Nepal Highlights (7n/8d)

Lake View at Pokhara

Lake View at Pokhara

Day 1: Arriva Nararkot
Arrival and transfer to Nagarkot. Nagarkot is a popular tourist resort. It is situated 32 kilometres east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2,175m. On a clear day, the panorama of the Eastern Nepal Himalaya can be seen from here. Peaks such as Manaslu (8,463), Ganesh Himal (7,111m), Langtang (7,246m), Choa Bhamre (6,016m), Gaurishanker (7,134m) and Numbur (6,957m) add majesty to the vista. PM – free to walk around Nagarkot or up to the view tower that offers a panoramic view of the central to eastern Himalayan range. Overnight at hotel of your choice

Day 2: Nagarkot – Pokhara
After breakfast, a down hill walk through villages and fields to the temple complex of Changu Narayan. Sightseeing of Changu Narayan and continue onto Bhaktapur. Changu Narayan is situated at the end of the long ridge which runs well into the Valley, which is said to have been built in 323 A.D. by King Hari Dutta Varma. The temple is richly decorated with sculptures and carvings and is said to be the oldest temple in the Valley. It is situated about 153 m above the level of the Kathmandu Valley and affords a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside. Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon is situated at an altitude of 1401m and is a home of medieval art and architecture. The urban city covers an area of 4 square miles. Shaped like a conch-shell, Bhaktapur means the city of devotees. Pottery and weaving are its traditional industries. The city lies about 14 kilometres east of Kathmandu. The main square of the city contains innumerable temples and other architectural showpieces like Gallery, the Lion Gate and the Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla. Other places of interest include the Picture Gallery, the Golden Gate, the Palace of 55 Windows, the Batsala Temple and the Bell of Barking Dogs, and the replica of Pashupatinath Temple. PM – Transfer to the domestic airport and fly to Pokhara. Upon arrival at Pokhara, transfer to hotel and check-in. PM – Boat ride on Phewa Lake. The Pokhara Valley is one of the most picturesque in Nepal. Lakes Phewa, Begnas, and Rupa enhance the beauty of the valley, which have their source in the glacial region of the Annapurna Range of the Himalaya. Pokhara is one of the few places in the world to provide such a dramatic view in a sub-tropical setting. Machhapuchhre for example, is only 28 kilometres from Phewa Lake, and not a single mountain range intervenes between the two. Pokhara’s numerous lakes, known as “Tal” in Nepali offer fishing, boating and swimming. Overnight at hotel of your choice.

Day 3: Pokhara
AM – Sightseeing of Pokhara PM – Hike to the Peace Stupa on the southern end of Phewa Lake, reachable by boat and then climbing up the hill. The view of Pokhara, Phewa Lake and the Annapurna range is breathtaking. Overnight at hotel of your choice

Day 4: Pokhara – Chitwan
After breakfast depart for Chitwan. The main attraction of Chitwan is the Royal Chitwan National Park, which is situated 120 kilometres southwest of Kathmandu. This is one of Nepal’s largest forest regions, with a wide range of wildlife such as the rare, great one-horned rhinoceros, several species of deer, sloth bear, leopard wild boar fresh water dolphin, crocodile, more than 350 species of birds, and the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. Arrive at Safari Narayani Lodge followed by refreshments and a briefing about the afternoon programme and the Lodge facilities. 1300 hrs: Lunch at the central dining restaurant. 1500 hrs: A talk on the elephants by our naturalist at the elephant stable. 1600 hrs: Jungle safari on elephant back. An excellent opportunity to see four different kinds of deer, rhinoceros, wild boar, leopard, monkeys, birds and many other smaller animals. 1830 hrs: Talk on the natural history & flora & fauna of the National Park. 1930 hrs: Dinner. Overnight at Safari Narayani Lodge

Day 5: Chitwan
0600 hrs: Wake up call. Tea/Coffee. Second Jungle Safari on elephant back through another section of the Royal Chitwan National Park. 0730 hrs: Breakfast. 0830 hrs: Dugout canoe ride along the Rapti river. A good opportunity for bird watching and to see the two rare species of crocodile, the marsh mugger and the fish eating gharial. Half an hour walk through the jungle to the Elephant Breeding Farm. Drive back to the Lodge. 1300 hrs: Lunch. 1530 hrs: Nature walk: An excellent opportunity to be familiar with the diverse vegetation of the park and to see a great many of the more than 500 different species of birds which have made Chitwan their home. 1830 hrs: Tharu Tribal Dance presented by the local Tharu villagers. 1930 hrs: Dinner. Overnight at Safari Narayani Lodge

Day 6: Chitwan – Kathmandu
After breakfast leave for Kathmandu. Total distance is about 150 km covered in about 5 hours. PM – Sightseeing of Swyambhunath, one of the world’s most glorious Buddhist Chaityas, said to be 2000 years old. The Chaitya, which forms the main structure, is made of a solid hemisphere of brick and clay supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on the four-sides of the spire bases are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It is three kilometres west of Kathmandu City, and situated on a hillock about 77m above the level of the Valley. This hill is a mosaic of small Chaityas and pagoda temples. Overnight at hotel of your choice

Day 7: Kathmandu
AM – Sightseeing of Patan & Tibetan Refugee Camp. The ancient city of Patan is situated on the southern bank of the river Bagmati. The city is full of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments with bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful carvings. Noted for its craftsmen and metal workers, it is known as the city of artists. Patan Durbar Square, situated in the heart of the city constitutes the focus of visitor’s attraction. The square is full of ancient palaces, temples and shrines, noted for their exquisite carvings. One can rummage for treasures in the various shops around the square. A little further from Patan Durbar Square lies Mahabouddha. This Buddhist temple is made of clay bricks in which cotta structure is one of the fourteenth century Nepalese architectural masterpieces. Hiranya Varna Mahavihar is a three storey golden pagoda of Lokeshwor (Lord Buddha) and was built in the 12th century by King Bhaskar Verma. It is located in the courtyard of Kwabahal. Inside the upper storey of the pagoda, placed on the pedestal, are the golden image of Lord Buddha and a large wall and a complete life of Buddha in gold relief. Tibetan Centre or Tibetan Refugee Camp was established by the then King of Nepal, King Mahendra, to accommodate Tibetans who fled the Chinese invasion of Tibet in the late 1950s. It is an interesting place where one can observe Tibetans in their daily lives, though the place is quite commercial now with shops of Tibetan carpets and other souvenirs.PM – Free time at leisure. Overnight at hotel of your choice

Day 8: Departure
Transfer to the airport

Leave a comment