06 Nights/ 07 Days

Day 01:                       Arrive in Kathmandu.

You will be met by our representative at the airport and transferred to the hotel.

Overnight at Hotel  [-/-/-]

 Day 02:                       In Kathmandu

Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa and Patan Durbar square

Kathmandu, the largest city of Nepal, is the political as well as the cultural capital of the country. Like any big city, Kathmandu has seen rapid expansion in the last decade, but despite the hustle and bustle so typical of metropolitan cities, its people remain as refreshingly friendly as ever. Retaining its ancient traditions, Kathmandu is blessed by a Living Goddess and is enriched by endless ceremonial processions and events that take to the streets every now and then with throngs of devotees seeking blessings. These religious festivals are steeped in legend and are quite a spectacle with chariot processions and masked dancers often possessed by the spirits of deities.

Vegetable & spice markets: We visit the vegetable & spice market in Ason, and see its many courtyards and bustling bazaars.

The Temple of the Living Goddess: The Kumari Devi is the most important of several living goddesses in Nepal. She is seen on the temple’s balcony regularly.

Durbar Square: ‘Durbar’ means ‘palace’, and takes its name from the old Royal Palace. This is the centre of the old city, and there are a number of interesting temples including Kasthamandap, the House of Wood, which gives the city its name.

Kathmandu Valley comprises the three ancient cities of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, which were once independent states ruled by the Malla kings from the 12^th to the 18^th centuries. The three cities house seven UNESCO World Heritage shrines that are together listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Culture). The valley is also home to hundreds of other exquisite monuments, sculptures, artistic temples and magnificent art – reminders of the golden era in Nepal’s architecture.

Legend has it that the valley was once a primordial lake ringed by verdant mountains.  In this pristine lake lived giant serpents until one fine day, saint Manjushree, the Bodhisatva, raised a mighty sword and in one slash, cut open the side of a mountain at a place now known as Chobar. The voluminous waters of the lake gushed out, leaving behind a fertile valley capable of supporting large urban settlements over the millennia. But the valley’s remarkable cities with their ornate palaces, superbly crafted pagodas and monumental stupas are testimony of the artistic genius of the Newar craftsmen, the original inhabitants of the valley, whose skills were championed by the Malla kings and appreciated even by the Mongol rulers of 18^th century China

Swayambhunath Stupa also known as the Monkey Temple is a UNESCO WORLD Heritage Site. It rests on a hillock 3 km towards the western edge of Kathmandu and is one of the most important and the most sacred Buddhist shrines of Nepal. Legend has it that when Kathmandu Valley was a lake 2000 years ago, a single lotus flower grew at the center of the lake. When Saint Manjushree, the Bodhisatva drained the lake with a single slash of his sword, the lotus settled on top of a hill and magically turned into a stupa. Thus Swayambhunath is also known as a Self-Created stupa.

This stupa is the most ancient and the perhaps the most enigmatic of all holy shrines in Kathmandu. The area surrounding the stupa is filled with smaller chaityas, temples, painted images of deities and numerous other religious objects. There are many small shrines with statues of Tantric and shamanistic deities, prayer wheels for the Tibetan Buddhists, Shiva lingams and a popular Hindu temple dedicated to Harati, the Goddess of smallpox and other epidemics.

Patan: Patan also known as Lalitpur, the city of artisans is a paradise of fine arts and one of the three cities in the Kathmandu Valley. Located 5 miles southeast from the Kathmandu City, Patan is best known for its rich cultural heritage. It is home to the valley’s finest craftsmen who have preserved such ancient techniques as the repoussé and lost wax process used to produce exquisite sculptures. The city retains much of its old charm with its narrow streets, brick houses and multitude of well-preserved Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries (vihars) and monuments. The predominant sound in Patan is that of the tinkering of craftsmen bent over the statuettes they are shaping. As in Kathmandu, Hinduism and Buddhism have co-existed here for ages, influencing each other, and the religious harmony is exemplary.

The city of Patan offers visitors the chance to see an abundance of exquisite works of religious art and architecture. Patan is enclosed within four stupas, built in the 3^rd century AD by Emperor Ashoka. Each stupa is symbolic of the Buddhist Wheel of Righteousness (‘Dharma Chakra’). In the heart of Patan, amidst the Patan marketplace lays the Patan Durbar Square, an area filled with ancient palaces, pagoda temples, stone baths, Hindu and Buddhist statues, engravings and bronze cravings. The Palace of the Malla Kings is one of the highlights of Patan. The palace complex lays the stone temple of Lord Krishna, which was built in the 16^th century A.D. The Royal Bath (known as 'Tushahity') is another showpiece of fine stone and bronze carving in the palace complex.

Patan Durbar Square is one of seven monument zones in the Kathmandu Valley that together have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also located in the square is the Patan Museum, formerly a Malla palace, which houses bronze statues and religious objects, some dating back to the 11th century.

Overnight at Hotel  [B/-/-]

Day 03:                       Drive to Pokhara

After an early breakfast drive to Pokhara which takes around 6 hours. Visit Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, Davis Fall and Phewa Lake.

Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave: Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, across the Devis Fall, is one of the longest caves in Nepal. The cave contains a huge stalagmite worshiped as a Shiva lingam that looks like snake's head and a tortoise body.

Devis Fall: The Devis fall is a lovely waterfall that marks the point where a stream from Phewa Lake vanishes underground through a natural tunnel. The site is named after a Swiss tourist who was unexpectedly swept away while swimming at the Phewa Lake in 1961. The body of the tourist was never recovered.

