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Detail Itinerary:
DAY 01: Arrive in Kathmandu:
Upon arrival at Tribhuwan
international airport, welcomed
by our representative and
transfer to hotel. The remainder
of the afternoon is at leisure.
A pre trip meeting and briefing
will held all together with you
at hotel about the daily program
activities by company
representative and your trip
Leader/Guide where you can
discuss your final questions all
together.
DAY 02: Kathmandu Excursion:
After breakfast the day will
start with a guided tour of
Kathmandu's historical and
spiritual key attractions;
including the historic Kathmndu
Durbar Square, the famous
'Monkey Temple' (Swoyambunath)
Pashupatinath and Bouddnath: In
the morning we start our
sightseeing by visiting
Kathmandu Durbar Square. Durbar
Square is the spiritual heart of
Kathmandu. The old royal palace
at the centre of the city was
surrounded by temples and other
important buildings. This is the
most important point in
Kathmandu to observe the culture
and religion of Nepal. We also
visit the temple of living
goddess Kumari. After Durbar
Square we will visit
Swoyambhunath. The Stupa at
Swoyambhunath is the most
important and oldest site of
Buddhist worship in Nepal.
Swoyambhunath Stupa is famous
for the eyes of Buddha which
seem to observing the world from
all 4 directions. After
Swoyambhunath we visit beneath.
Beneath is the largest Stupa of
Nepal. Around the octagonal base
of Stupa there are 108 images of
Buddha where prayer ceremonies
of Buddhist Lamas are taking
place since over 2000 years. Now
we proceed to the temple city of
Pashupatinath which is Nepal's
most important Hindu pilgrim
site on the banks of the Bagmati
River. The temple of
Pashupatinath is dedicated to
god Shiva.
DAY 03: Excursion to Bhaktapur
and drive to Nagarkot: After
breakfast the day will start
with a guided tour of Bhaktapur
which is one of the oldest
cities in Kathmandu valley. It
is well known as Living Museum.
Old brick paved enclave of old
Royal palace, Nyathapola Temple,
Datatriya temple exquisite
artwork offers a picture of the
grandeur of medieval Nepal. It
is very famous for woodcarving
and pottery products. We then
proceed on tour of Changunarayan
- this is one of the oldest
Hindu temples in Kathmandu
valley that exists in the valley
dating back to the 4th century
then evening we drive to
Nagarkot. Nagarkot is situated
(2194m) above the sea level.
This spot provides an excellent
view of the sunset and Mt.
Everest can be seen on a clear
day.
DAY 04: Nagarkot drive to
Dhulikhel: Wake up early to
watch the sunrise spectacular
down the first rays of the sun
firing the peaks a hilliest red
slowly lighting of the Himalayas
from Kanchenjunga and Everest in
the far east of Annapurna and
Dhaulagiri in the west. After
breakfast we'll drive to
Dhulikhel. Which is situated
(1700m) from sea level and
30-kms north of Kathmandu? This
is perfect place to see the
sunset, sunrise & Himalayan
ranges. Afternoon enjoy the
optional activities such as
hiking to Navabouddha, Buddhists
call it "Tamangligi", the famous
Buddhist spot, where Lord Buddha
(on 7th re-incarnation)
sacrificed his body to hungry
Tigress and its cubs then return
to hotel.
DAY 05: Kathmandu excursion
to Daksinkali and Patan:
After breakfast we drive to
Daksinkali to see the animal
sacrifices. Daksinkali temple
located at the foothills south
of the valley is the most
important venue of animal
sacrifices to the goddess Kali.
En-route we visit Pharping
Monastery & Chovar Gorge. The
Buddhist history says, Milerapa
from Tibet took one night
shelter in the cave, and
accordingly blessed this
monastery. Hindus have their
version that it was Pancha
Pandav who had visited this
place. The Chovar gorge, which
god Manjushree to create the
Kathmandu valley drained the
waters of primeval lake. We then
finally visit to Patan Durbar
Square - this is beautiful
Durbar Square in Kathmandu
valley. It is very famous for
woodcarving, metal works,
temples and Monasteries. Tour of
Patan includes tour of Krishna
temple, Patan king’s palace,
Golden temple and much more.
DAY 06: Kathmandu drive to
Pokhara: This morning we
drive out over the rim of the
Kathmandu Valley before
descending to follow the Trisuli
River Valley. On a clear
morning, views of the Ganesh,
Manaslu and Annapurna ranges can
be seen as we head west to the
town of Pokhara. This is one of
the leading tourist destinations
in Nepal, situated at an
altitude of 820 meters above the
sea level and is 200 kilometers
west of Kathmandu. This is the
magic city in the sense that you
can enjoy exotic view of
Machhapuchhre (6977m) very close
from Pokhara city. Moreover,
Pokhara offers panoramic views
of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri,
Manaslu, Himchuli and more. The
valley is famous for natural and
cultural beauty that has more
than seven lakes, out of them
Fewa and Rupa are very
attractive for tourists. There
are many Sightseeing places to
visit like Phewa Lake, Temple
Barahi, Devi’s fall, Gupteswor
Cave, Begnas Lake, Rupa Lake,
Bindhyabasini Temple, World
Peace Stupa, Seti Nadi Gorge,
Buddhist Monasteries,
International Mountain Museum,
Mahendra Cave and Sarangkot Hill
etc. This is one of the best
Picturesque Spot and provides
such a dramatic view in a
sub-tropical setting in Nepal.
