Highlights of Nepal Holiday Package - Private Tour

You will be met at Kathmandu airport and transferred to your hotel for a three night stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Accommodation: Dwarika’s Hotel, Kathmandu

This morning there is an optional early morning flight over the highest mountain peaks in the world, including Mount Everest.

Later your sightseeing tour of Kathmandu starts in Durbar Square which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Durbar, which means palace, is where kings were once crowned and ruled from. The massive complex consists of three main squares studded with palaces, temples, and courtyards. On the northeast side of the square is Hanuman Dhoka, the main entrance to the old royal palace and where the oldest temple of Kathmandu, Taleja Bhawani Temple is situated. Unfortunately, many of the buildings were severely damaged in an earthquake and restoration work is still going on.

Then enjoy an exhilarating rickshaw ride from Hanuman Dhoka to the busy Thamel tourist market. Although crowded and frenetic at times, it still retains old world charm, perpetuated by the rows of Tibetan prayer flags and cycle rickshaws that trundle by. The streets are lined with shops overflowing with brightly coloured items for sale.

Then visit Swayambhunath Temple, the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu Valley. Perched on top of a conical hill, this white dome with glittering golden spire is visible from all sides of the valley for many miles. According to the historical records, the stupa is over 2,500 years old. There are several shrines and temples surrounding the stupa. The main stupa can be reached from two access points; a long steep stairway with 365 steps (leading directly to the main platform), and a drivable road leading to a longer way from the southwest entrance. There are magnificent views of the valley from here.

After lunch drive to Patan, one of three Royal cities of Kathmandu Valley. In Patan there are numerous Buddhist and Hindu temples and over 1000 monuments with fine wood and stone carvings. Patan’s Durbar Square is a mélange of the old royal palace (now a museum), artistic courtyards, and pagoda temples. There will be some free time to browse Patan’s handicraft market before returning to your hotel. Although the earthquake destroyed many of the old temples, Patan was first of the 3 royal cities to rise above the rubble.

Accommodation: Dwarika’s Hotel, Kathmandu

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning visit Bhaktapur which was designated a World Heritage Site in 1979 due to its well-preserved medieval buildings. Often referred to as the ‘Rome of Nepal’, Bhaktapur has some of the most breathtaking religious architecture in Nepal. Its three major squares, Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, and Dattatreya Square are studded with pagoda and shikhara-style temples. Without any traffic and pollution, Bhaktapur is by far the cleanest city in the Valley. Narrow stone-paved streets weave through red brick houses, leading to hidden temples, courtyards and water spouts

Bhaktapur is known for its handicrafts such as pottery, puppets and masks and is the ideal place to shop for souvenirs. After a comprehensive tour, there will be a chance to enjoy the delicious Juju Dhau ‘King’s curd’.

Accommodation: Dwarika’s Hotel, Kathmandu

Meals included: Breakfast

Today we leave the city for Chitwan National Park.

Enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, Chitwan National Park spreads over an area of 932 sq.km. The park is home to a rich selection of wildlife including endangered species like the one-horned rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal tiger, along with gaur, wild elephant, four horned antelope, leopard, sloth bear, wild boar, rhesus monkey and the grey langur monkey,. The swampy areas and numerous oxbow lakes of Chitwan provide a home for the marsh mugger crocodiles, and the Narayani River is home to the endangered Gangetic crocodile – a fish eating gharial. You might also spot one of the world’s four species of freshwater dolphins.

On arrival at your hotel there will be a short briefing followed by lunch, and then a Rapti River Cruise. The day culminates with a sundowner on board deck at the river confluence point and dinner at the resort.

Approximate travel time and distance: 5-6 hours, 180 km

Accommodation: Barahi Jungle Lodge, Chitwan National Park

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Wake up and enjoy a quick coffee and snack before embarking on a game drive. Experience the thrill of the chance to spot wildlife including the one horned rhinoceros from very close quarters. A picnic breakfast will be served at one of the scenic locations inside the jungle before returning to your lodge for some rest and lunch which can be taken at the Banyan Café or by the pool.

