GASTRONOMICAL ADVENTURE

The day begins with a breakfast at the hotel.

Today we’re taking you to the Oldest Historic Durbar Square of Bhaktapur. On the way to Bhaktapur, we stop for a quick bite at Thimi. You will be served Bara as a quick snack.

This is a traditional Nepali appetizer made of spiced lentil patties cooked on a tawa, a thick-bottomed cast iron pan. These flavorful lentil patties are seasoned with spices and topped with any combination of minced meat or seasonal fresh vegetables. If you can tolerate hot and spicy foods, you can taste spicy potato salad. Boiled potatoes are cut into small pieces, mixed with spices and tempered with mustard oil is just perfection on the plate.

After visiting the famous and beautiful Durbar Square, you can relax by relishing some of the famous Juju Dhau. Dhau Juju is a deliciously thick and creamy yoghurt, which is the traditional dessert of Bhaktapur. Juju Dhau translates to King of Yogurt; it is a must-have at almost any celebration and feast.

Return to the hotel and spend the night at The Thamel House.

Following the breakfast at the hotel, we take you on a Rickshaw ride to Kathmandu Durbar Square. After visiting various temples in the square our next stop for some delicious delight at Narayan Dai ko Momo. Momo, are dumplings with vegetable or meat filling options, is Nepal’s favourite dish. Aside from the dumplings, the sauce (momo achaar) will tantalize your taste bud. Dunk your steaming hot momo in the chilled and delicious tangy sauce to get the ultimate combination of flavours. Immerse yourself in the richness of the momo sauce, which is made of a generous amount of spices and sesame paste that further enhances the overall taste of momo.

After MoMo, our next stop will be Ranjana Soda, a perfect lemon soda to wash down the delicious momo. Ranjana Soda has been providing its patrons with refreshing drinks since the early 1960s. Also, you can customise the flavour of your soda with options like lemon, mango, litchi, orange, cola, and more.

In the evening you are scheduled for some Aila tasting. Aila is a traditional Newari drink, made by blending fermented millet, rice, and grains, which CNN has named as one of the “50 most delicious drinks in the world.” Ila is served with Sukuti and Gundruk sandeko, a spicy side dish that goes perfectly with smooth Aila. Sukuti is smoked dried meat mixed with Gundruk, a fermented leafy green vegetable made from mustard leaves, radish leaves, and cauliflower leaves. This dish is made by combining soaked gundruk, diced onion, green chillies, tomato, garlic, ginger, mustard oil, fenugreek, turmeric, lemon, salt, and black soybeans. It elevates your dining experience to a whole new level with its sour, hot, and smoky flavours.

Overnight stay at Thamel House.

We travel to Kirtipur after breakfast.

You will arrive at Newa Lahana Restaurant in Kirtipur for Newari Khaja (snack) after strolling through the lanes of Kirtipur, an old Newar settlement on the hill to the south of the Valley. Newari Khaja is a platter with different items; it includes baji (beaten rice), achar (pickled salad), chhoyela (super spicy smoked meat), egg, roasted soybeans, bara, Aalu Tama (potato with bamboo shoots), and chhyang (rice beer).

The restaurant has very traditional architecture and décor, making the experience even more memorable.

Overnight stay at Thamel House.

Today’s lunch will be the traditional Nepali thali at the Marriott Hotel in Kathmandu. Thali contains a traditional Nepali meal consisting of steamed rice served with lentil soup and a variety of vegetables, meat, pickles, and yoghurt. Nepali Daal Bhaat or Thali is a hearty dish that is extremely satisfying.

During your stay, Nepali Thali will be served at least once a day, in the morning or evening.

Following this heavy meal, we take you to the Royal Palace Museum.

Return to the hotel, and spend the night at Thamel House.

Today’s breakfast will include Yomari and Chatamari.

Yomari is a traditional rice flour and molasses dish. Yomari is almost like rice flour dumplings but thicker and conch shaped, filled with chakra (a thick paste made with molasses, spices, sesame seeds and grated dried coconut). Yomari filled with khuwa (semi-solidified milk), lentils and meat is also popular.

Chatamari is a traditional Newari dish where rice batter is cooked on a pan into thick round bread and various ingredients are used to garnish the top, giving it an exotic appearance and taste. Chatamari might appear like pizza, but the taste is not the same.

Breakfast will be followed by a visit to Boudha Nath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple, both are World Heritage Sites with religious significance.

Afternoon lunch will be the interesting traditional meal, Dhedo at Alice’s Restaurant

Dhedo is prepared by blending millet, wheat, buckwheat, or maize flour with boiling water till it becomes sticky mashed potato consistency. Dhedo is served with all traditional side dishes served with rice and a dollop of ghee (clarified butter).

Delicacies for the night will be Sukuti and Gundruk served with Aila at Nepal Mayur House.

The Star of the evening is a traditional Nepali dessert – Gudpak. Gudpak is slow-cooked milk solids with almond slivers and grated coconut till it turns golden brown. Served warm, this delicacy is so nutritious that it is usually consumed by new mothers.

Overnight stay at Thamel House.

Breakfast and airport transfer.

SUBHA YATRA