This trek covers most of the eastern part of the valley
along with the famous hilltop Nagarkot and Dhulikhel which are magnificent
places to spend the night and wake up with a striking sun rising across the
wide snowcapped Himalayan range. The trail leads around rural farm village with
pleasant country walks to observe east side of the Kathmandu and Bhaktapur
valley life. We will pass through the simple ascend and descend on the low
altitude path with beautiful views of the heritage valley not far from the
capital which still retain traditional life and rural feel. This trail also
grants us opportunity to explore rural villages around the capital of Nepal
where variation of ethnic groups with their history and culture at its extreme
are settled. Their hospitality, loom of snowcapped mountains views and grand
landscapes with extravagant sunrise and sunset are among the features to point
out in this trek. The wide and fine trail along the terraced hill side view
from the forested path with the chirping melody of the birds are just paradise
for nature lover. This trek will give you opportunity to witness the loom of
Himalayas which include Everest, Ganesh Himal, Gaurishankar, Dorje Lakpa,
Langtang range, Rolwaling range within couple of days’ trek. Apart from the
views we will pass by numerous Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries from the
medieval ancient periods to the 5th century Changunarayan temple and
experience the religious practice of Nepalese people.
Arrive at Kathmandu Airport with the
beautiful views of the valley, Himalaya and the terraced fields below. Meet
& be greeted by Donkeys Adventures’ (DA) airport
representative in the arrival section who will be holding the name card of the
group leader. He / She will guide you through the initial cultural shock of
Kathmandu narrow streets, cultures, people around and transfer to hotel. Then
DA will organize to meet in a
traditional Nepalese restaurant for a welcome dinner where we will have introduction
to DA staffs who will be directly involve during your stay in Nepal. For the
late night arrivals, we will either meet in the hotel lobby or during lunch the
next day. Overnight in the hotel.
Meals: D
After breakfast, drive to the golden spire of
the 5th-century Swayambhunath Stupa which is adorned
with a colorful fluttering of prayer flags; it crowns a hill overlooking the
Kathmandu Valley and offers fantastic views over the city of Kathmandu. The
stupa consists of a dome at the base which represent the entire world, above
which is a cubical structure painted with eyes of Buddha looking in all four
directions and between them, the number one in Nepali is painted in the fashion
of a nose which meant to be unity. Swayambhunath is also known commonly as the Monkey
Temple as there are holy monkeys living in the north-west parts of the
temple. The
Swayambhunath Stupa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of
the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal.
Then, drive to Patan Durbar Square one of the three royal cities in the
Kathmandu Valley which has a rich cultural heritage known for its fine crafts,
evident in the elaborate architecture, stone carvings, and metal statues found
all over the city. A center of both Buddhist and Hindu culture, Patan is home
to more than 1,200 monuments. One of the most stunning is the Krishna Mandir, a
stone temple with magnificent friezes built in the 16th century. Patan Durbar
Square is also a good place to see beautiful examples of palaces, temples and
shrines, and the stunning stone carvings in the Sundari Courtyards. Nearby is the Patan
Museum which displays the traditional sacred arts of Nepal in an
illustrious architectural setting. Its home is an old residential court of
Patan Durbar, one of the royal palaces of former Malla Kings of the Kathmandu
Valley. Its gilded door and window face one of the most beautiful squares in
the world. The Museum’s exhibits cover
along span of Nepal’s cultural history and some rare objects are among its
treasures. Their meaning and context within the living traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism are explained. The entire city of Patan was designated a UNESCO
World Heritage Site in 1979.
After lunch, drive to Pashupatinath which is one of
the most significant Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva in the world, located on the
banks of the Bagmati River in the eastern part of Kathmandu. Pashupatinath
Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu its existence dates back to 400
B.C. One of the major Festivals of the
temple is Maha Shivaratri on which day over 800,000 devotees
visit here. Open air cremation is
done in the holy Bagmati River at Pashupatinath area. The temple is
listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. Drive back to hotel.
Overnight in the hotel.
Meals: B
Early morning after breakfast we will drive for almost 20 km
through the countryside to reach Changunarayan Temple a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is the oldest
temple of Vishnu built in early 5th century AD situated at the end of long
ridge which runs well into the valley. From there we will take an easy ups and
down through the terraced fields of Chhapdanda than a Hindu temple along the border
of Tilkot Reserved forest to reach Tilkot (1644m). We will take our
lunch there and take a gentle step to reach Jalpadevi temple and further ascend
through Deurali Bhanjyang and to Lamagaon with some wonderful stupas
and no sooner reach the hilltop of Nagarkot (1965m) which is most
scenic spots around the valley and is renowned for its spectacular sunrise view
of the mountains like Everest, Ganesh Himal, Gaurishankar, Dorje Lakpa,
Langtang range, Rolwaling range and Indrawati river valley in the clear
weather. Overnight in the lodge.
