Why Nepal?
In case you haven't noticed till now, we are entirely thrilled about Nepal. It is a place that has a severe potential to bewitch you with its surreal beauty and heritage. It is officially the highest country on earth and is known as 'The Roof of the world,' and ‘The Trek Nation.’ This beautiful Himalayan country is full of substantial snow-covered mountains that fade into the clouds like some castle in heaven, which can make you delighted like a scene from the Disney movies.
Kathmandu is utterly unique and distinct from any site you'll visit anywhere in the world. It was earlier the main trade route connecting Tibet and India. With people of around 1.7million, this city is a welcoming, ridiculously beautiful mix of Buddhist and Hindu religion, wrapped together it's diverse ethnicity and vibrant history.
Most tourists visit Kathmandu for a short time before leaving to challenge the Himalayas. But, this place is worth investing a little more of your time. The major attractions of this place include Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa, and Thamel.
Pokhara is a perfect place for you to relax after a challenging trek to the Himalayas. It ticks all the right boxes, with the panoramic display, adventure activities, accommodation, and best food choices. Whether you've come back from the extremely tiring trek or survived a bus trip from hell, Pokhara is the ideal place to recharge your batteries.
Located amongst lakes, the Pokhara valley, and Annapurna Mountain base camp, which contains 3 of the world's top 10 tallest mountains. Pokhara is truly a gorgeous and lively tourist spot. It is Nepal's second-largest city and is a significant spot for travelers that come to experience its different attractions. Pokhara is very famous among trekkers and adventurers who visit here can participate in adventure sports such as paragliding, mountain biking, canoeing, and skiing.
Situated at the height of about 4800m to 8848m above sea level and is home to around 29 million people. Topographically, Nepal is divided into three distinct ecological regions. These are the Mountains, Hills, and Terai (or plains). The Mountain region ranges in altitude from about 4,800 metres to 8,848 metres above sea level and covers a land area of 51,817 square kilometres. Nepal shares its boundaries with Tibet (China) to the north and India to the south, east, and west. Known for its glittering lakes snuggled in mountain ranges, dense and humming wildernesses with bathing rhinos, gauntly impressive temples and monasteries, chanting monks, and fluttering prayer flags this destination is a must-visit place for every travel freak. If you haven't visited this place yet, you are missing out on a very fantastic travel experience.
Overview
Today, we are going to take you on a journey to a place which is indistinguishable with something that you can call 'marvelous,' but is underrated and underappreciated, but has a definite potential to entrance you with its surreal beauty and heritage. If you live for the idea of exploring the new domains, to see the world, to see behind walls, to draw closer, to find something valuable, and to feel the quintessence of life, you are looking at the right place. I am talking about officially the second highest country on earth 'Nepal.' 'The Roof of the world' is a fitting alias to this beautiful Himalayan country, where towering snow-covered mountains fade into the clouds like some castle in heaven. Nepal is famous for its cultural heritage and of course! the mighty Mount Everest. But generally goes unnoticed, are its glittering lakes snuggled in mountain ranges, dense and humming wildernesses with bathing rhinos, gauntly impressive temples and monasteries, chanting monks, and fluttering prayer flags. This destination is a must visit place for every travel freak, and if you're reading this, your dream is soon going to turn into reality.
These 9 days, are going to be a wonderful distraction from your hectic life and a deep plunge into the deep sea of the adventure. So, start packing your bags and lets hit the road to kickstart an amazing journey to this beautiful mountainous country. The journey will be challenging but there is no fun without some challenges in life. Trust me! It'll be worth risking. So let me show you the heritage, the culture, and the mountains. I'm sure you'll be enchanted by the beauty of Nepal.
Brief Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu.
Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing.
Day 03: Kathmandu to Chitwan.
Day 04: Chitwan National Park Exploration.
Day 05: Drive to Lumbini and transfer to the hotel. Explore Lumbini.
Day 06: Drive to Pokhara and transfer to the hotel.
Day 07: Pokhara Exploration.
Day 08: Drive back to Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel.
Day 09: Departure from Kathmandu.
Mountains, and their magic await you, let the adventurer in you be set free and come along with me as I take you through a detailed itinerary of the trek.
Detailed Itinerary
Arrival at Kathmandu.
Nepal has to offer more than what meets the eye. Nepal isn't a destination. It's a feeling in itself. On day 1, after we land at Tribhuvan International Airport, we will head to our hotel and relax, after which we all can explore the place. We will visit the Thamel Bazar area, well known for its nightlife. There, you can binge on some mouth-watering street food, including momos, Katamari, samosas, and much more. Then get some cozy sleep in our beds for the night as an exhilarating day awaits us.
Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Pokhara tour by us is a perfect combination of experiencing magnificent architecture. We're going to experience the rich culture of Kathmandu valley and wildlife liveliness of the Chitwan National Park as well as the stunning Pokhara Valley. Walking around Kathmandu will give you immense insights into Nepalese history, culture, architecture, and its various art forms. The tour of Chitwan National Park will relieve your thirst to experience wildlife. It includes Elephant ride through the National Park, a canoe trip in the jungle, giving Elephant a bath in the Rapti River, and ending with a cultural dance of Tharu community beneath the stars. It will be an exceptional time of your life when you reach the city of Pokhara and have breathtaking views of the Himalayas all around you. Apart from this, you're gonna enjoy boating in the beautiful lakes of Pokhara. Enjoying the nightlife of the city to the fullest is the spice of this trip.
Kathmandu Sightseeing.
Namaste! It's day 2 and a lot to do. After a hearty breakfast, we will head out and explore this vibrant city. Kathmandu is a collection of age-old temples, monasteries, and nature. We will begin by visiting the Durbar Square, one of three durbars (royal palace) squares in the Kathmandu Valley, which is in the heart of the old town. It contains architecture dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The Hanuman Dhoka Square is also situated here, all the essential ceremonies like the coronation of monarchs still take place here.
The four main doors of the temple are made of silver while the roof is made of copper covered in gold. It attracts a lot of Hindu believers from around the world. From there, we will go to the Boudhanath Stupa, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is among the largest Stupas in South Asia. It's a must-visit place. It is the center of Tibetan culture in Kathmandu. Due to many Tibetan refugees, there are more than 50 Tibetan monasteries built around the Boudhanath. Historically the stupa is on the ancient trade route between Tibet and Kathmandu valley. The Tibetans pray here for a safe journey before taking their yaks on the high passes of the Himalaya.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a cluster of pagoda and shikhara style temples grouped around a fifty-five window palace of brick and wood. Here you can visit The Golden Gate and The palace of Fifty-Five Windows.
We will then take you to Swayambhunath. The golden structure of the 5th-century Swayambhu stupa is decorated with colorful fluttering prayer flags. It is on the top of the hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley, and it offers fantastic views over the city of Kathmandu. Swayambhunath is one of the most recognized symbols in Nepal, and the painted eyes of Buddha watch all who ascend the worn stone steps.
Post dinner hit the bed and prepare yourself for next day.
Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park 175 km (5-6 hours drive)
Today we leave early in the morning to Chitwan National Park, which is a 6-hour drive. The drive provides incredible sights of Kathmandu valley, waterfalls, and the dense forests. You will also come across Sarangi players on the road who sing about Nepali life and history. This journey will be super scenic. Upon arrival, we'll have lunch and get briefed about our next safari activities. The word ''Chitwan'' means the heart of the jungle where ''chit'' means heart, and ''wan'' means the forest. We'll go through the dense forests of Chitwan through Elephant ride during the daytime, spotting wild animals and various species of birds. At the end of the trip, we'll enjoy the evening watching the cultural dance of the Tharu community while having dinner. We will rest for the night here.
Chitwan National Park Exploration.
Today we will explore the beautiful Chitwan National Park . Shutterbugs get ready to click some beautiful wildlife shots.
Highlights
- Elephant back safari
- Canoeing
- Elephant breeding center
- Bird watching
- Local village tour
- Jungle walk.
We will begin with the Elephant back safari. You will get a chance to explore the dense forest of Chitwan spotting wild animals and over 500 species of birds. Of the animals, the Bengal Tiger and one-horned rhinos are rare to be found. We will then paddle in our canoe on the Narayani river to continue our exploration. Here comes the best part! We will visit the Elephant breeding center and get to know these kinds of creatures. We will also take a tour of the village of Tharu and end the evening by enjoying the cultural dance of the Tharu community and savoring the local flavors for dinner.
On this day, you will be engaged in wonderful activities, such as canoeing, jungle walk, visiting of Elephant breeding center, elephant safari/jeep safari, bird watching, and more.
Drive to Lumbini (4-5 hours drive) and transfer to the hotel. Explore Lumbini.
We are midway on our trip and some super exciting destinations await us.
Today we will drive to Lumbini - the birthplace of Buddha. Lumbini is one of the ten top world sites for religious pilgrimage. It is the sole source of one of the most significant world religions, Buddhism, and the origin of the world's peace and prosperity, and no doubt, one of the places to be visited once in your lifetime. It is located in south-western Nepal, in the Terai (plain-land), about 300 km away from Kathmandu.
After having breakfast at the hotel, we'll explore this sacred site for the whole day. First, we'll visit the Maya Devi temple, which is built on the exact place where Lord Buddha was born. There is a marker inside the temple pointing to the precise location of Buddha's birth. We'll spend some time strolling around the gardens, some of the famous landmarks and monuments in Lumbini. Which includes Ashoka's Pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka (249 BC) on the spot of Buddha's birth, which also has the oldest inscription in Nepal. It is 6m high, and half of it is beneath the ground. There is also the Pushkarna pond where Mahadevi took a bath before giving birth to Lord Buddha. A visit to Lumbini is not only for spiritual enlightenment but also for solace and satisfaction that one gets in such a calm and peaceful place. This place will seep calmness deep inside your soul. After diving in history, we will serve our tummies and rest for the night at a hotel.
