Tour For India AND NEPAL

On time transfer to Airport to board flight for Bagdogra, West Bengal. Upon arrival meet, assist and transfer to Hotel. Drive for around 4 hours from Bagdogra to Darjeeling. Darjeeling Darjeeling, one of the prettiest hill stations in India. Shimla, Ooty, Dharamshala and Coorg being the other well known and beautiful hill stations in the country. Darjeeling is all about the lovely Tea Gardens, magnificent views of Kanchenjunga and landscapes. Modern yet colonial charm of Darjeeling can still be easily noticed. UNESCO World Heritage site, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is an add-on to the beauty of Darjeeling as it passes through the town. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Gangtok, capital of the state Sikkim. The second smallest Indian State after Goa, Sikkim lies in the northeastern region of India having borders with Bhutan, Nepal and West Bengal. A big region of Sikkim is covered with Mountains, dominated by Kanchenjunga. On a good weather day, Kanchenjunga can easily be seen from Gangtok, capital of Sikkim. Othe rbeautiful towns like Pelling are well known for their scenic beauty and views of the Kanchenjunga Mountains. On arrival in Gangtok, visit a local Market. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

After breakfast, city tour in Gangtok including following : Rumtek Monastery Rumtek monastery is one of the largest in Sikkim and belongs to the Kargyu sect of Buddhists which originated in the 12th century in Tibet. The architecture of the monastery is one of the finest in the world and resembles the original one in Tsurphu, Tibet. It was built by Gyalwa Karmapa in 1960s, who was the 16th Karmapa (head) of the monastery. Karmapa is the head of a monastery. He came from Tibet and settled here when the Chinese invaded Tibet. However the 16th Karmapa passed away in 1981. Hanuman Tok Hanuman Tok is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. According to a legend, Laxmana (younger brother of Lord Rama) got attacked by son of Ravana, Indrajeet. To cure Laxmana, Sanjeevani (medicine) was required. Hanuman travelled all the way to Himalayas to get the Sanjivani and travel back to Lanka. On his way back to Lanka, he rested at a place. Hanuman Tok is built at the same place where Lord Hanuman rested while traveling back to Lanka. Temple is of a huge historic importance to the believers of Hindu faith. At present, Hanuman Tok is managed by the Indian Army. Do Drul Chorten The Stupa Do Drul Chorten was built before the Indian Independence in 1945. A complete set of Holy books and other religious objects can be found inside the Stupa. The Stupa is well surrounded by 108 prayer wheels. These prayer wheels have Mantras inscribed on them in Tibetan. Few small Stupas next to Do Drul Chorten can also be seen. Tashi View Point Tashi View Point offers a breathtaking view of the Mount Kanchenjunga on the clear weather day. The place is an easy climb of around 60 Steps. Namgyal Institue of Tibetology Namgyal Institute of Tibetology museum is named after the 11th Chogyal of Sikkim (King), Sir Tashi Namgyal. The institute employs researchers and one of its new research programs is a project which seeks to document the social history of Sikkim's approximated 60 monasteries and record this on a computer. Another project seeks to digitize and document old and rare photographs of Sikkim for knowledge distribution. Dinner and Overnight in Gangtok.

Visit the following in Pelling : Sanga Choeling Monastery : Around 300 years old Monastey is located on a hill and can be reached through Sanga Choeling Sky Walk or a short trek of around 40 minutes can bring us up to the monastery. A beautiful view of Himalayas and the town Pelling can be seen from the top. The Monastery has been rebuilt few times. Pemayangtse Monastery : Opposite to the Sanga Choeling Monastery lies Pemayangtse Monastery. Another ancient and historical place which came into existence in the beginning of 18th century. The monastery has many statues and carvings of the religious importance. A perfect place to relax and witness nature. Rabdantse Palace Ruin : Rabdantse ruins speak of the past of the state Sikkim. Rabdantse was the palace of the royal family of Sikkim in the 18th century, until they were attacked by the Nepalese Army. Since then the palace has been turned into ruins. History of Sikkim and a spectacular view of the Mt. Kanchenjunga are offered at the Rabdantse Palace ruins. Khecheopalri Lake : A short drive from Pelling will lead us to the lake which is seen as sacred by the Buddhists as well as believers of Hindu faith. The pathway to the lake is filled with colourful prayer flags. Some time in the afternoon can be spent at the lake to witness the nature. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

