Kathmandu, Pokhara, Jomsom & Muktinath Tour

Touch down in Kathmandu, where you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for a short rest and a briefing on the days ahead. As the afternoon cools, head out to two of the valley's most atmospheric sites. Pashupatinath, on the banks of the Bagmati River, is Nepal's holiest Hindu temple and a place of constant ritual. A short drive away, the great white dome of Boudhanath Stupa glows in the evening light as pilgrims walk its circuit spinning prayer wheels. It's a gentle, evocative introduction to the spiritual rhythm that runs through this trip.

Spend a full day uncovering the Kathmandu Valley's layered history. Climb (or ride) up to Swayambhunath, the hilltop stupa affectionately known as the Monkey Temple, for sweeping views over the city. From there, wander the carved courtyards and pagoda temples of Kathmandu Durbar Square and the beautifully preserved Patan Durbar Square, both showcases of Newari craftsmanship. In the evening, dive into the lively lanes of Thamel, the perfect place to browse for handicrafts and settle in for a relaxed dinner.

Leave the capital behind and drive west toward Pokhara. Midway, pause for one of the trip's standout experiences: a cable-car ride up to Manakamana Temple, a wish-fulfilling shrine perched on a ridge with grand views over the valleys below. Continue on to the lakeside city of Pokhara, checking into your hotel before an easy evening stroll along the shore of Phewa Lake as the Annapurna foothills fade into dusk.

Today the landscape changes dramatically as you drive north into the Mustang region. The road follows the Kali Gandaki, the world's deepest gorge, climbing past Beni, Tatopani, and Ghasa. Stop to admire the cascading Rupse Waterfall and the sheer walls of the gorge itself, with peaks rising on either side. Before reaching Jomsom you'll explore Marpha, a tidy whitewashed village famous for its apple orchards and locally distilled brandy. Overnight in the windswept town of Jomsom.

Set off early for the short but spectacular drive up to Muktinath, the sacred heart of this journey. At around 3,800 metres, the temple draws Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims alike. Take part in darshan and puja at the shrine of Vishnu, and, if you wish, bathe beneath the 108 stone water spouts and the two sacred kundas — believed to wash away sins. After this profound experience, begin the long descent back down the valley, returning all the way to Pokhara for the night.

Enjoy a more relaxed day taking in Pokhara's natural and spiritual sights. Visit Davis Falls, where a river vanishes into an underground channel, and the adjacent Gupteshwor Cave with its hidden shrine. Take a peaceful boat ride across Phewa Lake to the island temple of Tal Barahi, then visit the hilltop Bindhyabasini Temple. The rest of the day is yours to soak up the easy-going atmosphere of the lakeside.

After breakfast, make the scenic return drive to Kathmandu, following river valleys and terraced hillsides. Once back in the capital, you'll have free time in Thamel for any last-minute shopping or simply to relax and reflect on the journey. Overnight in Kathmandu.