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Best
of Nepal (8 Days)
KATHMANDU-POKHARA-KALIKASTHAN-
POKHARA-CHITWAN
Day 01 : Arrive
Kathmandu Upon arrival in Kathmandu - the guests will be met and
transferred to the hotel At sunset arrive at Swayambhunath stupa perched on
a sacred hilltop with the painted all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha gazing
across the valley in 4 cardinal directions. Sunset views from here are
simply spectacular with Buddhist Pilgrims lighting butter lamps amidst
prayer chanting amidst a backdrop of mountain peaks.
Afternoon
city tour of Kathmandu - Walk through the narrow cobbled lanes of
the old Kathmandu city visiting its many ancient temples among which the
most unusual is the Temple of Kumari or the 'The living Goddess' where a
little girls lives in her temple residence showering blessings to her many
followers. Visit the Hanuman Dhoka the ancient Royal Palace complex which
comprises of a series of 14 courtyards of which Nasal Chowk is still used
for Royal ceremonies including coronations. All around the splendor of
historical monuments is the hustle and bustle of the market place of
vegetables, flutes, souvenirs, and bead necklaces. The hub of Kathmandu
today was the area around the Kashtamandap, "The house of wood" an
is thought to have given Kathmandu its name. A fearsome stone image of the
Black Bhairab protects the square. Soaring above the Kathmandu square is the
magnificent temple of Taleju where none but royalty may worship.
The tours also covers the visit to the
holy pilgrim center of the Buddhist - a 2000 years old Swayambhunath stupa
perched on a sacred hilltop which is crowded with votive stupas, gilded
peacocks, golden Taras and thunderbolts that brought the gods of Buddhism to
earth. Monasteries achant with prayer and a 180 degree view of the mountains
at sunset. Swayambhunath stupa offers bird's eye view of entire Kathmandu
city.
OVERNIGHT: HOTEL
Day 03:
KATHMANDU / POKHARA / KALIKASTHAN
Morning:
After breakfast, transfer to the domestic airport for flight to Pokhara.
Depart by flight RA
Arrive and drive to Bagar. (30 minutes
drive)
After a Picnic Lunch,
commence trek uphill passing through small settlements of ethnic Gurung
tribes and their typical colorful houses. Set up a camp on the ridge of
Kalikasthan.
OVERNIGHT:
Day 04 : TREK /
POKHARA Early morning: You will
be woken up by the Sherpa Guides with a cup of morning tea to admire
magnificent sunrise views of Annapurna massif, Mt. Macchapuchare and of the
Annpurna II, Manaslu Himal & Lamjung mountain peaks from the camp site.
After breakfast, walk along the
ridge eastwards passing through many colorful Bahun, Chettri and Gurung
villages giving an ample opportunity to study the simple lifestyle of
Nepal's hill people. From Begnaskot, the second ridge top you will get an
impeded view of the great mountain peaks in the north and the twin lakes of
Rupa and Begnas to the south. Descend slowly along narrow village trail to
the Begnas Lake Resort.
After lunch,
cross the lake by a boat upto Begnas bazaar. Drive to Pokhara city and
check-in at Fulbari Resort
Afternoon:
Sightseeing tours of Pokhara city by bicycle. Visit Devi's falls, Phewa
Lake, Mahendra caves, the tibetan settlement and Ram bazaar.
OVERNIGHT:
Day 05 :
POKHARA / CHITWAN
After
breakfast, drive towards Royal Chitwan National Park for about
4-5 hours by private vehicle and transfer to Lodge (app. 150kms from
Pokhara).
After lunch,
excursion of Royal Chitwan National Park. The southern plains of Nepal are
covered with dense tropical jungle teeming with fascinating wildlife and
exotic birds. The one-horned rhinoceros, Royal Bengal tiger, crocodile and
Himalayan black bear are the stars of the show among the hundreds of species
of wild animals that make their home here. The kingdom also contains over
450 species of colorful birds. An excursion with naturalist through this
zoological garden by elephant, canoe or four-wheel drive vehicle is a jungle
safari you'll remember for a long time.
Among the 14 national
parks and wildlife reserves, the Royal Chitwan
National Park is the most popular.
OVERNIGHT
: LODGE
Day 06 :
CHITWAN / KATHMANDU
E/morn:
You will be woken up by the naturalist for a walk near the park for viewing
some of the colorful birds.
After
breakfast, jungle activities in the park.
A/noon: Transfer to Bharatpur Airport
and fly to Kathmandu.
Pick up from the domestic airport and
transfer to your hotel.
Overnight.
Day 07 : KATHMANDU
After breakfast, proceed onto
Bodhnath, the largest stupa in the world where from a towering golden
pinnacle the painted eyes of the all-seeing Buddha gaze across the valley in
every direction, then proceed onto the Pashupatinath temple situated on the
banks of Bagmati temple which is the most holy temples of the entire Hindu
world. As entrance into the temple precint is permitted to Hindus only,
visitors can clearly see the temple and the activities performed in the
temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati river. A sight of
cremation being performed on the banks of the river is very common.
After lunch, commence on the
sightseeing tours of Patan- an ancient city of Kathmandu valley - it is a
treasure house of venerable and picturesque buildings. It is also known as
the cradle of arts and architecture of the valley. Proceed onto Bhadgoan
(Bhaktapur) - the home of medieval art and architecture also known as 'city
of devotees'. Bhaktapur still largely a city of farmers, is the most
original of the valley's cities. It's tiled roofs, carved wooden facades and
numerous courtyards retain its medieval character.
OVERNIGHT: HOTEL
Day
08: KATHMANDU/ABROAD
.
