A Wild and Sacred Nepal Journey

Everest Flight and Cultural highlights of Kathmandu Valley

Mar 5

This morning, take a scenic flight for unforgettable aerial views of Mt. Everest and the surrounding Himalayas. Then, explore the sacred and historic sites of the Kathmandu Valley: visit the Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), and the artisan city of Patan. In the evening, enjoy a traditional welcome dinner with Nepalese cuisine and cultural dance

Bardia National Park

Mar 6-9

Fly south to Nepalgunj, entering the lush lowlands of Nepal—a dramatic contrast to the Himalayan terrain you’ve just left behind. This region, known as the Terai, borders India and is home to expansive river plains, subtropical forests, and rich biodiversity. After landing, enjoy welcome refreshments before embarking on a scenic two-hour drive to your eco-lodge. Along the way, you’ll pass through rural villages that offer a glimpse into everyday life in southern Nepal. Keep your eyes open as you cross the Babai River—you might spot a marsh mugger crocodile basking on the banks.

Upon arrival, settle into your peaceful lodge surrounded by forest and unwind over a fresh Nepali lunch served in the tranquil garden setting.

Later that afternoon, set out on your first jeep safari in Bardia National Park. As the heat of the day fades, wildlife becomes more active, offering a prime chance to spot Bengal tigers, leopards, and other elusive predators emerging from the cover of dense jungle. After your drive, gather by the outdoor fireplace for conversation and stargazing before enjoying dinner in the Golghar, a traditional Nepali-style dining room.

Established to protect endangered tigers and their prey, Bardia is Nepal’s largest national park in the Terai. Once a royal hunting reserve, it was expanded in 1988 and again in 1997 to include buffer zones jointly managed by local communities and conservation authorities, helping to maintain its rich biodiversity.

Over the next three days, you’ll enjoy immersive safari experiences across Bardia’s grassy meadows, sal forests, and riverbanks. Begin each day with an early breakfast before heading into the wild with your expert naturalist guides. Track tiger paw prints in the dirt roads, scan the grasslands for chital deer, and listen for warning calls from rhesus macaques and black-faced langurs. Pause for picnic lunches along the river, where smooth-coated otters occasionally surface and elephant grass towers up to 8 meters high—perfect cover for a tiger on the move.

This is your chance to experience one of Asia’s best-kept wildlife secrets, far from the crowds and deep in the realm of the tiger.

Fly to Pokhara and trek to Majgaon at 4,600ft

Mar 10-11

Fly to Pokhara, the second largest city in Nepal, and framed by Himalayan giants. Pokhara has a great range of altitudes in the town, from 2,700ft in the south to 5,700ft in the north, and offers spectacular views of several majestic mountain chains including Lantang, Manaslu, and Annapurna.

Tashi’s assistant, your main trek guide, will meet you at the airport to drive one hour to your starting point in Lumle at about 6,500ft. During the drive, you’ll stop to photograph the breathtaking panoramas of the Annapurnas. Local porters will transport your luggage as you trek from Lumle, walking about one hour to the village of Chandrakot, situated at about 5,200ft. From this village, take in spectacular views of Annapurna South, the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain (locally known as Machapuchare). From Chandrakot, you will walk through a forested area along a well-worn trail for about one hour to your lodge in Majgaon, situated at about 4,600ft.

One your second day in Majgaon, you can relax and absorb the views. If you’d like to explore more, you may walk to the local villages of Tanchowk, Majhgaun, and Patlekhet. Your local guides will offer you other spectacular day hikes as well.

During your four days of trekking, look for resident and migrant birds including shrikes, magpies, treepies, orioles, drongos, flycatchers, bulbuls, warblers, and sunbirds. Spot Himalayan Vulture and other raptors, including eagles and hawks, in flight. Perhaps the unafraid Himalayan Whistling Thrush (also known as Blue Whistling Thrush) will sing from the lodge’s roof during dawn and dusk. The most common birds in the area are the Himalayan Bulbul and the Crimson sunbird.

Trek to Landruk at 5,200ft

Mar 12

After breakfast, bid farewell to Majgaon and depart for Landruk. The trail passes through blooming rhododendrons and forests punctuated with Gurung villages. After about four hours, you will arrive in the beautiful village of Landruk where you’ll enjoy lunch and then visit a Gurung village and watch the birds found there.

Trek to Ghandruk at 6,700ft

Mar 13-14

In the morning, soak in the view of the majestic mountains, and after breakfast, begin your last day of trekking. You’ll descend the steep trail towards Modi Khola through scattered villages with beautiful views of the Himalayas, and then a steep ascent to reach Ghandruk. The lodge respects the Gurung architecture with a large common dining room with a friendly fireplace and spectacular views of the mountains, including Gangapurna, Machapuchare (Fishtail), Mount Annapurna, and other snow-capped peaks.  On your second day, explore the fascinating village and visit the local museum

Drive to Pokhara for lunch, lake walk, and Peace Pagoda

Mar 15

After a scenic morning walk to the main road, meet your vehicle for the one-hour drive to Pokhara, Nepal’s picturesque lakeside city nestled beneath the Annapurna range. Following lunch, enjoy a peaceful stroll along Phewa Lake, where you can spot a variety of waterbirds, including herons, kingfishers, and possibly even an osprey diving for fish near the shoreline gardens. In the afternoon, ascend to the iconic World Peace Pagoda, perched high above the lake. From this panoramic vantage point, take in sweeping views of Pokhara Valley, snow-capped Himalayan peaks, and the serene waters below. Look skyward for soaring raptors, including eagles, vultures, and other birds of prey, riding the warm mountain thermals.

Annapurna helicopter flight and leisurely afternoon village walk

Mar 16

This morning’s adventure is a helicopter flight that flies you through the snowcapped Himalayan range to Annapurna Base Camp.  This flight is both thrilling and peaceful as you soar above the snowy peaks and the vast drop offs. Take in an ariel view of the mountains, valleys, lake, and town. This experience puts an exclamation point on your journey though Nepal. Later take a pleasant village walk, go birding, and then relax in the luxury of your lodge

Return to Kathmandu and Farewell Dinner

Mar 17

It’s time to fly back to Kathmandu and enjoy some afternoon free time to reflect on this amazing experience and prepare for your journey onward. The evening is a special dinner with the Tenzing family at their lovely home and a few more of Tashi’s amazing stories.

Depart Nepal

Mar 18

Transfer to the airport for your flights home.

Arrive home.

Mar 19