NEPAL: CULTURAL, HIKING, AND NATURE TOUR

Itinerary:

Day 01: Flight from Home to Kathmandu

Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, on the morning of Day 02. Transfer to the hotel, breakfast, and rest. Afternoon visit to Boudhanath – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also known as Khasti or Chorzen Chenipo in Tibetan. Boudhanath Stupa (Buddhist Center Boudhanath) is located 5km east of Kathmandu city center and is the largest stupa in the Kathmandu Valley. It stands 38 meters tall, with a circumference of 100m, and represents one of the most fascinating examples of stupa design. Overnight stay in Boudhanath.

Day 03: KATHMANDU (UNESCO World Heritage)

After breakfast, we drive to Swayambhunath. There, we will once again witness praying devotees, visit Moti Gumba, enjoy salty butter tea with local monks, and participate in morning prayers. We visit Durbar Square in Kathmandu. In the late afternoon, we visit Pashupatinath to witness an impressive evening ceremony. Overnight stay in Boudhanath.

Day 04: BOUDHNATH

Participate in morning prayers at one of the monasteries. Later, we will receive a blessing ceremony from the high Lama and have the opportunity to ask questions about life. Later, we visit the Kunfen Tibetan Medical Center, where you can meet local doctors and learn about ancient Tibetan medicine based on the teachings of Ayurveda. Overnight stay in Boudhanath.

Day 05: LUBU AND PATAN

In Lubu, we visit the local community school supported by Basanta Adventure. We meet the children and teachers and have the opportunity to interact with them. The children will present a self-created cultural program, and we will have a simple typical lunch. Afterward, we visit a craft workshop supporting women with a fair-trade project. We also visit Patan (Lalitpur), the city of art. The Patan Durbar Square is a must-see. We will watch various craftsmen create their artworks. Overnight stay in Boudhanath.

Day 06: KATHMANDU – DHULIKHEL

After breakfast, we drive northeast of Kathmandu. In this charming and impressive landscape, we find famous panoramic views of the Himalayas and its hill landscapes. Overnight stay in Dhulikhel.

Day 07: DHULIKHEL – NAMOBUDDHA – DHULIKHEL

Day hike to the famous shrine in Namobuddha. Legend has it that a prince once sacrificed himself to a starving tigress and her cubs. His remains were buried here, and later the prince was sanctified by Buddha. This place is a famous pilgrimage site and is beautifully located on the Dhulikhel mountain. In clear weather, we will have a breathtaking view from here. We can also visit the local monasteries here. After a picnic lunch, we return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Dhulikhel.

Day 08: DHULIKHEL – CHANGU NARAYAN – Hike to NAGARKOT

After breakfast, we head to the Changu Narayan Temple, one of the oldest temples in the valley. We hike at a leisurely pace along the terraced fields and through the village of Telkot. There, we will be picked up by a cart and taken to Nagarkot, one of the highest mountains here. A great viewpoint, especially for sunrise and sunset – weather permitting. Overnight stay in Nagarkot.

Day 9: NAGARKOT – BHAKTAPUR – Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Let’s enjoy the sunrise together, then return to Bhaktapur, also known as Bhadgon. Bhaktapur is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and our hotel is located right next to it! Later in the day, we will have a guided tour of Bhaktapur:

Visit the Bhaktapur Museum and admire the impressive wood carvings of the Newari people, who are well known for their artistry. We will visit the famous “55 Windows,” the Peacock Window, Dattatraya Temple, Sidha Pokhari, Bhairav Temple, and Pottery Square. Overnight stay in Bhaktapur.

Day 10: BHAKTAPUR – BRIGAND’S BEND – Short Hike to CHEPANG Village
After breakfast, we embark on a three-hour drive through the beautiful landscape to Brigand’s Bend, a hidden paradise on the Trisuli River. This comfortable lodge offers everything for a relaxing stay in nature: wonderful views, a swimming pool, pleasant warmer temperatures due to the lower altitude, and the river right at the doorstep. A two-hour hike to the Chepang Simi Nomads, who now live in the villages along the Trisuli River, is offered. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 11: KURINTAR – CHITWAN (approx. 130 km / 3 hrs)
After breakfast, we set off for Chitwan National Park. There, we will be introduced to the work and principles of the park by a staff member. Then, depending on the conditions, we embark on a journey to discover nature and its inhabitants! Overnight stay at the lodge (full board).

Day 12: CHITWAN NP – VILLAGE OF THARU
The entire day offers a wealth of exciting activities: guided safari, elephant ride, canoe trip, jungle walk, animal, and bird watching… A cultural performance completes the spectrum. Overnight stay in Chitwan (full board).

Day 13: CHITWAN NP – BANDIPUR (approx. 200 km / approx. 3.5 hrs)
After a morning program in Chitwan National Park, we enjoy a 3-4 hour drive to Bandipur Heritage Village. It is one of the oldest villages used as a stopover by traveling merchants on the route between India and Tibet. Today, this typical Newari village is known for its diverse insights into rich Nepali culture and way of life. We stay in a hotel nestled among the locals’ houses, experiencing their daily life up close. Not to forget: On clear days, you can see the mighty mountain ranges of the High Himalayas from here! Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 14: BANDIPUR – POKHARA (approx. 70 km / approx. 2 hrs)
Today we continue to Pokhara, the famous lakeside city on the edge of the Annapurna Massif. After a leisurely drive, we check in there, take a look around, and immerse ourselves in an evening stroll by the lake. Overnight stay in Pokhara.

Day 15: POKHARA
Visit the International Mountain Museum, the Gorkha Museum about the world-famous warrior Gorkha, the Tibetan refugee camp, Devi’s Fall, and take a walk along the lakeshore. Overnight stay in Pokhara.

Day 16: FLIGHT POKHARA – KATHMANDU
After breakfast, we are taken to the local airport and fly on a panoramic route to Kathmandu. We will be picked up there. In the afternoon, we visit an ecological farm and listen to a lecture by a famous agricultural expert. During the farm visit, we will help harvest and cook vegetables. After the self-prepared meal, we return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

Day 17: Kathmandu – Home
After breakfast, check-out and transfer to Kathmandu’s international airport. Return journey.