Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu. Tour of Kathmandu city & Swoyambhunath stupa
Arrival in Kathmandu, meet and greet at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon, visit of old Kathmandu city with its stone-paved lanes, colorful bazaars, the Temple of the Living Goddess - Kumari who is considered to be the incarnation of the "Virgin Goddess". The old Durbar Square consists of the old palace and innumerable temples of different architecture.
Continue to Swoyambhunath stupa, situated west of Kathmandu. It is a 2500 years old Buddhist stupa located at a top of green hillock with the eyes of Buddha painted on its pinnacle overlooking righteous behaviour of the valley inhabitants.
Overnight at Hotel, Kathmandu
Day 02: Full day Patan city, Pashupatinath temple & Bodhnath stupa (B)
Morning, visit Patan city, also known as Lalitpur or the "city of beauty". Patan is well known for its intricately carved temples, narrow lanes and quaint shops. See the intricately stone-carved Krishna temple, Patan Durbar Square and Hiranyavarna Mahavihar (golden temple).
Afternoon, visit the temple of Pashupatinath, situated on the banks of the sacred Bagmati river, temple of Lord Shiva. Pashupatinath, with a tiered golden roof and silver doors, is famous for its superb architecture and is the holiest of Hindu shrines in Nepal.
Further proceed to one of Nepal's largest Stupa of Bodhnath. This Stupa, set in a pattern of a "Mandala" is encircled by houses and monasteries where Rinpoches (Buddhist monks) reside. Around the base is a ring of 108 images of the Buddha and 147 insets containing prayer wheels.
Overnight at Hotel
Day 03: Morning tour of Dakshinkali, Chovar, Kirtipur. Afternoon free (B)
Morning, drive of 45 minutes towards south of Kathmandu will bring you to Dakshinkali. Located in a dark valley at the confluence of two streams, the shrine of Dakshinkali is the most spectacular of all Kali temples.
Also visit Chovar gorge carved out of a hillside and the village of Kirtipur, perched on twin hillocks and clinging to a saddle. Here, the villagers, dressed in traditional costumes work on ancient looms and farms. Afternoon is free for personal activities.
Overnight at Hotel, Kathmandu
Day 04: Morning tour of Bungamati, Khokana. Afternoon free (B)
Drive south of Kathmandu to Bungamati. Visit the old Newari twin villages of Bungamati and Khokana which date from the 16th century and are located south of Kathmandu, down a rutty road dotted with Chaityas. Bungamati is the winter home of lord Rato Machhendranath, the protector God of Patan city. The shrine of Karya Binayak is located between the two villages. At Khokana ancient oil presses can be seen at work in village houses. Afternoon is free.
Overnight at Hotel, Kathmandu
Day 05: Drive Kathmandu / Nagarkote visiting Bhaktapur enroute (B)
Drive 14 Km east to old Bhaktapur town. Entering the Durbar Square (palace square) through the Royal Gate, the sparseness of the temples is immediately apparent, compared to the profusion in the durbar squares of Kathmandu and Patan. Many of the highly decorated buildings and shrines were destroyed in the 1934 earthquake. However, the main square still contains a few temples and other architectural show pieces; the Lion Gate, the statue of Bhupatindra Malla, the Palace of 55 windows, the Bell of the barking dogs, the Batsala temple, the Nyatapola temple and the replica of Pashupatinath temple
Further continue to Nagarkote, which clings to a hilltop east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2,099m. It is one of the best vantage point to view the peaks - from the Annapurnas to the Everest, the peaks seem no more than a day's walk away. Check in at hotel.
Overnight at Hotel, Nagarkote
Day 06: Drive Nagarkote / Dhulikhel via Changunarayan (B)
Early morning sunrise view from the hotel. After breakfast, check out of the hotel. Drive down to Telkote. From Telkote, walk along the narrow village trails to Changunarayan (approx 2-3 hrs walk). Changunarayan is the lavishly decorated two-tiered temple which is considered to be the oldest temple of the valley.
