Travelpack

Highlights: Kathmandu - Chitwan - Lumbini - Pokhara - Dhulikhel - Bhaktapur

Hotels:
Kathmandu - Hotel Himalaya
Chitwan - Jungle Villa Resort
Lumini - Buddha Maya Garden
Pokhara - Begnas Lake Resort
Dhulikhel - Dhulikhel Mountain Resort
Bhakapur - Hotel Heritage

Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu.
Arrival in Kathmandu. Meet and greet at the airport with traditional Khada welcome. Transfer and check in at your hotel. Overnight at Hotel Himalaya or Aloft Hotel by Marriott.

Day 2: Tour of Kathmandu, Swoyambhunath, Pashupatinath & Boudhanath
Morning, visit of old Kathmandu city with its stone-paved lanes, colorful bazaars, the House of the living Goddess-Kumari, who is considered to be the incarnation of the "Virgin Goddess". Also visit, Kal Bhairav temple and its surrounding places. Continue to Swoyambhunath stupa, situated west of Kathmandu. It is a 2500 years old Buddhist stupa located atop of green hillock with the eyes of Buddha painted on its pinnacle overlooking righteous behaviour of the valley inhabitants. Around the stupa are hung multi-colored prayer flags whose every flutter releases holy prayers to heaven. Afternoon, visit the temple of Pashupatinath, situated on the banks of the sacred Bagmati river, temple of Lord Shiva. Pashupatinath, with a tiered golden roof and silver doors, is famous for its superb architecture and is the holiest of Hindu shrines in Nepal.

Proceed further to one of Nepal's largest Stupa of Bodhnath. This Stupa, set in a pattern of a "Mandala" is encircled by houses and monasteries where Rinpoches (Buddhist monks) reside. Around the base is a ring of 108 images of the Buddha and 147 insets containing prayer wheels. Overnight at Hotel Himalaya or Aloft Hotel by Marriott.

Meal: Bed & Breakfast

Day 3: Tour of Bungamati, Khokana & Patan
Morning, visit the old Newari twin villages of Bungamati and Khokana. Bungamati is a classic Newari village dating from the 16th century. It sits atop a spur above the Bagmati river. In the centre of the lively village square is the large Rato Machhendranath Temple, a shikara-style temple rather than a pagoda. It overlooks the Bagmati river. Khokana is another Newari village, a short walk across the paddy fields from Bungamati. It is a simple village with history and culture. Ancient oil presses can be seen at work in the village house.

Afternoon, visit Patan city, also known as Lalitpur or the "city of beauty". Patan is well known for its intricately carved temples, narrow lanes and quaint shops. See the intricately stone-carved Krishna temple, Patan Durbar Square and Hiranyavarna Mahavihar (golden temple). Overnight at Hotel Himalaya or Aloft Hotel by Marriott.

Meal: Bed & Breakfast

Day 4: Drive Kathmandu/Chitwan (168 Km / 5 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to a scenic mountain highway to the Chitwan. Upon arrival, we will be met and welcomed by the naturalist from the jungle lodge. Check in at the resort. Lunch in the dining complex.

Afternoon, elephant back safari through the jungle to see the Nepali wildlife such as; the great Asian one-horned Rhinoceros, sloth Bear, wild Boar, several species of Deer, rhesus Monkey, the black-faced Langur, the Gaur (wild cattle) and if we are lucky, the spotted Himalayan Leopard or the Royal Bengal Tiger. Evening: Slide presentation on flora and fauna of Nepal or Tharu stick dance. Lunch, Dinner and Overnight at Jungle Villa Resort or similar.

Meal: Bed & Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Chitwan
Full day of jungle activities including nature walk to see birds and smaller animals, boat ride to see crocodiles and water-birds, Tharu tribe village visit etc.

Meal: Bed & Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Drive Chitwan/Lumbini (170 Km / 4 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha. Check in at your Hotel. Rest of the afternoon is free. Overnight at Hotel Buddha Maya Garden.

Meal: Bed & Breakfast

Day 7: Lumbini
Full day sightseeing tour of Lumbini Garden. Visit Lumbini Garden with its famous Mayadevi temple, Ashoka pillar, the holy pond. Visit the eternal flame and the monasteries built by various Buddhist nations to commemorate the birthplace of lord Buddha. Overnight at Hotel Buddha Maya Garden.

Meal: Bed & Breakfast

Day 8: Drive Lumbini / Pokhara visiting Tansen Bazaar enroute (210 Km / 7-8 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Tansen, a colorful hill town situated at an altitude of 1,450m. It is the most popular summer resort in western Nepal on account of its location and climate. It offers the most extensive views of the country’s main attraction, the Himalaya; from Dhaulagiri in the west to Gauri Shankar in the north-east. A short visit of Tansen bazaar to see the medieval Newari brick houses, neat stone-paved alleyways and quaint shops selling spices, groceries and clothes.

After the visit, drive along a scenic mountain highway to Pokhara, famous for its snow clad mountains, lush green vegetation and its spring fed lakes. Upon reaching Pokhara, drive further to Begnas Bazaar and transfer to your resort by boat. Overnight at Begnas Lake Resort.

Meal: Bed & Breakfast

Day 9: AM: Hike to Sundaridanda and Taalbesi (3-4 hrs). PM: Tour of Pokhara
Morning, walk along the Sundari Danda ridge visiting this small scattered hamlet inhabited by a mixture of the Gurungs, a well known hill tribe and the high caste Bahuns and Chettris. Sundari Danda, literally meaning `beautiful hill' in Nepali offers spectacular views of the Manaslu (8156m), Lamjung (6931m), Mt. Macchapuchare (6993m) and the entire Annapurna massif including most of its prominent peaks. Walk through the little village bazaar straddling a spur between the twin lakes of Begnas and Rupa. Descend along an old winding village trail to Taal Besi, a small village that lives off fishing and trading with the adjoining district of Lamjung where goods are transported by porters and mule-trains. Walk along fertile paddy-fields and small colorful villages. You may either return by the same route or take another trail which is mostly along a dirt road that runs round the hill contours to Sundari Danda where your resort is located.

Afternoon, continue the sightseeing tour of Pokhara city and its colorful bazaars. Visit includes Bindabasini temple and Devis fall. Take a walk along the Phewa lakeside with its rows of restaurants, bars, bookshops and fruit stalls. After the visit, drive back to Begnas Bazaar and transfer to your resort by boat. Overnight at Begnas Lake Resort.

Meal: Bed & Breakfast

Day 10: Drive Pokhara/Kathmandu/Dhulikhel (222 Km/6 hrs)
Drive back to Kathmandu retracing the same highway. Continue 30 kms east of Kathmandu to the small resort town of Dhulikhel set on a hill ridge and enveloped in copper soiled terraces with magnificent views of the central Himalayan peaks. Dhulikhel is well known for its sunrise views. It's a good way to get a glimpse of Nepalese village life. Overnight at Dhulikhel Mountain Resort.

Meal: Bed & Breakfast

Day 11: Drive Dhulikhel / Kathmadu via Bhaktapur
After breakfast, check out of your hotel. Then drive to old Bhaktapur town. Entering the Durbar Square (palace square), the sparseness of the temples is immediately apparent, compared to the profusion in the durbar squares of Kathmandu and Patan. Visit the main square which contains a few temples and other architectural show pieces. After the visit, transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Hotel Heritage.

Meal: Bed & Breakfast

Day 12: Departure transfer
Transfer to international airport in time to connect your outbound flight.

Meal: Bed & Breakfast

Offer Includes

Meal Plans