Nepal Classic Tour

Enjoy your first-morning breakfast in the Himalayan capital of the world. After your breakfast, our tour guide will meet all the participants of our Nepal classic tour and give a short briefing about what we have planned for your days ahead.

Then we will set on with our capital excursion. First, we will visit Pashupatinath- the holiest Hindu shrine in the world. The ornate pagoda of this temple consists of the large pious Lord Shiva Lingam.

Chronicles hints the foundation of the temple before 400 AD. Devotees can be seen taking ritual baths in the sacred Bagmati River that flows next to the temple. However, the main tourist attraction is the funeral cremation alongside the Bagmati River shore. You can watch this action, but only from the other side of the river.

Then we will proceed to visit Boudhanath- the 36 m high Buddhist stupa is one of the largest stupa of South Asia. On each side of the stupa, you can see the pair of all-seeing Buddha eyes symbolizing awareness.

You can also see many monasteries around the stupa and the pilgrims circumnavigating the stupa from left to right.

The next Heritage Site included on our list for the visit is the Swayambhunath Temple (the Monkey Temple). It is the most glorious Buddhist Chaityas in the world built around 2500 years ago. Positioned on a hillock about 77 m high, it provides a phenomenal view of the entire Kathmandu valley.

To reach one of the most impressive Buddhist stupas in the world, you will have to ascend the stone stairs made of 365 stone steps. Here also, you can see the familiar wisdom eyes of the Buddha seeing through all existences.

Now, we will progress towards the Durbar Square of Kathmandu which with its ancient palaces, temples, statues, and monuments, embodies the cultural and religious life of the locals.

The major interesting attractions here would be the Taleju and Makhan Temple, the enormous colorful figure of Kal Bhairav (the god of destruction), the Basantapur street, and the Kumari Palace (home of the living and breathing goddess).

You can also stroll to Freak Street and enjoy a Nepalese evening dinner with cultural dance.

Today, we will visit two additional UNESCO enlisted Heritage sites of Nepal: the elegant Patan Durbar Square and the architectural wonder of Bhaktapur often known to be the Open Museum of Nepal.

First, we will explore the Palace (Durbar) Square of Patan, located in the center of Lalitpur city, around 6 km away from Kathmandu. Mainly three Chowks (courtyards) have formed this amazing square: the Mul Chowk, the Sundari Chowk, and the Keshav Narayan Chowk. Mul Chowk is the first constructed one among the three.

All three courtyards depict the art of several multi-sized and multi-style temples. But the noteworthy and still existing ones are the Krishna Temple, Hiranya Varna Golden Temple and the Bhimsen Temple. Krishna Mandir of Lord Krishna (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) showcases the amazing stone architecture of Nepali artisans.

Likewise, the sky-touching Taleju Temple, the Mahabouddha Bihar, the statue of Yogendra Malla and Sati Temple are some other marvels that you can feast your eyes on.

Now, let’s travel to Bhadgaon- the now Bhaktapur, which is said to have been founded in 889 AD by King Anand Dev. The palace square in the middle of this city still airs the prosperity that Malla rulers used to enjoy those days.

The palace of fifty-five widows, Nyatpol Temple, Taumadhi Square, Bhairavnath Temple, and many other artistic creations are the jewels of this square. You can also walk to the pottery square and make purchases of the handmade exclusive potteries.

Now, let’s make our way back to the hotel to relax and recharge because an exhilarating jungle adventure awaits us tomorrow morning.

One of the impressive days of our Nepal classic tour package has arrived. We will be leaving Kathmandu early in the morning to arrive at the oldest national park of Nepal- the Chitwan National Park.

On our way outside of Kathmandu, we may face some traffic jams in Kalanki but soon we will be making our way to Thankot. Then we will travel along the asphalted Prithvi Highway that hugs the banks of Trishuli River.

Don’t miss the opportunity to gaze at the majestic tips of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Fishtail, Hiunchuli, and Manaslu ranges. Soon, the green steep hills, and the terraced landscape rush past our windows as we approach Mugling from where we will head south.

The Terai plains and jungles start to appear suggesting we are in Chitwan. The huge natural protected land of Chitwan was founded in 1973 and it came under the protection of UNESCO in 1984.

Its 952.63 square km of land is a shelter to sal trees, rolling grasslands, lakes, numerous colonies of leopards, and the rare Ganges dolphin, as well as various species of mammals: monkeys, bears, wild boars, hyenas, deer, elephants, etc. It is also a paradise for bird and butterfly observation.

But, it is one of the last refuges of one-horned rhinoceros and the royal Bengal tiger, which are on the verge of extinction. Just beside the Park, the quaint village of the Tharu tribe known as Sauraha exists.

