Day 1: Kathmandu – Nagarkot
Arrival in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal (1350 m above sea level), a land of ancient culture, unique monuments, and breathtaking nature. After passport control and baggage claim, you will be met by our representatives and transferred (1.5 hours) to the summit of Nagarkot mountain (approx. 2100 m).
Check-in at the hotel. Dinner buffet at the hotel. Enjoy the pure mountain air and stunning mountain views. The main reason thousands of travelers stay overnight here is to witness the sunset and sunrise over the Himalayas. During the day, the snow-capped peaks sparkle in the sunlight, while at sunset they turn a delicate pink, creating a magical play of light and shadow. Overnight at the hotel with breakfast and dinner included.
Day 2: Nagarkot – Namobuddha – Bhaktapur – Nagarkot
Enjoy the sunrise over the Himalayas and breakfast at the hotel.
Then embark on a spiritual journey to Namobuddha (1.5-hour drive) and Bhaktapur, two hidden gems in the Kathmandu Valley.
Namobuddha is a revered Buddhist pilgrimage site offering breathtaking mountain views and a peaceful atmosphere perfect for meditation and reflection. Visit the sacred Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery, enjoy panoramic views of the monastery, valley, and mountain ranges.
Next, travel to medieval Bhaktapur – the ancient capital of Nepal, almost perfectly preserved since the 9th century. The city is an open-air museum, home to jewelers, artists, and potters, with countless temples and historical monuments. The Nyatapola Pagoda, one of the largest and most beautiful pagodas, dedicated to the goddess Vajrayogini, deserves special attention.
(Note: Pagodas were invented in Nepal in the 13th century by architect Arniko and later spread to neighboring countries.)
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Nagarkot – Kathmandu
Transfer back to Kathmandu. The Kathmandu Valley holds the most interesting historical sites where generations of kings built their capitals, including Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur, largely unchanged since medieval times.
Visit the Changu Narayan Temple, one of Nepal’s oldest temples built in the 4th century AD. It is a significant cultural and artistic monument included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and decorated with beautiful sculptures and carvings. There is also a museum inside. The temple is situated on a hill offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and Kathmandu Valley.
On the way to the hotel, visit the Pashupatinath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, with its golden two-tiered roof and silver doors. It is Nepal’s most revered Hindu temple complex, surrounded by palaces, stupas, sculptures, and museums. Only Hindus may enter the temple, but visitors can observe the temple and rituals from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Boudhanath – Sankhu
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the Buddhist Boudhanath Stupa, one of Asia’s largest and most ancient stupas, built in the 2nd century BC. Pilgrims come here to pray, light oil lamps, and spin prayer wheels.
Then visit the Vajrayogini Temple in Sankhu, an ancient Newar town on the northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu Valley. It is a sacred place for both Buddhists and Hindus, with history dating back to the 5th century AD. Return to the hotel. Overnight.
Day 5: Kathmandu – Pharping – Swayambhunath
Breakfast at the hotel. Travel to Pharping, a small religious town southwest of Kathmandu Valley, home to the Kali Temple (Dakshina Kali), many ancient Buddhist shrines, including caves blessed by Guru Rinpoche, the naturally formed image of Green Tara, Vajrayogini Temple, monasteries, and retreat centers.
After lunch, visit the magnificent Swayambhunath Stupa, one of the world’s most famous Buddhist religious sites, built about 2000 years ago along the trade route from India to Tibet. The stupa features the all-seeing eyes of Buddha on its four sides. It sits atop a hill reached by 365 steps, offering panoramic views of Kathmandu city. The site has strong spiritual energy and was considered sacred even before Buddhism arrived. Shamans and priests performed rituals here for centuries. Return to the hotel. Overnight.
Day 6: Kathmandu – Pokhara (~8 hours, 200 km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Pokhara, a popular resort town on the picturesque Fewa Lake, surrounded by snowy Himalayas.
En route, visit the Manakamana Temple, located at 1302 meters above sea level in the Gorkha district. The temple’s name means “Heart’s Desire” and is dedicated to the goddess Bhagwati. It is one of Nepal’s most important temples, attracting many pilgrims.
Arrival in Pokhara, check-in at the hotel, and short rest. Evening walk at the Lakeside tourist bazaar. Participate in a Hindu Aarti ritual at Fewa Lake. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Pokhara (813 m)
Early morning trip to Sarangkot for sunrise views over the Annapurna range, including Dhaulagiri (8167 m), Annapurna peaks (7200–8091 m), Lamjung (6983 m), Manaslu (8156 m), and Machapuchare (6997 m). Visit the Bindabasini Temple. Return to the hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, take a boat ride on Fewa Lake, called the “Lake of Dreams and Hopes,” one of Nepal’s most beautiful lakes. Visit the island temple of Barahi, dedicated to the feminine power. Explore the Pokhara valley, including Devis Falls, Gupteshwor Cave, Tibetan refugee camp, and Lakeside bazaar. Visit the World Peace Pagoda, a powerful Buddhist stupa on a hill overlooking Fewa Lake, and the tallest Shiva statue in Nepal nearby. Return to the hotel. Overnight.
