Images of Nepal Tour 10 days/9 nights

Images of Nepal Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu.

Drive Kathmandu/Dhulikhel (30 Km/45 min) visiting Thimi & Bhaktapur en-route.

Arrival at Kathmandu Airport for your meet & greet by Intertours Nepal staff with Tibetan Khada welcome.

En-route to Dhulikhel enjoy a fascinating stop in the village of Thimi, a name derived from the word “Chhemi” meaning “Capable people”. Thimi is well known for its colourful painted masks, dolls and terracotta work. These include delightful peacock and elephant flower pots and moulded candle stands.

Continue on to the World Heritage listed ancient city of Bhaktapur. Entering the Durbar Square, the sparseness of the temple is immediately apparent, compared to the profusion in the Durbar squares of Kathmandu and Patan cities. Visit the main square which contains innumerable temples and other architectural show pieces:

Drive on to the small resort town of Dhulikhel, set on a hill ridge and enveloped in copper soiled terraces. Here the air is clean and the views of the central Himalayan peaks are stunning on a clear day. Old temples, wonderful hikes and Newari style houses are the main attraction of Dhulikhel.

Overnight Hotel in Dhulikhel

Day 02:

Sights of Dhulikhel & Walk to Panauti (B)

Early this morning ensure you are up for a magnificent sunrise view of the eastern Himalayan peaks from your hotel. Weather permitting of course!

After breakfast visit Dhulikhel bazaar followed by a fascinating walk through paddy fields and farmlands to visit Panauti village. Located at the confluence of the Punyamati & Roshi Khola rivers, Panauti was once an important staging post on the Tibet trade route. The banks of the river are crowded with temples, shrines and cremation ghats. Across the river lies the Brahmayani temple and the biggest Shivalingam in Nepal. The Indreshwar Mahadev temple is a 15th century Newari structure with exquisite woodcarvings especially on the roof struts.

Drive back to Dhulikhel for lunch (or walk back if you have the energy). The afternoon is free to explore the nearby village on your own or relax at your hotel.

*Please note a drive to Panuati is possible for those not interested to walk.

Overnight Hotel in Dhulikhel

Day 03:

Drive Dhulikhel / Chitwan National Park Area 190Km 5-6hrs / All meals & safaris included.

After early breakfast commence your journey along the scenic mountain highway to the Chitwan National Park area. Upon arrival you will be met and welcomed by the naturalist from your chosen jungle lodge. Check in at the lodge and take late lunch. All meals are included during your stay at Chitwan.

This afternoon undertake one of the jungle activities such as Jeep safari to see the National Park wildlife. This can include One Horned Rhino, Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Bear plus many deer and bird species.

Overnight at Chitwan

Day 04:

Chitwan (B,L,D) – Full day of jungle activities:

Today you have a great choice of jungle activities.

Activities offered: Jeep safari; boat ride; nature/jungle walk and bird watching tours. Also elephant briefing/bathing or a slide presentation on flora and fauna of Nepal. Furthermore a Tharu stick dance performance; a Tharu village visit & an excursion to the Gharial breeding centre.

Overnight at Chitwan

Day 05:

Drive Chitwan / Begnas Lake (141Km/ 5hrs). (B)

After breakfast check out and drive the scenic mountain highway to the Pokhara valley. This valley is one of the most picturesque spots in Nepal. Witness a spectacular panorama of the central Himalayas with Annapurna I and III, Machapuchare and Manaslu dominating the skyline. Before reaching Pokhara city detour to Begnas Bazaar and transfer to the beautiful Begnas Lake Resort by boat (35 mins ride).

In this area people of diverse ethnic groups live side by side in clusters of hutments. They have co-existed for generations as good neighbours, mainly engaged in farming and fishing.

