Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, you will be met by the guide and transferred to the hotel for check in. Spend the day resting & relaxing at your leisure. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with a dance performance.
Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu
Breakfast is served at the hotel
Sightseeing Kathmandu Tour
Begin from Pashupatinath Temple – one of the holiest Hindu Temples in all of South Asia. The temple is situated on the bank of sacred Bagmati River, which is a tributary of sacred Ganges. Admission to the temple is reserved for Hindus only, yet you can get a close up view of the temple from other side of the river. The temple and the surroundings are vibrant with rites and rituals performed by Hindu devotees. We will also have opportunity to watch the Hindu cremation services on the bank of the river.
The next stop will be the giant Boudnath Stupa – one of Asia’s largest Buddhist shrines. The stupa, 100 m (328 ft) diameter and 40 m (130 ft) height, can be spotted from many view points in Kathmandu. There are a number of Buddhist monasteries around. The area is dominantly Tibetan in character, and is very much reminiscent of the Barkhor area of Lhasa.
Bhaktapur is one of the three medieval principalities of Kathmandu Valley, and the best preserved. Bhaktapur, its Durbar Square with beautiful palaces and temples, intricate woodcarving, fabulous stone sculptures, and brick paved streets, looks like an open air museum! The major attractions in Bhaktapur are the Palace of 55 Windows, the giant Taleju Bell in front of the palace, the golden gilded gate with beautiful metal works in its semi circular pediment, the royal bath tank inside the palace, 5-storied Naytapola Temple that survived the earthquake of 1934, Duttratraya Temple, and Pujarimath Complex with Peacock Window – the masterpiece woodcarving in Nepal.
Walk through the narrow alleys with private houses on both sides, and visit potter’s square where you will learn the traditional methods of pottery making. You will also have the chance to stop by a wood carvers’ workshop near Duttratraya.
Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu
After breakfast, drive to Chitwan National Park (170 km / 5 – 6 hr drive). Chitwan National Park, 932 sq mi, is one of Asia’s most famous game parks, renowned for the preservation of Great One-Horned Rhinoceros. The park is also home to about 100 Royal Bengal Tigers, leopards, sloth bears, 4 species of deer, 2 species of monkeys, and more than 600 different species of birds.
In the evening before dinner, enjoy a presentation about the flora and fauna of Chitwan National Park. The presentation will be organized by our well-trained senior naturalists. After some rest in the lodge, visit Tharu Village where you will have opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the flora and fauna of Chitwan National Park.
Overnight at the hotel in Chitwan
Breakfast is served at the hotel.
Jungle Safari Activities
In the morning, take a canoe ride down the Rapti River. The river ride provides an opportunity for viewing the gharial crocodiles, mugger crocodiles, and varieties of water birds. You may also opt to go for a nature walk, or birding with one of our naturalists to learn more about the flora of the Chitwan National Park.
Return to the hotel for lunch, then take a Jeep safari to the jungle.
In the evening, you will be entertained by the local Tharu dances. Tharu are the aboriginal inhabitants of the area, and still live there today with their century-old lifestyle and traditions.
Overnight in Chitwan at the River View Jungle Camp
Following breakfast, depart the hotel in Chitwan and transfer to Bharatpur airport for your flight to Pokhara.
Pokhara valley, situated in the lap of the mighty Annapurnas and Fishtail mountains. With lakes, gorges, waterfalls, mysterious cave temples to gorgeous mountain views, truly makes Pokhara the natural capital of Nepal.
Check in to your hotel on the lakeside and set out to explore the wonders of the area. Begin at Davis Falls, where water cascades down from the lake and disappears into the earth. Opposite to the falls lies the mysterious cave of Gupteshwara Mahadeva. You may also want to visit the Tibetan Village and its monastery. In the evening take a relaxed stroll on the lakeside.
Overnight in Pokhara at the Lakeside Retreat
Explore more of Pokhara
Early morning, drive to Sarangkot (1,592 m / 5,222 ft) for a panoramic sunrise view of the Himalayas. On a clear day, Sarangkot offers spectacular views of the western range of the Himalayas and valleys. On the way back, stop at Bindhebasini Temple – the most revered of the Hindu Temples in Pokhara. You will also stop at the vibrant Old Bazaar.
If you are keen on hiking, you can hike to the Peace Stupa at the ridge top, towering over Fewa Lake. Take a boat ride on the Lake Fewa and visit the island temple of Goddess Barahi – probably the most visited of all the temples in Pokhara. Depending on your interest, you can also visit the Mountaineering and National History Museums.
Overnight in Pokhara at the Lakeside Retreat
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Kathmandu.
In Kathmandu, visit the 2,000 year old Swayambhunath Stupa –nicknamed “The Monkey Temple”. Proceed to Durbar Square and the Kumari Ghar – the temple of the Living Goddess of Nepal. Finally, walk along the busy streets of Indra Chok and Assan, the main commercial centers, which are vibrant with trading activities.
Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your departure flight home.
