Morning at Pashupatinath on the Bagmati River, then Boudhanath Stupa at the kora path where butter lamps come on at dusk. Drive up to Nagarkot in the evening for the Everest sunrise tomorrow.

Pre-dawn for the Nagarkot sunrise with the full Himalayan arc from Annapurna to Kanchenjunga. After breakfast drive to Changunarayan, Nepal’s oldest Hindu temple with 4th-century stone carvings, then Bhaktapur Durbar Square where Newari architecture has survived largely intact since the 15th century.

Three-hour drive to Charaundi where the rafting section begins. Safety briefing from your professional guides then a full day on the Trishuli through Grade 2 and 3 rapids. Camp overnight on the riverbank with dinner prepared by the camp crew and a fire under the Himalayan sky.

Final morning on the Trishuli through the remaining rapids to Kurintar. Pack up camp and load into the vehicle for the four-hour drive to Pokhara. Arrive at the lakeside in the evening with Phewa Lake and the Annapurna range directly ahead.

Full day through Pokhara’s main sites. Bindabashani Temple and Old Pokhara City in the morning, then the Seti River Gorge slot canyon visible from street-level bridges. Afternoon boat ride on Phewa Lake to Tal Barahi Temple on the island. Slow evening on the lakeside strip with the Annapurna range across the water.

Morning at the World Peace Pagoda on the ridge above Phewa Lake with a full Annapurna panorama from Dhaulagiri to Manaslu. Tibetan Refugee Camp at Tashiling with working carpet and thangka workshops. Afternoon at Gupteshwor Cave and Devi’s Fall where the Pardi Khola drops into a subterranean channel.

Early transfer to Sarangkot at 1,592m for one of Nepal’s best sunrises. The full Annapurna range from Dhaulagiri to Manaslu sits directly in front of you at dawn with Pokhara and Phewa Lake visible below. Return for breakfast then a rest day before the four-day trek begins tomorrow. Your guide checks your kit in the afternoon.

One-hour drive to Nayapool where the trail begins. The ascent to Ulleri follows a long staircase of hand-cut stone steps through terraced farmland and rhododendron forest. It is steep and sustained but well-maintained with tea stops along the way. Ulleri sits at 1,960m with open views back down the Modi Khola valley.

Another long climb through rhododendron and oak forest to Ghorepani at 2,874m. The forest thickens as you gain elevation and in spring the rhododendrons bloom red along the entire route. Ghorepani is the staging post for Poon Hill. Arrive before dark, eat well, and sleep early. The alarm goes off before dawn tomorrow.

Pre-dawn climb to Poon Hill at 3,210m. The full Annapurna range appears at sunrise: Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, Nilgiri, and Dhaulagiri simultaneously. Return to Ghorepani for breakfast then continue through rhododendron forest and open ridgelines to Tadhapani at 2,630m with mountain views throughout.

A welcome downhill day through forest to Ghandruk at 1,940m, one of the most welcoming Gurung villages in the Annapurna foothills. Annapurna South sits directly across the valley. Spend the afternoon at the Gurung Museum, the local monastery, and the village temple. The dal bhat from a family kitchen here is better than anywhere else on the trek.

Final descent through terraced farmland to Nayapool where the private vehicle picks you up. One-hour drive back to Pokhara arriving at the lakeside by early afternoon. The rest of the day is free for a slow lunch, a boat ride on Phewa Lake, or a spa session before the drive to Lumbini tomorrow.

Drive southwest along the Siddhartha Highway through the Terai lowlands to Lumbini. Arrive by early afternoon for a guided tour of the Sacred Garden: Maya Devi Temple at the exact birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the Ashoka Pillar from 249 BC, the eternal flame, and the international monastery zone.

Morning drive east from Lumbini through the Terai plains to Chitwan National Park. Arrive at your jungle resort in Sauraha by early afternoon. Naturalist guide briefing on wildlife and safari activities. Evening Tharu cultural dance show at the resort.

Early morning jeep safari through Chitwan National Park for one-horned rhino, Bengal tiger, leopard, and spotted deer. Mid-morning canoe ride on the Rapti River for gharial crocodile and waterbird sightings. Afternoon guided nature walk through the buffer zone with your naturalist. All meals at the resort throughout the day.

Morning drive back to Kathmandu via Narayanghat and Muglin through the Terai plains and up into the Kathmandu Valley. Arrive in the evening with one full day in the capital still ahead.

Morning at Patan Durbar Square, the finest collection of Newari temple architecture in the valley with the Patan Museum inside the old palace. Afternoon at Swayambhunath hilltop stupa with panoramic Kathmandu Valley views. Traditional Nepali farewell dinner with cultural performance in the evening to close out 19 days.

Breakfast at your hotel in Thamel, then a private transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport. Your guide sees you off at departures.