True Essence of Nepal

Arrive Kathmandu

Meet assist upon arrival and transfer to hotel.

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The Kathmandu Valley, the capital of Nepal is the political, commercial and cultural hub. Spread across an area of 360 square kilometers and at an altitude of 1336 meter above the sea level, Kathmandu is an exotic and fascinating showcase of a very rich culture, art and tradition. The valley, roughly oval bowl measuring 24 km east-west and 19 km north-south, is encircled by a range of green terraced hills and dotted by compact clusters of red tiled-roofed houses.

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A remarkable legend speaks that the valley was once covered by a lake until the Bodhisattva Manjushri raised his sword of wisdom and sliced a passage through the mountain walls, draining the water and creating the first settlements.

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Overnight at the hotel.

In Kathmandu

Morning visit Pashupatinath Temple and Bouddhanath Stupa.

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Pashupatinath Temple: Pashupatinath Temple is one of the holiest Hindu Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple built in Pagoda Style has gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. Pashupatinath is the centre of annual pilgrimage on the day of Shivaratri which falls in the month of February/March. Behind the temples are the cremation grounds.

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Boudhnath Stupa: One of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal, Furthermore it is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu. Boudhanath is an imposing structure standing some 36 meters. The Stupa stands on the massive three level mandala style Platforms surrounded by colourful private family houses. Listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list this site is considered very much like Mecca for the Buddhists and every year tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the Himalayan region visit the stupa.

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After the morning sightseeing proceed to Kathmandu City . Here disembark the coach and do a walking tour into the by lanes of the Old City visiting the monuments in the Kathmandu city eg. Durbar square, Kumari temple, Hanuman Dhoka, Seto Machendranath and the ancient place of the Nepalese Royalty. Later walk to Thamel area to shop for Nepalese souvenirs. Walk around the busy narrow streets of thamel and see old houses / structures, hawkers selling various products of daily need etc etc. Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant called Rum Doodle. The Rum Doodle Restaurant and Bar in Thamel is very popular amongst mountaineering expeditions and trekking groups. It serves steaks, pastas and pizzas amidst live music. This walk with lunch can be done at a easy pace and can take 2.5 hours.

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Afternoon visit Swoyambhunath Stupa watching over the valley from the top of a hillock on its western side. The stupa is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal and its establishment is linked to the creation of the Kathmandu Valley out of a primordial lake. Swoyambhunath is also known as Sengu and is listed as a World heritage site.

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PM: Kathmandu City: Known as Kantipur, is the capital of the Kingdom of Nepal. A 218 square miles of land, situated above 4400 ft above sea level, Kathmandu is the hub of Nepal's traditional culture and arts. Kashtamandap the source of the name Kathmandu and supposed to be made from the timber of a single tree and the Durbar Square are with its array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka, Seto Machendranath and the ancient place of the Nepalese Royalty.

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Overnight at the hotel.

In Kathmandu

Early morning, mountain flight. There are everyday mountain flights over the Everest region. These flights duration is about 50 minutes and supplies breathtaking views of all the mountain peaks that come under the region of Everest as well as several others. Everest mountain flights are conducted early in the morning between 06.30 and 08.00am. Once the flights take off it can go as high as 25,000 feet! The experience itself is thrilling and worth remembering once you are in the country of the Himalayas. Jetstream-41, the state-of-the art technology based aircraft is used for the flight with guaranteed window seat for all the passengers.

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Late morning visit Patan City: Located about 5 km south of Kathmandu in the Kathmandu Valley, on the southern side of the Bagmati River, Patan is one of 3 royal cities in the valley. A destination for connoisseurs of fine arts, Patan is filled with wood and stone carvings, metal statues, ornate architecture, including dozens of Buddhist and Hindu temples, and over 1200 monuments. The city of Patan is believed to have been built in the third century B.C. by the Kirat dynasty. It was expanded by Lichhavis in the 6th century A.D. and again by the Mallas in medieval period. Durbar Square, like its counterpart in Kathmandu, is an enchanting mélange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples. Listed as a World Heritage Site, the former royal palace complex is the center of Patan's religious and social life.

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After Patan sightseeing must see the Patan Museum ( which is not part of a regular sightseeing tour ) . The Patan Museum displays the traditional sacred art of Nepal in an illustrious architectural setting. Its home is an old residential court of Patan Darbar, one of the royal palaces of the former Malla kings of the Kathmandu Valley. Its gilded door and window face one of the most beautiful squares in the world.

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Afternoon, visit Godavari Botanical gardens ( 30 mins drive from Patan city ). Godavari Botanical garden is located on the foot of Pulchowki hill. It consists of mainly open parkland type habitats and several fast flowing streams. Some of the special birds found here were Spotted and Black-backed Forktails, Rufous-gorgetted, Slaty-backed and Rusty-tailed Flycatchers, Hodgson's Redstart, White's Thrush, Chestnut-headed and Grey-bellied Tesia, Grey Bushchat and Asian Barred Owlet amongst others. It also homes the pink, white and red rhododendrons and a variety of colorful orchids.

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Evening: Proceed to a local family's house for dinner.

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Overnight at the hotel.

