Overview:
Experience a restorative journey through Nepal’s cultural heartland, combining heritage, spirituality, and wellness. Explore the ancient cities of Patan, Kathmandu, and Bhaktapur, wander through vibrant markets and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and immerse yourself in local traditions. Continue to the peaceful hills of Namo Buddha, one of Nepal’s most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites, where scenic walks, meditation, wellness therapies, and Himalayan views create an atmosphere of reflection and renewal. This thoughtfully curated journey offers a balance of cultural discovery, spiritual connection, and personal well-being.
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu. Transfer to Patan
Altitude: 1,400 m / 4,600 ft.
Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Patan. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of Nepal’s city of Artisans.
Overnight at Traditional Homes Swotha, Patan
Day 2: In Patan
Option I: Heli sightseeing tour to Everest: Optional, Subject to extra costs
Early morning transfer to the airport for a Helicopter tour to Mt. Everest.
The Helicopter charter tour to Mount Everest takes off early morning from Kathmandu Domestic Airport and heads towards the east. One does not have to wait too long to find out what is in store! This is one of the most thrilling rides ever. Hovering up the valleys of the Khumbu region surrounded by the snowcapped Himalayan peaks along with some of the highest mountains in the world, the view from the vantage point of a helicopter is exhilarating.
This is a rare and fascinating opportunity to embrace the legendary Himalayas and discover the ineffable beauty that is guaranteed to be one of the most mesmerizing experiences ever.
Total time: 2.75 – 3 Hours including ground time.
Option II: Scenic Mountain Flight: Optional, Subject to extra costs
The Himalayas have always been a great source of mysticism. The Mountain Flight offers this rare, fascinating opportunity to embrace the legendary Himalayas and discover the ineffable beauty that is guaranteed to be one of the most mesmerizing experiences ever.
The Mountain Flight is enjoyed by thousands of people every year. The flights are operated by domestic airlines. They are operated only if the weather permits to ensure good visibility and safety. The one-hour Mountain Flight takes off from the Kathmandu Airport to the Everest, a must-see landmark in Nepal and at 8848 m, the highest and most majestic peak in the world. The whole experience is a pure delight; soaring 25,000 ft. above ground, it offers a breathtaking view of the mighty Himalayas. Zipping above clouds, through the seemingly endless snow-capped peaks, over glaciers and gorges, this is the journey through the world’s highest peaks.
Lunch at selected restaurant.
Later transfer to Patan. Start with a sound healing session in Patan. Using gentle vibrations from singing bowls and other traditional instruments, the session encourages relaxation, reduces stress, and helps cultivate a calm, meditative state.
Following the session, commence on walking tour of Patan, also known as Lalitpur, the city of artisans is a paradise of fine arts and best known for its rich cultural heritage. It is home to the valley’s finest craftsmen who have preserved such ancient techniques as the repoussé and lost wax process used to produce exquisite sculptures. The city retains much of its old charm with its narrow streets, brick houses and multitude of well-preserved Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries (vihars) and monuments.
In the heart of Patan, amidst the Patan marketplace lays the Patan Durbar Square, an area filled with ancient palaces, pagoda temples, stone baths, Hindu and Buddhist statues, engravings, and bronze cravings. The Palace of the Malla Kings is one of the highlights of Patan. Patan Durbar Square is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Transfer back to the hotel.
Overnight at Traditional Homes Swotha, Patan
Day 3: Visit Kathmandu
This morning after breakfast, transfer to Kathmandu.
A half an hour drive takes you to the old city Kathamndu. Like any big city, Kathmandu has seen rapid expansion in the last decade, but despite the hustle and bustle so typical of metropolitan cities, its people remain as refreshingly friendly as ever. Retaining its ancient traditions, Kathmandu is blessed by a Living Goddess and is enriched by endless ceremonial processions and events that take to the streets every now and then with throngs of devotees seeking blessings. These religious festivals are steeped in legend and are quite a spectacle with chariot processions and masked dancers often possessed by the spirits of deities.
Visit the spice market in Ason and see its many courtyards and bustling bazaars.
Take an exciting rickshaw (tricycle) ride honking your way through narrow alleys to the bustling bazaars of Ason. Sit back and relax as you navigate for a slightly different experience of exploring the city like a local
Later visit Swoyambhunath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It rests on a hillock and is one of the most important and sacred Buddhist shrines of Nepal. Legend has it that when Kathmandu Valley was a lake 2000 years ago, a single lotus flower grew at the center of the lake. When Saint Manjushree, the Boddhisatva drained the lake with a single slash of his sword, the lotus settled on top of a hill and magically turned into a stupa. Thus, Swoyambhunath is also known as a Self-Created stupa.
