Luxury Adventure Tour of Nepal

(12 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Kathmandu & Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, Mustang

This luxury Nepal tour features private touring of top cultural sites, privately guided hiking in awe-inspiring landscapes, and the best hotels and lodges in each location, including Kathmandu, Pokhara and Mustang.

Begin in Kathmandu, the endlessly fascinating capital of Nepal. During private touring with your expert guide and driver, walk through the lively backstreets of Old Kathmandu to see artisans’ workshops, traditional markets, and active Buddhist and Hindu temples. Explore the cultural highlights in the numerous UNESCO World Heritage-listed monument zones around the city and in the surrounding Kathmandu Valley. Tour the beautiful courtyards, palaces and historic monuments of Kathmandu’s Durbar Square. Circumambulate the mammoth white stupa at Boudhanath, the most important Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet, with throngs of pilgrims and worshippers, and perhaps duck into one of the smaller temple buildings to light a candle or spin a giant prayer wheel among the faithful. Venture to the hilltop Swayambhunath, another important and photogenic Buddhist temple with an iconic white stupa, flapping prayer flags, and panoramic views of Kathmandu and the foothills of the Himalayas. Observe ceremonies at Pashupatinath, a sprawling Hindu temple complex that’s the oldest and most revered Hindu site in Kathmandu. Other highlights include seeing Kumari Devi—a living goddess—and relaxing in the Garden of Dreams, a soothing green oasis. One morning, if desired, enjoy a fixed-wing scenic flight to see Mount Everest and other snow-capped high Himalayan peaks, a truly memorable experience.

In the Kathmandu Valley, tour the extensive palace districts in the former royal capitals of Patan and Bhaktapur. See beautiful traditional brick buildings with finely carved wooden windows. Visit the Patan Museum, a former palace and one of the best museums of traditional Nepalese art in the country. Peruse fine metal crafts such as singing bowls, brass tableware and gold-leafed religious icons produced in the small workshops of Patan. Browse for woodwork and ceramics created by artisans in Bhaktapur. Find the perfect shawl made of the finest Nepalese pashmina (cashmere). Learn about the iconography in Buddhist thangka paintings and perhaps select one to take home. You will have ample time to shop for these and other typical Nepalese products, such as handmade paper and prayer wheels during your tour. Also sample local foods such as juju dhau, Bhaktapur’s unique “king yogurt.”

Upon request, we can arrange additional activities such as a cooking class in a private home, interacting with monks at a local temple, watching a thangka being made, meeting local artisans, visiting a traditional farm, philanthropic experiences and more.

Continue to Pokhara, a town at the base of the high Himalayan peaks with spectacular mountain views, well-preserved traditions and rural charm. Enjoy private walks through atmospheric villages or in the surrounding foothills. See active Hindu temples and traditional wood and brick architecture in the old town. Take a private boat ride on scenic Phewa Lake, stopping at an island temple. Venture to the hilltop Peace Pagoda for panoramic views of the lake, the forested hills and the snow-covered slopes of the Himalayas, including iconic Machapuchare (Machhapuchhare) peak. Other options include visiting Devi’s Falls or the International Mountain Museum.

Continue to Jomsom, a traditional village high in the remote Mustang region, for an unforgettable stay at Shinta Mani Mustang. This Bill Bensley-designed luxury lodge celebrates local aesthetics and has breathtaking, close-up views of the snow-capped Himalayas. Enjoy lodge-based activities such as hiking along rugged river valleys below high peaks, exploring Tibetan-influenced villages, learning about local religious traditions at Buddhist temples and monasteries, sampling cider in apple orchards and having lunch at the home of a local chef. Additional options include mountain biking, horseback riding, archery lessons and helicopter excursions. Also spend time relaxing with spa treatments, steam baths, consultations with traditional holistic healers, and yoga and meditation sessions, all of which are included in your stay.

Return to Kathmandu for a final night.

This tour can be customized to include additional activities such as biking, rafting, safari add-ons, or additional trekking. It can also be combined with touring in nearby destinations such as India or Bhutan.