ENCHANTING NEPAL: A JOURNEY THROUGH CULTURE & NATURE 

Upon arrival met by the representative at the airport and board the waiting vehicle and drive to Nagarkot. It takes around 1 ½ hrs of drive to reach the Hotel. Guest will be welcomed with the welcome drink at the hotel and assigned to the rooms. 

Nagarkot, a small hilltop lies on the ridge on Kathmandu valley’s northeast rim overlooking a big chunk of the Western, Central and the Eastern Himalayas, including five of the world’s 10 highest Peaks- Mt. Everest (8848 M), Mt. Lhotse 8516 M), Mt. Cho-Oyu (8201M), Mt. Makalu (8463 M), and Mt. Manaslu (8163 M). Beside magnificent views of the Himalayas, Nagarkot also offers one of the best sunrise and sunset over the horizon. 

EVE: A detailed briefing about the tour will be carried out at the hotel’s private room and Followed by Traditional Nepali Dinner in the Hotel’s Private Dining Room

Altitude: 4429 ft (Kathmandu) to 7134 ft (Nagarkot)

Driving distance: 16 miles (Kathmandu Airport to Nagarkot) ​

Driving Time: 1 ½ hrs

Meals: n/a

Overnight at Hotel Country Villa

After breakfast met by the guide at the hotel lobby and drive for 20 minutes to the trek start point. Then proceed for the walk to Changunarayan Temple.

The is a popular walk that leads down from Nagarkot along the ridge to the temple of Changunarayan with views of Sankhu village to the right and Bhaktapur city to the left. 

Firstly we descend to Telkot and continue walking to Changunarayan. On the way we will be able to enjoy the beautiful terraced farmlands and if lucky, we might even see the farmers working on the field and enjoying their working day. We can make small talk with the farmers about the crops and their system of farming. Then make a decent to Changunarayan.

Changunarayan Temple: The ancient Hindu temple of Changunarayan is located on a high hilltop that is also known as Changu or Dolagiri. The temple is surrounded by forest with champak tree and a small village, known as ChanguVillage. The temple is located in Changunarayan VDC of Bhaktapur District, Nepal. This hill is about 8 miles east of Kathmandu and a few miles north of Bhaktapur. This shrine is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and held in especial reverence by the Hindu people. This temple is considered as the oldest temple in Nepal. Ti is said to hav been built in 323 AD by King Hari Datta Varma. The temple is richly decorated with sculptures and carvings. It is said to be the oldest temple in the valley. 

After the Sightseeing of the Chagunarayan Temple, drive back to Bhaktapur.

Upon arrival at Bhaktapur, Check into Hotel.

Later, Visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square:

The major sightseeing places in Bhaktapur include:

The Durbar Square is the main square of the city contains innumerable temples and other architectural showpieces like Lion Gate, the statue of Bhupatindra Malla the Picture Galley, the Golden Gate, The Palace of 55 windows, the Bastille temple and the Bell of barking dogs, etc. The statue of Bhupatindra Malla in the act of worship is placed on a column facing the palace. Of the many statues available in Nepal this is considered to be the most magnificent. 

The National Art Gallery contains ancient and medieval paintings belonging to Hindu and Buddhist school depicting Tantrics of various period and descriptions.

The Palace of 55 Windows was built in the seventeenth century by King Bhupatindra Malla. Among the brick walls with their gracious settings and sculptural design, is a balcony of 55 windows. This balcony is the masterpiece of wood carving. 

The Natyapola Temple is a five storey pagoda built in 1702 A.D. by King Bhupatindra Malla. It stands on a five-terraced platform. On each of the terraces, squat a pair of figures, two famous wrestlers, two elephants, two lions, two griffins, Baghiani, Singini – the tiger and the lion goddesses. This is one of the tallest pagodas and is famous for its massive structure and subtle workmanship.

Continue on to the Dattareya Square to visit the old Pujari Math considered one of the oldest maths (dwelling of a priest) in the Kathmandu Valley. It has now been converted into a Woodcarving Museum. 

Since the early Licchavi period (300-789 AD), the woodcarvings are present everywhere in the Nepal architecture. Woodcarving is specifically a Newari art and Bhaktapur is one of the most famous for it.  In the Bhaktapur district alone there are some 500 active wood crafters. The peacock window is world famous

Driving distance: 4 Kilometers​

Driving Time: 10 minutes (Chagunarayan - Bhaktapur)

Walking distance: 4.5 miles ​

Walking time: 4 – 5 hrs

Elevation Loss/Gain: From 2195m (Nagarkot) to 1469m (Telkot) to 1500m(Chagunarayan) to 1401m (Bhaktapur)

Meals: Breakfast 

Overnight at Hotel Bhadgoan or Similar

AM: Board The Vehicle and Drive to Kathmandu International Airport For The Fly Kathmandu to Pokhara.

