Glimpses of the Himalayan Kingdom

^{12 Days / 11 Nights}

Itinerary (Kathmandu - Daman - Royal Chitwan National Park - Lumbini - Tansen - Pokhara - Kathmandu)

TOUR DURATION : 12 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS TOUR :
 

DAY 1 : ARRIVE KATHMANDU
Arrival in Kathmandu. On arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu you will be met by our representatives. You will then board a waiting vehicle to be transferred to your Hotel. City Maps and detailed itinerary will be handed over to you. On the way to your hotel, our representative will brief you on Nepal, general do's and don'ts and also explain your program in brief.

19.00 Hrs : Vehicle transfer to an excellent Nepalese Restaurant Bhanchaghar for a Traditional Nepali Welcome reception and dinner. Here you will have the opportunity to enjoy a live Nepalese Cultural programme performed by beautiful young girls dressed in ethnic traditional Nepalese constumes and jewelry representing various parts of Nepal. Dinner will follow this programme.

BHANCHHA GHAR : Which means Nepali Kitchen is situated within two minutes walk of Durbar Marg. It is established in a restored aristocratic house. The walls are built from mud bricks, and most of the floors are earthen. The decor, music, and corckery used are all typical of Nepal. The food is most distinctive with an exotic selection of spiced meat, robust vegetarian dishes prepared with local Newari sauces and accompanied by house blends of Rakshi (Local Nepali Schnapps). Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

DAY 2 : KATHMANDU / KATHMANDU
07.00 Hrs : Breakfast in the hotel.
09.00 Hrs : Sightseeing tour of the KATHMANDU CITY - The Hanumandhoka - Kathmandu's Durbar Square is the historic seat of royalty. The Durbar Square with its old temples and palaces, epitomises the religious and cultural life of the people. It is here that kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnized. Also visit the Taleju Temple built by King Mahendra Malla in 1549 AD, the temple of Kal Bhairav - the God of destruction and the temple of Kumari (Vestal Virgin) or the Living Goddess - represents a very ancient Hindu deity of Nepal locally known as Taleju is Buddhist by birth. The Kumari acknowledges greeting from her balcony window. Once a year during Indra Jatra festival, the King of Nepal seeks the Kumari's blessing. Kasthamandap - Located near the Kumari Temple is said to be built from the wood of a single tree from the city. The city of Kathmandu dervies its name from this temple. The Kathmandu Durbar Square was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979.

Next to SWOYHUMBHUNATH STUPA - the oldest Buddhist shrine. It is said to be 2,000 years old. Painted on the four sides of the spire's base are the all - seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It is 3 km west of Kathmandu City and is situated on a hillock about 77 m above the level of Kathmandu Valley and commands an excellent view of the Valley. This Stupa is the oldest of its kind in Nepal. It was also listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979.

After lunch at 14.00 Hrs : Proceed to BOUDHANATH STUPA : The stupa of Bounddhanath lies 8 kms east of Kathmandu. This ancient colossal Stupa is one of the biggest in the world, and is the centre of Tibetan Buddism in Nepal. Listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979.

Next to PASUPATINATH TEMPLE : This temple is situated 5 kms east of Kathmandu, and the temple of Lord Shiva, The temple with a two tiered golden roof and silver door is considered one of the holiest shrines for Hindus. Although only Hindus are allowed inside the temple, visitors can witness the activities performed in the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River. The temple was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

DAY 3 : KATHMANDU / DAMAN
06.30 Hrs : Breakfast in hotel.
07.30 Hrs : Drive to Daman for over night stay. DAMAN is situated at a height of 2,100 M above sea level and at the distance of 80 km from Kathmandu (3 hrs drive). It is known for the view of the breath taking grandeur of the world's highest peaks, extending in one glittering arc from far west of Dhaulagiri to far east of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) This spot lies southwest of Kathmandu on the side of the Tribhuvan Rajpath. There is a view tower fitted with a long range telescope to view 300 miles of Himalayan ranges. Overnight at Hotel in Daman.

DAY 4 : DAMAN / ROYAL CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK
06.30 Hrs : You will depart for Chitwan - 5 hrs. approx. The drive will finally bring you to Amaltarighat (bank of Narayani River). Upon arrival you will be met by our naturalists and immediately enter into an atmosphere of adventure which begins with crossing the River by boats. After crossing the Narayani River, you will be given hot towels to refresh yourselves and welcome Tika and Drinks will be provided at the bank. You will be transferred to the Temple Tiger Jungle Lodge by elephants / landrovers.

TEMPLE TIGER is situated in the heart of the Royal Chitwan National Park, which is the home of the great one horned rhinoceros, sloth bear, wild boar, gaur (bison), 4 species of deer, 2 species of monkeys, 2 species of crocodiles, leopard, the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger, over 450 species of birds. At the Temple Tiger Jungle Lodge, the Manager will brief you about the activities at the lodge and shoe you your room.

15.00 Hrs : You will be either taken for a jungle safari on elephant back so that you can penetrate deep into the jungle for viewing and photographing wildlife or for a jungle walk to experience the abundant bird - life and the flora and fauna of the Park. If you are lucky, you may see the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger either on a nature walk or on elephant safari. Afterwards will be available or our well stocked bar will cater to the needs of the thirsty. A hearty meal of continental or Nepalese cuisine will be served in the evening around the campfire. Overnight at Temple Tiger Jungle Lodge in Chitwan.

