Celestial Nepal

Arrival at the airport at least 2 hours in advance. Boarding formalities and departure on flight to Kathmandu. Night on board.

Arrival and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy an informative and relaxing walking tour from Thamel to Durbar Square, the historic heart of the city. Admire famous attractions such as the Kumari Bahal, a building richly decorated with beautiful wood carvings, which houses the Royal Kumari, a child who is a "living goddess" and a manifestation of the deity Durga. Nearby is Hanuman Dhoka, the former royal palace, whose Nassal Chowk courtyard was the coronation site of the Shah kings and contains some of the most beautiful wood carvings to be seen anywhere. Jagannath Mandir, dating from the 14th century, is the oldest temple in the area, with its steps carved with inscriptions in several languages. Nearby, the Taleju Mandir is one of the largest and most beautiful temples in the Kathmandu Valley and is dedicated to the patron deity of the former royal family, the wrathful Taleju Bhawani. In the evening, visit Utsav, a local restaurant where, for dinner, you can enjoy dal bhat, the rice and lentil dish that is Nepal's national dish, and also enjoy a program of live cultural shows. Accommodation.

Breakfast. The day begins spiritually with a morning excursion to the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and the Bouddhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal. Situated on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, the vast Pashupatinath is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the holiest Hindu shrines in the world. Thousands of pilgrims flock to this temple every year during Shivaratri, Lord Shiva's birthday. There are many eye-catching features, such as the large golden temple with three roofs, but there is so much going on around it, with the crowds of worshippers and pilgrims, that the hustle and bustle becomes an attraction in itself. Entry to the main temple is restricted to Hindus only. Behold the beautiful Buddhist stupa of Bouddhanath, whose origins date back to King Mana Dev in the 5th century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the world's major centers of Tibetan Buddhism and is adorned with traditional prayer scrolls and Tibetan prayer flags. Lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon is dedicated to exploring Durbar Square in Patan, a historic town a few kilometers south of central Kathmandu. This traditionally Buddhist fortress, which represents around a sixth of Nepal's population, is a true oriental treasure where Buddhism and Hinduism meet, creating a fascinating architectural landscape in the Newar style. Durbar Square is considered one of the most beautiful urban landscapes in the world, the centerpiece being the palace of the Malla monarchs, who ruled Nepal for six centuries. Stroll through this impressive complex, which features a series of beautiful courtyards with ornate windows and colonnaded arcades, temples and shrines, all known for their exquisite carvings. See the Krishna Temple in the square and the Mahavhar Rudra Varna Buddhist monastery. Return to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure towards Chitwan, passing through beautiful villages and breathtaking landscapes of green valleys framed by majestic mountains and the wild white waters of the Trishuli River. Arrival in Chitwan and transfer to the hotel. This will be followed by a briefing before lunch. In the afternoon (weather permitting), a naturalist will describe the program for the next few days, which includes a jungle walk, a jeep safari and a canoe safari. Then a visit to the village of Tharu and the museum in Chitwan. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast. Discover the wild side of Nepal with a jeep safari (without air conditioning) in Chitwan National Park. Explore the jungle by jeep, enjoying a truly special natural environment in unison with one of these gentle giants. Immerse yourself in a lost world of towering trees and vines, prehistoric rhinos and heavy elephants, crocodiles, pythons and deer, brightly colored birds and, with a bit of luck, the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger. Return to the resort for lunch and more jungle activities in the afternoon. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast. Drive north to Pokhara, in the foothills of the Himalayas, passing through lush landscapes in the shadow of magnificent mountain ranges. Arrive at the Utsab Himalaya Hotel, situated in a park on the shores of Lake Phewa. Lunch at the hotel and the rest of the afternoon free to relax at the hotel or explore the surrounding area. Dinner and accommodation.

Start the day in style by witnessing the sunrise from Sarangkot, a 1600-meter-high mountain on the northern shore of Lake Phewa (this segment is subject to weather conditions). In the morning light, watch the eight snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna range bathe in a kaleidoscope of golden shadows, a truly breathtaking natural phenomenon. Tea/coffee is served at a local café in Sarangkot. Pass through the beautiful Schima-Catonopsis forest on the way to the viewpoint, from where you can also enjoy the view over the lake and its tributary rivers. Return through the forest, which can now be appreciated in the splendor of the natural light bursting through the branches. Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a morning stroll through the city of Pokhara and a boat trip on Lake Phewa to the Taal Barahi Temple, dedicated to the Hindu deity Durga and occupying a small tree-covered islet about 200 meters from the waterfront. See the city's main attractions, such as the Bindhyabasini temple, dedicated to the Goddess Bhagavathi. Return to the hotel for lunch. Spend the afternoon learning all about the peaks in the shadow of which Pokhara lies at the International Mountain Museum. Here you will find collections dedicated to the flora and fauna of the Himalayas, as well as exhibitions documenting the cultures and ways of life in the mountains, the local environment and the history of mountaineering. The museum also has a restaurant, gardens and a climbing wall. Finish your visit on the platform from where you can observe the three 8,000-meter peaks of the Annapurna range. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast. Drive along a scenic route to Kathmandu, passing through bucolic Nepalese countryside and parallel to the white waters of the Trishuli and Marshyangdi rivers. Break en route at Kurintar for lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to Kathmandu. Arrival at the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast. At a time to be arranged locally, transfer to the airport to board the return flight. Boarding formalities and departure for Portugal. Night on board.