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Kathmandu · Bagmati · Nepal
9N/10D Kathmandu + Pokhar + Chitwan: Culture, Nature & Wildlife
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From $6,811.43 per person
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The Experience
What your day looks like
Nepal is an amazingly diverse country that offers everything for everyone. Kathmandu is a living museum of Nepali civilization and culture. Its towering pagodas with fascinating architecture and artistic workmanship along with former King's palaces can easily win the heart of culture-loving visitors. Your journey will take you from the religious temples of Kathmandu to the pristine Pokhara Valley that boasts stunning views of the snowcapped Himalayas. The scenery here tells its own tale with a blend of fresh air and dramatic mountain ranges. We will visit places where a panorama of the valley unfolds. Also, get the feel of wildlife in the lush jungles of Chitwan.
Highlights
Why travelers choose this experience
- Close up with Mount Everest
- Rickshaw ride through the narrow alleys of Kathmandu
- Cycling through lush fields and old villages
- Hot catered lunch at a selected picnic spot
- Lighting butter lamps at the magnificent Boudhanath Stupa
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu. You will be met and assisted by one of our representative at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is a mixture of rich culture, ancient traditions and hustling bazaars. Home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the city boasts of natural beauty, vibrant culture, unique cuisine, and an intense religious devout that are apparent by the variety of festivals celebrated throughout the year. Despite suffering from a massive earthquake in 2015 that caused immense devastation, Kathmandu retains its hustle and bustle and its people are still as jovial as ever.
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Kathmandu
Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 2
Kathmandu
Plane Tour. Early this morning, you have two options of taking the exhilarating Everest Experience. Option 1: The one hour fixed-wing Mountain flight offers this rare, fascinating opportunity to embrace the legendary Himalayas and discover the ineffable beauty that is guaranteed to be one of the most mesmerizing experiences ever. Zipping above clouds, though the seemingly endless scintillating snowcapped peaks, over glaciers and gorges, this is the journey through the world’s highest peaks.
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Kathmandu
Helicopter Tours. Option 2: The Helicopter charter tour to Mount Everest takes off early morning from the Kathmandu Domestic Airport and heads towards the east. One does not have to wait too long to find out what is in store! This is one of the most thrilling rides ever. Hovering up the valleys of the Khumbu region surrounded by the snowcapped Himalayan peaks along with some of the highest mountains in the world, the view from the vantage point of a helicopter is exhilarating. Once in the Everest region, the helicopter will make a stop at a selected location, allowing you to enjoy, photograph and savor the breathtaking view of the Mount Everest and the other great majestic peaks that surround it. This is a rare and a fascinating opportunity to embrace the legendary Himalayas and discover the ineffable beauty that is guaranteed to be one of the most mesmerizing experiences ever. Total time: 2.75 – 3 hours including ground time.
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Kathmandu
Sightseeing at Swayambhunath. After the Everest Experience, visit Swyambhunath Stupa. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Swayambhunath is accessible by a car road leading to the southwest entrance, while the more adventurous ones take the 365 long steep stairways leading to the main platform of the temple. This ancient stupa adorned with Buddha’s eyes, is surrounded by many other smaller chaityas and temples and is worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists. This is the most ancient and perhaps the most enigmatic of all holy shrines in Kathmandu. Swayambhunath overlooks the Kathmandu valley and the views are exceptional.
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Kathmandu
Sightseeing at Kathmandu Durbar Square. Stop for lunch. Next visit old Kathmandu city and the Kathmandu Durbar Square. The word durbar means palace. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Kathmandu Durbar Square is an old royal palace from the Malla Dynasty. Consisting of small courtyards and shrines, the main highlight is the temple of the living goddess, Kumari. The Kumari Devi is the most important of several living goddesses in Nepal and can be seen on the temple’s balcony during the many ceremonial processions and festivals. You will also come across vendors selling snacks, priests performing their daily rituals, and young couples strolling along the narrow alleyways of Basantapur.
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Kathmandu
Sightseeing. An exciting rickshaw ride honking its way through narrow alleys takes you to the vegetable and spice market in Ason. Transfer back to your hotel.
