Experience Nepal Tour

Kathmandu – an open-air museum of famous sites, ancient temples and shrines, pagodas, and inspiring deities – is a city of immense historical, artistic, and cultural importance. Several beautiful villages and towns surrounding the valley offer ideal destinations for short day trips. Art and architecture overlap here, as temples and palaces are decorated with intricately carved windows, delicately engraved stone and metal images, and artistic roofs.

Placed in the center of some of the world’s greatest mountains, Kathmandu Valley hosts an absolute feast of UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur; the two most important stupas, Swoyambhunath and Boudhanath; and the two Hindu shrines, Pashupatinath and Changunarayan. Kathmandu Valley is vibrant, filled with deep spirituality and rich history.

Kathmandu Valley consists of three major cities: Kathmandu (the capital city of Nepal), Patan (also known as Lalitpur or the City of Fine Arts), and Bhaktapur (also known as Bhadgaon, renowned for its well-preserved temples, monuments, and traditional artisans). These places are often described as the Open-Air Museum of medieval arts and monuments.

Pokhara Valley is situated in the western part of Nepal. Nestling against the everlasting snows of Mt. Annapurna and Mt. Fishtail and accompanied by the charming Phewa Lake, the lush vegetation and magnificent snow-capped mountains create a stunning contrast. This 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 is considered one of the most beautiful places in the country.

Pokhara became especially fascinating when explorers discovered that it is the only valley in the world from where one can see snowcapped mountains higher than 8,000 meters from below 1,000 meters. Situated at an altitude of 827 meters (2,713 ft) above sea level and 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of Kathmandu Valley, the city is known as a center of adventure.

Travelers are often amazed to explore snow-capped mountains in a subtropical climate. The enchanting city has several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks. The serenity of the 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 a World Heritage Site in 1984. There are more than 43 species of mammals in the park.

It is especially renowned for the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, the Bengal tiger, and the gharial crocodile, along with many other 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 sambar, chital, hog deer, barking deer, sloth bear, palm civet, langur, and rhesus monkey. The park covers a pristine area with a unique ecosystem of global significance. It contains the Churiya Hills, oxbow lakes, and floodplains of the Rapti, Reu, and Narayani rivers. Approximately 70% of the park’s vegetation is sal forest. The remaining vegetation includes grasslands (20%), riverine forests (7%), and sal with chir pine (3%), the latter found at the top of the Churiya range.

The riverine forests mainly consist of khair, sissoo, and simal. The grasslands form a diverse and complex community with over 50 species. The Saccharum species, often called elephant grass, can reach 8 meters in height. Shorter grasses, such as Imperata, are commonly used for thatched roofs.

The national park is home to more than 450 species of birds. Among the endangered birds are the Bengal florican, giant hornbill, lesser florican, black stork, and white stork. Common birds seen in the park include peafowl, red junglefowl, and various species of egrets, herons, kingfishers, flycatchers, and woodpeckers. The best time for birdwatching is between March and December. More than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles occur in the park, including marsh crocodiles, cobras, green pit vipers, and various species of frogs and tortoises.

Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a pilgrimage destination for people around the world. It is no surprise that the World Heritage-listed Lumbini holds immense religious significance and attracts Buddhist pilgrims globally.

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 the Maya Devi Temple, marking the exact spot where Buddha was born under a Bodhi tree.

In the adjacent sacred garden, you will find maroon- and saffron-robed monks congregating under a sprawling Bodhi tree decorated with prayer flags, paying homage to 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 its elaborate shrine, features traditional murals. Many young monks study here and practice Buddha's teachings, helping revive Lumbini as a place of Buddhist practice and preserving traditions lost in Tibet.

OUTLINE ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport. Welcome and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2: Full day sightseeing of Kathmandu.

(Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swoyambhunath Stupa)

Day 3: Drive to Pokhara, en route, 3 hours rafting on the Trishuli River.

Day 4: Full day sightseeing of Pokhara Valley.

(Begnas Tal, Davis Falls, Mahendra Cave, World Peace Stupa, Begnas and Rara Lake)

Day 5: Drive to Chitwan. After lunch: Tharu Cultural Museum, canoe trip, Tharu cultural dance. O/N

Day 6: Full day jungle activities in Chitwan National Park.

Day 7: Drive to Lumbini. Visit the birthplace 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). The rest of the day is free for shopping.

Day 10: Free until transfer to the airport for onward flight.

PRICE INCLUSIONS:

ACCOMMODATION – 3-STAR CATEGORY

4 Nights hotel in Kathmandu
2 Nights hotel in Pokhara
2 Nights hotel in Chitwan
1 Night hotel in Lumbini

TRANSPORTATION – PRIVATE VEHICLE

Airport pick-up
2 full-day guided sightseeing tours 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 TOURS

2 full days guided sightseeing in Kathmandu
1 full day guided sightseeing in Pokhara
All entrance fees in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan & Lumbini

MEALS:

9 Breakfasts
2 Lunches
4 Dinners (including welcome and farewell dinner)

COST EXCLUSIONS:

International flight ticket
International airport tax
Lunch and dinner during your stay in Kathmandu
Personal expenses (laundry, telephone calls, snacks, tips, etc.)
Beverages (mineral water, juice, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks)
Travel Insurance (essential)
Personal trekking equipment
Tips for field staff and drivers