Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Pick up from the airport and transfer to hotel.
Day 2: Full Day Sightseeing of old Kathmandu City, Patan City and Swoyambhunath Stupa
Morning breakfast and short drive to Kathmandu Dubar Square to start the program.
Ason Walking Tour and Kathmandu Dubar Square
Ason is an old market lying in the heart of the Kathmandu city and has a distinct character, taking one back to many centuries. This traditional market leads to many intriguing sights and is a maze with narrow streets/alleys, temples, people milling around, colorful shops offering a variety of spices, dry fruits, color powders, incense, and many more things. From dawn until late at night, Ason is jammed with buyers, sellers and passers-by. You will also see many temples as we take this walk and many people performing their daily rituals.
Kathmandu Dubar Square is spread around the old royal palace of the former Kathmandu Kingdom and is one of three Durbars (royal palace) Squares in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Durbar Square is surrounded with spectacular architecture and vividly showcases the skills of the Newar artists and craftsmen over several centuries. The Kathmandu Durbar Square held the palaces of the Malla and Shah Kings who ruled over the city. Along with these palaces, the square surrounds quadrangles, revealing courtyards and many famous temples.
Short drive (20 mins) to Swoyambhunath Stupa.
Swoyambhunath Stupa
Resting on a hillock 3kms west of Kathmandu, Swoyambhu is one of the holiest Buddhist stupas in Nepal. It is said to have evolved spontaneously when the valley was created out of a primordial lake more than 2,000 years ago. This stupa is the oldest of its kind in Nepal and has numerous shrines and monasteries on its premises. Swoyambhu overlooks most parts of the valley, giving visitors panoramic views of the city. The stupa has stood as a hallmark of faith and harmony for centuries with Hindu temples and deities incorporated in this Buddhist site.
Drive further 20 mins to Patan City.
Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square, situated in the heart of the city, is the main tourist attraction. The square is full of ancient palaces, temples, and shrines noted for their exquisite carvings. One can rummage for treasures and souvenirs in the various shops around the square.
The main attractions here are the ancient Royal palace itself. Some of the other attractions and sites to appreciate for its extravagant wooden and stone work in the Patan Durbar Square are Krishna Mandir, Mahaboudha, Hiranya Varna Mahavir, The Ashokan Stupas.
Return back and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Sightseeing of Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath, drive to Dhulikhel and explore Namobuddha Monastery
After morning breakfast, short drive to Bouddhanath Stupa and then drive 15 mins to Pashupatinath Temple.
Bouddhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple
Bouddha built in the 14th century is the world’s largest stupa and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist Temple outside Tibet. It is the center of Tibetan culture in Kathmandu with rich Buddhist symbolism. It also contains magnificent Buddhist architecture and a site of great veneration for Buddhists. Today, it remains an important place of pilgrimage and meditation for Tibetan Buddhists and local Nepalis.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath is one of the four most important religious sites in Asia for devotees of God Shiva. Built in the 5th century and later renovated by Malla kings, the site itself is said to have existed from the beginning of the millennium when a ‘Shiva lingam’ was discovered here. The largest temple complex in Nepal, it stretches on both sides of the Bagmati River which is considered holy by Hindus. The main pagoda style temple has a gilded roof, four sides covered in silver and exquisite wood carvings. Temples dedicated to several other Hindu and Buddhist deities surround the temple of Pashupatinath.
Then, drive 45 mins to Dhulikhel and lunch outside a restaurant enjoying the view of the Himalayas and short sightseeing of Dhulikhel.
Dhulikhel
Dhulikhel is an ancient town of Newar ethnic community, situated 30kms East at the outer border of Kathmandu Valley. It boasts of beautiful Himalayan views, with a stunning panorama of snow-capped peaks like Dorje Lakpa, Gauri Shankar, Hiunchuli and Langtang Lirung. There are numerous temples lining the streets of Dhulikhel, each showcasing traditional Newari craftsmanship and artistic skill, alongside bare-brick houses with carved wooden windows and sacred statues. The old part of the town is even more interesting place to visit with some traditional Nepalese buildings and temples.
Drive further 30 mins to Namobuddha Monastery and explore the grounds. Meditate, attend afternoon Puja (ritual) ceremony, talk to Ani (Woman Monk) about their ways of life and Buddhism.
Drive to Dhulikhel for overnight at your comfortable hotel with campfire dinner.
Day 4: Dhulikhel Sunrise Trip, Hike to Nagarkot (2.5 hrs) and Sightseeing of Bhaktapur
Wake up before sunrise and drive 20 mins to Dhulikhel Viewpoint to see the sunrise.
