Four days in Kathmandu with a local historian and community guide. Ancient temples, artisan families, neighbourhood markets and the city's contemporary creative scene — none of it filterd through a tourist lens.
Arrive Kathmandu (TIA), transfer to hotel. Evening orientation walk through Thamel with your guide — tea stop in a Newari courtyard, first look at the city.
Morning at Pashupatinath temple on the sacred Bagmati River. Afternoon: Boudhanath stupa — one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world. Evening: Asan bazaar street food walk.
Full-day excursion to Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Patan — better preserved than Kathmandu and less crowded. Lunch in a traditional Newari restaurant. Afternoon: Patan's metalwork artisan quarter.
Morning at Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) at sunrise. Cooking class with a local family. Afternoon: debrief, packing, transfer to airport for evening or overnight flights home.