After breakfast at Hotel, check out and drive further to Siliguri, a town in West Bengal State. On arrival, check in at Hotel. Rest of the day is for leisure in Siliguri. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

After breakfast, drive further to enter Nepal via Kakarvitta Border. On completing the Visa formalities on both India and Nepal side, drive to Bhadrapur Airport to board flight to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by our counterpart at Airport. Assistance upon arrival and transfer to the Hotel in Kathmandu. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

After breakfast, drive to Lumbini. Lumbini is the birth place of Gautam Buddha. According to the tradition, Maya Devi gave birth to the Buddha on the way to her parent’s home. The traditions also has that Buddha immediately walked after his birth and took 7 steps. On arrival in Lumbini, check in at the Hotel. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast, visit Maya Devi Garden in Lumbini. Later drive to Chitwan. Lunch in the Hotel in Chitwan. CHITWAN The name 'Chitwan' has several possible meanings, but the most literal translation of the two NEPALI words that make it up: chit or chita (heart) and wan or ban (jungle). Chitwan is thus 'the heart of the jungle'. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, cultivation in the valley was deliberately prohibited by the government of Nepal in order to maintain a barrier of disease-ridden forests as a defense against the invasion of diseases from the south. Then for the century between 1846 and 1950, when the Rana prime ministers were de facto rulers of Nepal, Chitwan was declared a private hunting reserve, maintained exclusively for the privileged classes. Penalties for poaching were severe - capital punishment for killing rhino - and the wildlife in the area thus received a measure of protection. The Park consists of a diversity of ecosystems-including the Churia hills, Ox-bow lakes, and the flood plains of the Rapti, Reu and Narayani Rivers. The Churia hills rise slowly towards the East from 150 m. to more than 800 m. The western portion of the Park is comprised of the lower but more rugged, Someshwor hill. The Park shares its eastern boundary with the Parsa Wildlife Reserve. The Chitwan valley consists of tropical and subtropical forests. Sal forests cover 70 percent of the park. Sal leaves are used locally for plates in festivals and religious offerings. Later in the afternoon have a village tour. Dinner at the hotel. Tharu Cultural Show about 1 hour. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Canoe ride about 30 mins and jungle walk to Elephant bathing Lunch at the hotel. Elephant Back Safari about 1.30 hrs into the Jungle. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast in Hotel, leave Bandipur and drive further to Kathmandu. On reaching Kathmandu, check in at Hotel. Rest of the day is for relaxation. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing tour of Patan Durbar Square, Kirtipur, Swoyambhunath Stupa. PATAN DURBAR SQUARE Patan is situated in the center of Patan city, also known as Lalitpur, houses the residence of the former Patan royal family. Patan Square and its surroundings are good specimen of ancient Newari architecture. The city of Patan is believed to have been built in the third century B.C. by the Kirat dynasty. It was expanded by Lichhavis in the 6th century A.D. and again by the Mallas in medieval period. The Malla kings ruled the Kathmandu Valley until the ascension of the Shah dynasty. In 1768, King Prithvi Narayan Shah began his campaign to unify Nepal and Patan became a city in the kingdom of Nepal. Krishna temple of red stone, dedicated to Hindu Lord Krishna was erected in the 17th century. The temple is considered to be the first one to be constructed in Shikara architecture. Thanks to this attribute, it holds a commanding position in the durbar square. The elegant shikhara-style temple is ranked as one of the gems of Durbar Square. The temple is compared with sacred Mount Meru, which is abode of the god Shiva according to Hindu scriptures. It is also a destination for connoisseurs of fine arts, which is filled with wood and stone carvings, metal statues, ornate architecture, including dozens of Buddhist and Hindu temples. KIRTIPUR Kirtipur is one of the oldest