Transfer back to the hotel.
Overnight at Traditional Homes Swotha, Patan
Day 4: Drive to Dhulikhel
Drive Time: Approx.. 1.5- 2 hours
After breakfast, drive to Bhaktapur.
Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon, literally the ‘City of Devotees’ is a major tourist destination that takes visitors back in time. Bhaktapur lies on the Arniko Highway that connects Kathmandu to the Chinese border. Bhaktapur is still untouched by rapid urbanization and has managed to retain its brick paved roads, charming red brick houses and a way of life that goes back to medieval times. This ancient city is also famous for pottery and woodcarving amply displayed on the squares and windows respectively.
The extraordinary Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its monuments reflect the glory days of the Malla Dynasty when art and architecture thrived in the three cities of the valley.
In Bhaktapur Durbar Square, visit the Nyatapola Temple, the unique Temple that literally means ‘five storied’ and rises above the city’s landscape as a remarkable landmark. Bhairavnath Temple, dedicated to Bhairav, the God of Terror, is a three-storied temple noted for its artistic grandeur and stands adjacent to the famous five-storied Nyatapola Temple. The Golden Gate is the entrance to the 15th century Palace of 55 Carved Windows. The golden gate is a masterpiece in repousse art, which has added splendor to this palace square that consists of buildings dating from the 13th century to the 18th century.
After the visit, continue to Dhulikhel, which has always been an important trade center, is a place of exhilarating beauty and unparalleled serenity. Also popular for the remarkable view of the sunrise and sunset, Dhulikhel is famous for its vantage location in viewing the Himalayas. The old town of Dhulikhel is a close traditional Newari settlement with an assembly of fine old Newari houses with beautifully carved windows and doors. The core area of Dhulikhel has interesting narrow cobbled streets and lanes embedded with number of Hindu Shrines and a few Buddhist Stupas.
Upon arrival, check in to the hotel, where the remaining day will be at leisure.
Overnight at Vishuddhi Alaya, Namo Buddha
Day 5: Hike to Namo Buddha
Easy, approximately 3.5 hours, mostly uphill Namo Buddha Hike
Grade: Easy – uphill
Trek Duration: approx. 3.5 hours walking.
Located on a slightly elevated land, glistened with distant snowcapped mountains, adorned with fluttering prayer flags Namo Buddha is a sanctuary of peace and harmony.
For centuries Namo Buddha has drawn pilgrims to the sacred spot where legend has it that the Great Being, an early incarnation of Lord Buddha while on a walk through the dense forest came across a starving tigress and her five cubs. The tigress was so weak that she was unable to feed herself or her cubs. The Great Being was tormented at the sight of a mother unable to feed her children. Hence, out of sheer generosity, the Great Being sacrificed his own flesh to feed the starving tigress and her cubs.
The ancient stupa of Namo Buddha is where the remains of the Great Being after his sacrifice are buried. Today, this site has become a special place to accumulate merit through activities of circumambulation and making offerings. People from all over the world visit the site to pay homage to the Great Bring and make traditional offerings of butter lamps. A carved stone slab depicts this Buddhist tale of selfless compassion and sacrifice.
After Great Being offered his body in generosity to the tigress, people found it difficult to travel through the region for fear of wild animals, so they developed the practice of reciting ‘Namo Buddha’ (I take refuge in the Buddha) to dispel their anxiety. This is how the area gets its name. As time passed, villages gradually appeared and the area became more urban and less dangerous.
Overnight at Vishuddhi Alaya, Namo Buddha
Day 6: Wellness Day at Vishuddhi Alaya
This day is dedicated to rest, renewal, and mindful practices.
The day is free to enjoy the wellness facilities and activities offered at Vishuddhi Alaya. Guests may join guided walks through nearby villages and forest trails or take part in seasonal organic gardening. The resort also offers a sauna, a Japanese-style ofuro bath, and a selection of Ayurvedic massages and facials.
A glass-covered yoga and seminar hall is available for yoga, meditation, or quiet time.
Overnight at Vishuddhi Alaya, Namo Buddha
Day 7: Final Departure
After breakfast, transfer to International airport to board the outbound flight.
