Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Ambassador Himalaya representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Kathmandu.

After check-in, you can relax at the hotel or explore the nearby streets at your own pace. If you are staying in Thamel, you can enjoy a short walk through its lively streets, local shops, handicraft stores, cafés and traditional markets. It is a great way to get your first impression of Kathmandu and Nepalese daily life.

In the evening, meet your tour guide for a welcome briefing. Your guide will introduce the tour programme and share some information about the culture, history and traditions of the Kathmandu Valley, including its three historic cities: Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur.

You can also enjoy a traditional Nepali dinner, depending on the group arrangement.

Today’s Experience: Arrival in Nepal, a warm local welcome, a first walk around Kathmandu and an introduction to Nepali culture and lifestyle.

Overnight: Thamel

After breakfast, begin your day with a visit to Swayambhunath Stupa one of the oldest and most important Buddhist sites in Kathmandu. Located on a hilltop, the stupa offers beautiful views of Kathmandu Valley.

Walk around the stupa with local pilgrims, spin the prayer wheels, observe the colourful prayer flags, monasteries and small shrines, and learn about Buddhist traditions and beliefs.

Next, drive to Kathmandu Durbar Square, the historic royal centre of the old city. Explore its beautiful temples, ancient palaces, traditional courtyards and historic buildings. Visit important places such as Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Kumari Ghar (the home of the Living Goddess), Kal Bhairav and Kasthamandap.

After exploring Durbar Square, continue on a walking tour through the traditional streets and markets of old Kathmandu. Walk through Indra Chowk, Jana Bahal and Ason Bazaar, where you can see local shops selling spices, vegetables, traditional clothes, handicrafts and religious items.

Enjoy the lively atmosphere of the old city and observe the daily lifestyle of local people. Continue walking towards Thamel, a popular area known for its cafés, restaurants, shops and handicrafts.

Today’s Experience: Explore Buddhist culture, ancient temples, historic palaces, traditional markets and the local lifestyle of Kathmandu through a guided heritage walking tour.

Overnight: Thamel

After breakfast, drive to Bhaktapur, one of the three historic cities of Kathmandu Valley and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bhaktapur is famous for its traditional Newari culture, ancient temples, beautiful architecture, pottery and woodcarving.

Begin your sightseeing at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, where you will visit the famous 55 Windows Palace, Golden Gate, temples and traditional courtyards. Continue walking to Taumadhi Square to see the beautiful five-storey Nyatapola Temple, one of the most famous landmarks of Bhaktapur.

Next, visit Pottery Square, where you can meet local potters and learn about traditional pottery-making techniques. You will have an opportunity to try making a simple clay pot or bowl using a traditional pottery wheel under the guidance of a local artisan.

After the pottery experience, enjoy tasting Juju Dhau (King Curd), Bhaktapur’s famous traditional yogurt. Continue your walk to Dattatreya Square, known for its beautiful wooden carvings, traditional houses and old temples.

In the late afternoon, drive to Nagarkot, a beautiful hill station located on the eastern side of Kathmandu Valley. After hotel check-in, enjoy the peaceful mountain surroundings and, weather permitting, beautiful views of the Himalayas.

Today’s Experience: Explore the medieval city of Bhaktapur, discover Newari culture, try traditional pottery making, taste local yogurt and enjoy the beautiful hill scenery of Nagarkot.

Overnight: Nagarkot

Early in the morning, wake up to enjoy the beautiful sunrise from Nagarkot. On a clear day, you can see the Himalayan mountain ranges, green hills and beautiful landscapes as the morning sun rises over the mountains.

After breakfast at the hotel, visit Rani Jhula, a scenic suspension bridge near Nagarkot. Enjoy walking across the bridge, taking photographs and admiring the surrounding countryside.

Next, drive to Telkot, the starting point of today’s hike. From here, enjoy a pleasant walk through local villages, green hills, terraced fields and traditional houses towards Changu Narayan Temple. The hike takes approximately 2.5 hours at a comfortable pace.

Changu Narayan is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Nepal and one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Monument Zones of Kathmandu Valley. Explore the beautiful temple complex, ancient stone sculptures, traditional architecture and detailed woodcarvings. Your guide will explain the history, religious importance and local traditions of this special place.

You will also have an opportunity to visit a local woodcarving workshop and learn about traditional Newari woodcarving techniques. Depending on the workshop arrangement, you can try a simple carving activity under the guidance of a local artisan.

After completing the visit, drive back to Kathmandu.

Today’s Experience: Enjoy a Himalayan sunrise, walk across a suspension bridge, experience a countryside hike, explore the ancient Changu Narayan Temple and discover traditional Newari woodcarving.

