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Special Interest Tour - Nepal
Nepal
Once there lived a King Himilyan Kingdom
Duration : 6 Nights / 7 Days
Place Covered : Kathmandu - Kathmandu (B) - Chitwan - Jungle activities (B/L/D) - Chitwan - Lumbini (B) - Lumbini - Pokhara (B)
Day 01 - Kathmandu
Fly to Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Kathmandu, meet and greet then transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 - Kathmandu (B)

07:30/08:30hrs - Drive to domestic airport to board the flight for mountain flight.
09:00/16:00 hrs - Full day sightseeing of Bhaktapur durbar square, Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath. Overnight at Hotel.

Bhaktapur Area
(14 km east of Kathmandu, at an altitude of 1401 m)
Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon meaning the "city of devotees covers an area of 4 Sq. miles. It is the home of medieval art & architecture and still retains its rich medieval aroma. It was also one primary kingdom during the 18th century of Malla Dynasty. A city of farmers, Bhaktapur is also known for its pottery and weaving. The intricately carved temples, alleyways and timeless atmosphere of this place are simply intriguing. The major sightseeing places in Bhaktapur are the Durbar Square, the then capital of kingdom which consists of Lion Gate, the Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, the Picture Gallery, the Golden Gate, and the Palace of 55 windows, the Batsala Temple, Nyatapola Temple, Bhairavnath Temple, and Dattatraya Temple.

Pashupatinath Temple (5 km east of Kathmandu)
This ancient Hindu temple is one of the most scared pilgrimage for Hindus, situated on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River There are many occasions when the faithful take ritual purificatory baths in the river. The temple of lord Shiva, Pashupatinath, with a tiered golden roof & silver doors is famous for its superb architecture. The large gilded triple-roofed temple was built in 1696 AD though 300 years earlier there was a structure on this site. Entrance to the temple precinct is forbidden to non-Hindus though one can view from the terrace on the wooded hill across the river. This is the appropriate site to view the tradition of Hindu devotees alone with the cremation.

Bouddhanath Stupa (8 Km east of Kathmandu)
The Stupa of Bouddhanath is one of the largest Buddhist Stupa in the world. Monks chant near by the gumbas and the area is full of people of Tibetan origin. This colossal Stupa is set on concentric ascending terraces in the powerful pattern of a Mandela on flat land, encircled by houses & monasteries.. Around the base of this strikingly enormous and simple Stupa is a ring of 108 images of the Buddha and 147 insets containing prayer wheels.

Mountain Flight
- We have mountain flights that offer a panoramic encounter with the highest peaks on earth. The aircraft departs from Kathmandu and flies alongside the Himalaya to give you eye-level views of the snow peaks and then brings you back in one hour. Cruising close to the awesome massifs of rock and ice, the flight presents a mid-boggling sight.

As the aircraft takes off and heads towards the east, you don't have wait too long to find out what's in store for you. First to your far left, you see Gosaithan, also called Shisha Pangama, standing at the majestic height of 8,013 m. immediately to the right of Gosaithan, there appears Dorje Lhakpa (6,966 m), a mountain that looks like the number 8 lying down and covered with snow. To the right of Dorje Lakpa is Phurbi-Chyachu, which looms over the Kathmandu Valley.

As the aircraft glides along, the mountains come closer and closer. Nest on the vision is Choba-Bhamara, the smallest one of the lot at 5,933 m but singularly stubborn as it has never been climbed. Then appears the mountain that is not only prominent in sight but also in spirituality - Gauri-Shankar. Lord Shiva (Shanker) and his consort Gauri are said to protect this mountain, at the proud height of 7,134m, and the summit had a history of unsuccessful attempts till 1979. Gauri-Shanker is sharp and very conspicuous durig the mountain flight. As the plane moves towards the land of the rising sun, the eastern Himalaya, a succession of glorious mountain follow. Melungtse, a plateau-like mountain, stretches up to 7,023m. Chugimago at 6,297 m is still a virgin, waiting to be climbed. At 6,956 m, Number Mountain resembles a breast, the maternal source in the sky providing pure milk to the Sherpas of the Solukhumbu. Next is Karyolung, and intensely White Mountain that at 6,511 m gleams with the rising sun. Cho-Oyu is the sixth highest mountain in the world. Reaching a height of 8,201 m, it appears stunningly beautiful from the aircraft.