After the tour, continue 30 kms east of Kathmandu to the small resort town of Dhulikhel set on a hill ridge and enveloped in copper soiled terraces with magnificent views of the central Himalayan peaks. Dhulikhel is well known for its sunrise views. A number of day trails lead along the north ridge of the town. It's a good way to get a glimpse of Nepalese village life.
Overnight at Hotel, Dhulikhel
Day 07: Dhulikhel & Panauti (B)
After breakfast, sightseeing tour of Dhulikhel. Old temples and Newari style houses are the main attraction of Dhulikhel.
After the visit, walk through paddy fields to Panauti village which is located at the confluence of the Punyamati & Roshi Khola rivers. Panauti was once an important staging post on the Tibet trade route with pre-Lichhavi origins. The banks of the river are crowded with temples, shrines and cremation ghats. Across the river lie the Brahmayani temple and the biggest Shivalingam in Nepal. The Indreshwar Mahadev temple is a 15th century Newari structure with exquisite woodcarvings especially on the roof struts. Return to your Dhulikhel hotel for the night.
Overnight at Hotel, Dhulikhel
Day 08: Drive Dhulikhel / Chitwan (208 Km/6 hrs) (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we commence our journey along a scenic mountain highway to the Chitwan National Park. Upon arrival, we will be met and welcomed by the naturalist from the jungle lodge. Check in at the resort. Lunch in the dining complex.
Afternoon, elephant back safari through the jungle to see the Nepali wildlife such as; the great Asian one-horned Rhinoceros, sloth Bear, wild Boar, several species of Deer, rhesus Monkey, the black-faced Langur, the Gaur (wild cattle) and if we are lucky, the spotted Himalayan Leopard or the Royal Bengal Tiger.
Lunch, Dinner and Overnight at Resort, Chitwan
Day 09: Chitwan (B, L, D)
Full day of jungle activities including nature walk to see birds and smaller animals, dugout canoe ride to see crocodiles and water-birds, elephant briefing/bathing etc;
Lunch, Dinner and Overnight at Resort, Chitwan
Day 10: Drive Chitwan / Lumbini (170 Km/6 hrs) (B)
Drive to Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha. Check in at Hotel. Afternoon, visit Lumbini Garden with its famous Mayadevi temple, Ashoka pillar, the holy pond, the eternal flame and the monasteries built by various Buddhist nations to commemorate the birthplace of lord Buddha.
Overnight at Hotel, Lumbini
Day 11: Drive Lumbini / Pokhara visiting Tansen Bazaar enroute (209 Km/6 hrs) (B)
After breakfast, drive to Tansen, a colorful hill town situated at an altitude of 1,450m. It is the most popular summer resort in western Nepal on account of its location and climate. It offers the most extensive views of the country’s main attraction, the Himalaya; from Dhaulagiri in the west to Gauri Shankar in the north-east. A short visit of Tansen bazaar to see the medieval Newari brick houses, neat stone-paved alleyways and quaint shops selling spices, groceries and clothes.
After the visit, drive along a scenic mountain highway to Pokhara, famous for its snow clad mountains, lush green vegetation and its spring fed lakes.
Overnight at Hotel, Pokhara
Day 12: Pokhara (B)
Commence on a half-day sightseeing tour of Pokhara city and its colorful bazaars. Visit includes Bindvabashini temple, Devis falls, Phewa lake side visit etc.
Afternoon is free.
Overnight at Hotel, Pokhara
Day 13: Pokhara (B)
Day is free for relaxation or optional activities.
Overnight at Hotel, Pokhara
Day 14: Drive Pokhara / Kathmandu (194 Km/5 hrs) (B)
Drive back to Kathmandu retracing the same highway. Rest of the day is free for relaxing.
Overnight at Hotel, Kathmandu
Day 15: Departure Kathmandu (B)
Transfer to airport in time to board the outbound flight.
“Have a nice trip”
