Culturally rich and extraordinarily beautiful, the mountain kingdom of Nepal offers a wealth of spectacular sights. Explore the hidden secrets of this ancient kingdom in the capital city of Kathmandu; enjoy an elephant safari in pursuit of the Rhino at the Royal Chitwan National Park and explore the adventure land of Pokhara with its natural setting of lakes and mountains.
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu and check in to your preferred hotel.
Day 2: After breakfast, you’re off to a dramatic start with an exhilarating early morning mountain flight. Soaring over hills and mountains until the snow peaks come into view. Flying for 45 minutes over mountains broken by deep gorges, glacial valleys and lakes until you see the unmistakable Mt. Everest, not just the world’s highest peak, but the mountain revered by the Nepalese people as ‘Sagarmatha’, the Mother of the Universe. Back on the ground, you will spend the rest of the day around Kathmandu city. Obviously you will begin from Durbar Square that remains the centre of ancient Kathmandu. And clustered around the square are the Hanuman Dhoka, the ancient royal palace, numerous old temples like the Mahadev and Parvati Temple, Kumari Bahal and the House of the Living Goddess. Then, you will visit the 2,000 year old Buddhist stupa of Swayambhunath and discover why it is such a well-known site of Nepal. From the hilltop of Swayambhunath, you will also see another panoramic view of the valley. And then of course, you will wander around the colourful local bazaars of Kathmandu.
Day 3: This is a day devoted to the pursuit of art, architecture and history. You will drive through the Nepalese countryside to visit the ancient city of Patan, known as the City of Grace and Fine Arts. On the way, you will stop to view exhibits and shop at the Tibetan Refugee Crafts Center. At Patan, there is the sky-piercing Taleju Temple, the statue of Yogendra Malla, carved balconies of wood, ancient windows, curio shops and bustling bazaars. In the afternoon, the ancient capital of Nepal, Bhadgaon (also known as Bhaktapur) awaits your arrival. Explore the royal palace, visit the small but excellent museum in the west wing, and see the Golden Gate, or Sun Dhoka, the entrance to the Palace of 55 Windows, known as the most significant piece of art in Nepal. Then, visit the greatest living example of traditional Nepalese temple architecture, and highest temple in the Kathmandu valley, the Nyatapola Temple. You will also visit one of the largest stupas in the world at Bodhnath, and wander under the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha. Proceed to pay an outside visit to one of the holiest Hindu shrines in the world - Pashupatinath Temple (non Hindus are not allowed inside). This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated on the bank of the river Bagmati, it is a pagoda style temple with a gilt roof and richly carved doors.
Day 4: After a taste of Nepal’s rich heritage, it’s time to be astounded by the richness of nature. Take the flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, and you will discover a mild temperate haven tucked under the looming Himalayas, a village town where everyone speaks English, a place where you will see some incredible sights, like an unbroken view of snow-capped mountains reflected in the placid lake. The most popular destination in Nepal after Kathmandu, Pokhara is the starting point of some of the most famous treks and day trips in Nepal.
Day 5: Rent some bicycles and explore the valley, with the three lakes, Rupa Tal, Begnas Tal and the largest and most well known, Phewa Tal. Take an excursion with a picnic lunch to Devi Falls. Spend the afternoon quietly on a boat on the lake, drinking in the view of Mount Annapurna and the Fish Tail Mountain, the Macchapuchhare.
Day 6: Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom, where you are transferred to a resort. After check in, take a walk to the Eco Museum where you will see the black fossils of marine animals known as ‘saligrams’, and learn about the fauna and flora of the Himalayas. Move on to the nearby village of Thini, ride a pony along the sacred lake of the Buddhists, the turquoise Dhumba lake nestling between the mighty Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri mountains that is also an ideal place for a picnic lunch.
Day 7: Take an excursion to Marpha, famous for its apple gardens and local monastery. At the village of Thakali you will see the typical Thak Khola flat-roofed architecture, with narrow paved alleys and passageways, with grain and vegetables drying on the rooftops. Marpha’s imposing Gompa (Tibetan monastery), renovated and enlarged in 1996, is a Nyingmapa monastery like the one in Tengpoche, and here as well, the people celebrate the colourful festival of Mani Rimdu with fervour in the autumn months. While you’re here, you will enjoy a delicious traditional Thakali lunch.
Day 8: Enjoy a full day tour by pony to Kagbeni, a medieval looking village at 9,219 ft with its closely packed mud houses, dark tunnels and alleyways, imposing chortens and a large ochre-coloured Gompa perched above the town at the junction of the Jhong Khola and the Kadi Gandaki,
Day 9: Time to fly back to Pokhara, and spend the day gazing for one last time at the spectacular views of the snow-capped mountain peaks against the glistening lake.
Day 10: Take the flight back to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free for you lie back and relive your magical moments in Nepal, or even explore the city on your own.
Day 11: Transfer to the international airport for your return flight home.
Suggested Nepal Tours
 |
||||
| Kathmandu Valley | Best Of Nepal | |||
