Kathmandu - open-air museum of famous sites, ancient temples and shrines, pagodas and inspiring deities - is a city of unlimited historic artistic and cultural importance. Several beautiful villages and towns surrounding the valley offer ideal destinations for mini day trips. Art and architecture overlap here - temples and palaces are decorated with intricately carved windows, delicately engraved stone and metal images and artistic roofs.Placed in the center of of the worlds greatest mountains, Kathmandu valley hosts an absolute feast of UNESCO world heritage sites; the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhakatpur, the two most important Stupas, Swoyambhunath and Boudhanath and the two Hindu shrines, Pahsupatinath and Changunarayan. Kathmandu valley is a vibrant valley filled with deep spirituality and rich history.
Kathmandu valley consists three major cities namely Kathmandu (the capital city of Nepal), Patan(also known as Lalitpur or the city of fine arts) and Bhaktapur( also known as Bhadgaon which is renowned with its well preserved temples and monuments, the peasants and artisans). These places are often described as the Open Air Museum of medical arts and monuments.
Pokhara Valley is situated in the western part of Nepal, the Pokhara is nestling against the everlasting snows of the Mt Annapurrna and Mt Fishtail and accompanied by the charming lake, Phewa Lake. The lush vegetation and magnificent snow-capped mountain form a sharp contrast, which is the very reason why Pokhara has become one of the most popular cities in Nepal.
Pokhara is one of the major tourist destinations of Nepal, and probably one among of the most beautiful place in the country.Pokhara became the most interesting especially when explorers found that it is the only valley in the world from where one can see snowcapped mountains higher than 8000m. from below 1000 m. Situated at an altitude of 827 meters (2,713 ft) from the sea level and 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of Kathmandu valley, the city is known as a center of adventure, in which it is amazing that travelers can explore snow-capped mountains in subtropical climate. The enchanting city has several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panoramic views of Himalayan peaks. The serenity of lakes and the magnificence of the Himalayas rising behind them create an ambience of peace and magic.
Chitwan National Park is the oldest national park in Nepal and is situated in the subtropical inner Terai lowlands of South-Central Nepal. The park was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1984.There are more than 43 species of mammals in the park. The park is especially renowned for the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, the tiger and the gharial crocodile along with many other common species such as gaur, wild elephant, four-horned antelope, striped hyena, pangolin, Gangetic dolphin, monitor lizard and python. Other animals found in the park include the sambar, chital, hog deer, barking deer, sloth bear, palm civet, langur and rhesus monkey. This park covers a pristine area with a unique ecosystem of significant value to the world. It contains the Churiya hills, ox-bow lakes and flood plains of Rapti, Reu and Narayani Rivers. Approximately 70% of the park vegetation is sal forest.The remaining vegetation types include grassland (20%), riverine forest (7%), and sal with chirpine (3%), the latter occurring at the top of the Churiya range. The riverine forests consist mainly of khair, sissoo and simal. The grassland forms a diverse and complex community with over 50 species. The Saccharun species, often called elephant grass, can reach 8 m. in height. The shorter grasses such as Imperata are useful for thatch roofs.
In this national park there are over 450 species of birds in the park. Among the endangered birds are the Bengal florican, giant hornbill, lesser florican, black stork and white stork. Common birds seen in the park include the peafowl, red jungle fowl, and different species of egrets, herons, kingfishers, flycatchers and woodpeckers. The best time for bird watching is March and December. More than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles occur in the park, some of which are the marsh crocodile, cobra, green pit viper and various species of frogs and tortoises.
Lumbini The birth place of Lord Buddha and one of the UNESCO heritage site, is a pilgrimage destination for the people all around the world. Its no great surprise then to learn that the World Heritage-listed Lumbini is of huge religious significance and attracts Buddhist pilgrims from around the world.
One can see the remains of Ashoka's pillar as well as a shrine, of indeterminate age, dedicated to Queen Mayadevi. The religious heart of Lumbini is Maya Devi Temple, which marks the exact spot where the Buddha was given birth under a Bodhi tree. In -adjacent sacred garden you will find a see of maroon- and saffron-robed monks congregating under a sprawling Bodhi tree decorated with prayer flags paying homage to the Lord Buddha. A Nepalese Buddhist temple was built in 1956 and a Tibetan monastery of the Sakya dynasty was completed in 1975. The monastery, along with a beautiful and elaborate shrine, is well illustrated by the traditional murals. Many young monks are studying here and practicing Buddha's teachings. Thus, they are performing two pious acts, aiding the revival of Lumbini as a place of Buddhist practice and preserving the great traditions lost in Tibet.
OUTLINE ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport. Welcome and transfer to hotel.
Day 2: Full day sight seeing of Kathmandu.
(Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swoyambhunath Stupa).
Day 3: Drive to Pokhara enroute 3 hrs rafting on Trishuli river.
Day 4: Full day sightseeing of Pokhara valley.
( Begnal tal, Davis falls, Mahendra cave, World Peace Stupa, Begnas and Rara Lake)
Day 5: Drive to Chitwan. After lunch visit tharu cultural musuem, canoe trip, Tharu cultural dance. O/N
Day 6: Full day jungle activites on chitwan national park
Day 7: Drive to Lumbini. Visit the birth palce of Lord Buddha.
Day 8: Drive back to Kathmandu.
Day 9: Full day sightseeing of Bhaktapur and Patan.
(Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Square, Changunarayan Temple.). Rest day free for shopping.
Day 10: The day is free until transfer to airport for your onward flight.
PRICE INLCUSIONS:
ACCOMMODATION "3 STAR CATEGORIES":
- 4 Nights hotel in Kathmandu
- 2 Nights hotel in Pokhara
- 2 Nights hotel in Chitwan
- 1 Night hotel in Lumbini
TRANSPORTATION "PRIVATE VEHICLE":
- Airports pick up
- 2 full day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley
- 1 full day guided sightseeing tour in Pokhara valley
- Kathmandu to Pokhara
- Pokhara to Chitwan
- Chitwan to Lumbini
- Lumbini to Kathmandu
- Airport Drop
SIGHTSEEING TOUR:
- 2 full days guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu
- 1 full day guided sightseeing tour in Pokhara
- All entrance fees while sightseeing in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan & Lumbini
MEAL:
- 9 BREAKFASTS,
- 2 LUNCH,
- 4 DINNER (including welcome and farewell dinner)
COST EXCLUSIONS:
- International flight ticket
- International airport tax
- Lunch and dinner during your stay in Kathmandu
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, sweets, snacks, tips, etc.
- Beverages like mineral water, juice, Coke, Fanta, Sprite as well as alcoholic drinks.
- Travel Insurance (Essential).
- Personal trekking equipment except stated above.
- Tips for field staff and driver.
