Experiential Nepal Tour

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 colourful 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 18th century). 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 Café 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.

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.

After a breakfast at Saurah / 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, greenery 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!

After all the days excitements let’s dine and stay in the Hotel.

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 will astounded by their beauty!

After having breakfast at Hotel, 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.

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 the 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 self lunch at Bhaktapur,  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. 

Give it a go! Try making clay pots at Pottery square Bhaktapur.

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 rock. 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.

Dinner at Monastery. 

After breakfast, hotel checkout is at 12 noon.

Transport to the airport is provided, so you can depart to your next destination.