Kathmandu Pokhara Chitwan Tour- 8 Days

On the 2nd day of the Kathmandu Pokhara Chitwan Tour, we will have our morning breakfast and begin our Kathmandu sightseeing trip. Our tour guide and driver will take you to visit a number of sites that are sure to fascinate you and prompt your curiosity about the culture of Nepal. Here’s a detailed description.

Bouddhanath Stupa

The Bodhanth Stupa has been a symbol of Buddhist religion for hundreds of years. Rising above the Kathmandu valley, it resembles a massive mandala of serenity and beauty, complete with enormous eyes.

Constructed approximately in the middle of the fourteenth century, the massive peaceful structure is believed to have been built shortly after the Buddha’s demise. The large tranquil place gradually rose to prominence as the community’s main location for worship.

The building’s construction comprises a large dome with a Buddhist pagoda tower placed upon it. The entire structure rests on large stairs that look similar to mandalas. The stupa’s original location was near a major commercial route, which brought in a constant flow of visitors from all around.

Though the location has been in existence for a long time, it wasn’t until Chinese migrants began moving to Kathmandu in the 1950s that it really started to become the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Temples and other places of worship started showing up all over the nearby city and even farther away, greatly increasing the site’s significance and influence.

The infinitely intelligent Buddha is symbolized by pairs of eyes adorning the base of the stupa in each of the four directions. Though quiet and lovely, the structure does appear to be staring down at the travelers as they approach to place offerings or simply to view one of the most amazing Buddhist sites in the world.

Swayambhunath Stupa

Swayambhunath holds great significance in Nepalese traditions and customs. It is a sacred site for Hindus as well as Buddhists. Since the stupa’s history is linked to Nepal’s spiritual development, it represents harmony between Buddhism and Hinduism.

Local stories tell of an old lotus that once flourished in a lake that spread throughout the Kathmandu Valley. This lotus symbolized the location of Buddha’s birth and glowed with a holy light. It is said that the stupa spontaneously sprouted from this lotus, thus the name “Swayambhunath,” which translates to “self-emerged.” This legendary beginning emphasizes the site’s sacred significance.

Swayambhunath has undergone several changes over the ages. It was probably a little stupa or a plain mound at first. But when Buddhism started to become popular in Nepal, the stupa’s parameters and craftsmanship increased.

Later, the famous white dome signifying illumination was constructed, topped with a golden pinnacle. The stupa’s design, which reflects the cultural variety of Nepal, is a distinctive fusion of Tibetan and Nepalese architectures.

Various empires and kings had an effect on Swayambhunath. The growth of the stupa in the 5th century BC was greatly aided by the Licchavi dynasty.

Following rulers, including the Mallas, continued to embellish and modernize the stupa. Prayer wheels, sculptures, and other decorative features were added to the building by each emperor.

Several rituals and activities are performed at Swayambhunath by both visitors and devotees. A large number of people recite prayers and rotate prayer wheels as they circle the stupa. This is a profoundly spiritual action that demonstrates spiritual development.

Offerings and oil lamp burning are expressions of devotion and reverence for the stupa’s spiritual significance. At this location, people also practice meditation, attend ceremonies of faith, and hang prayer flags, all of which develop a stronger sense of spiritual connection with the area’s underlying energy.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Several rituals and activities are performed at Swayambhunath by both visitors and devotees. A large number of people recite prayers and rotate prayer wheels as they circle the stupa. This is a profoundly spiritual action that demonstrates spiritual development.

Offerings and oil lamp burning are expressions of devotion and reverence for the stupa’s spiritual significance. At this location, people also practice meditation, attend ceremonies of faith, and hang prayer flags, all of which develop a stronger sense of spiritual connection with the area’s underlying energy.

The Malla and Shah monarchs were sworn in at Kathmandu Durbar Square, and they controlled the nation from there after Kathmandu was established as the capital city of Nepal in 1768. This went on until 1986 when the royal palace was relocated to the Narayanhiti Palace. The 7th-century Kasthamandap building in Durbar Square is the source of the city’s name Kathmandu; however, the 2015 earthquake completely destroyed Kasthamandap.

Durbar Square’s construction is said to have begun in the third century, during the Licchavi dynasty. However, the Malla rulers constructed the majority of the temples, structures, and monuments between the thirteenth and eighteenth centuries.

The Kumari Ghar, the residence of the Living Goddess Kumari, a manifestation of Goddess Taleju, is also located in Durbar Square. The Kumari of Kathmandu Durbar Square, also known as the Royal Kumari, is the most significant of the Kumaris in Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur.

