12N-13D
GLIMPSE OF NEPAL
Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and is bordered to the north by the People’s Republic of China and to the south, east and west by the Republic of India. With an area of 147,181 square kilometres (56,827 square miles) and a population of approximately 30 million, Nepal is the 93rd largest country in the world by landmass and the 41st most populous country. Kathmandu is the capital of the country and the largest metropolis in the country.
You can take a close look at how beautifully sculpted and carved the Hindu temples and shrines in the Kathmandu Valley, its colourful bazaars, and the eclectic atmosphere that covers it are. The exquisite calligraphy and carvings of incredible works of art, the skill of the painters and artists who created murals and images can be seen up close in every corner of Kathmandu.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 – 14April ’24 | Sunday: Arrive Kathmandu.
Welcome to Nepal.
Namaste!
Flight # AIR INDIA – AI215
Departs India: 1255Hrs
Arrives Kathmandu: 1455Hrs
On arrival in Kathmandu: Having cleared immigration, collected your luggage and passed through customs, please make your way towards the exit of the terminal building where you will see a bank of people waiting. Amongst them will be an Office Representative who will be waiting to greet you with a paging board.
Kathmandu the capital of Nepal situated in a valley, approximately at altitude of 4,600 ft. The city is the gateway to Nepal Tourism and the centre of the country’s economy. Its history dates back to over 2000 years ago and it was the ancient trade route between India and Tibet, which originated a fusion of artistic and architectural traditions of other cultures that can be witnessed even today.
Transfer to Hotel. Check in at hotel.
Overnight is at Nepali Ghar.
Day 02 – 15April ’24 | Monday: Kathmandu City Tour
Breakfast is at hotel.
Visit, Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Squareis at the heart of the city, an excellent place to linger, within easy walking distance of many historical attractions. The entire complex consists of various tiered temples with extremely beautiful wood carvings, crafted by Newari artisans of the medieval era. Although there are beautiful temples like the Jagannath Temple, Kotilingeshwara Mahadev, and the Mahendreswara Temple, the Taleju Temple is the largest one in the entire complex and holds far greater significance.Along with the many temples that glint in the Himalayan sun, you can also visit Kasthamandap, the temple that gave Kathmandu its name. Kasthamandap is a beautiful wooden temple constructed with the wood of one single tree. Next to it, there is athree-storied temple with a courtyard – the famed Kumari Bahal. This temple is the residence of the Kumari, the living Goddess. The Kumari Devi is a part of a ceremonial parade during the Newari festival of Indra Jatra.
Drive towardsBoudhanath which is possibly the world's largest Buddhist stupa (temple) and a site of great veneration for Buddhists. Around the stupa a number of monasteries have sprung up number of the different sects of Tibetan Buddhism including one (on the west side of the stupa) that houses an enormous seated statue of Maitreya Buddha splendidly adorned. The Stupa is located in the area of ancient trade route to Tibet where Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers for many centuries.
When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Boudhanath. Hence, a complete township has developed around Boudhanath. The stupa is said to entomb the remains of a Kasyap sage venerable both to Buddhists and Hindus. Smaller Stupas are located at the base. Gompa monasteries, curio shops, and restaurants surround Boudhanath.
Witness Kora (circumnutation of stupa by Buddhists with prayer’s wheel and rosary in their hands and preaching “OM MANE PADME HUM”.
Enhancement Activities:
1. Light up the Butter lamp and offer to Buddha, this is Buddhist custom at the Stupa.
Later, visit Pashupatinath which is one of the holiest Hindu Shrines. This is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the most important religious sites among the four in the world. Pashupatinath Temple's existence dates back to 400 A.D. The temple covers a huge area and the river Baghmati flows through the premise which is a very holy river. Cremations of the Hindus take place on the river bank where there is a raised platform.
Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to pay homage to this temple that is also known as 'The Temple of Living Beings presiding deity here is Shiva, who is worshipped in the form of the lingam. However, only Hindus are allowed inside.
Experience Aarti ceremony: Aarti is a Hindu religious ritual of worship, a part of puja, in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to one or more deities. Here, when the lights/lamps are being offered to Pashupatinath the songs in praise of the lord Shiva are sung.
Drive back to the hotel.
Overnight is at Nepali Ghar.
Day 03 – 16 April ’24 | Tuesday: Kathmandu - Dhulikhel
Breakfast is at hotel.
Drive towards Namo buddha[about 45Kms/ 01 – 02 hrs. Approx.]
Namo Buddha is an ancient and famous Buddhist monastery in Nepal situation at 1750 meters. situated near Panauti in Kavre District. The monastery is surrounded by Tamang settlements. A special Buddhist legend of King Mahasattvaonce came across a tigress who had given birth to cubs, but she was so frail and weak that she could not go out hunting, leaving her cubs to die of starvation.offering his body to a hungry tigress at the very place also makes Namo Buddha a holy site for Buddhist people.
Visit Dhulikhel: Dhulikel is located at 2,200 meters above sea level, in a site that allows you to see the Himalayan range, including Lhotse (8,511 m), Everest (8,848 m), Makâlû (8,598 m) from the East, and Manaslu (8,156 m), the 4 Annapurnas in the West.