Next on the menu is Gyachungkang, at majestic height of 7,952 m, considered and extremely difficult climb. To the right of Gyachungkang is Pumori (7,161m). As you get closer to Everest, there's Nuptse (7,855m), which means West Peak, signifying its direction from Everest. Finally, there's Everest (8,848m) itself, known as Sagarmatha by the Nepalese and Chomolungma by the Tibetans. Much has already been written about Everest, but to actually witness if face to face during a mountain flight is some thing else. Even while it looms there in front of the eyes, it remains an enigma, this highest spot on earth. Day 03 -

Kathmandu (B)
0900/1600 hrs - Full day sightseeing of Patan durbar square, Swoyambhunath Stupa and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Overnight stay at hotel in Kathmandu.

Patan durbar square.
(5 Km south of Kathmandu)
Patan is also known as Lalitpur or the "city of fine arts" and is the oldest city in the valley. This Buddhist City is assumed to be founded by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. It is a great center both of the Newari Buddhist religion and of traditional arts, architecture and crafts with 136 bahals or courtyards and 55 major temples. Well known among these are the Krishna Mandir, Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, Kumbheshwar temple, Jagatnarayan temple and the Mahabouddha temple. It is enclosed within 4 Buddhist stupas set on the four-corners of the outer boundaries of this ancient city.

Swayambhunath Stupa
(3 Km west of Kathmandu)
The great Stupa of Swayambhunath stands at a top of green hillock. A site over 2,500 years old marking the point where the legendary patriarch Manjushri discovered the lotus of the ancient Valley Lake. This is one of the world's most glorious Buddhist Stupa, the holiest shrine for both Buddhist and Hindus. The painted eyes of the Buddha gaze out from all four sides of the monument; constructed to specific rules each with a symbolic meaning. Its' dazzling white hemispherical mound represent the ladder to nirvana, itself symbolized by the umbrella on the top. The whole is hung with multi-colored prayer flags whose every flutter releases holy prayers. The faithful circumambulate the Stupa clockwise, turning the banks of prayer wheels and even prostrating full-length in reverence.

Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanuman Dhoka)

Kathmandu Durbar Square is the old palace of Royal Dynasty. This area is one fine example of rich Nepalese traditional craft. It has many interesting temples such as Seto Machchhendranath Temple, Akash Bhairav Temple, Hanu man Dhoka, Kasthamandap, Ashok Vinayak Temple Jaisi Dewal. The museums inside the Hanu Man Dhoka Palace are worth visiting. Above all, it is famous for the temple of the Living Goddess, where the clients may catch a glimpse of the Kumari at one of the open windows overlooking the inner courtyard.

Day 04 Kathmandu - Chitwan (B/L/D)

Depart Kathmandu to the largest & the best known safari in Asia - The Chitwan National Park. Start jungle activities like canoeing, jungle walking, bird watching, elephant riding etc. Dinner and over night in Baghmara Resort.

While the high Himalayas makes up Nepal's northern region, the southern low land, known as the Terai, is covered with dense tropical jungles teeming with diverse wildlife and exotic birds. Here you will find some of the most exciting safari destinations in the world. You will be going into deep jungle on elephant back or four-wheel drive vehicle to view wild animals in their natural habitat. Other thrills are canoe ride, nature walks, birds watching excursions, and village tours and in the evening local Tharu people perform their cultural dance by the fire(depending on the lodge) or the expert naturalists introduce you with the history of parks, animals, birds etc through slide shows or orientation programmes. So the JUNGLE SAFARI in Nepal will provide you with the thrilling experience as the national parks of Nepal are rated as probably the best parks in the Asia and in the World.

The best season is October-March. April-June is hot (above 40 degrees Celsius) and July-September is rainy. Royal Chitwan National Park is a World Heritage Site that protects 932 square kilometers of diverse habitats and tropical lowland situation.
The wildlife wealth of more than 43 species of animals like the endangered Greater One-horned Rhinoceros, Sambar, Muntjac, Spotted and Hog Deer, Monkeys, the rare Royal Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear and Gaur (the Asiatic bison), Gharial Crocodile, four-horned antelope, striped hyena, the Gangetic dolphin and even Wild Elephants!!
More than 500 species of birds have been already recorded in Chitwan itself out of the 900 total numbers of species found in all of Nepal! More than species of animals are found in Chitwan.

