Himalayan Circuit

Welcome to Kathmandu are you excited to explore Nepal Tribhuvan International Airport is just a ten minute drive to your hotel You will be staying in Hotel Dwarikas which is decorated beautifully with ...... artistic woodcraft Take the first night to rest and relax in the Hotel after your flight A meal lunch or dinner is included upon your arrival We are here to help you We want you to enjoy Nepal and are on hand to ensure you make the most of your stay in our beautiful country Your Romance Honeymoon Anniversary trip begins [ ]

Travel Duration:

0.5 Hours

Accommodation:

We hope you feel refreshed and ready for the day Today we are walking through the narrow alleys of Patan Here you will get to witness the real lives of the people living in the Capital Take in the col ......ourful glass beads hanging all around and watch as customers bargain with shopkeepers Look out for the Muslim women weave pote these are glass beads worn by married Hindu women this is an example of religious harmony within Nepal Nepal is incredibly spiritual and you will often see people lighting butter lamps and worshipping in temples dedicated to deities Traditional mud houses complete with their original window frames still stand the elderly tend to sit out and watch the world go by from their doorways Patan is famed for its crafts and you will get a chance to watch as people create art using centuries old techniques dating back to the Malla period 17th and 18thcentury You will also tour the Krishna temple a stone built temple rich in its artistic design boasting 21 pinnacles Make sure to visit these other famous Patan attractions including the Mahaboudha temple the palace squares Mul Chowk Sundari Chowk Mani Chowk and Narayan Chowk as well as the stunning Golden temple and sacred stupas of Patan For those visiting in October you will be able to enjoy Kartik Naach an extravagant traditional dance musical that has been practiced for hundreds of years Dancers dress as gods and demons using various face masks and perform elaborate depictions of gods fighting with demons all to music created by traditional musical instruments For those wanting to take home souvenirs there are a lot of options you ll be sure to find some in the local market After having lunch at Caf De Patan you will visit Swayambhunath stupa an ancient religious shrine sitting atop a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley Here you can see rotating prayer wheels and watch colourful flags swinging in the cool air The stupa is also home to hundreds of monkeys who roam freely hanging and jumping from the trees Swayambhunath offers wide panoramic views of Kathmandu if you decide to stay until dark you will enjoy watching the blinking Kathmandu city lights English speaking guides will give you detailed information about the temples and the surroundings [ ]

Travel Duration:

6 Hours

Accommodation:

Let s get ready for our adventure outside the Capital We are off to Chitwan to experience the wildlife and culture of rural Nepal We will take a twenty minute flight from Kathmandu to Bharatpur on Bud ......dha air This is a great experience sit relax and enjoy the stunning Nepalese scenery as it flies past your window Once we land you will take an hour jeep ride to Meghauli This is yet another adventure as you can catch a glimpse of rural life in Nepal Watch women carry fodder to their animals men work in shops and eateries on the roadside and wave back to the children waving to you from the road When we arrive you will check in at Barahi Jungle Lodge Private Hut After a brief lunch at the lodge you can watch the spectacular sunset from the banks of the Narayani River Enjoy the cool breeze the setting sun and watch out for elephant roaming past It s the best way to spend and evening This tour will be another memorable one as you will get an opportunity to learn about the Tharu culture of Nepal The Tharu people are a tribe living in the Tarai part of Nepal and they have their own rich culture and many traditions The Tharu women wear their cultural dresses and ornaments these are Cholia Choli which is worn as a top a white cloth dress called a Nahagi and Uporona which is a piece cloth worn around the chest You will learn more about this traditional dress and its importance You are also in for a treat as the Tharu women will perform their cultural Dance During special occasions and festivals different jewels made from silver and gold are worn on various parts of the body The different kinds of ornaments worn by Tharu women are Nathiya nose Kanphul in the ear Hansuli and Kanthi on the neck Matha on the wrist Tadia on the elbow Tikuli on the forehead and Upairi on their feet The Tharu women also love to have Godana which is art tattooed on various parts of their body The Tharu people will tell you about their dances songs and culture in an interactive session Those interested can get involved and dance along to Tharu songs Let s go on a walk to explore more of the area we will wander through the village and see more of the villager s day to day life You will see men sitting in tea shops chatting about politics while women carry out domestic chores There are obvious gender differences which are common throughout the country The walk through the village will be memorable as it gives you an insight into the social cultural changes occurring within Nepal [ ]