Kathmandu to Pokhara (Flight) => Pokhara to Phedi (Surface) => Phedi to Dhampus (Walk - 1650 M. / 2 Hrs)

Morning, fly to Pokhara. Leave Pokhara and travel by road to Suikhet Phedi, (20 km / drive 30 minutes) away. From here, the trail ascends steeply through forest and later through paddy fields to the village of Dhampus where you stay overnight in Tea house.

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Overnight at Tea house

Dhampus trek to Landrung (1646 M.) Approx 5-6 Hrs walking time

Morning, the trail goes up to Pothana Village and onwards up to Deurali through Rhododendron and orchid forest. From the top of the ridge at Deurali we have magnificent views of the mountains, including Mt Dhaulagiri, the highest mountain in this region. We enjoy the views while having a well earned rest and then we descend through forest to the small village of Tolka, a small Gurung village very rich in culture and very beautiful. We proceed on to Beri Kharka and from here, the trail descends through scattered forests and villages to reach Landrung. Landrung is a large Gurung village situated above the Modi River where we will stay the night in a local tea house. Dhampus (1650m) to Landrung (1646m).

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Overnight at Tea house

Landrung / Jhinu Danda (5850-Ft), Approx 2-3 Hrs.walk

From Landrung the trail descends along the ridge and down to the Modi River at New bridge. It is a steep ascending to the village of Jhinu, for overnight stay in the lodge Walk through the scattered forests for about 45 minutes down to the riverside where there are two hot spring ponds. Relax some time in hot spring and come up to Jhinu for overnight stay.

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Overnight at Tea house

Jhinu to Ghandrung (6400 Ft.) Approx 4-5 Hrs. walk

Morning, the trail goes steeply down towards the river for about one hour. From here, steep ascent for about two to three hours through the scattered villages with a beautiful view of the Himalayas to reach Ghandrung, one of the biggest Gurung settlements in western Nepal. One can have a good view of Gangapurna, Machapuchhre (Fishtail), Mt. Annapurna south and other snowy mountains. If time permits, visit ACAP (ANNAPURNA CONSERVATION AREA PROJECT) head office, local museum and village.

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Overnight at Tea house

In Ghandrung

Visit local villages with guide.

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Overnight at Tea house

Ghandrung to Nayapool (1070m ) approximately 6 hours walking time => Nayapool to Pokhara (Road - one hour)

Morning, we descend along gentle paved trails through forest and terraced fields to Kimchi (1638m). We then follow the ridge downhill to Kehone Danda and on to Kliu, after which we cross a suspension bridge over the Sadhu Khola (river), finally reaching the Modi Khola at Seuli Bazaar (1140m).

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Following flatter trails along the Modi Khola we walk through lovely forests and terraces to Birethanti and on to Nayapul on the Pokhara-Baglung highway. From here we relax as we drive about 1 hour to Pokhara. Ghandrung (1951m) to Nayapul (1070m); drive to Pokhara (800m) and check-in at your hotel.

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Rest of the day at leisure

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Overnight at the hotel .

In Pokhara

Morning, city tour of Pokhara.

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Devi's fall: Locally known as Patale Chhango (Hell's Fall), Devi's fall (also known as Devin's or David's) is an awesome waterfall lying about 2 km south-west of Pokhara airport on the highway to Tansen. An interesting modern legend says that a foreigner named David was skinny dipping in the Pardi Khola (river) when the floodgates of the dam were opened, sweeping him into an underground passage beneath the fall, never to be seen again.

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Seti River Gorge: It is carved by Seti River and is one of the natural wonders of Pokhara. KI Singh Bridge at the Bagar, Mahendra Pool & Prithivi Highway Bridge near Bus Park provides a perfect view of the river's dreadful rush and the deep gorge made by the turbulent flow of white water like milk.

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Mahendra Cave: Mahendra Cave lies north of the Pokhara valley. It is a large limestone cave, which is one of the few stalagmite stalactite caves found in Nepal.

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Tibetan Village: Tibetan Village Tashiling in the south and Tashil Palkhel in the north of Pokhara Valley are the two Tibetan villages, which are inhabited by the Tibetan people who keep themselves busy by producing and trading woolen carpets and other handicrafts.

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Overnight at the hotel.

Pokhara to Chitwan (Surface)

Morning, drive to Chitwan ( approx 5-6 hrs). Arrive Chitwan and check in at the hotel. Afternoon take an Elephant / jeep Safari. During dinner have a talk with the local naturalist.

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Overnight at the resort

In Chitwan

Early Morning Elephant / jeep Safari / jungle walk. Return to hotel for breakfast. Afternoon at leisure. Evening Elephant / jeep Safari. Later enjoy Tharu dance at the resort before dinner.

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Overnight at the resort

Chitwan to Bharatpur Airport (Surface) => Bharatpur to Kathmandu (Flight)

Early morning drive to the river bed and do the canoe ride to spot birds. Late morning drive to Bharatpur airport ( approx 1 hr) to board flight for Kathmandu. On arrival transfer to the hotel.

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Overnight at the hotel

Leave Kathmandu

In time transfer to Tribhuwan international airport for onward journey.