Kathmandu-Chitwan-Bandipur-Pokhara-12 days
Nepal is best known for Everest and the incomparable Himalaya Range. It also has rugged valleys that connect the snow-capped giants from the north with the tropical jungles in the south. As it slowly shuffles into the modern era, this small, deeply spiritual enclave, still grabs on tightly to its’ colorful, ancient history while showing off its natural grandeur with a tremendous variety of eco-systems and native languages that are found everywhere you look. Nepal is a photographers dream come true. It has the natural beauty, it has ancient traditions and it has friendly people who are not camera-shy, nor camera-weary like other places. Our experience has been nothing short of ecstasy as we walk anywhere making photos of anything we like and no one really cares as they go about their business. Most Nepalis are as interested in you as you may be in them and they are not bothered if you want to take their photo, as long as you politely ask first. We are limiting this tour to 10 people so everyone has ample time to learn and get personal tips and instruction from Sergio as we go from one exotic location to another. We highly suggest you book immediately so you have a spot for an upcoming unforgettable photo journey into the heart of Nepal.
Outline Itinerary
- Day 01 Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to hotel
- Day 02 Photography tour to Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swyambhunath and Patan Durbar Square. Overnight at Patan Durbar Square
- Day 03 Morning around Patan and Transfer to Bhaktapur. Overnight at Bhaktapur
- Day 04 Morning around Bhaktapur and Photography Tour in Bungmati, Khokana and Kirtipur visit. Overnight in Kathmandu
- Day 05 Drive to Chitwan (5-6 hours) and Jungle Activities
- Day 06 Jungle Activities (Tharu Village Tour)(Activities: Elephant Safari, Jeep Safari, Canoeing, Village Tour, bird watching, jungle walk etc.)
- Day 07 Drive to Bandipur(2-3 hours) and Overnight at Bandipur
- Day 08 Drive to Pokhara. Visit World Peace Pagoda. Overnight at Pokhara
- Day 09 Early Morning visit Sarangkot and Drive to Dhampus and hike to Australian Camp. Overnight at Dhampus
- Day 10 Drive back to Pokhara and boating in the evening in Phewa Lake. Rest day at leisure
- Day 11 Fly to Kathmandu (25 minutes) and sightseeing in Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath
- Day 12 Depart Kathmandu
COST INCLUDES:
- 3 nights’ accommodation at Kathmandu on twin sharing room with breakfast only
- 2 night accommodation at Pokhara on twin sharing room with breakfast only
- 1 night accommodation at Bhaktapur on twin sharing room with breakfast only
- 1 night accommodation at Patan on twin sharing room with breakfast only
- 1 night accommodation at Bandipur on twin sharing with breakfast only
- 2 nights 3 days package at Chitwan on twin sharing on full board with local jungle guide
- 1 night at Dhampus at local lodge with breakfast only
- Airport transfers and tour transfers in private vehicle (without A/C)
- Sightseeing tour with English speaking local guide throughout the tour
- All monument entry fees-as mentioned in the itinerary
- Airfare Pokhara/Kathmandu including airport tax
- Boating in Phewa Lake(1 hour) in Pokhara
- Sarangkot Excursion in Pokhara
- World peace Pagoda Excursion in Pokhara
COST EXCLUDES:
- Any other airfare and airport tax
- All lunch and dinner (except in Chitwan)
- Any expenses of personal nature such as all beverages, laundry, internet, telephone calls etc.
- Personal gratuities as tips to guide, drivers etc.
- Any cost incurred in emergency evacuation due to any unforeseen reason
- Clients insurance and medical expenses
- Extra baggage charge(if any)
- Any other tours transfers and services other than mentioned above
Detailed Itinerary
- Day 01
Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to hotel
It is a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. A representative and driver from our office will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The representative will help you check into your designated hotel. At the hotel you will be briefed about your daily activities..
- Day 02
Photography tour to Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swyambhunath and Patan Durbar Square. Overnight at Patan Durbar Square
After being transferred to your hotel you will go for a sightseeing tour to Swayambhunath or Monkey Temple. “Swayambhu” means “self-created” and refers to the belief that the hill emerged spontaneously from the great lake that once covered Kathmandu Valley. Our next stop is Kathmandu or Basantapur Durbar Square. Listed as a cultural World Heritage site by UNESCO, Kathmandu Durbar Square is a cluster of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards and streets that dates back to the 12th and 18th centuries. At the square you will find Hanumandhoka Palace Museum, Taleju Temple, Kumari Ghar(House of the Living Goddess), Kasthamandap and other tmples and buildings as old as the city itself. A final destination to explore will be Patan Durbar Square, where Mahaboudha Temple, Kumbeshwor temple, Krishna Temple, Golden Temple and many other places of Patan, will unveil before you as an open museum showcasing intricately carved windows, intrinsic roof struts, statues of gods and goddesses, temples designed in pagoda style with sensual carvings and repose metalwork facades and many other exquisite facets. ..
- Day 03
Morning around Patan and Transfer to Bhaktapur. Overnight at Bhaktapur
In the morning you explore around Patan and drive to Bhaktapur, where you will witness unique culture and finest display of craftsmanship. Lion Gate, Golden Gate, Art Gallery, Statue of King Bhupatendra, Nyatapola Temple and fifty-five windowed Malla Palace which is the living prides of Bhaktapur. Tour concludes as your driver and guide escort you back to your hotel in Bhaktapur..
