SAFARI ITINERARY
CULTURAL SAFARI February 22 – March 10, 2026
TREKKING WITH TERESA (AND EKKI)………www.slowtrekking.com
This will be the eighth Cultural Safari we have run and by now we have it down to a very fine art indeed. Starting off with the excitement of Kathmandu. It is busy, noisy, and very, very different to any other city in the world. We can chill in the tranquil gardens of our hotel, though the buzz of Kathmandu is just a few steps away. Sights and sounds, from ancient stupas and pagodas to breathtaking rooftop views. Dining out varies from traditional Nepali, with dancers, to a typical Tibetan café where we will be dining with the locals. We know all the top spots and will make sure you see them at the best time of day, sometimes with a fancy van, but often in local taxis, for the thrill of it!
On our way to Chitwan, we will spend a couple of nights at the quiet hilltop town of Bandipur. More popular with local tourists than bideshi (us). Pretty, with spectacular views on a clear day. Time to chill. Local momos, pakoras and yoghurt are all excellent!
Southwards then, across the low hills, beside a spectacular river to Chitwan National Park where we will stay at a posh resort, going out in jeeps to spot rhino, tiger, deer, wild boar, etc. We can also go out in dugout canoes to spot crocodiles and abundant bird life.
Travelling on after two nights in Chitwan, we will reach Lumbini. In a lovely peaceful park we can walk, barefoot, to the birthplace of the Lord Buddha. Then, using some pretty rickety tuk-tuks, we can visit some of the spectacular temples built by many different countries in varying architectural styles. Some are exquisite. The German and Thai in particular.
After Lumbini we drive up into the Low Hills and stop at Thansen Palpa. Most tourists do not stop here but we like it. Not quite a city, but a large town, situated on a hilltop, affording spectacular views if we are very lucky.
From Thansen it is a longish drive, about 5 hours, to Pokhara. Then three nights to relax and catch up with ourselves. Boating across the lovely lake, visiting the Peace Stupa, the Mountaineering Museum, and the shopping This is really, really good shopping. Silver jewellery, paintings, exotic clothing, cashmere of exquisite quality, cotton woven goods, wood carving, carpets….. a lot of temptation. Strolling about and eating out are our main activities here. Too many coffee bars to choose from. Free to wander at will.
Weather permitting (not always a given in Nepal) we will fly back to Nepal and will stay just outside Bhaktapur. This ancient city, once the capital of this end of the Kathmandu Valley, is not to be missed. The best Pagoda you will probably ever see. We will stay 2 nights if we can…….our itinerary has a little bit of wriggle room. We like to drive up to Nagarkot for more views and lunch on a beautiful dining terrace of a posh resort.
Then it is back to Kathmandu. Just an hour away. Hurly-burly. More shopping? More culture? More funky restaurants or a traditional daal bhat with regional dancing in a restored palace? We make this up as we go, depending on the interests of the group.
So, can we tempt you? The cost is about $2800 or 2400 euro for 16 days. For this we include EVERYTHING. You only need money for your personal shopping. From the moment we collect you at the airport (just tell us your flight details and we will be there) you are on our tab. Every hotel, taxi, jeep, bus, tips, internal flight, EVERYTHING! Plus Ekki and Teresa looking after you personally every step of the way.
THIS IS THE ITINERARY. It is not written in stone. Things happen. It rains. Roads get closed. Flights are delayed or cancelled altogether. We will stay flexible and ensure you have the trip of a lifetime whatever happens. Some of our absolute highlights in the past were due to unforeseen changes.
Here is the day by day itinerary:
| February 22: | Arrive in Kathmandu. We will meet your flight. If you need to arrive a little earlier to get a better flight, that is fine. Hotel is the International Guesthouse in Paknajol if you would like to Google it. |
| February 23: | Some may need this day to recover if you had a long flight or arrived very late yesterday. Otherwise, we will make a day trip somewhere interesting. We can browse and shop just a few metres away in the bustling tourist district of Thamel. |
| February 23: | Onwards then to Lumbini. If we fancy a village walk through the nearby Tharu village this morning, we may not get away till after lunch. It is about 4 or 5 hours to Lumbini so we will arrive at dusk. Would like to take a stroll through the old village at this time if possible. People taking their goats home, threshing grain, etc. In the morning we will visit the temples. |
| February 24: | Collected by jeep this morning and setting out on our big circuit of central Nepal, starting with a spectacular drive to Bandipur. We will stop along the way for tea and pee and a gorgeous lunch place. |
| February 25: | Stay in Bandipur. The hotel is traditional. Strolling about, eating and admiring views are today’s standing orders. A short trek is possible. |
| February 26/27: | Southwards now to Chitwan and the Jungle Villa Resort for two nights. A great setting on the Rapti River. Wildlife abounds. Listen at night! |
| February 28: | A longish drive to Lumbini. More peace. Pleasant hotel. |
| March 1: | After a tour of the park and visit to Buddha’s birthplace we drive back up into the hills from the plains of the Terai to Thansen Palpa. Hopefully, great views of the Himalayas. |
| March 2: | Spectacular drive to Pokhara with fairly basic stops along the way. A huge suspension bridge, footbridge, if you want to try it. Nice hotel in Pokara with a pretty garden. |
| March 3/4: | Staying in Pokhara two MORE nights. This is real holiday mode. Lots to do, if you wish. Bookshops and coffee shops if you don’t. Did I mention the shopping?? |
| March 5: | Morning flight back to Kathmandu. Really spectacular and only 25 minutes. Directly from the airport to Bhaktapur. |
| March 6: | Stay in Bhaktapur. Old City, UNESCO listed, in the morning. Drive up to Nagarkot for lunch and views in the afternoon. You can trek down from here, if you like. City again by night, if you fancy it. |
| March 7: | Kathmandu is only an hour away so we are home for lunch at International Guesthouse. Afternoon plans to be decided….. |
| March 8: | Serious sightseeing now. Swayambunath by taxi after a leisurely breakfast, then, after lunch at a Monastery perhaps, walk down through the streets of Kathmandu – very, very slowly. |
| March 9: | Personal shopping day. I can take you to my favourite places if you like. Clothes, jewellery, brassware, carpets, cashmere, art. All lovely. Cultural alternatives include Pathan, another ancient capital. Definitely Bouda on our last afternoon. To be there at dusk as the Tibetans circle the huge stupa, some chanting Om Mani Padme Hum, is magical. We could eat traditional Nepali or Tibetan food. I love coming home in a taxi after dark, little shops illuminated from inside. |
| March 10: | Go home!!! We will take you to the airport and make sure you get in safely without being fleeced for a tip by some lad who touched your bag for a moment. Late flight? No worries, we can keep your room till you leave, or organise something interesting for the day. |
If this sounds like your cup of tea, check out previous trips at www.slowtrekking.com.
And if any of our previous participants are interested to do it again, we would love to
welcome you back.
Cheers, Namaste, Tashi Delek,
Teresa and Ekki
teresadb@hotmail.com or vonschwichtenberg@gmail.com.
YOU CAN DO THIS!