Phewa Taal: Pokhara offers a variety of places to be explored such as the enchanting Phewa Taal or Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in Nepal. The lake is stream fed but a dam regulates the water reserve, therefore, it is classifies as semi-natural freshwater lake. The lake offers boating services to enjoy the beauty and serenity Pokhara has to offer. Wooden boats can be rented along the shoreline. The north shore of the lake has developed into a lakeside tourist hub with a number of souvenir stores, bookshops, hotels, restaurants and bars catering to tourists.

Barahi Temple – the island temple: The two-story pagoda of the Barahi Temple is situated in a small island in the Phewa Lake surrounded by marvelous views. This Hindu temple in Nepal is dedicated to Goddess Ajima in the form of a boar called Barahi to pierce her evil enemies with her pointed tusks. Barahi is pictured with the face of a boar with a cup in one hand and fish in the other. Barahi Temple is a very important center of worship for the Hindu devotees and locals as well as tourists constantly visit the temple.

Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-]

 Day 04:                       Drive to Chitwan

Early morning transfer to Sarangkot and visit International Mountain Museum. Then drive to Chitwan which takes around 4 hours.

Sarankot: Sarankot is a beautiful village located on a mountainside ridge at an altitude of 1600m with panoramic Himalayan views, from Dhaulagiri in the far west and Pokhara city in the south with the Phewa lake on the north-western outskirts of the city.

International Mountain Museum: The International Mountain Museum is dedicated to the mountains of Nepal and the mountaineers who have climbed them. The museum displays the history, culture, geology, flora and fauna of the Himalayas.

Chitwan literally means “Heart of the jungle”. The Chitwan National Park is located in the lush valley of the Chitwan District, 75 miles south west of Kathmandu, in the foothills of the Churia Ranges. Formerly known as The Royal Chitwan National Park, Chitwan National Park was established in 1973 and is the first national park in Nepal. It was enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Natural) in 1984.

Overnight at Hotel  [B/L/D]

Day 05:           In Chitwan

All the jungle activities as per the package provided by the hotel.

Overnight at Hotel [B/L/D]

Day 06:           Drive back to Kathmandu

After breakfast drive back to Kathmandu which takes around 5 hours. Visit Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple

Boudhanath Stupa: It is one of the most imposing landmarks of Kathmandu and is a center of Tibetan Buddhism. The stupa is built on a massive three level mandala style platform and is 36 meters (118 feet) in height. The base of the stupa is adorned with 108 small images of the Dhyani Amitabha Buddha and inset with prayer wheels. Thousands of pilgrims circle the stupa in a clockwise direction each day spinning the prayer wheels. It is said that each spin of a prayer wheel is the equivalent of reciting the mantra. The stupa’s massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal. The ancient stupa is one of the largest in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet that enters the Kathmandu Valley by the village of Sankhu in the northeast corner. Tibetan merchants have rested and offered prayers here for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Boudhanath. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of a Buddhist sage, perhaps parts of the Buddha’s body (bones, teeth), or sacred texts and other ceremonial objects.

Pashupatinath Temple: The magnificent temple of Pashupatinath with its astonishing architectural beauty is situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River. The temple built in pagoda style has gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. The temple stands as a symbol of faith, region, culture and tradition. Dedicated to the Hindu God of Destruction, Lord Shiva, this temple is regarded as the most sacred temple of all Lord Shiva temples. The richly ornamented pagoda houses the sacred linga or phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Every year thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to pay homage to this temple. Non-Hindu visitors are strictly prohibited to enter the temple however; they are permitted to view the temple from the east banks of the River Bagmati.

Pashupatinath is also Nepal's most renowned Hindu cremation site. In the Hindu Culture, after a person is dead, his/her body is wrapped in cloth, placed on bamboo litters and brought to the cremation site where the eldest son in the family burns the body. The ashes from the dead body are collected and swept into the River Bagmati that eventually joins the Holy Ganges. Arya Ghat, is of special importance because it is here the members of the royal family were cremated. The main cremation site is Bhasmeshvar Ghat, which is the most-used cremation site in the Kathmandu Valley.

Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-]

Day 07:           Final Departure

After breakfast drive to airport for your flight onward.

The Cost Includes:

• Necessary arrival and departure transfers.
• Meet and assistance at the airport by our representative and transfer to the hotel.
• 03 nights’ accommodation at Hotel Tibet or Similar – Kathmandu on twin room occupancy on bed and breakfast plan.
• 01 night accommodation at Mt. Kailash Resort – Pokhara on twin room occupancy on bed and breakfast plan.
• 02 nights’ accommodation at Hotel Parkside – Chitwan on twin room occupancy on AP (full board) plan.
• Sightseeing tour and all surface transfers in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan will be provided as per the itinerary with English speaking local guide by private vehicle.
• All the necessary surface transfer as per the itinerary by private vehicle

 

The Cost Excludes:

• Nepalese Visa.
• International Airfare and taxes.
• Insurance and rescue of any form.
• Cost arising out of flight cancellation/road blockades/landslides and reasons beyond our control.
• Expenses of personal nature and any other expenses not mentioned in the above cost.
• Gratuities, Tipping to guides and drivers

• Personal insurance policy - suggested a comprehensive travel insurance covering tour and flight cancellations, loss of valuables, thefts, illness, accidents and hospitalization; and most of all Emergency Helicopter Evacuation.
• Expenses incurred by re-routing, inclement weather, floods, famine, political disruptions, strikes, riots and other disturbances.
• Meals which are not mentioned on cost inclusion.
• Any other thing that is not mentioned in cost inclusion.