Later, after sightseeing drive towards Bhaktapur.
Upon arrival check in at hotel.
Overnight is at hotel in Bhaktapur.
Day 04 – 17 April ’24 | Wednesday: Bhaktapur
Breakfast is at the hotel.
Visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
Bhaktapur is located about 20 km east of Kathmandu and drive around 30 min. Bhaktapur is another Newar city founded in the 9th century. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is located in the center of Bhaktapur. The Square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights some of the finest medieval arts of Nepal. The main items of interest in Bhaktapur Durbar Square are the Lion Gate, the Golden Gate and the statues of kings on stone monoliths.
The Golden Gate was erected by King Ranjit Malla as the entrance to the main courtyard of the Fifty-five Windowed Palace. The Palace of Fifty-five Windows was built during the reign of King Yakshya Malla in A.D. 1427 and was remodeled by King Bhupatindra Malla in the 17th Century. Bhaktapur Durbar (Royal) Square was added to the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1979.
Enhancement Activities:
1. Taste Juju Curd: Bhaktapur had been a city from where the local special curd was always supplied to the royal palace. In this way, the local curd got a name “Juju Dhau”, “Juju” means King, and “Dhau” means curd. We will taste this special curd from one of the local producers.
Later, after sightseeing drive back to hotel.
Overnight is at hotel heritage.
Day 05 – 18 April ’24 | Thursday: Bhaktapur - Patan
Breakfast is at hotel.
Patan is better known as "The city of a thousand golden roofs."
Once separated from the capital, Patan and Kathmandu are now separated only by a bridge over the Bagmati River. The city of Patan has recovered its label of origin "Lalitpur". The historic heart of the city is entangled with narrow streets and theatrical decoration: brick houses with carved wooden balconies and bronze decorations, patios and backyards that house oratories, temples, etc. The city is famous throughout the country for its tradition of blacksmithing and goldsmithing. Artisans model effigies of the divinities of the Hindu and Buddhist pantheons.
Many stupas, chaytyas and bahals (ancient Buddhist monasteries) attest to the long history of Buddhism in the city that remains today a Bastion of Newars Buddhism in the Kathmandu Valley. The four stupas, erected in the four cardinal points, originally defined the city. They were erected during the reign of Emperor Ashoka some 250 years before our era.
In the afternoon, visit to theancient village of Bungmati/Khokana.
The village of Bungmati and Khokana, a complex of cultural amalgamation is just 10 Kilometers from Kathmandu. These small Newari villages in Latitpur district of Nepal dates back to 6thcentury but the prominent artifacts are of since medieval period of Nepal. Though these villages are close of Nepal's capital: Kathmandu, they are least influenced by modernity and so bears a huge capability of accepting cultural tourists.
On this excursion, one can admire traditional architecture along with spiritual charm of Rudrayani Temple, Sikali Mai Temple, Karya Binayak Temple and Rato Machhindranath Temple. Khokana is also famous for local mustard oil too. You will see local peoples enjoying on their own traditional lifestyle, sitting in common courtyards, weaving, chatting, working and assisting each other.
After sightseeing drive back to hotel.
Upon arrival check in at hotel.
Overnight is at hotel at The Inn Patan.
Day 06 – 20 April ’24 | Saturday: Pokhara- Nayapul- Ulleri (Hike)
Breakfast is at hotel
TREK MAP:
Short description About Trek:
1. Pokhara – Nayapul (01 hrs. Drive) – Ulleri hike (05hrs approx.) Overnight at Ulleri.
2. Trek from Ulleri – Ghorepani (05 hrs. approx.) Overnight at Ghorepani.
3. In the morning trek to Poonhill (1.5 hrs. approx.) - Trek to Tadapani (06 hrs. approx). Overnight at Tadapani
4. Trek from Tadapani – Ghandruk (05 hrs. approx.) - Drive towards Pokhara (03 hrs. approx.). Ovenight at Pokhara.
After breakfast drive towards Nayapool (1.5 hour) and trek to Ulleri (2050m/5 hours trek)
Your guide will be waiting for you at the lobby and pick-up for your transfer to Nayapool. You will drive through small and winding mountain roads offering excellent view of Pokhara valley floor with panoramic view of mountains. Start your trek from Nayapool through forests crossing the suspension bridge near to Tikhedhunga. Start your uphill climb through 1000 stone steps to reach to Ulleri village
Lunch, Dinner & Overnight at Local Lodge.
Day 07 – 21 April ’24 | Sunday: Ulleri - Ghorepani
Breakfast is at Local Lodge.
Trek from Ulleri to Ghorepani (2,750m/5 hours trek)
After breakfast at local lodge, start climb to Ghorepani village. Ghorepani is typical mountain village dotted with Gurung community on the foothills of the Annapurna Mountain. You will see panoramic view of Annapurna South and Nilgiri mountains from the village.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Overnight at Local Lodge.
