Active Nepal (with a 3-day trek)
From the bustling and chaotic streets of Kathmandu to the peace of a dawn canoe ride along the Rapti River. From the majesty of a Himalayan sunset to the excitement of an overnight white water rafting excursion. This 2-week tour includes all the highlights of Nepal! You’ll be rafting, hiking, jeep safari-ing and much more besides, on this action packed itinerary.
Highlights
Monkeys at Swayambhunath
Dodging holy cows in Kathmandu
Trekking in sublime scenery
The sun setting over the Annapurnas
Overnight white water rafting trip
Searching for the elusive Bengal tiger
15 days from £1,750 pp
Plus international flights from £800
A 15 day holiday for a family of four in Nepal will cost from £7,000 (excluding international flights).
Active Nepal (with a 3-day trek) day-to-day itinerary
Day 1 Kathmandu
When you arrive in Kathmandu you will be transferred to your hotel. This is a wonderful city and you will feel that you have entered a completely different world. Narrow streets are packed with temples, rickshaws, people and palaces. Ubiquitous holy cows amble unhindered and prayer flags flutter in the breeze.
When you arrive in Kathmandu you will be transferred to your hotel. This is a wonderful city and you will feel that you have entered a completely different world. Narrow streets are packed with temples, rickshaws, people and palaces. Ubiquitous holy cows amble unhindered and prayer flags flutter in the breeze.
Day 2 Kathmandu
A full day to explore Kathmandu with a guide. Your visit will start at Swayambhunath. This is a beautiful Buddhist Temple that sits on top of a hill with lovely views over the city. The chief attraction here are the monkeys that ‘guard’ the entrance and who delight in playing tricks on visitors.
From here head to Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most important Hindu Temple. The temple is home to many saddhus (or holy men). They are distinctive in their white and orange robes, dreadlocks and painted bodies. This is also where you find Nepal’s cremation ghats, where the bodies of the dead are burned in a sacred ceremony.
After lunch in a local restaurant, visit Boudhanath. This is a huge stupa with distinctive painted eyes that gaze over the surrounding streets. Join pilgrims spinning the prayer wheels or stop for a drink in a roof-top cafe to enjoy the views.
Finally you will wander through Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, where kings were traditionally crowned. The streets surrounding the square are thrumming with activity and atmosphere. Your guide will be happy to take you deep into the maze of alleyways to explore, before returning to your hotel.
Day 3 Kathmandu
A full day to further explore the Kathmandu area with your guide. One option is to visit Patan, one of Nepal’s medieval cities with a beautiful central square. The children will enjoy exploring the picturesque streets, stopping for a cup of chai in a cafe and browsing the many market stalls.
Active families may alternatively like to head out of Kathmandu for a morning hike in the Kathmandu Valley. Our preferred route is from Sanga to Panauti, following quiet trails through the rice fields and farmland, with sensational views of the Himalayas. Panauti itself is a beautiful traditional Newari town and well worth a wander.
Day 4 Kathmandu – Pokhara
Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Pokhara. This is a very attractive lakeside city, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Annapurnas.
The afternoon is free. Enjoy some down time at your hotel or take a wander along the lake shore, stopping to search for bargains in the market. At dusk, find a cafe and enjoy a drink as the sun sets over the lake.
If you are interested, we can arrange a momo-making cookery class in a local house. Momos are Tibetan dumplings, little filled morsels of deliciousness that are a staple part of of the Nepali diet. The children will enjoy making these and will be able to impress their friends when they get home!
Day 5 Pokhara
After breakfast, set out on a guided tour of Pokhara. This will include a hilltop temple with commanding views over the mountains, a boat ride on Phewa Lake and a visit to the Tibetan refugee camp. If you are interested, you can also visit the Mountain Museum. This is packed full of interesting stories about mountaineers who have scaled (or attempted to scale) the world’s most forbidding mountain peaks.
Day 6 Pokhara – Annapurna Trek
Today starts with a drive into the foothills of the Annapurnas (around 2.5 hours). Set off on your trek, through rhododendron forest and small villages of slate-roofed houses. There are bunches of dried corn draped beneath the eaves and pumpkins drying in the courtyards. You will pass neatly terraced fields with amazing views of Machapuchare (Fishtail Mountain).
Your accommodation will be in a teahouse. This is a simple trekking lodge with private rooms, each with a bed but little else. Bathroom facilities are communal and simple. (Note that there is the chance to upgrade if you would prefer more comfort).
Read More Day 7 Annapurna Trek Spend a second night in a local teahouse. Day 8 Annapurna Trek – Bandipur Spend the night in a converted traditional Newari Homestead. This is reached by a steeply climbing road that switchbacks up the mountain for 8km. The views are stunning, stretching over orange orchards to the south and towards the Annapurnas in the north. Day 9 Bandipur Another option is to take a picturesque day hike to the small village of Ramkot, with a picnic lunch en route. Day 10 Bandipur – Rafting After a safety briefing you will board your rafts and set off. Along the way, enjoy scenic views of local villages, rice fields and waterfalls. The banks are lined with thick jungle interspersed with sandy beaches where you can stop for lunch. Suspension bridges span the river overhead, with children waving as they head home from school. There are a number of rapids on the river, but these are not severe so this is suitable for children of all ages. There are also be plenty of quiet stretches of river. Here the kids can spend ages jumping off the raft, floating along, then clambering back on again. This evening, spend the night camping on the banks of the river (all camping gear and meals included). Day 11 Rafting – Chitwan Late morning you will arrive at Gaighat, where your vehicle will be waiting for you. From here drive to Chitwan. You will spend the night at a traditional jungle lodge right on the edge of Chitwan National Park. Days 12-13 Chitwan On one morning, rise early and head to the river for a trip in a dugout canoe. This will take you through the wetlands surrounding the Rapti River. The area is home to a great variety of birds but the main attraction for the children will be the local crocodiles. Keep your eyes peeled and your fingers inside the dugout! You will also take a jeep ride into the park in search of the elusive Bengal tiger, as well as wild elephant and rhino. There are also opportunities to take village walks and, depending on where you stay, you may be able to help look after and care for elephants. Day 14 Chitwan – Kathmandu Day 15 Kathmandu
Today’s walk is glorious, with truly spectacular views of the Annapurnas. You will be trekking along small footpaths that have been used for hundreds of years by local villagers. The path wends its way between terraced fields and moss-draped rhododendron forest. There are plenty of opportunities to stop and rest the legs whilst you enjoy a drink or snack in a trekking cafe.
After breakfast descend through the fields to the road where your vehicle is waiting for you. From here you will drive to Bandipur (around 3-4 hours).
Spend the day exploring the small town of Bandipur with its gorgeous views and traditional houses. This is a real rural gem, with no cars allowed in the old town. Stroll along the quiet cobbled streets and visit the bazaar. Perhaps stop in the shade of a giant piple tree to sip a cup of hot chai and admire the views from the escarpment.
This morning transfer to Damauli, from where your rafting excursion on the Seti River will begin.
Rise early for breakfast by the river. You will then continue rafting, with more opportunities for swimming along the way.
Two full days of jungle activities in Chitwan.
Transfer to Bharatpur airport for a short flight back to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free for some last minute shopping. Use your newly acquired haggling skills to purchase souvenirs… particular popular with children are the elephant-dung notebooks!
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Call us and we will be happy to provide you with a free-of-charge no obligation itinerary and quotation designed for you.
01728 752751
Nepal in pictures
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- Unparalleled family travel experience
- Specialist knowledge across three continents
- Hand-picked local partners
- Every holiday is tailor-made for you
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