Day 8: Pokhara – Kagbeni (2810 m, Mustang) ~7 hours (160 km)
Drive by jeep to Kagbeni, a small medieval village built like a fortress on the banks of the sacred Kali Gandaki River. It is a well-known Hindu pilgrimage site famous for the Pitri Puja ceremony, conducted to liberate ancestors’ souls from hell and help them reach heaven, bringing blessings to the family. Overnight in a guesthouse in Kagbeni.
Day 9: Kagbeni – Muktinath (3710 m) – Marpha (2720 m) – Kalopani (2480 m)
After breakfast, transfer (30 min) to Muktinath Temple, located among majestic Himalayan peaks in Mustang. It is an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Pilgrims visit for spiritual liberation.
Drive (2 hours) to Marpha, a small village known as Nepal’s apple capital, famous for its whitewashed streets, Buddhist monastery, and apple orchards. After lunch, continue (1 hour) to Kalopani for overnight in a guesthouse.
Day 10: Kalopani (2480 m)
Rest day in Kalopani. Take a short trip (30 min) to Titi Lake for bird watching (wild ducks) and enjoying Himalayan nature with views of Nilgiri (7061 m) and Dhaulagiri (8167 m). Overnight in Kalopani guesthouse.
Day 11: Kalopani – Pokhara (~5 hours, 125 km)
After breakfast, transfer back to Pokhara. Check in to the hotel. Free day in Pokhara.
Day 12: Pokhara – Kathmandu (flight ~25 min)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Pokhara airport and fly to Kathmandu. Visit the ancient city of Patan (founded 299 AD), one of the oldest settlements in the Kathmandu Valley and former independent kingdom.
At Patan Durbar Square visit the famous Terracotta Temple of a Thousand Buddhas (12th century), the ancient Krishna Temple (17th century) — the only stone temple built in the Shikhara style, Taleju Temple (17th century), royal palace (17th century), and other significant temples like Hiranya Varna, Mahavir, and Mahabuddha.
Enjoy lunch, check in to the hotel, then stroll and shop in Thamel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13: Kathmandu Durbar Square
Early morning visit to a Buddhist monastery in Kathmandu to listen to morning prayers by young monks and offer donations (fruits, juice, biscuits, etc.). Return to the hotel for breakfast.
City tour through Kathmandu’s old town, still holding the atmosphere of medieval Asia: visit the old Kathmandu Durbar Square, the Kastamandap Temple, and the house-temple of the Living Goddess Kumari Ghar. This site is sacred and architecturally valuable, where you may have the rare chance to meet the Living Goddess.
Walk through the Asan Bazaar, the ancient historical, cultural, religious, and trading center of Kathmandu Valley, where six streets converge. The area is known for daily goods, vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, and festival spices. Nearby are many well-known shrines including Annapurna Temple, Asan Ganesh Temple, Narayan Temple, Janma Temple (Mother of Peace), and Akash Bairav. For those unable to visit Pashupatinath, a lesser-known branch of the temple is open here. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 14: Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Timely transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Included in the price:
- Accommodation in double rooms at hotels of chosen category: Nagarkot (2 nights), Kathmandu (5 nights), Pokhara (3 nights), Mustang (3 nights). 4-star hotels in Nagarkot, Kathmandu, Pokhara; guesthouses in Mustang.
- Transfers throughout the trip by air-conditioned vehicles (Toyota Hiace minibuses in cities and Scorpio jeeps in Mustang).
- Meals: breakfasts in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Mustang; two meals (breakfast and dinner buffet) in Nagarkot.
- 60-minute boat ride on Fewa Lake in Pokhara.
- Entrance fees for all sightseeing as per the itinerary (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Mustang).
- ACAP permit for Annapurna Conservation Area.
- Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
- All excursions with a Russian-speaking guide.
- Mineral water daily in the vehicle.
Not included:
- International airfare.
- Visa: $30 (valid passport minimum 6 months, 2 passport photos); visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport or at the Nepal Embassy in Moscow.
- Insurance.
- Personal expenses.
- Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic).
- Additional expenses due to natural disasters or force majeure.
- Other unspecified personal expenses.
Hotels:
Nagarkot: 4-star | Kathmandu: 4-star | Pokhara: 4-star | Mustang |
| Club Himalaya Resorts Deluxe room or similar category | Hotel Tibet International /Hotel Ramada by Wyndham, ThamelDeluxe room or similar category | Atithi Resorts & Spa Deluxe room or similar category | Guest House |
Attention: The local operator reserves the right to modify the excursion program, check-in/check-out times, and hotel accommodations due to unforeseen circumstances.