Thursday. Welcome to Nepal and the start of your holiday! Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel where you will receive a welcome drink and a briefing about your trip. Overnight - Kathmandu

Kathmandu is Nepal’s biggest and most cosmopolitan city and a very important point on the caravan routes between Tibet and India. Today we explore this amazing city and the surrounding area. Our sightseeing includes the ancient Pashupatinath Temple; set on the banks of the Bagmati river, it is Nepal’s most sacred Hindu shrine and the meeting point for pilgrims from all over the subcontinent. We’ll see devotees taking part in the religious tradition of ritual cleansing in the holy river. We visit the ancient 5th century Bodhnath, a beautiful Buddhist live worship site where the spinning of prayer wheels, prostrating pilgrims and collective chants are just some of the practises that can be witnessed. Our last port of call is Patan Durbar Square, which is home to more than 50 stunning temples and shrines. This evening we enjoy dinner whilst watching a traditional Nepali dance performance. Overnight - Kathmandu (B, D)

Kathmandu – Lhasa. This morning we fly to Tibet; this is one of the most scenic flights in the world, crossing over the great mountains of Kanchenjunga and Everest. More than 4500 metres above sea level, Tibet is known as the ‘Roof of the World’ and the towering mountain ranges that surround the plateau, ensure it’s complete isolation. Upon arrival we drive to the fabled city of Lhasa - ‘Ground of the Gods,’ where we receive a short briefing and then the rest of the day is free to relax and acclimatise Overnight - Lhasa (B)

We begin our exploration of this mythical city by visiting the Sera monastery, which is still a working retreat 600 years after its foundation as a main teaching monastery. It is one of the great Gelukpa ‘Universities’, once housing more than 5500 monks. Here we see young novices learning scriptures in the Debating Garden and being rewarded for a correct answer with a resounding hand-clap from their master. The highlight of the day is a visit to the holiest shrine in Tibet, the 7th Century Jokhang Temple, which houses a solid gold shrine of the enlightened Buddha. The exterior of the temple isn’t exceptional but the electric atmosphere and buzz of activity inside is truly captivating. Crowds of Tibetan pilgrims travel around each of the chapels, praying and prostrating themselves with varying degrees of exertion and frequency along the way. Our final stop of the day will be the bustling Barkhor Bazaar. Overnight - Lhasa (B)

Our exploration of Lhasa continues today with a visit to the city’s most enduring image - the Potala Palace. The winter home of the Dalai Lamas and a masterpiece in design; the Potala Palace is a towering 13 stories high and contains thousands of rooms. The palace really is the heart of Tibet, its (exiled) government and people. Then we take a short journey to the 15th century Drepung Monastery. Formerly one of the largest monasteries of Tibet, housing 10,000 monks, it was torn asunder during the Cultural Revolution and its walls and statues continue to be rebuilt today. Overnight - Lhasa (B)

Lhasa – Kathmandu. Bidding farewell to Tibet, we fly back to Kathmandu today. Kathmandu is the meeting places for dozens of ethnic groups, filling the streets with life and colour. We enjoy 2 free days in this wonderful city; with plenty of time to explore the myriad of medieval alleyways, courtyards, temples and bazaars. Overnight - Kathmandu (B)

The day is free to spend at leisure. Durbar Square in the heart of Kathmandu is a hive of activity and a fabulous place to people watch or perhaps indulge in a little last minute souvenir shopping. Overnight - Kathmandu (B)

Thursday. Hotel check-out and included onward transfer to the airport. (B)