After a driving journey of six
hours, we arrive in the early
afternoon and check into our
hotel. The rest of the afternoon
is free to wander around the
shops or relax in one of the
cafes by the lakeside.
Alternatively there is the
option of a boat ride out on to
the lake.
DAY 07: Explore around Pokhara:
Wake up early in the morning
get fresh, have breakfast and
get ready to drive up to
Sarangkot to view different
kinds of Himalayan ranges and
sunrise view. Sarangkot is one
of the trekking spot and
well-known view points. We will
spend about two to two and half
hour to explore the near by
area, and to know about the
names and value of the mountains
seen from there. By eleven
o’clock or so we will drive back
from Sarangkot to visit Devi's
fall for about an hour and drive
back to main Pokhara city for
lunch. After lunch visit Pokhara
City including David’s fall,
Tibetan refugee camp and its
handicraft centre. In the
evening drive to Fewa lake side
and enjoy free time. This free
time can be used by making an
hours boating on Lake Fewa
enjoying the calm environment of
sun-set time with the changing
colors of the giant Himalayan
range that cradles the Pokhara
city. Pokhara is one of the most
beautiful cities of Nepal, to
the mid-western region of Nepal.
It is richly decorated by
beautiful nature on earth. The
most beautiful jewel of Pokhara
Mountain called Mt.
Machhapuchhare with Mt.
Annapurna and Lamjung.
DAY 08: Pokhara drive to
Gorkha: After celebrating
the Christmas Eve at Pokhara we
drive to Gorkha which is
situated at 140-kms west of
Kathmandu at an altitude of
1135m, Gorkha offers panoramic
views of snow-fed mountains. It
is the birthplace of King
Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great,
founder of modern Nepal and
ancestral hometown of the Shah
dynasty of Nepal. It is situated
on a hilltop, just around 18-kms
up a paved road of the
Pokhara-Kathmandu Highway.
Gorkha's small town is perhaps
the most important historical
town of Nepal.
Gorkha is also a national
pilgrimage spot. Its centerpiece
is the seventeenth-century
Gorkha Durbar, which is a fort,
a palace and a temple with
excellent views of the Manaslu
range. If you seek to trek from
Gorkha, there is no where a
better place to taste some of
Nepal's hillside experience than
from Gorkha.
Main attraction this town to
Gorkha Durbar - It is the main
attraction of Gorkha, an hour
steep walk up a hill from the
bazaar area. It is used to be
the dwelling of King Prithvi
Narayan Shah and his ancestors.
The Durbar itself is a humble,
yet quite impressive complex of
a temple, fort, and a palace
built in the Newari style of
Kathmandu. The view of the
Himalayan range and the deep
valleys from up there is quite
wonderful. Gorakhnath Cave - Ten
meters below the palace's
southern side, is the sacred
temple of Gorakhnath. The cave
is carved out of the solid rock
and is among the most important
religious sites for mainstream
Brahmins and Chhetris of Nepal.
Gorkha Bazaar - It is primarily
a cobbled street market place
whereby people from neighboring
hill dwelling come to trade.
There are a few temples nearby
like Kalika Mandir (Temple) up
the hill from the main bazaar.
Yet, it is worth a visit as it
provides a very good vista of
the quiet charm that soaks a
typical hill village of Nepal.
Upallokot - It is situated at a
20 minute walking distance from
Gorkha Palace. There is a
viewing platform at an altitude
of 1520m in Upallokot from where
the fantastic view of Gorkha
Palace and the silver shining
snow-fed peaks can be enjoyed.
Manakamana Temple - On a
beautiful ridge southeast of the
township of Gorkha lies the holy
temple of Manakamana, the holly
goddess of aspirations. It is a
famous pilgrimage site for
Hindus. It can be reached by
hiking from Abu Khaireni (3 hrs)
or by cable car from Cheres on
the main highway. Bandipur -
Located on a 1000m ridge in
Tanahu district some 140 km from
Kathmandu, Bandipur's hallmark
is its beautiful scenery. Its
medium elevation, excellent view
of the Himalayas (Dhaulagiri,
Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh,
Langtang), the Marshyangdi
Valley, Manakamana Hill and
Gorkha with its high perching
palace, relatively easy
accessibility and, of course,
old Newari town flair, make
Bandipur an interesting tourist
destination. The various Newari
and Magar festivals, which until
recently have been held for own
purposes several times a year,
can also be of interest to
tourists. Sorathi and Chutka
dances are very popular.
