12 days Luxurious Cultural Tour Nepal

Once you arrive at the Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu, our representative will welcome you and drive you to the hotel. You can rest and refresh at the hotel.

In the evening, you can roam around the city’s lively areas, Thamel and Durbarmarg.

Overnight at Kathmandu.

Today, we will drive to Chitwan, where you will stay at Sauraha. We will reach Sauraha in approximately 5-6 hours’ drive, then drive you directly to the hotel, where you will freshen up and take a rest.

In the afternoon, you can watch the sunset from the Rapti riverside, and you can stroll around the village. While roaming around, you can taste the street food and local cuisine. Also, you can interact with the locals and learn about their culture and way of living.

Overnight at Chitwan.

After breakfast, we will head out for canoeing, where our guide will take us through the Rapti River, and then we will walk through the jungle. While canoeing, we get to witness the Gharials (crocodiles) lying on the riverbank or floating by. Additionally, we will observe various bird species near the rivers. Our ride ends in a jungle, and then we will walk over, witnessing several birds along the way, as well as baby elephants.

Then, we will return to our hotel, have lunch, and later go on a Jeep Safari. Roaming around the jungle in a jeep is the best way to spot wildlife closely, as they are safe. During this safari, you will witness the One-Horned Rhino and the Royal Bengal Tiger up closely, along with other animals, including leopards, wild boars, sloth beers, and more.

Once we return from the unforgettable safari, we will walk around the village. You can also support the locals by buying their local products. Then we will return to our hotel, where you will be entertained by the regional dance, “tharu nach.” Tharu, the indigenous people of the area. Later, for dinner, we will eat traditional Tharu cuisine.

Overnight at Chitwan.

Today, we will drive to Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. You will pass through small settlements and farmlands, where you will get the vibe of rural Nepalese life.

You will reach the most sacred and holy place, Lumbini, in about 5-6 hours’ drive from another historic and holy place, Kathmandu, and then you will be dropped off at your hotel. You will have a complete rest for the day and be prepared for tomorrow’s long day tour.

Overnight at Lumbini.

Lumbini has a lot to offer, and the best thing about this place is the peace you will be around. After a decent breakfast, we will first visit the Mayadevi Temple, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha and a main attraction of Lumbini. We will also witness the Ashoka Pillar, constructed by Emperor Ashoka, which is believed to mark the exact spot where Siddhartha Gautama (Gautama Buddha) was born. Then, we will visit the Puskarini pond, which is considered the place where the queen bathed after the birth of Gautama Buddha. We will also see the Lumbini Museum, the Sacred Peace Garden, the Peace Flame, and a Little Buddha Statue.

Also, we will visit various monasteries and temples built in Lumbini, including the Thai Monastery, the Vietnamese Monastery, the Indian Temple, the Japanese Temple, and others. Additionally, we will explore the area, allowing you to meet locals and learn about their customs and way of life.

Overnight at Lumbini.

After having a decent breakfast, we will drive towards Pokhara, which is about a 6–7-hour drive. Along the way, you will witness the beautiful Mahabharat Ranges, hills, and several settlements. Once we reach Pokhara, we will proceed directly to our hotel, check-in, freshen up, and rest for a while.

Later in the evening, you can roam around the Fewa Lake (Lakeside). Additionally, Pokhara comes alive at night, offering an opportunity to enjoy live music, food, and dance. Additionally, consider exploring various clubs and lounges if you love dancing or partying.

Overnight at Pokhara.

Today, we will go sightseeing in Pokhara, and it’s going to be a long day. Early in the morning, around 5 AM, we will pick you up and drive you to Sarangkot, where you can witness the beautiful Sunrise. Also, from that spot, your eyes will be filled with the spectacular views of Mount Fishtail and Annapurna.

Then we will drive back to our hotel and have breakfast. After breakfast, we will drive to the World Peace Stupa, from where you will get a stunning view of Pokhara and Fewa Lake. Later, we will visit Davis Falls, Gupteshwor Mahadev Temple, Bat Cave, Begnas Lake, and, of course, Fewa Lake. There is a temple named Tal Barahi, which can only be reached by boat. You will have a fantastic experience visiting this temple.

Note: You will have the opportunity to experience a range of thrilling activities, including bungee jumping, paragliding, zip-lining, mountain biking, and more. All of these are excluded from the itinerary. If you would like to try any of them, please inform us in advance so that the schedule can be adjusted accordingly.

Overnight at Pokhara.

Today promises to be an exciting and adventurous day as we hike to one of the most beautiful villages near Pokhara, Dhampus. We will have our breakfast early in the morning and drive for about 1 hour to reach Phedi. From Phedi, we will begin our hike, and in about 3 hours, we will reach Dhampus. This hike is of a moderate level, so it is suitable for anyone to attempt. For about an hour, the trail ascends, but then it becomes flat and passes through the farmlands.

Dhampus, a village of Gurung Community, from where you will get spectacular panorama views of the majestic mountains, including the Annapurna Ranges, Mount Gangapurna (7,455m), Mount Fishtail (6,993m), and Lamjung Himal (6,983m).

