Kathmandu & Pokhara Tour
provides an opportunity to explore the historically and culturally rich
Kathmandu city as well as the surrounding cities like Patan and Bhaktapur. The
capital city Kathmandu which is well known as city of temples which is rich in
religious aspect. This tour also takes you to Pokhara, which is
beautiful city and second largest tourist hub in Nepal after Kathmandu. Pokhara
is paradise on earth and is popular as city of Lakes with panoramic picturesque
mountain view.
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
After breakfast drive for almost 6 - 7 hours to reach Paradise city called Pokhara. We will stop on the way at Charaudi after 85 km where a crowd of friendly local people will be eagerly waiting to watch the proceedings. The Crew Prepares the rafts, after which all head towards the brief river safety talk and lessons on how to use paddles. Trishuli River (Grade III) includes the scenery of small gorges and numerous rapids as the name of Snail’s nose, Teendevi, Malekhu rapid, Monkey rapid, Upset, Surprise, Monsoon, Cotton Pony, Ladies Delight, S-Bend, Highway, Monsoon and Pinball Rapid. After the glimpse of the cable car leading to the famous Hindu Temple of Manakamana in Kuringhat, we will end our raft to have lunch and continue our drive to Pokhara. Check-in in hotel. Overnight in the hotel.
Meals: B
Wake up early in the morning around 4:00 am and get ready to drive 5 km away and hike for half an hour to Sarangkot Hill (1592m). Within a moment we will have great view of Pokhara Valley. Sarangkot is the small hilltop which is famous for its breath taking view of sunrise and Annapurna range with Fishtail (Virgin Mountain). From here, we can see a panoramic sweep of Himalayan peaks, from Dhaulagiri (8167m) in the west to the perfect pyramid that is Machhapuchare (6997m) and the rounded peak of Annapurna II (7937m) in the east. Most people come here at dawn, when the sun picks out the peaks in brilliant colors. Sarangkot is the highest view point for a sunrise and it is just 1592m high. Drive back to hotel.
After breakfast, we will take a wooden boat and visit island temple Barahi Temple which is island itself in the middle of Fewa Lake. This temple is the most important religious monuments in Pokhara. The Barahi Devi is considered as the protector Goddess representing the female force. The peaceful surrounding or typical structure of the temple does attract everyone towards the temple. The temple is worth visiting for both spiritualist and materialist. One can observe the Nepali culture, art and architecture and spiritualist can satisfy their inner feeling and belief praying to Devi.
From there we will cross the lake and hike for an hour and half to World Peace Pagoda which is also locally know as Shanti Stupa. It was built by Nipponzan-Myōhōji monk Morioka Sonin with local supporters under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii, a Buddhist monk and the founder of Nipponzan-Myōhōji. Shanti is a Sanskrit word meaning peace, also widely used in Nepali and Hindi language, and Shanti Stupa means Peace Pagoda. Shanti Stupa is the shrine build as symbol of peace. The spot situated at the height of 1100 meters on the Ananda Hill was chosen by Nichidatsu Fujii and he laid the foundation stone as well with the relics of Buddha on the hilltop on 12 September 1973. Nepal has two of the eighty peace pagodas in the world: Shanti Stupa in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha and Shanti Stupa in Pokhara. Shanti Stupa in Pokhara has also become a tourist attraction. It provides a panoramic view of the Annapurna range, Pokhara city and the Fewa Lake.
After Lunch, we will drive to David’s Fall also known as Patale Chango in Nepali. Patale Chango (Hell's fall), more commonly called "Devi's or David's Falls" for the tourist with some melodramatic story behind it. The water from this falls comes from the Fewa Lake flowing to the Seti. The water plunges into a hole and disappears! In monsoon this sight is most spectacular. The scenic and natural beauty near the falls is extremely impressive.
Nearby, across the street of Davi’s fall is a cave called Gupteshwor Cave. This venerated cave contains a huge stalagmite worshipped as a Shiva lingam. It allows you to clamber through a tunnel behind the shrine, emerging in a damp cavern adjacent to the thundering waters of Devi’s fall. It has some big hall-size rooms and some passages where you have to crawl on all fours. This cave holds special value for Hindus since a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva is preserved here in the condition it was discovered.
Than we will drive to International Mountain Museum which was established to record document and chronicle, past and present development of mountaineering activities in the world in general and to preserve the saga of the momentous feats in the history of mountaineering in the Himalayan peaks in particular. The foundation stone of IMM was laid on 1 Dec, 1995. The soft opening of IMM took place on 29 May, 2002 where it was officially opened on 5 Feb, 2004. Drive back to hotel and overnight in the hotel.
Meals: B
After breakfast check out from the hotel and get ready to drive back to Kathmandu. Check in in the hotel get fresh and hang around the narrow bending streets of Thamel for shopping, night life and spend some leisure time in dining around the touristic place near by your hotel.
Meals: B
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 | $ 2,983.97 | $ 1,819.68 | $ 1,519.52 | $ 1,373.26 | $ 1,272.18 | $ 1,208.66 |
Gold | $ 2,206.97 | $ 1,363.68 | $ 1,075.52 | $ 941.26 | $ 852.18 | $ 800.66 |
Silver | $ 1,818.47 | $ 1,135.68 | $ 853.52 | $ 725.26 | $ 642.18 | $ 596.66 |
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 / Changunarayan / Sarangkot / Fewa Lake / International Mountain Museum / David's Fall / World Peace Pagoda / Kathmandu Durbar Square /