Day 08 – 22 April ’24 | Monday: Ghorepani - Tadapani
Breakfast is at Local Lodge.
Sunrise Excursion to Poonhill (3210m) and Trek to Tadapani (2,700m/6 hours trek)
You will enjoy excursion to Poonhill view point to catch magnificent view of sunrise view. After sun strikes the mountains the color of mountains changes from white to orange. View includes 180 Degree view of Himalayan panorama stretching from Dhaulagiri massif till Fishtail Mountain including Annapurna ranges between. Spend some time at the top and return back to lodge for breakfast.
After breakfast, start your trek to Tadapani village.
Descend through forest area with waterfalls and small settlements en-route.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Overnight at Local Lodge
Day 09 – 23 April ’24 | Tuesday:Tadapani – Ghandruk - Pokhara
Breakfast is at Local Lodge.
Trek towards Ghandrung & drive towards Pokhara.
Descend through the trekking trail passing through Rhododendron Forest. When the Rhododendron flower blossoms then entire forest turns to red. Arrive at Ghandrung in the lunch time. After lunch, enjoy short excursion to Old Ghandrung village with visit to local museum. Ghandrung is Gurung village situated on the slop of the hill ridge overlooking Annapurna south and Hiunchuli mountain.
Upon arrival at Ghandruk 01 hrs excursion at Ghandruk village.
Day 10 – 24 April ’24 | Wednesday: Pokhara - Chitwan
Breakfast is athotel.
Drive towards Chitwan. [180kms/05 - 06 hrs approx.]
Chitwan National Park today stands as a successful testimony of nature conservation in South Asia. This is the first national park of Nepal established in 1973 to preserve a unique ecosystem significantly valuable to the whole world. The park covering a pristine area of 932 sq. km is situated in the subtropical inner Terai lowlands of southern central part of Nepal. There are more than 43 species of mammals in the park. The park is especially renowned for the protection of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, gharial Crocodile along with many other common species of wild animals. The estimated population of endangered species of animals such as gaur, wild elephant, four horned antelopes, striped hyena, pangolin, gangetic dolphin, monitor lizard and python, chital, hog deer, barking deer, sloth, palm civet, wild dog, langur, rhesus monkey, etc.
Lunch is served at the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure or visit to the nearby Tharu village.
In the late afternoon, visit the local Tharu village to learn more about their lifestyle, culture, religion, etc. Tharu are the oldest tribes in this region and have more than 100 years of history. It is also called people immune to malaria since they are only tribes that survived in this area when it was maltreated by malaria before it was eradicated in the 1960s. The Tharu villages are characterized by homes made of locally sourced materials, usually bamboo plastered with mud and decorated with colorful handprints. While this community was isolated for decades, and lived off the forest, most of them are now into agriculture, fishing, and cattle rearing.
Later, drive back to hotel.
Dinner & overnight is at Green Mansion Jungle resort.
Day 11 – 25 April ’24 | Thursday: Jungle Activities
Breakfast is at hotel.
In the morning, experience the most exciting activity in Chitwan - Jeep Safari. Enjoy Jeep safari, an unusual program, beginning as a jeep safari with an experienced driver at the wheel and an expert naturalist leading you deep inside the forests on motor able tracks, exploring the mystery and magic of the jungle from the comfort of your seat.
This exciting activity lasts from 3 hrs. Up to 4 hrs. in search of wild animals such as several types of deer (spotted dear, barking dear, hug dear), monkeys, wild boar, sloth bear, Hyena, leopard and, if lucky, the Royal Bengal tiger. Apart from the wild animals, we would visit deep inside the national park where the Naturist would brief you about the forest and its types, trees and its species, different species of birds etc.
(***Jeep safari inside the national park is not possible during monsoon period if the driving trail is damaged. In this case, we will provide jeep safari in the community forest)
After jeep safari return back to resort for lunch.
In the afternoon, canoe ride at Rapti River.
Start boating in a traditional patela boat for about 45 minutes which takes you on a silent trip down the Rapti River to view aquatic birds, crocodiles, Gharials and the animals of the river banks. After boating walk back to the resort. Note: For those not interested to walk, there is a provision for vehicle to drive back to the resort.
In the evening, Tharu Stick dance: Farmers of the nearby villages will show some of their traditional skills and dances.
Dinner & Overnight is at Green Mansion Jungle Resort.
Day 12 – 26 April ’24 | Friday: Chitwan - Kathmandu
Breakfast is at hotel.
The drives in Nepal are scenic, landscapes and the highway run near the river at many places which makes it even more beautiful and pleasant. The roads are not necessarily the best in the world as it’s a mountainous country hence we tend to take it slow, few stops in between at suspension bridge for photographs or to a local village for a small interaction experience with the locals.
Upon arrival check in at hotel.
Overnight is at Nepali ghar.
Day 13 – 27 April ’24 | Saturday: Departure
Breakfast is at hotel.
Flight # AIR INDIA – AI214
Departs Kathmandu: 1005Hrs
Arrives India: 1135Hrs
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination. Our representative will help you with exit formalities and then bid you farewell.