Specially Nepal – On the footsteps of Buddha

After breakfast, sightseeing in Pashupatinath, Boudhanath & Patan City:

Pashupatinath Temple: Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most sacred religious places with historical importance. The holy shrine is the greatest place among the Lord Shiva sites. Pashupatinath temple is located northeast of Kathmandu valley about 5 km away on the bank of the Bagmati River. The enclosed area of Pashupatinath temple is on the UNESCO World heritage list. The pilgrimage site is visited each year by thousands of devotees, general people, and tourists from all over the world either for worshipping, research, or learning about the history behind the temple's glory and construction.

Boudhanath Stupa: Boudhanath, also called Boudha, is a stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Boudha stupa is semicircle-shaped and contains the relics and remains of Buddha. The stupa’s massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in the world. Boudha Stupa was listed on the World Heritage list by UNESCO in 1979, and it is one of the most popular tourist sites in Kathmandu. The stupa dates from 600AD and was built by a Tibetan king. The stupa is a historical pilgrimage site for all the Buddhists around the world. The stupa was built using many kilograms of gold for decoration. The giant Boudhanath stupa is a gateway to heaven, serving as a horizon between the earth and the sky.

Patan Durbar Square: Patan is the oldest of all the three cities of Kathmandu Valley. Patan Durbar Square is situated at the center of the city of Lalitpur in Nepal. One of its attractions is the ancient royal palace where the Malla Kings of Lalitpur resided. The city is surrounded by 4 stupas at 4 corners of Patan, one at each cardinal point. These stupas are said to have been built by the famous Emperor Ashoka. Many architectures date from the 1600s and were constructed during the reign of the Malla kings, especially King Siddhi Narsingh Malla and his son Srinivasa Sukriti. Some of the major places to visit in Patan are the Patan Museum, Krishna Temple, Rato Machhindranath, Bhimsen Temple, Ashoka Stupa, Banglamukhi Temple, and other different temples.

Overnight at the Hotel in Kathmandu.

Full-day Sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, and Kirtipur.

Kathmandu Durbar Square: Kathmandu is the hub of Nepal’s traditional culture and arts. This is the place for rest, relaxation, and easy-day sightseeing of historic and artistic temples and monuments, and mountain views. Kastamandap, the source of the name Kathmandu and supposed to be made from the timber of a single tree, and the Durbar Square with its array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka, a name derived from the statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, near the entrance of the palace. The Kathmandu Durbar Square holds the palaces of the Malla and Shah kings who ruled over the city. Along with these palaces, the square also surrounds quadrangles revealing courtyards and temples built back to as early as the Lichchhavi period in the third century.

Swayambhunath Stupa: Swayambhunath is the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu Valley. Its lofty white dome and glittering golden spire are visible for many miles and 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 AD. Swayambhunath stupa is also called the 'Monkey Temple' because of the many hundreds of monkeys who scamper about the temple at night after the pilgrims and priests have departed.

Kirtipur: Kirtipur is recorded as an ancient capital of Nepal. It is about 5 km southwest of Kathmandu City and offers superb views of Kathmandu, the entire valley, and the Himalayas beyond. Kirtipur is bordered in the west by Champa Devi Hill, the third highest peak in the Kathmandu Valley at 2,278m and a great spot for a day hike. To the east is the Bagmati River that flows through the ragged cliffs of Chobar Gorge and Kathmandu Valley’s only natural lake, Taudaha, which is situated in the southern part of Kirtipur. These natural features, in addition to caves and trails, make Kirtipur an ideal location to explore on foot or by bike.

Overnight at the Hotel in Kathmandu.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed further to Chitwan.

Chitwan is located in the southwestern part of Province No. 3 with Bharatpur, the fourth largest city of Nepal, as its district headquarters.

It covers an area of 2,238.39 km2 (864.25 sq mi). Chitwan is situated in West Nepal and is well known for its warm weather (reaching up to 30 degrees Celsius!), safaris, and a cool atmosphere.

