Day 1 - Arrival in Kathmandu 

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We’ll arrive in Kathmandu where our guides will greet us at the airport with warm smiles, marigold garlands, and a silk prayer scarf, a beautiful welcome into Nepalese culture. From there, we’ll drive through the lively streets to the iconic Kathmandu Guest House, our base in the heart of the Thamel district. Just a short walk away, the great white dome of the Boudhanath Stupa rises into the sky, a sacred pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists.

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After we check in, we’ll have time to settle, unpack, and perhaps relax in the garden with a beverage from the café or wander the side streets filled with shops and prayer flags. 

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In the evening, we’ll gather for an orientation and enjoy our first group dinner together. 

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Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Kathmandu Guest House, Kathmandu (shared rooms; single supplement available)

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Day 2 - Bhaktapur: ancient city, pottery and Newari cuisine

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After breakfast we'll head out to Bhaktapur, one of the best preserved medieval cities in the Kathmandu Valley. Wander through brick-paved streets, temple squares and courtyards that feel largely unchanged for centuries. You'll take part in a hands on pottery lesson with a local potter in the historic  pottery square, gaining insight into this traditional craft. Lunch is a traditional Newari meal offering a taste of the valley's distinctive cuisine.

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We'll return to Kathmandu in the late afternoon with time to relax or explore independently. 

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Kathmandu Guest House, Kathmandu (shared rooms; single supplement available)

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Day 3 - Unesco World Heritage Sites exploration and 

​               Optional Everest scenic flight

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If you've always wanted to see Mount Everest but didn't want to climb, today is your golden opportunity to do just that. You can choose (as a paid option) to take the early morning flight over the Himalayas and see the absolute breadth and majesty of this mountain range. You will have the option to pay for this as an add-on to the main tour but if the flight is cancelled you will receive your money back from the operator. Each person on the flight gets a window seat and there is ample opportunity to look in awe and take as many photos as you please.

After the Everest crew return and have breakfast, the group will drive to nearby Patan.

• Patan, also known as Lalitpur (City of Beauty), is a historic city in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley, famous for its rich Newari art, architecture, and skilled metal and wood craftsmen, serving as a major center for Buddhist monasteries (Baha) and Hindu temples, centered around the UNESCO-listed Patan Durbar Square, a magnificent complex of palaces, courtyards, and temples showcasing intricate craftsmanship, even after some 2015 earthquake damage. 

• Artisan Hub: Known as the "City of Artisans," Patan excels in traditional crafts like repoussé and lost-wax metalwork, producing exquisite statues and jewelry.

• Religious Harmony: A blend of Hinduism and Buddhism, with Hindu temples like the Krishna Mandir near Buddhist monasteries (vihars).

• Historical Significance: Once an independent kingdom, it retains a distinct identity and is considered one of the oldest cities in the valley.

We'll eat lunch locally then finish the day watching the sun set from the UNESCO World Heritage site Swayambhnath Temple.

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Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Kathmandu Guest House, Kathmandu

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Day 4 - Introduction to Volunteering  in Meghauli​

This morning we will head to the airport and take the very short flight from Kathmandu to Chitwan and from there we will ride by jeep to Meghauli- about 40 minutes.

On arrival we'll settle in and have lunch and meet the team from the Nepal Tiger Trust. They'll tell us more about their vital work in protecting and supporting the population of tigers and leopards in Nepal and share their success stories with us. You'll get a full introduction into the type of work we'll be doing here over the next few days. Depending on the number of people in the group, we may split the group in half but each half will do exactly the same tasks but at different times 

After this briefing, we'll go for a jungle walk in the community forest where we will be given an introduction to footprint observation and reporting techniques. We'll also take the opportunity to do some bird spotting and spotting of anything else of interest.

In the evening, we'll relax after dinner and enjoy a slide show with more information on the type and value of the volunteering that we're here for.

