Nepal Round Trip

Day 1: Arrival

The Monkey Temple (Swayambhunath) – Mobbed by monkeys and soaring above the city on a lofty hilltop, the ‘Monkey Temple’ is centred on a gleaming white stupa, topped by a gilded spire painted with the eyes of the Buddha. Here you can also find a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period. Coming to Swayambhunath is an intoxicating experience, with ancient carvings jammed into every spare inch of space and the smell of incense and butter lamps hanging heavy in the air.

Lalitpur/Patan Durbar Square – Lalitpur (Patan) is one of the oldest cities of Nepal. Believed to be founded in 299 AD by King Veer Deva, it is popular for its ancient architecture, Hindu temples and rich cultural heritage. Patan Durbar Square is located at the center of Lalitpur. An important attraction is the ancient royal palace where the Malla Kings of Lalitpur resided from the 12th until the 18th century. The palaces and courtyard are believed to have been constructed before the arrival of the Mallas in Nepal by the Pradhan clan.

Boudhanath – The UNESCO World Heritage site is home to one of the largest Stupa’s in the world. The Boudhanath Stupa was built just after the demise of Lord Buddha and lies on the ancient trade route from Tibet. Tibetan merchants have rested and offered prayers here for many centuries and its said to entomb the remains of Kassapa Buddha.

Pashupatinath – The UNESCO World Heritage site inhabits the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu, Pashupatinath temple, which is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and is located on the banks of the Bagmati River. The area of Pashupatinath encompasses 264 hectare of land including 518 temples and monuments. Here you can also observe open-air cremations and meet Sadhus (wandering ascetic yogis, who are trying to acquire liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth by meditating)

Day 2

David’s Falls – also known as Patale Chhango, this waterfall marks the point where the Pardi Khola stream vanishes underground. When the stream is at full bore after monsoon rains, the sound of the water plunging over the falls is deafening.

Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave – across the road from David’s Falls, this venerated cave contains a huge stalagmite worshipped as a Shiva lingam. You’re allowed to clamber through a tunnel behind the shrine, emerging in a damp cavern adjacent to the thundering waters of David’s Falls.

World Peace Pagoda – In 1947 the Japanese monk Nichidatsu Fujii decided to construct Peace Pagodas around the world as a symbol of world peace. This Pagoda was built by monks of the Nipponzan-Myōhōji Buddhist order, which was founded by Fujii, and locals of Pokhara. Standing on top of the Ananda Hill, one has spectacular views of the Himalayan Mountain range, Fewa Lake and Pokhara.

Bindabasini Temple – This temple is of great religious importance to Hindus living in the Pokhara region and is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga, who is Pokhara’s chosen guardian deity. The ornate structure of Bindabasini Temple is surrounded by a park-like landscape. Spectacular views can be absorbed from this marvelous vantage point which looks out over the town of Pokhara and takes in some of the impressive Himalayas.

Day 03 : Pokhara Sightseeing

We will get up early in the morning to see the spectacular sunrise over the Himalayas from SarangkotAfter our return we will enjoy breakfast at the Hotel. You will have free time to enjoy extra activities such as Paragliding, Ultra flight, Zipline or Bungy Jumping.

Day 04/05 : Pokhara to Chitwan by Bus/car/flight

We will spend 2 nights in Chitwan National Park with a 3 day program which includes Elephant riding, Canoeing, Bird Watching, Jungle Safari and Tharu cultural program.

Day 06 : Chitwan to Lumbini by Bus/car

After arriving in Lumbini we will have lunch at the Hotel. The rest of the day can be spend at your own leisure.

Day 07 : Lumbini Sightseeing

Rummindei Pillar – The Mauryan King Ashoka, a Buddhist devotee, visited Buddha’s birth site in 249 BC and constructed this pillar to commemorate the occasion. The inscription is the oldest one in Nepal. The pillar itself became lost over the centuries and only in 1895 was it rediscovered by a German archaeologist named Feuhrer beside some ruins which turned out to be the foundations under what is now known as the Maya Devi Temple that depict the birth of the Buddha there. In 1896 the pillar was moved by the governor of Palpa, Khadga Shumsher Rana, back to it’s original place beside the temple.

Maya Devi Temple – This temple marks the spot where Lord Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, was born and is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. Inside the temple there are excavation works which includes a marker displaying the exact spot where Maha Devi, Buddha’s mother, gave birth. In front of the temple is the Maya Devi pond or Puskarni. It is said that Maya Devi bathed here before the delivery and where Prince Siddhartha took is first purification bath.

Crane Sanctuary – The wetlands surrounding the World Peace Pagoda are protected as a crane sanctuary and you stand a good chance of seeing rare sarus cranes stalking through the fields. They are the tallest flying birds (5.5 feet tall) and are a globally endangered species. Besides cranes you can observe Gray Hornbill, Eurasian Eagle Owl (the biggest owl species in the world), the globally endangered Lesser Adjutant Stork and the Blue Bull Antelope, the biggest antelope of the subcontinent.

Sacred Garden – The beautiful area around the Rummindei Pillar invites you to spend time in peace relaxing or visit monasteries that have been constructed by different countries and communities reflecting their own country’s native architectures which sprawls over eastern and western monastic zones.

Day 08 : Lumbini to Kathmandu by Bus/car/flight

We return to Kathmandu where you will be escorted back to your Hotel.