Namaste! Welcome to Nepal. Your adventure begins in Kathmandu with a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, why not get out and about to explore this city’s incredible history and artistic and cultural heritage. Wind your way through the narrow lanes to find small squares and courtyards where ornately carved balconies overlook shrines and temples. Buzzing markets and bazaars are the centre of Nepali life – stalls and small hole-in-the-wall shops sell everything from bangles to Buddhas to beetroot. After your welcome meeting, why not get to know your new travel buddies over a plate of momos – Nepal’s answer to dumplings. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

This morning, take a walking heritage tour of Kathmandu’s old bazaars – Hanuman Dhoka and Durbar Square. The labyrinth of backstreets and alleys leading from one bazaar (or ‘chowk’) to another is a true highlight of the city. Visit one of the holiest Hindu temples in the world – Pashupatinath – and let your leader bring the fascinating story behind this temple to life. Nearby is the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal. Follow the pilgrims as they circle around the stupa, spinning prayer wheels. If you like, take the opportunity to offer your prayers to the Buddha by lighting a traditional butter lamp at the main entryway. Visit the monastery located inside Buddha Stupa, join a small puja ceremony and receive a Lama spiritual blessing. There may be the option for lunch at a rooftop restaurant with a view over the stupa, followed by free time this afternoon to continue exploring Kathmandu at your own pace.

Make your way to the fringes of the Kathmandu Valley, stopping at the ancient town of Panauti before reaching Khopasi. From here, you can stretch your legs on a hike through the thick forest or continue by vehicle to the hilltop village of Balthali. Worlds away from the tourist hub of Thamel in Kathmandu, this peaceful community nestled within a setting of verdant hills and lush rice paddies is far less visited. Soak up the tranquil ambience as you relax in your accommodation for the night, with surrounding views of villages, farms and the mighty Himalayas on the horizon. Your hiking time today will be approximately 1 hour (optional).

Travel to Namobuddha today. In the afternoon, you’ll set out for a walk in Dapcha Village. Dapcha’s main street is lined with old townhouses and was once on a key pilgrimage, trade and defence route connecting the valley and east Nepal. This ancient village was a major trade centre long ago, connecting businesspeople from Tibet and Nepal. Dapcha has a view of 350 km of peaks spanning from Khumbu Himal to the Annapurnas. In Namobuddha, you’ll visit the stupa and the impressive Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery before settling into your accommodation for the night.

Journey to Bhaktapur – a town that preserves the medieval charm of the Kathmandu Valley. Its timeless craftsmanship is evident in its temples and squares, and the local people are still fiercely devoted to the lifestyle and faith passed on from their ancestors. Spend the afternoon on a walking tour of the town, including the temples of Taumadhi Tole and Durbar Square, then spend some time exploring on your own. Tonight, you’ll stay in Bhaktapur.

After breakfast, leave Bhaktapur and follow Kathmandu Road to the Trisuli River – the launching pad for your two-day rafting experience. Meet the crew who will run through the safety briefing and prepare you for the adventure. The Trisuli River is an ideal introduction for first-time rafters, with reasonably calm waters and only minor rapids – meaning you can relax and really enjoy the ride! Soak up the scenery (and the splashes) as you traverse impressive gorges and beautiful valleys. Depending on the water conditions, you’ll be on the river for approximately 4 hours, with a stop for lunch. Tonight, you’ll stay in a permanent tented camp on the riverside and have dinner with your group. Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours. Any important belongings should be left with your main luggage or concealed in dry bags. Life jackets, helmets and all safety equipment are provided. Spray jackets and personal dry bags are supplied. If there is heavy rain in the preceding days, the rafting activity may need to be cancelled for safety reasons and there will be an alternative activity instead. Safety boats will lead the way and you will also have the crew in kayaks shadowing the main rafts. Before each rapid, the rafting guides pull ashore to inspect ahead and only then do they decide whether to continue through or follow the safety boat on a smoother route. If you’d prefer not to participate in the rafting experience, you can continue to the campsite by vehicle and meet the group after their trip. Tonight’s campsite will be twin-share tents. Sleeping bags and mats will be provided.

Today, you’ll continue your rafting adventure and drift along clear Himalayan white water, occasionally battling the rapids (and maybe your fellow rafters). Your rafting experience will finish around lunch. Say goodbye to your crew and put on your safari hat as the group drives down to the lowlands and on to Chitwan National Park. UNESCO declared this park a World Heritage site in 1984, and it offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Asia. Look out for rhinos, deer, monkeys, bears and a wide array of birdlife here, including the infamous Nepalese wild chicken. Your accommodation here is a real treat – built in traditional Tharu village style, you’ll be surrounded by nature and the sounds of the jungle. Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

Today is all about exploring Chitwan National Park and discovering the wildlife that lies within. After breakfast, hop aboard a jeep and embark on a safari drive through the park – if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of one of the Bengal tigers that call the park home. After your safari, you’ll float down the Rapti River in a dugout canoe, keeping an eye out for the great Indian rhino as well as deer, birdlife and the marsh crocodiles that inhabit the riverbanks. You might also go on a birdwatching walk through the forest and across the grasslands. Later, you’ll attend a cultural performance before heading to your jungle resort for dinner.

This morning is free for you to explore the jungle or go birdwatching. This afternoon, take a transfer to Kathmandu. When you arrive, you can join a walk through the backstreets and the vibrant local markets of the city to Ashan Bazar and Indra Chowk near Kathmandu Durbar Square. See the old royal palace and beautiful temples nearby and browse the stalls of merchants’ wares. Hunt for the perfect souvenir – Tibetan prayer flags, Thanka paintings, singing bowls and pashmina shawls are popular. Tonight, maybe gather your group for a farewell feast of momos (dumplings) to celebrate an incredible trip. Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end after breakfast today. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.