Pokhara stands at 827 meters above sea level and is an ideal vacationer’s paradise. With its crystal clear lakes, magnificent views of the Annapurna Mountain Range and its bustling but quaint lake side bazaar, it is a major tourist attraction. From here most of the treks starts for the western region and is a haven for people who wants to relax in this serene mountain beauty. The Annapurna mountain range is impressive by any standard and looming ahead to take the center stage is Machapucchre or “Fish Tail Mountain”, which gets its name from the shape of its summit and flanking it from either side are the great mountains of the range including Annapurna I (8091 m), the first 8000 m peak to be scaled in 1950. The range continues to meet the Lamjung Himal in the east while to its west looms the massive dome of Dhaulagiri (8161 m). 

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Upon arrival at Pokhara, met by representatives and transferred to the Temple bell hotel.

The Guest will be welcomed with the welcome drink and assigned their rooms.

14:00 HRS: Met by guide and board the waiting vehicle and drive to the International Mountain Museum (IMM).

The International Mountain Museum (IMM) records, documents, exhibits and chronicles the past and the present development of mountains and mountaineering activities in the world. Built by Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), much support was received from various mountaineering clubs and associations as well as individual donors from around the world. The museum primarily provides information and exhibits everything related to Man, Mountain and Mountain activities from around the world.​

IMM situated in Pokhara, was opened on February 5, 2004. The museum contains three main exhibitions halls - Hall of Great Himalayas, Hall of Fame and Hall of World Mountains. It also contains models of famous peaks, mannequins of famous mountaineers, culture and lifestyle of mountain people, flora and fauna including geoloy. The museum has been built with the theme of man, mountains and mountaineering. The museum also has model Nepali houses constructed in its premises.

After visiting the IMM board the waiting vehicle and drive towards Lakeside Pokhara.

EVE: Upon arrival at the Lakeshore we get in to the waiting boat and after visit the Barahi Temple which is located in the middle of the lake. 

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Tal Barahi Temple: One of the most important religious monuments in Pokhara, Tal Barahi is situated almost in the middle of Phewa Lake. The Barahi Devi is considered as the protector Deity representing the female force. This temple has lured innumerable visitors and pilgrimages since its inception. This temple has earned so much name and fame that, it has become a centre of attraction for not only Hindus but also for people belonging to different religion and culture.

The evening is free to relax at the Hotel by the poolside OR take a walk along the famous lakeside bazaar of the Few Lake. 

Drive Distance: 15 kilometers

Driving Time: 1hrs

Altitude Loss: From 1401m (Bhaktapur) to 827m (Pokhara) 

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight at Hotel Temple Bell or Similar

​After Visit, Drive to Phumdikot (Shiva Statue) (1500m)

04:30 hrs: Met the Guide form Sacred Summits and proceed for the sunrise activity in pokhara. 

Sarangkot offers some of the finest views over Pokhara and the Himalayan mountain range—the perfect place for sunrise—but finding the best viewing spots requires local knowledge. On this tour, begin with pickup at your Pokhara accommodation and reach hilltop Sarangkot with ease by private vehicle. With your guide on hand, identify famous mountains like Dhaulagiri and Machapuchare, and watch the sun rise over the snow-capped peaks.

After Sunrise, drive back to Hotel and proceed for the Breakfast.

10:00 AM: Hike to Peace pagoda 

This pleasant 2 ½ hour hike starts with a hike through courtyards of local houses. Cross an old suspension bridge and hike through the terraced and neatly tended farmland. Ascend slowly through a forested trail up to the World Peace Pagoda. Great views of Pokhara city the western Himalayas. (Weather permitting).  

The Peace Pagoda: Located at the top of the hill, is a magnificent place to visit with fantastic views of the whole Pokhara valley, the Phewa Lake and the western Himalayan mountain range. At the top of the hill, there is a white Pagoda. At the four corners of the Pagoda, are statues of Lord Buddha in different postures.  

After Visit to Peace Pagoda, Drive to Phumdikot. The drive from the Peace Pagoda to Pumdikot is a short and scenic journey of approximately 10 minutes along a winding hill road. Passing through the traditional village of PumdiBhumdi, the route offers stunning views of the Annapurna Range, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and the Pokhara Valley. Upon arrival at Pumdikot, visitors can explore the impressive Shiva Statue complex and enjoy one of the finest panoramic viewpoints in the Pokhara region.

