A Living Culture - 11 Nights 12 days

Trip Code : CAN-07

Accomodation : Hotel

Duration : 12 Days

Grading : Moderate

Activity : Cultural Wonders & Hikes

Starts at : Kathmandu

End at : Kathmandu

Overview

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu

Meeting at airport on arrival by our staff and transfer to the hotel. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, lies in a broad valley at the edge of the Himalayan Range. Its art and architecture are an interesting blend of Hindu and Buddhist influences.

Day 2: In Kathmandu

Proceed for the sightseeing to Kathmandu Durbar Square & Swayambhunath. Tour of Kathmandu city and temples will include visits to the Temple of the Living Goddess, Durbar Square (central square of the city), National Museum and Swayambhunath, a 2000 year-old Buddhist shrine overlooking the city.

Later visit Old Tibetan Thanka Painting Academy & School in Thamel and interaction with the students.

Day 3: In Kathmandu

We visit to the holiest shrine for the Buddhist culture in Nepal, Bouddhanath, with its large stupa, this is the place where all devout Buddhists come for a pilgrimage. It is not unusual to see very old devotees circumnavigate the shrine hundreds of times falling to their knees and rising again for a few steps only to go back down again to their knees.

Visit Shechen Medical Clinic in Bouddha to have the knowledge about traditional Tibetan Medicine.

Afternoon we will visit the holiest shrine of the Hindu culture in Nepal, Pashupatinath. This is the place where holy saddhus pray and cremations on the Bagmati River are carried out. While you are not allowed into the temple if you are not a Hindu, the grounds surrounding the temple usually have a fascinating crowd of the faithful.

Day 4: Drive Kathmandu / Pokhara (approx. 210 km - 6 hours drive)

Pokhara town (2,352 feet) the 25,000+ peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges rise a scant 20 miles away with no intervening ridges to spoil the view. The mountains are reflected in Phewa Lake, where you can rent a boat to visit its small island temples. Pokhara offers the best mountain scenery in Nepal without undertaking a trek.

Day 5: Drive to Bijayapur then trek to Thulakot

Morning drive to Bijayapur 25 minutes drive. From here, we head to the North- East for the Kandhani Danda, then to Rishi Danda. There is a small primary school named by Aaraya Jyoti Primary School where we spent some time at the school with the children, teachers & the villagers then continue to Thulakot.

We will have a cultural show performed by local women of this village.

Day 6: Thulakot - Begnas lake - Pokhara

Early morning witness sunrise over the Himalayas. We leave the village and trek down hill to the Syankhudi. It is a kind of Port of Begnas Lake. We take a boat to cross the Begnas lake and then return to hotel in Pokhara.

Day 7: Drive Pokhara / Bandipur (approx. 60 km - 2 hours drive)

Bandipur located on a 1000m ridge in Tanahu district and its hallmark is its beautiful scenery. The other important temples and shrines in the vicinity include the Mahalaxmi temple with its exquisite woodwork and Khadga Devi temple which comes alive once a year during the Dashain festival.

Day 8: Drive Bandipur / Kathmandu (approx. 140 km - 4 hours drive

Morning drive to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

Afternoon visit to Patan, which is the oldest of the three major cities in the Kathmandu Valley. It is called the City of the Arts, and is justly famous for its intricately carved wooden temples and skilled craftsmen. Within the city also lies the Tibetan refugee center, home to most of the valley's Tibetan population. While technically refugees, the Tibetans are some of the wealthiest people in the valley because of the carpet industry they operate. For those looking to bring home a fine Tibetan carpet, this is the place to shop.

Day 9: In Kathmandu

Morning leave for sightseeing tour of Dakshinkali Temple dedicated to Kali, the fearful form of Lord Siva’s consort, Parvati. The main deity in the temple is the black stone, six-armed form of Kali, standing on a prostrated figure. Sacrifices are made on Tuesday & Saturday at this temple.

Continue to Chovar & Kritipur. The picturesque little village of Chovar lies in a hill overlooking the Bagmati River where it flows through the Chovar Gorge. Kirtipur offers quaint streets lined with artistic houses and temple squares and great views of Kathmandu Valley. The people are known for their skill in building and weaving and other ancient loom.

Visit to bakery project run by local woman in Kritipur.

Day 10: Kathmandu / Dhulikhel (30 km & 1 hour drive)

Morning visit Bhaktapur, perhaps the least changed of all the cities in the Kathmandu Valley, with a distinct medieval feel. Pottery and weaving are still traditional industries here. Architectural wonders abound, including the Palace of Fifty Five Windows, Golden Gate and the magnificent five storied pagoda-style Nyatapola Temple.

Continue drive to Dhulikhel is a scenic and ancient town situated east of Kathmandu valley and 5500 ft above sea level. From here one can have a panoramic view of the Himalayan range.

Day 11: Dhulikhel / Kathmandu

Morning visit local school in Dhulikhel (Himal Jyoti School). Meet with the local children and interact with teachers to learn the teaching system of Nepal.

Afternoon visit vegetable farming at Sanga, interaction with local farmers to learn about the local farming system. Return to Kathmandu for overnight stay.