Nepal calling: Holy stupas, what a view!

With your backpack over your shoulders and a beaming smile, you're standing at the airport of your choosing, ready for your adventure in Nepal! Your plane takes to the evening skies, and you can hardly believe that you'll reach your dream in just about half a day. And speaking of dreams, as you fly through the night, you're already dreaming of hiking in the Himalayas, majestic temples and exciting encounters!

As you catch your first glimpse of the Himalayan mountains and Kathmandu's buildings, your heart leaps in your chest – you can hardly wait to discover this magical country! When you land in Kathmandu, your guide welcomes you with a warm 'svāgatam' and you instantly feel at home. You head straight to where you're staying and relax for a bit before diving right into your Nepal adventure. Over a welcome dinner, you get to know your guide even better and have a laid-back chat about the route, highlights and insider travel tips for the days to come. Afterwards, there's still time for a first look around. The sounds of the streets, the delicious smell of street food, the colourful buzz of the city – the vibrant mix of commotion and magic instantly leaves you gobsmacked. Kathmandu has you in its grasp from the moment you arrive.

It's finally time to really get going and start exploring Kathmandu! With your guide by your side, you immerse yourself in a city that's simply everything at once: loud and quiet, chaotic and spiritual, ancient and bursting with life. First stop: the legendary Pashupatinath Temple. Between billows of smoke, prayers and rituals, you instantly feel the sacred atmosphere. Next up: the Boudhanath Stupa. Colourful banners of prayer flutter in the wind, pilgrims circle the monument in quiet devotion and you just flow along with the peaceful energy. After that, you're off to Durbar Square for ancient royal palaces, the finest wood carvings and stories of a distant time that feel like they're from another universe.

After touring the streets of Kathmandu, it's time to head out into the surrounding countryside. So together with your guide, you escape the big-city hubbub and make your way to Bhaktapur. The whole place feels like one giant, living museum, and amongst its ancient squares, temples and brick alleyways, you dive right into the Newari culture – from traditional handicrafts to street life and history. Then it's on to Nagarkot, a chill hilltop village with jaw-dropping views of the Himalayan peaks, sweeping valleys and, if you're lucky, even Mt Everest. After a bit of exploring, the sun starts to sink behind the mighty mountains, and it's time to press pause and just bask in the moment.