Travel Duration:

4 Hours

Accommodation:

After breakfast you will have the chance to travel deep into the forest where you can immerse yourself in nature To take your immersion one step further we will take you to several bird watching sites ...... inside Chitwan National Park The chirping of birds cuckoos singing from the trees eagles soaring high and cranes basking in the sun are some of the scenes you will get to enjoy here There are hundreds of species to see within the forest you re sure to spot something Another interesting adventure we will embark on is riding an oxcart Don t worry no animals are harmed during it It is a traditional mode of transportation within our rural villages Let s give it a go Are you an animal lover Do you want to learn more about the wildlife of Chitwan There a several experienced and knowledgeable naturalists on hand to answer any questions you might have Dinner will be eaten at our hotel for the night [ ]

Travel Duration:

6 Hours

Accommodation:

Chitwan National Park is one of Nepal s most famous attractions and at the top of many people s bucket list Home to the one horned rhino tigers elephants spotted deer and many more animal species it s ...... the perfect place for a spot of wildlife watching You can see tigers hiding in bushes one horned rhino s drinking water in the wetlands elephants basking roaming free and deer running in the dense jungle and tall grasses You can watch these animals closely on your jungle jeep safari A Chitwan safari is comparable to one you d take in an African National Park Having the oppourtunity to get up close to these wild animals is just one of the reasons why a trip to Nepal is a fantastic decision one you won t regret Along with this jungle safari adventure you will also get a taste of nature as our naturalist guides will prepare a meal for you in the wilderness [ ]

Travel Duration:

4 Hours

Accommodation:

After a breakfast at Meghauli Chitwan visitors will go on a three hour drive to Bandipore On the way you will be able to observe rural life in Nepal Small curvy roads stone spouts on the roadside gree ......nery and local people are just some of the scenes you will see as you pass by We will be exploring the hilltop settlement of Bandipur a Newar town full of old world charm With an excellent view of the Himalayas Dhaulagiri Annapurna Manaslu Ganesh Langtang Himal the Marsyangdi Valley is a real treat The Old Newari town makes Bandipur an interesting tourist site The Bandipur region has preserved the Newari architecture as it is an important part of the regions culture Our next stop is Siddha Gufa Nepal s largest cave You may feel scared at the entrance but try to work through these as this is an adventure you don t want to miss It is a thrilling experience walking through the dark 437 meter deep and 50m high cave Water pours inside creating a slippery trail It is definitely an exciting adventure [ ]

Travel Duration:

4 Hours

Accommodation:

The trip is not over yet Day seven will involve another three hour drive from Bandipur to Sarangkot After reaching Sarangkot and having lunch at OR2k you will get a chance to explore the area which si ......ts 1600 meters above sea level Sarangkot offers a panoramic view of surrounding Pokhara Valley and is the perfect place to watch the setting sun This experience is truly memorable one you are unlikely to forget Make sure to take lots of photos [ ]

Travel Duration:

4 Hours

Accommodation:

Your day will start with an early morning sunrise view over the Pokhara Valley and surrounding mountains Annapurna Dhaulagiri and Mt Fishtail When the first rays of the sun hit s these mountains you w ......ill astounded by their beauty After having breakfast at Fresh Elements we will visit the most popular tourist destination in Pokhara the lakeside Here there are bazaars filled with curious items which line wide paved clean roads Lakeside also boasts a variety of great restaurants After exploring this lively area we will take an exciting boat ride to a temple in the middle of Phewa Lake the second largest lake in Pokhara As you travel to the temple make sure to watch the reflection of the mountains in the water Mt Fishtail looks particularly great The boats are completely safe and equipped with life jackets Relax and enjoy the surrounding scenery and look out for any paragliders There is a little island in the middle of the lake where the Hindu temple Tal Barahi is situated You will also get a view of a sacred white stupa sitting at the top of the hill The cool breeze will be the cherry on the top of this adventure After this memorable boat ride we will be going to David s fall a visual delight David s Fall is an extraordinary waterfall which has created a 500 foot long underground tunnel at the bottom Ignore the temptation to jump in You will also visit Gupteshwor Cave which contains a huge stalagmite that is worshipped as a Shiva lingam This cave is different to the one you visited in Bandipur Can you spot the differences Hopefully you will feel comfortable walking inside this deep cave Watch your step in here and make sure to wear sensible clothes as it can get a bit wet inside We hope you will have a wonderful day in Pokhara enjoying its beauty and laid back charm [ ]