Meals: B / L / D
Early in the morning breakfast will be served following the wonderful
sunrise dramatically coming behind the mountains from the east. Than we will
begin our trek ascending towards the Nagarkot view tower (2195m) for the magnificent
mountain views in the north east and gorgeous valley view in our west. After
spending some time in the highest point of our entire trek we will descend
towards Rohini Bhanjyang (1970m). Following the ridge of Basuki Danda
we will take a gradual descend through the forested path and then steep
downhill on the steps to gradual descend will take us to Khashi Bhanjyang (1660m) and
then an easy climb to Tanchowk Danda (1821m) where we will
explore the Gumba. From there we will gradually descend through Thadagaon and
Rabi Banjyang to reach the beautiful Dhulikhel(1540m). Dhulikhel is
famous as a well-preserved Newar town, mountain viewpoint, and hiking and
biking hub, but its popularity is warning as road-building and modernization
take their toll. Over nigh in the lodge.
Meals: B / L / D
We will again have a wonderful view of mountain ranges with
our breakfast and continue to trek through the old Newari Dhulikhel bazar paved
with stone. We will pass by famous Ganesh and Harasiddhi Temple between the old
town and further continue our trek towards Namo Buddha (1760m). Located on
slightly elevated land, it is a pleasant and out-of-the way place. The
landscape below resembles an eight-petaled lotus, and the sky above has the
form of a wheel with nine spokes. After Great Being offered his body in
generosity to the tigress, people found it difficult to travel through the
region for fear of all wild animals, so they developed the practice of reciting
“Namo Buddhaya” (“I take refuge in the Buddha”) to dispel their anxiety. On the
way we will pass by 1000 steps Kalika Temple and then to Kabhre Bhanjyang (1517m), Phaskot
(1628m) and all the way to Knakot Lek. We will trek through the deep
forest with luxuriant growth of various floras vibrant rhododendron, Magnolia
and Sal trees, terrace fields and sacred land, Namo Buddha, the place where
Lord Buddha was born as a prince before Shakyamuni Buddha was born. From there
we will continue to Balthali village (1580m) and the whole trial winds around
beautiful villages, along the foothill, riverbanks, gorgeous rice and millet
fields, dense forests, and magnificent panorama of the landscape of the mother
earth wrapping this wonderful place. Beside this beautiful monastery you too
will find many temples and other monasteries. In the trial we will encounter
with confluence of Roshi Khola and Pungmati Khola. Overnight in the lodge.
Meals: B / L / D
After breakfast we will start our trek to the old village of
Khopasi
(1464m), we will pass by numerous villages and farm land along the
Roshi Khola. From there we the river side trail passing through Khatrigaon and
Bhandarigaon and reach Paunati (1437m). It’s an ancient
Newari village which lies between Punyamata River and Roshi Khola which is
famous for the art gallery and woodcarving in the temples struts, doors and
windows. It is the event venue for Makar Mela commonly known as Panauti Mela
which is celebrated every 12 years on the month of January. From there will
drive towards Arankiko Highway at Benapa (1439m) and then towards Kathmandu
(1350m) passing by the Sanga and Jagati. Overnight in the hotel.
Meals: B / L
After
breakfast, we will drive to Boudhanath
Stupa, which is the largest stupa in Nepal and the holiest Tibetan
Buddhist temple outside Tibet. The stupa is located in the town of Boudha, located about 11 km from the center and
northeastern outskirts of Boudhanath is a stupa. Boudhanath was probably built in the 14th
century after the Mughal invasions; various interesting legends are told
regarding the reasons for its construction. After the arrival of thousands of
Tibetans following the 1959 Chinese invasion, the temple has become one of the
most important centers of Tibetan Buddhism. It was declared World Heritage
Site by UNESCO since 1979. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of Kassapa
Buddha.
From above, Bodnath Stupa looks
like a giant mandala, or diagram of the Buddhist cosmos. There
are other symbolic numbers here as well: the nine levels of Boudhanath Stupa
represent the mythical Mt. Meru, center of the cosmos; and the 13
rings from the base to the pinnacle symbolize the path to enlightenment,
or "Bodhi" — hence the stupa's name. At the bottom, the stupa is
surrounded by an irregular 16-sided wall, with frescoes in the niches. The
mantra of Avalokiteshvara - Om Mani Padme Hum - is carved on the prayer
wheels beside the images of Avalokiteshvara around the base of
the stupa. The base of the stupa consists of three large platforms, decreasing
in size. As at Swayambhunath, Bodnath is topped with a square tower bearing the
omnipresent Buddha eyes on all four sides. Instead of a
nose is a question-mark-type symbol that is actually the Nepali character for
the number 1, symbolizing unity and the one way to reach
enlightenment—through the Buddha's teachings. Above this is the third eye,
symbolizing the wisdom of the Buddha. The square tower is topped by a pyramid
with 13 steps, representing the ladder to enlightenment.
