Day 1: Kathmandu Arrival
Arrival in Kathmandu. Meeting with our local representative and transfer to Hotel. Overnight stay at Kathmandu.
Day 2: In Kathmandu
Today we will visit the "Boudhanath Stupa", Asia's largest stupa. Thousands of pilgrims gather daily to make a kora (ritual circumambulation) of the dome to spin the many prayer wheels beneath the watchful eyes of the Buddha, which gazes out from the gilded central tower. You will see Tibetan monks in maroon robes and with shaved heads wander around the prayer flag-decked streets. You're welcome to spin the prayer wheels, enjoy the view, or take a cup of local tea in one of the many cafes and watch the many people perform their prayers. Later we will visit the Pashupati Temple. One of the most mesmerizing rituals at Pashupatinath Temple is the Pashupati Bagmati Aarati (a religious ritual which involves cleansing in the river, or in oil). Bagmati is the holy river which flows through the temple. The river divides the temple into two sides, with the main Pashupatinath Temple being on one side and the location of the Aarati is performed on the other. Bagmati has great importance in Hindu religion. It is believed that taking a holy bath on this river washes away sins. You will also have time to visit other locations and view the sights in the bustling Kathmandu Valley. Overnight stay at Kathmandu.
Day 3: To Bandipur (4 hours drive)
Bandipur is a living museum of Newari culture. Newar people are the historical Nepalese inhabitants of Kathmandu Valley. Bandipur is a beautifully preserved village crowning a lofty ridge above the highway stop of Dumre. Its winding lanes are lined with traditional Newari houses. Time seems to have stood still here, although it has taken a lot of effort to preserve the magic while developing the town as a destination. It is a cultural and wonderful experience not to be missed! The drive itself is a wonderful chance to sit comfortably in your vehicle and take in all of the sights, the roads, and view the locals while gaining an understanding of life outside of Kathmandu city. Overnight stay at Bandipur.
Day 4: To Pokhara (3 hours drive)
Around 8 am, after breakfast, we will drive to the majestic Pokhara, which is one of the most beautiful locations in Nepal, where you can catch many glimpses of the breath-taking Himalayas. After reaching your hotel in Pokhara, you can take some time for refreshments and enjoy some well deserved leisure time. You might like to rest and have a few drinks or stretch your legs and take a walk to the wonderful lakeside. The main Lakeside road has many cafes, restaurants and shops selling items such as pashminas, or local handicrafts made by the Woman Skill's Development Workshop (a fair trade organisation and a non-profit and income-generating program for economically disadvantaged, disabled, abused, single and outcast women from rural Nepal, supporting them to be self-supportive and independent.) or visit the Helping Hands Handicraft shop which employs Deaf workers who make items on their loom such as scarves. You could also visit the Seeing Hands Blind Massage Clinic, where you can receive a muscle relaxing massage from a well-trained blind masseuse.
Pokhara is known as Nepal's number one stop for both leisure and adventure. Many trekkers will begin and end their trekking journey in Pokhara. It has a photo shoot opportunity at every corner, with the lake, the mountains and all the sites. It is the second main city of Nepal, and even many Nepalese people will choose Pokhara as their own holiday destination. From Pokhara you can go for trekking, paragliding or take a boat ride which you'll experience yourself tomorrow (with a local rower who can row for you and you can sit back and enjoy the bliss of the quiet and peaceful lake). Overnight stay at Pokhara.
Day 5: In Pokhara
Early morning at around 5:30 am, you will be taken for a drive to the hill station "Sarangkot", for the spectacular Sunrise and Mountain view - where you can see all of the mountains: Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Annapurna I and III, Fishtail, Gangapurna, Lamjung Himal, Manaslu and many more other small peaks. It is paradise for a photographer and an unparalleled experience for everyone. You will never see anything more amazing that the sun rise around the mountains. After sunrise, you'll return back to hotel and after breakfast, we have half day sightseeing around the Pokhara valley - and Boating in the Fewa Lake. Overnight stay at Pokhara.
Day 6: In Pokhara
After breakfast we will go to the "Mountain Museum". Mountains and mountaineering have a history of their own. Without preserving it, it will not be long before all the records and evidences will be lost forever. Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), established on 1 Nov 1973, initiated the establishment of International Mountain Museum (IMM) in Pokhara. The basic objective for its establishment was made to record, document and chronicle the past and present development of mountaineering activities in the world in general and to preserve the saga of the momentous feats in the history of mountaineering in the Himalayan peaks in particular, you will see "Devi's Falls" Sunset view from the "Peace Pagoda". Overnight stay at Pokhara.