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Siddharta Wildlife Retreat or similar

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​Day 5 - Tiger Tracking, Meghauli

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This is an early morning rise and first we'll have breakfast and plan to leave the accommodation around 7am. If we have been split into groups, this is the plan but remember on Day 9 we reverse the groups so everyone gets an opportunity to all the exciting work.

 

Group A will go for a 3-4 hour slow, flat jungle walk in prime tiger habitat in the community forest. Accompanied by experienced trackers and naturalists we'll be looking for prey species as well as tiger and leopard footprints, checking camera traps as well as taking photos and notes of evidence found.
Group B will take a 40 minute ride down the river in a wooden boat followed by a jungle walk in the National Park looking for evidence of all wildlife.
Both groups will return to the Lodge for lunch and a well deserved rest! You'll also have a chance to write up your notes from the morning activities, a vital part of this process.

Once you're rested and the notes are up to date, we'll split up again.
Group A will head to the riverine area where once again you'll look for prey species as well as tiger and leopard footprints, check camera traps and and take photos, making notes on what you find.
Group B will head to the community forest area to continue logging this area.

We aim to do that for 2.5 to 3 hours and afterwards we'll return to the Lodge to write up these notes and have dinner.

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: TBC

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Day 6 - Jeep Safari and Gharial Conservation Project 

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Today is safari day! We'll get into our jeeps and spend 3-4 hours on a game drive into the core zones of Chitwan National Park with the focus on broad wildlife observation including Bengal tigers (if we are lucky) one horned rhino, spotted deer, wild elephants and so much more. We'll be able to stop for birdwatching and short walks along the way.

Today we also get the chance to visit the Gharial Conservation Project to learn about the breeding and reintroduction of this endangered crocodilian, We'll have a simple packed lunch today while out on safari.

In the evening we'll enjoy a relaxed dinner and get a chance to enjoy a traditional dance performance by local villagers.

Accommodation: Siddharta Wildlife Retreat or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

​Day 7 - Tiger Monitoring in Riverine Forest (2nd day)

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Today we will continue our work alongside Nepal Tiger Trust and we will do the same tasks as Day 5 but the Groups will do the tasks in a different order. Group A will start on the wooden boat in the river followed by a jungle walk, while Group B will start in the community forest. 

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After lunch together at the Lodge, we will continue the activity started in the morning and mirror what was done on Day 5. 

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Accommodation: Siddharta Wildlife Retreat or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 8 - Community based projects

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Today we will have the opportunity to work on a community based project. Nepal Tiger Trust works collaboratively with many stakeholders such as the national park authorities, community members, local nature guides, women's groups, schools, etc on such projects.
The exact activity will depend on local needs at the time and may include plastic reuse initiatives, tree plantation, village or riverside clean-ups, or removal of invasive plant species. This flexible approach ensures your contribution is both relevant and impactful.
In the evening, gather around a bonfire for a relaxed dinner and your final evening with your naturalist and tiger tracking team.

Accommodation: Siddharta Wildlife Retreat or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 9 - Scenic Drive to Dhampus

After breakfast, drive to Pokhara (c.4 hours), where we stop for lunch. We will then continue for about one more hour to reach Dhampus, a picturesque village perched in the Himalayan foothills. Take in sweeping views of the Annapurna Massif and surrounding valleys, explore the village and its traditional Gurung culture before enjoying dinner at your teahouse.

Accommodation: Tea House in Dhampus
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

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Day 10 - Dhampus to Astam Eco-Village

After breakfast, embark on a gentle three or so hour downhill walk from Dhampus to Astam, an eco-village renowned for its 360-degree views of surrounding valleys and peaks.

Along the way, take in the terraced fields, local villages, and panoramic landscapes.

Enjoy lunch in Astam and learn about its sustainable, community-led initiatives.

Accommodation: Tea House in Astam
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

 

Day 11 - Pokhara, Jangchub Choeling Monastery

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Morning drive to Pokhara after breakfast, stopping off to visit the Jangchub Choeling Monastery along the way enabling you to get an understanding of Tibetan Buddhist practices.