Overnight at Begnas Lake Resort

Day 06:

Hike to Begnaskote (5+ hrs) (B)

After an early breakfast hike north gaining altitude through Begnas village. View a spread out spectacle of clean mud houses and terraced fields. This is a fascinating hike with plenty of opportunity to connect with the local villagers and farmers. Begnas Maidan is an open meadow perched on a hilltop, from where one can have the most spectacular mountain views sweeping from east to west in a vast snowy expanse. Manaslu (8156m); the entire Annapurna massif with such prominent peaks as Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III & IV as well as Mt. Macchapuchare (6993m) and, weather permitting, the distant Dhaulagiri (8167m) in the far west.  Visit Deurali temple where villagers come to have their wishes fulfilled. Higher up along this trail is Begnaskote. This is an old military lookout dating back two centuries when local Rajahs needed to defend their small kingdoms.

On the return you have the option to visit the village junior school, supported by the Begnas Lake Resort, to see classes in progress and visit the library which is rated as one of the best reading rooms among Pokhara schools. Finally a short walk back down the hill along stone steps to the resort.

Late afternoon relax by the poolside or perhaps enjoy an Ayurvedic massage (optional).

Overnight at Begnas Lake Resort

Day 07:

Begnas Lake – Pokhara Region. (B)

This day is free to enjoy the peaceful ambience of Begnas Lake Resort. Complimentary Yoga is available morning and evening. Take another hike, relax by the poolside or undertake an Ayurveda massage (extra cost). We recommend a walk up to Sundaridanda, literally meaning “beautiful hill” in Nepali. This is a Gurung tribe village located on a ridge overlooking the Rupa lake and Mt. Manaslu (8,156m). Just walking along this ridge you will experience close contact with Nepal’s hill people and soak up the pristine beauty of the surrounding hillsides.

Overnight at Begnas Lake Resort (4*)

Day 08:

Short visit of Pokhara. Fly Pokhara/Kathmandu.
Tour of Pashupatinath & Bodhnath (B)

After breakfast enjoy the scenic boat ride to Begnas Bazaar and drive to Pokhara city for a short tour of its major sights & colorful bazaars. Visit Devi’s Falls and the Phewa lakeside with its rows of restaurants, bars, bookshops and fruit stalls. After the visit, transfer to Pokhara airport to for your short flight back to Kathmandu.

On arrival in Kathmandu take a short drive to Pashupatinath temple situated on the banks of the sacred Bagmati river. The temple of Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath, with a tiered golden roof and silver doors, is famous for its superb architecture. The best view of the temple is from the terrace on the wooded hill across the river. There are many occasions when the faithful take ritual purificatory baths in the river. Also, here you can witness first hand cremations of the recently deceased on the stone steps.

Proceed further to Bodhnath, the biggest stupa in Nepal. Set in a pattern of a “Mandala” it is encircled by houses and monasteries where Rinpoches (enlightened Buddhist monks) reside. Around the base of this strikingly enormous and simple stupa is a ring of 108 images of the Buddha and 147 insets containing prayer wheels. After the visit to Bodhnath transfer to your hotel.

Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu

Day 09:

Tour of Kathmandu, Swoyambhunath & Patan (B)

After breakfast visit old Kathmandu city with its stone-paved lanes, colorful bazaars, and the house of the living Goddess-Kumari. The Goddess is considered to be the incarnation of the “Virgin Goddess”. The old Durbar Square consists of innumerable temples of different architectural styles. Further visit the Hanuman Dhoka Palace and its museum which has now been opened to the public. The temples, shrines and different sections of the palace are contributions of various dynasties over centuries. They epitomize the religious and cultural life of the people.

Continue to Swoyambhunath, a  2500 year old Buddhist stupa. Situated west of Kathmandu and located at a top of green hillock. With the eyes of Buddha painted on its pinnacle it inspires righteous behaviour of the valley inhabitants. Around the stupa are hung multi-coloured prayer flags whose every flutter releases holy prayers to heaven.

This afternoon visit Patan city, also known as Lalitpur or the “city of beauty”. Patan, the oldest city of the Kathmandu valley, is the cradle of arts and architecture. It is well known for its intricately carved temples, narrow lanes and quaint shops. See the intricately stone-carved Krishna Mandir (temple), Patan Durbar Square and Hiranyavarna Mahavihar (golden temple).

Overnight Hotel in Kathmandu

Day 10:

Departure transfer (B)

This morning transfer to Kathmandu airport in time to connect to your onward flight.

Goodbye & Namaste!