The Kumari only leaves the holy residence, where she resides with her caregivers, during certain holy days in Kathmandu. She occasionally ventures outside of her palace, but when she does, her feet do not touch the earth. She is only permitted to speak with her immediate family and her caregivers, and she is not permitted to communicate with anybody else.

Pashupatinath

Located on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, Pashupatinath temple is considered the most highly regarded Hindu temple in Nepal. Only Hindus are permitted access to the main temple; non-Hindus will have to make do with watching from the platforms directly east opposite of the Bagmati River. Footwear, buckles, and devices, clothing items made of leather are prohibited from entering the grounds of the temples as a sign of respect and tradition. They need to be left outdoors. It is highly forbidden to take pictures as well.

Shivaratri, also known as the Night of Lord Shiva, is the most significant occasion celebrated here. Hindu followers and devotees from all over Nepal and India, notably sadhus, swarm the temple to catch sight of the revered Shiva lingam.

Teej, a festival exclusively commemorated by Hindu women, falls in mid-September and is the second sacred occasion when devotees flock to the temple in great numbers. Women showcasing green or yellow beaded necklaces and covered in their wedding red dresses called Sari offer vows for their spouses’ longevity, wealth, and health, turning the entire temple complex and surrounding areas into a pool of crimson.

Situated close to the Pashupatinath Temple on the shores of the Bagmati River, Guhyeshwari is a well-known Shakti Peeth in the Hindu religion. Non-Hindus are also refused admission inside. Here, a silver-plated waterhole that is shielded from the elements by a silver kalash (sacred container) represents the goddess. The history of the temple is described in the Swasthani Brata Katha.

Shiva was devastated when his beloved spouse Sati Devi died in a fire by committing suicide, and he traveled the world for a long time with her lifeless body on the back of his shoulders. The corpse started to decay while he was hopelessly traveling, and various parts of her body tumbled to different locations.

A Shakti Peeth began where those bodily parts landed, and the Mother Goddess, in her form as Lord Shiva’s spouse, arrived to live there. The Shakti Peeths became sacred sites when gods, holy men, and heavenly beings visited them to perform atonement or to honor the goddess (Ishwari). Because the Guhya, or anal part, of the corpse, landed here, this location became known as Guhyeshwari.

We will visit all these sites and more as a part of the Kathmandu Pokhara Chitwan Tour. We might visit other sites too if you prefer to visit specific sites. Some sites in Kathmandu require visitors to buy tickets which will be covered by our Kathmandu Pokhara Chitwan Tour package.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

On the 3rd day of your Kathmandu Pokhara Chitwan Tour, we will travel to the absolutely stunning city of Pokhara. You will take a road trip to Pokhara which is about 7 hours from Kathmandu. The distance between the cities is not that far but the roads are spiraled which makes the trip longer. We will be traveling in a private vehicle which is more comfortable and gives us the freedom to stop where we want to.

We will get on the ride to Pokhara after breakfast and have our lunch at one of the restaurants on the way. After we reach Pokhara, we will head straight to your 3-star accommodation.

If you want to avoid this long road trip, you can opt for a flight instead. The flight lasts only 25 minutes, saving you hours of traveling but the flight fare will not be covered by the Kathmandu Pokhara Chitwan Tour package. We will not be liable for any expense related to any flights made during this trip.

Taking a flight to Pokhara will allow you to spend more time in the city but the flights to Pokhara can get delayed due to bad weather conditions in either of the cities or other issues.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

3-Star Hotel

On the 4th day of the Kathmandu Pokhara Chitwan Tour, you will travel to a number of beautiful locations within Pokhara.

Tal Barahi Temple

Since it is the one and only temple in Nepal situated in the middle of a lake, Tal Barahi Temple is the most visited temples in Pokhara. The goddess Durga Agima resides at the temple. Tal Barahi temple is further believed to be devoted to the third avatar of Lord Vishu which is a Wild Boar. The nose’s shape is shown in the stone statue. There are several hearsays that support the story of how this temple came to be.

The Tal Barahi temple is a two-story structure designed like a pagoda and surrounded by a variety of tree kinds. The temple used to be a little thatched-roofed mud cottage with an entrance no bigger than a window. King Mahendra restored the temple in 2017 B.S. into a magnificent and lovely site. Ram Bahadur Shrestha, an overseeing engineer, oversaw the rehabilitation project.