Upon arrival in Chitwan, check in at the lodge.

Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

Enjoy a full day of jungle activities as per the lodge schedule, which may include jungle walks, Tahru Village walks, elephant rides or jeep safaris, canoe rides, visits to the Elephant Breeding Center, Tharu Cultural programs, bird watching, and more.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in the package at the lodge in Chitwan.

Overnight stay at the lodge.

After breakfast, check out and proceed to Lumbini.

Lumbini, located in the south-central Terai of Nepal, lies in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the apostle of peace and the Light of Asia, born in 623 B.C. The site, known as Lumbini Grove or Sacred Zone, was described as a beautiful garden in the Buddha's time and still retains its legendary charm and beauty. Lumbini, the birthplace of the Lord, is a piece of heaven on earth, where one can witness snowy mountains amidst a splendid garden adorned with stupas and monasteries. It has become a focal point for hundreds of thousands of pilgrims. UNESCO declared Lumbini a World Heritage Site in 1997 A.D.

In the afternoon, enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Lumbini.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Lumbini.

After breakfast, drive from Lumbini to Bhairahawa Airport to catch a flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, continue driving to Bhaktapur. The rest of the day is at leisure in Bhaktapur.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Bhaktapur.

After breakfast, enjoy a full-day tour of Bhaktapur City and Panauti.

Bhaktapur: This city is often referred to as a museum of medieval art and architecture, located 15 km away from Kathmandu. It boasts many examples of sculpture, woodcarving, and colossal pagoda temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses. Bhaktapur is a conglomeration of pagoda and Shikhar-style temples surrounding a fifty-five-window palace made of brick and wood. The square is a charming architectural marvel showcasing ancient Nepali art. Golden effigies of kings adorn the top of stone monoliths, while guardian deities watch over their sanctuaries. The intricate wood carvings on struts, lintels, uprights, tympanums, gateways, and windows create a harmonious ensemble. Pottery and weaving are the major traditional industries here.

Panauti: Located just 30 km from the capital, Panauti offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. This municipality in the Kavrepalanchok district is listed as a UNESCO tentative site due to its rich culture, traditions, art, and beautiful surroundings. Panauti is one of the oldest towns in Nepal, boasting numerous temples dating back to the 15th century or earlier. It was once a bustling trading hub along the ancient salt trade route between Tibet and India. Today, Panauti's religious significance, sacred rivers, and rich history continue to attract visitors. The majority of the population comprises Newar, Brahmin, and Chhetri communities. Panauti is renowned for its outstanding craftsmanship and woodcarving skills, evident in the traditional houses throughout the town. It is considered one of the most artistic towns in Nepal after the Kathmandu Valley.

Overnight stay at the Hotel in Bhaktapur.

After breakfast, depart from Bhaktapur to Nagarkot with a visit to Changunarayan Temple en route.

Changunarayan Temple: Dating back to 464 C.E., Changunarayan is the oldest temple in Nepal. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979 A.D., it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and adorned with ancient carvings and statues. Constructed in the two-tiered pagoda style, the main shrine is protected by pairs of real and mythical beasts, including elephants, lions, winged lions, and ram-horned griffons. The temple's roof struts showcase intricate carvings of Tantric deities.

Continue the journey to Nagarkot.

Nagarkot: Situated in central Nepal, Nagarkot perches on the rim of the Kathmandu Valley at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level. Renowned for its panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest to the northeast, Nagarkot offers breathtaking vistas, especially during sunrise and sunset. The surrounding scrubland is crisscrossed with trails, perfect for exploration, and is home to a variety of butterflies.

Overnight stay at the Hotel in Nagarkot.

After breakfast, embark on a walking tour of the surrounding area of Nagarkot.

Later, proceed with the journey to Kathmandu.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to a hotel where you will have a room for a few hours before departure. Conclude the journey with a farewell dinner.

Finally, at the scheduled time, transfer to the Kathmandu International Airport to board your flight back home.