Itinerary Details
As the birthdpalce of Buddhism, Nepal is undoubtedly a dreaming destination to get close to splendid culture. This Nepal Culture & Tour offers you ample chances to explore the colorful culture, sacred religion, and rich nature landscape of Nepal. Whatever the ancient temples in Kathmandu or serene lake and pure snow mountains of Pokhara, charming village of Bandipur or the Buddha birthplace in Lumbini, you will marvel at the glorious civilization and have a really exciting vacation.
Welcome to Kathmandu - the capital of Nepal.
Upon arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be greeted by your private guide with warm welcome and be transferred to your hotel by private car. The rest of today is free at leisure.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Accommodation option:
- Hotel Shanker
- (4 Ratings)
breakfast and lunch
Today, you will start a cultural tour in glorious Kathmandu. Your private tour guide will pick you up to Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is the centre of the old city and preserve the temples and palaces complex from the 12th to the 18th century. There are a number of interesting temples to visit, including Kasthamandap, Taleju Temple, Kal Bhairab (God of Destruction), Nautalle Durbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, and the statue of King Pratap Malla, etc.
Then pay a visit to Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple. Resting on a hillock 3 km towards the western edge of Kathmandu, it is one of the most important and sacred Buddhist shrines of Nepal. Dating back to 460 A.D., it soon became an important center of Buddhism.
Afterwards, go head to the giant Buddhist Stupa - Boudhanath. It is the largest stupa in Kathmandu Valley at about 131ft (40km) high and is the center hub of Buddhism in Nepal. The all-seeing red, white and blue eyes of Buddha are painted on all four sides of the stupa, and surrounded by numerous fluttering prayer flags, temples and painted images of deities.
Continue to visit Pashupatinath Temple, the largest and holiest shrines for Hindus. Situated on the bank of Bagmati river, it was built in the 5th century. There are around 492 temples, 15 Shivalayas (shrines of Lord Shiva) and 12 Jyotirlinga (phallic shrines) to explore. Although only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple, visitors can clearly see the temple and the activities performed in the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati river. After the tour, return to hotel.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Accommodation option:
- Hotel Shanker
- (4 Ratings)
Pashupatinath Temple
breakfast and lunch
After breakfast at hotel, we will drive to Bandipur and it will take about 4.5 hours. En route, you can enjoy the quite scenic views. On arrival, check in at hotel in Bandipur.
The rest of the day, you will enjoy a village tour around Bandipur and sunset view from the hilltop. Bandipur is a charming hill town known for its beautiful view of the central Nepal Himalayas and the Marsyangdi valley. Beautifully preserved village and lofty ridge are the main views. It is also a living museum of Newari culture with stunning 18th-century architecture.
Overnight in Bandipur.
Accommodation option:
- Bandipur chhen
- (3 Ratings)
Bandipur
breakfast and lunch
After breakfast, drive to Pokhara with 2.5 hours journey. Upon arrival, check in.
In the afternoon, take a short hike to World Peace Stupa that situated at an altitude of almost 1000 meters on the southwest of Pokhara. The hike to Peace Pagoda begins with 20 minutes boating trip on the Fewa Lake. Once arriving at other side of the lake, you will start a leisure hike up to the Peace Pagoda. Once you reach the top, you can enjoy the wide panoramic mountain view of Annapurna, Dhawalagiri and Mt. Fishtail. While seeing the stunning natural sights around, you will immerse yourself in the peaceful ambience.
Overnight in Pokhara.
Accommodation option:
- Temple Tree Resort & Spa
- (4 Ratings)
breakfast and lunch
Get up early in the morning and drive to Sarangkot to enjoy stunning sunrise view over the Himalayas. Sarangkot is probably the best place to enjoy sunrise and panoramic mountain view. Then return to hotel for breakfast.
Afterwards, you will start your Pokhara city tour. First, pay a visit to Bindabasini Temple. It is the oldest temple in Pokhara and is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga, the patron saint of Pokhara. The views of the Himalayas from the north of the temple are breathtaking while from the south are the expanse of Pokhara city.
Next drive to the Devis Fall, a stream from Phewa Lake falls straight down and vanishes underground through a natural cave. Then walk across the Devis Fall area and explore the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. It is one of the longest caves in Nepal at 2950 meters and is a sacred cave enshrined Hindu gods.
Finally, enjoy a relaxing boat riding on Fewa Lake. Take a beautifully painted boat around the lakeshore, you will enjoy the beauty and serenity of the lake and mountains. Besides, the most important religious monument of Pokhara, Barahi Temple, is located on an island at the center of Fewa Lake.
Overnight in Pokhara.
Accommodation option:
- Temple Tree Resort & Spa
- (4 Ratings)
Fewa Lake
breakfast and lunch
Today you will transfer to Lumbini with 6-7 hours’ driving. After checking in, the rest of the time is free at leisure.
Overnight at Lumbini.
Accommodation option:
- Buddha Maya Garden by KGH Group
- (4 Ratings)
Odhi tree
breakfast and lunch
In the morning, your private tour guide will pick you up to Lumbini Park where you can visit plenty of historical sites, including Ashoka Pillar, Maya Devi Temple, and various monasteries of different country, etc.
In the heart of Lumbini gardens, Maya Devi Temple is traditionally considered as the birthplace of Gautama Buddha in 623 B.C. It is well-known as one of the holiest and ancient Buddhist temples in Nepal. Beside is the sacred pool called Pushkarini, believed to be the place where Queen Maya Devi bathed before giving birth to the Buddha.
In the sacred garden stands an ancient Bodhi (pipal) tree decorated with colorful prayer flags. It is said Gautama Buddha had an epiphany under the Bodhi tree. The nearby pillar of Ashoka was dated back around the 3rd century BC, and it is a marker stone marks the spot where the Buddha was born.
Besides, the complex inside the UNESCO World Heritage Site includes a number of brick stupas and splendid monasteries.
Overnight in Lumbini.
Accommodation option:
- Buddha Maya Garden by KGH Group
- (4 Ratings)
Maya Devi Temple
breakfast
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up to airport for flight to Kathmandu.
Upon arrival, check in at hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Accommodation option:
- Hotel Shanker
- (4 Ratings)
breakfast
About 3 hours before your flight, your driver will pick you up and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.