Tal Barahi is typically the first place visitors go after making their way down from Halan Chowk as they walk along the lakeside. On a clear day, you can view Mount Fishtail as you board the boat to the temple. It is the only way you can reach the temple. You may also take pleasure in a boat trip around the temple and attend prayers.

The belief is that when a follower asks the goddess Tal Barahi with a heart of purity, she grants their requests. As a result, a large number of devotees come here seeking happiness as well as excellent wellness.

Offerings are often made by people as a token of appreciation when their desires are granted. When their prayers came true, humans would sacrifice five different animals together as part of the ancient “Panch Bhakal” custom. Nevertheless, this practice is no longer carried out.

Davis Fall

Davis Falls is a well-liked tourist attraction close to Lakhan Chowk. This location allows guests to appreciate the majesty of nature while providing a stunning view of a waterfall. The 500-foot-long waterfall plunges into a narrow, deep valley, providing tourists with a dramatic display.

Although the waterfall’s depth is unclear, the water is extremely clean and seems to have come from the neighboring Fewa Lake. The waterfall’s natural phenomena set it apart from other waterfalls in the nation. The waterfall known as Davis Fall denotes the point at which the Pardi River vanishes underground, with no trace of its passage.

At first, this enchanting waterfall got its name from a Swiss woman with the last name “Davi” who perished there. On July 31, 1961, a Swiss couple was seen swimming close to the waterfall. However, the woman perished in a hole as a result of the overflow.

Her corpse was recovered from the Phusre River after three days. Following the occurrence, the location became known as Davis Falls among visitors. But these days, it’s also referred to as Devi’s Fall.

Begnas Lake

The bigger brother of the twins Rupa Tal and Begnas, this lake stretches across 49 km2 and is Pokhara’s second-biggest lake next to Phewa Tal. This freshwater lake is not that popular of a destination for tourists making it a great uninfluenced site to visit.

There are communities and swamps on the lake’s northern shore, and the number of terraced farms surrounding the lake has significantly increased recently. Begnas has a well-known freshwater fish marketplace because certain parts of the lake are utilized for confined fisheries.

The lake is a well-kept area where you are able to boat or simply spend a lot of time in the environment, in addition to many other things you can do. But the boat is yours to pay for. A life jacket will be given to you, and you are allowed to bring refreshments and dry snacks on the boat. The majority of people spend time in the Begnas Tal shoreline area.

You can go swimming in this freshwater lake and park your boat in the center of the lake. However, you may leave your boat parked in one of the many quiet spots and take in the magnificent scenery and wildlife of Begnas Lake.

At the bustling Begnas market, local men, and tourists, walk by while villagers sell their locally grown goods alongside a few large eateries and retail establishments. A bustling location for passersby, ideal for socializing because locals are quite kind and supportive. Between the Begnas and Rupa lakes is a ridge that offers amazing scenery of the lake and the mighty Himalayan peaks.

There are many inexpensive hotels and homestays in the settlements around Begnas, which are far more comfortable than lodging close to the market. One can never get enough of the simply amazing Himalayan and lake views.

Mahendra Cave

Mahendra Cave is a massive cave within Pokhara made of limestone. This cave, named for the late King Mahendra, is easily accessible by road and is situated in the western part of Pokhara, approximately 1100 meters above sea level. Inside the cave is an idol of Lord Shiva, a popular Hindu god. It is among the most popular destinations in Pokhara.

Mahendra Cave is abundant in various sorts of rocks and stones that sparkle when illuminated by light. Instead of being struck by sharp digging tools, this natural structure is meant to be seen.

Large granite boulders and tunnels leading to many locations, including Kali River, are additional features of this cave. However, most of the passageways are currently blocked by large rock boulders. The gloomy ceilings of the cave reveal an abundance of wild bats that call it home.

The 1950s saw the discovery of this cave by shepherds of the area. Adhero Bhawan was the cave’s initial name before it was renamed after the late king. In 1953 AD, senior cultural specialist Satya Mohan Joshi paid a visit to the cave, he then published a piece for a newspaper about it. This was the first official publication about this cave.

It was read by King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, who was the ruler of the nation at the time, and he later visited Pokhara. Then, it was given its current name “The Mahendra Cave” in his honor. Mahendra Cave has considerable religious significance as well, which is why thousands of Indian visitors visit it every year. It is also regarded by Lord Shiva’s followers as a sacred location.

Mahendra Cave can be visited from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. You must pay an admission charge, which differs based on the country you are from, to access the Mahendra Cave.

