Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
A Wellness Escape to Nepal City Sights and Mountain Heights
Nepal – Kathmandu – Dhulikhel
The first chapter of this adventure is set against the backdrop of Kathmandu, a bustling city full of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Between a walking tour with a local and private visits to Pashupatinath Temple, the Bodnath stupa and Bhaktapur, your time in the capital strikes the perfect balance of sightseeing and free discovery.
When you’ve had your fill of city life, wind through the Kathmandu Valley to a simple yet luxurious mountain retreat in the hilltop village of Dhulikhel. Spend three days here recharging your batteries and breathing in the crisp air of the Himalayan foothills. Meditate on scenic terraces, hike through terraced farmlands, marvel at the snow-capped peaks in the distance, treat yourself to indulgent spa treatments and practice yoga in total peace and quiet. Consider your cup officially re-filled.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
After plenty of daydreaming and eagerly counted-down sleeps, your adventure into the heart and soul of Nepal begins today.
Head to the airport, whizz through security, then settle into the lounge for drinks and nibbles before boarding. It’s a 14-hour overnight flight to Kathmandu (including a brief layover in a Middle Eastern hub), so queue up the films and try to catch some shut-eye before landing the next morning.
When you touch down in the capital, you’ll be privately transferred to your charming guesthouse – your home for the next three nights.
Battling a bout of jet lag? Nepal’s wellness traditions offer just the tonic. Make a beeline for the spa, where treatments are rooted in Ayurveda and ancient Himalayan rituals, or roll out your mat for some yoga – time to perfect that downward dog...
Inner zen officially found, feast on nourishing Nepalese fare back at your guesthouse, perhaps from the comfort of a hammock. This whole wellness thing? You’re in the swing of it already.
Rise and shine early this morning, then enjoy a steaming cup of Nepalese high-altitude Arabica coffee.
Sightseeing fuel sorted, lace up your best walking shoes and meet your local guide for a walking tour of one-of-a-kind Kathmandu.
This is a go-with-the-flow kind of experience, so follow whatever catches your eye, whether that’s an incense-swirled temple, a cosy café or a mural-splashed street. Travelling with any self-confessed shopaholics? Perhaps duck into a dizzyingly busy market and admire the treasure trove of shiny trinkets. Let the bartering and buying begin...
As you explore, fire off a whole host of questions to your guide about everyday life in Kathmandu and pick up plenty of insider tips to see you through the rest of your time in Nepal.
Foodie recommendations are fair game too, and your guide will know exactly where Kathmandu’s tastiest momos (steamed or fried dumplings) are served.
Spiritual seekers will be in their element today as you meet your local guide to explore Kathmandu’s sacred sites.
First up is Pashupatinath Temple, an important Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site. Admire deity-embellished shrines, stupas and pagodas, and listen to prayers chanted by saffron-robed Sadhus, Hindu holy men who have renounced almost all worldly possessions in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.
Now that you know your Shiva from your Vishnu, head to 14th-century Boudhanath stupa. Your guide will give you the lowdown on its symbolic design, built to represent the five elements of Buddhist cosmology: earth, water, fire, air and ether. Then, join pilgrims circling clockwise, keeping the stupa on your right in an expression of respect.
Venture to Bhakatur, a maze of monasteries, before continuing north to Changu Narayan, where Nepal’s oldest inscription is etched into a stone pillar. Luckily, your guide is well-versed in deciphering fifth-century carvings...
Still raring to go? We can also arrange a visit to a thangka school, where religious motifs take shape on silk scrolls.
Wolf down some traditional Nepalese breakfast this morning, then meet your local driver for the one-hour journey to the charming village of Dhulikhel, set in the heart of the Himalayan foothills. A road trip this exciting calls for an equally great soundtrack, so ask your driver to tune into our destination-specific playlist as you pass through Kathmandu Valley.
When you arrive, settle into your hotel – your peaceful retreat for the next three nights. Explore your new surroundings and, if the skies are clear, look up (way up) for a glimpse of mighty Mount Everest, standing at a lofty 29,000ft.
All that neck craning calls for some head-to-toe pampering, so surrender yourself to an afternoon of Himalayan wellness. Buff away any travel aches with a medicinal-herb scrub before easing into shirodhara, an Ayurvedic treatment that gently pours warm oil across the forehead. Finish with pada abhyanga, a soothing leg, ankle and foot massage. Safe to say, you’ll be floating back to your room...
Chanel your inner zen (and charge your camera); the next two days are all yours to explore the Himalayan foothills at your own pace.
Keen to clock up a few miles? Hike forested trails across the hills, passing sleepy villages and farmland cultivated for generations. Climb up and up, snapping photos of snow-capped peaks – all prime material for the holiday album. And when you reach a cosy mountain cafe (phew), warm up with a steaming cup of Himalayan tea.
Back at lower altitude, amble around Old Dhulikhel, roaming terracotta streets lined with merchant houses and sacred shrines. Pass Tibetan shepherds down from the highlands, Indian traders doing business and pilgrims bound for worship – a centuries-old crossroads still in motion.
Fancy adding a little soul-searching to the agenda? We can also arrange a meditation session at Thrangu Tashi Yangtse, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery.
For your last night, leave dinner plans in the hands of our Concierge, who’ll know just the spot for a celebratory final meal...
Time flies when you’re having fun (and mastering the art of Himalayan serenity), but sadly, your time in Nepal has come to an end.
After breakfast, you’ll be privately transferred back through the winding valleys to Kathmandu Airport for your 14-hour return flight home, including a layover in a major airport hub along the way.
On your way back, you’ll hopefully be feeling like a brand-new person, reflecting on all the wellness habits you plan to weave into everyday life and enjoying your newfound patience in airport queues. Just don’t forget it by the time your next adventure rolls around...
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
VISIT A THANKGA SCHOOL IN KATHMANDU
Tibbetan Buddhists have long produced thankga, cotton or silk scrolls adorned with mysterious religious paintings that allude to divinities, the wheel of life and eminent lamas (teachers). Thankgas are an essential part of the Himalayan arts and are often displayed around important monasteries. While in Kathmandu, take the opportunity to visit a school with a local guide to delve into the fascinating world of this age-old art form.MEDITATE IN A RURAL MONASTERY
Craving the ultimate peace and quiet? Make for Thrangu Tashi Yangtse, a historic Tibetan Buddhist monastery tucked into the hills of the Kathmandu Valley that houses around 250 monks. This picture-perfect site is surrounded by leafy gardens that overlook the mighty Himalayan ranges. Start your guided meditation experience by learning about the principles of this ancient Buddhist practice in the serene gardens, before heading to the inner courtyard to begin your meditation session. Let the deep breaths and quiet contemplation commence...
Why visit Nepal with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Nepal
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
