Best of Nepal – Culture, Natural and Social Impact Highlights

ITINERARY

• DAY 1

  Arrival at Kathmandu and traditional welcome dinner

  Welcome to the Himalayan country of Nepal. Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan international airport, our representative welcomes you and assists to transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu. After time to get refreshed, evening you'll meet and transfer for a welcome dinner in one of the typical Nepalese restaurants in the heart of Kathmandu and briefing about your trip and overnight at Hotel.

  What's included?

  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Transfer
• DAY 2

  Kathmandu & the city of Patan

  You have a rendezvous with your guide in the morning at the hotel lobby from where you will commence the Kathmandu tour. Before departing from the hotel, the guide will provide a short introduction to the activities of the day.
  
  The day starts with a tour of the Pashupatinath Temple, regarded as one of the holy temples for Hindus worldwide. It is dedicated to a manifestation of Shiva called Pashupati (Lord of Animals). Pashupatinath temple’s existence dates back to 400 AD. The ornamented pagoda houses the sacred Linga or phallic system of Lord Shiva. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to pay homage to this temple that is also called ‘The Temple of Living Beings’. Inside the temple,  Lord Shiva is available in four faces. All these faces have different names and significance. The face facing east is known as Tatpurusha and the one facing south Aghora. Similarly, the faces looking west and north are known by the name Sadhyojata and Vamadeva respectively. The upper portion of this Linga is known as Ishan. These faces are also defined as the symbol of four Dhamas and four Vedas (sacred book of Hindus).
  
  You will head to the city of Patan which is the second largest of the 3 major cities of the Kathmandu valley. After a short stroll around the Durbar square that gives you an idea of the past regime and culture of this ancient Kingdom, you will visit many Buddhist shrines and monasteries founded in the ancient and medieval period some of which even date back to the BC era, including Mahaboudha temple, Golden Temple, Rudra Varna Mahavihara, Ashoka Stupa, etc.
  
  After lunch, you will drive to Boudhanath Stupa which is claimed to be one of the largest Stupas in the world and the most important pilgrimage site for the followers of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism. This Buddhist complex, which in the form of a mandala when observed aerially is adorned with prayer wheels on the outside and is circumnavigated daily by a horde of visitors, religious or non-religious.
  
  Your final destination of the day is another Buddhist heritage of the valley, Swayambhunath stupa, situated at a vantage point that caters to you a good sunset view of the valley. Believed to have risen spontaneously (thus its name) from a lotus seed planted by an ancient Buddha of the past eon, the shrine is commonly known as ‘’monkey temple’’ as you can observe these impish yet harmless beasts running around groups or alone without any concern of the world.
  
  Overnight at Kathmandu.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 3

  Bhaktapur and Changunarayan - Stay at Mahankal homestay.

  After breakfast, you will be taken to the ancient part of Kathmandu valley - Bhaktapur Durbar square.
  
  Bhaktapur is an open museum holding exciting palaces, courtyards, royal baths, sculptures, pagodas, Shikhara-style temples, and a Buddhist monastery along with exclusive architecture. In other words, this is the most beautiful Durbar you visit in your Nepal tours. Though the 1934 earthquake brought bad luck to its structure, still the remaining monuments are the finest examples of medieval excellence. Just near the square, you will visit the traditional painting School, the dying art of Nepal which is the best souvenir from Nepal. Besides the palace complex, five-storied temples with the most appreciated architecture, the Pottery Square, Dattatraya Square, and Peacock window are some other things to see in Bhaktapur.
  
  And then you will be visiting considering the oldest temple of Nepal, Changunarayan at the little hills of Bhaktapur.
  
  In the evening, you will stay at the family-run homestay in Changnarayn. Mahankal Homestay (Sarju family house).

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 4

  Namobuddha Monastery - Visit to community supported School project and the evening stay at the Namobuddha Monastery

  Early morning visit to the social community support project under our NGO READI, Shree Krishna Primary school. We practice sustainable and responsible travel, so as a part of Community Social Responsibility (CSR) we support the community school at Changunaryan. we empower people by education, raising awareness, sharing knowledge & on-the-job training. At the local community level, mobilizes local communities to enhance the people’s skill level through responsible and accountable (technical) training, communication, and computer education.
  
  Evening drive to the sacred site and Buddhist monastery at the top of the hillock Namobuddha. In Namobuddha you will stay at Namobudhha monastery with the monk and observe the monk pray and eat together. You will find yourself in solitude, peace of mind, and relaxation with the content and simple life of Buddhist monks.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 5

  Pokhara - Arrive at the second biggest tourist destination in Nepal

  Roughly 7 hours of the drive along the winding riparian highway will take you to Pokhara, the second biggest tourist destination in Nepal after Kathmandu. The valley has at its disposal many attractions and activities including lakes a couple of which are canoe-able, breathtaking views of snow-white peaks, stupa, and temples, viewpoints, etc. You have a free day in Pokhara which you may utilize by canoeing at Phewa lake or just strolling around its banks. In the evening, you might want to partake in the nightlife of the town.
  