Overnight: Thamel

After breakfast, visit Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest and most important Buddhist stupas in Nepal. It is an important centre of Tibetan Buddhism and a popular place for Buddhist pilgrims and visitors.

Walk around the beautiful stupa with local pilgrims, spin the prayer wheels and observe the colourful prayer flags, monasteries, monks and traditional Buddhist shops. Your guide will explain the history and importance of Boudhanath and Buddhist traditions.

Next, visit a local Thangka Painting School or Artist Workshop to learn about traditional Buddhist art. Meet local artists and see how they create detailed Thangka paintings using traditional designs, colours and painting techniques. You will also have an opportunity to try a simple painting activity under the guidance of an artist.

In the late afternoon, visit Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most sacred Hindu temples in Nepal, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Explore the temple surroundings and the holy Bagmati River. Learn about Hindu traditions, religious practices and the spiritual importance of this sacred place. Non-Hindu visitors can enjoy views of the main temple from the permitted areas across the river.

In the evening, stay to witness the beautiful Bagmati Aarati Ceremony. Enjoy the spiritual atmosphere as priests perform prayers with oil lamps, devotional music and traditional rituals along the river.

After the ceremony, return to your hotel.

Today’s Experience: Discover Tibetan Buddhist culture at Boudhanath, learn traditional Thangka painting, explore the sacred Pashupatinath area and witness the evening Bagmati Aarati ceremony.

After breakfast, drive to Patan (Lalitpur), one of the three historic cities of Kathmandu Valley. Patan is famous for its rich Newari culture, traditional art, beautiful temples, ancient architecture and skilled local artisans.

Begin your sightseeing at Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the beautiful royal palace, traditional courtyards, temples and historic buildings. Visit the famous Krishna Mandir, known for its beautiful stone architecture and detailed carvings.

If time permits, visit Patan Museum, where you can discover Nepal’s traditional art, religious sculptures, bronze statues and cultural history.

Next, explore the traditional artisan areas of Patan, where local craftsmen continue to practise skills passed down through generations. Visit a local metalcraft workshop and meet skilled artisans who create traditional Buddhist and Hindu statues, ornaments and religious objects.

Watch how craftsmen use traditional techniques such as metal casting, carving, hammering and polishing to create beautiful metal artwork. You will also learn about the importance of metal crafts in Newari culture and religious traditions.

After the workshop visit, enjoy walking through the narrow streets, traditional Newari houses and peaceful Buddhist courtyards of Patan.

Later, return to your hotel in Kathmandu.

Today’s Experience: Explore Patan’s UNESCO heritage site, discover traditional Newari architecture, visit the local metalcraft workshop, meet skilled artisans and learn about Nepal’s traditional metalworking art.

Overnight: Thamel

After breakfast, enjoy a special cultural experience through Nepali food and traditional cooking. Begin with a visit to a local market, where you can learn about fresh vegetables, local spices, herbs, lentils and other ingredients commonly used in Nepali kitchens.

Next, join a hands-on Nepali Cooking Class led by a local cooking instructor. Learn how to prepare some popular Nepali dishes, such as momo (Nepali dumplings), dal bhat (rice and lentils), seasonal vegetable curry and traditional achar (pickle).

You will have the opportunity to prepare the food yourself, learn simple cooking techniques and discover the taste of traditional Nepali cuisine. After the cooking session, enjoy lunch together with the dishes you have prepared.

In the afternoon, visit a peaceful wellness centre for a Himalayan Singing Bowl Sound Bath Experience. Learn about traditional singing bowls and their use in meditation and relaxation.

Take part in a relaxing sound session led by an experienced practitioner. Enjoy the peaceful sounds and vibrations of the singing bowls while relaxing your mind and body.

After the session, return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Today’s Experience: Explore local food culture, visit a traditional market, learn to cook Nepali dishes, enjoy a homemade Nepali lunch and experience a relaxing Himalayan singing bowl sound bath.

Today is a free day to relax and enjoy Kathmandu at your own pace. After several days of cultural sightseeing and activities, you can take this opportunity to rest, explore the city or enjoy some personal time.

In the evening, you can enjoy a farewell dinner with Ambassador Himalaya representative at a traditional Nepali restaurant.

Today’s Experience: Enjoy free time in Kathmandu, explore local markets, shop for traditional handicrafts, relax at your own pace and enjoy your final cultural experiences in Nepal.

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy some free time depending on your international flight schedule. You can relax, finish your packing or do some last-minute shopping in Kathmandu.

At the appropriate time, our representative will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight.

We hope you have enjoyed your journey through the Kathmandu Valley, experienced Nepal’s rich culture and traditions, met friendly local people and created wonderful memories.