Other attractions include the
pagoda-roofed Bindyabashini
Temple which houses goddess
Durga (Bandipur's Guardian
Deity), the library in the
village centre, Thani Mai,
Tindhara (‘Three Taps’ washing
place at the southeastern
outskirts), Raniban (Queen's
Forest), a downhill trek to the
Siddha Cave and a hike to Ramkot
village. On Mukundeswori, the
elevation at the western end of
the saddle is a little shrine
and one has a view of Bandipur
itself. The other important
temples and shrines in the
vicinity include the Mahalaxmi
Temple with its exquisite
wood-work and the Khadga Devi
Temple which comes alive once a
year during the Dashain
festival.
DAY 09–11: Gorkha - Chitwan
National Park – Lumbini: You
will drive to Chitwan to enjoy
the flora and fauna of Chitwan
National Park, the oldest
national park in Nepal which is
situated in subtropical inner
Terai lowlands of South Central
Nepal. In Chitwan enjoy elephant
back safari, canoeing elephant
ride and breeding centre visit,
bird watching and see wild
animals like rhinos, peacocks,
crocodiles, deer’s etc. You will
visit deep in the national park
on elephant back. You will see
one-horned rhinoceros, several
types of deer, monkeys, wild
boar, bison, sloth bear, leopard
and, if lucky, the Royal Bengal
tiger. After 2-3-hours of
elephant safari, you can enjoy
canoeing river. Later in the
evening, you will enjoy Tharu
cultural program. The next day,
you will finish your tea/coffee
rather fast because you will be
going for bird watching. You can
have the most thrilling and
exciting wildlife experience of
your lifetime in Chitwan
National Park. After completing
your visit to Chitwan you will
drive to Lumbini, the birthplace
of Lord Buddha is the centre of
holy faith for the millions of
Buddhists all over the world.
Located in south-western Nepal,
Lumbini holds several reminders
of Lord Buddha. One of the most
important historical sites in
Nepal is endowed by nature with
rich natural beauty. The garden
is foremost attraction in
Lumbini tourism. The fact that
Lord Buddha had taken birth in
Lumbini Garden makes it a place
of reverence.
DAY 12: Explore around
Lumbini: This day we
excursion to Lumbini Garden: The
garden is foremost attraction in
Lumbini tourism. The fact that
Lord Buddha had taken birth in
Lumbini Garden makes it a place
of reverence. Number of stupas,
monasteries and temples surround
the garden. Some of these are
ancient while are some were
erected by medieval states. A
collosal stone pillar built by
the great Indian emperor Ashoka
is also here. Account of the
birth of Buddha is inscribed on
it. Mayadevi Temple: Devoted to
Maya Devi, the mother of Lord
Buddha, the temple attracts
praise for its architectural
beauty. Credit of discovering
the temple, in 1895, goes to a
German archaeologist. The temple
is remarkable in the way Maya
Devi is shown giving birth to
Lord Buddha. Pushkarni Pool:
Queen Mayadevi took a dip in the
pond before giving birth of
prince Siddhartha. The prince
also had his purification bath
in the pond. Brick steps of the
pond lead to the emerald-green
water. Kushinagar: Lumbini
travel guide also takes you to
Kushinagar where Lord Buddha
attained nirvana. One can see
number of stupas, viharas and
chaityas which remind us of the
mahaparinirvana. Bodhgaya: The
place of Mahaparinirvana, it was
at Bodhgaya that Gautama Buddha
attained unsurpassed, supreme
Enlightenment. The legand
narrates that Siddartha Gautama
reached the village of senai and
sat on a kusa grass mat under a
pipal tree. Here he resolved not
to rise again untill
enlightenment was attianed.
Thereafter the place became a
pilgrimage site. Maha Bodhi
Temple: The temple is known for
its 1700 years old idol. The
idol sits facing the place where
Lord Buddha achieved
enlightenment. Bodhi Tree: Near
Maha Bodhi Temple is the Bodhi
tree, an ancient peepal tree.
Gautam Buddha attained
enlightenment under this tree.
Kapilvastu Excursion: Kapilvastu,
birthplace of Gautam Buddha, is
a famous historic town which is
always brimming with charm. Lord
Buddha was born here in the
sixth century. Kapilvastu
attracts Buddhist pilgrims from
all over the world. Kapilvastu
is 27km from Lumbini.
DAY 13: Lumbini drive to
Kathmandu: After breakfast,
we leave Lumbini by road and
back to Kathmandu. Check-in at
hotel, rest of the day is at
your own leisure. Evening
celebrate the New Year Eve at
one of typical Nepali
restaurants.
DAY 14: Leisure day in
Kathmandu: This full day at
leisure to rest, relax or
explore the local area in
Kathmandu or do a bit of last
minute shopping. You also have
the option of doing some
sight-seeing. Evening will have
farewell meeting & dinner at
Nepali typical restaurant.
DAY 15: Departure day:
After breakfast you will have
some free time until the time to
leave the international airport
for your final departure. |