Travel Duration:

4 Hours

Accommodation:

After breakfast you will be visit a Tibetan settlement and Refugee Camp Here you will get to know how the Tibetans have been living You will also learn about the problems the refugees have been facing ...... The visit to the camp will give you an insight into the consequences of international politics After the tour we will take you to try some Nepali cuisine in a local restaurant Some dishes you can try is Gundruk which is a fermented green leafy vegetable as well as a local chicken soup dish called Dhindo Hopefully this experience will satisfy the foodie in you [ ]

Travel Duration:

4 Hours

Accommodation:

After finishing breakfast you will take a 25 minute flight back to Kathmandu and then a 45 minute drive to Bhaktapur Here you will have a guided tour of Bhaktapur Durbar Square including a visit to th ......e Peacock window Golden Temple Lion s Gate Mini Pasupatinath Temple Vatsala Durga Temple a paper factory and the bronze statue of King Bhupatindra Malla During the tour you will see local vendors selling curd in mud bowls a number of visiting tourists elderly people spending time in the temples and women clad in their traditional dress Walking through the cultural gate passing by ponds watching the locals weaving and selling their items on the roadside will make you feel fully immersed in the culture of the city one that is a diverse mix of modernity and tradition full of culture and a lively social atmosphere You will see Newari women wearing Haku Patasi a traditional black saree with red border Bhaktapur is dotted with stone pebbled open spaces Malla era temples and various ancient artifacts these are just some of the things you can see and enjoy You can also watch men as they use centuries old traditional methods to carve wood and stone Lakhe dance is a traditional dance form Wearing a bhoto a blouse a colourful skirt and a face mask the performer entertains audiences with energetic dancing A lively troupe follows behind the Lakhe and children try to mock him as he dances it s a fun sight to watch If you visit Nepal in mid May then you can enjoy the Bisket Jatra a chariot pulling ceremony where Hindu deities are worshipped The deities are kept in a room within the chariot and are pulled by locals Thousands of visitors attend this annual event Bhaktapur is also rich in art and craft you will see artistes in every corner of the city Some of them could be working with mud shaping it into various potteries or decorative items Under the watchful eye of the experienced potters you will have a chance to try and shape the raw mud It will be a fun adventure A visit to the pottery square will give you a detailed look at traditional pot making practices as well as the Newari way of life You will feel as if you have entered a living museum After lunch at Nyatapola Caf we will then travel to Nagarkot hill station 2100 meters above sea level Where you can watch a spectacular sunset view from the hilltop You will be able to see and feel the difference between the sunsets of Sarangkot and Nagarkot [ ]

Travel Duration:

4 Hours

Accommodation:

Clear weather in the morning sunny afternoons and cool daily temperatures is characteristic of Nagarkot Green rice fields few vehicles on the roads travelers cycling around and locals going about thei ......r daily business are just some of the scenes you can see here Nagarkot is a perfect place to enjoy natures beauty There is a tower here from which you have a great view of the surrounding hills It will make you feel incredibly relaxed You can also see a lot of couples spending quality time together in this area Being in Nagarkot will make you feel very far away from the crowds of Kathmandu You will be captivated by Nagarkot s beauty and will definitely want to revisit in the future You won t regret this trip [ ]

Travel Duration:

4 Hours

Accommodation:

