Kathmandu Chitwan Pokhara Tour

Itinerary

• 1

  Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu Airport – Welcome, meeting, assistance and transfer to your hotel – Rest and overnight at hotel.

• 2

  Day 02: In Kathmandu

  AM: Sightseeing tour to Old Kathmandu Durbar Square https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathmandu_Durbar_Square & Swayambhunath Stupa (2,000 years old) swayambhu.buddhism-foundation.org/about/.
  
  The Old Durbar Square is nicely located at the heart of the Kathmandu city and it used to function as a formal Royal Palace until 1896. Since then, the Royal Palace was shifted to the King’s Way. It is called ‘Narayan Hiti Durbar’ as it is located next to the Narayan Hiti (a historical stone water spout located just next to the palace by the side of the road). Still, all the formal royal activities are carried out at the Old Durbar Square. It covers a wide area with innumerable temples and other monuments rich in arts and architecture. A never-to-miss site is the Kumari Temple with the Living Goddess in the square.
  
  Swayambhunath Stupa (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is beautifully located on a hill top 3 km to the west of the Kathmandu city. It is a huge stupa in the form of a white dome with a golden pinnacle and the Buddha’s meditating eyes in its four cardinal points. It is believed to be almost 2,000 years old. The literal meaning of Swayambhu in Sanskrit is ‘self created or self manifested’. It is famous for the bird’s eye view from the hill top.
  
  PM: Sightseeing tour to Pashupatinath Temple Complex including the cremation ghats where Hindus are cremated with a special ceremony. Then, we proceed to Boudhnath Stupa, the biggest stupa in Nepal (5th century).
  
  Pashupatinath Temple https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
  Pashupatinath_Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is nicely located about 5 km to the north-east of the Kathmandu city on the bank of holy Bagmati River where on its ghat the Hindu and Buddhist dead bodies are cremated with ceremonies. It is in a pagoda style with golden roof. The literal meaning of Pashupatinath is the Lord of all animals.
  It is the holiest temple complex for the Hindus in Nepal with more than 520 temples. It covers a huge area of about 265 hectares of land. It dates back to 400 B.C. There are different beliefs and stories behind its origin.
  
  Boudhnath Stupa is one of the biggest stupas in Asia. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is believed that the stupa was built during the Lichhabi era in the 5th century. In the early 50’s, the Tibetans who fled away from Tibet preferred to live around the stupa reminding their Jokhang Temple of Lhasa where they could make a kora (circumambulation) every morning and evening. The kora is a memorable sight at the Boudhnath Stupa worth enjoying every day. As a result, there is a strong settlement of Tibetans with more than 50 beautifully decorated Buddhist monasteries around.
  

• 3

  Day 03: In Kathmandu

  AM: After lunch, we visit Patan Durbar Square including Nepalese Handicraft Centre.
  
  Patan Durbar Square is nicely located at the city centre of Patan city (Officially, Lalitpur). Among the 7 World Heritage sites of the Kathmandu Valley, it is one of them. It is the master piece showcase of the medieval Newar arts and architecture. Its main attractions are the main old palace building in pagoda style, Krishna Temple in shikhara style (Indian style), Patan Museum inside the palace in its first floor, Bhimsen Temple in pagoda style and so on.
  
  Nepalese Handicraft Centre is located at a nearby place at a distance of about 5 minutes drive from Patan Durbar Square. It includes Nepalese carpet weaving factory, handicraft display and Tibetan Refugee Centre.
  
  PM: Visit Bhaktapur, a medieval township. – Hotel.
  
  Bhaktapur is another medieval beautiful Newar township still preserving its ancient tradition, culture and heritage. The moment you enter the city, its ancient look take you back in time. It is nicely located on a huge plateau just about 12 km to the east of the Kathmandu city. It is the most beautiful one among the 3 principalities in Kathmandu, it is believed by the artists and architects. There is a good road connection. It is about half an hour drive. The major attractions in Bhaktapur are the unforgettable age-old Golden Gate, Nyatapole Temple (a huge pagoda with 5 floors), National Art Gallery, Dattatreya Temple, Potter’s Square, the palace of 55 windows, Bhaktapur Durbar Square and many more. It is a medieval township still preserving its ancient tradition, culture and heritage. You will be taken back in time.
  

• 4

  Day 04: Scenic drive to Chitwan National Park.

  The Chitwan National Park is nicely located at Chitwan about 150 km south-west from Kathmandu. It is about 4-5 hours drive through the winding and mountainous road of Nepal. It is the first national park of Nepal having the status of World Heritage Site covering 932 sq km at a height of 100 m from the sea level. Because of its location in the subtropical low land, various tropical to subtropical animals can be sighted. One horned rhinoceros, royal Bengal tigers, various breeds of deer including royal stag, more than 400 species of birds are its highlights.
  
  After checking in to the jungle lodge of your choice, start evening jungle activities like nature walk or jungle safari by jeeps through the Chitwan jungle - overnight at jungle resort
  

• 5

  Day 05: In Chitwan National Park

  Full day jungle activities start from early morning including elephant ride for game viewing, nature walk for the botanical study, bird watching for the various information on the birds found in Nepal, canoeing for exploring the water birds and animals, elephant briefing for getting interesting information about the elephant with an opportunity to bathe with them, etc. – overnight at jingle resort.

• 6

  Day 06: After breakfast, scenic drive to Pokhara (5- 6 hrs), a naturally beautiful town, famous for the Himalayan view of the whole Annapurna range including Mt Fish Tail.

  The drive is highly scenic as we drive along the river belt of Narayani river flowing down from the Himalaya – After reaching Pokhara, check-in to hotel. Evening an hour boating in Phewa Lake over viewing the Annapurna Himalaya (weather permitting) and explore lake side Pokhara bazaar – Overnight at hotel.
  
  Pokhara offers a great opportunity to enjoy the magnificent view of the Nepali Himalaya including Mt Ganesh Himal, Mt Manaslu, Mt Lamjung, Mt Nilgiri, Mt Annapurna I - IV, Mt Fishtail, Mt Dhaulagiri and so on. Evening an hour boating in Phewa Lake over viewing the Annapurna Himalayas offers a chance to enjoy the incredible reflection of Mt Fishtail in the lake (weather permitting).
  

• 7

  Day 07: In Pokhara

  Explore Pokhara with a hiking (3 hours) to Sharankot (1,500 m) from where the view of the Annapurna Himalaya is closer and clearer. The walk presents a preview of the trekking in Nepal, paradise for trekking lovers. It is well recognized worldwide. Overnight at hotel

• 8

  Day 08: After breakfast, transfer to airport and fly back to Kathmandu (20 min).

  It is a mountain flight which offers a wide range of Himalaya including the Annapurna range, Mt Manaslu, Mt Nilgiri, Mt Ganesh Himal, Mt Langtang and so on. Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, trasnfer to your hotel. Free for the rest of the day for independent activities such as shopping, body massage, etc. - Hotel.

• 9

  Day 09: Free until the departure time for airport. Transfer to airport to fly towards your onward destination.