Nepal
Extension: Nepal: The Best of the Kathmandu Valley
Program No. 22616RJ
Delve deeper into the ancient spaces and sacred places of Kathmandu! Explore sites of Hindu and Buddhist importance and hike to the town of Changu in search of views of the Himalaya.
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At a Glance
Venture into the Kathmandu Valley to continue your exploration of Nepal’s colorful villages and cultural treasures. With local experts, explore the capital city of Kathmandu, home to Durbar Square — a complex of 50 temples representing four kingdoms, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the Hindu shrine of Pashupatinah and the Buddhist stupas of Boudhanatha and Swoyambhunath. Enjoy a half-day hike through rural villages where you’ll gain insight into the lives of local residents and admire the Changunarayan temple in Changu. Throughout your journey, enjoy opportunities for breathtaking views of the Himalaya, weather permitting.
Program Extension
To take this extension, enroll in this main program first.
The Best of Bhutan: Hidden Treasures of a Himalayan Kingdom
Explore Bhutan, one of the world’s most isolated countries, with experts and locals who share their enduring culture, history and natural wonders.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Elevation in Kathmandu 4,600 feet, exploring temples on varied terrain with steps to enter temples. Hiking for up to five hours; elevations of 6,500 feet.
Micro Group
These adventures feature our smallest group size, with 12 participants or fewer.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Learn about the importance of the Hindu shrine of Pashupatinah and the Buddhist Boudhanath Stupa, both UNESCO World Heritage Monuments.
- Hike through rural villages to the town of Changu for breathtaking views of the Himalaya when the weather is clear.
- Admire the glittering gold spires of the ancient Swayambhunath Stupa and explore the monuments and royal palace of Patan City.
General Notes
This program is an extension only to "The Best of Bhutan: Hidden Treasures of a Himalayan Kingdom" (#19634).
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Binaya Rana
Mr. Binaya Rana has worked for internationally renowned companies as a Group Leader for nearly 14 years. He has extensive experience leading groups in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India. Mr. Rana has master’s degrees in Buddhist studies and anthropology and has taught “Introduction to Buddhism” at The University of Connecticut, Center for Continuing Studies in the United States and has also taught online classes for the same university.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Binaya Rana
View biography
Mr. Binaya Rana has worked for internationally renowned companies as a Group Leader for nearly 14 years. He has extensive experience leading groups in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India. Mr. Rana has master’s degrees in Buddhist studies and anthropology and has taught “Introduction to Buddhism” at The University of Connecticut, Center for Continuing Studies in the United States and has also taught online classes for the same university.
Temple Tiger
View biography
Temple Tiger / Venture Travel is Road Scholar's Site Coordinator in Nepal. For emergencies, once in Nepal, please contact our local partner Rita Pradhan on the numbers shown.
If dialing from a local number or with a SIM card, dial as below:
(0) 1 980 236 0042
(0) 1 532 1585
(0) 1 985 113 9310
Suggested Reading List
(16 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Extension: Nepal: The Best of the Kathmandu Valley
Program Number: 22616
Lonely Planet Nepali Phrasebook
A palm-sized guide to pronunciation, grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.
Kathmandu
Drawing on his years of experience in the Himalayan fortress, Bell introduces readers to Kathmandu’s layered history, touching on gods and goddesses and the caste system as well as the present-day push toward modernization and the recent, devastating earthquake.
Photographic Guide to Birds of the Himalayas
A pocket guide to 250 birds found from the foothills up to high elevations ranging from the Hindu Kush and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh in the Eastern Himalayas. With brief descriptive information, maps and 260 full-color illustrations.
Fortress Monasteries of the Himalayas
This slim book recreates the dramatic and colorful fortifications of Tibet, Ladakh, Nepal and Bhutan, recounting their history through foreign incursions, religious conflicts and civil wars to the Tibetan uprising and flight of the Dalai Lama from Potala Palace in 1959.
