GLORIOUS NEPAL and a TASTE of its Exquisite Locales

Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Nagarkot, Bhaktapur, Kathmandu (8 nights / 9 days)

Enclosed between the majestic peaks of the great Himalayan mountain range, the serene nation of Nepal is a sheer delight for travellers. The abundant mountain-trekking and climbing gives it a prime spot amidst all the other places where these activities are popularly performed. The scent of fresh air, friendly locals, welcoming coffee shops and bakeries provide the perfect recipe for back-packing and for exploring this magnificent country all alone or in the company of friends and loved ones. Foreign currencies keep on pouring into here because of tourism being the most preferred source of income for this picturesque place. However, after the tremors of the earthquake that hit Nepal in 2015, it has stood up again and most of the popular sights have been restored. Anyone can come here, either for adventure, for a family tour or to conquer the dangerous and challenging trails of the great Himalayas.

Highlights of this lovely Nepalese tour involve the following major attractions –

Exploring the magnificent Pashupatinath Temple and the major sights at Kathmandu
Enjoying the trekking trails of Bhaktapur and the adjoining village of Bhadgaon
Cherishing the abundance of hilltops at Nagarkot
A thrilling experience inside the famous wildlife sanctuary at Chitwan Forest Reserve
Adventure water-sports and boating at Pokhara

Programme:

DAY 1: ARRIVE KATHMANDU by FLIGHT

On arriving in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, you will be greeted by one of our local agent’s representatives before you are transferred to your hotel. You then get yourself comfortable in your hotel and spend the night planning for the adventurous tour the very next day.

DAY 2: IN KATHMANDU

After finishing your breakfast in the morning, an exclusive tour of Kathmandu begins. There will be many locales on the travel platter for you to taste.

Kathmandu –The Heart of Nepal

Right from the moment you land in Nepal and see the capital named Kathmandu, you will realise that it is a very ‘happening’ place. The city is a perfect treat for your senses with a good combination of buzzing markets, inviting streets, comforting back-packing facilities and awesome temple decorations.

The major parts of this city have been restored after the 2015 earthquake. The crowded streets of the old market can be explored, sitting on a local rickshaw. The incense coming out of its medieval temples will mesmerise your soul. The grand marigold decorations and the traditional rituals being observed inside the temples make visiting here a very special experience for travellers, enabling them to get closer to Nepal’s rich culture and traditions. Small workshops and open spaces outside homes seem interesting as lots of red chillies and rice are left to dry for preparing traditional Nepalese cuisine. Exploring the raw and undeveloped villages is a great way to understand more about Kathmandu.

The sight-seeing experience –

After finishing your morning breakfast, you will visit the Swayambhunath Stupa. The Buddhist shrine looks marvellous and has stood tall over the last 2,000 years on the hilltop of western Kathmandu. A detailed visit to the picturesque places inside Patan City and its rich Patan museum makes for an unforgettable experience. The Patan Durbar Square will remind you of the harsh effects of the 2015 earthquake and Nepal’s high spirits of survival. The Golden Temple and Baglamukhi Temple are heartiest celebrations of the feminine deities and offer you an enchanting experience of the traditional puja pattern in Nepal. Your trip towards the very famous Pashupatinath Temple will ignite your devotion for the destroyer Lord Shiva, who is worshipped in all his grace in this temple.

The silent banks of the River Baghmati play as the perfect backdrop for this magnificent temple, where thousands of devotees gather every single day to observe devotional rituals.

At the end of the day, you have a well-deserved night of rest.

DAY 3: KATHMANDU-POKHARA by SURFACE (210 kms. / approx. 6 hours)

After a morning breakfast at your hotel, this is followed by a road drive to Pokhara, taking approximately six hours. You stop on the way to visit the famous Manokamna Temple (optional). You are then transferred to your hotel on reaching Pokhara. The day is meant for rest, followed by a comforting night’s sleep.

DAY 4: POKHARA

After having breakfast for the day, you start travelling towards Sarankot Hill.

Pokhara –Window to the great Himalayas

The clarity of water and the sight of the Himalaya hilltops make Pokhara every mountain lover’s paradise. Considering the multiple choices of accommodation, food and roaming around, it is the best place to re-energise yourself after a three-day excursion to the Himalayas. The much-needed rest after a tricky hill-ride on a bus demands rest alongside the famous lake of Pokhara. The lake-side is filled with paddle boats and seems to be inviting you for a joy-ride on the refreshing lake’s waters. The majestic Himalayas offer a clear snapshot of their glory while you sit alongside Pokhara Lake or whilst you sip hot beverages on your bed inside the hotel room. The laid-back lifestyle of Pokhara provides rejuvenation to tired travellers and gives a new perspective to exploring the rest of Nepal with full zeal. The world-famous Gurkha Museum deserves a short visit and provides significant details about their stories of bravery.

The sight-seeing experience -

The unique flavour of mountain-life can be felt while enjoying a stay alongside the famous Lake Phewa. Surrounded by paddle boats alongside the lake, this place seems to be inviting you for a joy-ride in the cool morning breeze.

