Nepal Cultural Scenic Tour- 10 Days

As you arrive in Kathmandu, a representative will be waiting outside the airport holding a company placard to help with identification. Upon meeting, the representative will greet you and transfer you to a private vehicle for the drive to your hotel in Thamel. The ride from the airport to Thamel will take about 20 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

After you arrive at your hotel, the representative will assist you with check-in. Then you can go to your room and relax for a bit. Later in the evening, you will meet the company owner and discuss how the tour will commence. All your confusion and questions will be answered during the meeting.

When the meeting concludes, you will join our representative for a welcome dinner in an authentic Nepalese restaurant. During the dinner, you can taste local Nepali cuisine while enjoying traditional dance and music. As the dinner concludes, you will be transferred to your hotel. There you can rest and prepare for the following day. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Note: At the airport, you may encounter people who voluntarily approach you to carry your luggage to the vehicle. Please be aware that they do not represent our company. After assisting you with your luggage, they often ask for money, which can feel uncomfortable, especially at the start of your trip. To avoid such a scenario, please hand your bags only to our company representative, who will be clearly identifiable and happy to assist you. This way, you will not have any hassle or unwanted surprises.

Wake up in your Kathmandu hotel and have breakfast. Later, around 9 A.M., a private vehicle, along with your tour guide, will meet you at the hotel lobby. Then, you will have a full day sightseeing around the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu.

You may begin the tour in any order, visiting Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, and Boudhanath Stupa.

Swayambhunath Temple: Also known as the Monkey Temple, dates back to 460 A.D. The temple lies on the western side of Kathmandu, a city that blends Buddhism and Hinduism. There are two entrances to the temple, one of which has 365 stone steps, each representing a day of the year.

Some attractions of the Swayambhunath stupa are as follows:

• Swayambhunath Stupa: White dome stupa with all-seeing Buddha eye.
• Vajra: A large golden thunderbolt located on the eastern side of the stupa.
• World Peace Pond: A pond located near the flight of steps leading to the main stupa.
• Ajima Temple: Temple dedicated to Harati Devi, who protects children.
• Dewa Dharma Monastery: A monastery known for its bronze Buddha and paintings.

Kathmandu Durbar Square: Also known as Hanumandhoka Durbar Square and Basantapur Durbar Square, which is marked by Newari architecture, stone carvings, temples, and wood carvings. Some popular attractions of Kathmandu Durbar Square are as follows:

• Hanuman Dhoka Durbar: It was built by King Prithivi Narayan Shah, is now a museum.
• Taleju Temple: It was built by King Mahendra Malla in 1,549 A.D.
• Kala Bhairav: A Gigantic statue of Kal Bhairav, the god of destruction, which King Pratap Malla discovered.
• Shiva Parvati Temple: The temple features wooden figures of Shiva and Parvati looking out from the central window.
• Kumari Ghar: The Temple of Kumari features wooden balconies built by King Jaya Prakash Malla. The Kumari goddess, also known as the Living Goddess, is replaced upon reaching puberty.
• Nasal Chowk: Coronation platform decorated with wood carving and architecture.
• Mohan Kali Chowk: Statue of Mohan Kali with artistic features.
• Sundari Chowk: Consists of Sunken Bath and Ornate windows.

Pashupatinath Temple: It is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu, located on the banks of the Bagmati River. The significant attractions of Pashupatinath Temple are as follows:

• Mukhalinga: Stone representation of Lord Shiva's face.
• Guhyeshwari Temple: Shrine for Goddess Sati's "yoni" representing divine feminine energy and spirituality.
• Gorakhnath Temple: Devoted to Guru Gorakhnath, a respected figure in Hinduism's Nath lineage.
• Western Cremation Ghats: Places where death procedures are held according to the Hindu religion.

Boudhanath Stupa: The Largest Buddhist stupa of Kathmandu. White, dome-shaped with a pinnacle on the top. The pinnacle represents Mount Sumeru (King of Mountains). The dome consists of the all-seeing Buddha eye. The significant attractions of Boudhanath Stupa are as follows:

• Ajima Temple: Temple dedicated to Mamo Pusaki, who is the protector of the stupa.
• Historical Pond and Ghyoilisang Peace Park: Located in the northwest part of Boudhanath.
• Guru Lhakhang Monastery: Oldest Nyingma monastery of the area.
• Jhamchen Lhakhang Monastery: Consists of a 32-foot-high statue of Maitreya Buddha.
• Samtenling Monastery: Oldest Tibetan Monastery in Boudhanath.

