Best of Nepal - Incl Mini Annapurna Trail - Chitwan Tour (131027),Holiday Packages to Kathmandu, Pokhara

Package Overview

Walk a portion of the famous Annapurna Trail in Nepal on this amazing holiday, that also visits Kathmandu & Chitwan National Park. Enjoy a safari by elephant, jeep, boat & canoe, before completing your holiday relaxing at Dhulikhel with its magnificent views over the high Himalayas. All light aircraft flights, transfers, park fees & elephant safari included.
HIGHLIGHTS
Kathmandu
Pashupatinath Temple
Durbar Square
Pokhara
Annapurna Trail
Bandipur
Chitwan National Park
Elephant Safari
Jeep & Boat Safaris
Dhulikhel Sunrise

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Day wise Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrive

You will be met at Kathmandu Airport and transferred to your hotel in this spectacular Himalayan country that is famous for trekking and is home to the highest mountain in the world - the mighty Mount Everest.

Check into your hotel amidst the intoxicating sights and sounds of this capital city that was devastated by an earthquake in 2015, but is now slowly recovering.
Day 2 : Kathmandu

This morning you will be introduced to the highlights of Kathmandu and surrounding area by your guide.

We start with a visit to the pilgrimage town of Pashupatinath, situated 3 miles (5 km) northeast of the Kathmandu Valley. Here you can view one of the holiest Hindu temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva and built in a pagoda style, with a gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. Visitors can view the temple from the eastern bank of the sacred Bagmati River, as non-Hindus may not enter the temple. Behind the temple are the cremation grounds.

Our next stop is the Buddhist stupa at Bodhnath, one of the largest of its kind in the world. Built by King Man Deva on the advice of the goddess Mani Jogini, its octagonal base is inset with prayer wheels. The shrine is ringed by houses of Lamas (priests), with four pairs of eyes looking in the four cardinal directions - keeping watch for righteous behaviour and human prosperity.

After lunch (own account) we explore the capital city of Kathmandu - known locally as Kantipur. Here we visit the Temple of the Living Goddess, where the centuries-old worship of the child deity, the Kumari Devi, is deeply embedded in the local culture. The current young Kumari acknowledges the greetings of devotees from the balcony of her temple residence, where she leads an isolated and secretive existance.

We visit Durbar Square with its array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the ancient place of the Nepalese Royalty. Although many of these structures collapsed during the devastating earthquake of 2015, not all areas were affected and the soul of the city is to be found in its backstreets, where you can soak up the local cultural and artistic heritage. Most of the people are Hindu but there are also many Buddhist, as the Buddha was born in this country when it was under the control of India.

Our day ends with a visit to the sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site of Swayambunath (meaning 'sublime trees'), an ancient stupa said to be over 2,000 years old. The main structure consists of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth, supporting a lofty copper-gilted conical spire. Painted on the four-sided base of the spire are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. The hill is a mosaic of small shrines and pagoda temples.
Day 3 : Pokhara

Transfer to Kathmandu Airport for your light aircraft flight to Pokhara, situated on beautiful Phewa Lake in central Nepal. This town is the gateway to the famous Annapurna hiking trail.

On arrival enjoy a half day of sightseeing, including a visit to Bindyabasini Temple - one of the oldest temples in the valley, set on a small hill at the north end of the old bazaar. View the Seti River as it rushes through the town; Seti Gorge and Devi's Waterfall with its water vapour and beautiful rainbow in sunlight.

After a visit to the International Mountaineering Museum, enjoy a late afternoon boat ride on Phewa Lake.
Day 4 : Annapurna Hiking Trail

This morning we set off early, transferring 1-hour by road with our guides & porters to the starting point of the Annapurna Hiking Trail - one of the most famous treks in the world, due to its spectacular mountain scenery and cultural encounters.

We walk for 3 to 4-hours today up to an altitude of 3,750 ft (1,150 m) following a ridgeline in the lower foothills of the Annapurnas, with wonderful views of the Pokhara Valley. Our route then descends into the Modi River Valley to our overnight lodge, with views of the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain - known locally as Machhapuchhre.

After lunch at the lodge, there is an optional walk to the village of Birethanti.
Day 5 : Sightseeing

Today we follow the Modi River Valley, walking past outlying farms as we begin our climb out the valley & up towards the mountains.

