Optional Mount Everest Flight (Subject to Weather Conditions)
For those seeking an extraordinary experience, an optional Mount Everest scenic flight is available early this morning at 6:00 am (subject to weather conditions). Climbing Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak, is a grueling challenge that takes months of preparation, but this scenic flight offers a breathtaking alternative. Witness Everest from just 20 miles away, soaring above the Himalayan range with unparalleled panoramic views. This 50-minute flight is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, offering a chance to glimpse the roof of the world from a perspective few ever see. After all, a trip to Nepal would be incomplete without witnessing Everest’s majestic beauty.
Exploring Kathmandu & the Kathmandu Valley
Today, immerse yourself in the cultural and spiritual heart of Nepal, as you explore the Kathmandu Valley, home to some of the world's most revered UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Accompanied by an experienced English-speaking guide, your journey will take you to the Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, and the historic Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Kathmandu Durbar Square – The Royal Legacy
Kathmandu Durbar Square, the city's most famous attraction, is a bustling hub of history, culture, and sacred traditions. Though some monuments date back to the 12th century, most were built during the reign of the Malla Kings. Among its most iconic structures is the Kumari Bahal, an intricately carved residence housing the Royal Kumari, Nepal’s Living Goddess—a manifestation of Durga. Nearby, the former Royal Palace, once an expansive Malla Dynasty residence, still stands as a testament to Nepal’s regal history. Inside, the Nassal Chowk courtyard, once used for royal dance performances, now serves as the coronation site of the Shah Kings, showcasing some of the finest wood carvings in the kingdom. Other notable sites include the 14th-century Jagannath Mandir, the oldest temple in the square, and the Taleju Mandir, one of the largest and most magnificent temples in the Valley, dedicated to Taleju Bhawani, a wrathful form of Durga.
Swayambhunath Stupa – The Monkey Temple
Perched atop a forested hill, the Swayambhunath Stupa is Kathmandu’s most ancient and enigmatic shrine. With records dating back to the 5th century, this golden-spired stupa has stood as a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site for over a thousand years. Its devotees include Newari Buddhists, as well as Tibetan and Vajrayana Buddhists, who regard it as the most sacred Buddhist shrine in the Kathmandu Valley. The site offers panoramic views of the city and is home to a lively troupe of mischievous monkeys, earning it the nickname Monkey Temple.
Boudhanath Stupa – The Spiritual Heart of Tibetan Buddhism
The journey continues to Boudhanath, home to one of the largest stupas in Nepal and a spiritual centre for Tibetan Buddhism. This monumental stupa, with its all-seeing eyes of Buddha, stands as an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists from across the world. Over time, a small Tibetan settlement has flourished around this sacred site, offering visitors a glimpse into Tibetan culture and traditions. Throughout the year, numerous Tibetan Buddhist festivals are held here, providing a vibrant and immersive experience. While here, you may also visit a Tibetan monastery to witness monks engaged in ritual prayers and meditation.
Overnight at the hotel.
Rating: 5 / 5 Kate Sun, 9 Sep, 18
Classic Nepal
Fantastic value for money.
Planning of the tour was faultless and everyone we met was friendly and helpful.
I was very pleasantly surprised by the standard of the hotels. Every hotel provided kettles and tea/coffee in the rooms as well as excellent hot showers and wi-fi. There was a good cooked breakfast every day.
The trip was really varied. History, hustle-bustle and huge potholes in the road in Kathmandu; tourist shops, beautiful mountain views and great activities in Pokhara (we did para-gliding & white water rafting); and a fabulous dug-out canoe trip down the river at Chitwan, plus a jeep and a walking safari.
Loved it all!
Rating: 5 / 5 Dave Jordan Mon, 10 Feb, 20
Classic Nepal tour
Feb 10th 2020
Lumle’s ‘Classic Nepal’ tour was an eye opening experience with a trip that outdid our expectations. From the word go’ the company responded quickly to all queries and the booking process was simple and well managed. The whole tour ran like clockwork from an excellent choice of flights with minimum changeover time at Dubai, being met and escorted to our hotel in Kathmandu and picked up each day by our guide for the week Gita who looked after us and answered all our questions.
The hotels were well chosen in terms of their situation and of a higher standard than we had expected. The Nepalese are polite, helpful and always smiling, nothing is too much trouble, which in my case being garlic allergic meant that at the Chitwen National Park site included cooking me special portions so I did not lose out.
Travelling long distances at times between towns was well organised in that there were always enough loo breaks and food stops, every 2-3 hours at well chosen sites with ‘Western loos’ not just squats! Our chosen driver did a brilliant job negotiating both the busy highways and the more uneven surfaces of local roads.
Though the programme was packed full of tours with additional local guides it included ‘resting’ times so one never felt stretched to the limit and could enjoy times of rest and relaxation.
A memorable highlight will always be the site of the ‘Fishtail’ peak in the Annapurna range from our bedroom window at Pokhara.
With a myriad of places to eat nearby, food was never an issue and including beer never exceeded £10 a head.
This was a marvellous trip and thanks to Lumle’s organisation and itinerary a memorable one in which we made new friends from our small group of 12 co-tourists.
I look forward to booking my next trip with them and would not hesitate to recommend them – and compared to other companies their prices are non comparable – low on price but high on value. Can’t be beaten!
5 stars isn’t enough!