This compact tour of Nepal gives you a taste of the countries beautiful mountain scenery, ancient cultures & religions, lush wildlife parks, remote hilltop villages, and includes time to relax in the lakeside town of Pokhara. We start in Kathmandu with a guided walking tour through the bustling streets of the city to the central Durbar Square, full of ornate temples and palaces. Next we visit the hilltop temple of Swayambunath, overlooking the city. Next we head to Chitwan National Park, which lies in the lowland Terai region of Nepal, bordering India. You have the option of an exciting day's white water rafting on the Trisuli River en-route to Chitwan if you wish. While at the park we include a jungle walk, river canoe trip, and either an elephant or jeep safari, as well as a village walk and early morning bird watching walk. Our next stop is the ancient Newari hilltop town of Bandipur. The centre of Bandipur has been restored and its a lovely place to spend a little time looking around and enjoying the great mountain views if the weather is clear. You also have some free time in the afternoon here to hike down to Siddha Cave, one of the largest in Asia, or take a walk through the hillsides, villages and farmland around Bardia to get a real taste for rural Nepalese life. From Bandipur we head to the lakeside town of Pokhara with its impressive setting at the foot of the mighty Annapurna mountain range. We include a tour here and a full free day when you can take some more short (or longer walks), hire bikes to look around, take a rowing boat out on the lake, or just relax amidst the beautiful scenery. We head back to the Kathmandu valley next and enjoy a night in the hilltop village of Nagarkot on the rim of the Kathmandu Valley. With luck you can see Everest from here on a clear morning! Our final tours are to the ancient centre of Bhaktapur, a World Heritage Site, and to Pasupatinath temple and Boudhanath stupa before you finish with one last night in Kathmandu. Mid-range hotels Basic guesthouse Wildlife lodge