GLIMPSE OF NEPAL TOUR

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
 Guided tours of UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu.
 Explore the beauty of Pokhara enhances by its lovely lakes, which have their source in the glacial region of the Annapurna range of the Himalayas
 Chitwan National Park- one of Asia’s most famous national parks (Jungle safari on elephant back)
 Taste of Nepali fine cuisine with a local ethnic cultural show at Nepali Restaurant in Kathmandu

OVERVIEW
Glimpse of Nepal Tour is specially designed for those who are restricted by time and but still want to explore all the major highlights/sites of Nepal within short period. This tour is suitable to all categories of travelers. To avoid maximum of driving time, we have used domestic flight for Kathmandu – Pokhara and Chitwan to Kathmandu which will save for more time you to explore sites of Nepal.

Nestled amongst the peaks of the great Himalayan Mountains, Nepal is a country blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and colorful history. Staying in comfortable and character-full hotels & lodges, without any strenuous activities, this tour lets you discover ancient city streets and architecture, enjoy stunning mountain views , visit living goddess- Kumari, verdant farmland and forests filled with wildlife, and see some of Nepal’s most famous UNESCO World Heritages Sites.

Day 01 Arrive Kathmandu

Arrive Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be met and welcomed by our representative. Please look for signage of Natraj Trekking with your name once you come out of Arrival Terminal Hall after collecting your luggage. You will be escorted by our representative to the hotel
Kathmandu, capital of the ancient Mountain Kingdom of Nepal, has the air of a medieval city with a maze of narrow streets, wooden temples and beautifully decorated palaces.
Upon arrival at the hotel, guest will be provided welcome drinks along with the room key
Transfer to Boudha to witness evening prayer at Boudhanath Stupa
Visiting Bouddhanath Stupa (Little Tibet) is among the largest stupas in South Asia, and it has become the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The white mound looms thirty-six meters overhead. The stupa is located on the ancient trade route to Tibet, and Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers here for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many of them decided to live around Bouddhanath. They established many gompas, and the “Little Tibet” of Nepal was born.
Overnight at the hotel
Meals included: No

DAY 02-Kathmandu/Pokhara Fly

After breakfast, this morning we plan a tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square (UNESCO World Heritage Sites) – Visiting Kathmandu Durbar Square, with its old temples and palaces, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. Here, the kings of Nepal were crowned and solemnized. Interesting things for visitors to see are Taleju temple, gigantic figure of Kalbhairav (the god of destruction), Basantapur Durbar, and Temple of Kumari (living goddess).

Then you will be driven to Kathmandu Domestic Airport for flight to Pokhara

We take a 45 minute flight to Pokhara from Kathmandu’s domestic airport. During the flight, we get to savor the most mesmerizing views of the magnificent 8000 meter Mount Manaslu and the snow-capped Annapurna mountain range.

Arrive Pokhara Domestic Airport and you will be transferred to the hotel

Pokhara is situated at an elevation of 915m above sea level. The richness of valley in pure natural beauty is indeed one of the main attractions to the visitors from all over the world. Just imagine the joy of observing the majestic Himalayas, three peaks above 8000m from an elevation of below 1000m within a very close aerial, distance. The valley is equally superb giving as they do elevated close-ups to the snowy peaks. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificence summits like Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) (6977m) and the five peaks of Annapurna range rising behind it create an ambience of peace and magic.

Check in at the hotel

Afternoon we have arranged half-day tour of Visit Devi’s Fall and Gupteshwor Cave with a local station English speaking guide

Devi’s Fall, locally known as the Patale Chhango is a lovely waterfall lying about 2 km south-west of the Pokhara airport on the Siddhartha Highway. Legend has it that a trekker called David as washed away by the Pardi Khola and mysteriously disappeared into an underground passage beneath the fall.

Gupteshwor Cave is also known as the Gupteshwor Gupha. The Gupteshwor Cave holds a special religious importance especially to the local people. This cave is regarded holy by the Hindus. The main highlight of the site is the Shivalinga, the phallic symbol of the Lord Shiva. The linga is preserved here in the condition it was discovered. It is just across the Devi’s Fall.

One hour boat ride at Phewa Lake including visit of Barahi Temple

Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in the country, is the center of all attraction in Pokhara. It is the largest and most enchanting of the three lakes that add to the resplendence of Pokhara. We organize one hour boat ride across the lake to visit the island temple (Barahi Temple) in its middle. The Barahi Temple is the most important monument in Pokhara; Built almost in the center of Phewa Lake, this two-storied pagoda is dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima, the protector deity representing the female force Shakti.

