Highlights Kathmandu – durbar square, Patan, Bhaktapur, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Temple, Chitwan – jeep safari, one horned rhino, wildlife, boating on river, crocodile, Tharu dance, culture and customs, Pokhra – Fewa lake, Phewa Lake, boatride, Davis falls.
Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport,you will be welcomed by our travel representatives and transferred to the hotel. Kathmandu can be a explosion to the senses, with heady sights, sounds and smells. It's crowded alleys, and medieval temples full of timeless and artistic heritage can be an amazing as well as an exhausting experience. We will spend the day exploring the historic streets and many sights of Kathmandu. We visit the architectural marvel Kasthamandap temple, located in the UNESCO World Heritage site Durbar Square. The temple is a preserved relic from the past and a testament to Nepal's centuries-old architectural style. Legend has it that this temple was built out of a single Sal tree and has no nails and rivets holding it together. We'll then visit Kumari Ghar, home to the world's only living goddess. She sometimes appears in one of the first-floor windows, and is said to answer devotees' questions with her expressions. We'll visit the terrifying stone figure of Kala Bhairab, the God of destruction, the Taleju temple, built in 1564 by King Mahendra Malla, and the Hanuman Dhoka, the Kathmandu Royal palace having been retored after sufferering major damage during the 2015 earthquake. Thereafter, we visit Swayambhunath Stupa, said to be one of the oldest Buddhist Stupas in the World, which is majestically set high on a Hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley. The highlight of the Kathmandu visit is the dinner at the end of an exhausting day at Bhojan Griha, a local restaurant serving mouth watering authentic Nepali cuisine.
After Breakfast at the hotel we'll drive approximately 4.5 hrs to Chitwan National Park and check-in atthe lodge. We'll spend the next 2 days in and around the forest. The Chitwan National Park covers 932 sq kms of forest, marshland and grassland and offers rich animal life, making it one of the best spots to view wildlife in Asia. It is renowned for the protection of the one horned Rhino. Other wildlife in Chitwan includes crocodile, spotted deer, hog deer, sambar deer and barking deer as well as a wide variety of birdlife. With a bit of luck, thereis always the chance of glimpsing a leopard, sloth bear and the Royal Bengal tiger. Activities at the lodge include jungle walks, bird-watching, landrover drives, river safaris, elephant camp visits, wildlife viewing and photographing from machans. Every evening a slide show explains the flora and fauna of the National Park. All wildlife activities are escorted by experienced and expert naturalists. The 2nd day, after breakfast at thelodge, we'llhead toTheTiger Tops Tented Camp, a name synonymous with responsible eco-tourism and wildlife conservation. Take a safari in their vintage Land Rovers and visit the expansive grounds containing their own organic farm and well-kept elephants in expansive new enclosures.
>After breakfast at thehotelwe'll drive 170 kms for 4.5 hours to Pokhara. Pokhara valley is one of the most picturesque spots of Nepal. Spectacular views of the mighty himalayas, many adventure activities and good food options make Pokhara a popular destination. The beauty of the valley is enhanced by its lovely lakes Phewa, Begnas and Rupa, which have their source in the glacial region of the Annapurna Range of the Himalayas. While in Pokhara, apart from enjoying the views, indulging in adventure activities and gorging on food at quaint cafes, we can also visit the old Pokhara town which is away from the bustling north. Here we can paddle our boats on the tranquil Phewa Lake and visit Davis Falls, a waterfall known as Patale Chango in Nepali. We'll experience Mahendra cave, a limestone cave containing stalagmites and stalactites, and get inspired at the International Mountain Museum, devoted to the mountains of Nepal, the mountaineers who climbed them and the people who call them home.
We'll go for an early morning easy hike to Sarangkot for a picture postcard sunrise over the Himalayas with stunning views of the Pokhara valley and the beautiful Phewa lake. The Sarangkot hike passes through a beautiful countryside inhabited by a diversified community of people. We will then return to the hotel for breakfast, and then leave for the airport for our flight to Kathmandu. We meet our travel counselor at the Kathmandu airport who assists us with arrival and the transfer to the hotel. On this day, we'll visit the medieval city of Bhaktapur located 13 kms from the capital city. The ""City of Devotees"", as it is fondly called, has three main squares full of temples which comprise some of the finest religious architecture in the country. A walk down the narrow alleys here gives you an insight into the Nepalese way of life. The following day, we'll leave for the airport for our flight to our onward destination.