Day 05 Chitwan - Jungle activities (B/L/D)
Start jungle activities. Overnight in resort.

Day 06 Chitwan - Lumbini (B)
This morning you will drive to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. Half day sightseeing around. Overnight in hotel. Lumbini, the place where the Buddha was born in 623 BC, is situated in the Terai plains of southern Nepal. The nativity site is marked by a stone pillar erected by Indian Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC to commemorate his pilgrimage to the sacred spot.

SACRED GARDEN

Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Lumbini is being developed with international support as the supreme Buddhist pilgrimage and a symbol of world peace. The Sacred Garden where the Buddha was born converges on the Ashoka pillar which carries an inscription identifying the spot as the birthplace. The serene tree-shaded lawn is dotted with brick mounds - ruins of ancient stupas and monasteries. To one side of the pillar is the Mayadevi Temple which houses a bas relief depicting the nativity. Recent excavations have turned up a stone bearing a ''foot imprint" indicating the exact place of birth. The Puskarni pond where Queen Mayadevi, the Buddha's mother, had taken a bath before giving birth to him lies nearby.

TEMPLES AND MONASTERIES

The Lokamani Cula Pagoda, a gleaming gold and white structure gracefully soaring into the sky in the style of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, is also known as the Myanmar Temple. Nearby, the International Gautami Nuns Temple is a fine replica of the Swayambhu Stupa in Kathmandu. There is also a guest house for pilgrims here.

Tilaurakot

An important archeological site lying to the west of Lumbini, Tilaurakot evokes the ancient palace of King Suddhodhan, Siddhartha Gautam's father, where the Buddha spent his formative years as a Shakya prince. A must for archeology and history buffs.

Day 07 Lumbini - Pokhara (B)

At morning drive to Tilaurakot and sightseeing around. At noon drive, you will take the scenic drive for Pokhara, "The dreamland of Nepal". The moment you will step into Pokhara that takes you into immediate delights are the gorgeous views of the gigantic Himalayan range. Overnight in hotel.

Pokhara(200Km west of Kathmandu.900 m) An enchanting Himalayan Valley
If Kathmandu is the cultural hub of Nepal, then Pokhara is its center of adventure. An enchanting city nestled in a tranquil valley; it is the starting point for many of Nepal's most popular trekking and rafting destinations.

Pokhara
(population 95,000) is a place of remarkable natural beauty. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificence of the fish-tailed summit of Machhapuchhre (6,977 m) rising behind it create an ambiance of peace and magic.
Pokhara is part of a once vibrant trade route extending between India and Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen camped on the outskirts of the town, bringing goods to trade from remote regions of the Himalaya. This is the land of the Magars and Gurungs, hardworking farmers and valorous warriors who have earned worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers. The Thakalis, another important ethnic group here, are known for their entrepreneurship.

Mountain views - Clearly the most stunning of Pokhara's sights is the spectacular panorama of the Annapurna range which forms its backdrop. Stretching from the east to west, the Annapurna massif includes Annapurna I to IV and Annapurna South. Although the highest among them is Annapurna I (8,091m), it is Machhapuchhre which dominates all others in this neighborhood. The fish-tailed pinnacle is the archetypal snow-capped, needle-pointed mountain.

Phewa Lake,  the second largest lake in the Kingdom roughly measuring 1.5 by 4 km, is the center of all attractions in Pokhara. It is the largest and most enchanting of the three lakes that add to the largest and most enchanting of the three lakes that add to the resplendence of the resort town. The eastern shore, 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. Phewa Lake and the magnificence of the fish-tailed summit of Machhapuchhre (6,977 m) rising behind it create an ambiance of peace and magic.

Barahi temple
- Built almost in the middle of Phewa Lake, this two-storied pagoda is dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima, the protector's deity representing the female force Shakti. Devotees can be seen, especially on Saturday, carrying male animals and fowl across the lake to be sacrificed to the deity.

Devi's Fall
- Locally known as Patale Chhango (Hell's Fall), Devi's Fall (also known as Devin's or David's) is an awesome waterfall lying about 2 km south-west of Pokhara airport on the highway to Tansen. Legend has it that a trekker (Devin, David) was washed away by the Pardi Khola and mysteriously disappeared down into an under ground passage beneath the fall.

Mahendra Gupha
- Another of nature's wonders in Pokhara is the Mahendra Gupha. This large limestone cave is locally known as the House of Bats, an apt name for it.