After lunch in Pokhara we will visit a local women’s development project, offering insight into one of Nepal’s many social initiatives.

Evening at leisure in Pokhara. You may wish to explore Pokhara’s vibrant Lakeside area, stroll along the lake, take a boat ride, or visit cultural sites and local cafes.

Accommodation: Hotel Karuna, Pokhara or similar
Meals: Breakfast

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Day 12 - Cable Car to Sarangkot for Sunrise 

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Today you’ll be headed towards Sarangkot before dawn for the magical sunrise view over the Annapurna Massif and the valleys below.

After breakfast, and a suitable time for your meal to settle, we’ll gather for a late morning yoga class to help gently stretch out those muscles used on the mini trek.

After lunch you’ll drive to the Peace Pagoda and enjoy a gentle walk down through the surrounding hillside to Phewa Lake. Cross the lake by boat to Barahi Temple on the small island and you might get a chance to capture reflections of the Annapurna range along the way on a clear day.

Spend the rest of the day freely exploring Pokhara at your own pace.

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Meals: Breakfast 
Accommodation: Hotel Karuna, Pokhara  or similar

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Day 13 - Return to Kathmandu

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Today you’ll return to Kathmandu from Pokhara via an early morning 25-mins flight.

In the afternoon, you will visit two of Nepal’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Pashupatinath Temple, a sacred Hindu complex along the Bagmati River and Boudhanath Stupa, a monumental Buddhist site and hub of Tibetan culture.

In the evening, enjoy a final dinner at a restaurant overlooking Boudhanath Stupa. Overnight in Kathmandu. 

Pashupatinath is not only Nepal’s most important Hindu temple but also one of the most important Shiva temples on the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the Kathmandu Valley’s 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites. It is also Kathmandu’s most important cremation site, with burning ghats lining the river bank alongside the temple. 

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Boudhanath is one of the most important religious and cultural centre for Nepal’s considerable Tibetan in exile population and is one of the largest Buddhist Stupas in the world. The side streets surrounding the magnificent stupa are full of maroon-robed monks, gleaming monastery roofs, stalls selling yak butter lamps, shops selling the everyday paraphernalia of Buddhist worship and the low chant of monks at prayer.

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​Accommodation: Kathmandu Guest House

Meals: Breakfast

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Day 14 - Departure or Travel onwards to Bhutan

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We’ll share one final breakfast together this morning in the lush gardens of our Guest House before saying goodbye. We'll help to arrange transports  to Tribhuvan International Airport for departing flights. I hope you'll agree that this has been an incredible journey with great friends, old and new and we look forward to seeing you again on an EVA trip. 

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OR!!

You may wish to extend your journey for a few more days with us and come to Bhutan. 

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Day 14 - BHUTAN

Fly Kathmandu – Paro, transfer to Thimphu

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The flight from Kathmandu into Paro is genuinely cinematic, sweeping past Everest, Kanchenjunga, Jomolhari and Jichu Drakey as ridgelines drift by like a moving mural. As you descend into Paro, the landscape tightens into forested slopes, the silver ribbon of the Pa Chu, and Paro Dzong resting like a guardian above the valley. After immigration, your guide will welcome you and begin the one-hour drive to Thimphu. En route, you’ll pause at Tamchog Lhakang, crossing its restored iron bridge built with links from the original 13th-century chainwork. On arrival at your hotel, take a moment to decompress before heading out in the early evening to visit the Memorial Chorten, a revered stupa built in honour of Bhutan’s third king. Dinner will feature classic Bhutanese flavours. 

