Discovering Nature and Culture of Nepal

Hotel Distance: 6 Km, Duration: 30 Min. Arrival in the morning

to Kathmandu, the flight into the Himalayas reveals breathtaking views of the great peaks Mt. Dorje Lakpa 6,966 m, Mt. Ganesh Himal 7,422 m, Mt. Langtang 7,227m, etc., (weather permitting) taking you right into the Himalayan capitals at Kathmandu. After immigration formality at the airport, you will be greeted and welcomed by a Sampurna Adventure personnel & transferred to your hotel, 

In the afternoon, visit Kathmandu Durbar square (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the most important monuments of the Nepalese capital in the open-air museum filled with the temples, courtyards and palace of the Malla Kings, who ruled over the city. The palace’s main courtyard is where the Kings of Nepal were crowned and had their coronations solemnized. Other impressive sights include a giant statue of Kal Bhairab, the God of Destruction, stunning Shiva-Parvati temples, Taleju, and the Kumari Palace, where the Kumari acknowledges their greetings from her balcony window.

Swoyambhunath Stupa with its 2,500-year history, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is probably the most sacred ancient Buddhist pilgrimage site soaring above the city on a lofty hilltop, the fascinating, chaotic jumble of Buddhist and Hindu iconography, ancient carvings, the smell of incense and butter lamps, the mystical atmosphere is heightened by devotees who make a ritual circumambulation of the stupa, spinning the prayer wheels set into its base. This famous stupa is surrounded by typical houses of priests, Chaityas and monasteries.  

Tour Distance: 180 km, Tour Duration: 5-6 hours 

(Optional: Early morning you could take an optional Mount Everest flight tour – The Highest Mountain on Earth).

Drive to “Chitwan National Park” A World Heritage Site that lies in the Terai region of Southern Nepal, it is well known to be the best-managed National Park in Asia. We will discover a lost world of towering trees, twisting vines, one-horned Rhinoceros, Crocodiles, Python, Deer, and some of the world’s most Exotic birds. 

On arrival, will receive and greeted by resort staff, accompanied by refreshments & be given a briefing on the lodge & its facilities. After being given our programs of the day and the allocation of our room, start exploring Chitwan. 

Village tour to a nearby ethnic Tharu village where we could learn more about the lifestyle of the Tharu (Inhabitants of the Jungle). In the evening we could see an amazing Sunset view from the bank of the Rapti River.

Later we have a slide presentation, one of our jungle experts will introduce background data and the history of the Chitwan National Park as well as some other topics relating to wildlife. 

Tour Distance: 6 km, Tour Duration: 6 hours

Enjoy the full day of jungle safari to discover the nature and wildlife of Nepal.

Canoe ride along the Rapti River (Subject to water level), an excellent opportunity for Bird Watching, we could see two rare species of crocodiles; the Marsh Mugger and the fish-eating Gharial.

In the afternoon, Jeep Safari is an excellent opportunity to see different kinds of deer, rhinoceros, wild boar, monkey, leopard, sloth bear, and the Royal Bengal Tiger (If we are lucky). We will also encounter many other smaller mammals that have made Chitwan their home.

(Note: Due to animal rights activists it is banned elephant-back tours in Chitwan by most resorts, instead will provide Jeep Safari. 

During the monsoon period Canoe ride and Jeep Safari is closed from June till the end of September as the national park authorities close their entry into the jungle to prevent damage to forest track, and secure human lives from monsoon-induced disasters and felling of the trees)

In the evening Tharu cultural dance presentation by the local villagers (in which we also could participate).  

Tour Distance: 170 km, Tour Duration: 6 hours

After breakfast, we embark on a road trip to Lumbini (4 – 5 hrs. drive), passing by beautiful river and village,  

Lumbini is the birthplace of Buddha, according to Buddhist tradition, Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama and attained enlightenment around 563 BC, became Buddha, and founded Buddhism. 

Lumbini is the center of the pilgrimage for the Buddhist world that emerged as a fundamental place for the life of Gautama Buddha.

