The very word “Nepal” invokes visions of high mountains, remote valleys and hardy explorers foregoing all creature comforts to test themselves against nature and her forces. However, long before the first mountaineers ventured north to the jagged horizons of rock and ice; long before the first rafter or kayaker descended among the rivers; long before the first trekkers appeared on the ridges; the Nepalese were building palaces, temples, monasteries, and complex townships to rival those anywhere else in the world. Arts and crafts flourished – so much so, that artisans and builders traveled as far as Beijing, China to build temples and Pagodas.
The lost way method of metal casting was perfected, woodworking and carving attained new heights, stone carving and painting as devotional excises became art forms. Perhaps these are among the many reasons why, just in the vicinity of the Kathmandu valley alone, there are seven UNESCO designated World Heritage Sites, within a 13-mile radius.
This trip is designed to introduce to you the essence of Nepal. The heritage sites and museums, stunning mountain scenery and model conservation and preservation efforts; all of which go to make Nepal one of the most exciting destinations in the world.
- Day 01 Arrive Kathmandu, Explore Thamel.
- Day 02 Tour of Pashupati, Bodhnath, Kathmandu Durbar Square & Swambhunath
- Day 03 Overland Kathmandu - Dhading.
- Day 04 School in Dhading
- Day 05 Overland Dhading-Chitwan National Park
- Day 06 Additional activities in Chitwan
- Day 07 Overland Chitwan-Pokhara
- Day 08 Hike to Austrian Camp- Dhampus
- Day 09 Descend to Phedi, drive to Pokhara.
- Day 10 Fly to Kathmandu, drive to Nagarkot.
- Day 11 Drive Nagarkot-Bhaktapur
- Day 12 Bhaktapur-U.S. or an extension
Day 01 Arrive Kathmandu, Explore Thamel.
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by a tour officer and transferred to your hotel.
The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to rest or just walk around Thamel, the tourist hub in Kathmandu, with plenty of restaurants, pubs, cyber cafes, book stores and colorful shops.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 02 Tour of Pashupati, Bodhnath, Kathmandu Durbar Square & Swambhunath
Today you have a full day sightseeing tour of various temples and monasteries which include Pasupatinath : Situated near the banks of sacred Bagmati River the temple of lord Siva-Pasupatinath with two tiered golden roof and silver doors is famous for its superb Newari architecture.
Baudhanath : This colossal and ancient Stupa, one of Nepal’s most unique monument and said to be the world biggest, attracts Nepalese pilgrimage of Tibetan stock from as far as Dolpo and Mugu as well as Tibet, Ladhak in India and Bhutan.
You will also visit Kathmandu Durbar Square that has housed kings of different dynasties and temple-scape representing finest specimens of Hindu and Buddhist architectures.
Hanuman Dhoka, the traditional seat of royalty in Nepal. The temples in Hanuman Dhoka and the surrounding Durbar Square include some of the finest specimens of Nepalese architecture and many erotic carvings.
Temple of the Living Goddess, the residence of the ling virgin goddess Kumari. Kastha Mandap, an interesting temple in pagoda style said to have been built from the timber of a single tree. The name of the city Kathmandu, is derived from this structure.
Continue to Swayambhunath, a 2000 year-old Buddhist monument on a hilltop overlooking Kathmandu Valley. Surrounding the hemispherical Stupa are many temples and pagodas and a large band of monkeys.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 03 Overland Kathmandu - Dhading.
After breakfast, drive to Dhading along the highway, and continue to Soraghar Primary School in Dhading District. The school was destroyed by the earthquake in 2015, and has been rebuilt.
Upon arrival in the school, you will be briefed about the school. The most of the students are from Tamang community living in nearby village. You will have an opportunity to interact with student today.
Overnight in a local Guest house built by school.
Day 04 School in Dhading
Today you’ve an opportunity to interact with the kids in the school, see how they are learning. If you like to volunteering for a day, you are welcome to do so.
Later visit the local village, and experience the life of the typical village in Nepal.
Overnight in local Guest House.
Day 05 Overland Dhading-Chitwan National Park
Drive for about 4 hours from Dhading along the main highway that leads to the plains to arrive at the Chitwan National Park. which is one of the Asia's richest and most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries.