But first, let’s get comfortable in our cozy room, and then we will go on a brief jungle walk with a guide and expert local naturalists. It is worth listening to the history of Chitwan National Park as well as some other wildlife-related topics from the mouths of these jungle experts.

Today is going to be a full action-packed day of jungle activities. After breakfast, we will set off for an exciting elephant or jeep safari through the thick underbrush of the Park. This adventure will last around 1.5 to 2 hours, giving you the chance to observe the diverse wildlife that calls this place home.

Our guide is well knowledgeable about the common site where most wildlife especially the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger can be seen. So if our luck is with us, we may even meet these shy creatures along with stunning one-horned rhinoceros.

But certainly, we will spot the antelopes, elephants, leopards, deer, and monkeys playfully leaping from one tree to another. And don’t forget to raise your head from time to time to see the beautiful sight of birds and colorful butterflies dancing in the air.

After our safari, we will head back to our hotel for lunch, then we will continue with our adventure with a canoe ride on the Rapti River. Observe the varied ecosystem beside this river that includes various species of aquatic plants and animals, different species of birds flying over your heads and two types of crocodiles (Mugger and Gharial) soaking in the sun.

We will then visit the little elephant breeding center and observe the cute little fluffy creatures enjoying their habitat. Now, we will take a small coffee break and then head to the village of the Tharu Tribe, a perfect place to experience their unique way of life and daily activities.

A small museum exhibiting their old artifacts, such as tools and household items, is also in the village hut. Then, to end our day, we will attend the cultural program- the Tharu Stick Dance hosted by the young Tharu men and women, featuring an impressive fire show as well.

It’s now time to retreat to our beds and prepare for the next day’s adventure towards Lumbini.

We will set off today to visit the original born place of Buddha- the sacred Lumbini located near the Indian border. Our private 4 by 4 wheel will take us along the broad Terai Highway towards Bharatpur and then Butwal. Soon, we will reach Siddharthanagar, signaling that Lumbini is just moments away.

After checking into our hotel, we will now set out to discover the key monuments of Lumbini. The most vital one is the Maya Devi Temple where Buddha was said to born.

The square white building contains ancient ruins and a stone that marks the precise birth location of Buddha. A peaceful green park surrounds the temple accurate for some reflection through meditation.

Next, is the holy pond of Pushkarini located right next to the Maya Devi Temple. Here, the queen took a bath before the birth of Buddha. Then there are Ashok Columns which are the ancient pillars erected by King Ashok in the 3rd century BC. The inscriptions recorded by him in two languages just confirm that Lumbini is the place where Buddha was born.

Then there are several international and national Buddhist monasteries built by Cambodia, Germany, Japan, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Thailand, Korea, China, Nepal, Austria, and Myanmar. Each of them represents each nation’s unique architectural and cultural style.

The Lumbini Museum is another vital site that is worth exploring as it contains collections of several Buddhist artifacts and historical exhibitions that help you understand the rich history and culture of the place.

There is also a World Peace Pagoda stupa that stands as the symbol of world harmony and peace. And do not forget to see the eternal flame which burns continuously, reminding us of the Buddha’s message.

With a fresh sense of spiritual clarity, we will retire early as a very exciting day of our Nepal classic tour awaits us the next morning.

Today, we will continue our journey through southern Nepal and head further west to the Palpa region and its main town, Tansen. Traversing the Terai plains of Bhairahawa and Butwal, the road slowly passes to the hills and midlands of the Mahabharat range.

Accompanied by the landscape shaped by the wide river valleys and sthe nowy summits of Dhaulagiri and Gaurishankar, we will arrive in Tansen in about 2 hours.

Here, we will get comfortable in our rooms then after lunch, we will go out to explore this little old town. One of the main highlights of this place is the Palpa or Tansen Durbar, constructed by the order of Pratap Sumsher Jung Bahadur Rana in 1927 for the king’s residence.

This four-story building has 64 rooms with two grand meeting halls. Flanking the structure are two elegant minarets, adding to its architectural splendor. The grand entrance, known as Baggi Dhoka, is the largest gate in the entire nation.

Then we will go to the banks of the Kali Gandaki River, where the Rani Mahal is located, often called the Nepalese Taj Mahal due to the similarity of their creation history.

The building in a picturesque place on the high bank of the river was erected in 1893 by a British architect by order of General Khadga Shamsher Rana in memory of the untimely death of his young wife, Tej Kumari Dev,i as a sign of his grief and in fulfillment of her last wish.

Therefore, the palace was named Rani Mahal, which means Queen’s Palace. In 2017, the palace was restored, and a museum was opened here.

There are also clusters of various beautiful temples and monasteries. One of the most famous temples in the city is Bhagwati Mandir, which was built in 1815. This temple has the Goddess Vagwati (Durga) statue inside, therefore, it is a also a sacred shrine for the Hindu Pilgrims.