The perfect Himalayan backdrop adds a much-needed thrill to your nature-loving excursion. Being a favourable spot for adventure water-sports, you can indulge here in activities like diving, para-gliding and river-rafting in addition to the traditional boating. In the morning, you will get the unique experience of Sarankot Hill.

You can embrace magnificent views of Mount Fish and all the other noted mountain hilltops (depending on the weather scenario at the time). After the hill excursion, the afternoon will be the time to witness the interesting pursuits at Pokhara’s Davi’s Fall. The Tibetan camp lets you get deeper into the lives and legacy of the local Tibetan people. You have a comforting rest inside your hotel by the lake.

DAY 5: POKHARA - CHITWAN by SURFACE (165 kms. / approx. 5 hours)

You enjoy boating alongside Lake Phewa first thing in the morning. After enjoying breakfast in Pokhara, you get back on the road as you travel to Chitwan. Once you reach here, you make yourself comfortable inside your hotel room. After lunch at your hotel, you move to Tharu Village and explore the local wealth of elephants over there. You then take a night’s rest at Chitwan.

DAY 6: IN CHITWAN

This abundant national reserve is spread across an area of more than 932 square kilometres and is home to many popular to less-known animal species and bird varieties. The forest reserve is listed as a World Heritage Site and it survived the earthquake very well. Its serene calm and mysterious forest trails inspire travellers to indulge in sightseeing and forest safaris. The literal meaning of the word Chitwan is ‘the Heart of the Jungle’ and this place makes its name appear very much appropriate. Known best for the spotting of animals like the One-horned Rhino, deer, monkeys and around 544 species of magnificent birds, this forest reserve deserves at least one complete day for proper explorations. Some wildlife enthusiasts come here to try their luck at spotting the royal Bengal Tiger, which will only happen if you have luck on your side. The dense forest embraces wild animals so mysteriously that spotting them becomes tough.

The sight-seeing experience –

The dense grasslands and the plethora of trees spread the feeling of being in a wild forest and they also quite perfectly hide the glorious wild-life inside them. Being home to amazing species of deer, Rhinos, royal Bengal Tigers and monkeys, this comprehensive forest trail is amusing, thrilling and quite exciting to explore. You will come across unique varieties of bird species here. All the way through the dense jungles, grasslands have spread and have conquered the very soul of this forest. While travelling through it on a safari, you will find joy in the comforting fresh breeze and moist soil of the jungle. The unique experience of riding on an elephant through the jungle will thrill your senses. Visiting one of the breeding centres for Crocodiles or Elephants will add to your knowledge about these creatures and their way of life. You can spend the night gazing at the stars in the famous jungle-villa resort.

DAY 7: CHITWAN - KATHMANDU by SURFACE (170 kms. / approx. 5 hours) : KATHMANDU - NAGARKOT by SURFACE (35 kms. / approx. 1 hour)

On day seven of this tour, road travel of around six hours takes you to Nagarkot via Kathmandu. On reaching here, you spend a comfortable night in your hotel room. Your tour kick-starts the next day.

DAY 8: NAGARKOT - KATHMANDU via BHAKTAPUR by SURFACE (35 kms. / approx. 1½ hours)

Nagarkot - The Window to the Himalayan Mountains

Mainly popular because of its cold climate and exclusive serene views of the picturesque Himalayan range from the hotel balcony, Nagarkot is a small hub of hotels situated at a distance of only 32 kilometres from Kathmandu. The city is trying to stand back on its feet after the 2015 earthquake but it is capable of offering a unique perspective to adventurous mountain and nature enthusiasts. The play between notorious clouds and high mountain peaks can sometimes block the refreshing view, only to get better after a few hours. Flocked by tourists from around the world, the necessity of warm clothing is always there because of its cold climate. The most preferable time to come to Nagarkot is between October and March when the climatic scenario and nature exploration are at its best. An amazing sunrise from the lap of the Himalayas makes mornings more memorable for outsiders who want to feel the glory of this hill destination in Nepal.

The sight-seeing experience –

You will become blissful, basking in the first glorious sunrays peeping through the lap of the majestic Himalayan Mountains. The sight of snow-clad mountains and the abundance of this magnificent hilly range will inspire you to higher endeavours. Sipping coffee inside the comfort of your hotel room, you can watch the clouds play ‘hide and seek’ with the tall peaks of the Himalayas. The experience gets even better when you explore sights like Bhaktapur.

Driving straight to this place first thing in the morning will open up your perspective about the hill villages. A small trekking trail for two hours takes you into this place. Existing since the 9^th Century, Bhadgaon is shaped like a conch shell. Other locales that must be explored include Durbar Square, Nyatapola Temple and Pottery Square: all are a great reminder of the cultural diversity of this nation. In the afternoon, you can get yourself immersed in Boudhanath Temple’s prayers and inspiring architecture.