The cityscape of Kathmandu and Boudhanath Stupa
As you fly into Kathmandu, you’ll have beautiful views over the valley, the Himalaya, and of the terraced fields below. After going through customs, a representative will be waiting to guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets and get you settled into your hotel. Once you’ve settled in, head out and visit one of Kathmandu’s cultural highlights. In the evening, the tourist hub of Thamel is a good place to grab your first meal, with a variety of restaurants to chose from offering both Western and local Nepali dishes.

Boudhanath Stupa

Kathmandu has a special atmosphere during the early morning hours when the city is slowly coming to life yet not too chaotic. It’s a great time to walk and explore the streets or have a chai overlooking one of the local courtyards or durbar squares. There are a number of ways you can spend the day given the many incredible sights around the Kathmandu Valley. Later in the evening, head out for dinner at one of the city’s great eateries, or your specialist can arrange a home-cooked dinner with a local family.

Start with a boat ride across Phewa Lake to reach the starting point of the trek. The trail climbs for a short distance up to the Shanti Stupa (also known as the World Peace Pagoda), built in 1973 by a group of Japanese Buddhists. It is a popular tourist attraction in Pokhara, but as you continue on the trekking trail, the crowds will diminish.

Continuing on from the Shanti Stupa, the trail takes you down through the forest and then steeply back up and through the village of Lukum Swara. Most of the inhabitants of this area are ethnic Gurung and Brahman people, and you will have plenty of opportunities to observe their rural lifestyles on this trek. Today’s hike ends at Bumdi village.

Today’s walk will continue through the forest, and the mountains will be visible from time to time. Peaks to look out for are Lamjung, Gangapurna, Machhapucchare, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, and Manaslu. Your guide should be able to distinguish these for you. The forests through which you’ll pass are especially interesting for their variety of flora and fauna, including an abundance of birdlife, monkeys, orchids, and numerous plants. In spring, you may be able to see Nepal’s national flower, the Rhododendron, in full bloom. The day ends with a gentle ascent to Panchase Bhanjyang.

Early this morning (the earlier the better if you want sunrise views), climb the stone steps about 500 meters up to Panchase Peak. This is the highest point on the trek, and from here you should be able to see an amazing panorama of the mountains that had just been peeking out at you on the trek so far. Have breakfast at the summit, then spend the rest of the day descending gently to your stop for the night, Bhadaure.

Today’s walk descends gently, following a jeep trail much of the way, and will pass through several villages. At Naudanda, the trekking trail joins the road, and you will be picked up here and driven back to Pokhara. Alternatively, extend the trek by one day or several, by following one of the suggested variations, below.