We will go for an hour s drive from Nagarkot to Panauti one of the oldest towns in Nepal Situated at the confluence of the Roshi and Punyamati rivers Panauti is believed to be situated on one single r ......ock Walking through the historical Newari town you will get a sense of Newari daily life The historical Newari town has a distinct smell of sweets You can purchase clothes from local sellers and watch women worship whilst making designs on the floor this is a traditional practice within Panauti Passing through the narrow stone paved alleys you will see young boys learning to ride bikes as well as playing football Besides observing the local everyday lives the trip to Panauti will help you learn about the ancient Newari lifestyle in Kathmandu The town is also rich with historical architecture You will also visit the three storied temple of Indresvar Mahadev whose architecture is an excellent example of Newari craftsmanship Krishna Temple Unmata Bhairav Temple and Ahilya Temple are also situated nearby and are incredible examples of the Hindu religion and worship [ ]

Travel Duration:

4 Hours

Accommodation:

Namo Buddha a sacred Buddhist site You will be taken to Namo Buddha Monastery which is in the hills The scenes of Paanchkhal Dhulikhel and the curvy roads will be a treat both to your eyes and soul Yo ......u will also enjoy the sight of children playing with wheels We will experience an early morning worshipping session at Namo Buddha Monastery For that you will need to do a little hike up the trail and through the forest A black idol sits on the hilltop decorated with carvings of a tiger and a king it is an amazing piece of art Butter lamps light up the monastery and rotating colorful prayer wheels are fun to observe You will enjoy the serenity and nature of this place it is very quiet and peaceful Art and artifacts adorn the roof of the monastery make sure to keep an eye out for them A meeting with the monks will also be arranged here you can ask them questions about Buddhism and its principles Or you may choose to relax at the Dwarikas resort itself pampering yourself with massage and spa [ ]

Travel Duration:

4 Hours

Accommodation:

Take back a glimpse into your soul transfer to the airport for the flight back to your home with the sweet memory of Kingdom of Nepal Kathmandu different temples mountains nature peoples and smile ...... [ ]

Travel Duration:

2 Hours

Accommodation:

Nights:1,2

Dwarikas Hotel, Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Dwarika’s Hotel is a unique place in South Asia. It is a living example of how cultural restoration and tourism can complement each other, leading to the preservation of historical artifacts and the growth of a rich cultural industry earning its esteemed title of a living museum. What began as an impulsive action grew into a passion, and soon Dwarika Das Shrestha’s commitment to saving, documenting and restoring artifacts took on a life of its own. He envisioned the ancient Newari style houses using the rescued carvings will treasure a new lease of life and the appreciation of Nepal’s ancient cultural history will live on forever.

Nights:3,4,5

Barahi Jungle Lodge

Chitwan

Barahi Jungle Lodge situated in the pacific Chitwan, reflects the serenity of the National Park. Chitwan’s tranquility and the lodge’s peace very well complement one another. Experiencing refined luxury in the panoramic jungles adorned with the Rapti River when viewed from Barahi’s vantage point is a parallel universe retreat. We take immense pride in strengthening the bond of nature and mankind through our experiences.

Nights:6

The Old Inn

Bandipur

In the warm heart of Nepal..’Trust your sixth sense, VISIT BANDIPUR..and indulge the other five’.

You’ll love its eagle’s nest location, its lazy walks through orange groves, its simple architecture, and you’ll never forget the utterly stunning pink-tinged Himalayan skyline of dawn – and another before twilight. Its sense of history is unique too for it was a center of exotic trade between lowland and highland and between British India and independent Tibet and it is this fact of history that explains its prosperity and faded grandeur.

Its location, between Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan, further helps position it as a perfect sojourn and idyllic retreat. Some say it is like entering an earlier age, back into a Nepal that elsewhere barely still exists. This house has stories of ancient trans-Himalaya trade routes and of store-rooms crammed with merchandise en route between the opulence of India and the grandeur of Tibet.

Restoration and conservation of this traditional Newari Town House required keeping the low ceilings and the overall sense of proportion and scale. The practical inclusion of comfortable and clean showers and toilet facilities is achieved. Bathrooms in the ‘Extra Star’ wing are ensuite – pricing reflects this.