Pumdikot is one of the major attractions of Pokhara Sightseeing. Nepal’s Tallest Lord Shiva Statue in Pokhara is the emerging local attraction for domestic and international travelers. The Shiva Statue in Pumdikot was built in Mathura of India and then brought here in Nepal and installed. Pumdikot Shiva Statue is located in the southern part of Pokhara at an elevation of 1500 meters from sea level. Another attraction of Pumdikot Shiva Temple is Shiva Damaru which is the biggest in Asia.

After Sightseeing of Shiva Statue come back to visit the GupteshworMahadev cave. It is probably the longest and most attractive cave in south Asia. From the entrance of the cave within approximately 40 meters, there is an idol in which amazing and natural pictures of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parbati, Naag (snake god), Lord Ganesha and mouse can be found.

Ancestors called this place as the desolate Khatri Tara. At that time, jets of steam used to come out from this place and some courageous youngsters used to go inside and catch fish. In 1970, 1980 and 1982 a British Expedition Organization named British course Research Cave Expedition expatiated this cave and published about it in The Atlas Great Cave of the World. This cave was formally established in 1994-01-01 which is a religious and touristic destination.

After Sightseeing of Gupteshwor Mahadev, drive back to hotel. 

Driving Distance: 22 Kilometers

Driving time: 1hrs (Pokhara – Sarangkot – Pokhara)

Driving Distance: 11 kilometers Peace Pagoda – Guteshwor – Pokhara

Driving time: 20 minutes

Altitude Gain: from 827m (Pokhara) to 1600m (Sarangkot) to 1100m (Peace Pagoda) to 1500m (Phumdikot)

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight at Hotel Temple Bell or Similar

07:00 – 08:00 Hrs – Breakfast

08:30 Hrs: Drive to airport and board the Early-morning flight back to Kathmandu.

Upon arrival at Kathmandu, drive to Hotel.

PM: Visit UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE 

Visit   Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the “Monkey Temple” because of the monkeys that guards the hill where it lays. It is situated on the top of the hill 4 kilometers away from west of Kathmandu. It is believed the stupa is of 2,500 years old, this ancient landmark is connected to the visit of Manjushree who created Kathmandu – a lake than – by draining its waters. The sage saw a celestial lotus in bloom on the top of this hill and sacrificed it. It is an important pilgrimage center as well as the center of art, architecture, religion and culture of Mahayana Buddhism.

After sightseeing of Swayambhunathtour, we visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, the social, religious and urban focal point of the Capital City, a cluster of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards and streets that dates back to the 12th and 18th century. 

The major tourist attractions on this tour includes a visit to the Hanuman Dhoka(Hanuman gate) which takes its name from the Monkey God, Hanuman from the epic, Ramayana The palace of the Malla Kings located in the Hanuman Dhoka is of the 14th Century and was a ceremonial palace of the Shah dynasty. Important traditional Royal ceremonies including the coronation of the King of Nepal used to be conducted at Hanuman Dhoka Palace. 

Near the Hanuman Dhoka is the house of the Living Goddess Kumari - Kumari Bahal. Two painted stone Lions stand guard at the entrance. Visitors may enter the courtyard to see the Living Goddess but are forbidden to take photographs.

After the sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city, Drive back to Hotel.

Driving distance: 3 Kilometers ​

Driving Time: 10 minutes (Pokhara to Pokhara airport)

Driving distance: 5 kilometers​

Driving Time: 20 minutes (Kathmandu Airport to Hotel)

Flight duration: 25 minutes

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight at Hotel Ramada Encore

The Panchamrit Puja at Pashupatinath Temple is a sacred Hindu ritual dedicated to Lord Shiva, during which the Shiva Lingam is ceremonially bathed with Panchamrit—a holy mixture of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar. Performed by temple priests, this auspicious ceremony is believed to bring spiritual purification, prosperity, good health, and divine blessings. The serene atmosphere of the temple, accompanied by Vedic chants and devotional prayers, offers devotees a deeply spiritual and memorable experience at one of Nepal's most revered pilgrimage sites.

Pashupatinath Temple - is the most sacred Hindu Temple in the world and is amongst the five principal pilgrimage sites for the Hindus. On an annual pilgrimage during Shivaratri Festival thousands of devotees of Lord Shiva from all the Hindu communities of the world pay their homage here.

Pashupatinath is the reincarnation of Shiva in his most benevolent form as the shepherd of fertility and so there are no animal sacrifices in this temple, only fruits, flowers and vermilion are offered. It lies on the banks of the Bagmati River and for the Hindus, to be cremated at Pashupatinath means, a direct passage to heaven. 

After sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath Temple board the waiting vehicle and transferred to the airport for the onward flight home. (Reporting time is at least 3 hrs before flight time)