Dhulikhel Viewpoint
It is Located on a hilltop overlooking the beautiful Dhulikhel town, the mighty Panchkhal Valley and the highlight of the place- The Mighty Himalayas. On a clear day, we can see the whole range of mountains spread from east to west and is a sight to behold. It boasts of beautiful Himalayan views, with a stunning panorama of snow-capped peaks like Dorje Lakpa, Gauri Shankar, Hiunchuli and Langtang Lirung. The view of the morning sunrise emanating from the horizon and lighting up the Himalayan peaks is a sight to behold! It is a very famous, scenic tourist point from where we can observe the whole landscape of hills, mountains, plains far and wide across covering many districts of Nepal.
After morning breakfast, drive of a little more than 1hr to Changunarayan for short sightseeing and start the hike.
Changu Narayan
It is situated at the end of a long ridge that runs well into the valley, it is said to have be the oldest temple in the valley, built in 323 AD by King Hari Dutta Varma. The temple is richly decorated with sculptures and carvings, and its position above the Kathmandu Valley affords a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside.
Start hike from Changunarayan to Telkot which takes about 2.5 hours enjoying great views of some of the tallest mountains of Nepal, passing local, tribal villages, and observing beautiful landscapes of the valley.
Drive to Nagarkot from Telkot (30mins) and sightseeing of Nagarkot – its ancient temples, landscape, stunning views overlooking the Kathmandu Valley and watch the sunset from the highest point in Nagarkot, the tower.
Nagarkot
It is a picturesque resort village, 32 km east of Kathmandu. The elevation of this beautiful place is 2,175m from sea level. The views go from Dhaulagiri in the west to Kanchenjunga in the east. On a clear day, one can see Mt. Everest (8848m), Manaslu (8,463m), Ganesh Himal (7,111m), and Langtang (7,246m).
Drive back to Bhaktapur (30 mins) for sightseeing of the World Heritage Site below which is on the way back to Kathmandu.
Bhaktpur Dubar Square
Bhaktapur, the medieval city, also known as Bhadgaon is situated about 17 kms East of Kathmandu and was one of the three kingdoms of the Mallas. Here we shall visit the Lion Gate, Picture Gallery, beautiful embellished Golden Gate and 17th century Palace of Fifty fife Windows. The city’s ancient temples and palaces are magnificent examples of Newari craftsmanship with their beautiful carved wooden windows and latticework, and Bhaktapur people are still renowned for their pottery and hand woven fabrics, including the traditional local red and black saris.
Late evening drive back to Kathmandu (40 mins) and overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Drive to Bandipur (5 hrs) and walk around old Bandipur town
After breakfast, drive to Bandipur (5hrs) through the beautiful view of the scenic countryside.
Bandipur
It is an old Newari town that lies at an altitude of 1030m. Situated on top of a hill the town overlooks the magnificent Marshyangdi Valley and boasts a breathtaking view of the Himalayan range. The town lies on the old trading route from Nepal to Tibet and used to be a rest stop for the Newars (who are the original inhabitants of Kathmandu).
Evening cultural walk around the Bandipur town, a well preserved cultural site. The town of Bandipur is small in area but offers a great deal culturally. Observe local life and businesses and interact with locals along the way.
Overnight at your comfortable hotel in Bandipur village. Living in the old residence in the heart of the town truly makes it possible to experience the local Newari culture at all times during your stay.
Day 6: Bandipur Sunrise Tour, Bandipur Sightseeing and Drive to Pokhara
Wake up before sunrise and walk to Martyrs Tower to see sunrise and amazing mountain views lightened up by the sunrays. Return to the hotel, have breakfast and start sightseeing of Bandipur.
It is an interesting walk to the nearby stone carved water spouts called “Tindhara” where locals through ages have come to collect water, bathe and wash. Walk continues around “Tudhikhel”, a former parade ground for army at the time when Bandipur was one of the district headquarters. Tudhikhel, now a scenic vista is also a junction point for socialization for the commons. We walk further to Thanimai Temple one of most revered religious sites in the town and do Puja (ritual) like the locals. Walk back on the stone paved path in between the local houses to hotel.
Drive to Pokhara from Bandipur (2 ½ hrs-85kms) through scenic countryside. Arrive in Pokhara and check in to hotel.
Late afternoon walk along Lakeside and boating on Phewa Lake.
Phewa Lake
It is the second largest lake in Pokhara, the lake bordering the forested hill. The view of Fishtail and other mountains reflected in the lake, the little island and the Tal Barahi temple in the middle, the white stupa on the top of the hill, the gliders jumping from Sarangkot, the Ultra-light soaring up high and paralleled each other, buzzing, all at once can be seized in the mild breeze over the Phewa Lake.
