Welcome to Kathmandu, the colorful capital of Nepal. Upon arriving at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be welcomed by our enthusiastic local guide with smiles, then transfer to Kathmandu downtown to check in your hotel by an air-conditioned vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to relax. If you want to explore nearby, feel free to get some practical suggestions from your tour guide.

At evening, a "Welcome Dinner" will be held for you at an excellent traditional Nepalese Restaurant where you will enjoy a Nepalese cultural program as well as a fine dinner.

Free time ideas: 1) visit Garden of Dreams, Royal Botanical Garden; 2) Walk around Thamel, Ason or Indrachowk bazaar.

This morning, our local Nepalese guide will receive you from the hotel in the first hour of the day. You will then start the captivating Kathmandu private tour with a wonderful stroll around the grand Kathmandu Durbar Square - the social, religious and urban focal point of the Newari Malla which was one of the three medieval kingdoms ruling Kathmandu valley between the 12^th and 18^th centuries. It is also known as Hanuman Dhoka Palace, meaning the Gateway of Hunuman - the monkey God who is the deity of the Durbar Square area. You can see the beautiful Taleju Temple, Kumari Goddess Temple, Jagannath Temple, Kal Bhairav, the statue of King Pratap Malla, the Big Bell, Big Drum, etc. From the Durbar Square, you will travel towards the western delight of the Valley - Swayambhunath, the Kathmandu's most ancient and enigmatic holy shrine with a history over 2500 years. There are a lot of monkeys residing in the Temple, that's why the shrine is also famous as the Monkey Temple.It is an excellent place for a quick hike and some fresh air. On the clear days, you are able to see a line of Himalayan Ranges, and enjoy a fine view over Kathmandu city and the valley.

In the afternoon, drive about 4km to Patan, the second largest city in Kathmandu valley. Compared with Kathmandu city, Patan is quieter, a living place to experience Nepal local culture and lifestyle. You will visit its landmark - Patan Durbar Square which is honored as the finest collection of temples and palaces with exquisite carvings in Nepal. There are Hindu and Buddhist relic sites spread around the square. Most famous one is Krishna Temple which is said to be carved from a single enormous stone. Enjoy the beautiful stone works, religious sculptures, and enjoy a leisure stroll through packed streets of souvenirs in the square.

After the sightseeing, drive back to your hotel in Kathmandu.

This morning, meet your tour guide in your hotel, and go to the north of Kathmandu city to visit Pashupatinath, the largest Hindu temple worshipping the Hindu God Shiva who is known as Pashupati, the master of the whole universe in the Hindu mythology. Located at the bank of the Bagmati River, the holy temple has a reputation of “the Temple of Living Beings” for attracting thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to pay homage. For tourists, it is a great place to get a deep exploration of Hinduism culture.

Move to another sister city of Kathmandu and Patan - Bhaktapur which is offers you the less disturbed cultural experience. In the ancient time, Bhaktapur was also known as Bhadgaon(the land of rice). The city was one of three medieval city-states in the Kathmandu Valley as well as the best preserved one. You can please your eyes with beautiful medieval arts and grand architecture, and walk through the stone patched streets to explore local culture and lifestyle. Not to be missed place include Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Nyatapola Temple square, Bhaktapur national art gallery and the 55 windows palace. There is also a pottery square where you can find a traditional way of producing pottery which has been passed down from generation to generation.

After a shortwhile driving from Bhaktapur, you will get to the giant Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath which is the largest stupa in the world with a height of 131ft (39.93 m) , also one of the most important Buddhist sacred sites in Kathmandu valley. The stupa was was built around the 5th century A.D. with a highly unique three level mandala style structure. The location of the stupa is on the ancient trade road to Tibet where the merchants from Tibet rested and hanged prayer flags here for centuries.

Leaving the stupa site, you’ll be transferred to Nagarkot. Situated 34 km north-east of Kathmandu, Nagarkot is one of the most beautiful places in Nepal as well as a queiter place to escape from Kathmandu’s hustle and bustle. Enjoy the beautiful sunset if time and weather permits.

Get up early in the morning to catch the precious moment to watch the breathtaking sunrise over Himalayan Mountains. You can see five of the world’s tallest mountains – Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), Makalu (8,463m) – and many other lesser summits in clear days.

Return to hotel to have breakfast, then sent out for the driving to Pokhara, which is a long driving about 6~7 hours but has many stunning sceneries to see along the road. Upon arriving at Pokhara, you will be rewarded with gorgeous views of the Himalayas including Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Manaslu (8,156m), Machhapuchhre (6,993m), the five peaks of Annapurna and others. Check in your hotel. The rest time is free for you to take rest and stroll in the lake-side streets to seek fun.

Get up in the early morning and go to Sarangkot to enjoy breathtaking sunrise. When the sun picks out the peaks, they are transformed from a purple-pink to a celestial gold. As the day breaks thoroughly, you can admire a wonderful panoramic sweep of Himalayan peaks from west to east, which is praised as one of the most beautiful picture in Nepal. After the spectacular sunrise and landscape weeping at Sarangkot, you will drive to Peace Temple to see the brilliant World Peace Pagoda. The road to the pagoda is not in very good condition, but scenery is stunning. Constructed by the Buddhists from Japanese Nipponzan Myohoji organization, World Peace Pagoda expresses the good wishes of world peace. While seeing the enchanting natural sights around, you will also get a feeling of inner peace as well.

After lunch, you will visit Devil’s Fall, locally known as Patale Chhango (Hell’s Fall). It is an awesome waterfall lying about 2 km south-west of Pokhara Airport on the highway to Tanmen. Then, pay a visit to the nearby Gupteswar Gupha, which is a sacred cave. It has some big hall-size rooms and some passages where you have to crawl on all fours. Afterwards, you will have a relaxed journey in Phewa Lake which is the second largest lake in Nepal. You can take one of the beautifully painted boats to cruise on the lake or enjoy a relaxing biking around the lake. You will then visit the most important religious monument in Pokhara - Barahi Temple which is built almost in the middle of Phewa Lake. The two storied pagoda is dedicated to boar manifestation of Ajima, the protector deity representing the female force Shakti.

Recommended optional activities:

1) Paragliding into the sky to witness the magnificent view of the snow peaks and pristine lakes with an experienced pilot; 2) Enjoy a relaxing biking around Phewa Lake.

Farewell to Pokhara, and drive back to Kathmandu. The rest of today is free for you to have fun or catch your flight to next destination if time allows. Our service ends.