Day 7: To Chitwan
After breakfast you will get to experience the wonderful drive to Chitwan. After reaching Chitwan hotel you can enjoy a welcome drink and a briefing about the accommodation and the facilities. After lunch we will brief you about the program of the following days. You can then take a short rest, and then visit to the Tharu village and the National Park Visitors Center. You will also get to experience and enjoy a sunset view from the riverbank before dinner. Chitwan National Park is a world heritage property. It is a rich national area and is the subtropical southern part of Nepal. The park is especially renowned for its protection of the One Horned Rhinoceros, the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Gharial Crocodile. Overnight stay at Chitwan.
Day 8: In Chitwan
On day 8 you will get to chance to enjoy the Dugout Canoe Trip, followed by a Nature Walk Program or a visit to the Elephant Breeding Farm. Enjoy an ox-cart ride back to the resort. After an afternoon refreshment, you can actually get an opportunity to wash an elephant and even swim (safely don't worry) with them in the Rapti River. You can then partake in a well-deserved lunch break and few hours of rest and go for Elephant back safari. Overnight stay at Chitwan.
Day 9: In Chitwan
Today you will love the Chitwan Jeep safari. Later, around 6.30pm there will be dinner and sit back & relax while the Tharu ethnic dancers delight in performing for you and showing you their amazing dancing and cultural movements. Overnight stay at Chitwan.
Day 10: To Nagarkot (5 to 6 hrs drive)
After breakfast, you will be driven to Nagarkot!!! If you haven't heard of Nagarkot then you will surely remember it forever afterwards. It has the reputation as the top spot for enjoying Himalayan views from the comfort of your hotel balcony. It's only 32km from Kathmandu, and the village is packed with hotels, stacked up on a ridge; all of them facing one of the broadest possible views of the Himalaya. You will be speechless with the views you receive here. Don't forget to bring your camera & your dream journal so that you can write about this afterwards. Overnight stay at Nagarkot.
Day 11: To Kathmandu
After breakfast there will be a shorter drive to "Bhaktapur Durbar Square". Bhaktapur, once the capital city of the Malla reign has remained one of the major attractions for tourists from the beginning of tourism activities in Nepal. Since the downfall of the Rana-Regime, Nepal has opened up to the outside world and has observed gradual growth in incoming cultural tourists. Many tourism entrepreneurs have established souvenir shops in Bhaktapur and it is a bustling, spiritual place. Enjoy the rustic shops, local Nepalese people and the magnificent temples surrounding you.
"Patan Durbar Square" is the ancient Royal Palace of Patan and faces on to a magnificent Durbar Square. This concentrated mass of temples is perhaps the most visually stunning display of Newari architecture to be seen in Nepal. Overnight stay at Kathmandu.
Day 12: In Kathmandu
"Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple)": A journey up to the Buddhist temple and Unesco World Heritage Site of Swayambhunath is one of the definitive experiences of Kathmandu. Mobbed by monkeys and soaring above the city on a lofty hilltop, the Monkey Temple is a fascinating, chaotic jumble of Buddhist and Hindu iconography. Even the 2015 earthquake failed to topple Kathmandu's best loved temple. You will see many monkeys who will continue to go about their business while you enjoy the views of the stupa. You can also walk up the 365 stone steps and be rewarded with a view of the whole Kathmandu Valley along with the monkeys.
"Kathmandu's Durbar Square" ('Durbar Square' means plazas and areas surrounding old royal palaces in Nepal) was where the city's kings were once crowned and legitimised, and from where they ruled ('Durbar' itself means palace). As such, the square remains the traditional heart of the old town and Kathmandu's most spectacular legacy of traditional architecture. You will be given free time in "Thamel", the touristic place in Kathmandu. There are many souvenir, trekking shops and restaurants to enjoy. You will not get bored roaming the small streets of Thamel enjoying the shops and chatting with local shopkeepers, or participating in some friendly local haggling as you purchase you gifts for loved ones back home.
Day 13: Departure
We will drive you to the airport as per your flight schedule. So today will be a rest day; this is so that you can spend some time trying to figure out how to repack your bag with the multiple gifts and presents you've bought for your family (and yourself) back into your suitcase. This is the dilemma of those who visit Nepal. You might also like to have a final cup of local tea, and just take in a lovely long breath of the Nepali air as you say your farewell.