Evening walk and relaxation in the famous Lakeside Market of Pokhara.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Full day Pokhara Sightseeing
Pokhara
It occupies a broad fertile valley in Nepal’s central hills, just south of the Annapurna Massif. Fewa Tal, the largest of the valley’s seven lakes, attracts those who enjoy boating and photographing scenic reflections of Machhapuchare, the dominant peak of the Annapurna range. Deep gorges are created by the rivers that wind their way through limestone strata. Temples and monasteries reveal their varied heritage.
After Breakfast, Pokhara Sightseeing tour is on the agenda with short drive to David’s Fall.
David’s Fall is a charming little waterfall located about 2 km southwest of the Pokhara Airport on the Siddhartha Highway. Also located very close to David’s Fall is Gupteswar Gupha, a mysteriously sacred cave that holds special value for Hindus since a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva is perfectly preserved here in the condition it was discovered in. Locally, it is also named as Gupteswar Mahadev.
Bindybasini Temple is the oldest religious shrine in Pokhara built in the 16th century. The main shrine of the temple is dedicated to the Goddess Durga where Hindu worshippers flock to perform sacrifices, especially on Saturday. Mahendra Gupha and Chamere Gupha are two other major, attractive natural sites reached after a two-hour walk north of Pokhara. The Mahendra Gupha is known as the ‘House of Bats’ and Chamere Gupha (Bat’s Cave) are aptly named owing to the number of bats living within their walls.
Seti Gandaki Gorge, a wonder of nature that goes underground, vanishing from sight in many places along its route through the city. At various points the river is barely two meters wide and cuts a deep, narrow valley. A good spot for watching the river below is Mahendra Pul, a small bridge at the center of the city.
World Peace Pagoda, a massive Buddhist stupa, is an impressive site in Pokhara situated on top of a hill on the southern shore of Phewa Lake. Besides being an impressive sight in itself, the Buddhist shrine is a great vantage point which offers spectacular views of the Annapurna range and Pokhara City.
The Old Bazaar, 4 km away from Phewa Lake, is a traditional bazaar and a colorful gathering place for an ethnically diverse group of traders. The temples and monuments bear a close resemblance to the Newari architecture of Kathmandu Valley and retain much of its original charm. The old bazaar is also home to one of Pokhara’s most important shrines, the Bindhyabasini Mandir.
Drive back to hotel and overnight.
Day 8: Sarangkot Sunrise Tour and Drive from Pokhara to Chitwan (6 hrs.)
Before breakfast, drive to Sarangkot to see sunrise.
Sarangkot Sunrise tour
Drive to Sarangkot (leave at 5:30 am at the latest). After a few minutes’ walk you’ll reach an observation point where you can see Marvelous sunrise and on a clear day the views on Machhapuchare (the sacred “Fish Tail” reaching 6993m at its highest Himalayas views) and Phewa Lake are tremendous. After staying 1 to 1.5 hours at view point, walk back to car park and drive back to Pokhara for breakfast.
Drive to Chitwan from Pokhara after breakfast which takes 5 to 6 hrs. It is beautiful driving along Prithvi highway and through nice landscape, villages and jungle to Chitwan.
The Royal Chitwan National Park
It comprises 932 square kilometers of Sal and riverine jungle, a magnificent environment which contains a greater variety of wildlife than any other area of Nepal. Over 500 species of birds have been recorded here, as well as many mammals, reptiles and numerous insects. Mammals are likely to include the endangered Indian Rhinoceros, Wild Boar, Sambar, Muntjac, Spotted and Hog Deer, Rhesus and Hanuman Monkeys, whilst reptiles we may encounter include Marsh Mugger Crocodile and the fish-eating Gharial. Leopards, Sloth Bears, and Gaur (wild biggest Cattle) are all fairly common and occasionally seen by the lucky ones! For our first two nights in Chitwan we will be staying in Tiger Land Safari Resort comfortable jungle lodge, undoubtedly the best area in the park for Rhino and a superb area for birds.
Relax and enjoy a walk in Chitwan to see local markets and local life.
Late afternoon to visit nearby Tribal Tharu Village and go to see evening Cultural Dance Program involving various Tharu Dances.
Day 9: Full Day in Chitwan
After morning breakfast, start the program. Full Day Jungle Activities including Jeep Safari, Elephant Back Ride, Canoe Ride, Jungle Walk etc.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Drive back to Kathmandu
After morning breakfast, enjoy free leisure time in the morning in Chitwan. You can do shopping, buy souvenirs, get a massage, roam around the market etc.
Drive 5.5 hrs to Kathmandu and relax for the rest of the day.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Free Day in Kathmandu
You can use this day to relax and explore on your own. You can do shopping, buying souvenirs, getting massages etc.
Farewell dinner program with live cultural program at good Nepali Restaurant.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12: Departure
Transfer to airport and fly back home
Please note: The suggested itinerary can be shortened or lengthened upon request.