Walking the Himalayas
Explorer Levison Wood recounts his six-month, 1,700-mile trek through Afghanistan, Kashmir, Pakistan, India and into the foothills of the Himalayas, describing the landscapes, people and dangers that he meets along the way.
Escape from Kathmandu
The four interconnected stories in this laugh-out-loud novel include the (mis)adventures of two young Americans with a Yeti, international espionage, mountain climbing of the highest sort and a quest for Shangri-La.
Sherpas, Reflections on Change in Himalayan Nepal
A detailed study of the change that mountaineering brought to Sherpa society.
Against a Peacock Sky, Two Years in the Life of a Nepalese Village
Connell tells about her experience in the Nepalese Himalayan village of Talphi where she lived for two years. The place was so remote, she writes, it was ten days’ walk from the nearest road.
The Snow Leopard
The most perceptive, acutely observed and personal of all his books, Matthiessen's account of a five-week journey through Nepal with naturalist George Schaller combines their quest for the elusive cat with a moving introduction to Buddhism and the people and culture of the Himalayas.
Mountain
This stunning celebration of the allure of climbing and the grandeur of great peaks features 350 black-and-white and color images by nature photographers and adventurers spanning two centuries, among them, Ansel Adams, Edmund Hillary, Bradford Washburn and Galen Rowell.
The Living Goddess: A Journey Into the Heart of Kathmandu
The product of 12 years of travel and research, this travel narrative delves into the esoteric and fascinating Nepalese tradition of choosing a Living Goddess, a girl as young as three chosen to become a central spiritual leader.
Snake Lake
A touching memoir by journalist Greenwald who returns to his old haunts in Kathmandu during the Maoist uprising. He struggles to balance his journeying with obligations to his depressed brother back home in the United States.
Lonely Planet Nepal
With up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, this handy travel companion to Nepal features color maps and images, suggested itineraries and a listing of festival dates.
Altitude Illness: Prevention and Treatment
Bezruchka, a mountaineer and M.D., includes case studies, frequently asked questions and simple methods of diagnosis and treatment in this indispensable pocket guide.
Arresting God in Kathmandu
This collection of stories explores the nature of desire and spirituality in modern Nepali society.
In the Land of the Blue Poppies
Expert Tom Christopher presents excerpts from intrepid Kingdon-Ward's fascinating accounts of plant-hunting adventures in Tibet, Burma and the Himalayas in the early 20th century.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
4 days
Program Begins
Kathmandu
Program Concludes
Kathmandu
Group Type
Micro Group
Meals
7
| 2B |
2L |
3D |
Activity Level
Venture into the Kathmandu Valley to continue your exploration of Nepal’s colorful villages and cultural treasures. With local experts, explore the capital city of Kathmandu, home to Durbar Square — a complex of 50 temples representing four kingdoms, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the Hindu shrine of Pashupatinah and the Buddhist stupas of Boudhanatha and Swoyambhunath. Enjoy a half-day hike through rural villages where you’ll gain insight into the lives of local residents and admire the Changunarayan temple in Changu. Throughout your journey, enjoy opportunities for breathtaking views of the Himalaya, weather permitting.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Learn about the importance of the Hindu shrine of Pashupatinah and the Buddhist Boudhanath Stupa, both UNESCO World Heritage Monuments.
- Hike through rural villages to the town of Changu for breathtaking views of the Himalaya when the weather is clear.
- Admire the glittering gold spires of the ancient Swayambhunath Stupa and explore the monuments and royal palace of Patan City.
General Notes
This program is an extension only to "The Best of Bhutan: Hidden Treasures of a Himalayan Kingdom" (#19634).