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight in Thimphu

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Day 15 - Explore Thimphu, Buddha Dordenma viewpoint hike & cultural sites

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After breakfast, you’ll drive up to Kuensel Phodrang where the 169-foot Buddha Dordenma keeps watch over the valley. From here, an easy 6km hike leads along wooded trails to Changangkha Lhakhang, a temple that has watched over Thimphu for centuries. Back in town, lunch will be at one of Thimphu’s favourite cafés; the kind of spot where office workers, monks and travellers all intersect. The afternoon opens up Bhutanese culture in sharper focus: first at the Folk Heritage Museum, a traditional 19th-century farmhouse offering a lens into rural life, and then at the Royal Textile Museum & Academy, where Bhutan’s intricate weaving traditions take centre stage. You’ll end your day wandering the Crafts Bazaar, a row of stalls showcasing local artisans’ work. If it’s a weekend, the visit extends to the Centennial and Kaja Thorm markets, lively social hubs where vendors sell produce, snacks and spices while locals gather for food and music. 

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in Thimphu

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Day 16 - Dochula Pass, Trans-Bhutan Trail walk & Chhimi Lhakhang

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Today you leave the city behind. After breakfast, you’ll drive to Dochula Pass (3,140m), where 108 chortens sit poised against the Himalayan skyline, prayer flags framing mountain silhouettes. You then continue to Lamperi for a descent along a restored section of the Trans-Bhutan Trail, passing through thick old-growth forest and scattered villages. A picnic lunch awaits at the trail’s end, overlooking the rice terraces below. After lunch, the landscape softens into the rice-growing valley of Lobesa, where a short walk through fields leads to Chhimi Lhakhang — the monastery dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, Bhutan’s eccentric saint known locally as the Divine Madman. Before reaching your hotel, you’ll visit a local Thangka artist whose work keeps ancient Buddhist painting techniques alive. ​

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in Punakha

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Day 17 - Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal hike, river float & Punakha Dzong​

 

This morning begins with a 45-minute uphill walk through terraced fields to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal, a temple famed for its intricate design and wide valley views. Back at the river, you’ll board a boat for a gentle float downstream; a serene way to absorb village life and spot Bhutan’s bird species. Lunch will be a picnic at Zomlingthang, a riverside clearing often used by locals for archery, the national sport. After lunch, you’ll visit Punakha Dzong, arguably the kingdom’s most beautiful fortress, set at the confluence of two rivers and is the winter residence of the monastic leadership and still serves as the administrative headquarters for the Punakha region. The day ends with a drive into the broad, glacial-carved basin of Gangtey Valley.

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in Gangtey.

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​Day 18 - Gangtey nature trail, Gantey Gompa & transfer to Paro

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After breakfast, you’ll walk the nature trail that wraps around the roosting grounds of the black-necked cranes; migratory birds that travel thousands of kilometres from the Tibetan Plateau each winter. The path moves through quiet hamlets and banks of towering bamboo, eventually opening to a cluster of traditional homes with carved windows and wood-panelled roofs. From here, you’ll visit Gantey Gompa, one of Bhutan’s oldest Nyingmapa monasteries, with the chance to spend time among the monks or join a short meditation session. In the afternoon, you’ll drive back to Paro, crossing Dochula once again before arriving at a local farmhouse for a traditional hot-stone bath and dinner featuring regional dishes unique to this valley.

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in Paro.

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Day 19 - Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) & Kyichu Lhakhang

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This is the marquee moment. The trail to Taktshang rises steadily through pine forest, with over 800 steps leading to the monastery perched on its cliff. Built in 1692, Tiger’s Nest has become a symbol of Bhutanese spirituality and endurance. Ponies can be hired for the uphill half, though the final ascent is always on foot. You must also make the descent on foot, as the ponies are not allowed to do this part of the journey.

 

After descending, you’ll visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples and home to a revered statue of Jowo Jamba, said to radiate a profound sense of calm. Back in Paro, there’s time to refresh before your farewell dinner and a final wander through the town’s shops and lanes. 

 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight in Paro.

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​Day 20 - Depart

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After breakfast at your hotel, your driver will take you to the airport for your return flight to Kathmandu.

What a journey, what an experience! We hope you'll come away from your weeks in Nepal and Bhutan rested, inspired and peaceful. It's been our pleasure to host you and we look forward to seeing you on another EVA trip in the future.

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Meals: Breakfast

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Meals: Breakfast
 

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