Searching for the Sacred: A 12-Day Journey Through Nepal's Mountains, Villages, and Traditions
The Himalayan mountains meet Tibetan traditions on this 12-day pilgrimage through Nepal's historic, culinary, and natural wonders from Kathmandu to the Annapurna Mountains.
Nepal
12 days / 11 nights
$3,500 /person
$3,500 /person
Your trip at a glance
Top Activities
Learning the historic arts of Pauba painting and ceramics from Kathmandu artisans
Touring Kathmandu’s sites of spiritual significance, from Boudhanath Stupa to Patan Durbar Square
Visiting Pokhara’s City of Lakes to cruise across the majestic Phewa Lake
Dining with a former living goddess of Kathmandu to learn about the city’s Kumari heritage
Embarking on a jungle safari in Chitwan National Park to spot rhinos by jeep, boat, and bike
Welcome to Nepal!
Learning the Legacies of Kathmandu: Singing Bowls, High Tea, and Insights From Artisans
Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pottery Square, and the Art of Ceramics
Onward to Chitwan and Its Quintessential Nepali Landscapes
Jungle Thrills and Animal Safaris in Wild Chitwan
Show All 12 days
Toward the Mountains: Journey to the City of Lakes
Sustainable Farming and Scenic Wonders of Pokhara
Sunrise Serenity, Monastery Moments, and Tibetan Traditions: A Deeper Dive Into Pokhara
Choose Your Own Adventure in Kathmandu
Nepali Cooking Class and a Taste of Two Villages
Kumari Culture and Kathmandu's Living Goddesses
Until the Next Time!
Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pottery Square, and the Art of Ceramics
Overview
Yesterday introduced you to a Nepalese painting tradition, so today, you’ll expand your understanding of Kathmandu's artistry, moving from one medium to another. Before that happens, however, you’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel. Then, you'll head to Bhaktapur Durbar Square: a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with centuries-old temples, palaces, and cultural stories. Stroll through the square’s ancient courtyards and immerse yourself in local traditions, feeling the history of the space you’re inhabiting. From there, it’s time to move squares, heading to the more artistic of the two. This morning, you’ll make your way to Pottery Square, known for its eponymous hand-crafted ceramics. While visiting the area, you’ll have the opportunity to take a hands-on approach to the process of pottery, shaping clay into crafts under the guidance of local artisans. Once this activity finishes, you’ll have the rest of the day free to fill however you'd like. If you’re so inclined, now is the perfect time to try Kathmandu’s trademark Newari cuisine: a subset of Nepalese fare with a multitude of exciting and unique options, no matter what kind of flavors you’re craving. (Breakfast)
Highlights
Pottery Square Ceramics Workshop
A can't-miss site in Bhaktapur, Pottery Square is akin to an open-air art studio. Here, you'll watch artists at work in various stages of the ceramics-making process. Some shape clay on the wheel, molding pots and vases, while others focus on the kiln and open-air drying areas. During your visit, you'll have the chance to learn from storied ceramicists, trying your hand at creating your very own pottery vessel.
Newari Cuisine (optional)
Nepali food doesn’t encompass any one cuisine, but, instead, falls under a few categories that vary regionally. While you’re in Kathmandu, you’ll therefore encounter the valley area’s Newari cuisine, which features a diverse array of sweet and savory dishes. During your free time today, you can sample foods like yomari — a steamed rice flour dumpling filled with sweet chaku — and chatamari, rice flour crepes topped with meat, eggs, onions, and spices. Likewise, dishes like momo dumplings, spiced lentil pancakes, and a thick, Buffalo’s milk yogurt curd broaden the region's culinary scope.
Accommodations
Nepali Ghar Hotel (or similar)
"Ghar" means "home" or "house" in Nepali, so Nepali Ghar Hotel creates an ambiance indicative of traditional Nepali residences. Here, guests will experience these quintessential Nepalese styles, thanks to the hotel's unique color mosaic and defining features of traditional architectural elements. These details yield a warm and hospitable environment, in which visitors will create nostalgic memories in Kathmandu.
Location:
26-Amrit Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone:
+97714526949
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What's included
Included in the final price
- Roadbook with local tips and expert recommendations
- 24/7 on-the-ground support
- On-trip concierge service
- Personalized trip crafting
- COVID entry and exit information and assistance
- Accommodations for 11 nights, with daily breakfast included
- All meals, activities, transfers, and experiences mentioned in the itinerary
- All expert local guides mentioned in the itinerary
Not included in the final price
- International flights tickets
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Visa fees
- Any meals, activities, transfers, and experiences not mentioned in the itinerary
- Anything listed as optional in the itinerary