Featured Expert
Binaya Rana
Mr. Binaya Rana has worked for internationally renowned companies as a Group Leader for nearly 14 years. He has extensive experience leading groups in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India. Mr. Rana has master’s degrees in Buddhist studies and anthropology and has taught “Introduction to Buddhism” at The University of Connecticut, Center for Continuing Studies in the United States and has also taught online classes for the same university.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Temple Tiger
Temple Tiger / Venture Travel is Road Scholar's Site Coordinator in Nepal. For emergencies, once in Nepal, please contact our local partner Rita Pradhan on the numbers shown.
If dialing from a local number or with a SIM card, dial as below:
(0) 1 980 236 0042
(0) 1 532 1585
(0) 1 985 113 9310
This is a Program Extension of
The Best of Bhutan: Hidden Treasures of a Himalayan Kingdom
Explore Bhutan, one of the world’s most isolated countries, with experts and locals who share their enduring culture, history and natural wonders.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Elevation in Kathmandu 4,600 feet, exploring temples on varied terrain with steps to enter temples. Hiking for up to five hours; elevations of 6,500 feet.
Micro Group
(12 Max)
These adventures feature our smallest group size, with 12 participants or fewer.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(16 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
4 days
3 nights
What's Included
7 meals | 2B | 2L | 3D |
2 expert-led lectures
6 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
2 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Arrive Kathmandu, Explore Temples, Meet University Students
Location:
Kathmandu
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hyatt Regency Kathmandu
Activity Note
This program is an extension of program 19634 - The Best of Bhutan: Hidden Treasures of a Himalayan Kingdom. Hotel check-in is available at 2:00 p.m. The elevation in Kathmandu is 4,593 feet. Walking today up to 2 miles on uneven surfaces with a few stairs to enter temples.
Afternoon:
After hotel check-in, the Group Leader will lead a small Orientation. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines and emergency procedures. The Group Leader will also endeavor to answer questions you have. Periods in the schedule labeled “Free Time” and “At Leisure” offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable while going out to explore on your own, engaging in available activities independently, making new friends among fellow Road Scholars, or simply relaxing. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We begin our adventure and travel by motorcoach to explore Pashupatinath and Boudhanath temples with our Group Leader. Pashupatinath is one of the most sacred Hindu temples in the world. During Shivaratri, an annual pilgrimage, thousands of Hindus from all over the world pay their homage here. We continue with a short drive to Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist Stupa in the world. It is home to 108 Buddha images and 147 insets of prayer wheels. We then return by motorcoach to the hotel where a local expert who will give a lecture about the contemporary life in Nepal. Local university students will join us for tea and conversation.
Dinner:
Welcome dinner at the hotel. Buffet meal featuring local cuisine. Coffee, tea and water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
2
Hike from Telkot to Changu Narayan Temple, Explore Bhaktapur
Location:
Kathmandu
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hyatt Regency Kathmandu
Activity Note
We take a private motorcoach from Kathmandu to Telkot (elevation 6,500 feet). The drive is approximately 20 miles/32 kilometers (1 hour) from the hotel. Our hike will take around 3 hours and is mainly along a mountain trail with few ascents and descents. Bhaktapur requires walking half a mile on uneven walkways with a few steps.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. Buffet meal with a variety of hot and cold dishes. Coffee, tea and water included.
Morning:
After breakfast, we depart by motorcoach to Telkot, a small settlement located just off the Nagarkot highway. We will hike from Telkot to the Changu Narayan Temple, passing through small villages and farmlands. At the end of the hike we will reach Changunarayan, a small Newari town located on a hill ridge surrounding Bhaktapur. We visit the Changu Narayan Temple which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the oldest temples in Nepal and is dedicated to Hindu god Lord Vishnu - Protector of the Universe.
Lunch:
After visiting the Changu Narayan Temple, we will have a picnic lunch.