We walk for 5 to 6-hours to an altitude 6,600 ft (2,012 m), with the trail passing through small hamlets, terraced rice fields and forests with spectacular views of the surrounding valley. Snacks are provided along the trail and a hot lunch is served on arrival at the lodge in the early afternoon. From here there are magnificent close up views of the surrounding mountains.
Day 6 : Pokhara

This morning we hike back down from the hills, passing through small villages and surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

On reaching the road you will be met and driven back to Pokhara, with remainder of day at leisure.
Day 7 : Bandipur

Today we drive 3-hours to Bandipur, a beautifully preserved hilltop settlement set high on a ridge in the foothills of the Himalayas, above the highway stop of Dumre.

Time seems to have stood still in this town, which is a living museum of Newari culture with its winding lanes and traditional houses. Surrounded by pristine scenery, it has maintained an age-old flavour with a mix of history, architecture, incredible views, awesome caves and unspoiled landscapes.
Day 8 : Chitwan National Park

Today we drive 5-hours from Bandipur to your jungle lodge situated outside Chitwan National Park.

Chitwan National Park (meaning 'Heart of the Forest') is one of the few remaining undisturbed sections of the Terai Plains that extend along the southern foothills of the Himalayas - all the way through India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Together with adjacent Parsa Wildlife Reserve in the east, and India's Valmiki National Park to the south, this huge protected area of grassland, marshland and subtropical forest covers an area of over 1,370 square miles (3,549 sq km) and ranges in altitude from 330 ft (100 m) in the river valleys to over 2,600 ft (800 m) in the Churia Hills.

Check into your lodge in this region that is rich in flora and fauna.
Day 9 : Elephant Back Safari

Rise early today for an exciting Elephant Back Safari into Chitwan National Park.

Chitwan (meaning ‘Heart of the Jungle’) was the first national park established in Nepal and its river plains and jungle provide sanctuary for one of the largest populations of the rare Bengal tiger, along with one-horned rhinos, fish-eating Gharial crocodiles, wild elephants, leopards and sloth bears. However the dense jungle, tall grass and nocturnal hours kept by many animals make spotting wildlife difficult.

68 species of mammals have been recorded in this park including deer, wild boar, bison and monkeys. Early morning is the best time to track tigers and other wildlife, but be aware that it is extremely difficult to find tigers in this national park and sightings are rare.

During the warm summer months, before lunch we visit the elephant stables to watch the elephants bathing in the river. Weather permitting and subject to water levels, in the afternoon we embark on a Boat Safari to view aquatic birds, crocodiles and other wildlife from the river.

In the evening enjoy a slide presentation on Chitwan National Park and its wildlife.

Note: Jeep safaris are prohibited during the monsoon season (June to September). Wear warm clothes, including woolly hats and gloves, to protect you from the wind chill in the early morning.
Day 10 : Jeep Safari

This morning we set out early on a Jeep Safari to identify birds and searching for wildlife in the grasslands, riverine forests, dense sal forests and oxbow lakes of Chitwan National Park.

We also visit a local village to learn more about their lifestyle.

In the afternoon we drive to Kasara, the headquarter of Chitwan National Park, to visit their gharial (fish-eating crocodile) hatchery project. We then drive through dense sal forest to the oxbow lakes (Lami Tal & Tamar Tal) where, weather permitting, we silently glide down the Rapti River in a traditional dug-out canoe and view aquatic birds, crocodiles and any animals that may come down to the riverbank to drink.

In the evening farmers from a nearby villages will entertain you with a show of their skills in traditional Tharu stick dancing.
Day 11 : Dhulikhel

This morning transfer 1-hour to Bharatpur Airport for your light aircraft flight to Kathmandu.

You will be met at Kathmandu Airport and transferred 1.5-hours to Dhulikhel, situated at an altitude of 5,500 ft (1,600 m) above sea level. This small town is famous for its panoramic views over the peaks of the high Himalayas, from Cho Oyu in the east to Himalchuli in the west.

Check in an relax in your spectacular surroundings.
Day 12 : Dhulikhel

Weather permitting, rise early this morning to witness an amazing sunrise over the high Himalayas, before returning to your hotel for breakfast.

The balance of the day is at leisure to relax and explore Dhulikhel independentl
Day 13 : Departure

Transfer 1.5-hours to Kathmandu Airport for your flight home.

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Inclusions

Hotel
Sightseeing
Pickup-Drop

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Price & Rates

No of pax	Age Limit	Price per pax (Rs)
Adult	Above 12 years	$ 2521 / Adult

* Mentioned prices may vary depending upon date of travel, hotel availability, surge pricing and seasonal rush.

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Package Start From

Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

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Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.

Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.

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