Best of Nepal Tour

Welcome to Kathmandu! Once you land at Kathmandu airport (Tribhuvan International Airport), retrieve your luggage and go through customs (visa, etc.). Then get to the arrival terminal. You will find our representative waiting to greet you. He/she will be holding Icicles Adventure Treks & Tour signboard with your name on it. A comfortable private transfer will take you to the reserved hotel. After checking in, we suggest you have a good rest for the remainder of the day to recover from the jet lag. Overnight in Kathmandu hotel.

Today after breakfast, we start a guided tour to these four medieval and spiritual sites in Kathmandu, which are also listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

Durbar Square: Durbar Square is a complex of historic palaces, courtyards, and temples, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, used to be the Royal palace compound of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. Interesting pieces here to see are 17th century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace, Taleju temple-tallest of all structures built by king Mahendra Malla in 1549 A.D., Jagannath temple- built in the 16th century, known for fascinating erotic figures carving I the wooden struts eaves, Kal Bhairav- one of the most giant stone idol in Kathmandu representing the terrorizing aspects of Shiva, Statue of King Pratap Malla in praying gesture to Digu Taleju the royal family deity right across,  Kumari Ghar- 17th century Kumari temple, Kasthamandap- built from the timber of a single tree, Kathmandu derives its name from Kasthamandap. The entire Palace Complex is also known as Hanuman Dhoka named after a monkey god called Hanuman. One can see a huge stone statue of Hanuman painted all red right next to the main entrance (the golden gate) of the palace. Hanuman here is regarded as a powerful protector of the entire Durbar Square.

Bouddhanath: Bouddhanath, a Buddhist shrine in unique octagonal Mandala design with hundreds of prayer wheels and the 108 images of the Buddha set into the niches around the huge structure.  Bouddhanath Stupa is one of the large Stupas in the world.  Bouddhanath is also famous for over 50 Tibetan monasteries; thus the area is also known as ‘Little Tibet.’ You can join the locals to circumambulate the Stupa, bargain for handicrafts in the shops, or sit on a rooftop restaurant and absorb the atmosphere.

Swoyambhunath: Popularly known as Monkey temple due to the profusion of monkeys found in the shrine area, Swoyambhunath is a 2000 years ancient Stupa situated on a small hill. It is the world’s most celebrated Buddhist shrine and its main temple is capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt and is painted on the four sides with all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. Included Meal: B

Pashupatinath: Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most significant Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world, located on the bank of the Bagmati River. It is a square two-tiered pagoda temple built on a single-tier plinth that is famous all over the world. Although entrance into the temple complex is allowed to Hindus only, you can clearly see the temple and the activities from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River. Besides being a place of worship, the bank of Bagmati River alongside Pashupatinath Temple is the most important cremation site for the Hindus in Nepal

We start our tour of two more UNESCO World Heritage Site cities adjacent to Kathmandu: Patan & Bhaktapur.  Patan is also known as The City of Fine Arts.  Patan Durbar Square is one of the places in the Kathmandu Valley where the medieval arts and architecture still remain in their original state.  The Durbar Square is full of ancient places, temples and shrines, noted for their exquisite carvings, mostly the Hindu and Buddhist monuments. Similarly, the medieval town of Bhaktapur, or the Town of the Devotees, preserves medieval arts, architecture, culture, and lifestyle to this date. One is sure to feel like traveling back into the past while walking along the Bhaktapur thoroughfares, squares, and streets. Overnight at Kathmandu. Included Meal: B

We drive to Bandipur. We leave early this morning on a very scenic drive to Bandipur. Leaving Kathmandu, we drive westward over a small pass from a fantastic view of the Ganesh Himal, the Manaslu Range, and even the Annapurnas on a clear day. The road drops from here until we reach the valley bottom and follow the Trishuli River. If you are interested, we will organize 2-3 hour rafting in Trishuli River, along the way to Bandipur. We reach Bandipur late afternoon. Bandipur, a medieval Newari village dramatically perched on a ridge, offers amazing views of the central Himalayan Mountains. Bandipur was once on the trading route between Tibet and India. We explore the surroundings, visit the bazaar, and gain an insight into the traditional way of life in a Newari village and spend the night in Bandipur Village. Included Meal: B

We continue to Pokhara, a lake city 200 kilometers north-west from Kathmandu which is now about 3 hours drive from Bandipur. Pokhara, also nicknamed the Lake City, is not only Nepal’s but one of the most beautiful places on earth. The town offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, five peaks of Annapurna, and others. Pokhara is also the gateway for trekking in the Annapurna Region. After arriving at Pokhara, we spend the free day hanging around Pokhara’s marketplaces, old bazaars, and landmarks. In the evening, we explore the surrounding lakeside areas and enjoy boating in Phewa Lake.  Overnight in Pokhara. Included Meal: B

We spend a full day exploring Pokhara. After breakfast, we make a full day sightseeing in Pokhara. Enjoy walking along the bank of Phewa Lake, admiring the stunning reflection of the Fish Tail Peak in the blue Phewa Lake waters. We also take a boat around Phewa Lake which is the second biggest lake in Nepal. We take the boat across the lake to visit Bindyabasini Temple located at the center of the Lake and take an hour’s walk to the World Peace Pagoda. We also make a short visit to the Gupteshwar Gufa Cave (also called Shiva Gufa).  Some of the other places that we visit today include the Seti River Gorge, Devi’s Fall, and the mountain museum, etc.  Overnight at Pokhara. Included Meal: B

Early morning we drive/hike to Sarangkot Hill to have the sunrise views over the Himalayas. We return to the hotel and after breakfast, we drive to Chitwan, 160 kilometers from Pokhara and a 5-hour drive into the mountains. All the way we descend down along the winding road on the river bank. This will be a journey along river banks with wonderful views of hills and rural Nepalese lifestyle. After checking in to the hotel and getting refreshed you will be briefed about full nature programs by our nature guide. Then we head on for activities. There will be a guided village walk and a walk on the banks of the Rapti River to watch the charming sunset views in the sub-tropical jungle. In the evening, dinner with cultural program by ethnic tribal people with their stick dance and tribal drums. Overnight at Chitwan. Included Meal: B, D

Early in the morning, we will be mounted on elephants for a jungle safari through dense grasslands to witness wildlife in its natural habitat. After breakfast, we visit the elephant stables and even enjoy bathing the elephants. During the afternoon we can drive through the jungles followed by a canoe ride down the Rapti River. While canoeing, we may get a close look at the Gharial and Mugger crocodiles along with freshwater dolphins, otters, and varieties of water birds. Or, we may even go for bird watching or nature walks and come closer to a variety of wild flora and fauna found in the park. Overnight in Chitwan. Included Meal: B, L, D

We drive back to Kathmandu today. Try to get the left pane of your vehicle to enjoy the river gorges, greeneries, mountains, villages, and terraces during the drive. In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with a cultural performance. Driving Time: 6-7 hrs. Accommodation: City Hotel. Included Meal: B, D

Your Nepal Tour is complete today. If you have some time left before your departure flight home, you can shop around Thamel for souvenirs for your friends and relatives.  Our airport representative will drop you at the international airport in Kathmandu for your departure flight from Nepal. We hope beautiful Nepal, the awesome Himalayan sceneries, the cultural experience you got along your Annapurna Panorama Trek will stay in your memory lifelong and you will go back home with a sense of conquest. Included Meal: B