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Kathmandu
Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 3
Kathmandu
Cycling. Cycling to Bungamati and Khokana /Later visit Patan. After an early breakfast, embark on a cycling tour in the south of Kathmandu valley exploring the medieval villages of Khokona, Bungamati and other smaller villages. Cycling will be a mixture of jeep track and paved road with very little uphill climbs.
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Kathmandu
Stop for lunch. A hot catered lunch can be arranged at a selected picnic spot after cycling. Tables, chairs, tents for sun shade, toilet tents will be set up. Revel in this outdoor setting lunch while enjoying the views around you.
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Kathmandu
Sightseeing at Patan Durbar Square. In the afternoon, continue to Patan, the city of arts and architecture founded in 250 A.D. It is renowned for its fine works in bronze, silver and copper. Visit the Durbar Square, Royal Baths, Mahaboudha, Krishna Mandir and Hiranya Verna Mahabihar (the Golden Temple). A visit to the new Patan Museum is a must. The museum faces Durbar Square and is housed in a beautifully restored and renovated former Malla palace. The collection spans much of Nepal’s cultural history, primarily exhibiting metalwork sculptures from Hindu and Buddhist deities, typical of Patan’s tradition in craftsmanship. Written commentary explains their significance to Nepal’s art history, spiritualism, cultural heritage and contemporary life.
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Kathmandu
Overnight at Dwarika’s Hotel.
Day 4
Kathmandu
Traditional Outdoors. Morning: interaction with a Buddhist monk at a Buddhist monastery, later indulge in pottery making in Bhaktapur. Early morning, drive to a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery and a popular center for courses on Buddhism and other Tibetan related subjects. We will be introduced to one of the senior monks. The session begins with an introduction to Buddhism followed by a short round of meditation, teaching you the different techniques used in meditation and then guide you through it for the next 1.5 hours. Later there will be some time to interact with other monks.
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Kathmandu
Next, drive to the ancient city of Bhaktapur where we will have lunch at a local restaurant.
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Kathmandu
Sightseeing at Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon, literally the ‘City of Devotees’ is a major tourist destination that takes visitors back in time. Bhaktapur lies on the Arniko Highway that connects Kathmandu to the Chinese border. Bhaktapur is still untouched by rapid urbanization and has managed to retain its brick paved roads, charming red brick houses and a way of life that goes back to medieval times. This ancient city is also famous for pottery and woodcarving amply displayed on the squares and windows respectively. The extraordinary Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its monuments reflect the glory days of the Malla Dynasty when art and architecture thrived in the three cities of the valley.
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Kathmandu
Sightseeing at Pashupatinath Temple. In the evening, visit the sacred Pashupatinath Temple. Located east of Kathmandu, Pashupatinath Temple is one of the holiest Hindu shrines in Nepal with its astonishing architecture of gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is dedicated to the Hindu god of destruction, Lord Shiva, and is thronged with devotees and pilgrims from all over the world. Access to the shrine is strictly limited to Hindus; however, others are permitted to view the temple from the east banks of the River Bagmati.
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Kathmandu
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 5
Kathmandu
Fly to Pokhara. Flight Duration: 25 minutes approx. After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Pokhara. Pokhara’s bewitching beauty has been the subject of many travel writers. Its pristine air, spectacular backdrop of snowy peaks, serene lakes and surrounding greenery make it ‘the jewel in the Himalaya’, a place of remarkable natural beauty. Upon arrival in Pokhara, drive to your hotel, The Pavilions Himalayas. The resort is a 30 minutes’ drive away from the airport. Situated in Chisapani, a small village, the gravelly road takes you away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Halfway through the drive, you will see small rooftops which, finally after crossing a small stream, you approach the extraordinary villas.
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Kathmandu
Sightseeing. On the way, visit International Mountain Museum. The International Mountain Museum is dedicated to the mountains of Nepal and the mountaineers who have climbed them. The museum displays the history, culture, geology, flora and fauna of the Himalayas.
