Himalayan Majesty Nepal (11 Days and 10 Nights)
Kathmandu - Bandipur - Pokhara - Chitwan - Kathmandu
1
You will be received at Kathmandu Airport by our tour leader. You will then be driven to hotel for check-in. There will be not be any excursions. Located at the foothills of the Himalayan ranges, Kathmandu is the largest city of Nepal and its capital. It has been the seat of art, politics, religious activities and social changes of Nepal. Kathmandu houses seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites and some prominent places associated with the Hindu and Buddhist faiths.
2
Post breakfast, exploration of the the Patan Durbar Square. The Durbar Square are those places in Kathmandu where important structures like royal palaces, courtyards and temples built during the rule of the kings reside. From as early as 4th century AD till the 18th century AD, the durbar squares have been the centre of all political, religious and commercial activities. Intricately built in Newar architectural style, the Patan Durbar Square houses four Buddhist Stupas and three royal courtyards. The stupas are hemispherical structure which houses relics of the Buddha or any other Buddhist saints.
Post lunch, you will then explore the Swayambhunath Stupa. Located atop a hillock, the Swayambhunath Stupa is an important Buddhist shrine, which was built in the 5th century AD by king Manadev. There are other Buddhist and Hindu shrines besides the stupa, making the place significant for the people of both the faiths. The visitors have to climb a large number of stairs to reach the stupa. The hilltop offers beautiful, panoramic view of the valley.
You will then visit the Pashupatinath Temple, which is amongst the most sacred shrine of Lord Shiva in India and Nepal. Located on the banks of the Bagmati River, the temple has an impressive Pagoda style architecture. It is believed that the temple was constructed in 400 BC and went through a major overhaul in the 15th century. Since then, it has undergone many renovations and restoration works. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
The Patan Durbar Square, the Swayambhunath Temple Complex and the Pashupatinath Temple are listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Post lunch, you will then explore the Swayambhunath Stupa. Located atop a hillock, the Swayambhunath Stupa is an important Buddhist shrine, which was built in the 5th century AD by king Manadev. There are other Buddhist and Hindu shrines besides the stupa, making the place significant for the people of both the faiths. The visitors have to climb a large number of stairs to reach the stupa. The hilltop offers beautiful, panoramic view of the valley.
You will then visit the Pashupatinath Temple, which is amongst the most sacred shrine of Lord Shiva in India and Nepal. Located on the banks of the Bagmati River, the temple has an impressive Pagoda style architecture. It is believed that the temple was constructed in 400 BC and went through a major overhaul in the 15th century. Since then, it has undergone many renovations and restoration works. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
The Patan Durbar Square, the Swayambhunath Temple Complex and the Pashupatinath Temple are listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
3
The day’s excursion will begin with a visit to the Boudhanath Stupa, a popular Buddhist place of worship, which is surrounded by Buddhist monasteries and shrines. The exact year of construction of this ancient stupa could not be ascertained, however, in all likelihood, the stupa was constructed during the period of 5-7th century AD. The Boudhanath Stupa is the largest stupa of Nepal and a large number of people come here every day, which includes the Tibetan Buddhists, the Nepali Hindus and the international travelers.
Drive to Bhaktapur to explore the famous Bhaktapur Dubar Square. The Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the biggest and grandest of all the three durbar squares. It houses a royal palace and ancient temples which dates back to the 15th century.
You will then visit the ancient Hindu temple of Changu Narayan. The principal deity of this temple is Lord Vishnu. The Changu Narayan Temple was constructed in the 4th century AD and since then it has been repaired and renovated many times. There is a museum inside the temple complex where a lot of information is shared on the art and culture of Nepal. The Boudhanath Stupa, the Bhaktapur Durbar Square and the Changu Narayan Temple complex are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Drive to Bhaktapur to explore the famous Bhaktapur Dubar Square. The Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the biggest and grandest of all the three durbar squares. It houses a royal palace and ancient temples which dates back to the 15th century.
You will then visit the ancient Hindu temple of Changu Narayan. The principal deity of this temple is Lord Vishnu. The Changu Narayan Temple was constructed in the 4th century AD and since then it has been repaired and renovated many times. There is a museum inside the temple complex where a lot of information is shared on the art and culture of Nepal. The Boudhanath Stupa, the Bhaktapur Durbar Square and the Changu Narayan Temple complex are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
4
Drive to Bandipur (150 km, 5 hours) where you will check-in at a hotel. Perched at an elevation of 1030 meters, Bandipur is a picturesque hilltop settlement of the Newar community of Nepal. As one walk through the lanes of Bandipur, charming wooden houses of Newari architecture offers a delightful sight. In the evening, walk to a sunset point, which offers a mesmerizing view of the Marsyangadi and Trishul Valley. The snowcapped Annapurna Mountain Ranges are also seen at a distance. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
5
A peaceful stay in Bandipur. There will not be any excursions during the day. You may plan your own activities. Stay at the hotel.
6
After breakfast, drive to Pokhara (77 km, 2 hours) where you will check-in at a hotel. Pokhara is a place of immense natural beauty. It is home to nine lakes and serves as a gateway to the majestic Annapurna Mountain Region. Post lunch, visit to the International Mountain Museum and the World Peace Pagoda. The World Peace Pagoda is located atop the Ananda Hill overlooking the scenic valley of Pokhara. It was constructed by the monks of the Nipponzan Myohoji Order in 1973. More than eighty Peace Pagodas have been built worldwide by the organization as a symbol of world peace. Return to the hotel.
7
Early morning boat-ride on the serene Phewa Lake. After breakfast, drive to the Begnas Lake (14 km, 45 minutes) for a trek to the hilltop, Sundari Danda. The trek commences from the Begnas Lake, the second largest lake of Pokhara. It will take 2-3 hours to trek the four kilometers distance to the hilltop. The view from the top of the hill is majestic. The snowclad Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and the Machapuchare mountains can also be seen at the horizon. Trek to the starting point and drive back to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
8
Early morning drive to Chitwan (160 km, 5 hours), home to the famous Chitwan National Park. Located at the foothills of Mahabharat and Shiwalik ranges of the Himalaya, Chitwan is one of the most ecologically rich areas in the world, covering dense forests, marshland and grassland. On arrival, check-in at the hotel in Chitwan. In the evening you will watch a performance by the dancers of the Tharu community. Tharu is an ethnic group indigenous to the Terai region of Nepal and they call themselves ‘the People of the Forest’. The dance performers wear beautiful ethnic attire and make use of musical instruments. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
9
Jungle safari in the morning and afternoon. The Chitwan National Park is the first national park of Nepal. It was established in 1973 and was accorded the status of a UNESCO Wold Heritage Site in 1984. Located between the Narayani and the Rapti rivers, the Chitwan National Park is home to the Royal Bengal Tigers, single-horned Asiatic Rhinoceros, elephants, leopards, crocodiles, deer, sloth bears and over 540 species of birds. The mesmerising landscape, covered with lush green vegetation and the Himalayas as the backdrop makes this national park exceptionally beautiful. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
10
Drive to Kathmandu (182 km, 6 hours). Check-in at a hotel in Kathmandu for overnight stay.
11
Post breakfast, drop to Kathmandu International Airport, from where you would proceed for your onward journey. The tour concludes.