DAY 5 : ROYAL CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK
06.00 Hrs : Early morning offers another opportunity for an elephant safaris, lasting two hours and penetrating through dense grasslands to view wildlife. This grass commonly known as elephant grass is dense and grows to a height of 5 - 6meters. It is the favourite habitat of the rhinoceros and other mammals.

09.00 Hrs : After a leisurely breakfast, you can visit to our elephant stables where the senjor naturalists will give a talk about the habits of the elephant. Also a chance to see the elephant having a bath.

12.00 Hrs : Lunch at the Lodge.
In the afternoon relax around the lodge or either take a drive throuht the jungles in land rovers followed by a boat ride down the Narayani river where there are excellent chances of viewing the gharial crocodiles as well as mugger crocodiles, fresh water dolphins, otters and varieties of water birds or go on a nature walk or birding with one of our naturalists. At the end of the canoe ride, waiting land rovers will bring you back to the lodge. In the evening there is a slide presentation and a talk programme when one of our senior naturalists will give an introduction on The Royal Chitwan National Park, animals and their habitats and other social structure of the Park and the villages in the vicinity. Dinner at the lodge. Overnight at Temple Tiger Jungle Lodge in Chitwan.

DAY 6 : ROYAL CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK / LUMBINI
After breakfast, you will be transferred by elephants, landrover and canoes to waiting vehicles and for the drive to Lumbini (03 hrs.) Upon arrival in Lumbini, transfer to Hotel. Lumbini is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam - the founder of Buddhism, known as Buddha, the enlightened one.

PM : Sight seeing of Lumbini Garden. Tour includes a visit of the scared garden, Maya Devi Temple, holy pond and monasteries built withing the premises of Garden by diierent Buddhist ccountries all over the world. Overnight at Hotel in Lumbini.

DAY 7 : LUMBINI / TANSEN
06.00 Hrs : Breakfast in hotel.
07.00 Hrs : Drive to Tansen (85 Kms from Lumbini) approximately 03 hours. The drive is a pleasant on Siddhartha Highway. TANSEN - A bright Himalayan town situated on the slopes of hill known as Shreenagar Danda. Located at an altitude of 1,371 meters above sea - level, Tansen is the most popular summer resort of Western Nepal on account of its position and weather. P.M. : Sight seeing of Tansen Town. Overnight at Hotel in Tansen.

DAY 8 : TANSEN / POKHARA
06.00 Hrs : Breakfast in hotel.
07.00 Hrs : Drive to Pokhara city which is 110 kms - approximately 4 hrs drive. Upon arrival at Pokhara check in to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Hotel in Pokhara.

DAY 9 : POKHARA / POKHARA
08.00 Hrs : Breakfast in hotel.
9.00 Hrs : Sight seeing of Pokhara City and one hour boating on Phewa Lake. POKHARA - one of the most picturesquye valley in Nepal. Pokhara lies 200 kms west of Kathmandu, under the shadows of the Annapurna Range. A rare combination of snow - clad mountains, crystal clear lakes, streams, villages inhabited by friendly ethnic tribes. The tour includes visit of Tibetan camp, Seti River Gorge, Devin's fall, Bindevasini Temple and local markets.

The tour including one of the the Tibetan refugee camps followed by an enchanting session in a rowing boat on Lake Fewa, and the chance for some local shopping. Overnight at Hotel in Pokhara.

DAY 10 : POKHARA / KATHMANDU
Breakfast in hotel. Drive back to Kathmandu - 5 hours leisurely drive past local villages, towns, paddy flields and hills. This is very interesting drive by Prithiwi Highway. The highway 200 Kms in length runs parallel to Trishuli river, which originates from Gosaikund - a holy lake in the northern side of Kathmandu valley. The Trishuli river is ffamous for the white water rafting in Nepal. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

DAY 11 :
07.00 Hrs : Breakfast in hotel.
09.00 Hrs : Sightseeing tour of BHAKTAPUR CITY - Valley's most medieval city also known as Bhadgaon. It is situated about 14 kilometers east of Kathmandu and was one of the three kingdoms of the Mallas. Situated at an altitude of 1,401 m, Bhaktapur covers an area of four square miles. The City of Devotees as it is known still retains its medieval charm and visitors to this ancient town are treated to a feast of cultural and artistic achievements. The past glory of the Malla rulers continues to be reflected in the Durbar Square. Pottery and Woodcaving are its traditional craft industries. Places to see here include the Lion Gate, the Picture Gallery, the Golden Gate and the Palace of 55 Windows. Here the ancient temples and palaces show the Newari craftsmanship of carved wooden windows and latticework.

19.00 Hrs : Transfer to a local restaurant for your Farewell Dinner. After the dinner you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

DAY 12 : KATHMANDU / ONWARD DESTINATION
Transfer to Tribhuwan International Airport for your departure flight. On leaving you will be presented with a "Khatak" (Tibetan Prayer Scarf) a s a mark of respect, goodwill and farewell.