  Evening 2 hours basic intro into Meditation and mindfulness by a Nepali instructor.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 6

  Drive to Tikhedhunga and Hike to Ulleri

  Drive to Tikedhunga and trek to Ulleri (2000m) 1-hour drive and 4 hours walk.
  
  Today after breakfast our trekking guide will take you for an hour drive to Tikedhunga and commence our trek to Ulleri, a large and prosperous town beside the Modi River, prepare for the long uphill and start with steeply ascends on the long stone steps to Ulleri village with the amazing landscape and the Himalayan scenery.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 7

  Ghorepani - Trekking through Rhododendron and Oak Forests and Enjoy the fantastic views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalayan

  After breakfast, we start a pleasant day's trekking through rhododendron and oak forests. The scenery gives you the inner power to climb up these steps and immerse you to walk more. After a few hours of walking with several breaks in between reaching Ghorepani, we can enjoy the fantastic views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalayan range.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 8

  Tadapani - Enjoy hiking up to Poon hill to admire the sunrise over the high Himalayas

  An early morning start for 40 minutes hike up to Poon hill (3210m/10530ft), the route offers a glimpse of the pleasant rhododendron forest. This brilliant viewpoint provides us with an unobstructed sunrise over the high Himalayas and a wide range of panoramic scenery from the far western Himalayas of Dolpo, Mt. Dhaulagiri, and Annapurna including Mt. Machhapuchre (Fish Tail) and all the way to Manasalu. After a great time return back to Ghorepani for breakfast and continue trek to Tadapani for overnight.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 9

  Pokhara - Trek to Ghandruk and Drive to Pokhara

  Continuing our trek to Ghandruk, the trail ascends and steepest before we reach Ghandruk which is the largest Gurung (popular ethnic group from the western region of Nepal) settlement in the area with the closest views of Annapurna and Machhapuchre to the north and evening enjoy exploring the local village and people with traditional dressed and then we drive back to Pokhara.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 10

  Mountain museum - Davis Falls - World Peace Stupa

  You will set out early in the morning to the hilltop village of Sarangkot in order to relish the magnificent sunrise on the Himalayas. After getting back to the hotel for the breakfast, you will then visit the chief attractions of Pokhara including Davies falls, Gupteshwar cave, international mountain museum, before concluding at Phewa lake where you can go for boating if you like.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 11

  The Chitwan National Park

  The journey towards the southern belt starts early and in approximately 4 hours you will reach our jungle resort situated at one of the buffer zones of the Chitwan national park. You will embark on a few jungle activities like a birdwatching tour and/or jungle walk at the discretion of the nature guide. In the evening you will delight in the traditional stick dance performed by native Tharu people who dwelled in the forest area even when it was uninhabitable.
  
  Chitwan means “You will partake in many adventurous jungle activities including canoeing along Rapti river, visiting the elephant breeding center, jeep safari, etc. Apart from one-horned rhinoceros, crocodiles, and deer which are the normal sights of the national park, you might even see a tiger, leopard, or python if you’re lucky. Besides animals, there are nearly 450 different species of birds in the park that will render the forest safari colorful. earth of the jungle”. In recent years Chitwan tops the list of things to do in Asia. It is a truly wildlife adventure of a different kind – jungle safaris on elephant backs or jeeps, birdwatching, canoe rides, and jungle walks.
  
  The Chitwan National Park is Asia’s best-preserved conservation area, where wildlife thrives and their habitats remain intact. Only a half-hour flight from Kathmandu, the park lies in the Inner Terai lowlands and consists of Sal forests, tall elephant grasslands, hills, ox-box lakes, and flood plains of the Narayani, Rapti, and Reu rivers. Enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Natural) in 1984, the park spreads over an area of 932 sq. km (360 sq. miles).

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 12

  The Chitwan National Park - Jungle Safari and several activities

  You will partake in several adventurous jungle activities including canoeing along the Rapti river, a visit to the elephant breeding center, jeep safari, etc. Apart from one-horned rhinoceros, crocodiles, and deer which are the normal sights of the national park, you might even see a tiger, leopard, or python if you’re lucky. Besides animals, there are nearly 450 different species of birds in the park that will render the forest safari colorful.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 13

  Kathmandu

  Drive to Kathmandu. You have local market exploration of the oldest part of Kathmandu and then will have a free evening to buy souvenirs and shopping to take memories of Nepal.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 14

  Kathmandu - Departure

  After breakfast, you'll be transferred to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Transfer