Drive to Pokhara (5-6 hours drive) and transfer to the hotel.
Morning!
Today after breakfast, we leave for the beautiful town of Pokhara, which is a 5 and half hours drive by road. On reaching, we'll check in to our hotel, refresh ourselves and head to Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in Nepal, for a beautiful boat ride. On a clear day, you can see the reflection of the Annapurna mountains in the water. The rest of the evening can be utilized by strolling around the lakeside, eating delicious momos, and buy that jacket you always wanted from a real Tibetan market.
Lakeside:
The eastern shore of Phewa Lake, popularly known as Baidam, is the ideal home base for travelers and is where most of the hotels, restaurants, and handicraft shops are located.
Pokhara Exploration.
We have lots to cover today. So let's begin. We first head to Tal Barahi temple, built almost in the center of Phewa Lake. It is a two-storied pagoda style temple. The temple resonates shakti. On Saturdays, Devotees can be seen carrying male animals and fowl across the lake to be sacrificed to the deity. Next up is David's Fall, locally known as the Patale Chhango (Hell's Fall). It is a mesmerizing waterfall lying about 2 km south-west of the Pokhara airport on the Siddhartha Highway.
"Legend say that a trekker called David was washed away by the Pardi Khola and mysteriously disappeared into an underground passage beneath the fall."
We will then visit the Bindhyabasini Temple, the center of religious activity in the lid bazaar. It is dedicated to Goddess Bhagawati, yet another manifestation of Shakti. The park-like grounds offer an excellent picnic area, and on Saturdays and Tuesdays, when devotees flock there to offer sacrifices, it takes a festive local flavor.
Up next, we will seek blessings of Lord Shiva at Gupteshwor Cave, also known as the Gupteshwor Gupha. This cave is regarded as holy by the Hindus. The main highlight of the site is the Shivalinga, the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. It is preserved here in the condition it was discovered. It is just across the David's Fall. From the end of the cave, you can see the view of David's Fall.
With that, we'll end our exploration of Pokhara and head back to the hotel for some good night's sleep.
Drive back to Kathmandu (6-7 hours drive) and transfer to the hotel.
As we are coming to the end of this beautiful trip, today after breakfast we will drive back to Kathmandu. Today you can enjoy remaining day exploring the local market and visit some beautiful cafes. Enjoy local cuisine and head back to hotel to rest for the night.
Departure from Kathmandu.
Today its the day to bid goodbye to each other and leave for airport, with a promise to travel together soon and yes, always remember, there is no right time for a trip, all you need is the want for exploring what our beautiful world has to offer. So keep the desire alive and keep exploring.
Inclusions:
Airport pick up & drop.
Private vehicle during Kathmandu & Pokhara sightseeing.
Transportation by tourist bus (Kathmandu-Pokhara and Pokhara-Kathmandu).
Personal vehicle for transportation from Kathmandu-Pokhara and Pokhara-Kathmandu(OPTIONAL).
All Accommodations in deluxe properties on sharing basis in Kathmandu, Pokhara & Lumbini.
Breakfast at all properties of accommodation.
All sightseeing and transfer in private vehicle. Tempo Traveler (8 pax and above), Innova or similar (for Group of 5/6) , Sumo (for 5-6 or above 6 or budget package), Swift Dzire or similar (for a group of 4).
Fuel Included.
Personal driver with all his expenses (salary, Food, stay)
All road taxes, toll taxes, parking fees.
Exclusions:
GST as applicable.
Any Travel expense To and Fro Kathmandu.
Travel Insurance.
Any other item which is not specified under cost inclusions.
Prices are not valid during festival period.
Any additional meal than specified in inclusions or hotels package plans.
Camera fees, Guide / tour escort charges & Entrance Fees to any monuments, national park, entry fees to any sightseeing places. Charges for boating, water sports or any adventure activities.
Any increase in taxes or fuel price, leading to increase in cost on surface transportation & land arrangements, which may come into effect prior departure.
Expenses of personal nature such as cold drinks, water bottle, snacks, telephone calls, laundry, camera fee for still or video camera, tips to drivers, local guides, and hotel staff etc. Any Incidental or medical expenses.
Any extra expenses arising out of various/unforeseen situations like natural calamities, landslides, road block, bad weather, political disturbances, strikes, changes in Government regulations, etc.to be borne by the client directly on the spot.
Any additional sightseeing or activity or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in itinerary, any extra vehicle rental if any.
Why Chal Kabira?
* Personal Involvement
* Local & certified Ops team
* Facilitated equipment rentals
* Smaller groups
* Quality equipment for safety and all weather expeditions
* Adherence to ethics