Free time or walking around lakeside market

Lakeside, the eastern shore of Phewa Lake, popularly known as lakeside or Baidam, is the favorite home base for travelers and is where most of the hotels, restaurants and handicraft shops are located.

Overnight at the hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 03-Pokhara/ Chitwan Drive

An early morning, you will be driven to Sarangkot for sunrise view over the western Himalayas (weather permitting)

Sarangkot is the highest point on the Pokhara valley rim. It is located an altitude of 1592 m above sea level. This place provides the best view of Pokhara Valley, Phewa Lake and beyond to the main spine of the Annapurna ranges (Annapurna South 7195, Annapurna I 7647, Machhapuchhre 6997, Annapurna III 7555, Annapurna II 7937, Annapurna IV 7525, Lamjung Himal 6986.) . Please note that mountains view are weather permitting

Drive back to hotel for breakfast

Leave Pokhara for Chitwan (Approx 5 hrs drive) in a private vehicle

An enjoyable and scenic five hours drive by private vehicle on the Prithvi highway connecting Chitwan with Kathmandu follows the Trishuli River which takes us through the Tharu Villages of Chitwan. The ethnic tribe of the Tharu’s is the local inhabitants of Chitwan and is agriculturists by profession. The drive finally brings you to the lodge.

Upon arrival at lodge, you will be met and briefed by the Guest Relation Officer regarding the park and the programs available. Lunch will be followed by a choice of activities arranged for you.

Chitwan National Park is the home of the great one horned rhinoceros, sloth bear, wild boar, Gaur (bison), 4 species of deer, 2 species of monkeys, 2 species of crocodile, the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger, over 450 species of birds and various other reptiles.

Later in the afternoon, the guests will be taken for elephant safari or nature walks depending on the time of arrival at the resort. Those on elephant safari can penetrate deep into the jungle for viewing and photographing wildlife and those on a jungle walk can experience the abundant bird life and the flora and fauna of the park. The area from Kasara to Sukhebar is considered as the best area for the jungle drive, where chances of seeing bison (Gaur), sambar deer and Royal Bengal Tiger is very high compare to other area of Chitwan national Park. If you are lucky you may see the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger both on nature walk as well as on elephant safari.

In the evening before dinner, the slide presentation about the flora and fauna of Chitwan National Park will be organized by our well trained senior naturalists. This will be time when the guests can gather more information about the flora and fauna of Chitwan National Park.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 04-Chitwan/ Kathmandu fly
After breakfast in the morning, since Chitwan is a bird paradise of resident and migratory birds, making it a delightful and educational experience for every bird watcher. Special bird watching tour can be arranged too. Those who could not go for elephant safari on the day of arrival would go for elephant safari to penetrate deep into the jungle for viewing and photographing wildlife and those on a jungle walk can experience the abundant bird life and the flora and fauna of the park

Then after, you will be transferred by private vehicle to Bharatpur Airport for flight to Kathmandu

Arrive Kathmandu Domestic Airport; you will be met by our guide and directly driven to Patan Durbar Square for sightseeing tour

Visiting Patan Durbar Square boasts of many famous sites and unique architecture. Krishna Mandir in this Square was built to honor an incarnation of Vishnu. One of the best examples of stone architecture in the world, scenes from Mahabharat, Asia’s greatest mythological war, are carved on the temple’s walls.
Home to traditional artists and sculptors, one can find more temples dedicated to Ganesh (the elephant-headed god), Shiva, Narsingha, Taleju, and others are located at Patan Durbar Square.

Drive back to hotel

Evening Farewell to Nepali Dinner with a local ethnic cultural show at one f the finest Nepali Restaurant

A mixture of various ethnic groups have made Kathmandu Valley a unique place not only for its cultural and tradition, but also for its authentic cuisine. Decorated in traditional Nepali ambience, soft lights cast long shadows in the room. Tradition paintings along with old handicrafts and soft melodious music makes for a truly enchanting evening. Another feather in its cap is the traditional folk music and cultural dance program performed every evening.

Overnight at the hotel

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 05 Depart Kathmandu
Optional Tour – Everest Flight
In the morning there is the opportunity to take a flight to Everest. Mountain flight appeals to all categories of travelers. For those who are restricted by time or other considerations from going trekking, these flights offer a panoramic view of the Himalaya in just one hour. Even those visitors who like the rigors of a trek still don’t miss the opportunity to “conquer” the mountains in one fell swoop.

Mountain flight in Nepal is to be “Once in a life time experience”

Breakfast at the hotel

Free time till departure

Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for final departure (Please note that airport reporting time will be at least 2:30 hrs before).

Meals included: Breakfast