Nepal
Go Solo: Extension — The Splendor of Nepal
Program No. 25250RJ
Continue your learning adventure with other solo travelers on an extension into Nepal, where you’ll explore grand temples and ancient palaces.
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Itinerary
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.
Read More.
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
8 days
7 nights
What's Included
15 meals (
6B, 4L, 5D
)
2 expert-led lectures
9 expert-led field trips
1 flight during the program
1 hands-on experience
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Overnight in Delhi
Location:
Delhi
Meals:
D
Stay:
Pullman New Delhi Aerocity
Activity Note
This program is an extension of Program No. 25126 (Highlights of India: Discover Delhi, Agra, Jaipur & Varanasi) which concludes at Delhi airport. Participants on the 25250 extension will then be transferred to the Delhi hotel for the night.
Afternoon:
We will arrive at Delhi airport on our flight from Varanasi at the conclusion of program 25126. We will then transfer to our hotel and check in with some time to settle in before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
2
Fly to Kathmandu, Transfer to Dhulikhel, Dhulikhel Old Town
Location:
Dhulikhel
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Dhulikhel Mountain Resort
Activity Note
Getting on/off an airplane; flight from Delhi to Kathmandu is approximately 2 hours. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 17 miles, approximately 1.5 hours to Dhulikhel. The walk around Dhulikhel is less than 1/2 mile on paved roads with occasional uphill and downhill sections; there are 25+ steps without railing from road to the hotel.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast we will transfer back to Delhi airport by motorcoach to check in for our late-morning flight to Nepal.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like en route.
Afternoon:
After landing in Kathmandu, proceed through customs, claim your luggage, and exit into the main arrivals area. Once there, look for your Group Leader who will be holding a Road Scholar sign. Once everyone is gathered, we will board our motorcoach and set off for Dhulikhel, located to the west of Kathmandu. Upon arrival, we will check in to our hotel. Our Group Leader will then conduct a program orientation to go through the itinerary, review safety guidelines and answer any questions. During this program extension, our field trips will be led by our Group Leader unless specified otherwise. Extension-related travel and transfers will be by private motorcoach unless otherwise noted. Please be aware that program activities and schedules could change due to local circumstances such as weather, traffic conditions, etc. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We’ll board our motorcoach and ride to the old town of Dhulikel, where we can lose ourselves in time exploring cobbled lanes, ancient houses with sagging wooden frameworks, intricate carvings, hidden temples and thriving market squares. Dhulikhel was once a major trading hub between Kathmandu, Tibet and India. Historically, Dhulikhel was a Newar settlement, one of the major ethnic tribes in the Kathmandu Valley. Newars are the oldest and the most traditional of Nepal’s ethnic groups and have a culture strongly based on religion, celebrated with a calendar of festivals. After discovering the old town, we will board our motorcoach and ride back to the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Enjoy the sunset view over the Himalayas from our hilltop resort. Settle in and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
3
Morning Hike, School Visit
Location:
Dhulikhel
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Dhulikhel Mountain Resort
Activity Note
Hiking about 2 miles, approximately 2 hours over mainly level dirt paths with some uneven terrain and a few small ascents and declines. Comfortable walking shoes required. If normally used when hiking, a walking stick would be helpful. Please note that the school visit availability is subject to change based on school holiday timing and exam schedules.
Breakfast:
We have an early morning start for those who wish to see sunrise over the Himalayas. Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out with our Group Leader and take a short hike around Dhulikhel to view traditional Brahmin and Tamang villages with a view of Panchkhal Valley and the surrounding landscape. The Tamang villagers still closely follow their traditional lifestyle and beliefs. We’ll return to the hotel for a presentation on the religion and culture of Nepal, led by our Group Leader.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
We will board our motorcoach and set off to visit a local school. Here we’ll learn about the Nepalese educational system and meet and interact with local students.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
4
To Kathmandu, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhnath Temple
Location:
Kathmandu
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
The Soaltee Kathmandu
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 22 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time to Kathmandu. Walking about 2 miles over paved surfaces, a few uneven surfaces and some stairs.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of our hotel and transfer by motorcoach to Kathmandu, arriving mid-morning. Once in Kathmandu we’ll explore Pashupatinath, one of the most sacred Hindu temples in the world. During the annual Shivaratri pilgrimage, thousands of devotees of Lord Shiva come from Hindu communities around the world to pay homage here.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will explore Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated just beyond the Pashupatinath temple, it houses 108 Buddha images and 147 prayer wheel insets. The settlement of Boudhanath is home to a large community of Tibetans. Afterwards, we’ll transfer to our Kathmandu hotel to check in and relax. We will come together in the early evening for a presentation on contemporary issues in Nepal, given by a local expert. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy tea with university students to learn more about higher education in Nepal.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Swoyambhunath Stupa, Dhoka Durbar Square
Location:
Kathmandu
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
The Soaltee Kathmandu
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Please note that in Durbar Square, some of the original shrines and monuments within the Square received significant damage during the earthquake of April 2015.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Heading out by motorcoach, we will begin the day with an exploration of one of the icons of Kathmandu. Swayambhunath, the oldest Buddhist stupa — a place of meditation — was established more than 2,500 years ago and is also known as the Monkey Temple. With our Group Leader, we will explore the stupa and learn about Nepalese Buddhism. Perched high on a hilltop, Swayambhunath commands a superb view of the entire Kathmandu Valley. Swayambhunath is also known as Sengu and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will transfer by motorcoach to Kathmandu Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu Durbar Square). Here we’ll explore many temples and monuments. With its old temples and palaces, Durbar Square epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. It is here that the kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnized. Among the sites we will visit are Taleju Temple, built by King Mahendra Malla in 1549 CE; the Temple of KalBhairav, the God of Destruction; Nasal Chowk; the Gaddi Baithak; the statue of King Pratap Mallal; and the Jagannath Temple.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Patan Square, Patan Museum, Free Time
Location:
Kathmandu
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
The Soaltee Kathmandu
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles, mostly on paved paths with some uneven surfaces. For those participants intending to organize their own Mount Everest scenic flight, prior to breakfast this morning is the time to take this flight, which is not included in this program. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will ride by motorcoach to Patan City, renowned for its marvelous monuments. Patan displays the sacred art of Nepal in an illustrious architectural setting. With our Group Leader, we will explore Patan Square, which is full of ancient palaces, temples, and shrines noted for their exquisite carvings. We will view Krishna Mandir, the only temple in Nepal having 21 spires and completely made of stone. We will also visit Mahabouddha, a Buddhist temple made of clay bricks in which thousands of images of Lord Buddha are engraved. We’ll also visit the Patan Museum, where we can view exhibits that cover a long span of Nepal’s cultural history, as well as the rare objects and cultural treasures for which Patan is famous. Our Group Leader will head our exploration.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant. We will then return to Kathmandu on the motorcoach.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer other suggestions.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
7
Program Concludes, In Transit From Program
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Those who have booked their airfare through Road Scholar will transfer by motorcoach to the airport for flights home. This concludes our program. 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. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Day
8
In Transit From Program
Location:
In Flight
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