Best of Nepal

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

12 Nights – 13 Days

 

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu

Meeting at airport on arrival by our staff and transfer to the hotel. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, lies in a broad valley at the edge of the Himalayan Range. Its art and architecture are an interesting blend of Hindu and Buddhist influences.

Day 02: In Kathmandu

In the morning we will visit the holiest shrine of the Hindu culture in Nepal, Pashupatinath. This is the place where holy saddhus pray and cremations on the Bagmati River are carried out. While you are not allowed into the temple if you are not a Hindu, the grounds surrounding the temple usually have a fascinating crowd of the faithful.

We then continue to the holiest shrine for the Buddhist culture in Nepal, Bouddhanath, with its large stupa, this is the place where all devout Buddhists come for a pilgrimage. It is not unusual to see very old devotees circumnavigate the shrine hundreds of times falling to their knees and rising again for a few steps only to go back down again to their knees.

Afternoon visit: Sankhu Village & Bajra Yogini.

Sankhu is one of the valleys larger traditional Newari towns, but its location, in a rural corner hard up against the forested hills, gives it a pleasant backwater feel. There’s an old bazaar area to the east of the main north–south road, but the area is worth visiting mainly for its temple to Bajra Yogini, whose gilded roof glints from a grove of trees on the wooded hillside north of town. It is the eldest of a ferocious foursome of tantric goddesses specially venerated in the Kathmandu Valley.

Day 03:Kathmandu / Nagarkot(32 km – 1.5 hour drive)

Morning visit Bhaktapur, perhaps the least changed of all the cities in the Kathmandu Valley, with a distinct medieval feel. Pottery and weaving are still traditional industries here. Architectural wonders abound, including the Palace of Fifty Five Windows, Golden Gate and the magnificent five storied pagoda-style Nyatapola Temple.

Later visit Changu Narayan, located at a distance of 4 km from Bhaktapur is universally acknowledged as the stateliest example of Pagoda style in Nepal. It is considered to be one of the greatest artistic legacies of the Lichivian era.

Continue drive to Nagarkot for panoramic view of eastern mountains& overnight stay.

Day 04: Nagarkot/Pokhara via rafting (242 km – 7 hours drive)

Moring drive to raft-in point called Fishling which is approximately 100 km from Nagarkot. Upon arrival, abiding by the guidelines provided by river guide, you will be rafting down to Kuringtar.

Continue drive to Pokhara which is approximately 100 km & 3 hours drive from Kurintar. Upon arrival in Pokhara, transfer to hotel.

Day 05: Pokhara (800m) / Nayapool / Tirkhedhunga (1577 m)

Drive one and half hours to Nayapul. Then start trekking;the first part of your trek is easy passing through numerous small villages and settlements. The majority people here are Gurung and their religion is Buddhist. They are engaged in agricultural activities, tourism business and some in Gorkha and Indian regiments.

Day 06: Tirkhedhunga / Ghorepani(2675 m) :

To begin your trek, you could ascend steeply for the early 2 hours and then ascend gently passing through Ulleri (2070m.) and Banthanti, Magar villages. On the way, you could see good view of Machhapuchhre or Fish Tail (6997m.), Huinchuli (6441m.), and Annapurna (7219m.) South. Now your trail is quite easier passing through forest and descends gently up to the final camp. You can experience traditional lifestyles and diverse customs of the friendly highlander people.

Day 07: Ghorepani to Poon Hill (3180m.) to Tadapani (2675m.)

Early morning trip to Poon Hill (3232m.) to enjoy the first sunrise view over Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m.), Tukuche Peak (6920m.), Nilgiri (6940m.), VarahaShikhar (7847m.), Mt. Annapurna I (8091m.), Annapurna South (7219m.), Annapurna III (7855m.), Machhapuchhre (6993m.), Annapurna IV (7525m.), Annapurna II (7937m.), LamjungHimal (6931m.) and other numerous snowcapped mountain peaks. After breakfast trek Ghorepani to Tadapani (2650 m.)

Day 08: Tadapani (2675m.) to Ghandruk (1950m.)

Morning we take a trial to Ghandruk. Ghandruk is a big Gurung village. There is a handicraft centre and Gurung museum. From this village you could see good views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna (7455m.), Annapurna III (7755m.) and Fishtail.

Day 09: Ghandruk to Nayapool – Drive to Pokhara

Your trek descends through Kimshe to Shauli Bazaar. You need to walk almost half an hour to get to Nayapul. Drive from Nayapul to Pokhara and transfer to hotel.

Day 10: In Pokhara

We drive from lake side to Kalimati then gradual ascend to world peace pagoda with view of green forest hills and Pokhara valley. Once at top of the hill in front could visible huge white stupa of world peace pagoda, from where you can witness the awesome view of Pokhara, Fewa Lake while people are rolling their boats. Then gradual down through dense queen’s forest and taking boat via Barahi Temple to Lakeside.

Day 11: Fly Pokhara / Kathmandu

Transfer to airport to board the flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel.

Proceed for the sightseeing to Kathmandu Durbar Square & Swayambhunath. Tour of Kathmandu city and temples will include visits to the Temple of the Living Goddess, Durbar Square (central square of the city), National Museum and Swayambhunath, a 2000 year-old Buddhist shrine overlooking the city.

Then it is off to Patan, which is the oldest of the three major cities in the Kathmandu Valley. It is called the City of the Arts, and is justly famous for its intricately carved wooden temples and skilled craftsmen.

Day 12: In Kathmandu

Morning leave for sightseeing tour of Dakshinkali Temple dedicated to Kali, the fearful form of Lord Siva’s consort, Parvati. The main deity in the temple is the black stone, six-armed form of Kali, standing on a prostrated figure. Sacrifices are made on Tuesday & Saturday at this temple.

Continue to Chovar & Kritipur. The picturesque little village of Chovar lies in a hill overlooking the Bagmati River where it flows through the Chovar Gorge.Kirtipur offers quaint streets lined with artistic houses and temple squares and great views of Kathmandu Valley. The people are known for their skill in building and weaving and other ancient loom.

Day 13: Depart Kathmandu

Transfer to airport to board the flight for onward journey.