- Day 04
Morning around Bhaktapur and Photography Tour in Bungmati, Khokana and Kirtipur visit. Overnight in Kathmandu
In the morning you explore around Patan and you will go for a photography tour to Bungmati, Khokana and Kirtipur. Khokana and Bungamati are typical farming villages, and Kirtipur is much more of an old town. All three have a range of stunning temples which your knowledgeable local guide will help you explore. Kirtipur is an old village situated on a small hill, 5km southwest of Patan. The village boasts many ancient monuments including the famed temple of tiger-faced Bhairva. The twin villages of Bungamati and Khokana date from 16th century and are typical ancient Newar Villages. They are located www.explorehimalaya.com south of Kathmandu down a rutty road dotted with "chaityas", or shrines, very appropriate for an ancient procession route. Overnight at Kathmandu..
- Day 05
Drive to Chitwan (5-6 hours) and Jungle Activities
Early morning, after the breakfast in your hotel, a car will drive you along the Prithivi Highway towards Chitwan. The highway itself offers abundant opportunity to spot different species of birds at the river shores and roadside woods. Chitwan is the home of Chitwan National Park, situated 155 km from Kathmandu. The drive along the Highway brings you to Chitwan.Please note that your Jungle activities and the time schedule for each activity shall be briefed on arrival at the resort by the lodge Manager and local guide. Activities could be flexible as per your request/interest depending upon availability & weather condition. The activities or sights of animals may vary other than as described above depending on weather situation..
- Day 06
Jungle Activities (Tharu Village Tour)(Activities: Elephant Safari, Jeep Safari, Canoeing, Village Tour, bird watching, jungle walk etc.)
Early breakfast in the resort will follow your bird watching tour in the national park. The wild grasslands and a river cover more than 70% of the land in the park. The place is a home for many endangered species like one-horned rhino and royal Bengal tiger. Above 450 species of birds have been spotted within the park. The huge park covering 932 sq. km is the home of Nepal’s two third globally threatened species of birds. Apart, from the regular habitats several endangered species of birds visit the park during spring and autumn. Flocks of Common and Demoiselle Cranes appear here during March and May and October/November. Along the marshlands and small ponds you may spot Cormorants, Darter, Cinnamon Bittern, Black-crowned Night and Purple Herons, Asian Openbill, Woolly-necked and Lesser Adjutant Storks, Lesser Whistling Duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Balloons Ruddy-breasted and Brown Crakes, Purple Gallinule, Bronze-winged Jacana etc. After, the long tiring day of attempting to spot different species of birds you will enjoy the hospitality at the resort within the park..
- Day 07
Drive to Bandipur(2-3 hours) and Overnight at Bandipur
You wake up early in the morning and go for a bird watching tour. After returning to resort, you will have your breakfast and will be driven to Bandipur. Bandipur is an ethnic Newari village still following their traditional ways of living. Bandipur has been described as a natural view tower; indeed, one can enjoy a spectacular panorama of the entire Annapurna Range plus the peaks of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Langtang from here. Apart from the stunning views of the Himalaya and the Marsyangdi Valley, a visit to the town is an opportunity to get a close look at Newar cultural life. Overnight at Bandipur..
- Day 08
Drive to Pokhara. Visit World Peace Pagoda. Overnight at Pokhara
After healthy breakfast you travel to Pokhara from Bandipur. On reaching Pokhara, you will be escorted to your hotels. Pokhara will have you mesmerized with its majestic sight of snow-capped mountain peaks and exquisite beauty. Pokhara is most popular for its lakes Phewa, Begnas and Rupa. Today you will visit World Peace Pagoda. Overnight in Pokhara..
- Day 09
Early Morning visit Sarangkot and Drive to Dhampus and hike to Australian Camp. Overnight at Dhampus
Early in the morning you will drive towards Sarangkot for sunrise view. Sarangkot is the most popular tourist destination from where the tourist can enjoy the great view of the Pokhara Valley and the magnificent view of the mountains. Sarangkot is only 5 km from Lake Side, Pokhara. Sarangkot is the highest view point for a sunrise and it is just 1592m high. After breakfast you will drive to Dhampus which takes around an hour. After reaching Dhampus, we will start gently climb up through the rhododendron and oak forests until reaching Australian Camp which takes around 2.5 hours. We rest there for a while and walk back to Dhampus. We will stay overnight in Dhampus..
- Day 10
Drive back to Pokhara and boating in the evening in Phewa Lake. Rest day at leisure
We explore around Dhampus village and drive back to Pokhara. Rest for some times or you can explore around lake side of Phewa Lake. In the evening you will do 1 hour boating in Phewa Lake..
- Day 11
Fly to Kathmandu (25 minutes) and sightseeing in Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath
In the morning you will fly to Kathmandu. After being transferred to your hotel you will go for a sightseeing tour to Boudhanath, where you will grab an oppourtunity for the insightful peep into the invaluable culture attached to Tibetan Budddhist.This may make you feel like you have just been to a spiritual journey. Bouddhanath is the largest dome shaped stupa of the country where the practices of Buddhism can be observed at its best. Then it continues to Pashupatinath, the major Hindu shrine offers countless temples dedicated to different Hindu deities within its widespread area. However, the main temple Pashupatinath is dedicated to lord Shiva. The Destroyer - Shiva dwells here as protector of animal kinds as per the myth..
- Day 12
Depart kathmandu
Our support team will drive you to the airport for your flight home..
Happy Explorers
We found operation officer Yalamber very helpful, professional, informative and very sympathetic.
Community Service
We work with the motto "Tourism for Development". Explore Himalaya Community Service Project was conceived to empower underprivileged segments of Nepal.