In the afternoon, you can visit the nearby village to observe the rural Tharu lifestyle. Then in the evening, local people will take part in a Tharu Cultural Dance performance demonstrating some of their traditional skills and movements.

Accommodation: Barahi Jungle Lodge, Chitwan National Park

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

You have some free time this morning to relax by the pool, take a rest or try using the Spa facility.

Following the included lunch served at the resort you can take part in a short jungle walk inside the National Park or Community Forest accompanied by an experienced naturalist and nature guide to explore the flora & fauna.

In the evening enjoy a short documentary on Chitwan National Park.

Please be aware the programme in Chitwan National Park is subject to change and is arranged in discussion with guests.

Accommodation: Barahi Jungle Lodge, Chitwan National Park

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

After breakfast, the drive to Pokhara takes about 5 hours. On arrival at your hotel the rest of the day is free to relax and explore the area.

Pokhara is the third largest city in Nepal and is considered by many to be the most beautiful place in Nepal. The city is divided by the Seti Gandaki River and offers serene lakes and stunning panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks creating an ambience of peace and magic.

Approximate travel time and distance: 5 hours, 160 km

Accommodation: Temple Tree Resort & Spa, Pokhara

Meals included: Breakfast

Your tour of Pokhara includes a visit to the World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa), Davi’s fall, Sarangkot, Mahendra Cave and the International Mountaineering Museum. Devi’s fall (also known as Devin’s and David’s) is a lovely waterfall just a short drive away. Legend has it that a trekker was washed away by the Pardi Khola river and mysteriously disappeared into an underground passage beneath the fall.

The day concludes with visits to some of Pokhara’s most famous lakes including the Phewa Lake for a wonderful scenic boat ride.

Accommodation: Temple Tree Resort & Spa, Pokhara

Meals included: Breakfast

Transfer to Pokhara airport for a short flight to Kathmandu, and then travel from Kathmandu airport to the Kantipur Temple House for an overnight stay.

In the afternoon, visits to Boudhanath and Pashupatinath are included.

The ancient Stupa of Boudhanath, a World Heritage Site, is one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal. Gazing out from the gilded central tower, the wise eyes of Buddha seem to be watching over thousands of pilgrims who gather daily to make a kora (ritual circumnavigation) of the dome. In the evening the whole place lights up with butter lamps and the wafting smell of sage giving a calming effect. The plaza surrounding the Stupa is open to people of all religions and Tibetan monks along with other devotees can be seen spinning prayer wheels, chanting mantras, or just strolling in silence around the monument.

On the banks of Bagmati River lies the sacred Pashupatinath Temple. Pashupati is a manifestation of Shiva and means ‘The Lord of Animal’. This temple has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The premise consists of temples, ashrams, idols, and inscriptions added over centuries. The main temple within the complex is pagoda shaped with a golden roof and silver doors on all four sides of the temple. The Pashupati area is regarded as one of the most important places of pilgrimages for Hindus with thousands of devotees from around the world visiting every day. The temple is barred to non-Hindus, but you can get a good view of the temple from the opposite bank of the river. Every evening an aarti (light offering) to Lord Shiva is performed which can be observed from across the river.

Approximate travel time and distance: 1 hour, 150 kms

Accommodation: Dwarika’s Hotel, Kathmandu

Meals included: Breakfast

You will be transferred to Kathmandu airport to board a return flight home.

Meals included: Breakfast

Pricing and Inclusions

Not included in the price:

• International flights
• Nepal visa fees
• Insurance of any nature
• Meals not included in the meal plan
• Expenses of personal nature (like laundry, phone calls, room service, drinks)
• Tips

Please remember all our private tours are designed to meet your exact requirements, and this Nepal tour is just an example to help inspire you.

For more information please email info@aitholidays.com or call our India specialists on 01792 315499.

ABTA and ATOL Protected Nepal Tour Package

Authentic India Tours is a member of ABTA and ATOL. All the holidays on this website are ABTA protected. If you would like us to arrange your holiday including flights we will be happy to provide a quote and your holiday will also be ATOL protected.