Nights:7

Sarangkot Mountain Lodge

Sarangkot

The Sarangkot Mountain Lodge is located at Sarangkot, Pokhara at a height of 1600 m above sea level.

Commanding the highest location in Sarangkot, the hotel provides an undisturbed view of the Annapurna Range, Seti River, Phewa Lake, and the hill of Pumdikote. The hotel is located on the fringe of the community forest which is a haven of bird life and has a total of 28 deluxe rooms and 2 junior suites.

The key word at Sarangkot Mountain Lodge is luxury with comfort and an infinity pool, dining outlets, Spa and a meeting hall are the facilities that the hotel offers together with a high standard of service. The property is a blend of rough stone and wood offering a rustic touch with opulence. The staircases have wooden handrails and flooring of stone. An elevator adds to one’s easement.

Nights:8,9

THE PAVILIONS HIMALAYAS

Pokhara

A lushly forested valley, the majestic Himalayan mountain range, wild and untouched culture – if that sounds like paradise, that’s because it is. Home of The Pavilions Himalayas, we invite you to enrich your mind, body and spirit at our luxury eco-resort. Whether you’re looking to break from routine, spend some quality time with loved ones, or simply discover somewhere new, Pavilions Himalayas has just what you need to rest and recharge your soul. Breathe, hike, relax and explore the beauty of Pokhara, the gateway to the Annapurna Himalayas. As travellers, we understand it’s important to make a difference in the world. With every stay, you’re having a positive impact on the local community and natural environment. We power our entire resort and its 14 luxurious villas with renewable energy, and our organic farm is the source of our fresh produce – making for a feel-good getaway in every sense.

Nights:10,11

Club Himalaya, Nagarkot

Nagarkot

Club Himalaya is a place to relax your mind and body, to get in touch with nature, experience Nepali hospitality, and escape the hectic demands of the city life all in the comfort of a superb resort in a magnificent setting. Club Himalaya is for high altitude adventurers a place to acclimatize; for philosophers, a place to listen to the sounds of silence; and for honeymooners, a setting to romance with nature. Resting on a single independent hill called the Windy Hill, Club Himalaya has become the pride of Nagarkot. Besides the fresh air and peaceful atmosphere, we offer you fine dining, superb facilities, outdoor activities to bring you closer to nature, and services to cover your business and conference needs We welcome you to lose yourself in its lush greenery, listen to the sounds of the silence and commune with nature high up on a ridge and enjoy our unparalleled hospitality.

Nights:12,13

Dwarika’s Resort

Dhulikhel

With the belief in the need for maintaining harmony between the body, mind, spirit and the planet for a peaceful, healthy and balanced life; the Dwarika’s Resort is built on the philosophy of respecting nature and self. The resort takes its inspiration from ancient Hindu Vedic scriptures (Vedas), Buddhist medicine and traditional Himalayan knowledge. The Himalayan belt has been home to holistic healing and wellbeing for more than three thousand years. The region’s approach to wellbeing, its serene natural beauty and rare medicinal herbs has attracted great sages through time. The Hindu Vedic scriptures describe Ayurveda, the science of life, as a comprehensive approach to wellbeing that encompasses the study of biology, spirituality, psychology, astronomy, nutrition and beauty. Originating from the same roots the Buddhist approaches to wellbeing also follows similar path and views health as harmony between the mind, body, spirit and one’s environment. The resort has been designed based on the knowledge of these ancient understanding about holistic wellbeing with all the spaces being consecrated and brought to life. The lifestyle spaces within the resort are designed to attract positive energy and keep negative energy at bay. When you go around the resort you can find details we have placed in various spaces to ensure the energy within the resort is as positive as possible. For example, the resort is surrounded by Cactus (Ketuki), which is believed to cleanse the space around it of all the negative energy and attract positive energy instead. Hence, adding to the calm and nurturing environment offered within the resort. The resort also offers various activities within these spaces to enhance and add value to our guests’ experience.

Nights:14

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Kathmandu

Thank you for choosing Himalayan Circuit for your big adventure. Himalayan Circuit will accompany you to bid farewell as you embark on your onward journey to back home.