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Kathmandu
Boating at Phewa Lake. Also, enjoy boating at the Phewa Lake. Phewa Taal: Pokhara offers a variety of places to be explored such as the enchanting Phewa Taal or Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in Nepal. The lake is stream fed but a dam regulates the water reserve, therefore, it is classified as semi-natural freshwater lake. The lake offers boating services to enjoy the beauty and serenity Pokhara has to offer. Pay a visit to the Barahi Temple, situated in a small island in the Phewa Lake surrounded by marvelous views. After boating, stroll along the popular lakeside. The north shore of the lake has developed into a lakeside tourist hub with a number of souvenir stores, bookshops, hotels, restaurants and bars catering to tourists.
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Kathmandu
Stop for lunch at one of the restaurants here.
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Kathmandu
Leisure. Transfer to the hotel where rest of the afternoon can be spent at leisure.
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Kathmandu
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 6
Pokhara
Hiking at Shanti Stupa. After a leisurely breakfast this morning, you can indulge in various hikes and village walks to nearby hills provided by the hotel. One of the main attractions is taking an adventurous 3 hour hike to World Peace Pagoda, a Buddhist stupa built by the Buddhist monks of the Japanese Nipponzan Fujii organization at a narrow ridge above the Phewa Taal.
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Kathmandu
Leisure. Spend the evening relaxing at leisure.
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Kathmandu
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 7
Kathmandu
Fly to Chitwan. Flight Duration: 20 minutes approx. After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the domestic airport and fly to Bharatpur Airport in Chitwan. The Chitwan National Park is the first national park in Nepal located in the lush valley of the Chitwan District, 75 miles south west of Kathmandu, in the foothills of the Churia Ranges. Upon arrival at the Bharatpur Airport, transfer to the hotel which will take about an hour’s drive.
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Kathmandu
Welcome drinks will be served after which you check into your rooms. During lunch, you will be briefed about the evening activities.
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Kathmandu
Cultural Immersion. In the evening, enjoy a cultural dance performance by the Tharu community followed by dinner at the hotel.
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Kathmandu
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 8
Kathmandu
Leisure at Chitwan National Park. In Chitwan. Today you will be involved in Jungle activities – such as Elephant bathing, Canoeing, Jungle Walk, Jeep Safari, etc. Also visit the elephant breeding center and Tharu village.
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Kathmandu
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 9
Kathmandu
Fly to Kathmandu. Flight Duration (Domestic Flight): 20 minutes approx. Spend the morning in jungle activities. Early noon, drive to Bharatpur Airport and fly back to Kathmandu.
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Kathmandu
Sightseeing at Boudhanath. In the evening head to Boudhanath Stupa, one of the most imposing landmarks of Kathmandu and a center of Tibetan Buddhism. The base of the stupa is adorned with 108 small images of the Dhyani Amitabha Buddha and inset with prayer wheels. Thousands of pilgrims circle the stupa in a clockwise direction each day spinning the prayer wheels. It is said that each spin of a prayer wheel is the equivalent of reciting the mantra. The stupa’s massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal. The ancient stupa is one of the largest in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The evenings at Boudha have an extra element as the place gleams with oil lamps while prayer flags soar high fluttering simultaneously. People start their kora (circumambulation) around the stupa in a clockwise direction spinning prayer wheels and the entire place appears magical. Light butter lamps and join the kora for an absolute spiritual contentment.
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Kathmandu
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10
Kathmandu
After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.
Planning Details
Before you go
Included
All necessary arrival/ departure transfers All the sightseeing tours with English speaking local guide, entrance fees, national park fees and transfers as per above Rickshaw ride in Kathmandu, cycling to Bungamati, lighting butter lamps in Boudha
Not Included
Nepal visa fee Domestic airfare [Will be quoted separately, subject to change] Mountain flight & helicopter airfare [Will be quoted separately, subject to change] International airfare and airport tax Insurance and rescue of any form Cost arising out of flight cancellation/road blockades/landslides/riots and events beyond our control Expenses of personal nature such as bar bills, communication charges, laundry, tips, etc. And any other expenses not mentioned in the above cost Gratuity/ Tipping Meals and any other services not mentioned in the itinerary
Meeting & Pickup
Pick you up from the airport in Kathmandu.
Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By Business
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