After the completion of the Kathmandu City tour, you can have lunch in Boudhanath. You can enjoy Tibetan and Nepali cuisine for lunch. Then, return to your hotel. You can have dinner around the streets of Thamel, or you can have it in the hotel. Then, rest, relax, and spend the night in Kathmandu.

Today, you will wake up early and have breakfast, or get a packed lunch from the hotel. Afterward, our guide will escort you to the nearby bus station for a drive to Pokhara. The drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara takes 8 to 10 hours, depending on traffic. However, it may be longer due to ongoing construction along different sections of the road. The road condition is often good, though some sections can be bumpy due to construction work.

You will travel from Thankot, leaving Kathmandu along the river road, and pass various waterfalls and prominent villages like Naubise, Thakre, Gajuri, Benighat, and Mugling, then to Pokhara. You can have lunch at any convenient place along the highway.

Once you arrive in Pokhara, you will be transferred to a hotel for dinner. If time favors you, you can stroll around the streets of Pokhara to see the nightlife. After dinner, return to the room and stay the night.

Today, wake up, refresh, and get ready to head to the Sarangkot viewpoint for a mesmerizing sunrise. The drive to Sarangkot will take about 40 minutes, depending on traffic. You will begin the drive to Sarangkot on well-paved roads, passing through forest areas and charming villages.

Once you reach the viewpoint at an altitude of 1,592 meters, you will enjoy a panoramic view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayas. So, immerse yourself in the breathtaking visual spectacle while also seeing Pokhara and Phewa Lake below. You can click photographs and have a short tea break while enjoying the sunrise. Afterwards, you will return to your Pokhara hotel and have breakfast.

After breakfast, you will continue your Pokhara tour, where you will see some of the city's popular attractions. The tour will include a visit to the following places:

• Lakeside Pokhara: Phewa Lake is the second-largest lake in Nepal, which is popular for boating. Across the lake, on an island, lies the Tal Barahi temple. The lakeside area is a vibrant space with restaurants and pubs. It is also a good place for walking and peace.
• Tal Barahi Temple: It is located in the center of Phewa Lake and is dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima. The temple is two-storied and represents the protester deity of female force. You can see pilgrims carrying male animals and fowls across the lake for sacrifice.
• Bindabasini Temple: Located in the old part of Pokhara Bazaar, it is the oldest Hindu temple of Pokhara. You can seek blessings and offer offerings at the temple devoted to Goddess Bindhyabasini, regarded as an incarnation of Goddess Kali. It is believed that the central part of the goddess was brought from India.
• Devi's Fall: It is a waterfall that forms a 500-foot-long underground tunnel before disappearing. The name is dedicated to a Swiss woman who lost her life while swimming there. The Davis fall area is beautifully landscaped and caters to tourists. The garden around the waterfall is perfect for spending quality time and taking photographs.
• Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave: It is a large limestone cave that has a statue of the Hindu God Shiva. The limestone cave features an underground waterfall, suggesting that water from the Devi's fall flows beneath it. The waterfall running down a small pool is one of the highlights of the Gupteshwor cave. Other than that, the cave has a large Shiva lingam at its entrance.
• World Peace Stupa: It is a white, dome-shaped hilltop stupa located in Anadu Hill. The stupa symbolizes purity and offers a stunning view of Annapurna and Pokhara. The World Peace Stupa features four images of the Buddha, each facing a different direction. The peace pagoda has several trekking trails that cross Phewa Lake, or one can cycle along tracks to the top of the hill. Reaching the hilltop can be part of a blissful silence and cool breeze. You can meditate or interact with the local monks.
• Pumdikot: It consists of a 51-foot-tall Shiva statue, which has religious significance. The Shiva statue is seated, with the right hand raised in a gesture of blessing. The left hand holds a Trishul, which symbolizes the power to destroy for balance. There are 108 stone-paved steps to reach the top of the Shiva statue.

You can have lunch at any suitable spot between the Pokhara tour. As the tour concludes, the vehicle will drop you off at your hotel. Later in the evening, have dinner, and you can go out to buy some souvenirs or grab a few drinks. You can stroll around and enjoy Pokhara's nightlife. Then, return to the hotel and rest. Spend overnight in Pokhara.

Today you will wake up early and have breakfast in Kathmandu. Then you will pack your bags and head to Chitwan. A private vehicle will pick you up and take you on a scenic drive to Chitwan. The drive will take about 4-6 hours, depending on the road and traffic conditions. As you leave Pokhara, you will drive along the Prithivi Highway along the riverside road following the Seti River.

You can see the landscape change from the urban city of Kathmandu to more rural areas with traditional villages. Along the highway, you will see various terraced farmlands, waterfalls, and small towns that welcome you to Chitwan. You can have lunch at a suitable place along the highway.