Later we will visit the ancient temple of Mayadevi and several others that are still in restoration. Many monuments, monasteries, museums, and Lumbini International Research Institute, are within the sacred site. There is also the Puskarini, or holy lake, where the Buddha's mother “Mayadevi” took the ritual immersion before her birth and where he had his first bath. In other places near Lumbini, where the Buddha were born, attained ultimate enlightenment and finally renounced their earthly forms. 

Tour Distance: 204 km, Tour Duration: 6 hours

After breakfast, drives to Pokhara, the second largest city of Nepal located 220 km/827 Mt., west of the capital Kathmandu, it is home to Gorkha soldiers. The Annapurna Range with three out of the ten highest mountains in the world — Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, and Manaslu are within approximately 15 – 35 miles of the valley. Due to its proximity to the Annapurna Mountain range in the Himalayas, the city is the gateway to famous Mustang trekking, Mount Annapurna Circuit trail, and Jomsom – Muktinath,

On arrival we will visit the famous “David fall”, a beautiful waterfall, it marks the point where a stream from Phewa Lake vanishes underground through a narrow gorge into a mysterious hole in the ground, the Gupteswor Shiva Cave, one of the longest caves in Nepal and Tibetan refugee camp,

In the afternoon take a boat ride in Phewa Lake and reach the temple of Tal Barahi temple in the island, later simply walk around the main tourist hub near Fewa Lakeside, 

Tour Distance: 225 km, Tour Duration: 5 hours

Early morning an hour's drive to Sarangkot hilltop to view sunrise over the world’s 10th highest mountain Mt. Annapurna (8,091 Mt.) Machhapuchhre (6993 Mt.) and Dhaulagiri (8,167 Mt.) etc. (weather permitting), 

Breakfast, Flight: Pokhara – Kathmandu, 25 min, 

Arrive in Kathmandu, we will visit Bhaktapur, the medieval capital known as the city of devotees, we will explore the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, surrounded by spectacular architecture and vividly showcases the skills of the Newari artists and craftsmen over several centuries, an example of exquisite woodworks in the Palace of 55 windows with the golden gate, the main entrance of the palace, the beautiful Dattatreya, the Bhairab, the tallest Nyatapola Temple and ceramics Square, 

Later we drive to Nagarkot, a mountain resort (1 hour / 22 Km), situated at an elevation of 2,195 meters, it is considered one of the most scenic spots to view the majestic Himalayan ranges including Mount Everest as well as other peaks of the eastern Himalayan range (if weather permits), check-in, in the afternoon walk around the Nagarkot village and view the sunset with glowing Himalaya, (weather permitting), 

Tour Distance: 30 km, Tour Duration: 6 hours

Early morning wakeup call to view the sunrise over the Himalayas, you will have 360* panoramic view of majestic Himalayan ranges, (weather permitting), 

After a hearty breakfast, a downhill drive towards Patan Durbar Square (World Heritage Site), also known as "Lalitpur" is one of the largest cities of Nepal, the city of fine arts & crafts in metal, stone, terracotta, it is famous for its rich cultural heritage, where we will see in its ancient palace with golden gate and window, temples of Krishna, Shiva, Golden temple (Hiranya Barna Mahabihar) as well as some monasteries & beautiful courtyard.

Pashupatinath, the sacred Shiva temple, serves as the seat of the national deity, this extensive Hindu temple ground offers an "extensive collection of temples, ashrams, sculptures” etc. for centuries along the banks of the sacred river Bagmati, considered Varanasi for Hindus, where we could witness their final rituals of cremation.

Boudhanath, "a UNESCO World Heritage site", it’s a massive mandala that makes it one of the largest spherical Stupa and the most sacred Buddhist shrine outside of Tibet where in the vicinity many Tibetan refugees residing since 1960, in its premises have built more than 50 Buddhist monasteries. The great Stupa of Boudha is said to have buried the remains of Kassapa Buddha. 

Airport Distance: 6 Km, Duration: 30 Min.

Leisurely breakfast, In the morning free for personal activities, we can explore the narrow lively, and endless streets of Thamel town where we will find all kinds of good restaurants, typical Nepali handicrafts, fine jewelry, clothing, and trekking gear store, later at the arranged time transfer to the airport for final departure to connect onward flight. We wish you a safe flight and hope to serve you back in near future. 

End of Service.