Afternoon:
We board our motorcoach and return to Kathmandu, making a stop in Bhaktapur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an ancient trade route stop between India and Tibet. We explore this ancient Newa city, one of the three royal cities in the Kathmandu Valley (along with Kathmandu and Patan) and gain an understanding of its historical and cultural importance. We re-board our motorcoach and return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Buffet meal featuring local cuisine. Coffee, tea and water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
3
Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Patan, Program Concludes
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B,L,D
Activity Note
Walking approximately 1 to 2 miles today. The program concludes after dinner with evening departures home. Participants will be provided a hotel room for the full night due to late night and possible next day departures (check-out time is 12:00 noon tomorrow).
Breakfast:
At the hotel. Buffet meal with a variety of hot and cold dishes. Coffee, tea and water included.
Morning:
We transfer by motorcoach to Kathmandu Durbar Square and visit Hanuman Dhoka. Here the kings of Nepal are crowned and the religious and cultural life of Nepal is epitomized in temples and palaces such as Taleju Temple, Temple of KalBhairav, GaddiBaithak, and the Jagannath Temple. We continue by motorcoach to Swayambhunath, the oldest Buddhist “stupa” — a place of meditation — established more than 2,500 years ago and often referred to as the Monkey Temple. Swayambhunath, sitting atop a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley, is also known as Sengu and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant. Plated family-style meal. Coffee, tea and water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we continue by motorcoach to Patan, a city renowned for its fine examples of Nepalese art and architecture, including palaces, temples, and shrines like Krishna Mandir and Mahabouddha. We visit the Patan Museum in Durbar Square, inaugurated in 1997 and devoted to Nepalese art. We return to the hotel by motorcoach. Participants leaving tonight will check out and collect their luggage. We will all depart by motorcoach for our last dinner together.
Dinner:
At a local Nepali restaurant. Plated, family-style dinner. Coffee, tea and water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
Late evening departures to the airport for return flights home. For those of you who have a flight the following day, the hotel is booked for the entire night. Check-out is 12:00 noon tomorrow. Program concludes. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook or Instagram page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Day
4
In transit
Location:
In Flight
Morning:
Arrive in North America.
Please select a day to update the map
Map details are not available for this location.
MEALS
7 Meals
2 Breakfasts
2 Lunches
3 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Dec 17, 2025 - Dec 20, 2025
- Feb 26, 2025 - Mar 01, 2025
- Mar 12, 2025 - Mar 15, 2025
- Apr 02, 2025 - Apr 05, 2025
- Apr 30, 2025 - May 03, 2025
- Jun 25, 2025 - Jun 28, 2025
- Aug 27, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025
- Sep 24, 2025 - Sep 27, 2025
- Oct 08, 2025 - Oct 11, 2025
- Oct 22, 2025 - Oct 25, 2025
- Nov 19, 2025 - Nov 22, 2025
- Dec 03, 2025 - Dec 06, 2025
- Dec 17, 2025 - Dec 20, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 3 Reviews
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Our guide team in Bhutan (Tim, Kun, Sonam) made our trip wonderful and consistently worked together to fill our days with adventure and insight. I have never experienced a more-outstanding team, anywhere. Bhutan itself is beautiful and unique, & the people we met there were generous, helpful, & pleased to have visitors.
— Review left April 18, 2023
I can't say enough about this extension. I had arrived quite late the night just before we had a very early morning flight to Bhutan. That made this extension all the more pertinent!
I can not say enough about our guide, Sanjay! He was beyond anything that I could have imagined. His knowledge, insights, attitude, and overall flexibility really made this extension the virtual icing on the (cake of) the trip. Sanjay was able to provide not only insight regarding Nepal but he added context to what we saw/experienced in Bhutan.
I might add that it was both very good, and bad, that there were only two on us. (Company of some of the others in the great group would have been nice/welcome.)
— Review left March 23, 2023
The Kathmandu valley extension trip is an effective and quick overview of what Kathmandu has to offer, it covers a lot of ground in the short time and takes you to places that you will want to explore more deeply. As an overview, it’s a perfect opportunity to see seven World Heritage sites over three days, and will take you to both beautiful locations and challenging ones. Well worth experiencing!
— Review left November 28, 2019