International Mountain Museum

The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) provided assistance, in the form of guidance and information, in the construction of the International Mountain Museum in Pokhara. In order to make the gallery what it is at present, several national and international organizations, and people have generously donated financially or in the form of labor.

Renowned Everest climbers Appa Sherpa of Nepal and Ms. Junko Tabei of Japan officially opened the museum in May 2002. The museum occupies 12.6 acres and has more than 4200 square meters of display space. From February 5, 2014, this museum was accessible to the general public and tourists.

You may learn a great deal about the culture, history, and traditions of Nepal’s mountain peoples by visiting the International Mountain Museum. Additionally, you can find information on all 8,000-meter peaks of Nepal.

Public displays include rock and fossil exhibits, wildlife and plant exhibits, equipment used by climbers, portraits of notable climbers, and peak model displays. You may explore several exhibitions devoted to the thrilling sport of climbing and learn every detail there is to know about it.

It provides information on all the facts and figures associated with the magnificent mountain range, which stretches from Nepal’s Everest to Pakistan’s K2. Additionally, it lists the amazing activities one can perform along with the records held by different individuals around the world. Pictures of early climbers from the early 1920s to 1950s as well as the trips of foreign and Nepalese groups are available for tourists to view.

Every year, geological experts, climbers, and numerous other scientists from throughout the globe come to this museum. Every year, the museum welcomes around 70,000 visitors from both domestic and foreign locations.

Let’s say you have an interest in climbing or you are just fascinated by the past of Nepal’s towns and peaks. The museum is the ideal location for you in that scenario.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

3-Star Hotel

Chitwan is about 150 kilometers southwest of Pokhara and can be reached by road within a maximum time of 5 hours. If you want to avoid traveling by road, you can simply take a flight to Bharatpur instead but it will not be covered by our Kathmandu Pokhara Chitwan Tour.

On the way to Chitwan, you will enjoy the scenes of the hills as we make it out of the Pokhara Valley and travel through the Prithivi Highway. We will have our lunch at one of the cleanest restaurants on the way. Restaurants along the highway can often be messy and unhygienic since they are too busy serving a bus full of travelers one after another.

However, we will make sure that you eat at a hygienic and clean eatery. Our guide will also recommend typical Nepalese dishes to try.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Local Teahouse

A jeep safari remains one of the most favored and enjoyed methods of traveling through the wild jungle in Chitwan National Park. You’ll get in the 4×4 jeep early in the morning and go on a safari after breakfast. After you pass the Rapti River in a boat, the safari jeep will be waiting for you.

On this safari, you’ll get to see the animals living in the jungle from the rear of an open-topped jeep. On the other hand, in order to spot animals, the guide will swing out the rear of the Jeep. He is also going to inform you about the environment, wildlife, and other interesting things.

The driver will pull over at several points so the safari guide can point out landmarks and wildlife. Sometimes the animals are so well camouflaged that we are unable to see them and only an expert safari guide can spot them. You’ll have a great chance to get some incredible shots of birds and animals during this jungle trip.

The Jeep safari may be done in two different ways. An approximately four-hour fast safari is the first option while the second option includes a full day of jungle safari deep into the forest. The four-hour safari starts around 1 PM and ends at 5 PM. The jeep has room for up to seven people. and offers extra comfort thanks to its spacious seats and comfy seats.

The full-day jungle safari trip starts in the wee hours of the morning and lasts until dawn. You will venture further into the woods on this excursion, increasing your chances of sighting tigers, rhinos, deer, and other wildlife. You’ll be going on a vehicle safari through the forest for the whole day. As such, lunch will be served on the way during this excursion.

Since we also have other activities to get into, we will not be choosing the full-day safari option. As per your preference, you can enjoy activities like elephant bathing, elephant jungle safari, kayaking, and many more.

Later in the day, we will take you to see the Tharu Cultural Show in Chitwan. This show is based around the cultural songs and dances of the indigenous Tharu people who are native to the land of Chitwan.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

3-Star Hotel

On the 7th day of your Kathmandu Pokhara Chitwan Tour, we will return to Kathmandu. We will be exhausted after an exciting day at the Chitwan National Park, so you can just doze off in the jeep.

We will reach Kathmandu probably in the evening after which you can spend a couple of hours shopping for Nepalese arts and crafts or any type of souveniers that you like.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

3-Star Hotel

This is the final day of the Kathmandu Pokhara Chitwan Tour. After everything has been processed, we will say our goodbyes, hoping to see you soon again. Our driver will drop you off at the Kathmandu airport, a couple of hours prior to your flight.

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Accommodation

Excluded