Nepal
The Valley & the Lake
Kathmandu, Dhulikhel & Pokhara — the Himalaya in comfort, and Everest by helicopter if you wish — ten days
Not every great Himalaya journey involves a trek. This one trades boots for something rarer: time. Ten days across Nepal's most beautiful ground — the medieval courtyards of the Kathmandu Valley, the ridgetop quiet of Dhulikhel, the lake and white wall of the Annapurnas at Pokhara — staying only in the country's most storied houses — with a morning held near the end for Everest, should you choose to add it.
It is the Nepal we design for travelers who want the Himalaya's depth without its hardships — and it gives up nothing that matters.
The Journey
Day 1
Arrive Kathmandu
Private welcome and transfer to Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu's living museum of Newari craftsmanship. Evening at leisure. Dwarika's.
Day 2
The old kingdoms
The first of two mornings on which the Everest flight can be held, if you add it — and the one we suggest, because taking it now leaves Day 9 in reserve should the weather close. Otherwise, and afterwards: Patan's Durbar Square and the Patan Museum with our historian guide, then the great stupa of Boudhanath among the pilgrims as the butter lamps are lit. Dwarika's.
Day 3
Bhaktapur, and up to the ridge
The best-preserved of the valley's three royal cities — pottery squares, the Peacock Window, alleys of woodcarvers — then the short drive up to Dhulikhel. Dwarika's Sanctuary, above the clouds.
Day 4
Dhulikhel
Sunrise over a 100-mile Himalayan horizon. A gentle walking pilgrimage to Namobuddha monastery, lunch with the view, and an afternoon in the resort's Himalayan salt house and spa. Dwarika's Sanctuary.
Day 5
Panauti, and the ridge
Down into the Panauti valley, one of the oldest Newar towns in Nepal and among the least visited — the thirteenth-century Indreshwar Mahadev temple, riverside shrines, and streets that see almost no travelers. Back to the ridge for the afternoon, and the long light on the Himalayan horizon. Dwarika's Sanctuary.
Day 6
To Pokhara
Fly west beneath the mountains to Pokhara. Afternoon arrival at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, on its ridge a thousand feet above the valley — Annapurna, Machhapuchhre and Dhaulagiri across the sky, and the evening at leisure. Tiger Mountain.
Day 7
The Annapurna balcony
Dawn over the peaks from your veranda. A village walk through terraced farmland with the lodge's naturalists, then the afternoon as you wish it — Phewa Lake by private boat, the World Peace Pagoda in the late light, or nothing at all but the mountains. Tiger Mountain.
Day 8
Return to Kathmandu
Morning flight back to the capital. Afternoon in the ateliers and bookshops of Babar Mahal Revisited, or at the Dwarika's pool. Dwarika's.
Day 9
Kathmandu, and the mountains if you wish
The morning is yours — the hilltop stupa of Swayambhunath above the whole valley, the Garden of Dreams, or simply the Dwarika's courtyards and pool. It is also the second morning we hold for the Everest flight: whether you chose today from the start or Day 2 was clouded out, this is the window — at first light into the Khumbu, the airborne sweep past Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam, and a breakfast landing at the Hotel Everest View, the highest-placed hotel on earth — back in Kathmandu by late morning. Farewell dinner at Krishnarpan. Dwarika's.
Day 10
Depart
Private transfer to your onward flight, with everything arranged.
Included, always
- Four nights at Dwarika's Hotel, three nights at Dwarika's Sanctuary, and two nights at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, or similar houses of equal standing (full board in Dhulikhel and Pokhara)
- All domestic flights in economy class, private transfers, and a dedicated guide and vehicle throughout
- Breakfasts in Kathmandu plus two signature dinners, including Krishnarpan; all touring, entrances, and the Namobuddha walk
Not included
- Staff gratuities — not included, and yours to give. We publish suggested amounts for your guide, driver and hotel staff in your pre-departure pack, so you are never left guessing, and we can add them to your final invoice if you would rather not carry cash.
- The Everest helicopter morning — offered as an addition and quoted with your proposal, flown privately as a whole-aircraft charter at every party size, on the morning of Day 2 or Day 9 as you prefer; International airfare — we will book your flights on request; Nepal visa; travel insurance (required); lunches and dinners in Kathmandu beyond those named; personal expenses
The Details
- Price
- $9,500 per person, double occupancy · Single occupancy quoted on requestThis price is indicative and confirmed at reservation, while the season’s supplier rates are finalized.
- Duration
- 10 days / 9 nights, Kathmandu to Kathmandu
- Party
- Always private, always on your dates · Never a mixed group
- Seasons
- Mid-September to mid-June · Clearest mountain skies October–April
- Character
- Gentle · Optional walks only, none over 3 hours · Highest night 1,700m
Booking terms, in brief. A journey is reserved with a signed booking confirmation and a 35% deposit, non-refundable upon our written booking confirmation; the balance is due 90 days before departure. Quoted prices are guaranteed for 14 days from proposal.
Prices are per person, double occupancy, in US dollars; inclusions are exactly as this page states.
Cancellations, in writing, are subject to our published schedule: the deposit is retained to 91 days before departure; 50% at 90–61 days; 75% at 60–46 days; 100% at 45 days or fewer. One date change is free of our fees when requested more than 90 days out, for a departure within 12 months, subject to availability and cost differences.
If a named lodge or service becomes unavailable, we substitute equivalent category. Helicopter flights are weather-dependent; lost flights are rebooked within the journey at no charge, and if weather defeats every window we refund the helicopter component's published value.
Comprehensive travel insurance with helicopter evacuation cover, and our signed Assumption of Risk & Release, are conditions of travel on Nepal journeys. Domestic flight disruption within Nepal is managed and re-booked by our Kathmandu operations at no charge.
Complete terms, including our limitation of liability and Indiana governing law (contracting party: Curated Ascents LLC, d/b/a CuratedAscents, Carmel, Indiana), are at www.curatedascents.com/terms and accompany every proposal.
Helicopter operations are weather-dependent. The Everest morning may be held on Day 2 or Day 9; taking Day 2 keeps Day 9 in reserve, so a clouded-out first attempt can be reflown a week later at no charge. If weather closes both mornings, the helicopter component's published value is refunded in full under our Booking Terms.