Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu. You will be met at the Airport and then transferred to your hotel.
Day 02 (Breakfast)
After breakfast we will depart on a full day sightseeing (0900hrs) where our first stop will be Swayambhunath and continue as follow (All listed in World Heritage Sites by)
Swayambhunath: One of the world’s most glorious, ancient, enigmatic, and holiest Buddhist Chaityas, dating back more than 2000 years, is situated on a hilltop. Swayambhunath, literally “the Self-Created or Existent,” is a mosaic of small stupas and pagoda temples, contributed to over time by successive kings and noblemen. The main structure is made of a solid hemisphere of brick and clay, supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on the four sides of the base of the spire are the “All-Seeing Eyes” of Lord Buddha. The main features of Swayambhunath, in brief, include “The Five Buddhas.”
Bouddhanath: This colossal and ancient stupa, one of Nepal’s most unique monuments and said to be the largest in the world, attracts Nepalese pilgrims of Tibetan origin from as far as Dolpo, Mugu, Tibet, Ladakh in India, and Bhutan. The Baudhanath Stupa, with the "All-Seeing Eyes" of the primordial Adi Buddha on all four sides, is said to hold the remains of Kasyapa, the Buddha of the previous era. The stupa, 100 meters in diameter, was built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels by the Lichhavi King Mana Deva in the fifth century. It rises 36 meters above the base, including the spire. The "All-Seeing Eyes" and the pinnacle represent the stages of enlightenment, symbolizing royalty, compassion, knowledge, and nirvana. There are many myths about the origins of the stupa. We will have lunch here after sightseeing, around 13:30.
Guheshwari: A short drive from Bouddhanath will take you to Guheshwari, a site said to have been created when Sati, the consort of Shiva, immolated herself due to her father’s insult. Shiva, stricken with grief, wandered the skies with her corpse, and as pieces of her body fell to earth, they created 51 sacred sites. Her private parts are believed to have fallen here, giving the place its name, “Guheshwari.”
Pashupatinath: A short walk from here takes you to the temple of Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath, known for its two-tiered golden roof and silver doors, famous for its superb Newari architecture. It is situated near the banks of the sacred Bagmati River.
Entrance to the temple precinct is restricted to Hindus only. However, visitors can clearly see the temple from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River. Pashupatinath, literally “Lord of the Animals,” is the patron deity of Nepal and is believed to have been unearthed by an obscure herdsman while one of his cattle was showering the earth with milk. Across the sacred river, above the array of decorated monuments, lies the “Shlesmantak or Mrigasthali Ban (forest),” where, according to legend, Lord Shiva dwelled in the form of an antelope to evade the hordes of demigods. You will then be returned to your hotel.
Around 19:00, we will meet you and head to a nearby peaceful restaurant to enjoy a welcome dinner with a live Nepali cultural program. We will return to the hotel around 22:00.
Day 03: Nagarkot (Breakfast)
We will drive to Bhaktapur and Patan for more sightseeing.
Patan: Also known as "Lalitpur," meaning the City of Fine Arts, Patan is perhaps a living museum, as it still retains its medieval charm, and nearly half of the inner city's residents are craftsmen in their own right.
By the 7th century, Patan was one of the major Buddhist cities in Asia, attracting pilgrims, scholars, and monks from India, Tibet, and China. It is said that at one point, the entire population of Patan consisted of monks and craftsmen. The city is filled with Hindu temples, Buddhist monuments, and structures with bronze gateways, guardian deities, and stunning metal and wood carvings. In ancient times, the ancestors of present-day craftsmen were invited to Tibet and as far as Peking to build monasteries, pagodas, and images of Buddha and other revered deities.
You will then drive to Nagarkot for an overnight stay at a resort. The drive will take about 2-3 hours.
Day 04: Pokhara (Breakfast)
With an early morning wake up, you'll be off to see panoramas of the eastern Himalaya including 5 of world’s ten highest peaks - Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cho O Yu, Makalu and Manaslu. After breakfast we will drive to Pokhara (the very beautiful picturesque town). Overnight Hotel
Day 05: Pokhara (Breakfast)
The day will be filled with sightseeing around the attractions of Pokhara city. We will start early in the morning with a drive to Sarangkot to enjoy the sunrise. After returning to Pokhara, we’ll visit the Vindyavasini Temple and Mahendra Cave, then head back to the hotel for breakfast. Later, we’ll visit the beautiful Fewa Lake, where you can enjoy an optional hour of boating. A short 45-minute hike will take you to the World Peace Stupa, located on a small hill in Pokhara, offering magnificent views of the city and the stunning mountain range. Afterward, we’ll visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp and continue on to the famous Davis Falls before returning to the hotel. The remainder of the day will be at leisure.
Day 06: Royal Chitwan National Park (Breakfast)
After breakfast, we’ll drive to Royal Chitwan National Park, where we’ll arrive around 16:00 hrs. Naturalists at the river crossing point (ghat) will transfer you by canoe across the river to the waiting elephants, which will then ferry you to your camp, situated in the heart of the park. The park is home to the great one-horned rhinoceros, sloth bear, wild boar, gaur (bison), four species of deer, two species of monkeys, two species of crocodiles, leopards, the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger, over 400 species of birds, and various other reptiles. Upon arrival, a briefing will take place, and lodges will be assigned. You’ll then participate in activities that take you deep into the jungle to view and photograph wildlife and experience the abundant birdlife, flora, and fauna. Overnight stay at a jungle resort.
Day 07 Royal Chitwan National Park (Breakfast)
In the early morning, you'll head out on an elephant 2-3 hour jungle safari, penetrating dense 18-20 ft grasslands, which are the favorite habitat of the rhinoceros and other mammals. After breakfast, you’ll be taken to the elephant stables for a talk on the habits of elephants. You may also witness the rare sight of the elephants enjoying a bath—don’t forget to bring your bathing suit! In the afternoon, you can relax around the camp or take a dugout canoe ride down the Narayani River to view the gharial and marsh mugger crocodiles. Dinner will be served around the campfire at the jungle resort.
Day 08: Kathmandu (Breakfast)
This morning there will be some activities before breakfast. After breakfast, elephant, land rover and canoes will transfer you to waiting vehicles for the drive to the airport to fly back to Kathamndu. Hotel Overnight.
Day 09 Kathmandu (Breakfast)
Free day in Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel.
Day 10: Depart Breakfast)
Departure from Kathmandu
