highlight of Bhutan: the stunning Tiger’s Nest Monastery. It’s important to be aware that the monastery is located at 3,100m (10,240ft) and built on the side of a cliff – it’s a truly spectacular setting but the only way to get there is to hike up a rough mountain path for around two and half hours.
Although there is a stop about halfway at a small café for some refreshment, you will nevertheless need to be in good physical condition to do this walk (and walk back down again!). If you don’t want to go up to the highest viewpoint, you will still be able to see the monastery from the café, as long as it’s clear weather of course.
Lunch is included at the café today.
Day 13
Fly back to Kathmandu for our last night at the Aloft Hotel.
Day 14
Depart for our flight home, via Istanbul, arriving later the same day.