As you approach Chitwan, you will drive towards Sauraha, which is the entry stop to Chitwan National Park. Upon reaching Sauraha, settle in an accommodation option and have dinner. Stay overnight in Chitwan.

Today, wake up, refresh, and have breakfast in Chitwan. Then, pack your bags and head towards Chitwan National Park for exploration. You will begin the Jungle safari on a private jeep or elephant back. The tour lasts about 30 minutes, and you will head deep into the forest in search of exotic wildlife. Be sure to look out for one-horned rhino, Bengal tiger, Musk deer, Antelope, Crocodiles, and others. You can click plenty of photos and enjoy the natural scenery.

After the jungle safari, you can visit the Elephant Breeding Center in Sauraha. You can see live actions taken to preserve and protect the land animals. The breeding center aims to protect wildlife and raise awareness of its importance. Afterwards, you can engage in various activities inside the national park, including Jungle walks, canoeing in the Rapti River, Elephant bathing, and others.

Later in the evening, you will visit a Tharu village and participate in a Tharu cultural program. Here you will witness Tharu dance and taste Tharu food. You can also visit the Tharu Cultural Museum to learn more about the local culture, traditions, and history. Then, you will return to the hotel, have dinner, rest, and stay overnight in Chitwan.

Wake up, refresh, and have breakfast in Chitwan. After breakfast, get ready to leave Chitwan and head towards Lumbini in a private vehicle. The drive from Chitwan to Lumbini will take about 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic conditions. You can have lunch at a suitable place along the highway. The drive leads west through the low flat country of Nepal, with much warmer temperatures, to reach Lumbini in Rupandehi district.

Upon arrival in Lumbini, settle into your accommodation, then have dinner. After dinner, rest and spend the night in Lumbini.

Wake up, refresh, and have breakfast. Then, begin your sightseeing tour in Lumbini. You will enter the UNESCO World Heritage Site—the birthplace of Gautam Buddha—and start your exploration. Here are popular attractions that you will see inside Lumbini:

• Maya Devi Temple: It is the most sacred site in Lumbini. It is believed that the Maya Devi Temple is the exact spot where Lord Buddha was born. The temple houses stone slabs that mark the actual birthplace of Lord Buddha. The temple is named after the mother of Buddha, Maya Devi. You can see pictures of Buddha and Queen Maya Devi inside the temple. The temple features a sacred pond where Maya Devi took a ritual bath after giving birth. Likewise, there is the famous Bodhi Tree, where Maya Devi is said to have rested in the shade.
• Ashoka Pillar: The pillars were apparently built during 249 BC when Emperor Ashoka of India visited Lumbini. He built the four stupas and a pillar with a horse idol on the top. There are also ancient inscriptions that mention Ashoka describing the importance of Lumbini as the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The pillars are now surrounded by a small fence, prayer flags, and incense sticks used for meditation.
• Myanmar Golden Temple: The Golden Temple has three prayer halls, which are among the oldest structures in Lumbini. The temple's interior features the Lokamani Pula Pagoda.
• World Peace Stupa: The stupa was made by the Japanese Buddhist Organization in 2001 in Lumbini. It is a white-domed structure decorated with Buddhist symbols and paintings of Buddha. The central part of the stupa features a golden statue of the Buddha in meditative posture.

After completing the sightseeing tour, settle into an accommodation option, have dinner, and spend the night in Lumbini.

Today, wake up, refresh, and have breakfast in your hotel in Lumbini. Then, after breakfast, get ready to leave Lumbini and head towards Bhairahawa. A private vehicle will transfer you to the Bhairahawa airport, a 40-minute drive depending on traffic. Once you arrive at the Bhairahawa airport, our representative will assist you with boarding. Once you board the plane, you will arrive at Kathmandu airport in 35 minutes.

Once you arrive at the airport, our representative will assist you with your transfer to the hotel in Kathmandu. As you reach the airport, relax and refresh. Then in the evening, you will have a farewell dinner. We will celebrate your successful completion of the tour and hope to receive some feedback.

After dinner, if you have time, you can do some last-minute shopping or stroll around the streets of Thamel. Then head to your hotel, relax, rest, and spend the night in Kathmandu.

Today, according to your flight schedule, a private vehicle will drop you off at the airport for your departure. We wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavors. As we bid goodbye, the Nepal Cultural Scenic Tour with Trekking Planner Nepal Pvt. Ltd. ends. We hope to see you again for another adventure in Nepal. Until then, best wishes and have a safe flight. Namaste!