Along with the panorama mountain view, we can explore the culture, traditions, and traditional cuisine of the Gurung community. You can also try on the Gurung cultural dress and take a photo of it with your camera. The view, you wearing their traditional clothing, and the images coming out of the lens are worth the hurdle for reaching Dhampus.

Later, we will hike to Naudanda and then drive back to Pokhara. You can rest the remainder of the day or stroll around Pokhara one last time.

Overnight at Pokhara.

After having breakfast, we will drive back to Kathmandu, but before reaching Kathmandu, we will spend one more day at the beautiful village on the way, Bandipur.

Bandipur, a beautiful Newar village, has preserved its culture and tradition to date. Historical records indicate that the community originated from Bhaktapur. They are well-known for their craftsmanship, which resulted in numerous wonderfully designed and carved structures. This medieval village has largely escaped modernity, allowing visitors to experience the quiet and tranquility of life in the Himalayan foothills.

Once we reach Bandipur, we will visit Ramkot, a Magar village where we can experience their utmost hospitality and way of life. Then, we will visit Chandi Barahi Temple and Mukundeswari Temple. There are other temples too which are worth visiting to experience the culture and traditions values of the area.

In the evening, we will visit the Bandipur bazaar, a great place to buy souvenirs, enjoy local cuisine, and experience the beauty and vibrancy of this bustling market.

Overnight at Bandipur.

From Bandipur, it takes about 4 hours to reach Kathmandu. Before heading towards Kathmandu, we will visit other places before lunch. We will have a decent breakfast and then head to the Siddha Gufa (cave), which is South Asia’s largest cave. Here, you will witness the breathtaking natural pillars formed deep within the earth. We will enjoy the beauty of this cave, capture it on the camera, and then visit the nearby Khadga Devi Temple.

We will have our traditional cuisine here and then drive to Kathmandu. Along the way, we pass through small settlements, farmlands, and rivers. We will reach Kathmandu by evening, and you can stroll around the Thamel or Durbar Marg area and experience the lively atmosphere of Kathmandu.

Overnight at Kathmandu.

Today, we will visit the top attractions of Kathmandu, including Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square (also known as Basantapur), and Pashupatinath Temple.

We start early and take you to Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, one of the most sacred and oldest Buddhist Stupas in Nepal. Both Hindus and Buddhists revere this stupa. This Swayambhunath stupa is believed to be approximately 1500 years old, and it is said that the Stupa represents enlightenment and serenity. Buddha’s eyes symbolize compassion, while the stupa’s white dome stands for wisdom. Also, it is famous for meditation and photography, as it offers a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley, the stupa itself, and multiple astonishing spots around the stupa, including collections of small other stupas, Hindu temples, and, of course, the monkeys, which will make for a great capture.

Then, we will drive to Kathmandu Durbar Square, also locally known as Basantapur, which was formerly the royal house of the Kathmandu Kingdom and is now a bustling public square. Here, you will have the opportunity to explore the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, a 17th-century royal mansion, and the National Museum, which houses over 1,000 relics. Additionally, you will see the 35-meter-tall Taleju Bhawani Temple, which features four golden domes. It is only open to visitors during the yearly Indra Jatra festival. Across the square lies Kasthamandap, a three-story building made of a single Sal tree (Shorea robusta) in the 12th century. Also, if lucky, you can witness the living Goddess of Nepal, Kumari, at Kumari Ghar inside the square. Along with exploring Nepal’s culture, tradition, history, and architecture, you will find each spot to be a photography center, and you should not skip any of them.

Once we spend time at Basantapur, we will then drive to Bouddhanath Stupa, the largest stupa in Nepal, dating back to the 5^th century and revered by Buddhists worldwide. This massive, 36m-high white dome has a mandala-like shape and was built in the 5^th century, symbolizing the legendary Mount Meru. While wandering around the stupa’s base, one can hear monks chanting and prayer wheels squeaking. Around the Stupa, there are numerous small shops selling prayer flags, books, jewelry, and other items that can be purchased as souvenirs.  You can have better shots of Bouddhanath from nearby rooftop café and restaurants.

Later in the evening, we will visit Pashupatinath Temple, the largest Hindu temple in Nepal, dedicated to Hindu Lord Shiva. This remarkable temple, situated on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, is home to numerous sadhus and saints. The main temple is built in the pagoda style and features beautiful wood crafts and gilded roofing. If you are not Hindu, you are not permitted to enter the main temple’s premises; however, you can still stroll around and explore the surrounding temples. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to see the cremation site on the banks of the Bagmati River, adjacent to the Pashupatinath Temple. Additionally, even if you are a Hindu, you cannot take photographs inside the main premises. Still, you will find multiple spots and moments outside the temple to capture the beauty of the temple. In the evening, you will have the opportunity to sit and watch the Sandhya Aarati, one of the most important rituals that takes place in this temple each day without interruption. You will be amazed by the crowd of devotees during this Sandhya Aarti time who visit each day to listen to Bhajans and watch the priests perform Aarti.

Once the Sandhay Aarati is finished, we will drop you off at the hotel to rest after a long day.

Overnight at Kathmandu.

Today is the farewell. We are cautious about departure times to ensure we drop you off at the airport three hours before your scheduled departure.

Hope you enjoyed your time with us. Safe journey.

Note: If you want to prolong your stay, we can assist you with further planning for your trip to Nepal.