Nepal Tour and Trek

Arrival in Kathmandu, pick up by our correspondent and transfer to the hotel and rest of the day free to know the city and the Buddhist and Hindu monasteries. O/N – Kathmandu Hotel.

Sightseeing in Swoyambhunath, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and Kopan Monastery.

In the morning we will start the sightseeing around Kathmandu valley. We will start the sightseeing by visiting UNESCO Listed World Heritage site: Swoyambhunath, popularly known as Monkey temple. It is one of the most glorious Buddhist stupas which is about 2000 years old. The stupa is among the most ancient in this part of the world and its worshippers are diverse from Newar nuns, Tibetan monks and Brahman Priests to lay Buddhist and Hindus. Swoyambhunath provides an excellent view of the Kathmandu valley. On the way back we can also visit Buddha Amideva Park which is a beautiful garden with 3 big statues of Buddha.

From Swoyambunath, we will head to UNESCO Listed World Heritage site: Pashupatinath temple which is a sacred Hindu temple. The temple of Pashupatinath is a large double roofed pagoda of brass and gilt gold; the gateway is plated with silver. There are linga images of Shiva along with statues, shrines and temples dedicated to other deities in the temple complex. There are rows of Shiva shrines and Hindu pilgrims from all over South Asia offering worship to Shiva, the Lord of Destruction. Entrance to the temple precinct is permitted to the Hindus only. However, visitors can clearly see the temple and the activities performed in the temple premises from the vantage point across the bank of the Bagmati River. From across the bank, we can see last rites as per Hindu culture. We can also visit around the local paintings and handicrafts shops near Swoyambhunath.

Close to Pashupatinath, we will drive to UNESCO Listed World Heritage site: Boudhanath, Buddhist temple. It is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world which is 100 meters in diameter, was built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels by the Lichchivi King Mana Deva in the 15th century. The pinnacle of this stupa represents the stages of enlightenment, symbol of royalty, compassion, knowing and nirvana. There are many myths about the origins of the Stupa. Early morning and evening are the times to visit Bouddha to join the local residents in Kora. There is an enclosure with several monasteries of the different schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

Close to Boudhanath, we will drive to Kopan Monastery. This is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. From the very beginning, Kopan was conceived by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche as a place of study and meditation for both the Himalayan sangha and for their many foreign students. In preserving this tradition to this day, Kopan has become a unique place, a meeting place between East and West, between religious and worldly life. (Note: pre booking is required for visit or stay in Kopan monastery.) O/N – Kathmandu Hotel.

Sightseeing in Pharping, Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square.

After breakfast in hotel, we will head towards Pharping. Pharping is the Buddhist pilgrimage site where we will visit Yanglesho & Asura caves in Pharping Monastery. This is the famous Buddhist monastery where Guru Padmasambhava attained level of Mahamudra Vidyadhara. Also, Ausra cave in the monastery is one of the must visit place.

After breakfast we will start our sightseeing to UNESCO Listed World Heritage site: Patan Durbar Square. The major attractions of Patan Durbar Square are the stone temple of Lord Krishna, the Royal Bath with many carvings on stone, Viswanath temple and temple of Bhimsen with a magnificent golden balcony overlooking the square. Many more temple dedicated to Ganesh, the elephant-headed god, Shiva, Narsingh, Taleju and other are situated in the Patan Durbar Square. Also, we can see the historical museum inside the durbar with great ambience. We can also visit around the local markets near Patan.

After the sightseeing in Patan Durbar Square, we will go for the singing bowl and gong artisan workshop. If clients are interested we can book the private session for about 1 hour for in singing bowl and gong artisan workshop in Patan.

After the healing singing bowl session in Patan we will head towards another UNESCO Listed World Heritage site: Bhaktapur Durbar Square which is one of the most charming Architectural showpieces of the valley as it highlights the ancient arts of Nepal. The Square contains innumerable temples and other architectural showpieces like the Lion Gate, the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, the Picture Gallery, the Golden Gate, the palaces of 55 windows, the Batsala temple and the bell of barking dog etc. We can also do the pottery session in Bhaktapur in local pottery making shop and visit around local market.

O/N Bhaktapur – Shiva Guest House (hotel inside Durbar Square).

ightseeing in Panauti and then Namoboudha.

Early morning, after breakfast we will head towards Panauti. Panauti is one of the oldest towns in Nepal consisting of many temples and monuments. It is a small state and has a population of about 15000 people. This historical site consists of variety of Buddhists and Hindu religious monuments making it one of the most important medieval sites. We can find here colourful stones, petals and other items laid out on the pavement to welcome everyone with great hospitality. The town is listed as the UNESCO tentative site since 1996.

Then after, we will head towards the Buddhist pilgrimage site where Lord Buddha sacrificed his body to hungry Tigress and its Cubs. The white painted stupa we find here commemorates the actions of the Buddha Sakyamuni’s self-less sacrifice to feed a starving tiger by offering his own flesh. In fact, this place is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. The stupa is more than 20 ft high and its upper gilded tower is covered with prayer flags. We can attend the morning prayers and chants with monks in the morning (next day), the prayer which monks of Namo buddha perform every morning.

O/N Namoboudha Monastery. (Note: pre booking is required for stay. Accommodation - basic)

Early morning, after breakfast we will drive to Gorkha (135 km) in about 7 hours which lies at an altitude of 1135 m. It is an ancestral home of the Shah Dynasty and home of the original Gorkha soldiers. Gorkha’s attraction is the ancient Gorkha Palace Durbar, which used to be a palace of Shah kings, inside the palace there is a temple of Goddess Gorkha Kali with excellent views of the surrounding valleys and the Manaslu range.

