CULTURAL TOUR POKHARA & CHITWAN

Arrival in Kathmandu meeting  at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to Hotel Briefing .

  Visit Bhaktapur- Changu Narayan :   After Breakfast Drive to Bhaktapur . Stroll the city early morning to see people carrying offerings to the temples, shooing cows to pasture, and sipping tea in ancient wood-framed stalls. 

Enjoy a leisurely morning on this quiet hilltop,  In Sanskrit language, Bhaktapur means 'The Town of Devotees;” the city is also known as Bhadgaon, and as an ancient town of the Newari people, the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley. It was the capital of the great Malla Kingdom from the 12th to the 15th century when many of the temples and palaces that you’ll see were constructed. This lovely well-preserved medieval city is well known for traditional art and architecture, pottery and weaving industries, and rich local customs and culture – and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

You’ll enjoy a walk – and many photo ops -- through the cobblestone streets, seeing artisans at work amidst impressive temples and sculptures. The golden light of late afternoon is a superb time to take pictures of this gilded city. Then enjoy a peaceful walk around Nyatapola Temple and Dattatraya Temple after dinner. Nyatapola temple is some 100 ft tall, the tallest temple in the Kathmandu Valley. Built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1708 A.D., each of its five terraces holds a pair of figures, starting from the bottom with pairs of wrestlers, elephants, lions, griffins and goddesses.  Drive 45 m to Ktm. 

Kathmandu: visit Boudhanath Stupa, a magnet for Tibetan Buddhists at the center of a community of monasteries and prayer flags. The giant stupa is grand in architecture, a large white inverted dome adorned with saffron water lotus-shaped petals and topped by the all-knowing eyes.

All of the important Buddhist processions take place here, including Tibetan New Year “Loshar.”  Join the scores of Tibetans young and old on a circumambulation of the stupa, earning merit for the next life with spins of the prayer wheels. Climb near the top of the tapered dome for views and sounds of the nearby monasteries, where monks chant evening prayers. 

Later in the morning, visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, one of three durbars (royal palaces) in the Kathmandu Valley. It was initially constructed in the 16th century, although subsequent additions were made in the Shah (Gurkha) dynasty in the 18th century and by the Rana rulers in the 19th century. The palace is decorated with elaborately carved wooden windows and panels and houses the King Tribhuvan Memorial Museum, dedicated to the monarch (the present king’s grandfather) who opened Nepal to the outside world. 

After lunch visit Pashupati Temple (Pashupatinath), the valley’s most important Hindu temple. Hindus from the Indian subcontinent, Nepal, Pakistan, and across Asia come to Pashupati to pay their respects to the Lord Shiva, another of the Hindu trilogy. This vast complex straddling the holy Bagmati River features a pagoda style gold-plated roof temple, with silver doors and fine woodcarvings, and everywhere, the linga, phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. The temples are surrounded by jungle where rhesus monkeys and songbirds live and play, often amidst the temples. Sadhus (holy men) who follow the life style of Shiva can be seen (though some prefer not to be photographed) at Pashupati temple. They paint their bodies with ashes, wear loincloths, and are adorned by tika and rudraksha malla (beads). Some claim that smoking ganga enhances their communications with the heavens.

Kathmandu: Rise early and join pilgrims from across the Himalaya to visit Swayambhunath, the most ancient and enigmatic of all the valley’s shrines, lying one mile west of Kathmandu. The golden spire of Swayambhunath stupa crowns a wooded hillock, which has been a holy site since ancient times. Historical records of its existence date back to the 5th century but the stupa’s origins may go back even further. It is one of the most recognizable Buddhist symbols in Nepal, and is a World Heritage Site. The stupa is a magnificent backdrop for photographing the morning devotions, and a overlook onto a city awakening. Hotel

Flight   to Pokhara.  25 min flight    Pokhara is starting point for treks into the Annapurna Himal and pleasure trips in and around Pokhara. Simply put, Pokhara is a place to view the exceptionally picturesque mountains without having to lift a finger – except to push the shutter. The peaks seem to soar up from this enchanting tropical valley. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, with a magnificent lake of Himalayan waters, and a year round pleasing weather, this overnight destination is a holiday within a holiday.

visit the Mahendra caves where natural appendages are interpreted as signs of the gods. Spend the rest of the day strolling by the lake, or shopping for souvenirs in the lively bazaar. Visit Davis’ fal

Visit  Peace stupa and Shiva Mandir  .   Sun Rise early morning  to boat on Phewa Tal (lake) in the lap of Machhapuchhare.  Phewa Tal is the second largest lake in Nepal, and mirrors the famous Fish Tail Peak, locally known as Machhapuchhare. From the shore, or on the water, you’ll capture the sunrise glow on the crystalline slopes of this fishtail shaped peak that seems close enough to touch.

Drive to Chitwan National park , Saurah 4-5 hours drive 

Chitwan  Jungle Activities  ( Elephant Safari in Jungle, Bird watching, Tharu village tour, Canoeing on Rapti River,  visit Elephant breeding center, Tharu cultural Dance show

Drive to Kathmandu 5-6 hours 

 Free day in Kathmandu  (optinal Mountain flight to  see Everest and other Himlaya Range ).

 flight back to Home