As the day draws to a close, we can make our way north of Tansen and climb the 1600 m Srinagar Danda for a perfect ending to our evening. The sunset view is simply mesmerizing and is considered one of the extraordinarily stunning sight of the place.

Watch as the sun sinks below the horizon, bathing the enormous mountains of Langtang, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Himchuli, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, and Ganesh in its warm, golden glow.

After completing our Nepal classic tour, we will head back to our hotel where we can relax after a busy day.

After our breakfast, we leave Tansen and head towards Pokhara. This scenic journey will take around four hours, which displays the breathtaking valleys of central Nepal.

Our travel will start on a bumpy dirt road that winds through the hills and mountains, eventually merging onto a long, wide paved road from Syangja that will carry us smoothly toward Pokhara.

The second most popular and largest city of Nepal positioned along the beautiful bank of Phewa Lake attracts travelers with its scenic landscapes and proximity to the main peaks of Nepal – Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu, and others.

After arrival and lunch in Pokhara, we can then depart for sightseeing in this marvelous paradise. We will take a boat ride on the lake, headed with sacred and elegant Machhapuchhare or Fishtail- the holy abode of Lord Shiva.

We will then visit the Barahi Temple located on the small land in between the waters of the Lake Phewa. The small two-tiered Barahi Temple is dedicated to Vishnu.

Then, strolling through the Lakeside, we will dine at one of the restaurants on the shore, feeling the atmosphere of this bright and lively area.

After an early rise and departure from the hotel, we will climb to the village of Sarangkot at 1600 m altitude. We will be just in the right moment to see the sun emerging from the hill, awakening the sleeping giants of Fishtail, Manaslu, Lamjung, and the four high summits of the Annapurna range.

Having met the dawn and feeling quite hungry, we will return to the hotel for breakfast and refreshments. Then we have a free day, which you can dedicate to active recreation.

Such as you can take a flight on a light plane to the peaks of the Annapurna range, go paragliding in Sarangkot, ride a zip-line, or bungee jump.

Or, you can just get on with the light excursion of the city, which boasts several sites that are worth your time. The Peace Pagoda is one such structure on top of the hill at the southern edge of Phewa Lake. It has four Buddha images facing in all four directions.

On the nearby hill of Phumdikot is the giant statue of Shiva at an altitude of 1500 m. You can then walk to the Pokhara Bazaar and visit the Bindhyabasini Mandir, a white-domed structure atop a hill, just below is the Bhimsen Mandir.

And don’t forget to wander to Devi’s Falls, also known as Patale Chhango where the Pardi Khola stream disappears underground. As the monsoon rain subsides, the waterfall will be at full vigor, thus it will be a gorgeous time to see the huge volume of water just flowing down with its great torrent.

Not far from the center is the Mahendra Cave- a deep cave made from the limestone walls known among travelers for beautifully erected stalagmites and stalactite rocks.

Then you can next stop can be the International Mountain Museum, which gives really solid knowledge about the area, the history of climbing, and also about other mountain nations around the world. On your way back, you may also visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp.

Enjoy a peaceful breakfast in the majestic surroundings of the Pokhara’s mountains and lakes. Then, we will prepare to depart for Bandipur. The long, smooth stretch of Prithvi Highway will lead us to Dumre, where the road ascends, guiding us steeply up to the beautiful Bandipur.

This small Newari town is very quiet and charming with its own distinct personality. Its central paved pedestrian street overlooks the traditional Newari-style buildings, now renovated to house hotels or restaurants.

Later in the day after lunch, we can visit the small Khadga Devi temple, where the Khadga sword is kept, a gift to one of the ancient kings from Shiva himself.

And, to enjoy the sunset, we can go up to Thani Mai temple which is about half an hour’s walk from the town centre. This temple is perched on the hill of Gurungche and from there you can enjoy a magnificent view of the framing Himalayan peaks, the entire town below, and the plain.

From Bandipur, we will again take on the Prithvi Highway and turn right towards the direction of Kathmandu. But after a few kilometers, we will take the crossroad and turn to Kurintar town nestled along the shore of the Trishuli river.

The cable car station located here will transport us to Manakamana Temple via a 1.3 km cable ride. The temple is one of the most visited Hindu sanctuaries in Nepal because it is considered a place where wishes come true. It is located on the top of a mountain in the Gorkha region, dedicated to the goddess Bhagwati, worshiped here for over 500 years.

We will spend some time at the temple and then descend back to the Trishuli River and continue our journey to Kathmandu. You will probably have some extra time to make the last-minute purchases and take some walk in the Garden of Dreams.

As evening approaches, let’s gather around for a wonderful Nepali meal and rejoice in the remarkable experiences we have shared on our Nepal classic tour.