After spending some time at Gorkha we will drive to Bandipur (52 km) which takes about 2 hours. It is also one of the beautiful hill stations in Nepal. Bandipur is an aesthetically beautiful and quiet town. From Bandipur, we can get excellent views of some Himalayas like Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh, Langtang, etc. The Newari town of Bandipur is one of central Nepal’s hidden gems. It combines traditional village architecture, beautiful Himalayan views, countryside walks, local adventure sports and some excellent accommodations. Bandipur has also retained its old temples, shrines, sacred caves, innumerable festivals and its Newari architecture. We can visit Kaga Devi Temple, Tundikhel, Bandipur local market and silk worm farm in Bandipur.

Drive: 7 + 2 = 8/30 hours:
O/N Hotel in Bandipur.

After enjoying beautiful morning in Bandipur we will have breakfast in Bandipur and then drive to Pokhara (80 km) which takes about 3 hours. We will check in Pokhara hotel, after take rest for a while. Pokhara is one of the most beautiful city of Nepal and is also called as city of Lakes, as there are Fewa Lake, Begnas Lake, Rupa Lake, Gunde Lake, Khaste Lake, Nyureni Lake, Maidi Lake & Dipang Lake near Pokhara. Also, if weather is clear we can see the best view of Mount Machhapuchre from Pokhara.

Sightseeing in Pokhara: We will visit Tibetan Refugee Camp at the beginning. Then after we will visit Gupteshore cave, David’s fall, and finally end the day by visiting Tal Barahi temple which is in between the Fewa Lake. If we have time then we can visit Pokhara International Mountaineering Museum.

Drive: 4 hours to Pokhara, O/N Hotel Kantipur.

We will have breakfast in hotel then we get ready to start the trek. At first we will drive from Pokhara – Hemja to Nayapul (41 km) which is about 1 hour drive. On the way to Nayapul we will stop in Hemja to visit Hemja Tashi Palkhiel Tibetan Refugee Camp. After the visit we will again drive towards Nayapul. Upon reaching Nayapul, we will begin our trek and after walking through the straight upward trial we will reach Hille in another 4 hours.

Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul: 1/30 hour
Trekking to Hille: 3/ hours
O/N lodge in Hille.

After having breakfast, we will start trek and reach Ulleri after 3 hours walking through the steps. After having lunch on the way, we will walk towards Ghorepani. From Then after we will walk another 3 hours through the straight upwards trial to reach Ghorepani. On the way towards Ghorepani we will see stunning views of Mt. Machhapuchre. Ghorepani we can see the beautiful views of Himalayas as well as ethnicity of Magar community. This is a beautiful village like a small town and best vibes.

Trekking to Ghorepani: About 5/30 hours.

O/N lodge in Ghorepani.

This day we will wake up before dawn and then hike to Poon hill (3210 m) for majestic view of Annapurna Range during sunrise. We will have to hike through the forest for about 1 and half hour to reach view point of Poon hill. We can see majestic 360-degree view of Himalayas: Himchuli, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tukuche, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, II, III, IV, Lamjung Himal, Machhapuchre and others from the view point. After enjoying the view for a while we will return back to the lodge of Ghorepani and have breakfast.

After breakfast, we will descend back through the same way to Ulleri for about 3 hours. Upon reaching Tikhedhunga, we will drive back to Pokhara which takes about 2 hours.

Trekking: 2 and half hour – back & forth from Poonhill to Ghorepani. And descend back through same way upto Birethati for about 5 hours.

Drive: Birethati to Pokhara: about 2.30 hours
O/N Pokhara Hotel.

Today we will prepare to visit one of the popular destinations for tour where we get to experience the wild life and complete different cultural than from Annapurna region.

We have three options to travel Chitwan from Pokhara, i.e. flight / private vehicle and tourist bus. It takes 20 minutes by flight, about 5 hours by private vehicle and t 6-7 hours by tourist bus to reach Chitwan (Bharatpur).

As we reach hotel in Chitwan, we will be provided with briefing about the program / activities in Chitwan and then we will rest in hotel for a while. In afternoon, we will have lunch and then head to Tharu village walk (Tharu: one of the ethnic groups of Nepal) and visit Tharu Cultural Museum. Tharu people are indigenous to the area, and their culture is very unique, different from what can be found in Nepal or even India. Or those who prefer to explore jungle can opt to go for Jungle Walk where we can watch birds, flora, fauna and get the whole nature experience. At the evening we will have presentation from the experts about Chitwan National Park, animals and so on.

Stay overnight at Jungle Villa.

This day we will have breakfast in the morning and then prepare of the most adventurous and exciting Jeep Safari. The safari will be of 3-4 hours. During the safari, we can see floras, faunas, and different animals like one-horned rhino, countless species of deer, Bisons, and if we are lucky we will have encounter with Royal Bengal Tiger.

After safari we will have lunch and then we will go to visit Crocodile Conservation Project. Established in 1971, the Gharial (distinguished from other crocodiles by its narrow snout) conservation center has been breeding this endangered species and releasing them to the wild every year. At the evening, we will go for canoeing and end our safari for the day. Then at late evening, we will enjoy Tharu Cultural Dance. The dance is an age-old tradition of the Tharus and is usually performed to appease the gods during religious festivals.

Stay overnight at Jungle Villa.

In the morning, we will have breakfast and after that we will depart from Chitwan and return back to Kathmandu either in private vehicle. It takes about 5-6 hours to reach Kathmandu from hotel.

Stay overnight at the Hotel / Resort in Kathmandu.

Enjoy your last day on Kathmandu before departure. At your mentioned departure time our correspondent will pick you up from hotel and transfer to airport and depart you with warm hearts.