Himalayan Wilderness

^{10 Days / 9 Nights}

Itinerary (Kathmandu - Bairani - Malekhu - Fishling - Gaighat - Chitwan - Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu)

TOUR DURATION : 10 DAYS / 9 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. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be offered a welcome drink, and shown to your room. Our representative will brief your program.

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
07.30 Hrs : Breakfast.
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.

14.00 Hrs : After lunch sightseeing tour of PATAN CITY - This city of architecture and fine arts was founded in 250 AD, previously known as Lalitpur. It is also known as the "Town with a Thousand Golden Roofs." This ancient city lies about 5 kms southeast of Kathmandu. The city is full of Hindu and Buddhist monuments. The interesting places to visit here are the Durbar Square, Mahaboudha, Krishna Mandir and Hirayana Mahabihar Temple (The Golden Temple). Your visit will be followed by a visit to Tibetan Handicraft Centre at Jawalakhel. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

DAY 3 : KATHMANDU / RAFT COMMENTCE POINT - BAIRANI / MALEKHU
05.30 Hrs : Early morning wake up.
06.00 Hrs : Breakfast.
07.00 Hrs : Drive to Bairani (50 kms) - a raft start point and commence 2 Nights / 3 Days rafting. Hitting the Trisuli is the most convenlent means of experiencing Nepal's river rafting, you have a combination of both which and scenic floats. The Trisuli river originates in Tibet and flows through the middle hill of the Mahabharat range. It is joined at Mugling by the river Marsyandi, flowing from the Annapurna range, ultimately flowing into the Narayani river which flows through the Royal Chitwan National Park in the Terai and eventually flows to the Ganges.

Your raft 'put - in - point' is Bairani, along the Prithivi Highway. The crew prepares the raft and not long after, you are on your way hitting the first rapid immediately. Seven sets of fun filled rapid for the day. The event lasts for about 5 to 6 hours maximum. Overnight Camp on the river beach in Malekhu.

DAY 4 : MALEKHU / FISHLING
After breakfast, you are in the river hitting small rapids occasionally with some pleasant floats. Five set rapids of the day. The event lasts for about 5 to 6 hour maximum. Overnight at Temple Tiger Jungle Lodge in Chitwan.

DAY 5 : FISHLING / GAIGHAT - RAFT END POINT.
After breakfast, you are again in the river good fun filled rapids enroute, passing through the beautiful Trishuli gorge, you hit three or four sets of rapids but the one most challanging and demanding is the one at the confluence of the Seti Khola, followed by mostly scenic floats.

This is followed by small rapids, not long after you in the confluence of the Kali Gandaki river where you will be stopped for a while to visit the temples and sadhus of Devghat, from there it's the pleasant float till Gaighat which is the raft end point. This is followed by small rapids, not long after you in the confluence of the Kali Candaki river where you will be stopped for a while to visit the temples and sadhus of Devghat, from there it's the pleasant float till Gaighat which is the raft end point. You will then board our vehicle that will take to Temple Tiger Jungle Lodge (approximate 65 kms).

Upon arrival at Amaltarighat (bank of Narayani River) our naturalists will meet you and immediately you will enter into an atmosphere of adventure which begins with crossing the river by boats. You are given hot towels to refresh yourselves and welcome Tika and Drinks. you will then 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.

(Time Permitting) : 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 nature walk or on elephant safari. Afterwards, tea will be available or our well stocked bar will cater to the needs of the thirsty. Dinner either continental or Nepalese cuisine will be served in the evening, around the campfire. Overnight at Temple Tiger Jungle Lodge in Chitwan.

DAY 6 : CHITWAN / CHITWAN
06.00 Hrs : Early morning offers or other opportunity for an elephant safari lasting tow hours. and hrs penetrating through dense grasslands to view wildlife. This grass commonly known as elephant grass is dense and grows to a height of 5 - 6 meters. It is the favourite habitat of the rhinoceros and other mammals.

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

12.00 Hrs : Lunch at the Lodge.
In the afternoon relax around the lodge or either take a drive through 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 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 its villages in the vicinity. Dinner at the lodge. Overnight at Temple Tiger Jungle Lodge in Chitwan.

DAY 7 : CHITWAN / KATHMANDU
07.30 Hrs : After breakfast, transfer by elephants or landrover and canoes to waiting vehicles to drive to Bharatpur Airport to fly to Kathmandu (25 minutes) Upon arrival at Kathmandu's domestic airport, our representative will meet, and transfer you to your hotel.

14.00 Hrs : Sightseeing tour of PASUPATINATH TEMPLE : This temple is situated 5 kms east of Katmandu, 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 1979.

After proceed to BOUDHANATH STUPA : The stupa of Bouddhanath 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. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

DAY 8 :
07.30 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 1,410 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.

Thereafter drive to Nagarkot (approx 45 min to 1 hour from Kathmandu). Nagarkot is situated on small hill station 32 kilometers of Kathmandu, is situated at an altitude of 2,175 m above sea level. The panorama of the major peaks of most of the eastern Nepal Himalaya, including Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) can be seen from here. Best views at sunset and sunrise. (subject to weather condition). Overnight at Hotel in Nagakot.

DAY 9 : POKHARA / POKHARA
07.30 Hrs : Breakfast. The morning free to explore the surroundings. After lunch return to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu transfer to your hotel.

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

DAY 10 : 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.