Human settlements in the Kathmandu Valley. This tiny town is recorded as an ancient capital of Nepal. Kirtipur means “a famed town” in Nepali language is also known as “kipu” and “kyapu”. The location of this small town is different from the other main towns of the valley in the same that occupies the top of a steep rocky hill. This city of glory is inhabited and also dominated by Newars which are the earliest settlers in the Valley with their own language and cultural norms and values. Originally a Newari foundation, it is no doubt that Kirtipur is still a centre of Newari culture. It has been merged with surrounding villages to form the municipality of Kirtipur . However now a days people of differest casts and religion stay in this place. So it consists of many temples, Gumbas and Churches as well. SWOYAMBHUNATH STUPA Swayambhunath or more commonly known as Monkey Temple. The place has a lot of monkeys... This temple complex offers spectacular views of the entire Kathmandu Valley. The temple is up the hill. From the temple, you can have the whole city view from the temple. The Buddhist Stupa at the top is impressive that has eyes painted onto it. The Stupa is a golden spire crowning a conical wooded hill. It is the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu Valley. It has a lofty white dome and a glittering golden spire that are visible from all sides of the valley. Historical records found on a stone inscription give evidence that the Stupa was already an important Buddhist pilgrimage destination by the 5th century A.D. i.e. before the coming of Buddhism in the valley. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath, Bhaktapur and Boudhanath Stupa PASHUPATINATH TEMPLE This massive temple complex sits alongside the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the courtyard of the temple, whereas tourists can see the temple from the eastern side of the Bagmati River. It is a place where century-old Hindu rituals are practiced in their astonishing initial form, giving a chance to the visitors to feel the unique spirit of Hindu traditions of life, death and reincarnation. According to a legend recorded in local texts, especially the Nepalamahatmya and the Himavatkhanda, the Hindu Lord Shiva once fled from the other gods in Varanasi to Mrigasthali, the forest on the opposite bank of the Bagmati River from the temple. There, in the form of a gazelle, he slept with his consort Parvati. When the gods discovered him there and tried to bring him back to Varanasi, he leapt across the river to the opposite bank, where one of his horns broke into four pieces. After this, Shiva became manifest as Pashupati (Lord of Animals) in a four-face (chaturmukha) linga. BOUDHANATH STUPA There is nowhere quite like Bodhnath. Boudhnath Stupa pulses with life as thousands of pilgrims gather daily to make a kora (ritual circumnavigation) of the dome, beneath the watchful eyes of the Buddha, which gaze out from the gilded central tower. Tibetan monks in maroon robes and with shaved heads wander the prayer flag–decked streets while pilgrims spin prayer wheels and stock up on yak butter and tsampa (roasted barley flour). This is one of the few places in the world where Tibetan Buddhist culture is accessible and unfettered, and the lanes around the stupa are crammed with monasteries and workshops producing butter lamps, ceremonial horns, Tibetan drums, monks’ headgear and the other paraphernalia essential for Tibetan Buddhist life. BHAKTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE Founded in the 12th century by King Ananda Malla, Bhaktapur was the capital city of the Greater Malla Kingdom until the 15th century and was an independent kingdom from then until the 18th century. The last three Malla rulers of Bhaktapur were Jitamitra Malla, Bhupatindra Malla, and Ranjit Malla. These rulers played key roles in building the palaces and temples of Durbar Square. In 1744, Prithvi Narayan Shah, descendent of Dravya Shah, who was the founder of the Gorkha dynasty, began a conquest march in the Kathmandu Valley, capturing and unifying Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, and the smaller towns of the Valley under one rule. After a period of instability and a bloody coup in 1846, Jang Bahadur Kunwar Ranaji took control of Nepal. Dinner and Overnight at the hotel.