Upon arrival at the Lodge, you will be briefed about the activities in the park. The activates include wildlife viewing on the elephant back, boat trips, jungle treks and bird watching excursions. The wildlife of Chitwan is famous for the rare greater one-horned rhinoceros, royal Bengal tiger, and several species of deer, sloth bears, leopard, the marsh mugger and Gharial crocodiles and over 450 species of birds.
Overnight in Chitwan.
Day 06 Additional activities in Chitwan
In Chitwan, In addition to its prime wildlife programmers, other activities at the jungle are walks to local villages, bird watching and canoeing.
Overnight in Chitwan.
Day 07 Overland Chitwan-Pokhara
After breakfast, the waiting vehicle will take you to Pokhara, a picturesque town. Pokhara is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It’s situated at an altitude of 2952 feet in a lush, picturesque valley surrounded by forest rimmed hills and just 30 km to the north is walled in by 140 unbroken kilometers of the central Himalayan Range including Annapurna and Dhauligiri each above 26240 feet. The horizon however is dominated by a far smaller, but infinitely more spectacular peak – Macchapuchhare or “Fish Tail” which seems to rise off the same valley floor and spectacularly ends in “Fish Tailed” peak.
In the afternoon you can take an option boating on Phewa Lake.
Evenings in Pokhara has its own charm especially in the Lake Side district, dotted with fancy restaurants facing the Phewa Lake, lazy shops and simple guest houses with lush gardens that bloom year round.
Overnight in Pokhara.
Day 08 Hike to Austrian Camp- Dhampus
This morning your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby early morning, and drive 45 minutes to Khande. Begin your hike to Austrian camp which is about one and half hour. Enjoy the views Fishtail mountain, Annapurna South, Annapurna 2 and 4 and Peak 29.
Descend to Dhampus, another great place from where you see the spectacular views of the mountains.
Overnight in a Lodge in Dhampus.
Day 09 Descend to Phedi, drive to Pokhara.
Wake up early morning to enjoy the sunrise over the Himalayas.
After breakfast, walk down to Phedi and drive back to Pokhara.
Overnight in Pokhara.
Day 10 Fly to Kathmandu, drive to Nagarkot.
Morning flight back to Kathmandu.
A guide will meet you at the airport and take you to Patan which is also known as Lalitpur. “Lalitpur” literally the city of fine arts is perhaps a living museum as she still retains her medieval air of the ancient times and almost half the inner city residents are craftsmen in their own right.
Patan was one of the major Buddhist cities in Asia by the 7th century as pilgrims, scholars and monks from India, Tibet and China visited the city. It is said that at one stage the entire population of Patan city was comprised of monks and craftsmen only. The city is full of Hindu Temples, Buddhist monuments and structures with bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful Metal and wood carvings.
Continue to Nagarkot which is located on the eastern edge of Kathmandu Valley at 8000 ft and 20 miles east of the valley, offers the panorama eastern Himalaya including 5 of world’s ten higest peaks - Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cho O Yu, Makalu and Manslu.
Overnight at Nagarkot.
Day 11 Drive Nagarkot-Bhaktapur
Wake up early morning to see the spectacular sun rise over the Himalayas.
Drive down to the World Heritage temple complex of Changu Narayan, the oldest temple in Nepal, which is said to have been built in 323 by King Hari Dutta Varma. This, the oldest existing Vishnu Temple (built at about the same time as the Pasupatinath Temple), is richly decorated with metal, wood and stone sculptures and carvings and is still an active place of worship and is one of the holiest of temples in the valley. The triple roofed structure pagoda depict Vishnu’s ten incarnations. The temple compound contains smaller shrines dedicated to Krishna, Siva, images of Buddha, Demi-gods, Linga, Asta Matrika, Several forms of Vishnu. It is situated about 500 feet above the level of the Kathmandu valley and offers a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside.
Continue to Bhadgaon, also called Bhaktapur, the city of devotees, is located nine miles to the east of Kathmandu.
The tour visits: Durbar Square, the main palace square of the city containing many temples and other architectural showpieces, including the Golden Gate, described as the finest piece of art in the Kingdom.
Nyatapola Temple, The five-storied pagoda style temple built in 1708 AD. , the largest and the most famous example of Nepalese pagoda architecture.
Dattatraya Temple, a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva built in 1427 AD. Nearby is the monastery with exquisitely carved windows, which now serves as the National Works Museum.
Overnight in Bhaktapur.
Day 12 Bhaktapur-U.S. or an extension
Transfer to airport and fly back home or extend your trip to India, Bhutan or Myanmar.