Than we will drive 14 km east of Kathmandu and explore the Bhaktapur
Valley. The valley is said to be
founded by King Ananda Deva in 889 AD. It is an inhabited museum of medieval
charm as it retains past glories and structures of the Malla rulers. Throughout
the city there are glorious examples of temples and pagodas dedicated to gods
and goddesses plus palaces, monuments, woodcarvings, sculptures and pottery.
The central area and main attraction is Bhaktapur Durbar
Square featuring The Lion Gate (1696 A.D.) guarded by two enormous stone lions.
Then, visit to The Golden Gate, also said to be the most beautiful and richly
crafted specimen of its kind in the entire world; some have said it's the
loveliest work of art in the whole Kingdom. The Palace of Fifty-five Windows built
in 1427 of brick displays a balcony containing fifty-five windows, each a
masterpiece of woodcarving. An amazing five-storied pagoda, Nyatapola
Temple built in 1702, 108 ft., dominates the Square. It is the tallest temple
in Kathmandu Valley and stands on a series of five terraces. Likewise, visit
another two temples in Durbar Square:
the three-storied Bhairab Nath Temple and the Temple
of Dattatraya. Dattatraya temple is believed, originally was carved out of the
trunk of a tree and subsequently renovated in 1458. Many temples, bahals
(monastery courtyards), and residences, the city is still a living proof of the
highest craft standards in this part of the world. As the visitor wanders
through narrow brick paved streets, many alleys will show hidden shrines and
statues. Clay craftsmanship as well as cloth weaving is still practiced here
very much as in the past. Fourteen kilometers east of Kathmandu, this peaceful,
conservative town stands in sharp contrast to the bustle of its two adjacent
cities.
After lunch, we will drive back to Kathmandu Durbar Square,
while browse around Kathmandu
Durbar Square you will visit Hanuman Dhoka, the old and historic
palace of Kathmandu named after monkey God, Hanuman, a historic seat of
royalty. The Kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations also held inside
the court yard here. There is a statue of King Pratap Mall sitting on the stone
pillar in the front and temple of Jagannath from mediaeval period. Within the
walking distance you will find the tall temple of Taleju from 1549 AD, the
large stone statue of Kal Bhairav, the God of destruction. The Big Bell
and Big Drum and Hindu Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati peeping from window.
Visit the temple of Kumari, the residence of Living Goddess
within the vicinity. Kumari means the virgin girl. The girl is selected from
Newar Buddhist family. The building has profusely carved wooden balconies and
window screen.
Meals: B
Today will be the last day of
our Nepal visit and we will spend today packing
and maybe catching up on some last-minute souvenir shopping for your family,
relatives and friends back home. Check out from the hotel. Meet DA airport representative for farewell
and then drop to Airport for onward journey, with the last minute mountain
views from the sky.
Meals: B
Package Types | 1 PAX | 2-3 PAX | 4-6 PAX | 7-12 PAX | 13-20 PAX | 21-35 PAX |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Diamond | $ 2,564.35 | $ 1,613.70 | $ 1,414.62 | $ 1,311.08 | $ 1,235.59 | $ 1,183.41 |
Gold | $ 1,949.23 | $ 1,252.70 | $ 1,063.12 | $ 969.08 | $ 903.09 | $ 860.41 |
Silver | $ 1,593.10 | $ 1,043.70 | $ 859.62 | $ 771.08 | $ 710.59 | $ 673.41 |
Note:
Above prices are valid to book your holiday package until one year from the date of booking only.
Full board complementary for one Group Leader for 16 and above group.
The prices are net and all the applicable taxes are included in the above price (local taxes in Nepal).
All the above prices are subjected to change with prior notice.
Package Types:
Diamond 5 star hotels in cities like - Kathmandu / Pokhara / Chitwan / Lumbini
Gold 3 star hotels in cities like - Kathmandu / Pokhara / Chitwan / Lumbini
Silver Budget tourist standard hotels in cities like - Kathmandu / Pokhara / Chitwan / Lumbini
Pashupatinath / Swayambhunath / Boudhanath / Bhaktapur Durbar Square / Patan Durbar Square / Nagarkot / Changunarayan / Dhulikhel / Namo Buddha / Balthali / Panauti / Kathmandu Durbar Square /